On the Door Step, My weight loss journey

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Ozarkturtle

New member
Well this has been a 26 month journey, with lots of soul searching, praying and determination. I had never been overweight, but after I had served my country as a United States Marine I spiraled out of control. I continued to eat and drink like I was still in the Marines but had become a couch potato. As I grew more frustrated with myself the emotional eating became a way of life. I ate when I was happy, sad, bored or just any excuse I could find to justify my obsession with food. I was also a heavy smoker, I smoked 2 packs of camel non-filters a day for 25 years. I had developed severe sleep apnea, both knees had been surgically repaired due to carrying around the excess weight. Then along came my daughter, the light of my life, my little princess. I was not even able to get on the floor and play with her or run around the house. If we went outside I would only be able to play for a few minutes before needing to sit down and watch her run around laughing as I watched from the wayside. I finally took a serious look in the mirror and made the decision that it was not fair to my daughter to grow up without a daddy who could not interact with her, and not fair to me. I wanted to be around to see my daughter grow up. So I began my journey to a healthier me and a more fulfilling life. When I began this I weighed 435 pounds had a 56" waist wore a 6X shirt and I am 5'10" tall, so I am not very tall. I cut my daily calorie intake to 1200 calories/day, and exercised 6 days a week. I rested on Sundays, another thing I did was I would have a cheat meal every Sunday where I would eat whatever I wanted wether it be a cheeseburger and fries or pizza or fried chicken. It was a way to reward myself for a week of hard work. When I first started out I would walk on the treadmill for 25 minutes at 2.0 mph and would barely finish. As I continued on the fitness level increased and the weight began to come off. I weighed myself only once a week, the body fluctuates so much that if you are obsessed with the scale and weigh yourself 3 or 4 times a week it can become discouraging. There have been countless days when I have wanted to throw in the towel but I did not, I was doing this for myself and my family especially my little princess. I had the attitude that this was the most important journey of my life...My Health!!! Sure there were some failures and setbacks along the way but unlike the past when I would just give up and begin binge eating again I would look in the mirror and tell myself I can not fail this time. I had started this journey many times before but this time I was determined to see it through. This has been a very emotional journey sometimes overwhelming but one day at a time. As of today I weigh 189 pounds, I have lost 246 pounds, I have a 34" waist and wear a Large shirt, I quit smoking 6 months ago. I still have knee issues but I deal with it, I no longer have my sleep apnea and play with my daughter every chance I get. Like I stated earlier when I started out I was walking for 25 minutes on the treadmill at 2.0 mph I now run 7-10 miles 6 days a week. I obviously have some loose skin but am doing toning exercises. I now eat around 1800 calories a day until I reach my goal weight of 180 pounds then comes the dreaded maintenance. I am going to preach for a moment, I do not agree with surgical weight loss, unless it is due to medical reasons. Just step away from the fridge and put down the spoon you can do it. There is no magic pill no miracle diet, it takes good old hard work and will power. It will not be easy in fact it will probably be one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life but easily the most important. Like I said there will be failures and setbacks along the way, but get up dust yourself off and continue on. This is not a short journey, it will be a lifelong journey but one that is so rewarding. A few weeks ago I bought a child carrier backpack so I could take my daughter hiking with me. 2 weeks ago we went to the State park hiking and I hiked a 6 mile trail with my 40 pound daughter on my back, I was so overjoyed and my daughter absolutely loves it. She calls it piggybacking that is what this journey is all about...Family and enjoying life. I will end this for now but will be back.......to be continued
 
Hi and welcome. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

I was greatly relieved to learn that you have been eating a reasonable calorie intake and no longer are starving yourself on 1200 calories. Somewhere along the way you must have learnt a thing or two about healthy weight loss. And that's probably what got you where you are today.

Congratulations on losing all the weight and you are nearly at your goal i see.

I do'nt know why the maintenance should be so dreaded. It jsut means eating the right amount of calories for your size and activities and not forgetting that you can't just eat whatever you want whenever you want. If you have successfully made the change to a habit of healthy eating and regular exercise, I can't see why it should be so terrible.

I have committed myself now to living without my problem foods and eating only those other high fat and risky foods in moderation. I am totally accepting of being in a state of vigilance about my diet until i die. (although i may indeed slip up from time to time) but being 47, i've been around long enough to have a learnt a few things. And these are some of them. For those of us prone to overeating, we just can't go back to past eating habits.

Its great you are enjoying your life so much more now. That is the ultimate reward for losing weight isn't it - the greater enjoyment of your life.

Are you going to continue a diary with us here, or did you come only to share your past experience?
 
I plan on continuing to post on here. I am 43 and am just a bit nervous about the maintenance aspect, I have been so focused on losing that I will soon have to change to maintaining. Like you said, just watch the food intake and continue to exercise and I will increase my calorie intake till I find a happy medium and able to maintain my weight.
 
Just thought I would add my exercise and calories from the past week

Monday- May 2nd
Ran 12.67 miles, did core exercises/ calorie intake 1,739

Tuesday May 3rd
Ran 10.53 miles, light weights mainly arms and back/ calorie intake 1695

Wednesday May 4th
Ran 8.3 miles, light weights mainly shoulders and legs/ calorie intake 1709

Thursday May 5th
Ran 7.3 miles, core exercises/ calorie intake 1765

Friday May 6th
Ran 7.13 miles/ calorie intake 1657

Saturday May 7th
Ran 6.27 miles, light weights/ calorie intake 1783

I drink Myoplex shakes and also take Flax Seed Oil everyday as well as a multi-vitamin. Eat lots of food high in anti-oxidants.
 
