(Originally Posted 4/9/15)
I've been heavy since I was a kid, and since Junior High my weight steadily crept up higher and higher until my Junior year in High School. Since then I've become a Professional Yo-Yo Dieter dropping significant weight, only to plateau and gain it all back within a couple years.
By the time I turned 26 late last year, enough was enough. I wasn't at my max weight, but I wasn't happy, and my body was paying the price of nearly 20 years of being overweight. I was getting pain in places I'd never felt it before, I kept on re-injuring my ankles, and I started getting stiffness and pain in my right knee. Exercising was off the table for now, and I knew that the only control I had was my diet.
By the time Lent rolled around I had all the tools: A fridge full of fruits and vegetables, a Garmin VivoSmart, and MyFitnessPal. I set MFP to the max 2lb/week, and from there I attempted to cut out even more calories. I tried to eat a mainly vegan diet, with some animal protein and dairy peppered in here and there. The first couple weeks, I jumpstarted my journey with only Green Smoothies and Raw Soups, and as the 40 (really 46 including Sundays) days went on, I gradually added solid foods.
I started weighing myself after the first week, and I saw the pounds dropping fast. Much faster than I'd ever seen before. So I kept on eating healthy, and I had a number in mind... 100lb by Easter Sunday. Could I do it? I kept my calorie intake between 1500-1700 calories everyday, and ate lots of healthy foods that would fill me up with little calories. I cut out coffee, alcohol (not that I drank that much anyway), pop, and pretty much every drink that wasn't water. During this time I upped my water intake to at least 10 8fl/oz cups per day, but shooting for more if I could handle it.
On Easter Sunday (4/5/15), I had lost 105lb:
Now that Easter has come and gone, I've re-evaluated my goals a little bit. I've reintroduced some animal protein into my diet, and I'm allowing myself to eat closer to 1900 calories (for now). This week, I'm dabbling in some Intermittent Fasting, seeing if the fed state/famine state will help me burn more fat.
I promised my mom that I would drop another 50lb by her birthday (May 2), and I'm well on my way. As of today, I've lost 110lb, and just over 3 weeks to go. I will slowly re-incorporate exercise into my daily routine, but I've still got nagging injuries, and I want my body to properly heal. I hope to get into the swimming pool for some laps by the middle of this month.
My only regret is not starting this journey sooner. I wish everyone luck, and I hope that we all hit our goals. A healthy life is a better life!
(Originally Posted 4/22/15)
Started riding my bicycle last week, but got sidelined this week due to nagging foot injuries. I've been trying to stay close to 1800 calories per day, and I've been underreporting my weight loss to MFP because I don't quite believe it.
I now weigh less than I did when I was in Junior High School nearly 15 years ago.
Soon I'll add some weight training to help get rid of some inches. I want to start swimming so I can keep it really low impact. I'm starting to fit into some old clothes, and even some clothes I got in Jr. High that I could never fit in.
I don't think I look all that different yet, but I guess I'll have to take another progress picture to compare.
According to my scale, I've hit my May 3rd goal, and I still have 11 days left.
(Originally Posted 5/4/15)
Part 2 of my health journey has elapsed. Last month during Easter, I promised my mom that I would lose 50 more pounds by her birthday. Unfortunately I didn't keep that promise because I lost 55lbs. Sorry Mom!
This past month has been a lot more challenging than during Lent. I allowed myself to indulge more during weekends and events while my allowed calories dropped everyday due to my weight loss. I still ate healthy whole foods most of the time, and I practiced intermittent fasting. Last weekend was a huge test with 3 separate events (2 in the same day!) that were full of indulgent foods.
I was able to add a bit of exercise to my routine, and even though I still have nagging injuries, I hope to ramp up the physical activity in this next leg of my journey.
Every couple weeks, I like trying on clothes that I last wore 10-15 years ago. Even though the styles might not be relevant anymore, it gives me goals. If I can fit into it, I'm happy. If I can't, it pushes me to get to the point when I can.
This next part will be even harder with many events in the coming weeks. With summertime fast approaching, I hope to continue on this trajectory. I look forward to the challenge!
(Today 5/6/15)
I've been dropping pants sizes pretty quickly (seems like it's been 1 size every week lately), but the gut isn't lessening as quick as I'd like! I started out wearing 2XL shirts and I'm still wearing them now, but the slim-cut versions fit well now and I don't have to pull my pants up to my navel to cover my stomach. For half my life, I've worn a 2XL shirt (with a couple years in High School in a 3XL) I'm excited for the day when I can finally wear an XL without looking like I'm going to explode out of it.
I've been taking progress pics at each of my goal days, and when seeing them next to each other I do see a difference. I'm not ready to share those quite yet, as I still have a ways to go.
My next goal day will be on Father's Day 2015, which also happens to be my 1/2 birthday. I hope by then I will reach the mythical "Onederland" and that my body has healed enough that regular exercise is possible for me. I will update this thread often, and hopefully I can inspire others to reach their health goals.
