Andy's rise to the challenge

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Weighed in this morning expecting marginal progress as usual, only to find myself at 315.0 That makes me feel pretty good! I bet I can still make my goal of 310 by christmas. Other than that, just more of the same business.

Addie - You were def right about the water. In hindsight, I can't remember drinking more than 16oz of water a day, which is horrible, but you dont really think about it much. Stupid salt! Anyways, going for a gallon of water today, and looking at my water bottle, i've got some work to do haha.
 
Recently i've become inspired by fellow WLF member Addie, and I figure since its the new year soon, the time is ripe to make a significant change. Even as I say it, im having trouble believing it, but after I finish my current stock of soda, I plan on dropping it altogether. I have a 12 pack left, so ill try and start my moderation at one a day until it runs out, then it should get interesting.
 
Andy said:
Recently i've become inspired by fellow WLF member Addie, and I figure since its the new year soon, the time is ripe to make a significant change. Even as I say it, im having trouble believing it, but after I finish my current stock of soda, I plan on dropping it altogether. I have a 12 pack left, so ill try and start my moderation at one a day until it runs out, then it should get interesting.
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Awwww! I didn't think that anything I did would be inspiring people, woohoo! :) Thanks for the confidence boost.

Unfortunately, the first two days will probably be rough even if you're just cutting back slowly. But, if you can get through the first week it is pretty smooth sailing from there. I plan to be able to drink an occasional soda eventually, but I know that if I tried to pick it back up now it would just be a slippery slope. The difference between "natural" energy your body creates and the energy boost you get from caffeine is phenomenal, you're going to love it!!

Best of luck, and I'm here if you need me in that rough first week! :)
 
Ahh almost friday!:x



Lets see, I weighed in at 315.4 this morning, but I cheated and satisfied a hunger pang at midnight which is generally a nono (especially when you choose a grilled cheese). That and my water intake at work was really good (a bit more than half a gallon) but after I got home I think I had 3 diet sodas over the course of the night. Wondering how that will be when im out of soda >_> Not too worried though. I'm fairly sure that if I stick to my rule about not eating after nine, and get my half gallon of h2o at home in, then I should be looking good tomorrow.
 
Hi Andy!

How are you doing? Just wanted to check up on ya since you haven't posted in a while. Holidays are busy, and I hope that yours have been amazing! :) Hope you are well.
 
I have been swamped lately! Between family and friends all coming back to town, I haven't had time to think much lately. I finally got back into the gym, and im surprised im able to pick up right where I left off. I struggled with my intake during the holidays, but looking in hindsight, I didn't do that badly :p. Its easy to make healthy choices when thats all you buy for yourself, but when visiting family who aren't on the same track....well things can get dicey.

I can happily announce my success in giving up any soda products going on 12 days now. I still occasionally get cravings, but i've gotton used to having my waterbottle nearby. So I think I have that one down pat.

Anyways, 312.8 as of this morning, and that has me thrilled. Almost 40 pounds from when I started. Im sure my knees will thank me later.

If you find yourself losing your motiviation to apathy, head over to the before and after forums. Its crazy. Absolutely inspiring.
 
I officially just fit in a xxl tshirt. This is a huge moment for me! I can shop at regular stores again! Happy new year all my wlf friends!
 
Addiecakes said:
Woohoo!! That's wonderful! Congratulations and Happy New Year to you too!!
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Thanks for coming by :D

BTW still soda free since 12/17!


Had a near perfect day yesterday.

Slept in until 11

3 Eggs/whole wheat toast for breakfast/lunch

Took a quick mile walk while I had some chicken baking in the oven. (Made the whole house smell wonderful).

Snacked on an apple and an orange because I didn't want to spoil my dinner.

Watched the Rose bowl and drank a 1/2 gallon of water during the game.

Went to the gym around 6:30, and worked my butt off. I was feeling especially energetic, so I tried to set a new personal record for a mile. After running for 4 straight mins, I felt pretty tired so I alternated running/walking 90 seconds on 90 seconds off. I think finished the mile with a 3 min run at the end. I sweating buckets, but my new mile is a whopping 13:38 mile. My old record was 15:08. 13:38 is a long mile. Its a little better than 4 miles an hour. I seem to remember in middle school running a mile in 10 mins with no problem. But, this is a bare-all open journal, and I'm sure I'll recognize it as a milestone when look back at my progress. Anyways, I ran another mile afterwards but it was much more leisurely, I think it was 16:30~ mins. Made 3 miles for the day. I thought about trying to fit in some weight training, but the gym was closing early because it was new years day.

I feel like I have a nice idea of my next cardio goal, but I constantly feel lost when I hit the freeweights. I've heard that combining the two makes for the best, fullest workout, so sometime this month I suppose I need to scour craigslist for a personal trainer, to get me on the right path. Anyways /end tangent.

Had a nice chicken breast dinner, some steamed veggies and an orange for dessert.




Im totally ready to drop this 300 club!
 
