Motivation and moving forward!

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Looking4Change

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Hi All,
I posted on the newcomer section on the 13th of November and was helpfully directed here. At the time I was typing away about my positive mindset and how I wanted to evoke change and move forward in my weight loss goals.
Sadly, and obviously at no fault of my own, I went back to drinking and eating junk food in the space of a week, I didn’t even have time to make a second post!!
I proceeded to eat and drink to excess for nearly 2 months solid. Xmas is traditionally the most stressful time for my trouser and shirt buttons, they are worked hard and earn their keep, I go a bit crazy.
So let’s fast forward to January 2019, on the 1st day on the year I weight myself! Never a good thing, I know, and it was not, I came in at 242 pounds, a potential pb!!!
I spent the morning feeling sorry for myself and having a private word with myself on how I need to sort it out and lose the poundage!
Once I had constructed a well thought out rational plan on how to resolve this issue, i proceeded to eat like there was no tomorrow. Pizza, cake, burgers u name it, I ate it!
Not sure why I do this, but it seems to be part of my mental process prior to a courageous attempt to start my weight loss plan, stupid I know! This normally goes either two different ways, I either wake up massively motivated and go on a week long living clean marathon, followed by being bored and going back to living poorly or I just wake up the next morning and decide we will start tomorrow, all the time fully being aware I won’t!
But on the 21st of January 2019 i can proudly tell you up to now I have been a good lil boy in 2019. I Have not drank alcohol or eaten poorly for 3 weeks now, and honestly can say I don’t plan to anytime soon, in 3 weeks I have lost a whooping 15 pounds. I currently sit at 227 pounds. My diet is on point and my mindset for the moment is good.

I’m working out 3 times a week at the moment by cycling and lifting weights, and an average day looks like the below

Breakfast
Americano no milk
Porridge with half a banana, no sugar

Brunch
Americano no milk

Lunch
Large salad
Lettuce
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Beatroot in vinegar
Potatoes in French dressing
Roast potato

Dinner
Salmon
Mexican Rice (uncle bens microwave, half a bag)
Vegetables
Ribenna

And probably 2 litres of water, I try to keep to 1500 calories, and keep the fat content down.

The important thing for me at the moment is I’m enjoying the food, which currently I am. I know I’m massively aided by giving up drink and I appreciate that is always a slippery slope for me, once I do introduce it back. For now i have no plans to do that. I do know for me this is probably not substainable long term as it is such a major part of me being social, but I’m 100 percent going to try and introduce it slowly and not get too the stage I was at before Xmas. I don’t only see this change as one to lose weight but also to fix my mental state. I’ve not been the happiest of chaps of late, and I had started to find solace in drinking, was drinking to excess every day. Disgusting I know.

Today, I can honestly say this is the best I’ve felt for at least 5 years, I’m 100 percent more comfortable in my own skin, more calm and feeling a lot more focused.

so a question for u all, Has anyone got any tips/improvements for the above? Or even some good recipes for when I do get bored of my current meals?

Thanks for reading, and hope everyone is doing great!
 
Hey Looking4Change and welcome to the diaries!
Great to hear you´re off to such a good start - 15 pounds in 3 weeks is a LOT. I do think your breakfast and lunch are a bit low on fat and protein to be sustainable in the long run and since your calories seem quite low anyway (here´s a calculator to help you find out how many calories you could be eating) you might use them to keep your meals fun (nuts in that porridge, beans with your salad, or whatever floats your boat). Eating more would of course slow down the formidable pace of your weightloss a bit but it would also give you a chance to build long-term habits that´ll make your weightloss stick forever instead of this turning into just another diet. You´re the boss of you though, and we´ve all got to find our own way.
Best of luck and I´m looking forward to hearing more.
LaMa
 
