The journey of an overweight mom...

chickyp

chickyp

0
This is my post i just did in the introduction forum. I am posting here to start my journal so that I have my measurements. I plan on updating my measurements and weight every wed and updating my diary everyday. Thanks for reading.......
----------------------------------------------------------------


I guess the title says it all huh? I am a fat mom. I joined the weightloss community yesterday but after doing some reading on both this site and that one I feel like I might get a bit more guidance over here. The reason being is I have NO freakin idea on what I am doing. The food part yes I get that for the MOST part. But I have never exercised before and so I am a bit on the clueless side right.

I can get the cardio part of it. I have a gym and have started the cardio. But I want to incorporate weights and that is where I am coming up with a blank. They are a bit overwhelming when you see everyone going about their business. I actually asked the private owned personal training company inside the gym to give me guidance this weekend and unless I sign up for 8 minimum sessions they will not help with any exercise or machine. BOY that was a big turnoff from that company. I wasnt asking them to train me. I even offered to pay for an hour but they have their minimums they must go by so oh well their loss. I really can not afford 375 dollars for training right now. I wish I could but after my medical bills I just can not. $50 yes but not $375.

I can do it without em! (i hope!)

Anyways, here is a bit about me and my story so you know who I am.

I am a mother. I had a hysterectomy last year at 32 due to cancer. I am now cancer free, on hormone replacement therapy finally including small dosages of testerone, and now want to focus on my health and weight.

Below is a post I just did in a journal. It includes my weight. Now if I can figure out my workouts boy will I be headed in the right direction. So if you have a place that might help me build a work out - I am all for listening. Even if I have to pay, I am willing to just to get the help I need. Thanks for reading my introduction and for any advice. I really appreciate it..


Ps...please don't laugh. I am not proud of my weight but I am trying to change that is for sure.

My journal post today:

So as I promised I took my measurements today. Well tonight really. Oh my are they depressing BUT at the same time they are a motivation to get my tail in gear. I will NEVER be this big again. I can promise you that.

So here they are. I am not sure where to measure so I measured EVERYWHERE - cant hurt I guess...

They are:

Weight today: 163 (down 2 pounds from start - from 2 days ago)
I am 4'11 inches tall so I am quite chunky as you can see!
Neck - 15 inches
Right Arm - 13 inches
Left Arm - 12.5 inches
Chest - 43 inches
Under chest - 39.5 inches
Waist - 43.5 inches
Hips - 41 inches
Right Thigh - 23.5 inches
Left Thigh - 23 inches
Right Calf - 13.5 inches
Left Calf - 13 inches



WOW Now it is real. It is out there for the world to see. I am so not proud of whom I have become but I can not go back to change the past. I can only change the future.

Today I tried to explain to a really good friend and coworker why I am doing this. The reason we were talking about it is because they saw my healthy food and felt they needed to comment on how they have tried so hard to lose weight but just could not lose 1 pound or one inch. Well I do not agree that they "tried". So we had a discussion about it in my office and I asked them how hard they really tried. Oh they did some walking around their apartment but didnt change eating habits. That got discouraged so they gave up. Then tried to do the adkins diet but ate way to much meat and no energy to exercise so they gave up after 3 days. Did not cut out the soda, fast food, ice cream etc when they were trying to change. But they expected to change in just one day of whatever it was they were trying at the time. They also said they tried these "magic" pills from time to time and that worked ok but they just couldnt stick with it.

I asked them if they really thought they had gave it their all and their answer was yes. Then I explained my why to them. You see sitting in a doctor's office and a doctor saying either you change or you will be in a wheel chair in 5 years was a bit to much to take when you are only 33 years old!!! Top that with the fact I just finished fighting cancer not to long ago and the doctor has warned that if I keep it up, I could help in the destruction of my health in the future scared the **** out of me. Plus I had been looking at myself in the mirror and HATED what I saw. But I had been making excuses in the past on why I was fat.

Finally when I walked out of the doctor's office a little over a week ago I was mad. How could a mother let herself go and not care enough to try to be there for her kids? How could I continue on and not do the BEST I could to be as healthy as I could be for as long as I can for MYSELF and MY Family! I told my coworker today that if it killed me I would give this my 100% and I mean it.

