Hey everyone,
I'm kind of new here. I've been coming to this site for a while but never posted. I am currently 20 years old, college student. I'm pretty short fella (about 5'9 on a good day), and about 202 lbs. I tried to change my lifestyle a while back and was doing pretty well, even managed to quit smoking cigarettes. But school got tough with finals and I went on a vacation, and when i came back i found my gym was closed; so I sort of fell of the wagon.
But now I'm ready to get back on the path. I was going to go sign up for a new gym, and it turns out they are closed for the next 7 days due to maintenance.
I have been watching what I eat for the last few days, trying to keep my intake around 1700-1800 calories a day. I also have been trying to break those calories down into healthy smaller meals about five times a day. Growing up my whole family has been overweight, so I have a problem with my proportions and I know it. This change in my eating habit is resulting in me feeling hungry a lot during the day, but I’m sure that will all change once I have adjusted to the new patterns.
I broke my foot several months back and my doctor told me not to exercise with hard impact activities (like running), however it has been a decent amount of time, and I was using the elliptical quite a lot when I was working out several weeks ago. So, this being said I have decided to try and go running on the local outdoor track later today.
Need to go shopping, and stock up on more of the healthier foods.

I have set two goals for myself. One is to be able to work out at least 6 days a week. The current plan I have for myself is to run at least 4-6 days a week and try to get to the weights at least 2 times.
I have set myself two goals: One being a realistic goal, one being an overachieving goal.
My realistic goal is to loose 12lbs the healthy way by October 20th, however my more ambitious goal is to loose 17lbs then. That’s roughly 2 lbs a week, so I hope the bigger goal is do-able.

Well wish me luck, as I’m about to go head off and go for a run.

Good luck with your journey.

First Night. Went Jogging for about 40 minutes today, was hoping for more, but it was amazingly hot out there. Jogging on the track is much harder than i expcected; coming from being able to run 45 minutes on the eliptical.
I was doing pretty good with the meals, but my friend who i haven't seen in a while stopped by for a visit and we had a few beers, so i am a little over the calorie limit. It's okay in my book though, fun once in a while is a necessary.
Tommorow gotta get up and go on a long walk in the morn, with a job later in the day.

Wow, That job took more out of me than i thought, didn't have time for the walk (and I'm real sore too). Stayed inside instead and did a 40 or so minute work out with weights. Dont think there will be a problem staying in the calorie range today.

Hi there, sounds like you are doing really well so far - keep up the good work.

Feel free to drop by my diary anytime =)

It sounds like you have some great goals set for yourself! Just be careful about your foot. You may want to try consulting with your doctor since if you injure it now, you'll be worse off than just trying to avoid impact exercises. I too can't do impact exercises due to 2 torn discs in my back so I stick to using the bicycle since I just can't get used to the elliptical (I never was a fan of running anyway).

2lbs a week is realistic, but will take some dedication. Cutting the calories and being more aware of what you fuel your body with is the first key. Try to replace snacks with fruit or veggies. What's been helping me is replacing a meal or two with a meal replacement shake (I have the costco brand - like slim fast but cheaper and only 230 cal).

I start back up school in September, so with us both being college students maybe we can motivate one another. Study, Exercise, Study.... lol

Keep up the good work Those are some great goals you have! I'm new here, too. We can be good encouragement for each other!

Anyone have any good advice for dealing with plantar fasciitis? I was diagnosed with this the same time i broke my foot, so i never was really told what to do about it. Now i don't have health care at the moment, and cant afford to go see a doctor.
I have extremely flat feet, Especially my right one (the one that broke), so any advice would help.
I know i need to buy a new pair of running shoes, as wearing shoes with good arch support seems to be one key to keeping the pain down. That and icing the arch after running.
Maybe some of you guys have advise, or any good stretches to try until i get my healthcare issue under control and can go see a doc (in about 2 and 1/2 weeks hopefully.)
Thanks

ugh well my shin splints came back today. Those things suck. Gonna rest on the running tomorrow and go buy a new pair of running shoes (mine are warn).
Kept it at 1800 cals today, not bad.

I guess now i Gotta go see this doc and have him check out my feet and shoulder.

alli Weight Loss Pill

THE ONLY FDA APPROVED, OVER-THE-COUNTER WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCT
Benefits:

alli™ is safe when used as directed - it works only in your digestive system, not in your heart or brain. That means you won't feel:
o jittery effects
o sleeplessness
o a racing heart

Well first off, thats most likely the most irritating reply anyone has ever posted, so thanks a bunch humera. Theres no way i can delete replies in my own thread is there?


This week was pretty tough so far. I Don't think i stayed within my goal of 1700 calories a day even once . That and i find myself reverting back to the old 3 meals a day plan, even if its by accident, so i really gotta start working on that.
I do keep a notebook with all my calories in it though, and i have noticed that the last 2 days were by the closest i have been to the 1700 mark (around 1800 and 1850) , so maybe I'm slowly getting more accustomed to it.
I did go jogging/ walking 4 out of 5 days for around 40 minutes each time, which felt pretty damn good (and made me pretty darn soar too).


For next Friday I'm going to set myself a smaller goals. Hopefully baby steps are the way to be able to transition to these life-changing plans.

Goal One: Balance out calories more between 5-6 meals per day
Goal Two: Cut alcohol intake to only 2 days a week maximum (It may seem like a lot I know, but I'm in college and thats what me and my pals do)
Goal Three: 1700 calories a day, or lower at LEAST 5 days out of the week.
Goal Four: Run/jog at least once a day 5 out of 7 days

I'm also going to try to start possibly going for my jog in the A.M.s and then a light walk/jog later on in the day. I have been told that if you jog in the A.M. before you have a bunch o' food in your stomach that it burns more of the fat calories to generate energy, and it also helps against the side cramps i sometimes get.

So there you have it.

Today is going to be a tough one, as i have to finish a final project for my accounting class (ugh, i hate accounting ), and then the next several days I am going to be working a lot. I have pretty much had this whole last week off work, so i haven't had to deal with trying to eat small meals while working.
I never really used to take breaks, as i would just have one of my co-workers go out and buy me fast food. But I guess I'll start having to change that habit too.
I can just imagine the slight harassment I'll get from some of my employees when i tell them that i am eating more often IN ORDER to loose weight. HA! Whatever, screw them! I'll show them soon enough.



LoL, and if you cant tell I have just discovered the smiles.

Kept it under 1700 yesterday. Woo go me.

Ate much to little 2 days ago, only about 1200 total cals, I was real busy all day. Today I'll likely finish at like 1800-1900. Ran yesterday and today with new shoes, and wow what a difference.

Doing pretty good with the jogging. I've been just about everyday, and i normally jog for about 45 minutes. Tomorrow I am going to join a local gym, hopefully the elliptical will be able to help me mix it up, keep running interesting. That plus the weight training.

The thing that is still killing me is the calories. I am constantly over. I generally finish my day with about 1800-2000 cals. I really want to be eating in the 1600-1700 range, but i find it real difficult.

i just hope all this work starts paying off.

Hey!

I'm glad to see your doing well while being in college. I'm also a college student and i lost 100 pounds and I'm continuing to keep it off even with parties and such. My opinion is that you should shoot for closer to 2000-2200 calories if you are at your current weight of around 200 lbs. With all your exercise and your caloric range you may not be getting enough calories in, which in turn could be costing you your muscle, instead of the flab. Its only a suggestion, but if you have more questions i would be happy to help.

Good Luck,
Trevor