I'm losing weight! My story....

indcolts18288

Hello everyone I am a 32yr old female and I'm proud to say I'm losing weight. I got on the scale at work one day and seen the numbers 288. I'm 5'6" and while no one would ever guess I weighed that much, I felt it and seen it with my own eyes. I said that's enough. And for the first time in my life I am really doing it. I don't use the my fitness pal app I use lose it because it's the first one I came across, but they're basically the same. I just enjoy the community here. I read but don't post. Anyway I'm 2 weeks into it. Around a 15lb loss! I got a membership to Golds Gym and I go 7 days a week because I want to. I've become an overweight gym rat. I get such a euphoric feeling. The first 15min it's rough but after that it's like a high.

My workout routine consists of 45min cardio, keeping my heart rate at 140-145, and 30-40 min weight lifting (resistance weights). I burn anywhere from 500-700 calories per day at the gym. For me it's the greatest feeling in the world. Exercise alone has changed my life in two weeks. I've always been on anxiety meds, well at least for 5-6yrs, and I'm taking less now as I don't need them so I'm tapering myself off. I walk at a faster pace, I don't get winded as easily, and I just feel very energetic. And mentally I'm as healthy as ever. I have been turning to pills (prescribed by my Dr.) for yrs and I blamed everything in the world but my weight. While I do have some legit anxiety issues I now realize that about 75% of it is caused by my weight and lack of exercise. Well 2 weeks in and I'm already a new person.

My diet has changed dramatically but it was an easier transition than I thought. The app I use to track my calorie intake, carb, protein, and fat intake has done wonders. It's also helped me realize that the food I was putting in my body is toxic! My max calorie intake right now is 1850 and I make sure my net calorie intake never drops below 1200 but never goes over my limit. I eat a lot of fruit and have increased my vegetable intake, although I should eat more. I eat smart ones, Special K cereals, snacks and even the new awesome chips they have. I buy the steamed veggie frozen meals you just throw in the microwave and they're great. I snack on fruits and low fat yogurt and went from 1% to skim. Chicken sandwiches with a low fat mayo and I now eat whole grain breads. Cheese is my weakness so I now eat low fat string cheese. I get just as full as if I were to eat a burger and fries but without the blah feeling that comes after eating those foods. When I was younger I thought if I exercised I could stuff my face with Taco Bell.
Well, no wonder I wasn't losing weight. You can't out-exercise poor eating habits. I allow myself once a week to eat out and if I do it's either subway or Applebee's where they have calorie friendly meals. No Taco Bell, mcdonalds, or anything like that. I can't even bring myself to eat those foods anymore.

Best thing is everyday at the gym is my best workout. I work 3rd shift so dieting can be a little trickier. I get off work at 6am. Around 4am I drink about 2 8oz cups of coffee (black), helps get me ready. And my breakfast is a Whey protein shake mixed with water not milk. I try and drink it before my workout but if not I do it after. Then I'm at the gym by 6:30 every morning. I spend about an hr and a half there and then I go home and go to sleep around 9am. If I don't drink a protein shake I'll eat oatmeal or Special K cereal, but something light. My heaviest meal is lunch. I wake up around 3 and that's where I get most of my calories. Stay up until about 7pm and get a few hrs sleep before I wake up at 9pm to get ready for work. I'll eat a banana and some yogurt with a cheese stick. Or a whole wheat bagel with fat free cream cheese. If I get hungry through the night at work I eat fruit and it's readily available where I work, which is nice.

This is my method and maybe it will help someone out who is struggling to lose. In two weeks I've lost around 15lbs. I know it won't always be this easy to lose but I'm ready for any challenge. Any and all advice will be appreciated. While my knowledge of food and dieting has grown in a short time I am far from some type of flawless method. I also had a friend who just lost about 70lbs in less than a year and she's been a big difference and a big help. Thank you!

simonmcdonald564

Congratulations on your progress so far, you seem determined and I believe you will achieve your goals,I too used a protein Shake as a meal replacement as it gave me all the vitamins I needed and also a healthy protein intake for muscle repair. I do not particularly like it mixed with water as I found it unfulfilling and runny, I didn't want to use milk due to the calories in dairy so I use Almond milk.... Unsweetened which is 26 cal per 200ml. This when mixed cold from the fridge gave a thick filling shake that kept me nourished for longer and only a few extra calories, plus there is protein in the Almond milk.
Good luck with the rest of your journey

indcolts18288

Thanks so much and yeah I've been hearing a lot about almond milk. I'll give that a try!

simonmcdonald564

Just a little thing but hope it helps you out
Good luck

godsgal71

Putting the protein powder with water in the blender works for me...it's more palatable.