Eric's diary

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Ericwbyers

Ericwbyers

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Hello, my name I Eric. I'm a truck driver and I want to lose weight. When I began this journey back in May I was 392.2 lbs. I've lost some weight since then, I'm down to 378.4 today. I'd like to be 260 lbs by next year some time. My goal by the end of this year is 300lbs.

I've cut my calories to 1,000-1,500 a day. I try to exercise every morning. 15 min of various exercises in the truck. I have a retention cable and I run through several arm exercises, squats, crunches, and I have two 15lb weights I use. I walk when weather is nice and do my best to put in 30 min of movement a day. Some days I do more cause I get loads of cookies that I have to hand unload. (Generally 1,000-2,000 boxes) so 2-4 hrs of fast movement.

Today I had a problem, when I tried to go for a walk my legs (calves, shin's, and feet) began to hurt really badly. To the point that I couldn't continue, did I not stretch properly? Am I overworking my legs?

Still trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other and lose the weight. I'm open to advice but remember, I live in a truck and my diet is limited to what you can cook in a Crock-Pot or on a skillet. So far my meals are as such

Eggs and bacon (breakfast)
Or
Raisin Bran (breakfast)
Chilli (lunch and dinner)
Crock-Pot Fajitas (lunch and dinner)
Beans and ham (lunch and dinner)
Beef stew (lunch and dinner)

Fruit for snack's include
Banana's
Grapes
Cherries
Watermelon
Oranges


I can't do nuts, (until I get my dentures)

I've cut soda, cheese, sugar and most carbs. Trying to get better. Thanks in advance for your help and advice.
 
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Hi, Eric & welcome to the diary section of the forum. Well done on losing 14lbs already! Closer to 1500 cals would be better for you as it would be more sustainable long term. I have some protein with every meal to help fill me up. I love oats for breakfast & soak them overnight (I use almond milk or low-fat milk) add a banana, a teaspoon of honey & heat for 2 minutes in the microwave. A dollop of Greek-style yoghurt on top & some almond meal adds extra protein. If you like yoghurt then a cold variation of this could be taken for lunch in your truck in an esky. Greek yoghurt & fruit is very filling. Add some almond meal & it's even better. Raw veggies are a good filling snack. Have them cut up & ready to eat- carrots, celery, snow peas & cherry tomatoes are good. Some low-fat hummus makes this a very healthy & filling snack.
Cutting out soda is a biggie. Well done.
Re: your legs & feet hurting. Give them rest & then start again slowly. Diet is the most important aspect of losing weight. Walking should become easier as you lose weight. Exercise is good for our general well-being, but if something is hurting it defeats the purpose. One step at a time is a good motto. You are well on the way.
 
Ericwbyers said:
Hello, my name I Eric. I'm a truck driver and I want to lose weight. When I began this journey back in May I was 392.2 lbs. I've lost some weight since then, I'm down to 378.4 today. .
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Welcome Eric, and congratulations on a good start, losing 15 lbs is great. Starting this diary and posting your food is a good idea, I am trying to do the same.

Good luck!
 
Hey Eric and welcome! I agree with Cate (on everything, but especially) that more calories would be better if you want this change to have a long-term effect. Might also help you with muscle recovery. It's hard for a body to go from little activity with plenty of food to regular exercise with very little fuel.
The food you eat sounds fine to me (I assume there's veg in those crockpot meals), by the way.
 
Oh good, thank you for the support and ideas. I updated my calories load to 1,500 and it's far more comfortable. Haven't done any exercising for a day. I did 15 min in the truck yesterday and things felt better.

Gonna try to do 30 min today. 15 this morning and maybe a light jog at lunch.

Today's menu
Breakfast
2 Scrambled eggs
2 strip's turkey bacon
1 banana
1 Gatorade zero

Breakfast snack
20 grapes

Lunch
4 oz Chicken breast
1 Onion
1 bell pepper
1 tbl spn of fajitas seasoning
(Out of lettuce and tomato):(

Lunch snack
1 Body armor super drink


Dinner
Same as lunch.

Total should be around 1,500 for the day...

