Sam's from Chunk to Hunk Journal :)

sammyboy24

New member
Hey,

My name is Sam. I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. I work a pretty sedentary job as a tape librarian, I have gained about 30lbs since starting there 3 years ago... I was also about 20-30lbs overweight to begin with. I live with my 2 brothers (21 and 20). I am on a waiting list for nursing school at the current moment. I hope to one day become an RN. I should also mention that I am gay. I'm 24 and I didn't come out until about a year and a half ago at 23. Being in the closet left me to be depressed and binge eat. I also was way into self loathing, which I still struggle with sometimes. I'm working on getting my life back, accepting myself for who I am and healing from years of being sad most a lot of the time. I'm doing this for health but, gaining extra confidence and perhaps jump starting my dating life would be swell too, :)

I've always kind of liked running/jogging. So at the beginning of May I started running 2-3 miles per day, 5-6 days a week. I felt great, I noticed my body was doing a "deflating" type of thing. I was going to the gym one day and was approached by one of the trainers. He asked me if I had used my free consult with a personal trainer that came with my membership to the gym. I hadn't, so I made one with him. I found out a lot of things and I named a price that I could afford and they went with it. I now have a personal trainer! I couldn't believe it. I never thought it would be something that I could do or afford. I was always so afraid to go to they gym and do weights for a number of reasons. I had this mentality that I wasn't good enough to do that, that I didn't deserve it. I also didn't want to look like an asshole because I didn't know what I was doing. I now see my personal trainer 1-2 times per week and it's made a huge difference.

I've also cleaned up my diet so much. I began eating every 2-3 hours and eating healthier foods, such as: tuna, chicken breast, skim milk, lf cottage cheese, egg whites, ff yogurt, high fiber cereal, protein shakes, fruits and veggies, salmon, etc. I eat so frequently that I am never hungry, it even feels like I am forcefeeding myself sometimes when it's time to eat, lol. Lots of water as well.

I have only been seeing him for a few weeks but, already the difference is amazing. I was a tight 36 in jeans at the middle of May. I tried on a pair of my True Religion jeans the other day, just seeing how close they were to fitting, not thinking they would fit at all (a month ago I couldn't even get them up over my ass, lol). Low and behold they fit me like a glove. They were a size 34x34!!! Happy Day! I finally felt like all the running, squats and lunges I had been doing had paid off!

I want to post my measurements and my highest weight. To be honest I don't think it was too far off from what I came in at when my personal trainer got a hold of me. These measurements were as of 4/19/2007 and are pretty accurate to what my "before" was:

Sam
24 yo
6'2''
246.8lbs
44.5'' waist
13'' right arm
27.5'' right thigh, fattest part of thigh
45'' hips
16.5'' right calf
44.25'' chest
16'' neck
6.75'' right wrist
30.1% BF

How much weight do you want to lose?
I would like to lose probably 50-60lbs. My weight isn't as important to me
as the inches and bf%. We will see what my weight is as I go along and
how I feel. Ultimately, though, i would love to see 185 or 190 on the
scale and have my bodyfat be 10-12%. I'm a big guy and my trainer told
me that getting my weight down past 190 might be pretty difficult. He
assured me though if I work hard and do what I am supposed to do, that
the 190 I see on the scale would be very satisfactory :)

What's the timeframe for reaching the weight?
I am giving myself a year. I think, and from what a lot of the pt's I have met have said, I should be able to reach a great goal in 9 or so months. We will see. A year for sure though.

How do you want to accomplish your goal?
I want to be healthy about it. I am doing it the old fashioned way for once, no crazy diets or anything. I will be weight training and doing cardio probably 4-6 times per week, depending on the week. I also want to keep my diet really clean. I keep hearing eating a very clean diet and keeping up at the gym is a sure fire way to get your abs to show. I would love that. I want that.

Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?
I will be my main supporter. This is for me. I can't keep going on like this year after year, summer after summer. I am 24 and I feel like this body has been holding me back for so many years. I can't lie to or disappoint myself anymore. It's too painful. My brothers I live with are supportive. Most of my friends are too. My dad and co workers are as well. I would love to be other people's motivation, show them that this can be done, it just takes some extra time and dedication. If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen.

How realistic is your goal?
I think my goal is pretty realistic. I'm working harder than I have ever worked in my life. I'm giving this 150% of my effort. I finally put my money where my mouth was getting a trainer, so its time to do the work and succeed.