So far this week, I have ran 6 miles on Sunday and have also ran 7 miles on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and done some light weights. My calories have been consistent I have been around 1700 everyday.

Today I invested in a Polar Heart Rate Monitor and used it on my run today so that I can more accurately target my heart rate zone which is 70-85% of my maximum heart rate and today I stayed in the 77-83% for the whole 7 miles so it is nice having that type of training tool. The heart rate monitor does not lie and you are not cheating yourself on your workouts.

Thats all for now I will log more Saturday after I weigh in hopefully I will be down to 186. My goal weight is 175, according to my BMI 175 is my ideal weight.
 
I weighed in this morning I weighed 186 pounds, so I am right there almost.

Did some speed training this morning, ran 3.5 miles at a quick pace. Did it in 23 minutes 17 seconds. Not bad since I have not done any speed training at all.

I finally invested in a Heart Rate Monitor, which is going to be an essential tool in my training regime. I have used it the last 3 days and have gained lots of valuable data. Post again soon, Take care everyone:)
 
I checked my fitness log and I had worked out for 53 days straight which is not healthy, so I took Sunday off. I treated myself to a cheeseburger and fries and a hot fudge sundae.

I got back to it Monday...I ran 8.5 miles and do an ab workout, I ate 1,836 calories.

Tuesday...I ran 11.0 miles and ate 1,796 calories

My only major struggle right now is my sodium intake. My recommended intake is 2,500mg per day and I continually come in around 3,000-3,400mg a day. I can only imagine people who do not track their sodium, how far out of whack it is. At least I am making a serious effort to control it. Other than that the other aspects of my diet are going well, I am around 1,800 calories a day and exercising. Take care everyone, talk to you soon:)
 
Well I saw my doctor for my 5 year Captain's License physical and he was shocked by the weight I had lost since my previous visit a few months ago. He figured since I had quit smoking 7 months ago I would gain a little weight, but I had managed to continue to lose weight so that was nice. My blood pressure was perfect 120/79:) I was also happy to find out that my Resting heart rate is 47. Most adults are around 60-70 and top athletes have one of around 40 so I was very pleased with that. It makes me feel happy that I am getting to be as physically fit as when I was in the Marine Corps. I am not there yet but the hard work is paying off, OOHRAH!!!

He had me talk to the dietitian and she told me with my active lifestyle and with as much running I do everyday I should be consuming around 3,200 calories per day. There is no way I can eat that much after eating around 1,700 calories or less for over 2 years.

I guess I will try to boost my calories to around 2,300 and see how it goes, that seems like a lot of food.

Food and Exercise Log
Wednesday I ran 7.3 miles and consumed 1,693 calories
Today I did 11.2 miles on the Elliptical machine what an awesome workout it took 2 hours and 39 minutes. I will consume 1,857 calories today.
 
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Wow, your success is very inspirational! It put my weight loss situation into perspective and makes me really believe weight loss and maintenance is possible!
 
Brilliant weight loss mate and big congrats.

This is exactly why I came on this site today! Needed abit of motavation to stay on track as I have been pissed off all day and thought about drinking, but I suspose thats what this site does, it keeps us on track and motavated.
 
I am glad this in some way has helped give you all perspective. Like I stated it is not easy by any means but so worth it. Positive support is a very key part of this whole journey and I hope I can be a positive influence and help you all to a healthier you:)

Well back to the journal. I took the last week off, to give my body a much needed break and ate a little more than I should have, but I am back at it.

On Sunday I ran 12.15 miles and consumed 1,983 calories. Felt good after a week off to really hit it hard.

Monday I hiked 6.13 miles and consumed 1,887 calories.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. Being a former United States Marine it is a very special holiday for me. Take care:)
 
Ozarkturtle said:
He had me talk to the dietitian and she told me with my active lifestyle and with as much running I do everyday I should be consuming around 3,200 calories per day. There is no way I can eat that much after eating around 1,700 calories or less for over 2 years.
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I absolutely agree with your Doc, your calorie intake should be SO much higher considering the amount of cardio you do. It will feel wrong at first but I think you'll be surprised at how much energy you will have. It is so important to fuel your body - don't be afraid of food!!! At your exercise level, you need a lot of fuel. Undereating can be another form of unhealthy eating.

Also, may I ask why you are doing 'light weights' as opposed to heavy weights? When I see people that do so much cardio and only a few days of light weights I worry that they might get the Skinny-Fat look (they look thin, but have a layer of fat over their body and no muscle tone).

Congrats on the weight loss, it is truly inspiring!
 
dwwise83 said:
I absolutely agree with your Doc, your calorie intake should be SO much higher considering the amount of cardio you do. It will feel wrong at first but I think you'll be surprised at how much energy you will have. It is so important to fuel your body - don't be afraid of food!!! At your exercise level, you need a lot of fuel. Undereating can be another form of unhealthy eating.

Also, may I ask why you are doing 'light weights' as opposed to heavy weights? When I see people that do so much cardio and only a few days of light weights I worry that they might get the Skinny-Fat look (they look thin, but have a layer of fat over their body and no muscle tone).

Congrats on the weight loss, it is truly inspiring!
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Thank you for the advice, I will try the extra calories and do some more weights. I am always up for helpful input thank you:)
 
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