Well, here I am. I guess I'll try and get my back story down.
I have been overweight for most of my life, more so since grade 8 or 9. I really don't have a set reason why I gained the weight, but I know that there was a certain point where I started to hate the fact that I was overweight, but really didn't do anything about it.
I guess it was easy for me to gain weight because of growing up with my moms excellent home cooking. It was a unwritten rule that if you wanted desert, you cleared your plate ("there's starving kids in Africa" type thing). At 12, this was something that was hard to do, but it of course got easier. My mom hated the fact that I was hungry, and would happily oblige in making me 2 sandwiches, or adding more to a plate if I wanted it. The clean your plate rule still applied though. I still clean my plate to this day, simply because I feel (and have learned) that it is a waste to have to throw out the last bit of my meal. I know that I should stop when I am satisfied, but if it tastes good, why let that extra food go to waste. I guess I just can't get over that mindset and it's something I'll be working on.
I am absolutely not blaming anything on my parents, as they have always been there for me, and are the greatest people that I have ever encountered. It was always me who asked for more, and she just cared too much to say no.
Once I got a job and making my own money, I started gaining some more weight. I could afford to eat out at fast food restaurants with my friends several times a week, and if I had a craving for something I just bought it.
I finally moved out of my parents place, and went back to school again to pick up another trade, and that leaves me where I am now. I live with 3 other younger students, who I have become great friends with. They are still living large, partying and eating what they want. I now look after myself and get groceries for myself, but it is hard being faced with constant temptation and a party that everyone is looking forward to every Friday night. I am at my highest weight of my life (250lbs) because I give in so often, and love to have lots of beers with my friends. That and I am not very active at all, and spend many an hour in front of my computer on the internet, and playing games.
I've never felt confident enough to ask a girl out, for fear she would reject the fat guy talking to her, and I guess my confidence is near nil when it comes to relationships in general. I am actually a very sociable person, and like to talk to anyone about anything, but a self confidence boost would do me wonders in my non-existent love life.
I started thinking more and more, that I'm not getting any younger, and I need to do something... now. No more half-assed attempts at dieting or working out, then eventually giving up. I don't think I have survived more than 7 days sticking to a plan. I need to do this for myself. The look on my parents and friends faces when I go back home would be awesome. I'm dedicated this time, and now that I have found these forums for support, I'm doing it.
I'll answer some of the questions on the newbie stickie:
-- How much weight do you want to lose?
70lbs. Start weight of 250lbs, and target weight of 180lbs
-- What is the time frame for reaching your target weight?
I'd like to start dropping weight now, since I'm going back home for the first time in a long time, in 2 months. However, I am realistic and I realize it may take a year or more to get to where I want to be because of the large amount to loose.
-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)?
I need to change my everyday diet. I have never eaten healthy as a choice. I just ate what I liked. I need to learn from scratch what it takes to eat good, and not feel starving all the time because of it. I am also renewing my very seldom used membership to the gym.
-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?
My roommates are still kids fresh out of high school, so it is unrealistic to believe they would want to do this with me. Therefore I have to rely on online forms of support, mainly this forum. Hopefully with this, I'll stick with it, rather than collapsing. It is easy to quit when you have no-one to motivate you but yourself.
-- How realistic is your goal?
I have seen many many success stories from people much larger than myself, dropping 100lbs in a year, and they look and feel like a million bucks because of it. 70lbs in a year or so should be doable, and I don't believe it is unrealistic.
-- When will you start?
Monday morning. (it is Saturday afternoon right now). I am spending today writing this, and reading other peoples stories to find what works and what doesn't and what might work for me. I am also terrible at getting enough sleep in the nights, and I need to start getting to bed earlier. Monday is my date to start, fully rested and ready to go.
I am 27, 5'11", and 250 lbs. I love deep fried foods, and a big juicy steak with a side of coleslaw and fries is my idea of heaven. I have to change, and this is the beginning.
