My Healthy Living Journey!

[Pumba's Truth]

Hey all,

I didn't even know this section existed. I've been lurking on the disboards for quite some time and have been getting more active. Finally I found a place that I can share my successes.

I'm not sure what's going to be put up on here. Maybe my calories in/out each day/week. Probably my thoughts/feelings with each weigh-in and what I've noticed is working or not working for me.

Background
Basically, been like most of us trying to loose a few (or more than a few), I've struggled with being bigger my entire life. From the age of 14 I was over 200 lbs, I did play sports so that was a plus. However, when sports wrapped up, when I went to university (17) I didn't stop consuming. I just found that being as young as I was in a US university where there were a lot of people partying and were older than me, I had to find a way to be unique? So, I ate .... a lot and drank ... a lot. By the time I was 19 I had a great reputation for being able to chug a beer faster than anyone on campus and being able to eat 50 wings from Hooters faster than anyone as well. Not exactly the best thing to be known for eh?

So, at 19 my dad took a look at me. Now, tipping the scales some where north of 320, and said time to shape up. So he brought me to live with them that summer in Singapore and I dropped close to 90lbs in 10 weeks. FANTASTIC!!!

OK, so you all know I wouldn't be here if that's where it ended. Over the next several years I managed to go up and down between 240 and 280. Until I got married in 2008 and I was 255, marriage agreed with my gut it would seem and I managed to maintain between 255 and 270 from there on out.

This past August (2010) something hit me, I can't even remember what it was that sparked this new adventure. Or rather lifestyle change, but it's happening right now and I want to share it. And perhaps there might be one or two of y'all out there that are able to get inspired and see that it can be done and take that first step yourselves.

STATS
Age: 34
Height: 6'1"
Starting Weight: 254.4 lbs
Original Weigh-in date: August 9, 2010

Goal Info
Goal: NEW* 215 lbs OLD* 210 lbs
Goal Date: November 18, 2010

*Updated Mondays and Thursdays (weigh-in days)
As of October 18, 2010
Current Weight: 225.6 lbs
Current Loss: 28.8 lbs NOTE: 2lbs from last weigh in .. 2.2 for the last week, not too bad. We're closer to the goal now - only a little more than 10lbs left to go, if I can hit it sooner I'll be thrilled. The other thing is if I get to it and I find that I could still use a few more lbs gone - we'll adjust once again. Only time will tell.
Tools
Fitday - a place to track calories in/out through food & activity tracking.
Stationary Bike
Treadmill
Road
Free weights
Body Weight

 

[Pumba's Truth]

So as you can see I've just started this thread, but I've been in this new lifestyle since August.

So what have I learned? How have I kept going? Am I depriving myself of foods I love?

Well to be honest ... I've learnt a fair amount and I will be sharing my thoughts on this through out this thread.

Same goes for how I've kept going, y'all know diets eh? Well that's the difference ... this isn't a diet. I don't do diets, they are temporary to get to a point and a finish line. I would rather change the way I live my life and be able to just continue without fear of getting back to where I was.

Am I depriving myself of foods I love? Well to be honest with you, I originally thought that I was. I stopped eating chocolate bars, stopped drinking pop (although I drank only diet pop), stopped eating french fries from fast food joints. So yeah I thought I loved those foods. But since I haven't had them for such a long period of time I don't even have cravings for them anymore.

In fact my wife constantly reminds me that this isn't about not letting yourself have something but more about exercising the choice to have something else that might be better for you. God, I love my wife and she has supported me through out this change in life style.

Interesting note: I tried a sip of my wife's diet coke the other day and it actually felt like it burnt the back of my throat. Wow, is it really that acidic? Hmph ... I guess I've lost the taste for it.

 

[sjs314]

Hello Again-

I am subscribing to your thread, maybe it will give me the incentive I need to get back on track with my diet.