Looking4Change said:
Hi All,
I posted on the newcomer section on the 13th of November and was helpfully directed here. At the time I was typing away about my positive mindset and how I wanted to evoke change and move forward in my weight loss goals.
Sadly, and obviously at no fault of my own, I went back to drinking and eating junk food in the space of a week, I didn’t even have time to make a second post!!
I proceeded to eat and drink to excess for nearly 2 months solid. Xmas is traditionally the most stressful time for my trouser and shirt buttons, they are worked hard and earn their keep, I go a bit crazy.
So let’s fast forward to January 2019, on the 1st day on the year I weight myself! Never a good thing, I know, and it was not, I came in at 242 pounds, a potential pb!!!
I spent the morning feeling sorry for myself and having a private word with myself on how I need to sort it out and lose the poundage!
Once I had constructed a well thought out rational plan on how to resolve this issue, i proceeded to eat like there was no tomorrow. Pizza, cake, burgers u name it, I ate it!
Not sure why I do this, but it seems to be part of my mental process prior to a courageous attempt to start my weight loss plan, stupid I know! This normally goes either two different ways, I either wake up massively motivated and go on a week long living clean marathon, followed by being bored and going back to living poorly or I just wake up the next morning and decide we will start tomorrow, all the time fully being aware I won’t!
But on the 21st of January 2019 i can proudly tell you up to now I have been a good lil boy in 2019. I Have not drank alcohol or eaten poorly for 3 weeks now, and honestly can say I don’t plan to anytime soon, in 3 weeks I have lost a whooping 15 pounds. I currently sit at 227 pounds. My diet is on point and my mindset for the moment is good.

I’m working out 3 times a week at the moment by cycling and lifting weights, and an average day looks like the below

Breakfast
Americano no milk
Porridge with half a banana, no sugar

Brunch
Americano no milk

Lunch
Large salad
Lettuce
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Beatroot in vinegar
Potatoes in French dressing
Roast chicken

Dinner
Salmon
Mexican Rice (uncle bens microwave, half a bag)
Vegetables
Ribenna

And probably 2 litres of water, I try to keep to 1500 calories, and keep the fat content down.

The important thing for me at the moment is I’m enjoying the food, which currently I am. I know I’m massively aided by giving up drink and I appreciate that is always a slippery slope for me, once I do introduce it back. For now i have no plans to do that. I do know for me this is probably not substainable long term as it is such a major part of me being social, but I’m 100 percent going to try and introduce it slowly and not get too the stage I was at before Xmas. I don’t only see this change as one to lose weight but also to fix my mental state. I’ve not been the happiest of chaps of late, and I had started to find solace in drinking, was drinking to excess every day. Disgusting I know.

Today, I can honestly say this is the best I’ve felt for at least 5 years, I’m 100 percent more comfortable in my own skin, more calm and feeling a lot more focused.

so a question for u all, Has anyone got any tips/improvements for the above? Or even some good recipes for when I do get bored of my current meals?

Thanks for reading, and hope everyone is doing great!
Click to expand...
 
LaMaria said:
Hey Looking4Change and welcome to the diaries!
Great to hear you´re off to such a good start - 15 pounds in 3 weeks is a LOT. I do think your breakfast and lunch are a bit low on fat and protein to be sustainable in the long run and since your calories seem quite low anyway (here´s a calculator to help you find out how many calories you could be eating) you might use them to keep your meals fun (nuts in that porridge, beans with your salad, or whatever floats your boat). Eating more would of course slow down the formidable pace of your weightloss a bit but it would also give you a chance to build long-term habits that´ll make your weightloss stick forever instead of this turning into just another diet. You´re the boss of you though, and we´ve all got to find our own way.
Best of luck and I´m looking forward to hearing more.
LaMa
Click to expand...

Thanks LaMa, will have a think regarding the amount of fat I currently eat, as your are right potentially unsubstantial long term.
I think I’m actually good on the protein front, I stupidly wrote roast potatoes instead of roast chicken :) for lunch. I’m normally over my daily allowance on my fitness pal, always low on carbs though, so might try bridging that gap as well when my energy does get super low. Thanks for the reply and encouragement.
 
Ah, I did wonder about the two kinds of potatoes :) Being low on carbs isn't an issue healthwise, and some people find their cravings go up when they eat more carbs. Others, like me, feel more satisfied when they get some of everything with each meal. The main thing is finding a way of eating that keeps you healthy and happy in the long run. I really like the sound of your meals, by the way!
 