Sometimes people just finally wake up and have that drive to change. I have that drive. I do not want to see my kids have to live without their mom. I do not want to have to sit behind as they run to play and I miss things in my life that I use to do in the past including tennis. That is one of my goals by this fall is to be back playing tennis

So my coworker again said I was crazy and that I would be back to my old self in a couple of weeks. BOY am I going to show her a thing or two! hehehehe... I am going to be a success story. I am going to have my before and afters and I am going to be smoking!! I want those ripped arms and a nice cut back that I see on women. And I will get it.

Sorry to be a debbie downer in this post. Just had this thought in my head from my conversation today and wanted to post. Ok I am off to plan my meals for tomorrow. Chow for now!!

~Chicky~
 
Chicky, I have three suggestions:

1. Send a PM to Sparrow and ask her what she thinks of "The New Rules of Lifting for Women". If she recommends it, as I suspect she will, get a copy of it. You might even be able to find it in a library.

2. Register for a local 5k (3.1 miles) run, a 1-mile fun run, or a tennis club/tournament for 6 months from now. You will want to lose some weight for this and if all goes well, you should be down 20 - 30 pounds by then. I find that being registered for a future is a strong motivator to get in shape. I always have 2 or 3 events lined up over the next month to a year to keep me motivated. You can search for events on .

3. Avoid your jealous, condescending punka$$ coworker as if she had leprosy!
 
Last edited:
Thanks G8. I can not PM yet but as soon as it lets me I will definitely send her a message.

And thanks for the advice on the others yet. It is great advice. I have been avoiding my coworker today but I hope I do get to see her to pass along the tummy bug I seem to have gotten from my kids!:rofl:

I was up most of the night sick as a dog and again back at it this morning. I am at work but I want to be at home curled up in my bed sleeping. Unfortunately, I can not do that due to some important deadlines I have to meet this week! :(


On another note, I jumped on the scale this morning and I am at 158.4 where as yesterday I was at 163. I know it is because I have thrown up more than I think I can count on two hands but I hope to get it out of my system today and get back on track!!
 
chickyp, hope you feel better soon. seems like you are headed in the right direction. there's a lot of information on this forum, so search around and read what has already been posted. you could even try some workout dvd's. this way you could even get a visual of how to perform the exercises. good luck in your goals. i'm sure others will post some more helpful information for you. stay motivated and you'll reach your goals. :action8:
 
Hope you feel better soon, chicky. I'm not the greatest resource on weight loss advice, but wanted to wish you luck anyway!
 
Thanks you two. :) I am starting to feel better today although I still feel a bit on the I am going to throw up any minute side.

But on the road to recovery I think. I hate being sick and then having to work on a project is never fun.

So today I wanted to post some goals. This way I have a chance to reflect back on them as I go along to see if I am close to the goals or not etc.

Here is my list SO FAR:

1: My main goal is to reach my weight target of 118 pounds. My ideal weight is 105 pounds to 115 pounds. I will be happy with 118 pounds for my first goal! :)

2: Be able to run 5 miles. Right now I can barely walk 1 mile so this will take some time but I will get there!!

3: Play tennis. I use to play tennis years ago when I was younger and I miss it. My goal is to be back on a team by Sept! I CAN DO IT!!!

4: Have more energy. I know this will come with time so this is an ongoing goal I guess.

5: Get back to my natural sleep! :sleeping: Right now I have the worst insomnia. It is so bad they have put me on sleeping pills every single night. I hope that exercise daily will help eleviate this problem. :)

6: Get into a size 4. I am in a size 12 now. I would love a size 2 but will be happy with a 4.

7: Be able to hike up Stone Mountain by July 1st. My hubby and I are going to go spend the day there and I have NEVER been able to hike up. I WILL THIS YEAR!!!

8: Be able to have a before and after picture and show people that it can be done!! I have many doubters in my life right now.


I am sure as I go along I will have more. My most immediate one is to be able to exericse longer than 15 minutes!! I hope within the next week I can make it to 30.

~Chicky~:action11:
 
chickyp said:
Thanks you two. :) I am starting to feel better today although I still feel a bit on the I am going to throw up any minute side.

But on the road to recovery I think. I hate being sick and then having to work on a project is never fun.

So today I wanted to post some goals. This way I have a chance to reflect back on them as I go along to see if I am close to the goals or not etc.

Here is my list SO FAR:

1: My main goal is to reach my weight target of 118 pounds. My ideal weight is 105 pounds to 115 pounds. I will be happy with 118 pounds for my first goal! :)

2: Be able to run 5 miles. Right now I can barely walk 1 mile so this will take some time but I will get there!!

