My journey.

[DoubleH]

I've been the short chubby girl for as long as I can remember.

With that stated my weight has sort of been yo-yo-ing back and fourth for the past couple years. Currently I weigh in at 190lb (last week I was 194), 5'2", and I'm 20 years old. I've been using my weight as a safety blanket my whole life, I'm sick of it and I'm genuinely ready to look like the person I feel like I am on the inside.

The past few weeks I've been altering my life significantly. Here are some things I've been doing:

- No eating past 7PM. Since I work in the mornings and take evening classes, 7PM is a great time to stop eating. If I'm hungry, I just settle for a big glass of water and that usually calms any hunger pangs I happen to get.

- Water is a must. I read that drinking 8 cups of water a day can boost metabolism and I also read that you should take your weight, divide it by two, and the end resulting number should be how many ounces a person should drink a day. I make it a habit to drink about 64 ounces of water by noon and I finish the rest by the end of the day.

- I eat healthy foods that I actually do like. I'm a baker at a restaurant so fruits and salad fixins' are easily accessible to myself. Oatmeal for breakfast with a fruit, or egg whites, some fruits during the day, and then something filling but small for dinner has been on the menu for the past week. I've been toying with my caloric intake for the past week, I don't know how much I SHOULD be eating.. but I've been sticking around 1000-1300 a day and I feel perfectly fine. I'm also taking a multivitamin and a woman's vitamin that helps with calcium. Beverages-wise I drink water or milk, I quit drinking sodas a year ago and only have them once in a while.

- In terms of working out I've been sticking to 4 times a week at my gym and one day where I spend time outside, either rollerblading or walking. At the gym I do the elliptical or bike for 15-20 minutes and then I lift some weights.

I have a bet going on at my work between two others girls and myself on who can lose the most weight in six weeks. I'm in this for the long term, but I would like to win as well >:} ...the healthy way of course!

Any tips in general that has really helped, please share :] Mostly, I would just love a little support from people who understand what I'm going through.

Oh! Weight goal!

I would love to weigh a healthy weight for my height. So really anywhere around 150 and less is what I'm shooting for. Within the next five weeks (for the work competition) I would love to lose 15+ pounds, which I think is pretty doable if I keep at it.

 

[Flumes]

Welcome DoubleH

Great first entry to your diary!

Looks like you got everything covered....reduced calories, eating healthy, lotsa water and exercise.

well done!

I don't think you forgot anything at all!

(Ya gotta love oatmeal for brekkie huh? lol I do!)

Good luck with your goal and look forward to some great progress!

 

[Wayne1]

Well done! Keep it going.... You have my moral support.

I think weight loss and fitness always boil down to 2 things: 1) Metabolism and 2) Nutrition.

Metabolism: You worked to expend the excess calories so that they do not turn into fats. To do that, either you create a calories deficit or you increase your calories usage.

For most cutting calories (aka reduce portion size) is easier but not everyone can withstand the hunger pangs. I know of a supplement called hoodia gordonii that can be useful as it make your brain think you are full so that you won't feel lethargic or cranky.

For those who prefer to exercise, you should focus on weight training and high intensity interval training like wind sprinting. Forget about cardio.

Nutrition: First thing is to get the habit of reading labels. If you see anything that says high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, hydrogenated or partial hydrogenated oil, put it back.

Next understand that you need to eat a balance meal, and not follow a fad diet. One that contains carbohydrates, protein and fat.

Opt for unprocessed carbs and when possible, it's better to take fruits (not fruit juice) and vegetables. Technically speaking, fruit and vegetables are less calories dense. Good for losing weight.

Get your plant protein from beans, legumes, and nuts, while animal protein, eat free-range and/or organic meats.

Get this straight, we need fat. And the right kind of fats would make you fat. What we need is natural fats from fishes like salmon and tout or fruits like avocado.

When you need oil, use coconut oils and pure virgin olive oils.

By the way, for the ladies and gentlemen out there, avoid soy based products and beer.

Guys, soy and beer (contains estrogenic compounds) cause fats to accumulate on your chest. So unless you are interest to grow boobs continue eating.

Ladies, one of the reasons why your stubborn belly fat never go away could be due to your high intake of soy based product and beer.

Hope this information helps!

Keep it going!!

 

[jjjay]

Hey DoubleH - as Flumes said, sounds like you are in the right midset and on the right road! I foudn the first month or so the hardest as it seems to take time for all the good changes to take effect but you are doing all this work and not seeing the immediate results!! Hang on in there - I tried to think of it like...my weight this month i.e. gain or loss, reflects what I did last month...so its always rolling forward like that! Give it a good 6-8 weeks and I bet you'll be amazed at how it starts coming off and how good you feel - you then get the positive momentum to keep on going.

The most difficult bit is taking the first step and you've got that cracked!!