When will you start?
I have started. My official start date for beginning with the trainer was 5/24/07. I had been slightly dieting and running for about 4 weeks prior but, the day I got my trainer is when I started eating clean and working out for real. Probably will post before and afters in the before/after section of this website at 3 months in (end of August/begin of Sept, we'll see)...

Thanks for reading this. I hope I can find some great buddies on here to share the motivation with, and possibly get some when I am running low.

-Sam:)
 
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Going to the gym tonite. Going to do arms (biceps and triceps) and 30 minutes of cardio. Now, that sounds like my idea of a fun Sat. night!!!! LOL

I will post my food sometimes, not everyday but, heres how it was looking today so far...

730 am 1 cup Kashi
1 cup skim milk

1030am FF Yoplait Yogurt

1pm 1 can Tuna
2 Whole Grain Wasa Crisps
1/2 stalk celery
2Tbsp light miracle whip

415pm 6oz. baked chicken
2.5 cups steamed broccoli
2tsp parm cheese
string cheese

615pm Workout (Bi/Tri, cardio)

730pm 2 scoops EAS protein
1 cup skim milk

9pm Lowfat Mcdonalds Ice Cream Cone

11pm :( 3 slices turkey with 2tsp spicy mustard (I was so hungry!)
 
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Made it to the gym this morning. It seemed pretty busy for a Sunday, at least I thought. I did chest/back, and core, and 30 minutes of cardio. Pretty good workout. Sad song though, I got blisters on both feet from the new shoes I tried to run in and break in today. I hate getting blisters. I hope they don't hurt for too long.

I plan on taking tomorrow off from the gym. I have to work and run some errands after work. I will make it back to the gym on Tues for my personal trainer appointment. I have no idea what we'll be doing.

Food wise today was okay. I ate every 2-3 hours but, I did have a couple cheats today. I went to see "Surfs Up", which was very good by the way :)
Anyways, I had some frozen junior mints at the movie and some diet coke, actually a lot of diet coke. I try to stay away from those types of things lately.

Well, now I am going to try to watch the last episode of The Sopranos.

Goodnight :)

-Sam
 
Made it to work this morning. Still here. Have a few errands to run after work and knowing today is one of my off days from the gym is nice. The blisters on my feet from running in different shoes yesterday are still sore. I hope they don't bother me tomorrow, maybe I will have to tape them or something...

So far, here is today's food:

730 am 1cup Kashi cereal, 1cup skim milk

1030am FF Yogurt, banana

1230pm Tuna w/ lite mw, celery, dill, mustard
2 Wasa Crisps
1/2cup lf cottage cheese
1.75 cups broccoli with 2tsp parm cheese
water

245pm Large Apple

545pm Mcdonalds southwest salad
Iced tea with lemon unsweetened

945pm 6oz chicken breast, grilled
2 slices tomato
1/2 bun
1 tbsp mayo
Crystal light
2 dum dum suckers

Thats it for today.

-Sam

245pm Large Apple
 
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Hi Sam! Glad you found this site. You will not be your only supporter as long as you are here.

I love how you described your body doing a deflating thing when you began running! Very cool. I am trying to learn to like to run. Pretty much just getting back into walking again (had some health issues knock me off track a lil while back). I too have basically a desk job & have watched the pounds pile on as time goes by. Good thing is we noticed & are determined to change the pattern. :)

Keep up the great work & that's great you have a trainer! I can only wish..

As for the blisters, there is some fake skin type bandages that have helped my feet in the past (dancing all night drunk in new heels.. ug. Didn't even feel it til the next day.. then OUCH it hurt to walk!). Hope your feet are doing better soon.
 
Hi MoonGoddess, I hope my blisters are gone soon too. They are feeling better already but, I might just do the elliptical at the gym for the next few days as my cardio, the treadmill tends to irritate them a lot more from all the running. Last week my ipod broke for the second time! What a pos! I now have to send it back into apple and see what they can do about it. It works but it doesn't have any sound and it pauses very randomly, whenever it feels like it. I am borrowing my brothers though. Lucky me.

I have my PT appointment tonite. I wonder what he has in store for me. I feel like my legs and my core are already getting stronger. My arms and my chest still need some work. Hopefully it's a good time.

Foods for today:

730am 1 cup Kashi Cereal
1.25 cup skim milk

1030am FF Yoplait Yogurt

1230pm 1.25 can tuna
3 Tbsp. light miracle whip
1/2 stalk celery
2 Whole Grain Wasa Crisps

3pm Large Apple
 
Sounds like you are right on track! I know what it's like to have blisters. When I ran Cross Country two years ago, I had a blister the size of a quarter on my heal for about 3 weeks.