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Andy said:
I sweating buckets, but my new mile is a whopping 13:38 mile. My old record was 15:08. 13:38 is a long mile. Its a little better than 4 miles an hour. I seem to remember in middle school running a mile in 10 mins with no problem. But, this is a bare-all open journal, and I'm sure I'll recognize it as a milestone when look back at my progress. Anyways, I ran another mile afterwards but it was much more leisurely, I think it was 16:30~ mins. Made 3 miles for the day. I thought about trying to fit in some weight training, but the gym was closing early because it was new years day.
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That's an awesome time, Andy! I did a couple of 15 minute miles today on the elliptical but I think if I was actually trying to run a mile it would take a lot longer than being on an elliptical. But anyway, I remember back in high school when I was so happy because I did my mile in 12:10, I can't wait to get back to that place!

Oh, and I'm 315.6 this morning ... I'm coming for ya! :D hehe
 
Just got back home from a day trip to flagstaff, AZ. Snow everywhere! I think im pretty spoiled to be able to wear jeans and a tshirt 365 days a year in Phoenix. Anyways, made the most of the trip and after an especially carb heavy :( dinner, I walked 2 miles with my sister.


Today so far so good, had some oatmeal with skim for breakfast, some chicken breast for lunch, and snacked on 2 apples in between. Gonna get a workout in later and then eat some fish I have cooking. It smells amazing.
 
Hi Andy,

Read through a few posts in your journal. I'm in AZ as well and find weight loss is a great excuse to get out and enjoy this gorgeous winter weather. Just wanted to cheer you on and congratulate you on dropping a size.
 
Thanks for coming by bellyoff! Its nice to have some external motivation haha.

New mile record! 12:49! Ive still got work to do, but even though ive only really started run this past month, I feel like im able to breath easier and run longer. Some evidence its all coming together, and ALL this effort is going towards a positive outcome!



::EDIT::

Addie, im super crazy insane competitive. BRING IT ON!
 
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@ addie - rawr



Superb weekend. Love the weather, the friends, the family, and its a brand new year to do whatever I want to do.

Weighed in this morning. 309.6

Its funny, because there was a few years stretch where I never weighed myself (large reason im in this mess), but I know im lower than I have been in YEARS. I also went through a few online albums, and realized how much I detested taking pictures of myself. Losing this weight is really changing my outlook and attitude on life. Theres a lot to be said about feeling comfortable in your own skin.
 
Had another top notch day overall yesterday!

Started the morning with my standard oatmeal/banana/coffee.
For lunch I brought some of the tilapia I prepared at home, and had it with a yoplait low fat yogurt. Then, seeing as its like 75 degrees in Janurary, I took the rest of my lunch break walking through a nearby park. It was pleasant! While I was at work, I managed to drink around 90oz of water over an 8 hour period, and I think I had another 40oz for dinner. (its funny how easy it is to get your water in when you cut out soda). Snacked on an apple at the end of the my work day, when I needed a little energy boost until dinner. Got home around 7:00, somehow stayed busy until 9:30 when I remembered I needed to eat dinner before it got too late. Ate my staple chicken breast/steamed veggies. Great as always I might add. As a rule of thumb, I try not to eat anything past 9:00. It helps my body keep on a regular schedule, and it keeps my weigh ins the next morning more accurate. Sunk in the sofa to let the food digest, and managed to scrape myself up for a late night gym effort. Did my two miles, got my heart rate up, sweated buckets, came home and slept like a baby.

CW 308.6


Sorry for the rant-like post. Ill try and be a little more articulate and organized next post :p


::EDIT:: totally forgot to mention! I can feel myself getting better at running literally day by day. I had a moment last night where I knew I was getting tired, but it was all mental, because my body didnt feel like stopping my jog on the treadmill. Ran straight for 6:30. I feel like I could have done more, but I was more worried about burning out before I finished my mile haha. Anyways, /pat myself on the back.
 
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Andy said:
Had another top notch day overall yesterday!
.... managed to scrape myself up for a late night gym effort. Did my two miles, got my heart rate up, sweated buckets, came home and slept like a baby.

::EDIT:: totally forgot to mention! I can feel myself getting better at running literally day by day. I had a moment last night where I knew I was getting tired, but it was all mental, because my body didnt feel like stopping my jog on the treadmill. Ran straight for 6:30. I feel like I could have done more, but I was more worried about burning out before I finished my mile haha. Anyways, /pat myself on the back.
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Nice work Andy. Sounds like a top notch day. Here's to many more!
 
@ bellyoff - Thanks for coming by! Yea, I was pretty happy with how that day turned out. I did everything right, and kept up with my eating plan. Always thrilled with that!

@xgen - Thanks :D



Took a day off from the gym yesterday, and enjoyed lazing around after I got home from work. Was planning on taking a casual walk after dinner, but I feel fast asleep much earlier than usual. Due to the holidays, many friends have returned home from all across the country, so I end up going out every night just to see them, while sacrificing the delicate balance of my sleep schedule. I'm not complaining though haha. Should be able to get back on track after this weekend.

A random observation I noticed. I was looking over New years pictures, and I was happy with how most turned out. I then realized I barely had any pictures of me from the last year. I guess subconciously I was dodging the camera. Its nice to finally be able to look at film and think "hey, this turned out really nice".

Anyways, end rant.

I did manage to get my mile walk in during lunch, and kept up with my food schedule, so thats pretty good. My morning weigh in shows 309.4. Itll adjust a few days from now. Gonna tear up the gym tonight :p
 
Dang, I just cannot catch you, ... it's like every time I think I'm close you pull ahead again. Ah well, if I can keep a 5lb. spread consistently, I guess I'm pretty happy that I'm keeping up :D
 
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