Thanks guys.
 
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May I just say that you are doing some great work, especially given the restrictions of your job? You can be mighty proud of that.
 
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Excellent day, Eric :) Be careful with the jogging as it's harder on your legs than walking.
 
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LaMaria said:
May I just say that you are doing some great work, especially given the restrictions of your job? You can be mighty proud of that.
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Thank you. It seemed impossible at first, but once you apply dedication and adaptation together there are very few things you can not overcome.

Strangely enough when I started this walking for 15 min was tough but not to hard. Now, my legs and feet hurt so bad I cannot complete it. Is it my nutrition? I've rested for two days... I stretched, I started walking at a good pace, to get my heart rate up but it only got up to 113,. Which isn't high enough right?

So with throbbing feet, aching shin's, and screaming knees I surrender. Back to the truck to make breakfast...

Sunday is cheat day, I can't help but feel slightly defeated that I am falling short on my exercises. I started with 15 min in the truck back on May 15th maybe I should just stick to that and make the walk extra...Truck exercising is quite boring however lol. Can't wait to be confident enough to do my exercises out in public.

Anyway, as long as I stick to the diet I'll continue to lose weight. Maybe my body just needs more of a rest.

Thank you for all your encouragement ❤️
 
Shin splints? Plantar fascitis? Where exactly does it hurt? I wouldn't be surprised if your tendons were irritated by the unaccustomed exercise. In which case cumulative loads (building up over the days) with too little rest in between could be to blame. Should get better with rest, then either building up more slowly or only walking every other day.
 
Hey Eric, looks like you are getting your diet figured out. As you lose weight I suspect you will find exercise easier. I am not yet trying to exercise, my legs and feet are pretty much shot from carrying so much weight for so long.

I doubt I could walk for 15 min. I live on a very small farm and do try to spend a bit of time out doing things and getting around, that's about it for my exercise, for now anyway.

Best of luck!
 
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Concentrate on the diet for now and take things easy with the exercise. Try not to worry about it.
 
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I always feel guilty on cheat day. How many calories should you have on "cheat day". Sun is mine. I'll post my meals for the day tonight .

alligatorob said:
Hey Eric, looks like you are getting your diet figured out. As you lose weight I suspect you will find exercise easier. I am not yet trying to exercise, my legs and feet are pretty much shot from carrying so much weight for so long.

I doubt I could walk for 15 min. I live on a very small farm and do try to spend a bit of time out doing things and getting around, that's about it for my exercise, for now anyway.

Best of luck!
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I've started slow but maybe I am trying to much at once. I have a retention cord and step I use in the truck, maybe I should focus more on crunches and step exercising as a way to work up to walking/jogging.

LaMaria said:
Shin splints? Plantar fascitis? Where exactly does it hurt? I wouldn't be surprised if your tendons were irritated by the unaccustomed exercise. In which case cumulative loads (building up over the days) with too little rest in between could be to blame. Should get better with rest, then either building up more slowly or only walking every other day.
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I'll try walking less frequently, do more crunches. The belly is where I need to lose the weight mostly anyway.


Breakfast
1 Larabar (apple pie)
2% milk (1 cup)
1 Banana
Rasin Bran crunch (1 cup)
Calories=677

Breakfast snack
1 Navel orange
1 light $ fit Greek yogurt (strawberry cheesecake)
Calories=149

Lunch
4oz ground beef
1/2 cup Rotel
1/2 cup chilli beans
1 cup chopped onion
1 tblsp chilli season
1/3 cup shredded cheddar
14 Ritz toasted chips
1 Gatorade zero

Calories=615

Lunch snack
Larabar (banana chocolate chip)

Calories= 190

Dinner
4oz ground beef
1/2 cup Rotel
1/2 cup chilli beans
1 cup chopped onion
1 tblsp chilli season
1/3 cup shredded cheddar

Calories= 458

Total calories for the day
2089

Yay cheat day? Lol
 
Since you're a dude, and neither old nor tiny, 2089 kcal should still put you in weightloss territory. Btw: since it's impossible to target specific areas of your body for weightloss by exercise it doesn't matter all that much what you do as long as you're active. Bigger/more muscle groups will burn more energy but that's about it. Your body will lose the fat it loses in its own order.
 
