As you can tell by my join date, I've been a member for a long time and it seems like a strange time to start a journal. Over the course of 2004-2006 I went from 265 to 229lbs and got stronger than I've ever been before (as sad as that is.) Unfortunately, I couldn't keep it up and fell off the path when I bought my own place and went through that stress. I never got back into the swing of my diet and I now weigh more than I ever did before, a whopping 293lbs. There are a million reasons why and none of them really matter. A false alarm with my heart landed me in the emergency room and made me realize that I need to start taking this seriously. I've had trouble starting up since then and thought this journal might help. I'll send the link to a few friends and hopefully that will keep me motivated. I plan to post every day and lay out how my progress is going. Hopefully this is the last step that I will need.

I'm planning on starting my diet/exercise program as of today. I was using a Swolegenix program, with some pretty good success, so I'm dusting that off and using that as a working base. I'll probably have to increase the calories a little to start, but I'm pretty sure just moving around would make me lose weight at this point.

I don't want to reveal specifics, as I don't remember what Swolecat considers confidential, but it consists of fasted LISS, four days of weight training and timed carbs.

I'm pretty tired today after getting about 3 hours of sleep last night (note to self: don't watch a movie about a guy trapped in a haunted hotel room when you live by yourself in a condo the size of a hotel room!) but I managed to get up this AM and do my cardio. It usually isn't a problem once I get into a schedule, as long as I get decent sleep anyway.

I plan to hit the gym after work today for the first time in about 2 months. I'm pretty tired, but I planned to take it easy the first week anyway, so I wouldn't get super-sore like I usually do and then quit. I packed all my meals this morning and I think this will be a successful day.

SB,

Like you, I have gotten back into the mix recently. Also, like you, I had quite a hiatus... My original join date was about the same time as yours and missed nearly two years...(you can see the details in my journal link below)

The first week is the tough one. Don't kill yourself in the gym trying to get back all at once this week. Focus on dialing in your diet and getting the feel of the resistance training back....

Thanks digitalnebula! I was just looking at your journal and thinking about those similarites. Except you actually had some good reasons for stopping for a while, while mine is just laziness! :o D'oh!

I appreciate the advice about starting up again. That is more or less what I was thinking, as a few aborted attempts were stalled by me overdoing it.

Also, forgot to mention my target dates! I may be making a trip to Daytona Beach in March. I have a friend who lives there and I made friends with some girls that I would mind impressing with a little weight loss! That will be early to have any real results, but every little bit helps. Also, my 10 year high school reunion is this summer. I'd like to be down to around my college weight by that point (245ish) which seems doable. Right now, just taking it one day at a time.

This journal is already paying off: I was tempted to eat an ice cream sandwich last night and didn't so I didn't have to write about it here. That is the extra motivation I've needed that I was lacking these past few months.

Yesterdays workout went ok. I had been nervous about it, since I did back and biceps. I remember the first time I worked out biceps by myself. I worked nice and hard and was pleased with myself. Until the next day, when I couldn't extend my arms. I had to walk around with T-rex arms all day. I carried around a clipboard at work, so it would look like I at least had a reason to be keeping my arms bent at the elbow all the time! Fortunately, that didn't happen this time. My back muscles rarely get sore, so I'm not too worried there. I think taking it easy the first week is going to be a good idea. It is hard enough to adjust to eating clean, without destroying my muscles too.

I've now successfully completed doing early morning cardio for two days in a row. I've kept to my eating plan so far as well. I'm pleased with how well this is going.

This journal is already paying off: I was tempted to eat an ice cream sandwich last night and didn't so I didn't have to write about it here. That is the extra motivation I've needed that I was lacking these past few months.

Atta boy Burn!!! Like I replied to you the other day, an accountability coach can be a powerful motivator... I need one.... Fortunately I have a trainer that takes BF measurements every few weeks. It keeps me honest. The scale can fluctuate but the calipers do not lie.



I think taking it easy the first week is going to be a good idea. It is hard enough to adjust to eating clean, without destroying my muscles too.

Good choice. If you get through the first week of eating clean and reintroducing resistance training, you are half way there. Next week, turn up the volume on the weights a little. Then weeks three and four you start to coast to a better and cleaner life.

Thanks 'nebula! It is nice to know that someone else has successfully gotten back on the horse and followed through. I have been keeping an eye on your journal, so consider me your accountability coach as well! I'm also glad you agree with my approach to starting to train slowly. It is also helping re-learn the proper form for certain excersies, which will help a lot when I start ramping up the weight.