I have to tell you I am very disappointed in myself for not sticking with my plan to lose more and somehow manageing to gain 8 of the original 10 lbs I lost back. I normally weigh myself on Wed, so as soon as I head back into the bathroom I will hop on the scale and see what horror awaits me today

Yes I am scared since I had a bad day yesterday food wise, I was just hungry all day and gave into temtation

The odds are against me losing, post menapausel, slow thyroid (Dr has yet again raised my throid meds after last blood tests) and diabetic(insulen can cause weight gain/started using insulen daily after Dec Hospitilizaton) and the worse one of all I love to eat

I will be here to cheer you on and I will at times need to lean on you for support

We can do it !!!

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Hello Again-

I am subscribing to your thread, maybe it will give me the incentive I need to get back on track with my diet.

I have to tell you I am very disappointed in myself for not sticking with my plan to lose more and somehow manageing to gain 8 of the original 10 lbs I lost back. I normally weigh myself on Wed, so as soon as I head back into the bathroom I will hop on the scale and see what horror awaits me today

Yes I am scared since I had a bad day yesterday food wise, I was just hungry all day and gave into temtation

The odds are against me losing, post menapausel, slow thyroid (Dr has yet again raised my throid meds after last blood tests) and diabetic(insulen can cause weight gain/started using insulen daily after Dec Hospitilizaton) and the worse one of all I love to eat

I will be here to cheer you on and I will at times need to lean on you for support

We can do it !!!

Welcome.

I'm here to lean on if ya need it. I have had a few of those days, like your yesterday, and I have been afraid to step on that scale for fear the numbers have gone in the opposite direction I intended.

One of the things that I try to focus on is that I am still working towards my goal and the overall is still a loss. In your case you mentioned that you had lost 10lbs but gained back 8, right? Well .. that means you are still down 2lbs. Congrats!

You know there are not many that even take the first steps to being healthier. Congrats on that one too. That's awesome. Being aware of where you are health wise is the first thing, knowing where you are can allow yourself to set up realistic goals. That way you don't get that self defeated feeling as often.

For me, I know that I will fluctuate, day by day. Note: I have a bad habit of stepping on the scale on my non weigh-in days. Sometimes multiple times a day, usually at night and in the AM. However, I have chosen two days a week for my "official" weigh-in just because I am an analytic and like numbers. LOL.

I have also chosen an optimal time to weigh-in. Without getting too descript, it is first thing in the AM after first elimination. Chances are that's when you weigh the least ... well for most people anyways (Note: That's why I sometimes weigh myself at night so I can see that I'm a bit lighter in the AM. It provides a great pick me up to start out the day.). This is because the body uses up the fluids it has through out the night in addition to still burning calories while you sleep. Bonus there is that you don't eat while you sleep, well unless you sleep walk. Mind you that hasn't happened to me in quite some time. LOL

Well I'm done my rambling for now. Thanks for joining and I look forward to hearing your journey as well.

Cheers.

 

[sjs314]

Well so much for being down 8lbs I weighed in at 229.6

I normally weigh in after my coffee and my daily constitutional but seeing that you have lost 18lbs has given me new incentive.

I forgot to mention that I quit smokeing last year on Oct 27th and have given up any food or drink with aspertame in it and started drinking only decaf coffee some months back.

I planned on walking more but have not gotton serious about that either anyway I am here

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Today is as good a day to start moving forward as any!

Great job on the smoking. I've never smoked, but a number of folks in my family have given it up and it's been the reason they put on weight. So it's a tough battle to fight. But ... it's a healthy one!

Walking is one of the best exercises out there, low impact and you are able to work at your own pace. I know of a few folks that actually do the window shopping walk every so often, not my cup of tea but I've heard it works for them, there only problem now is making sure that the money stays int he wallet .. but that issue is for another board.

Congrats on giving up the chemically stuff. I've done my best for that one but still make my runs to the good ol' Starbucks a few more times than I should. But at least I have found a great drink that is only 110 cals for a grande.

If I can offer any advice at this point. It's to be aware of what's happened in the past, forgive yourself for the overindulgences and move forward. We'll all have those days where we throw caution to the wind and then later regret doing so. But it's tough to move forward when you are looking back and beating up on your pastself.

We'll make it happen. One day at a time ... step by step.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Actually, we all know that we have to eat to stay alive eh?

