Hello, my name is Kat. I am 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weigh 200 pounds. But dont you worry because that is all going to change.

I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would not become obese like the rest of my family. I see day to day the health problems they all suffer from, and I don't want that to be me! I refuse!


My first goals to prevent this from happening:

- Cut out SODA! (And when I say soda, please note that I am referring strictly to coca-cola. I do not drink anything else.) I made this my new years resolution and have been working on it ever since. At one point I made it 29 days without it. Now I think I'm ready to kick it out of my life forever!

- Get my butt moving! I have led a very, very sedentary life. I hope to change that, it's going to be rough, but I'm too stubborn to fail. I'm going to show those overstuffed fat cells of mine who is boss I'm going to start with walking and trying to find new hobbies that would require me to be active. That way I can more easily make my changes stick.

- Eat more fruit and veggies, and eat as little meat as possible! I am an on and off again pescatarian, and therefor would prefer a diet with as little meat in it as possible. However, since Im not a big fan of most veggies, I will have to work on that first. Fruit should be no problem, I LOVE fruit

- Drink more water! Water tastes gross. Water does not taste as good as coke. Enough said.

- Get my mom involved in the action! She is obese, and I love her to pieces and I am scared for her, you know? She's type 2 diabetic and has to take a lot of meds for her kidneys all because of her weight and her diet. So I am hoping I can drag her along with me. Plus, I think I could use her support!

_____________

So that is basically it. I don't have anything too specific planned out yet, as you can see. I want to start out simple and build off of that. I just hope that by starting now, at 18, instead of waiting till say... 40 that I will be able to avoid all of those illnesses and things that run in my family, or at least hold them off longer. And it wouldn't hurt to look good in a bathing suit either.

So anyway, I've just been lurking around these forums since March and thought it was about time to start my own journey to health. I hope to share with and inspire others as well as listen and learn.

I am wondering though.. what is the limit for diary entries per day? Would people get annoyed if I posted multiple times a day? In any case, just be prepared for a lot (and I do mean a LOT) of ranting in my diary. If I ever get too off topic, feel free to slap me. I promise not to get too mad at you for it


Wish me luck!

Sounds like you are off to a good start! I know how the coke thing goes...I used to drink it every day...all those empty calories! Now I only have one on a very rare occasion...and then feel bloated and gassy afterwards and wish I had not drank it! LOL! Water is my beverage of choice now...that is all I drink!

Good luck on cutting out the coke and with your weight loss journey! Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Good for You! You have made 2 very important steps. #1 you decided to you needed to make some changes #2 You found this place

It has done very good things for me. In fact I believe this site and the nice people here pushed me past the first 20lbs of weight loss that I had lost and regained so many times and now I am 1 lb away fro a 60 lb loss.
I do think you need a plan that you can live with. Too Much too fast will lead to a meltdown. Being so young your body will quickly handle some exercise if you will just maintain it for just a few days ?weeks. Start slow and pick something you dont hate. If you hate running dont do it at first just walk or ride a bike or go to a gym and do something that will get your heart rate up a bit but something you can do that for long enough to burn some fat. I too have a problem with sodas. I switched to diet several years ago but I do not recommend that. I recently passed a kidney stone and I am convinced it was from too much soda. Welcome! Come back often post and make some buddies! We help each other out here.

Thank you both for your support I am glad I had found this place as well, so many people here are an inspiration and motivate me to succeed.

It's just my luck that on day "One" of my journey, I wake up with no voice! Ahhh! I sound so funny right now, it's embarrassing! :P

I just woke up at 1pm today (hey, I'm a teenager, cut me some slack!) so I've only had breakfast so far.. and it really wasn't much of a breakfast. I had a little bit of lettuce that was left over from the salad I ate yesterday and a dozen animal crackers. (Will need to make extra effort eat more in the morning) And while I didn't have coke with it, I did have some Sierra Mist so I could take my allergy pill and my vitamin. I realized this morning that our water tastes truely awful. It's really cloudy.. ick. So I'm going to have to start drinking bottled water or maybe purchase one of those filters. I'll get on that as soon as possible so I can start drinking water and cut out soda all together.