LaMaria said:
Ah, I did wonder about the two kinds of potatoes :) Being low on carbs isn't an issue healthwise, and some people find their cravings go up when they eat more carbs. Others, like me, feel more satisfied when they get some of everything with each meal. The main thing is finding a way of eating that keeps you healthy and happy in the long run. I really like the sound of your meals, by the way!
Click to expand...
Thanks. I do mix up the dinner quite a bit. To be honest where I work up city and have a long travel back, Im normally doing quick easy meals, a couple of random ones I do! 100 percent not a great cook, just know how to survive

Stir fry

Peppers
Onions
Mushroom
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
Tobasco sauce for flavour
King prawns
Served with Mexican rice

Two pieces of chicken breast, seasoned with lemon and garlic
Mexican rice
Veg on the side
 
Food sounds lovely again, great cook or not. The advantage of only cooking for myself is that I make things exactly how I like them and I don´t have to care about what others think :)
 
Does anyone ever feel impatient with losing weight, I’ve lost at a good speed (18 pounds in 4 weeks) even still I wish it was quicker. Just want to get fit and feel more comfortable in my own skin.
Had a really good weekend so far diet wise, eaten healthy all weekend, and even spent a good 5 or 6 hours down the pub drinking water. This was a feat which was just impossible only a month ago! Currently 27 days dry and I see no reason to stop way into feb! No poster boy for healthy living but does show lifestyle change is possible with willpower
 
Humans are an impatient lot by and large. No shame in that. I´ve definitely day-dreamed about a clinic where you get put on happy-drugs so you can dream away while machines take care of the fat and build up your muscle mass in a month or so. Sadly in reality both body and mind need time to adjust to all the new things if you want to have any kind of chance to keep the weight off long term.
 
Hey there, it is normal to feel this way! Like LaMaria Said we are very impatient and we want things now especially us millennials. We grew up where every thing comes so fast that we sometimes forget to appreciate the journey and have fun. Just remember there is no destination it's a journey! You don't want to fall for the trap of trying to get fit, reaching that goal, and then reverting back to old habits and gaining the weight back! You are doing great for the long term just keep going and adjusting your plan as you go along! No need to worry, just know this is your journey and that your want to enjoy every part of it, the good and the bad! Hope this Helps!

My name is Ty btw, I am also new to the group. I Grew up very poor and health and finances were always a huge concern for me. I was always the fat chubby kid with high blood pressure. Over the last 4 years I decided to commit to a journey of life change. I have turned my weight, blood pressure and health around, and it feels like my journey has just begun! For me, the keys to losing weight and getting fit are simple and very effective:

1. Drink A Least a Gallon Of Water a Day

2. Eat Mostly G.B.O.M.B.S (Green, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries, Seed + Nuts & Spices)

3. Limit Oils, Dressings, Animal Products, Fried, Processed and packaged Products & Restaurant Food And Basically anything in the middle aisle of the grocery stores lol (Seriously tho) If it is boxed, it is dead (Grain, canned veggies etc are ok). This is where all the Fat, Salt, & Sugar is lurking and ready to get into your body lol and this is where weight loss is won and lost (in the kitchen and in the grocery store lol)

4. Cardio & Strength Training (No Gym Required) 5 Times a Week For Muscle Retention

5. Meditation & Stress Management: There are so many things that we have to deal with as people, and stress management is key to making every thing work

What are your thoughts about this regimen?
 
Good ish week, went out for dinner with my friends on Monday, no drinking as per normal but did eat junk food. Felt I owed myself 1 day off in 4 weeks. Was actually rather surprising, I didn’t actually enjoy it as much as I imagined. Before I starting eating well, i used to love going to this restaurant, and don’t get me wrong it was not terrible food, I just did not get as much satisfaction out of it. Maybe I’m getting more disconnected with food in terms of gaining enjoyment out of it. Sad in a way, but in another way a good place to be at for the long run.
Weight wise we are good, down to 222 pounds.
I have started eating ketchup again after 4 weeks off, but just limiting it, and making sure it fits into my calories/nutritional boundaries
 
I also notice getting less satisfaction from readymade/junkfood when I eat well for a while. I don´t think it´s getting disconnected, but rather getting used to real flavors instead of artificial enhancers. Well done on the weight!
 
18 lbs in 4 weeks? Well done! :)
5-6 hrs at the pub, drinking water? Very well done!
Owing yourself junk food? No way.
I'm glad you didn't enjoy it as much as you expected to.
Perhaps you are getting more connected to what your body actually needs. Well done :)
 
Haha, you are right no junk food is ever owed, in my defence, the outing was planned months in advance and was more about the social than anything else.
Still being good, this week, and excited for tomorrow as officially done one month without alcohol. Pretty epic for me.
Trying to get other people is excited though, most my mates think it’s just annoying haha, but I carry on over selling it anyway!!!!!
 
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