Snoopy's Diary

[Snoopy1]

Snoopy's Diary from three chins to one

09/29/15

This is the first entry for Snoopy's Diary. I am 26 years old, 5'2 and have weighed between 120 and 165 (current weight). I have started working out and getting my life back together about two months ago. I have been seriously working out (5-6 times a week) for the past month. I've cut my calories from around 5k to 1700. I have not lost much weight but I have been doing both cardio and weight lifting so I am thinking that I am gaining muscle (which would make the scale read the same). I am hoping that I start losing weight and it reads on the scale because it's so frustrating to work day after day and have no readable progress. I know everyone will probably say that it's my calories but I seriously have cut out around 3 thousand. I am kind of afraid that I have put my body into a tailspin because of the sudden decrease of calories and taking up exercise (which I have never done before) and that it thinks I'm starving. However, I am taking in what my daily suggested amount for almost everything is, so I am hoping my body just gets used to this new way of being...
My real issue right now is sodium.. there is sodium in everything and even "healthy" stuff has a crapton of sodium so I have to keep working on that.
Also I need to work on not reaching for food when I am bored. That is my second biggest issue--- especially when I am at work and not doing a whole lot, I will get bored and want to eat. I need to find either ways to distract myself when that happens or some way to deal with it (because just trying not to think about it doesn't help).
And then lastly, finding more healthy recipes that don't involve a ton of calories, carbs or sodium.
So I have a long way to go.

 

[Cate]

Hi Snoopy & welcome to the forum. Well done on making such positive changes. Have you been measuring yourself as well as weighing. Is anyone commenting that you look fitter. I would imagine that you must be improving your health overall. 1700 cals per day is maintenance for me, but I am not working out like you are. Sodium is everywhere. I have drastically reduced the amount of sodium in my food but it is hard. What sorts of foods do you eat mainly? Not eating when you're bored is a challenge for most of us. You'll find great support here. Most of us have lots in common. Catch up again soon. Cheers, Cate

 

[Snoopy1]

Just wanted to add in a quick entry that I recently measured myself with measuring tape.. I've lost an inch in my belly and a quarter in my arms. My thighs are still the same and so are my hips. I've also lost 10 pounds over the last month and a half (most, just recently actually). I am down to between 157-160. I feel a little bit stronger but no definable muscles yet. I'm able to weight lift between 20 pounds (bicep/tricep machines) and then up to 70 (ab machines) so that's really good. My stomach muscles seem to be well developed but there's still at least four inches of fat over my abdomen. I seem to still be doing well.
Cate: I am eating mostly fruits/vegetables along with some meats (I've had three avocadoes in the last 24 hours since I'm craving them) and those Sparkling Ice Drinks that have no calories/carbs. When I know I haven't eaten enough carbs or calories for the day (say, if I work out in the early morning but have only had like a bagel) I will buy a powerade to work out with.
Also, I have not gotten any comments that I am looking fitter yet but I think my face seems thinner. I am hoping within the next few months I will start to get some sort of feed-back.
Ironic moment: I was getting coffee at the gas station this morning and the cashier told me that a free donut comes with a purchase of the coffee... I just laughed to myself since I have never liked donuts but certainly am not going to start eating them now!

Question: When you go to the gym, what are you burning? Whatever you last ate? I think I've heard that if you haven't recently had carbs or proteins, that you will burn muscle instead?

 

[Oaks]

Hey Snoopy! Ten pounds over the last 6 weeks or so sounds like pretty solid progress to me. Be proud of all of your accomplishments, you've already got a lot to feel good about. I struggle with eating when I'm bored at work, too. When it's cold enough to want hot beverages I can sometimes distract myself with cup after cup of herbal tea.

Great job avoiding that free donut!! Sometimes it's hard to turn down free food even if you don't want it, glad to hear you don't struggle with that problem

 

[BlueBean]

Hi Snoopy! Nice work on the weight loss- that's awesome!! And avoiding a free donut, your will power is strong Keep up the amazing work, you can do this - you already are. Go team Snoopy!