I've realized that I am going to have to actually go to the store with my mom and step dad if I want anything other than junk food. As the youngest in this family, I do not get much say in what we buy but I hope to change that. Any advice?

Funny but sad story: I wrote a small list of groceries I wanted my mother and step dad to get from the store for the family. Included on that list were various veggies and fruit. I made the mistake of not going with them when they went shopping and they came back with all microvable junk and a can of peas for me. I then learned that my step dad just threw my list away and didn't even take it with him! Gah!


Today, for exercise, I played a short game of Badminton with my sister. I hope to get my mom out there to play another game with me. It's definitely a workout! I'm also going to play some DDR if I can clear a spot on my bedroom floor o.O

Next Thursday I will weigh myself and I'll post the results here. I hope to lose at least a pound, if not two Wish me luck!

Considering today was day 1, I would say it was a success!
I managed to get $41 out of my stepfather to get some REAL food from the store. I bought strawberries, blackberries, romaine lettuce, bananas, oranges, green grapes, bottled water, and low fat chocolate milk (hey, I'm human alright? I can have the occasional glass of chocolate milk!)

I'm a fruit fanatic! I realize there aren't many veggies on that list, but I wanted to get food I knew I would like so I have something to eat for the next week!

Oh and you know how I said my breakfast wasn't so good? Well, check out my dinner! ....

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...erd/Dinner.jpg

Can we say YUM?!
I didn't manage to eat the entire thing. I ate about half of it and am saving the rest for a snack. (I've been staying up till about 4am so I'll be needing one!)

My water consumption so far today is slacking.. but it's more than I normally drink, that is for sure! I've downed about half a water bottle. But whatever, the night is not done yet, I hope to drink two water bottles worth tonight!

Oh yes and an update on my voice - it's still gone! Ahhhh!!!

Heres my diet and exercise log for today, not too bad but could use some improvement of course


DIET
Breakfast - Small bit of lettuce and 10 animal crackers

Snack - 1 mug of Sierra Mist

Lunch - 2 waffles with 1/8 cup syrup, 1 small slice mild chedder cheese, 1 mug of Sierra Mist

Snack - 2 small slices mild chedder cheese, water

Dinner - Half fruit platter (bananas, blackberries, strawberries, grapes) 1 mug of chocolate milk, more water.

Later tonight - Rest of fruit platter, more water


If I added it all up correctly, It would come around to slightly more than 1500 calories. I'll round it up to 1600 for the heck of it. Is that good? Is that bad? I shall find out! (Or you could tell me )


EXERCISE

2 intense games of badminton
15 minutes of walking around walmart


CLEARLY I need to work on fitting exercise into my routine. I'll start wearing my pedometer tomorrow and post results here along with exercise and diet.

I dont think I really believed people when they said writing what you eat in a diary makes you eat less and better things.. but now I do! I kept thinking to myself throughout the day "No you can't eat that, you'll have to write it down for the whole world to see!!"

Today was a good day!

Despite still not having a voice (I sound so funny!) and coughing constantly, I managed to go for two walks and played a great game of badminton! The best part of it is, I got my mom to tag along on the first walk and the badminton game too!

My first walk was an easy .7 miles. I told my mother I'd walk with her as far and fast as she was comfortable. I was thrilled that I got her to do something physical, and even more thrilled that she lasted longer than a block!

Since I wasn't tired yet by the time my mother was on our first walk, I "dropped her off" at home and left again for a much more difficult 1.5 mile walk. I live by mountains so it's VERY hilly. I hit as many big hills as I could without falling over from exhaustion.

Then a few hours later, as I said before, my mom and I played a game of badminton.

