shrinkingLeon
New member
Hi people! I'm adding my diary recording my journey. The encouragement and feedback that I see on this website is absolutely amazing, and because I'm usually swimming in thoughts about what I can do to maximize my weight loss.
I tipped the scales at 345 lbs in December 08, and made a personal vow to never be that obese ever again, but I was still scared about what to do and how to go about losing the weight. I would look at "The Biggest Loser" and think, "I can do that!"
I can't explain it, but sometime in March of this year, something snapped in me. I found a gym about halfway between my job and my house. I live in the Atlanta area, so I'm sure if you are familiar with the area, traffic congestion is awful, so during rush hour, I'm sweating and panting at the gym.
I also dedicated myself to changing my eating habits. Now, I've done low-carb diets before (Sugar Busters, Atkins, etc.), but I just didn't feel right eating bacon and losing weight.
I also considered Medifast, but felt that reducing my calorie load by that much and constantly being hungry, not to mention paying $300/mo for processed foods did not appeal to me either.
One day, I was on the Internet, and I discovered the website for Tim Ferriss, author of "The Four Hour Workweek". He suggests that people keep it simple with a "Slow Carb" diet. Basically, avoid "white" foods with lots of refined sugar and flour, avoiding soft drinks and lots of protein heavy foods. I also eat similar meals for 6 days/wk. Basically, lots of lean meats, green, leafy vegetables, and legumes (Black Beans and Lentils in particular). I also try to eat 3-4 small meals per day to keep my metabolism going.
I also work out 5 days per week. Mainly HIIT cardio + strength training. It's grueling and one of the hardest things I've done, but so far, so good. I've lost 65 lbs in the last 5 months!
I have about 80 more pounds that I want to lose (or more), and this forum has really helped me keep my head up to know that I'm not the only one going through this.
UPDATE 6/2/2010: I added new pictures that can be found here
I tipped the scales at 345 lbs in December 08, and made a personal vow to never be that obese ever again, but I was still scared about what to do and how to go about losing the weight. I would look at "The Biggest Loser" and think, "I can do that!"
I can't explain it, but sometime in March of this year, something snapped in me. I found a gym about halfway between my job and my house. I live in the Atlanta area, so I'm sure if you are familiar with the area, traffic congestion is awful, so during rush hour, I'm sweating and panting at the gym.
I also dedicated myself to changing my eating habits. Now, I've done low-carb diets before (Sugar Busters, Atkins, etc.), but I just didn't feel right eating bacon and losing weight.
I also considered Medifast, but felt that reducing my calorie load by that much and constantly being hungry, not to mention paying $300/mo for processed foods did not appeal to me either.
One day, I was on the Internet, and I discovered the website for Tim Ferriss, author of "The Four Hour Workweek". He suggests that people keep it simple with a "Slow Carb" diet. Basically, avoid "white" foods with lots of refined sugar and flour, avoiding soft drinks and lots of protein heavy foods. I also eat similar meals for 6 days/wk. Basically, lots of lean meats, green, leafy vegetables, and legumes (Black Beans and Lentils in particular). I also try to eat 3-4 small meals per day to keep my metabolism going.
I also work out 5 days per week. Mainly HIIT cardio + strength training. It's grueling and one of the hardest things I've done, but so far, so good. I've lost 65 lbs in the last 5 months!
I have about 80 more pounds that I want to lose (or more), and this forum has really helped me keep my head up to know that I'm not the only one going through this.
UPDATE 6/2/2010: I added new pictures that can be found here
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I don't want to think that I have the odds stacked against me in my goals, this isn't going to be smooth sailing either. So yes, it has been rewarding to lose the weight that I've lost so far, but it's still quite frustrating when I'm not losing the weight as fast as I want it to be lost too.
Welcome and Glad to have you!
It's so good, but I don't want to ruin my plan.
