My Second Shot

maverick2

maverick2

New member
For all whom I got to know last year and earlier this year, sorry to have dropped off the map, but I was going through some major life changes. When I was here previously, my goal was to join the Navy. However, I have since decided not to follow through with that goal (since it would leave me almost no time to write, it ended up not being for me). I reevaluated my life and decided writing stories was more important to me than flying planes. I still hope to get my private pilot's license though.

Now I've graduated college and I'm working on a military installation as a technical editor. I enjoy my job and it allows me the free time to pursue other interests, such as becoming a published writer of fiction. Plus it pays better - not gonna lie.

Needless to say, a desk job has NOT been good to my figure. I abandoned my fitness regimen months back, and my weight slowly crept back up. The other day I jumped on a scale at my parents house (on a whim) and was shocked to see that I had hit 200 lbs.

200 lbs? That was the last frickin' straw. I did SO good last time. But this is what happens when you lose control of what's important to you.

Now I remember how much success I had being accountable to this forum in the past, so here's my second shot at losing weight. At first I thought I would set my end goal at 120, but even though this is in a normal BMI index for me, it's a bit low for my frame. So my new goal is 160. It's not my end goal, but it's at least attainable.

But seeing how much weight I dropped last time I put my mind to it, I know I can do it again. And it will be even easier this time because I'm living on my own and have control over ALL my own meals.

I'm going to start attending a gym again, eat several small meals, and restrict my caloric intake. I'm giving up caffeine and alcohol (except for special occasions maybe - we'll see). I'm also trying to stick with (mostly) a raw fruit and vegetable diet, with select grains (Special K/oatmeal/wheat pitas) thrown in, as well as lean protein when necessary (chicken is easiest for me). I was going to go vegetarian as well, but that will have to be a gradual lifestyle shift.

On to the food journal portion of the diary!

Breakfast:
1 cup Special K
1 cup nonfat skim milk

Snack:
2 cups of green and red grapes
1 cup of blueberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1 cup strawberries

Lunch:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tangerine

Snack:
1 small banana

8 oz. cups of water ingested thus far: 6

Off to a good start! :coolgleamA:

The only things that work in the long run are persistence, knowledge, faith, and hard work. Without those four ingredients, almost every human endeavor fails.
 
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I don't know you from before, but welcome back! Sounds like you know what to do. My advice would be to made a nutrition plan that you can stick to for life. For long lasting results I believe a lifestyle change is required.
 
nice to see you back lady...

technical writing sometimes is works of fiction :) least based on some manuals I've read and software specs I've read :)

glad to have you back here
 
This strip pretty much sums up my perspective on being a technical editor. :D

Glad to be back, Mal. This site dropped off my radar when I decided not to go Navy and got involved in a bunch of other things. My cousin's baby was born, one of my friends died, lots of stuff happened that kind of threw me off. But it's all good though.

Thanks Nc. I lost quite a bit of weight last time I was here (about 20 pounds) so I think once I get the ball rolling again, it'll come off again. I just have to stick with it this time. Initiative I got. But stick-to-itiveness has never been one of my strongest points...
 
Me either. I've lost and gained the same 30lbs I don't know how many times. This time it's different though. I've educated myself on portion control, and what's healthy to eat. A lot of things in my "diet" are changed for life. I'll never go back to eating fast food like I did, or drinking soda.
 
My big issue was my family, all of whom are overweight and who were in charge of the kitchen. A portion of meat in my parents' house is a 20 oz. porterhouse. Sometimes there are two meats in a meal, or two starches. Not a whole lot of fresh fruit and veggie action going on.

Now that I live in my own apartment, my fridge is full of stuff like yogurt, apples, oranges, bananas, celery, tomatoes, berries, lettuce, etc...I like fresh/raw foods, but they were not considered good in the house I grew up in, so we never ate them...

I've also discovered the luxury that fixing a bowl of cereal for dinner can afford you when you live on your own. One bowl to clean and no cooking after a long hard day of work? Priceless.
 
Welcome back Maverick! You know what you have to do, it's time for you to bring it back girl!

I love writing too, can't seem to find the time. One day I hope to write for television and movies.

I'm looking forward to seeing you lose it. Go girl!!
 
So my dinner was not as healthy as it would have been if I had eaten at home (if I had eaten at home, it would have been a bowl of cereal and some fruit). I ate over at my cousin's house and did not manage to avoid dessert either. Still, because I ate so good the rest of the day, the damage wasn't too bad.

4 oz. chocolate milk
2 cups Hamburger Helper
2 Zebra snack cakes (those are what really killed me...)
1 cup of water

I'm having an issue because I want to lose weight, but I don't want my family to know I'm trying to lose weight. I guess there's only so long that can last...they're going to figure it out eventually. I have a family full of subconscious diet saboteurs. If a few of them are heavy, they want EVERYONE to be heavy.

