MindStreamer's Journal, 07 October 2014

P.S. Being a gym rat myself, when I see someone who is first starting out step into my gym, I only judge them positively. "Good for you" or "you kick A$$" are the first thoughts that come to mind. 

Hi there! I wanted to chime in because this post jumped out at me. I took a glance at your diet calendar and all I could think was NO WONDER!!! Your calories on most days are wayyy too low for even me (I'm about 155 now and a female) You need to check out IIFYM to calculate your needs. I'm a huge fan of it because it is a flexible system which allows you to eat whatever you want as long as two things happen....as long as you meet your daily fiber and caloric requirements and as long as you COUNT everything....so for example..you could still eat said nutty buddy...as long as you count it. google it...iifm.com (stands for if it fits your macros) ;o) Good luck and don't do it to only lose weight....do it because you know you'll feel happy when you are done haha! Im with the others...don't push yourself to do something you don't like...keep it simple with walks outside if you don't like gym machines. As your energy levels begin to rise (with you eating better) and you begin to sleep better, you'll find it easier to want to try other things just to keep from becoming bored. :o)  

ugh...lol...it is iifym.com  

You've had some good advice. When I started 7 months ago I weighed 302 and didn't want to move. Now I weigh 233 and I get antsy if I don't get my daily walk. Log your food, watch the calories and salt, drink lots of water and keep moving. Walking is good and it looks like your workout yesterday kept you moving. 

Comments and discussions I've over heard and been involved in at my gym have so supportive of anyone beginning or in the midst of losing weight. It's not negative, it's yes! Congratulations! You are doing something for yourself to get healthy. It's empathy because many of those fit people have been on the same journey and understand. Sure, there will be the occasional jerk, they happen everywhere, if you run into one: ignore them, they aren't worth being concerned about.  

Hi MindStreamer! I feel for you because I had the same results recently! a few weeks ago I started eating healthier, cut my portions & made an exercise plan. The 1st & 2nd weeks I gained, & the 3rd week i stayed the same weight! I was really frustrated & posted just like you did! I found a lot of encouragement from others. I did hear that my gain was probably due to muscle gain & possibly retaining water. It made sense although I wanted to see the results. I know that your probably feeling the pain but it will get better! Stay with it, you will feel better. don't beat yourself up for some set backs. You can do this!~! good luck!  

You can do this! I weighed 232 lbs and changed my eating to healthy foods and my exercising to walking. It has been one year and nine months and I am almost to my goal weight now. Losing weight takes time, but your health is the most important thing, so keep going!