You can try this stuff called NewSkin. It really helped me when I had blisters.
 
Oh man... broken iPod!?!? I think I would cry. So far mine has worked well. I love getting those short podcast & listen to them while I am on the treadmill. Makes time seem like its going by faster since I can listen to a few in a session rather than just one.. & I can pretend like I am getting smarter & slimmer at the same time. Not sure that I really care to retain half the info... but whatever. Body Odd podcast usually gives me a chuckle or too.

Good luck with the repairs & you are very lucky to have a nice brother to loan you his (hope he has good taste!). Have fun with the trainer!
 
One of my sisters stole my ipod, so now I don't have mine. I really want it back, but I have no idea which one took it =P.

Maybe I'll go on a hunt sometime soon.
 
Thanks. I hope I will. I have never listened/downloaded a podcast before. What exactly are they? I just usually listen to a mix I make with music that I have on my ipod. I put some songs on my bro's ipod, so I wouldn't have to just listen to his music.

It's funny how attached I have become to having my ipod when I work out. I tried it without the other day and it wasn't the same. When I have to do my cardio I have to have some music.

Have a good day.

-Sam:)
 
Podcasts are pretty much like newscasts, but more fun. You can find them on any subject from losing weight, to increasing vocabulary, to politics, to grammar, to who knows what else.

They can be found in the itunes store, but the best part is- they are free! Just open up itunes, go to the itunes store, then select podcasts on the lefthand menu.
 
Hmm. Sounds interesting. I think I might do that and get some podcasts on my ipod. I have to get online today and fill out a service request for my ipod, luckily it's still under the extended warranty I got for it :)

Yesterday was good. I went to the gym and had an excellent appointment with my trainer. We worked arms (biceps and triceps) and he really worked me hard. When I got done with him, I went and ran 3 miles on the treadmill. I had all this energy. It felt great. We (mostly I) decided that I will probably need to see him 2 times per week the next few weeks because I feel I need more help/supervision working out my arms and chest/back. So, that's what I am going to do. I have an appointment with him on Thurs.

I ate really pretty good yesterday. I did have a few pieces of candy throughout the day, which is bad. I have an evil sugartooth and the secretary at work had a basket full of good stuff on her desk. I also went over to a friend's house last night and they made nachos for everyone to eat. I had a small serving but, I still feel guilty about it.
 
Hello Sam! Welcome to WLF, you will find such good support here, everyone is very friendly and always there to listen. It seems like you got everything moving along real well. Your eating very good! and your going to the gym. That is a huge start to losing weight. I would say the MAIN goal is the stay with it! I'm sure if you keep going with what your doing now, you will certainly be down to your goal weight in a year.
Kim
 
Hey Sam, I've enjoyed reading your diary so far! Congrats on your healthy menu and your fantastic exercise regimen. I hope you have some starting pics ;) so you can look back and see the difference. I know what you mean about the iPod! I'm so in love with mine, although ever since I've been going to this gym I've been watching movies...but when I exercise at home I MUST have iPod! I hope you get yours back soon...man that makes me hope nothing happens to mine, but I agree that it's wonderful your bro is letting you use his. Hope you're having a good night!
 
Thanks you guys. I filled out the stuff online to have my ipod serviced. We will see how soon that can happen.

Yesterday was really good food wise. Didn't have any candy or junk really.

730am 1 cup Kashi
1 cup skim milk

1030am FF Yogurt

115pm Mcdonalds SW salad with grilled chicken

515pm Protein Shake

915pm 5 oz. baked chicken
2.5 cups steamed broccoli
2tsp parm cheese
1 small can green beans
1.5 tbsp bbq sauce
1/2 cup LF cottage cheese
Crystal light

I had a problem eating at the right times yesterday. I really hate going longer than 3 hours without eating anymore. If I go 4, I usually feel alright but 3 is better for me. If I go longer than 4, I get kind of cranky...

I also hit the gym yesterday. I did legs and cardio. I went right before the 4-6pm rush. This is what my routine looked like yesterday for legs/cardio:

Smith Squat 100lbs 3x20
Straight Leg Deadlift 65lbs 3x20
Leg Extension 75lbs 3x20
Leg Curl 80lbs 3x20
Calf Raises on a stair, 10 stairs, 10 on each stair
Lunges going up and down a ramp 2 sets (up ramp, down ramp= one set)

25-30 minutes on treadmill. Walked some yesterday because my legs were so wobbly from working them out. Typically I run the whole thing.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by my journal. I have tried to start journals in the past but, they never lasted. I think this one will though. I'm trying to make it to everyone elses too.