I renewed my membership to the gym today, which I'm keeping secret from my extended family as well. Mostly because my aunt and cousin go to the same gym and I like to work out by myself, so I'm trying to avoid the "We should all go work out at five in the morning!" conversation.

Now if I can only survive eating dinner at my grandmother's tomorrow (and going out for a birthday lunch as well - ugh!). I will have to keep my caloric intake low all morning and afternoon to give myself some wiggle-room tomorrow night. Guess it'll be a birthday salad.

Exercise: None, but I'm starting tomorrow at the gym. This is my last day of sloth-hood.
8 oz. glasses of water ingested: 7 (I'm working up to 12)
Caloric intake: appx. 2,550 (got to work on getting that number down...must resist relatives...no more dessert!)

Off for one more glass of water and then to bed! :gnorsi:
 
Should have specified in my last post is the reason that I don't want to work out with my relatives is that they are even less disciplined than I am. Not exactly the best influences ever. :D

Breakfast: Not very hungry this morning, but I made myself eat breakfast anyway. I'm trying not to have a big breakfast because I know I'll have limited control over what I eat for lunch and supper today. I tried to eat a mango and discovered I didn't like them (WAY too sweet) so the rest of it went in the garbage.

2 cups Special K
1 cup water
3 bites of mango

What I learned from yesterday: Drinking enough water throughout the day *really* curbs your cravings and appetite.

Hopefully I will be able to go to the gym tonight after supper at my grandmother's house. It's a fairly expensive membership for me given my salary, so I'm eager to use it.
 
Welcome back.
I remember that you did absolutely brilliantly last time that you were here. I know that you can do this if you just maintain the focus. You were always at the gym and working out like your life depended on it. A new gym membership (even though it is expensive) will be an absolute investment for you.

If the family do not exactly help things - then it is great that you have your own place and can limit what you tell them of your activities. You can always feign not feeling too well as a good excuse not to eat what is on offer.

You could even develop a "suspected allergy under investigation" to certain foods that get offered every time alike in order to tempt you.

You dont always have to tell the full truth to your family just because you love them. Put yourself first.
 
Thanks Omega. :eek:

I actually have free access to two gyms, but neither are of the quality that I'm looking for (you just can't beat the YMCA for variety, quality, and quantity of equipment and programs) and to be honest, if I don't have to pay there isn't nearly as much incentive for me to go.

The fact that I'm spending money on something like a gym membership reinforces the importance of that goal for me, is what I guess I'm trying to say.

It's kind of like my living space. When I lived in a bedroom in my parent's house, it was always a disaster area because I didn't have to put anything into it. But now that I'm paying almost $700 bucks in rent for my own apartment, my place is *spotless*...

But I just found out that a friend of mine at work is actually in the same boat as me. We're about the same weight, so it's nice to find some kind of external support as well. She's doing a quasi-Weight Watchers and I'm just doing the "Keep calories reasonably low and exercise like crazy!" thing.

Found out that same friend (who is taking me to a restaurant for lunch since it's my birthday) is taking me to Ruby Tuesdays, which makes me VERY happy because they have a salad bar. Woot!

Now I only have to worry about my grandmother's house. She is one of those people who compulsively pushes that extra roll or whatnot on you and cooks every veggie with porkback, so I will see what I can actually eat when I go over there.

I will need a gym trip tonight for sure though.

:gnorsi:
 
Best of luck to you, Maverick. I'm similar to you in that 120, even at 5'3" is not right for my frame. I'm shooting for 145 since I just start losing any figure I have below that. The way I gain muscle, it's totally realistic and still looks kicking!

Anyway, your dedication to those goals are going to be rewarded and yes desk jobs are the suxx for weight maintainence. lol
 
maverick said:
Found out that same friend (who is taking me to a restaurant for lunch since it's my birthday) is taking me to Ruby Tuesdays, which makes me VERY happy because they have a salad bar. Woot!
Click to expand...

Happy Birthday! Be sure you have a wonderful time.

I noticed that you mentioned a birthday celebration in an earlier posting - but I checked the forum birthdays and you were not listed. I assumed that it was a relatives birthday that you were joining in on the celebrations for.
 
Thanks!!

My birthday was last Sunday (August 3), but we didn't get paid until yesterday, so we waited until then because we're entry level broke-as-joke fools. :D
 
Snackage

- 2 cups of water
- 1 tangerine

I was going to eat a bit of a bigger snack so I wouldn't be starving at lunch, but I'm really not that hungry today for some odd reason. I had to force down the tangerine (just trying to keep my metabolism zipping along).