3: Play tennis. I use to play tennis years ago when I was younger and I miss it. My goal is to be back on a team by Sept! I CAN DO IT!!!

4: Have more energy. I know this will come with time so this is an ongoing goal I guess.

5: Get back to my natural sleep! :sleeping: Right now I have the worst insomnia. It is so bad they have put me on sleeping pills every single night. I hope that exercise daily will help eleviate this problem. :)

6: Get into a size 4. I am in a size 12 now. I would love a size 2 but will be happy with a 4.

7: Be able to hike up Stone Mountain by July 1st. My hubby and I are going to go spend the day there and I have NEVER been able to hike up. I WILL THIS YEAR!!!

8: Be able to have a before and after picture and show people that it can be done!! I have many doubters in my life right now.


I am sure as I go along I will have more. My most immediate one is to be able to exericse longer than 15 minutes!! I hope within the next week I can make it to 30.

~Chicky~:action11:
Click to expand...

i think you have great goals! exercise and a clean diet will give you more energy, so be patient. it will come in time. each day you will notice you can workout longer and feel stronger. in time you'll see you will work yourself up to the 30 minutes or more that you are looking for with no problem. i used to have sleep problems as well, switched my job and now i sleep better, not great, but better. sometimes you just need to make small changes in life. :)
 
Hey Chicky,

Wish you the best of luck in your goal :)

P.S - No-one will ever laugh at your weight, if they do... well then they are pathetic :p

Good luck!
 
Thanks Lillian! :) One day at a time right?


So today I weighed in at 160 which is my offical weigh in day. I have been sick the past two days so I can tell you I have not ate anything and I certainly have not drank any water. But today i am finally feeling like I can ease some food into my belly. Wish me luck!!

I can also tell you I have found many doubters around me. It is a bit depressing at times. You would think your friends and family would SUPPORT you this journey. The only supporter I have right now is my SO. He has been awesome. Everyone else seems to want to give me these snide comments and their thoughts on what I should do or tell me how I am going to fail. Gee thanks for the confidence in me there buddy ol pal!!

I am not letting others get me down really or change my mind. I want to be healthy and after doing all my research I am on a drive to succeed!!! I am excited about the rest of 2009. My SO has even promised me a nice cruise to reward me in November if I reach some of my goals. I am a person that will set a goal and do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. I have always been that way my entire life. That is why it is a bit puzzling that htose that "know" me know that I am determined in this.

I also needed to mention one other goal of mine that is REALLY BIG!!! I got married when I was 19 (yes way to young!). I had two girls and at the age of 24 found myeslf divorced. I took a year to spend by myself and then met the most amazing man. He loves me whole heartedly and for me! HE treats me like a princess and loves my girls as if they were his own. You could not ask for a better stepfather, partner in life, or dad. We have been together 8 years living in sin because I was just not ready back then to tie the knot and life has just not been aligned correctly at times for us. We have two children of our own now (a boy and a girl) and of course I have since had a hysterectomy. Well I was done having kids before that but you get the point. Anyways, after 8 years we are both ready to finally become husband and wife. I actually already call him my hubby because it feels like we are married but really we are not. I want to be slim and sexy for when he gets on that one knee to ask me for my hand in marriage. And he has warned me it will be before the end of 2009 and that we hope to tie the knot in Fiji next year. WELL who doesnt want to be a hot bride right??? So that is also a very big incentive for me.

I am still having problems putting together a workout. I am going to be going to do cardio today and I hope by next week I will be ready for some stregnth training. I am also going to check out what was listed earlier in my blog about something Sparrow might recommend. I can not PM yet so I can ask sparrow so I am going to assume yes and check it out! :)

Ps. I can tell you one weakness of mine is going to be my getting to the gym. That means I have to be up super early because I have to be to work early but I AM GOING TO DO IT AND WILL DO IT!! I just have to learn to go to be earlier! LOL

Have a great day and thanks for reading...

Chicky:action4:
 
^wG said:
Hey Chicky,

Wish you the best of luck in your goal :)

P.S - No-one will ever laugh at your weight, if they do... well then they are pathetic :p

Good luck!
Click to expand...


Thanks WG! :) I have been very welcomed by this forum and definitely feel like I am not getting laughed at but you know how it is in the beginning right?
 
I think you should look around in the gym. See who looks like they've been at it awhile. Pick a couple exercises that someone is doing that you plan on doing (i.e. dumbbell pressing, etc) and ask them if they can help you with your form and technique.

