Hi
This is my first day here and I thought to start this thread to motivate me more
Well, I am a female 30 years old and I'm 5' 7'' tall.
I'm currently 147 lb. I am bouncing between 189 and 138 lb for a few years now. I mean, I start a diet, reach my goal and then back up to where i was. But I decided not to get back up this time. I warned myself in the middle of the way. I'm so much serious about not getting above 150 lb. And, I know I can reach back to my goal weight of 138 lb.
Well, I'm out of much junk food and very high fat diet for a month or so now. I'm trying to behave but the surrounding environment doesn't help me much.
First of all, I tried the 6 meal method and I find it very good for my health. Finally, my stomach doesn't hurt after a meal. I was always eating big meals and then waiting for my stomach to do all the pain and heavy feelings then I get hungry and eat again.
My problem is some things that I can't change in my life.
First, my father. When I told him about my 6 meal plan and that I'm going on a diet, he got all the bad food out of the fridge and cooked them for lunch. He shouldn't be cooking lunch but he did for me to stop being so motivated I think.
So, he does everything he can to stop my efforts or delay them. I'm beginning to doubt that he doesn't want me healthy!
The other thing is my work. They don't allow food in the middle of the day. I only have breakfast early at 7 at my home. Then I have coffee break at 9 (which I can't eat any food in it) only drinks. Then I have lunch time for 30 minutes at 1:30 where I can't find anything to eat but chocolate, biscuits and bad sugary stuff. Then I'm not able to eat again until 5:30.
So, this gives me 3 meals. I can manage to have a fourth meal at night but how will I get the other two? And, it's not a good point to eat two meals so close to each other in time while stay all day with very separate meals.
The other problem is water, I don't drink water while at work. Because I have to carry a bottle of water from home and I end up with the bottle in the hands of everyone cause they're thirsty. So I quit getting it from the first place. So I drink about 1 liter or more in the morning to feel that I won't need much water in the middle of the day.
Health problems: I have a hormonal problems and take progestron to regulate monthly cycle and also take medicine to inhibit prolactin (milk hormone)
I also have runner's knee, and recently my ankle tendons began to hurt.
Today I took my before pictures, and I'm really shocked.
I didn't know I look that bad.
My front pic looked ok but the side pic looked horrible and the back pic didn't look good at all.
Well, I tried to post them to the forum but I couldn't. Maybe when I get more motivated with my progress I would post them.
I'm going to take weekly progress pics. I think pics really help to let you see how bad is your situation.
My BF% is 26.8 and I tried during my previous diets to decrease it but couldn't do it.
I think I'm not doing much exercise.
I'll do my best to change that.
Currently I'm starting a new routine.
I started yesterday (Friday Jan 5, 2007) with total body workout including dumbells (6 lbs) and 30 min. walk (in my cardio zone) and some stretching.
I'll repeat that on sunday and tuesday and then will try to separate body areas and do two sets of an area each exercise session, then I'll try to increase that.
So, this is my post for today. I know I wrote a big post but I'll appreciate you guys to read it and post your opinion about everything.
Thanks.

The other thing is my work. They don't allow food in the middle of the day. I only have breakfast early at 7 at my home. Then I have coffee break at 9 (which I can't eat any food in it) only drinks. Then I have lunch time for 30 minutes at 1:30 where I can't find anything to eat but chocolate, biscuits and bad sugary stuff. Then I'm not able to eat again until 5:30.

I fail to see the problem.

7:00 breakfast
9:00 protein drink with some carbs/fats(milk)
13:30 bring a pre cooked meal from home to just warmup
17:30 a proper meal @ home.
21:00 Pre bed meal (cottege cheese?)

thats 5 meals. It might not be 6 but its better than 3...
You could probably sneak another protein drink during work if you want to reach 6 meals but one step at a time.

I don't drink water while at work. Because I have to carry a bottle of water from home and I end up with the bottle in the hands of everyone cause they're thirsty


Solution #1 Spit in your water bottle infront of everyone. :lol:
Solution #2 Ask them nicely to bring their own water bottles
Solution #3 bring an empty water bottle and fill it from the water tape @ work for your coworker who are apparently too lazy to do so themselves.

I have my own problems with co workers treating my peanuts as sneaks as don't understand its a planned and weighted meal. I just bring a little more to share.

He shouldn't be cooking lunch but he did for me to stop being so motivated I think.
So, he does everything he can to stop my efforts or delay them. I'm beginning to doubt that he doesn't want me healthy!

I'm afraid I don't have a simple solution for that. You may just have to stay strong. If you are living with your father maybe its time to find a way to move out. If this happens when you visit each other you might have to limit those visits or control your food intake more closely when you visit him. (for example I don't let my mother serve me Friday's dinner @ her place anymore. I serve myself and weight my own portions)

Good luck.

