My Journey to..wait, where am I going again?!?

Mamaz2ndbaby

Mamaz2ndbaby

New member
Hi, The purpose of my diary is to keep a honest woman out of me. It's therapeutic ya'll ;) . Everyone has a "it all started when" so here goes mine.

It all started in 1997-my first year of college-the freshman 15 turned into the sophmore 25 and the senior 50. Before you know it...I got to 28 years old and....well, let me stop lying; it wasn't necessarily before you know it. It was more like a few dozen Krispy Kreme's donuts, a few Entemann's Cakes, a couple pints of Haigen Dais butter pecan or strawberry ice cream and one or two combination plates from the corner chinese store- THEN-wow, I'm 119 pounds heavier than I was before I started college.

The weight is really crazy...to the point of ME not liking what I see when I look in the mirror...I used to say I'm cute and thick (the official Black Woman's excuse for not getting serious about weight loss)...but I can't lie..it's gotten out of hand...I'm out of hand...Hello, my name is Tysha, and I am FAT, LOL-did I mention I'm a rehabilitation counselor by profession.

I have no other choice but to put the food down and slowly move away from the kitchen. I've joined a gym-again...this time around I've been semi consistent. I started at 304 and am down 30 pounds (was almost at -50 but relapsed for a few months). That leaves me with about 90 more pounds to lose til' I'm back at my pre-college weight of 185. Honestly I would be content at 225 but would rather 185.

So, here we go, sit back...fold your hands and please...SOMEBODY...pray for me as I lay aside the weight.
 
Done!

I actually do pray everyday about it, otherwise I get up and I don't know what the hell I'm doing with this life. So here's me, sending one out for you, too!!:driving:
 
I'll get beaten down for this for sure - but I'm agood little heathen...

Prayer isn't going to get the weight off of you -though there are a few faith based fad diets out there.. what will get the weight off and keep it off -is consistent behavior...

Believe in yourself and you can do it... you're down 30lbs which is awesome...

Answering the question posed in your diary title will help you.. but not so much as where are oyu going - but why do you want to go there.. :) that really helps with staying motivated -that reminder as to why..
 
So yesterday was my first official "I'm leaving the processed foods alone and going back to cooking" day. A lot of the posts on this forum and the encouragement of Mal helped me to see that although processed foods are easy they actually hinder my weight loss. (Which by the way has done nothing since I upped my calories...and yes it's very discouraging but I am committed).

So, on the menu this week for lunch is shrimp and veges with a few sprays of I can't believe its not butter. For dinner: chicken breast- fajitas, on a spinach salad, with veges etc. Loving my new George Forman grill. I really can get my protein in without a protein shake. Good, cause that shiznit was disgusting. LOL.

Ya'll have a great day!!
 
Been MIA from this diary but not from my journey. Thought I'd play catch up by posting my blog entries from Myspace cause I need the support and because I know STEVE is tired of my private messages LOL...thanks Steve!!
 
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Cape Town, South Africa

Friday, April 25, 2008




When I tell you don't believe the hype about Africa please trust that National Geographics does not tell the whole story about this continent. When I touched down in Johannesburg I said to myself I've been bamboozled and led astray cause this is not dirt roads and huts. South Africa IS SOOOO beautiful; its actually a great honeymoon or lover's spot. Non stop mountains, clear blue waters...just pure, untouched beauty. If You don't know there is a God all you gotta do is look around cause He speaks loudly.

Anyway, before I break out in a worship, I took tons of pictures of the landscape will post up in the next few weeks. BTW, I was there on my born day...what a way to turn 29!! While I was at their markets I discovered that my black skin comes in handy....I got betta deals than the folk I travelled with because of my complexion... HA! so much for the color complex.

While there I went to some of the primary schools to distribute sneakers or as the locals call it "tekkies" (yea, I learned some Afrikcanns). It was awesome; I actually had the opportunity to wash the children's feet before putting the shoes on them. Of course it was humbling but I tell you it was such a pleasure because of how thankful they were. I believe I could have given them a sheet of paper and a pencil and they would have been equally as grateful. Being around the kids really gave me a greater perspective- seeing the kind of poverty they live in yet there heart's attitude of not complaining, being grateful and just plain happy. With ALL of what I have I never again want to find myself complaining....it's just not befitting.