I would start off moderate and increase intensiveness every few weeks.
You could easily start off with 3 sessions a week.

Flat dumbbell pressing
back extensions
lat pulldown
leg press

This is just an example of something to start with and go with for about a month. Get 3 sets in of 10-20 reps. If you can't get 10 reps, the weight is too heavy. If you get more than 20, it's too light.
 
Agreed, also there are gyms which don't use free-weights, they are reliant on pulley systems, easier to use... Most gyms will have inductions were they can help you out with the basics :)
 
THanks you two. I will definitely do that. I am going to start on the weights next week and start slow of course. I dont want to hurt myself that is for sure.


So I had to share a funny slip of the tongue I did today to embaress myself. And trust me I do not embaress easily. I was working on my big project for the president of our company this afternoon. My boss came by and wanted to see how things were going and asked if I needed anything. I meant to say yes I needed some hard candy as my throat was a bit scratched from being sick for two days.

It came out that I needed something hard to suck on. :speechless: He just looked at me like OH MY and walked off. I yelled out what I MEANT TO SAY but he didnt buy it!! LOL

Ohhhh to open mouth and insert foot. It taste sooooo yucky!!:laughing2: Oh well I got over it pretty quick.

So tomorrow I plan to up my cardio by 10 minutes. I didnt do any today becuase I barely ate and barely drunk any water. I started off the day still feeling quesy and still weak so I have babied my tummy today.

I am definitely learning lots with all my reading. I am not sure I am absorbing it all right now but I am trying! Oh well...me and my half eaten foot are off to prepack tomorrows foods...

~Chicky~
 
Yeah he just walked away! I dont think he knew what to say. LOL
I think we both were embarressed...hehehehe...


So today was cardio day. I can tell you I thought I was about to have a heat stroke at 6am this morning. OH MY was I having hot flashes, sweatin up a storm, and literally about to pass out. I am sure part of this is due to my lack of nutrition this week but I also feel like MAYBE I should speak with my doctor about changing my hormones. I have had the worse hot flashes today since working out this morning and they do not seem to be letting up. I actually checked on the way to work to make sure my patch was still there and sure enough it was.

Oh well hopefully it will settle down.

My goal this weekend is to prepare some foods for the entire week next week so that I can really just grab and go. Plus I want to start truly counting my calories and be as healthy as I can be right now. I also plan to go get me some protien powder (if you recommend one that taste good, let me know) and try to alternate that as a morning snack with some fruit.

I really need to run to Costco and try to buy more in bulk for some foods like fish, veggies, etc. I have a entire deep freezer of chicken since I do work for a chicken company so I do not have to worry about that one! LOL

Ok I am off for now..I have meetings.
 
afternoon all! :)

I am just now really getting to sit down and write in my journal. It has been one of THOSE days. It has been super stressful but do not worry - I did not take it out on food.

I was not able to get in a work out this morning due to a stormy night in GA and no power when I got up. So I just took today as my rest day. Tomorrow and Sunday will be full of manual labor so I will be burning plenty of calories. I have TONS of yardwork to do this weekend now that it is finally warm and sunny. I plan to cut and weed my 2 acres tomorrow. Only half is able to be cut with the riding mower. The rest has to have the push mower and of course I have to use the weed eater all around my property.

Sunday will be used to prune out some very big bushes around my yard. I am going to prune them down and then cut them completely down so that I can dig up the roots and plant some flower gardens in there place. So I should be quite sore come Monday morning (at least in my arms).

Next week I do plan to start adding in weights to my workout. I am excited for Wednesday to get here which is my first real official weigh in day. We also started the biggest loser contest today at work and I show to be down 5 pounds from where I started the beginning of this week. Hey I will take it!! I know most is where I was sick for two days but I couldnt control that so i will be happy with what I show to be down.

I also need to get my HRM together this weekend. I bought me a Polar F6 but have yet to figure the thing out. I wanted to have get one so that I had the most accurate number for calories burned. Mine came with a chest strap that will then read back to the watch. I think I might even wear it to work next week to see how I do all day long. But first I do need to take the time to figure the sucker out! I am also going to be buying me a foodsaver. This way I can package up some stuff and throw it in the freezer without worrying about the freezer burn etc. Plus I think things that are foodsaver'd taste so much better than those just in a zip loc baggy. That will probably not be a purchase I make until the 15th of May though.

Anyways, I am off to finish work and head home. :action4:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top