Shahar.

Hi
The other thing is my work. They don't allow food in the middle of the day. I only have breakfast early at 7 at my home. Then I have coffee break at 9 (which I can't eat any food in it) only drinks. Then I have lunch time for 30 minutes at 1:30 where I can't find anything to eat but chocolate, biscuits and bad sugary stuff. Then I'm not able to eat again until 5:30.
.
OK, my question is. Why aren't you allowed food?????? Who are they to say you can't eat???? The way I see it is, as long as you eat it in the alloted time, they have no right to tell you when you can consume food....... Where do you work that thay do this??????
Regarding not being able to find anything but chocolate, biscuits and bad sugary stuff----- why not pack food from home?????? Go to the grocery store, buy some healthy food and pack your lunch!

Are you on the clock during your break time? If not then they CANNOT dictate what you eat or drink...

However, during 'coffee' break while everyone else has coffee, tea, milk and soda, you can have a 'meal'. A good protein/ MRP (Meal Replacement Drink) drinks will do the trick. There are premixed drinks that are quite good on the market, if you are unable to mix it at work. There.. you are not eating you are drinking too.. only something good for you! Or go out to your car and grab a quick bite if you can...

Now.... I am now going to be very hard on you.... ready???

Reread your post.. look at all of your excuses... everyone of them is that.. nothing but an excuse. No one said it would be easy to be healthy but you can do it.

End of hard comment...

How about this??? Wanna eat during break? Go to your PC Doctor and get a note saying you have to eat at your breaks due to Health concerns. That'll have you covered quite well. You now have a documented request from a physician. All honest too.. And your employer will be in trouble with the state if they give you $h!t about it. Dr's notes are great!

Best of luck. Stick with it and work hard...

Everytime I come up with an excuse for me to not eat right, not workout, etc.. I just say.. "Okay Fine.. You want to be fat and die?"

It works for me!

Hi
Thank you all for your replies
Well, about the question why isn't food allowed where I work
The answer is that I work in a medicine factory and no food is allowed in the production area. I can only eat in the restaurant at 1:30.
If I count my drink as a meal then I can manage to add the 6th meal between lunch and bedtime.
About the water, we don't drink tap water from the factory because it's re-processed water with chemical waste traces and so.
This is why I have to bring water from my home tap water.
I can buy water at work but I don't want to spend the money.
I can't move out of my father's. There are a lot of things that stop me from doing that. Maybe someday when I get married. He is the one who should get used to my way of life and not stick his nose in my business. I think I have to fight him back.
Getting food with me to work needs some planning and I think I can start setting the plan from tonight.
And yes, I'm putting excuses for myself. I'm doing my best to avoid that. This is why I'm here. I need support. Everyone who sees me thinks I'm crazy because I don't look fat. But, my photos look so bad. Not that I'm fat, but I think I have much body fat in my body. I think I have to replace that with muscles. This needs a lot of effort during a busy tiring day. But I'll do my best and I think I can do it.
Thanks for the replies.

I have a problem with my ankle. The doctor says I should wear an ankle for 3 weeks, then do some exercises then I'll start walking again. I'll try to do strength training as usual as much as I can. But, no cardio. Being so sedentary caused me to overeat. I'm not used to being so inactive. But, I'll get over it. It will take me some time. Taking my measurements tomorrow. I'll also take personal photos. I'll see the difference. I won't post the pics. I may post the measurements instead.

Hi again
Here are my measurements:
Date:----Jan 5, 2007----Jan 12, 2007
Weight:--- 147.2--------- 151.8
BF%: -------26.8---------- 26.8
Neck:------ 13------------- 13.25
Bicep:------ 12------------ 12.25
Forearm:---- 9.25---------- 9.25
Chest: ------37.5---------- 37.75
Waist: ------30.75--------- 32
Hips: -------40------------ 40.25
Thigh: ------22.75--------- 23.25
Calf: --------13.75--------- 14.5

I don't know if I should consider that a possitive or negative progress. My weight incresed and my BF% is the same. So, I might consider this as lean body mass gain.
About cardio, I substituted my walking routine with rowing-like movements using my light-weight dumbells just for the ankle resting period.
Thanks for everyone who reads or comments on my post. I really appreciate your help.

I would take your measurements the same time of day the same time of month. Wait another 2 weeks to come to any conclusions.
How did you take your BF% measurement?

Good luck with your ankle. Injuries suck :(

Hi
I did take my measurement at the same time of day but after one week.
I took my BF% measurement using a measuring tape and some calculations that I got from the internet.
Well, I look in the mirror and see my body looks better, but my weight is getting higher. My ankle got worse when I went to work today. So, I managed to take the whole week off. I'll make sure to rest it as much as I can.