A good exercise day, but I have thoughts on how to improve it. I have some arm weights that I'm going to take on my walk tomorrow so that I can tone my arms and legs at the same time.. at least that's the plan. I know I need to start strength training but always feel silly whenever I lift weights Maybe because my "weights" are canned goods. That might have something to do with it

Anywho! Here is what I ate today. I couldn't tell yea if it's "ideal" or "balanced" or whatever but it sure tasted good!

Breakfast - 1 banana, 5 strawberries, 1 mug of low fat chocolate milk,
vitamin
Lunch - 1/2 plate of salad with Romaine lettuce, 1 grilled chicken breast, 2
boiled eggs, and a bit of shredded cheese (I cant help it, I love
cheese)
Snack - 1 sugar free vanilla pudding snack pack
Snack - 1 cup blackberries, 1 boiled egg
Dinner - 2 waffles with less than 1/8 cup maple syrup (I dont care for
syrup.)

Since I stay up so late, I plan to have 5 strawberries and MAYBE the other half of my salad, but that depends on how I feel about my calories after I add them up. I'm aiming for about 1700-1800 a day. According to this website, I need about 2100 to maintain. So I think that's a good solid calorie goal without starving myself.
Im not going to be myself up over the not so good things I ate today. I needed the chocolate milk to take my vitamin (I cant get it down with water) and while I don't have an excuse for the pudding, I know I'm not perfect, I'm not trying to be perfect, and that one pudding cup isn't going to kill me. With that said, I certainly dont plan to make a habit of it.

If you noticed that I didn't list any other liquids other than that one cup of chocolate milk it is because I've been sipping water all day. I've gone through another 2.5 bottles already, so about 5 servings of 8 fl. oz. That's great for me! Maybe not so great for any other person though...
But it's only day 2, I'll improve! I want to drink the rest of that other bottle before sleep and maybe start a forth bottle.

Oh I forgot to mention the 3,000 cough drops I had today at 15 cals each. I hope I am not coming down with something or that I already have come down with something! Being sick sucks, and talk about bad timing!



So anyway, I was thinking today about the GOOD things I've got going for me that will help me on my journey. For one thing, my downright stubborness and the fact that I never ever give up. I don't care how many obstacles are on this path to a fit, slim me. They better get the heck out of my way or else they'll be sorry! My stubborness has gotten me through 18 years and 10 months without ever smoking anything, drinking a single sip of alcohol, doing anything illegal, swearing, partying, etc. (I'm SUCH a goody-goody lol) I'm not about to let a little excess weight get in the way of a life I've worked hard on!

Another thing going for me is my "glass overflowing" optimism. Anything that happens has a bright side and I always concentrate on that. I've been told I'm the most drama-free person.. ever. Lol! So I hope that helps me in this journey too.

It's nice to concentrate on our good qualities for once. We are always hardest on ourselves. So what are YOUR good qualities? I may be a ranting maniac who talks about herself too much, but I do like hearing about others too So tell me about yourself! What's great about you?


EDIT -- I just counted up my calories and I believe I am right on target for the 2nd day in a row WHOOHOO!! *pats self on back* This is too easy, I'm waiting for the challenge

Hi, Kat, and welcome!

This is a great place to come to help work towards your goals. There are a lot of fantastic and knowledgeable people here, and what's more, all of them are going through the same process as you.

Kicking the coke (coca-cola, that is) may be difficult, but it will also be one of the single best things you do. I drank the stuff every day for probably 30 years. I am now two months completely cola-free (or any other soft drinks for that matter), and you know what? I don't miss it. I even keep a couple of cans at home and at work just to be able to say "I don't need it". I'm a water junkie now - I drink the stuff all day long.
If you don't like the taste of the water coming out of your tap, try filtering it. I used to use a Brita filter jug when I lived in a place with city water, but now that I am on a well I buy purified water (at $0.50 per gallon it's cheaper than any other drink out there), and it tastes awesome.

Nothing at all wrong with a little 1% chocolate milk, although regular 1% milk is better. You do need your calcium.