Well back when I first started into this new lifestyle I was really keeping a close eye on everything I was eating. I started to loose a few pounds right away. Probably just water but a pound is a pound, am I right? Ok, so in seeing this loss I decided that I should increase my caloric deficit.

Bigger deficit = bigger loss ... Right?

Well ... as it turns out the body has a funny way of dealing with you when you don't feed it appropriately. Yeah, it kind of starts to shut down non-essential services. Think about driving a car that is now below a 1/4 of tank a gas and you're not sure you're going to make it to the next exit in time. Start shutting off all the things you don't need. In particular A/C. Also start driving more conservatively in the hopes you don't run out.

Well the body does something similar so to speak. Actually it goes into a "starvation" mode. It basically holds on to the food and water until it realizes that you are going to continue to give it some. But if you don't give it enough it'll just keep stock piling for the future. LOL. Go figure.

When this occurred, I think it was week 2 or 3 for me, I went up a couple of pounds ... I did a bunch of research and determined that I couldn't continue with a 1400 - 1500 calorie a day regime, and I upped it to 1800 - 2200 calories and low and behold I dropped almost 4 lbs in 4 days.

So lesson learned. Make sure to eat enough for your body. Know what exercises you are doing and make sure that you are fueling yourself for optimal performance.

It's helped me a bunch so far. Best part ... I got to eat more.

 

[pjlla]

In fact my wife constantly reminds me that this isn't about not letting yourself have something but more about exercising the choice to have something else that might be better for you. God, I love my wife and she has supported me through out this change in life style.

You're wife is a VERY smart woman!!

Well so much for being down 8lbs I weighed in at 229.6

I normally weigh in after my coffee and my daily constitutional but seeing that you have lost 18lbs has given me new incentive.

I forgot to mention that I quit smokeing last year on Oct 27th and have given up any food or drink with aspertame in it and started drinking only decaf coffee some months back.

I planned on walking more but have not gotton serious about that either anyway I am here

You have changed your lifestyle in so many ways!! Cut yourself a bit of slack about the weight. You can't expect to change EVERYTHING at once.... one small change at a time is a good way to go. You are nearly a year without smoking, and many months now without aspartame and caffeine. You have made some FABULOUS healthy changes. Now that those changes are REGULAR parts of your life, you can start concentrating on changing the eating and exercise. Pick something to work on this week.... maybe eliminating one particular junk food that you consume every day and replace it with fruit. That, along with watching portions/counting calories/counting points (whatever system you decide to do), will be a BIG change for this week. Then next week pick another item to work on!

my caloric deficit.

Bigger deficit = bigger loss ... Right?

Well ... as it turns out the body has a funny way of dealing with you when you don't feed it appropriately. Yeah, it kind of starts to shut down non-essential services. Think about driving a car that is now below a 1/4 of tank a gas and you're not sure you're going to make it to the next exit in time. Start shutting off all the things you don't need. In particular A/C. Also start driving more conservatively in the hopes you don't run out.

Well the body does something similar so to speak. Actually it goes into a "starvation" mode. It basically holds on to the food and water until it realizes that you are going to continue to give it some. But if you don't give it enough it'll just keep stock piling for the future. LOL. Go figure.

When this occurred, I think it was week 2 or 3 for me, I went up a couple of pounds ... I did a bunch of research and determined that I couldn't continue with a 1400 - 1500 calorie a day regime, and I upped it to 1800 - 2200 calories and low and behold I dropped almost 4 lbs in 4 days.

So lesson learned. Make sure to eat enough for your body. Know what exercises you are doing and make sure that you are fueling yourself for optimal performance.

It's helped me a bunch so far. Best part ... I got to eat more.

This was one of the hardest things for me to work on when I started my healthy journey a few years ago. I started out with a HUGE drive to lose my weight and lose it FAST! But after a few weeks of good loss, my weight loss fizzled out. I was still eating as I had been the first few weeks and exercising regularly. But I wasn't eating ENOUGH. I had to start eating a bit more... especially when I was exercising every day. And sure enough, the weight loss picked up again!

And here I am, almost 3 years into this journey, but I need to keep reminding myself, when I get frustrated and feel like dropping my calories, that my bodies NEEDS FOOD TO BURN FOOD!!