So, I was there for almost 3 weeks and they just fed us and fed us and I just ate and ate cause I didn't want to offend plus the food was great. So I don't know where I am weight wise cause I haven't made my way to Walmart for a new battery. Good, cause I prefer to not know the truth. ;-)

Be blessed now...gotta get back to work.
 
Celebrating my accomplishment!!

Friday, May 02, 2008




Made my way to Walmart finally to get a new battery. Jumped on the scale and do you know it gave me 243. Okay, so after I ran around the house yelling fanatically about my progress to any and everyone who would listen, I allowed myself to come back into the reality that I just weighed between 270-275 last time I checked. Shot over to my doc for an official weigh in...I am now in the 250's. Not big news to you skinny bit..(cough, cough) folk but dagnabit this means I'm down over 50 pounds since begining my weight loss journey.

Horray for me!! Only about 30 more pounds to be back at a 'comfortable' weight -FOR ME- but I will yet press on for brick house status...185. I wanna get physical, physical...ya'll remember that song? LOL



Have a good day people!!
 
You wanna do WHAT?!?

Thursday, May 15, 2008




I wanna have a boob job. That's right I said, yea I said it.

Can we have a fireside chat about breast augmentation.

My girls have seen betta days man...and now that I'm losing weight they just don't wanna do right. I could do chest presses til I turn high yella it aint gonna reverse the law of gravity. Hum bug sir Issac Newton, hum bug.

Spoke with my doctor about a breast reduction and (bonus for my *future* husband) a breast lift. He is down with it...but won't give me permission until I get closer to my goal weight. Can you spell motivation? I can= mammaplasty.
 
Countdown

Tuesday, May 27, 2008




I'm feeling good these days...starting to get my 'strut' back and its because I am really doing what I thought was impossible. Exercise is really empowering. It makes you know that you CAN really change ANYthing about yourself if you focus your mind and challenge yourself.

I'm in the 240's now and my booty looks cute in a pair of tight jeans AND I can jog for 30 minutes without passing out. I love it I tell'ya, just love it!!

Today is the 3 week marker of when I'll meet with my doctor for an OFFICIAL WEIGH IN. If I could lose 15-20 pounds by then I think I would have a solid case for surgery. Wish me the best everyone!
 
It’s a go

Monday, June 16, 2008




Met with my doc today and he gave me clearance for surgery . He was pretty pleased with my progress and thinks I will qualify for my insurance to cover the whole thing.

I meet with a surgeon on Wednesday to go over specifics related to insurance, the procedure, her qualifications etc. Hoping for the best!
 
80 pounds

Tuesday, June 17, 2008


Current mood: tested


That's how much more I have to lose in order to go about this procedure in the *smartest* way. Makes sense eh!?! Lose all the weight first then do the surgery as to avoid any post surgery sagging or the bowling pin effect-as I affectionately call it.

Also, because I don't have a paper trail regarding what I've done to help myself while losing the poundage I'll be getting that in place-ie: going in for follow up appointments every 3 months to document that I've been following a treatment program (I gotta use butt paste, ha ha), seeing a neuromuscular doctor to document my pain. etc.

Arrrg!! but only in a good way :)
 
New routine

Sunday, July 13, 2008


Current mood: excited


I'm finally ready to strength train. I've been told by many I do way too much cardio which will lead to injury, fatigue or loss of muscle. In all honesty you can lose weight by proper nutrition (creating a caloric deficit of 500 every day by not eating as much). However, I like the benefits of working my body. So, I dropped some cardio and added some weights. My new routine is posted below. I think it's pretty balanced. When developing it I tried to include more compound exercises as to get more bang for my buck. Compound exercises are those that work more than one muscle group while isolation exercises ...yea, you got it . Once I lose more fat and better develop my muscles I'll tweak my routine with isolation exercises to focus on specific areas.

