I'm back everyone.

I'm quite speechless with the words. So I won't make any promises, or any funny things like that. I'm going to try to lose weight thinking of the long-term benefits instead of the short-term benefits...I need to think about things like how I want to be healthy and live long when I get into my 20s, 30s, and 40s...and so on.

I'm not going to make any detailed schedule like my old-self would, because life happens and comes with mistakes, tough choices, and the future. I'm going to take it one day at a time...no, no...one decision at a time

I just need some support, and also, honestly, writing all this on paper takes so longer...and is quite lonely.

My name is Laura and I'm 19 years old.

Before Pictures
173.6lbs
Back
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d5...0011edited.jpg
Side
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d5...012bedited.jpg

Good plan there..

What is your plan to get to where you want to be...

I'm human too!

I think you are starting over with a great outlook. Welcome back and you will do great!

I dealt with the lifestyle change much better once I looked at it as a positive change for the rest of my life rather than the short term goal of losing weight.

No reason to be lonely here. I think that is why most of us are here. It is so much easier to talk to people that really know what you are talking about and understand how you feel. Not to mention having access to advice from people that have accomplished what you are attempting. If you let them know your plan, they can help you tweak it for success. Welcome and good luck!

I think it's especially awesome that you recognize what your "old-self" would have done, and are trying to lose weight for the right reasons this time - long-term health. Good luck with your weight loss goals.

Wow! I certainly didn't expect 4 posts on the first day...I feel good! I will respond to y'all later in the day, I gotta get my day started!

This morning, I weighed-in at 180.4 lbs
I am currently eating 4 ounces of Dannon Activia, to be followed with a few tablespoons of LFCC.

Last week, I went to the gym twice a day for 3 days. This week, I hope to do once a day for 6 days. My schedule is a bit different this week.

But like I said, I'm going to do this one decision at a time...After breakfast, I'm going to the gym. I got my gym clothes on minus the socks and my bag all ready to go.

Rant:
When I first came here, I was so inspired by the before-and-after pictures, I sounded like a big determined boof. "I am so going to do it this time...blah blah blah..." I never realized how hard it would be until the stomach pains came, the emotional lows, and the constant obsessive thoughts of food and weight all came around. I have so much respect for anyone who lost 20,30,40+ pounds and kept it off. I know it takes a lot from these individuals, y'all are powerful. I am hoping to sound a bit humble this time.

what are you getting the stomach pains from?

I have not written a long detailed schedule, and if I write down a plan, i feel like I'm writing a contract that will get broken, or edited...I'm not down with that. I know I'll disregard the contract. Sorry for those who make contracts, but kudos for those who KEEP those contracts. I just can't.

My plan is when i have a plate of food, in front of me, I will look at it, and think...Am I hungry, What is the healthiest thing on this plate, How much of it can i eat?

My plan is when I have a choice whether to lay in bed for 90 minutes or get my day started, I will get up and get going.

If I have a choice to drive to campus or bike to campus, I will bike. Let's save my mom some money. Even if it's just five bucks.

Stomach Pains...i mean Stomach grumbles...stomach emptiness when it's 11pm-1am. When I overindulged, I never went to bed emtpy, I was always overstuffed. Either way, both feelings suck.

One of the most effective things that worked for me - and I do realize that all people are different... but a little bit of preplanning on a daily or weekly basis - made the days go by a lot easier...

I was never completely obsessive over it - nor ws it a totally good day/bad day type thing.. but once a w eek -I'd plan out what my meals would be -I'd know on monday that breakfast would be xxx, lunch would be yy, and dinner woudl be zz - all falling iwthin a certain calorie range... and I always had some play calories for snacks becuase I like to snack...

If I changed lunch for something else- then it was all good -because I know how many calories I had to play with...

Saving money is always good another way to save yourself some money is to keep some snacks with you - so you don't get tempted by the vending machines or fast food... keep them in your backpack...

Thanks Dawn-- I checked out your diary the other day...Good stuff going on =) It really sounds like you are making changes.

Thanks Rebecca for the good wishes!

Aww, Thanks SwampBillies, I really really like the community on this forum. It is pretty fun! Thanks for the welcoming-- Come back to visit!

July 14th, 2008- Monday

Official Weigh-In: 180.4lbs
Food Log
830am: 4 ounces of Activia, 2 tbsp of LFCC, 1 multivitamin
1230pm: 1 cup of romaine lettuce, 1 tbsp of Caesar dressing, 4 cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, 3 ounces of grilled chicken breast
300pm: 1/2 Choco Chip CLIF BAR
500pm: 1/2 Choco Chip CLIF BAR
845pm: 3 ounces of pan-grilled chicken breast

Exercise Log
845am: Bike to gym (2.5 miles)
900am: 60 minutes Elliptical Climber Interval Training 4.80miles
6pm: Bike to work (2.5 miles)
8pm: Bike home (5 miles)

Gosh, you are fast!

Yeah, I totally understand what you are saying. I do kind of plan things, in my head, but i'm afraid if I write them down here, that means i'm obliged to them even more, and that extra pressure, i repel from it. I know my week's schedule (or at least 2-3 days in advance), so I will try to plan things for 2-3 days at a time. Life is just way too sporatic for me to plan something for weeks (a 6-week program, booo)

Once i have time to think (and eat) and plan, i will post it. 'til then, i'll remain, what seems like, spontaneous.

July 15th, 2008- Tuesday

Official Weigh-In: 177.6lbs

Food Log
730am: 4 ounces of Dannon Activia and 4 tbsp of LFCC
1040am: 4-2x2 graham cracker squares and 8 ounces of diet sprite
130pm: 2/3 cups of black beans, 2 handfuls of tortilla chips, 2/3 cups of grilled chicken, 2/3 cup of "homemade" nacho cheese, 1/2 cup of jalapenos, small handfuls of tomatoes, lettuce, and drizzle of salsa I LOVE THE COHO- student run on-campus
745pm: 2 ounces of chicken breast and 1/2 cup of cantaloupe slushy (blender= canteloupe, evaporated milk, and ice)

Workout Log
115pm: Bike to campus (2.5 miles)
600pm: 5 minutes cycling level 6
60 minutes elliptical climber interval training 5.37 miles
710pm: Bike home (2.5 miles)


Notes:
- Pizza didn't happen, nachos did.
- When I first got my plate, I was like "wow this is a lot of food"
- Next time: split the plate in two, so I can eat every 3 hours

NOTES::

- I usually enhance my yogurt with a teaspoon of psyllium husk powder

- I drink my soy protein powder with green tea soymilk

- I pan grill hot, so no extra oil necessary

- I am still learning how to cook brown rice, on the stove.

- I prefer frozen veggies, they're easier to prep

- I season my chicken breast with salt-free poultry seasoning from Trader Joe's

- Sadly, I need a magazine to keep my mind off the time when I do cardio.