Anyhow, I am pleased to read your journal. Sounds like you are on the right road. Thanks for sharing with us!........P

 

[Pumba's Truth]

pjlla

Thanks for popping on in. Yeah it took a bit. I have to admit it is kind of counter intuitive to eat more in order to loose more. LOL

But I figure if I want a bigger deficit I just have to work out more. But maintain my minimum intakes.

Congrats on your three year Journey. Keep it up.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

This should be interesting.

My lightest weight that I can remember was 238.5 and that was after dropping almost 90 lbs when I was 19.

Funny thing is .. I'm less than that now. I am the lightest I can remember being and each weigh in brings with it a sense of excitement that it's something new that my body has never done before. Kind of like Christmas morning I guess.

I'm psyched for tomorrow. I am anxious to see 235 pop up on there. Even if it does mean I am going to have to replace my wardrobe well before I hit the world. Heck it will be well worth the money.

Yesterday was a pretty good day all in all. Monday saw me home sick with some sort of bug, and I missed my work out so I was kind of nervous getting back into it right away.

Turns out Biggest Loser last night was exactly the kick that I needed. I sat there for the first 1/2 hour (letting food digest) then all of a sudden I was on the exercise bike. Funny I don't really remember thinking to get on it... Me thinkith this is a good sign. Well either that or I am slowly loosing my mind ..

Well after a full 60 minutes on that thing and a completely drenched shirt & shorts it was time for stretches and cool down. Good timing .. only a 1/2 hour left in the show.

My wife and BIL were watching it with me and it turns out that both of my BILs (17 & 24) are trying to get in better shape as is the entire family on my wife's side. WOW. I like to think that the past 6 weeks of effort that I have put in has had some impact.

Anywho, calorically yesterday was pretty good. 2020 in and 3228 out. I use Fitday.com for a lot of my calculations so they are estimates for the most part. But 60 minutes of exercise is good.

I am hungry today so I have to make sure to eat enough but not too much. Today is my off day, but I am debating on at least going to the range for some practice (golf). I know it doesn't seem like much but if you saw me after a session you might think I did a lil bit a work ... I'm just sayin.

Well we'll see how it pans out tomorrow AM.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Good Morning.

Well I spent the morning visiting with the incoming class of Event Managers at Algonquin College up in Ottawa, ON.

I completed this program last spring and they ask a select few grads to come back and share their stories. It was a blast. But that's why I'm not posting my new weight until now.

Anywho. Weigh-in has been updated on the 1st post but I figured I could share it here as well. 235.6lbs. Down another .8lbs.

Hmmm how do I feel about that? Well let's see I would love for it to be more but honestly it's progress. Still a loss and actually it's quite close to what my IN/OUT chart says. So I guess I can't be upset if I am loosing exactly what I am supposed to be eh?

Mood is pretty good. Shirts are getting to be really big on me now as are pants. Actually last weekend I went out to buy a new pair of jeans because the old ones were falling off of me. Hmm I seem to recall that these old jeans used to be some what snug who knows.

Anyways, when I tried on a few pairs I was amazed to end up purchasing a pair several sizes down from what I had purchased (comfortably) in the past.

Size 36Wx32L. Mind you they are loose fit and they are a bit snug, but heck if I am going to spend money on a new pair of jeans they better last me more than 2 weeks.

Funny thing... those of you who shop at Old Navy .. I know I know some don't but I like their jeans. You might want to check their clearance racks after you find the ones that fit, it turned out that the older model of my jeans were on sale for like half price, and and ... when they rang them up they came in at 1/4 the price. So ... $10 new jeans .. smallest size I can remember wearing. Kinda stoked.

Hope y'all are having a great day. Cheers.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Yeah.. you read that right. Only a .2 lb drop since weigh-in on 09/23/2010 (last Thursday).

Man is taht depressing ... I dunno to be honest with ya.

Here's the thing I only did one official workout (Thursday night) and I didn't eat at my regular times Sat/Sun. I don't see how that can affect things soooo much. But I guess it could.

I know that the pork tenderloin that we had on Saturday was marinated in Soy Sauce so there is a possibility that there is a sodium intake issue.