Ericwbyers said:
I always feel guilty on cheat day. How many calories should you have on "cheat day". Sun is mine. I'll post my meals for the day tonight .



I've started slow but maybe I am trying to much at once. I have a retention cord and step I use in the truck, maybe I should focus more on crunches and step exercising as a way to work up to walking/jogging.



I'll try walking less frequently, do more crunches. The belly is where I need to lose the weight mostly anyway.
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I try to encourage people against calling it a "cheat" day, or that you were "bad" because you had cake, or "rewarding" yourself with food. You really shouldn't have to feel guilty and there is nothing wrong with eating more on some days than others. In fact, it could be helpful in the long term. There is also nothing wrong with having less healthy foods sometimes. But there are ways to include the less healthy things into your diet without overindulging. You absolutely do not have to eat the exact same amount of calories every day. It's still good to track how much you're eating because it can get away from you and it's easy to forget just how much you eat (which is why so many are here in the first place).

Is the step something you've been using a lot in your exercise routine? That could definitely be causing some issues with your feet and legs if you're not used to it! You would likely be better off starting on flat ground with just walking, and building up your stamina that way.

And as @LaMaria mentioned, you can't target specific areas to lose weight. I do encourage adding strength training (gradually) for overall metabolic advantages and improved body composition, but crunches alone will not change the shape of a specific area, though they may cause back issues!

You are really doing great with the meals so far and I'm glad the increased caloric intake is working for you.
 
Sorry been off here lately. Been a challenge entering all my info to multiple sources. I've kept my calories intake around 1,500 and I loosened up on how strict I am about what I eat and when. It feels as if I've gotten over a hurdle, cause movement and exercise is becoming easier. The step exercising feels great and it seems as if I could keep it up. The pain has subsided and walking isn't as painful.

I've lost another 4lbs which puts me at 370.4. I started this on the 15th of May which makes today my one month anniversary. I was 392.2 when I started. That's 22.2 lbs in a month. On track to hit my 300lbs by the end of the year if I keep it up.

I've substituted ground turkey for all my beef meals. Larabar's are amazing and just eating a tomato with light salt seems to be a fantastic snack.

Been rewarding myself with chocolate milk and pizza when I meet my goals. (In moderation) I changed the name of "cheat day" to "eat day" feel less guilty lol. I'm not cheating I'm eating

I've cut trying to do exercises everyday and just throwing it in when I've got time or if I'm bored makes it less of a "I gotta" than a "I wanna".

Light & fit yogurt is not so bad (Used to hate yogurt)

Thank you for all your support and encouragement ❤️ you. Thank you for the very good advice which has gotten me on track to have a body I can be proud of when I look in the mirror.

If you don't like where you are in life. Focus on your feet.

One foot in front of the other
 
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I love all of that! Sounds like you're combining motivation with adaptability and you're listening to your body. That's excellent. It's amazing how our taste buds can change even in a short amount of time, isn't it?
 
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LaMaria said:
I love all of that! Sounds like you're combining motivation with adaptability and you're listening to your body. That's excellent. It's amazing how our taste buds can change even in a short amount of time, isn't it?
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I used to hate water, it was soda, tea, milk or something but not water. Definitely not water. Now after drinking a gallon a day for a month, I crave it. I love it .

Same with the tomatoes, never saw a tomato as a snack but it's delicious. Sprinkle of salt and eat it like an apple.

I've always loved fruit but now their my candy.

I can do things I haven't been able to do in year's. Found out I can actually reach the middle of my back. I feel great. Strangely enough I don't see any difference in the progression photos I'm taking but, I can definitely feel the difference.
 
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That´s a LOT of progress in a short amount of time. Keep listening to your body and the visual effects will end up following. For me pictures of myself are very hard to view objectively, so even now that I´m basically at my goal weight (and the difference is objectively huge) I sometimes still don´t see the difference.
 
I just love, love, love all of the above! You are well on the way to changing your life for the better, Eric. Well done :)
 
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