I need some accountability

[BrandonH]

Hello --- newbie here.

In January 2005 I tipped the scales at almost 300 pounds. I was 28 years old and in the wors shape of my life. I'm 6'4", by the way.

Our church put on a little competition so my best friend and I partnered up and for 16 weeks we worked our tails off. We ran and we watched our diets --- I just counted calories (2000 per day) and he did Atkins. He went from 260 to 190 and went from 300 to 240.

Since that time, I've grown to love running. Since I'm big by nature, I can't run a long distance --- usually no more than 3 - 4 miles (I ran a 10K once, but it took a long long time).

I've dabbled in weight lifting and liked it, but not as much as I like running. For whatever reason, I enjoy putting on the iPod and hitting the streets ---- I hate treadmills.

I recently moved to a new city, so my work out partner of 2 years is gone. I've tried for the past 7 months to get in a good routine of working out and eating healthy but it's not working (yet). I have the working out beat --- I get in 3 - 4 days of working out at the YMCA each week. For the most part, I do cardio with a little bit of strength training.

My problem is eating. . . my problem has always been eating. My biggest problem is eating at night time (after dinner). It seems I do a great job of eating a healthy breakfast (usually Cracklin oat bran or Raisen Bran). I'm good with snacks (fruit, etc) and usually eat a good lunch --- turkey on wheat, grilled chicken salads, etc). My dinners are usually a killer and then comes the boredom and nighttime eating.

Right now, I'm up to 260. I'm in better shape (due to the working out) than when I originally lost all of my weight. However, I'm heavier and just not as happy with myself. I know I can do better.

With my friend working out with me, I had someone to lean on --- somone I felt like I couldn't let down as well.

I'm hoping to find something similar here.


My goal is to get down to 225. I feel like the first 3-4 weeks of eating right will be a pain in the butt

Soooooo, if anyone is looking for a solid accountiblity partner, please let me know.


Thanks for your time,


Brandon

 

[allyphoe]

If you like to eat at night, save up some calories for after-dinner snacking. I'd also suggest making sure you're getting plenty of protein and drinking enough water.

A lot of people here journal their food in a diary, or keep track for their own purposes with or similar.

 

[yarmiah]

Seems to me you need to create new habits at night time. You appear to eat at night out of routine, not out of hunger. I would suggest phasing out the old routine and replacing with a new one. You could cut back on some calories to allow the extra in the evening. You could also try to replace your typical evening food with lighter versions ei sugar free pudding with cool whip, or a skinny cow ice cream. Also, find things to do in the evening that keep your hands busy so its not convenient to be eating. Hopefully over time, you will change your habits and reap the benefits!

Good Luck!

 

[AmberNC]

hey i have a that same issue of eating at night, so what i do is insead of eating "junk" food i eat some sugar free jello/pudding or eat those pop cicles the surar free, they have very low cal.
Also when you go to the YMCA maybe you could find someone there who would like to go a workout plan with you!