I have been overweight for most of my life, more so since grade 8 or 9. I really don't have a set reason why I gained the weight, but I know that there was a certain point where I started to hate the fact that I was overweight, but really didn't do anything about it.
I guess it was easy for me to gain weight because of growing up with my moms excellent home cooking. It was a unwritten rule that if you wanted desert, you cleared your plate ("there's starving kids in Africa" type thing). At 12, this was something that was hard to do, but it of course got easier. My mom hated the fact that I was hungry, and would happily oblige in making me 2 sandwiches, or adding more to a plate if I wanted it. The clean your plate rule still applied though. I still clean my plate to this day, simply because I feel (and have learned) that it is a waste to have to throw out the last bit of my meal. I know that I should stop when I am satisfied, but if it tastes good, why let that extra food go to waste. I guess I just can't get over that mindset and it's something I'll be working on.
I am absolutely not blaming anything on my parents, as they have always been there for me, and are the greatest people that I have ever encountered. It was always me who asked for more, and she just cared too much to say no.
Once I got a job and making my own money, I started gaining some more weight. I could afford to eat out at fast food restaurants with my friends several times a week, and if I had a craving for something I just bought it.
I finally moved out of my parents place, and went back to school again to pick up another trade, and that leaves me where I am now. I live with 3 other younger students, who I have become great friends with. They are still living large, partying and eating what they want. I now look after myself and get groceries for myself, but it is hard being faced with constant temptation and a party that everyone is looking forward to every Friday night. I am at my highest weight of my life (250lbs) because I give in so often, and love to have lots of beers with my friends. That and I am not very active at all, and spend many an hour in front of my computer on the internet, and playing games.
I've never felt confident enough to ask a girl out, for fear she would reject the fat guy talking to her, and I guess my confidence is near nil when it comes to relationships in general. I am actually a very sociable person, and like to talk to anyone about anything, but a self confidence boost would do me wonders in my non-existent love life.
I started thinking more and more, that I'm not getting any younger, and I need to do something... now. No more half-assed attempts at dieting or working out, then eventually giving up. I don't think I have survived more than 7 days sticking to a plan. I need to do this for myself. The look on my parents and friends faces when I go back home would be awesome. I'm dedicated this time, and now that I have found these forums for support, I'm doing it.
I'll answer some of the questions on the newbie stickie:
-- How much weight do you want to lose?
70lbs. Start weight of 250lbs, and target weight of 180lbs
-- What is the time frame for reaching your target weight?
I'd like to start dropping weight now, since I'm going back home for the first time in a long time, in 2 months. However, I am realistic and I realize it may take a year or more to get to where I want to be because of the large amount to loose.
-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)?
I need to change my everyday diet. I have never eaten healthy as a choice. I just ate what I liked. I need to learn from scratch what it takes to eat good, and not feel starving all the time because of it. I am also renewing my very seldom used membership to the gym.
-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?
My roommates are still kids fresh out of high school, so it is unrealistic to believe they would want to do this with me. Therefore I have to rely on online forms of support, mainly this forum. Hopefully with this, I'll stick with it, rather than collapsing. It is easy to quit when you have no-one to motivate you but yourself.
-- How realistic is your goal?
I have seen many many success stories from people much larger than myself, dropping 100lbs in a year, and they look and feel like a million bucks because of it. 70lbs in a year or so should be doable, and I don't believe it is unrealistic.
-- When will you start?
Monday morning. (it is Saturday afternoon right now). I am spending today writing this, and reading other peoples stories to find what works and what doesn't and what might work for me. I am also terrible at getting enough sleep in the nights, and I need to start getting to bed earlier. Monday is my date to start, fully rested and ready to go.
I am 27, 5'11", and 250 lbs. I love deep fried foods, and a big juicy steak with a side of coleslaw and fries is my idea of heaven. I have to change, and this is the beginning.
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Hi Rob! Welcome to your WL journal - and the start of your healthy new life!