Monday
PM: 1hr Cardio
Orthopedic crunches: 25


Tuesday
AM: 1hr Cardio
Orthopedic crunches: 25

PM:

Cable rows: 3 sets of 12

Machine Chest Press: 3 sets of 12

Stiff Leg Deadlifts: 3 sets of 12

Squats: 3 sets of 12

Supermans: 3 sets of 12
Orthopedic crunches: 25


Wednesday
AM: 1hr Cardio
Orthopedic crunches: 25


PM: 30m Cardio
Orthopedic crunches:25

Thursday
AM: 1hr Cardio
Orthopedic crunches: 25

PM:

Glute Bridges: 3 sets of 12

Lunges: 3 sets of 12

Bench press: 3 sets of 12

**not sure the name of this exercise** basically its using a cable w/ a grip bar…you pull the cable from overhead into a V and the V flares outward: 3 sets of 12

Lat pull down on machine: 3 sets of 12

Orthopedic crunches: 25

Friday
AM: 1hr Cardio
Orthopedic crunches: 25

Saturday
30m cardio
 
Intimidated...

Current mood: sore


Aiight so I get to the gym bright eyed and bushy tailed cause I had dreams of being a brickhouse dancing in my head. I printed out my weight routine so I wouldn't miss anything and it was in tow...First up...cable row. I go over to the circuit training section cause I know exactly where the row machine is located over there. Dang, they moved the blasted machine. How could they and why didn't I get the memo? I felt like a kid lost in the mall. I suck it up and head to the other side of the gym...where the free weights and weight machines are. Look around and dang, can't find the row machine here either. All I see is a sea of dudes too busy jocking themselves to help a sista out. Can I tell you how frightened I was...I honestly wanted to forget the entire weight training thing and head to the treadmill for cardio. Where it's safe. Where I'm comfortable.

Before I could complete the thought I walk right into the machine and was like...dang, here it is right here. The white guy had just put his weights on it so agreed to go set for set with me. I agreed cause I needed to watch his form to make sure I was doing it right.

Long story short your girl blew it out the water. I didn't let my feelings get the best of me and I completed my entire Tuesday and Thursday routine. After awhile I did get some help from a few guys. I jacked up my deadlifts but plan on getting it right on this coming Tuesday...I've watched a few videos on youtube and practiced my form in the mirror. I had the nerve to hop on the treadmill after doing squats and deadlifts. NEVER again...NEVER!! I could barely lift my leg to walk. What was I thinking.

All in all a great week at the gym and in the nutrition department. I must say I'm getting better with my George Formen grilling techniques. I made the bomb chicken sandwhich tonight...much better than Chic-fil-a if I do say so myself.

Ya'll have a great weekend!!
 
My search for a good running shoe

Current mood: talkative


During my session with my NM therapist she asked to see my sneakers. She almost fell over laughing after seeing how worn out they were. I admit that I've formed a strong bond with my Nikes..my mommy bought them for me when I moved to NY. I'm normally a New Balance girl but these Nikes hug my feet like a glove and well I'm just used to them. She MANDATED me to get a new pair of sneakers. She said sneakers usually last 6 months...not the 5 years I've had mine. She also said I'm not really supposed to feel the ground under my feet when I run. LOL...I couldn't do anything else but say okay...I'll get a new pair.

I tried the Nikes I bought during the Christmas holiday last year...they burn my feet when I'm on the eliptical.

So, first stop Payless. YES, you read that correctly...I had a return to make and said might as well put that towards a pair of sneakers. So I try on a few pair in the store...do the jog down the aisle thing. Found a pair I was satisfied with. Well, I don't know what happened between the initial fit and my gym time but those sneakers hurt my feet so bad. They get donated immediately.

Today I went to Run For Your Life...a fancy smancy sneaker store that fits you for your sneakers so you get a good fit. The man said when I walk/run my feet do weird things. Guess those hard corrective shoes with those iron bars I had to wear as a child didnt work.

Anywho...his suggestion was to buy a 'neutral' sneaker that would minimize the effects of my feet. Something like a Mizuno Wave or something from Brooks. Going online tonight to see what I find and will check out a few spots tomorrow.