Looking at what you are eating, I can't help notice that you are getting almost zero protein. That's not good. You have to get sufficient protein. Dairy is good for that, although limited. You're not a meat eater, but can you eat eggs? Eggs are good. Fish is good. Legumes are good - and if you want to get sufficient protein but aren't into meat, you had better start learning to like 'em.
Oops - just noticed the chicken breast on your menu, and the eggs. Good protein.
As for the salads - the great thing about salad-type veggies is that they are very low in calories, so you can feel free to load up on them.

Good work getting out and moving. Hill walking is excellent exercise.
Be careful, though - if you are sick you don't want to run yourself down and make it worse. That can get discouraging. As someone who is just getting over a bacterial throat infection, I can attest. It's been annoying not being able to work out at the intensity I want to, but I know I have to tone it down and let my body heal. I really don't want the infection to work its way into my lungs.

I think you are off to a great start, and you sound sufficiently determined to accomplish anything you want in this world!

I look forward to reading more of your diary as it progresses.

If you wish, check out my diary, 'Cord's Quest'. Maybe you'll find something useful in there, maybe not. But feel free to drop in anyway.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and write a rather lengthy reply I appreciate it! Yes, I plan to work on my protein intake as I progress, but I don't want to go change my entire lifestyle too rapidly to where it is overwhelming. I will take your advice though, and try to work some of the things you've listed into my diet.
I am doing well on the coke thing so far, I haven't even really thought about having a coke yet, no cravings whatsoever, much easier than last time! The first time I tried going without in April, I made it 29 days. I plan to surpass that this time and cut it out for good.

Thanks again for stopping by! I'll be checking out your diary now

Hi kate!!



Seeker has given you awesome advise so I won't piggy back. I just wanted to welcome you. You are off to a great start and your motivation is high!

No one will mind about the multiple posts so get your rant on girl!

Take Care,
Kattwoman

Hey kat!

Isnt it wonderful how life throws illness at you when you start your weight loss?

Life threw a sprained ankle at me! lol Sucks!

My mom didnt pick up anything on my grocery list either! She told me she didnt think i would eat it. pffft..

Your off to a great start.. At first dont totally deprive yourself of everything you love, food wise.. That might be setting yourself up for failure.. Have a cup of coke every few days, or a pudding.. Hell, i had Mcdonalds last night for supper. A cheeseburgar.. Yum! .. Good job at getting your mom to excersize with you! Awesome work so far Kat!!! keep up the good work! .. Hey, we both have a challenge.. to look good in a bathing suit.. We should both take pictures of out selves in our bathing suits now.. So we have somehting to remind us what we want! And when we make it to looking good in a bathing suit, it will be awesome to look back at the other pictures!

Haha, Beat ya to it!

Agreed. Make sure you don't try to go too hardcore on the denial. I make sure to give myself a little indulgence on a regular basis - I just work it into my total food budget. I also find that small quantities of sweets and treats go a long way. I can open the freezer and have just a spoonful of ice cream and feel satisfied. If I want a little chocolate, I eat a _little_ chocolate. It seems to be working.
Of course, not everyone can do this. Some people need to keep the temptations completely out of the house. Whatever works best for you.

However, I did completely cut off two things - soda and potato chips (and cheezies, tortilla chips, etc etc). I've decided that they really don't have a place in my diet at this time.
So I actually support the cutting off coke thing. But that's me. YMMV.

Kat

Nice job so far, but i am a little worried about your calories, so few!! and not very much protein.

Read Steve's sticky--it helped me a lot about calories and adaptation.
http://weight-loss.fitness.com/topic...aptations.html

I'm glad your family is giving you the opportunity to buy some food which works for you.

Do lots of reading of the stickies around here, they are amazing assets!!!

Feel free to post whenever and whatever in your diary. It helps!!

Best of luck and hope to "see" ya around.