I know I know. I am still down .2 lbs but realistically I was expecting to be below 235 this weigh-in. I have the ultimate goal of 210 before our trip but I also had a mini-goal of 225 by Canadian thanksgiving (Oct. 11) which I am almost certain I won't be able to reach.

Anyways. Just needed to vent a bit. I am going to focus in on everything once again and ensure I get my 4 workouts in this week (M, T, Th, F) and have active activities at least 2 of the other three days.

Wish me luck ..... TTFN

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Ok so maybe a little quick to react. As it turns out I weighed-in at 234 this AM. I know it's not an official weigh-in for me, that'll have to wait for Thursday, but it was nice to see that there was still some loss ocurring.

BL is on tonight so I have a cardio workout scheduled (usually bike for about 1.5 hours then watch the last half hour during stretching).

 

[sjs314]

Hello

Tomorrow will be a week since I last weighed myself so I will hop on the scale and see if I have lost anything

I have not been bad all week I did not even go to eat out over the weekend like usual, but I have not been perfect either

Still keeping track of what I eat each day and trying to stay under the 1600 the Dr told me to aim for but it is hard, nights are the worse for me I start craveing something to munch on while I watch tv. Sunday night I had a few strawberries and 3 little prune plums, last night I did the plums route but caved and made popcorn but only ate 1 cup.

Just now had a salad for lunch, I was bad at breakfast, but plan on broiling a piece of chicken and more salad for dinner, we will see tomorrow

The scales do not lie

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Sounds like a really good plan.

The snacks you mention are really good actually. I too eat strawberries I tend to add a bit of light cool whip to them as well. I get the giant bag of frozen strawberries from costco .. turns out that they are only 50 calories for about 5 whole strawberries that coupled with a 1/4 cup of the cool whip only amounts to 100 calories. Not too bad really.

Popcorn is great as long as it's not too salty and not loaded with butter, better if it's air popped but I don't have one of those. Actually we have an old fashioned popcorn machine down in our movie room ... great smell when it's going. But that's not too often.

1600 Calories is a tough one. One of the things I have found is to eat foods that are higher in fiber if possible. They tend to keep me feeling full longer, that along with drinking a good amount of water. Speaking of which I just realized that I haven't even had any yet today no good no good

Time to get some!

 

[sjs314]

Todays weigh in was a bit depressing 229.2 a loss of only .4 and only 40 days to go until Disney, oh well such is life

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Todays weigh in was a bit depressing 229.2 a loss of only .4 and only 40 days to go until Disney, oh well such is life

Mine was only .2 ... no worries .. slow and steady slow and steady. That way there is no yo-yo effect.

At least that's what I keep telling myself.

 

[sjs314]

Right now I think I will be happy if I can get back down to the 220 I was in Dec when I lost the original 20 lbs. I am so mad at myself for gaining back almost 10 lbs

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Right now I think I will be happy if I can get back down to the 220 I was in Dec when I lost the original 20 lbs. I am so mad at myself for gaining back almost 10 lbs

Don't get mad .... what's done is done. In fact now that you have made a renewed comittment to get healthier you should take this opportunity to forgive your past self for not staying as focused as you could have.

I know I know .. it sounds a bit corny. But in reality staying mad at your past self is like tying an anchor to your ankle .. it's just going to slow down the progress. Focus on the positive things you are accomplishing now and things will continue forward as you consistently make healthier choices.

I know you can do it.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

So today's weigh in was a lot better than the one on Monday.

232.8 Sweet

Still need to keep it up, but it was nice to see the numbers drop after only a 0.2 drop on Monday. I guess there was some build up coming.

LOL .. reminds me of a theory that I have had in the past.

Basically one can think of weight-loss as a series of dams. They tend to fill to capacity before they let the water out. Sometimes a dam only lets a trickle out some times it let's a lot out.

I think of the calorie deficit as the water building up behind the "weight loss dam" and even though the scale may only show a trickle of weight coming off, keep it up because eventually there's gonna be a gusher. Then it starts all over at the next dam.

In other words don't sweat minor weight loss and stay true to yourself, it will eventually show up on the scales and in the fact that your clothes wont fit anymore.