Michigander on a four year vacation in Guam :)

KabbyGU
KabbyGU Posts: 158 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hello! (hafa adai to my islanders!) I am joining MFP in hopes to lose my extra 40-50 lbs. My husband is in the Air Force and we are currently stationed in Guam. Guam is all about family, tradition, and...FOOD! The local food here is amazing....but not always healthy. I would love to go on all of the hikes and get scuba certified, but I feel like I am limited by this extra weight. To some of you, 40-50 lbs may not seem like much, but keep in mind...I'm only 4'11" My healthy weight range is 110-119lbs and I am currently in the "obese" category for my BMI. I would love to go to the beach and feel comfortable in my own skin. I've never been thin, even as a little tyke. I just turned 25 and my husband and I want to start a family- even more motivation to be healthy!

I'm looking for supportive (female) friends...no offense gentlemen...who would like to help me achieve my goals while I cheer you on for yours!

Thanks!

Replies

  • EnchantedEvening
    EnchantedEvening Posts: 671 Member
    I'm from Michigan too. :) What kind of food do they eat in Guam? I was picturing lots of veggies, rice, and fish.
  • Lindbergnd
    Lindbergnd Posts: 38
    I lived in Guam for 3.5 years before moving to Michigan two years ago. I can relate with what you are saying. BBQs and Red rice. I was at my highest weight when i lived there, given i was only in high school but i still didn't eat healthy! It's amazing to find someone, with living arrangements flipped! haha. Yeah and my family was Navy, so we were at the other end of the island.
  • KabbyGU
    KabbyGU Posts: 158 Member
    I lived in Guam for 3.5 years before moving to Michigan two years ago. I can relate with what you are saying. BBQs and Red rice. I was at my highest weight when i lived there, given i was only in high school but i still didn't eat healthy! It's amazing to find someone, with living arrangements flipped! haha. Yeah and my family was Navy, so we were at the other end of the island.

    Too funny! We live in the village of Barrigada and there is ALWAYS something going on that involves food. I go back and forth...gaining and losing about 15lbs...I just want to finish what I've started so many times.
  • littlehedgy
    littlehedgy Posts: 192 Member
    Hello fellow little person :) I'm 4'11 too! and looking to start my family within the next year :) How is living so far from home and in such a different culture?
  • KabbyGU
    KabbyGU Posts: 158 Member
    I'm from Michigan too. :) What kind of food do they eat in Guam? I was picturing lots of veggies, rice, and fish.

    A lot of BBQ, rice as a staple, soy sauce and SPAM are also staples. Coconut milk for cooking the most amazing (calorie dense) food. There are ways and opportunities to eat healthy...but part of the culture is to not say no to food...if someone makes something for you, you eat it :)
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    just tell people you're allergic to things you don't want to eat ;)

    stick to protein and veggies. you can do it!
  • KabbyGU
    KabbyGU Posts: 158 Member
    Hello fellow little person :) I'm 4'11 too! and looking to start my family within the next year :) How is living so far from home and in such a different culture?

    Ive always had an adventurous nature, so the distance doesn't bother me so much. I visit home at least one a year. The cultural differences are amazing and I am soaking up this new way of living. We said bye-bye to base housing and moved to central Guam in the middle of a village. We have great local friends and have been learning so much. I love this partof the military.
  • kayfrog
    kayfrog Posts: 109 Member
    Heya! I'm 5'3", haven't lived in Guam, but I've lived in India for 2 years and boy, fried food is big there too.

    Scuba is so fun and weight isn't really an issue (I took scuba in college @ 165ish pounds). The only thing I had issues with was my buoyancy bags that are attached to me for better and worse :P

    I had the most weight attached to my belt (around 10lbs) to keep me UNDER water. My dive instructor just couldn't get over how much weight I had to use to sink me. He was a big guy too, probably 250-275. So don't let your weight keep you from getting certified, water is the one place were weight doesn't matter (unless its used to sink you)! It's the most magical experience ever!
  • JilianneNicole
    JilianneNicole Posts: 116 Member
    I am from Michigan as well!!! Feel free to add me and anyone else can too!!!
  • littlehedgy
    littlehedgy Posts: 192 Member
    You my dear are much braver than I. I moved 3 hrs away and panicked, but I am a complete chicken. It is horrible that I don't know this but... what language do they speak in Guam?
  • EnchantedEvening
    EnchantedEvening Posts: 671 Member
    if someone makes something for you, you eat it :)
    You just described my Polish family. ;)
  • KabbyGU
    KabbyGU Posts: 158 Member
    You my dear are much braver than I. I moved 3 hrs away and panicked, but I am a complete chicken. It is horrible that I don't know this but... what language do they speak in Guam?
    The local language is Chamorro but most speak English :)
  • margojr4
    margojr4 Posts: 259 Member
    I live in Michigan, too! Add me! :))
  • RuthieCass
    RuthieCass Posts: 247 Member
    Hello! (hafa adai to my islanders!) I am joining MFP in hopes to lose my extra 40-50 lbs. My husband is in the Air Force and we are currently stationed in Guam. Guam is all about family, tradition, and...FOOD! The local food here is amazing....but not always healthy. I would love to go on all of the hikes and get scuba certified, but I feel like I am limited by this extra weight. To some of you, 40-50 lbs may not seem like much, but keep in mind...I'm only 4'11" My healthy weight range is 110-119lbs and I am currently in the "obese" category for my BMI. I would love to go to the beach and feel comfortable in my own skin. I've never been thin, even as a little tyke. I just turned 25 and my husband and I want to start a family- even more motivation to be healthy!

    I'm looking for supportive (female) friends...no offense gentlemen...who would like to help me achieve my goals while I cheer you on for yours!

    Thanks!

    I'm currently living in MI. My sister lived with her ex-bf in Guam for years so I've hear all about the food culture. I think portion control is going to be your friend. Start getting comfortable with what smaller portions are now (use a food scale for everything). BBQ and rice are not too bad, but if you eat very large portions, then that could interfere with your weight loss. You can also try cycling your calories a bit so that you can indulge a bit (but not overdo it) on the weekends while being a little more strict during the week. That's what I've tried to do this summer and it's worked fairly well.
  • KabbyGU
    KabbyGU Posts: 158 Member
    Thanks! I pretty much did that last night. I also ate extra slow so they wouldn't offer me more :) I was able to eat what they offered and not feel bad about it!

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