-Sam:)
 
So. Bored at work... Pretty tired and I have to meet with my trainer tonite at 5pm. We are doing chest/back and some cardio. It's gonna be a rough one tonite. I can't wait to just be able to go home and get into bed and veg...

Here is what I have eaten today so far:

730 am 1 cup Kashi
1 cup skim milk

1030 am FF Yogurt
2 Fig Newtons, reduced fat?

100pm 2 Whole Grain Wasa Crisps
4 oz. chicken salad
1/4 stalk celery, cut up
2 tbsp. light miracle whip
1/2 cup LF cottage cheese
1 small can, drained mandarin oranges
4 fritos, thought I needed a taste

330pm 3 slices turkey breast
Large Red Apple

630pm 3 scoops EAS Protein
1.25 cups skim milk
water

930pm 4oz baked chicken
1/2 cup brown rice
1 can cooked spinach
1tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp bbq sauce
dill pickle spear
crystal light
low sodium soy sauce


Went over my calories just a smidge. I think I ate too much for my last meal of the day. I will try to avoid that from now on. Gym workout went great. Got home and tried to veg but couldn't. I ended up cooking a bunch of chicken, making tuna salad, making brown rice, and doing 2 loads of laundry. I just couldn't sit still I guess. I will post my chest/shoulder/back routine, or at least what I can remember of it.

Bench Press: 70lbs. 3x20
Butterfly 100lbs. 3x20
Shoulder Press 55lbs. 3x20
Sitting Row 50lbs 3x20
Upright Row 65lbs 3x20

This is the routine my trainer set up for me to work these muscle groups. I can't always do the amount of weight listed above (especially shoulders, I'm pretty weak there :) ) without breaking my form, so I have to lower the weight. My trainer is really strict about me keeping my form and so now it's what I really work on and watch when I am doing my weights.

-Sam
 
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MMM, looks like your doing really good on your menu's for the day, keep it up and good job getting to the gym, that is the HARDEST part for most, so GREAT JOB!
Kim
 
hopefully once you get in the gym & get moving you will be more energized. Get some hyper music to move you or something. Just remember your goal & that this is the only way you are going to get there... its all a test of dedication in my eyes.

Good luck!
 
Thanks Kim and MoonGoddess. I am definitely trying to keep the big picture in my mind and focus on that when I need a little push. I have to sometimes remind myself that I am just like everyone else and what I am doing will work for me and I will get results, just like other people have.

I asked my trainer when we will be weighing me again and taking measurements. He said probably another 2 weeks or so. He likes to do it with his clients every 4-6 weeks. I am just so curious about how much I have lost, or how much my BF% has gone down. I have been really strict about NOT weighing myself and I think it has been very beneficial. I am someone that used to let the scale make or break their day a little too much. So, I haven't weighed or measured myself at all, and I am only going to do it when my trainer does it with me. So I am hoping it will be a big surprise for both of us because I know I have been doing pretty well.

No workout today. I am working until 230pm, then leaving to go home and hangout for awhile, then I come back at 6pm until 10pm. Weird huh?... When I get home I am helping my little brother pack for his cruise that he is going on tomorrow. 7 days in the Caribbean. I am super jealous, :)

Here is my food so far today:

745am 1 cup Kashi
1 cup skim milk
Diet Coke w/lemon

1030am FF Yoplait Yogurt

1245pm 4 slices turkey breast
2 wasa crisps
1/2 cup cottage cheese LF
string cheese
1 small can drained pineapple slices
water

330pm Large Apple

630pm 6oz baked chicken breast
1 cup brown rice
1/2 cup LF cottage cheese
water
 
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So. Went up to see my friends camping yesterday. I kind of made it a cheat day. Well, there was no kinda about it, it was a cheat day. I could have done a lot worse than I did but, I still did pretty bad. Well, move on right??? Thats what I am going to have to do. No exercise either. I know I am for sure hitting the gym Mon/Tues/Weds this next week. I am wondering if after work today I should go on a run outside or something. It's been about a month since I have done that. I have been only going to the gym now. I will probably end up talking myself into it by the time I get off work.

I gave my dad his Father's Day present on Fri. It was a gift certificate to a golf store (he wants a new driver). It was from myself and my two brothers. My brothers and I don't speak to my dad's wife currently (she is a real piece of work...) so it makes holiday's weird sometimes. He understands why we don't want to be around her and why we're upset with her.

-Sam
 
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