I might eat a little green apple I have sitting at my desk before I go to lunch though. Or maybe this afternoon. I want to keep my calories high enough that my metabolism doesn't get shocked low, but I don't want to go overboard either.

And on an unrelated note...the little skinny-as-a-stick girl in the cubicle next to me is a junkfood-aholic. She has three bowls of candy on her desk, a canister of Pringles, a package of Oreos, and she is eating a huge plate of pancakes for breakfast with a Coke to wash it down.

What's on my desk? A green apple and two tangerines.

Argh.
 
Ruby Tuesdays

I got taken out for lunch for my birthday, but all things considered I don't think I did too badly...

Lunch:
- 2 mini-burgers (topped with a fried onion petal, ketchup, mustard, but no pickle)
- large salad from salad bar w/ lowfat balsamic dressing (lettuce, chickpeas, Japanese green beans, green pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots)
- 4 fries w/ ketchup (I left the rest of them on my plate)
- water

I was originally going to get just the salad bar, but I was very hungry and all I've had so far is a bowl of cereal and a tangerine. Besides, since it was my birthday lunch, I didn't feel bad for splurging on the mini-burgers. They were small anyway.

And I thought I did pretty good to leave that huge pile of french fries on the plate. I only ate a few of them for posterity, since my friend was picking up the tab and I would have felt bad ignoring them entirely. Another reason I didn't want to just get a salad, because I thought it would be a bit of a slap in the face to someone who was getting your lunch for you.

Ugh, now I'm so full and sleepy. I probably could have loaded up on the legumes on the salad bar and been good to go, but red meat was nice for a change. (Says the slowly-but-surely converting semi-vegetarian.)

I have a feeling there will be no afternoon snack today...
 
Im not sure what your relationship actually is with your family, so take this advice as just my experience.

You mentioned that you arent telling anyone about losing weight. Why is that?

I have jsut started my 'exorcism' and I am telling everyone I know....that way they know why Im acting the way I am....lol

Actually it is great support! I was reluctant and scared to tell people at first, but I have found that everyone is really really supportive, and I can feed of that support. And also if immediate friends and family know, they will try to limit thier tempation gifts to you.....

wouldnt your grandmother react positively if you told her that you are on a journey to become a healthier person? I told my family, and I actually have my mother intersted in losing weight as well.

like I said, I dont know your situation. But I have found that telling everyone I know, has actually helped my greatly in my motivation.

:hat:
 
I've told people at work, friends, and certain relatives (like my mom) that I'm trying to lose weight.

The thing is, my family is a bunch of gourmets. I mean, crazy good cooks. Like they could open a restaurant and they would end up with their own Food Network special.

I have tried to cook like them. But my skill level is sadly not as high as any of them. But I could live on sandwiches and cereal and be perfectly happy.

The only downfall to having a bunch of cooks in the family is that my family centers most social gatherings around food. And it isn't food that's good for you. It's greasy, delicious, deep-fry-it-with-lard-and-some-sweet-tea Southern food. And most of my family is overweight to some degree or another.

Needless to say, the women in my family are a bunch of failed dieters. They're constantly trying something new. My aunt will go to the gym for two months and give up. Same thing with my cousin. My mom goes on low carb cycles, then gains the weight back. My grandmother is always on a "I'm going to start my diet Monday" diet. You get the idea.

So when one woman in the family starts to get suddenly serious about working out or watching what they eat (for example: me) the others jump on them mercilessly. My mom: "You should really cut out bread and potatoes if you want to lose weight." My grandmother just puts stuff on your plate without asking you if you'd like seconds. Either that, or they go the opposite direction: "Are you sure you want to eat that? Aren't you on a diet?" Etc...

Some of them twitter on like hens behind your back, wondering whether you've developed bulimia, or started using cocaine, or worse. I have a large extended family, and the branches of it are extremely competitive. Me, my brother, and my two cousins closest to our age are all the representative "golden children" of our families.

The men on the other hand don't even get it. "Just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't have filet mignon!" - my dad.

I'm not saying they're bad people (I adore them) they're just very difficult to diet around. I know it's probably not deliberate, but it sometimes seems like they try to sabotage anyone who breaks out of the mold.

So that, in a long-winded nutshell, is why I'm being selective about who I tell that I'm losing weight. Plus, I hate to work out with other people. I like to put my headphones on and jam. So as soon as I tell a woman in my family I'm going to the gym, I have four different people telling me they want to go too. Not exactly the easiest way to get any real work accomplished...
 
i've always been of the mindset that it's no ones business but yours that you're trying to lose weight -- there are far too many well meaning or non well meaning self proclaimed food police out tehre - are you sure you should be eating that Mav? no really you ca have that on your diet?

Eh - do what you do and if it's a lifestyle change -no one needs to know and you'll go on aboout your business
 
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