To Kattwoman - Thank you for commenting on my diary! I appreciate the welcome very much

To Jessica - Thankfully, today I felt much better! Good news, my voice is back! And I'm coughing much less, so I think it's clearing up! About the bathing suit thing, that's a good idea! Except at the moment I dont even have a bathing suit XP My old one doesn't fit, Ahh! I will be taking before (and after!) pics though. If we're both going to look good on the beach/pool/etc., I have some catching up to do 22 lbs left for you, that's awesome! Great work! Thanks for the comment!

To Cord - Yea, I am also completely cutting out soda. If I don't I'll just keep craving it. Also it works best for me to keep things out of my home altogether, out of sight out of mind! I'm not going to deny myself though. I rarely eat out, usually once a month if I'm lucky, so on those occasions, I plan to ease off on the diet a little, and between those times I will have my occasional treat. Right now, I am enjoying my diet much more than I used too. If you haven't noticed, I am a big fruit person, so all this fruit is making me a very happy camper I wish you more luck on your quest!

To PEC - Huh, I didn't really think my calories intake was that off from what I should be eating. Especially since I haven't quite gotten into a full force exercising routine yet. But I will definitely check out the sticky you've provided the link for! I've read through a few stickies already, but I'll have to make a point to read more of them. They ARE very helpful. As for the protein, I think I'm going to try to fix that by eating more hard boiled eggs, since I love them, and I hear they are an excellent sorce of protein. Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful!


Whoo! Lots of comments, I was very happy to see them ^-^

Okay, today I thought I wasn't doing so good diet-wise but now that I look back on it I find it's not so bad after all. At least not when it comes down to calories. I didn't even hit my target yet, so I have room to eat a little more before I go to sleep in a few hours. I'll probably have a hardboiled egg or two and maybe another glass of chocolate milk.


Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast - Beef Tips and Noodles, mug of chocolate milk, vitamin
Snack - 10 animal crackers, water
Lunch - Half a small boneless chicken breast, water
Snack - 1.5 cups of grapes, 1 sugar free vanilla pudding cup, water
Snack - 10 animal crackers, 2 graham crackers, water
Snack - 10 animal crackers, 2 graham crackers, mug of chocolate milk


I have a couple of things to note about todays food consumption. For one, no dinner! I just snacked over a course of a few hours. I'm not so sure if that is a good thing or not... Two, a lot of the things I ate today were pretty much empty calories. The main reason for this is that I've run out of fruit to eat! I finished off the rest of the grapes today, and that was the last of all the fruit (or anything healthy, for that matter.) So unless I can get money to go shopping for myself tomorrow, that is it! All that is left are various frozen dinners (ew) So I guess I'm kind of in a pickle. Haha! Had I known my family was going to eat the stuff I bought too (that was a shock), I would have gotten more! Maybe there IS hope in this world that they'll follow my example..

Oh yea, and I only managed two bottles of water today.. still not bad.


My exercise today looked like this:

- 30 minute fast-paced walk outside, I hit some little hills, but none of the big ones I managed yesterday. I don't know exactly how many miles because I forgot my pedometer.
- 15 minutes on the swings at the park, I don't know if this qualifies as an "exercise" but hey, I wasn't just sitting there doing nothing.
- About 8 minutes of hitting the birdie back and forth (badminton)

Still not where I want to be as it comes to exercise. I'd like to get an hour a day at least. But it was raining pretty bad today, and I didn't want to walk in rain for long because of my throat. (I still did though, take that rain! Bad weather can't stop me!)


Ahhh how the excuses seem to be piling up today At least they are for somewhat genuine problems. I'll get it all figured out though, no worries.

I'm truely excited about my first weigh in. I'll get to adjust my ticker! I feel 1000% better already! And lighter too! I'm confident I will have lost weight. My goal is 2 lbs this week, but if it's less, I really wouldn't mind. I feel too good to let it get to me.

If it's more, well then.. I'm going to be jumping up and down in excitement!

I like your name, and I like your diary title, and I wanted to say Hellooo, so Hi

Well thank you for the double compliment And hello to you as well!