Wish me luck!
 
Body Fat

Wednesday, July 23, 2008


Current mood: thoughtful


I'm such a geek...I ordered a Omron fat loss monitor and it came today. I figured the only way to really get healthy is to start tracking my body fat as opposed to my body weight (even though that has it place--I'd rather be 200 pounds of muscle rather than 200 pounds of fat...it just looks better and its healthier).

So, I measured my body fat % its...38.5. bad, but not as bad as I thought it would be. For my age range I should be between 19% and 26% . Now that I started weight training I should be able to maintain the muscle I have while losing fat. I know I defintely gotta eat more protein...that is such a challenge for me. We're supposed to get like half our body weight in protein...so for me that's a lot of chicken breast. lol

Breaking out the George Foreman grill...help me lawd!!
 
Gym Blunders

Monday, August 04, 2008



Since I last posted I've had a few. Just helps me remember I'm human.

The other week I was doing my lunges with about 15 pound dumb bells on either side. The day before I saw this skinny chick doing hers and she got way way low with hers so me, forgetting I just started weight training and- um hello- I'm still 244 pounds make up my mind to follow suit. I get low but then figured out dern, I can't get back up. Yup, you guessed it...I tipped over-weights and all. LMBO

The saving grace is that the cardio machines and the smith machines face a different direction from where I was so most people didn't notice. The ones that did were like Miss, Miss you okay, you need help? I said yea I'm fine...got back up and finished my sets.

Confuscious says: nothing-he just rolls on the floor laughing with me.
 
Low Carb (Atkins) as a sign of Solidarity

Wednesday, August 06, 2008




Yea, I know we're *supposed* to get about 30% of our calories from carbs a day but I thought I'd try this just to be in solidarity with one of my MySpace friends.

I'm not a happy camper. This is what I've eaten thus far today:

B: 2 egg omelet w/ 1 slice of turkey, onion, red pepper and lettuce cooked in 1 tablespoon margarine (350 cal, 19g protien, 8g carbs)

S: 6 oz Grilled Chicken strips, mozzarella cheese stick (300 cal, 50g protien, 3g carbs )

L: 3 oz Grilled Chicken strips, 2 serv bagged salad, vinaigrette dressing, 1 ser mixed nuts (400 cal, 30g protien, 23g carbs)

Here's what's planned for the rest of the day:

S: 3 oz Grilled Chicken strips, mozzarella cheese stick (300 cal, 28g protien, 3g carbs)

D: 2 serv bagged salad (or spinach depending on my mood), 4 oz steamed shrimp, 1 tablespoon margarine (250 cals, 23g protien, 9g carbs)

The goal for the day was to eat under 20g of carbs...I tried hella hard not to eat carbs and still will end the day with 46g. They're everywhere I tell'ya!! I just can't do it...I didn't enjoy my meals today so I retreat...my MySpace friend is on her own with this one (I know she will do GREAT) but tomorrow I return to my pink lady apples @ 30g of carbs a pop. And yes, I will be happy.
 
All caught up??

Well, I'd hope you would be.

Since I failed my day as a Atkins dieter I thought I'd take something away from the whole experience. I took another look at my nutrition and realized I was taking in way too many carbs (a little over 200g on some days) and not enough protein and when I upped my protien my fiber lacked. Read around the board about macronutrients and decided to follow the 40/30/30 (carbs/protien/fats) split. Although nothing is set in stone I planned out my menu for the week and in a few I'm off to Trader Joes to do my shopping.

**Can't wait to try the Hungry Girl fettucine dish posted awhile back**

Will also be trying cottage cheese and steele cut oatmeal for the first time. Praying I don't heave on the spot...not a big fan of the consistency of either. With some added fruit may be able to work it out and into the menu for next week.

Lata
 
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Hey Tysha! First off, I have to say that YOU=FUNNY!! Of all the journals that I've read through on here, I've enjoyed yours the most!! You are so motivating with all the hard work that you've done. Please keep posting in here, cuz it's definately a motivator for me....and entertaining! :smilielol5:
See you around!
~Kristi
 
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