Yesterday was a little rougher. I managed to do my cardio/workout just fine and ate fine all day until the end of the day. I had put some fish in the freezer to defrost, per the instructions on the package, and when I got it out to cook it for PWO #2, it was still frozen solid! I had also put some rice in my rice steamer and after two hours of steaming it wasn't even close to done. I'm going to have to re-read the instructions on that one. So, PWO #2 scuttled, I went to the grocery store. I was very tempted to get one of the pre-made fried chicken meals they have, but this journal once again saved me. I ended up eating some crab meat and a whole grain cereal, which was a weird combo. The cereal is probably not the best carb source in the world, but it isn't bad in a pinch. Unfortunately I forgot to buy tuna, so I'm going to have to go back today!

This morning, I woke up late. I apparently hit my snooze alarm twice in a half-asleep state. I almost reset my alarm for an hour and went back to sleep, but knowing I'd have to put that in the journal definitely got me back on track. Today has gone well so far and I think I'm going to be able to knock this first week out just fine. I'll be glad when it is over though. In the first week of diet change, it seems like I'm super tired and sore all the time and have to go #2 about 4 or 5 times a day. Hopefully my body adjusts to the change soon!

I had put some fish in the freezer to defrost, per the instructions on the package, and when I got it out to cook it for PWO #2, it was still frozen solid!

Burn, I buy this 4 pound box of tilapia (fish) that is separated into these individually wrapped 3.5-4oz fillets... When I want to defrost, I get a tupperware bowl, put in a couple fillets, and fill with cold water. (Usually dump and refill the water once) Takes about 10 minutes while I am preparing other stuff...

Just a tip... but keep at it. Fish is a great food to have in you diet toolbox...

This morning, I woke up late. I apparently hit my snooze alarm twice in a half-asleep state. I almost reset my alarm for an hour and went back to sleep, but knowing I'd have to put that in the journal definitely got me back on track.

Well done

The thought of having post to my indiscretions has also helped me keep it together when I feel like procrastinating

Burn, I buy this 4 pound box of tilapia (fish) that is separated into these individually wrapped 3.5-4oz fillets... When I want to defrost, I get a tupperware bowl, put in a couple fillets, and fill with cold water. (Usually dump and refill the water once) Takes about 10 minutes while I am preparing other stuff...

Just a tip... but keep at it. Fish is a great food to have in you diet toolbox...

That's a great idea. Where do you buy the box of frozen fish? I just have a bag, but individually wrapped ones would be convenient.

Where do you buy the box of frozen fish? I just have a bag, but individually wrapped ones would be convenient.

It is *EXTREMELY* convenient! I can weigh each piece before cooking and thawing them is a no-brainer. Just plop 'em in a bowl of water while they are still wrapped.

I get it at the evil empire... WalMart. :lol:

It is a cardboard box with blue graphics on it. It is tilapia imported from Mexico.

Wish I could be more descriptive, but the box is at home. I'll post a more informative description tonight...if I can remember.

I slept through my alarm again. I remember turning it off and then putting my head back on the pillow for a second and thinking I'd better get up. Then I looked at the clock and it was 30 minutes later! Fortunately, I have built about 30 minutes of slack time into my wakeup time, just in case. I usually like to lounge around a little in the mornings before work, so I can just cut that out if I have to, so I still got my cardio done. I'm going to have to start going to bed earlier, this lack of sleep is going to kill me.

Everything else seems to be going well today, although I'm not looking forward to leg day! I've been taking it easy and I'm still pretty sore. Hopefully I can still walk tomorrow.

It is *EXTREMELY* convenient! I can weigh each piece before cooking and thawing them is a no-brainer. Just plop 'em in a bowl of water while they are still wrapped.

I get it at the evil empire... WalMart. :lol:

It is a cardboard box with blue graphics on it. It is tilapia imported from Mexico.

Wish I could be more descriptive, but the box is at home. I'll post a more informative description tonight...if I can remember.

Thanks, I'll take a look at Wal Mart. By the way, you post really fast!

I got up on time today, after getting 7 hours of sleep. I'm slowly getting better! Cardio was very hard today, probably because of the leg workout yesterday. Tomorrow is my Cheat Day of sorts and I may skip cardio too, as I will likely be so sore I can't walk. I'm going to restrain myself as much as possible, as I used to pig out on Cheat Days and it probably hurt my progress. Learning some moderation would probably be useful to me.

I'm also not too happy with my eating so far. I'm mostly stuck eating the same foods every day and I think that is going to drive me crazy. I'm going to have to find some new recipes that fit my meals.

Diet and excercise are on track for today!

The weekend was a mixed bag. I finished up Friday successfully and went to bed around 10. I slept in on Saturday to catch up on all my missed sleep. It was a my 'cheat' day so no problems there. Sunday ended up being a cheat day too after I slept too late and then got a call from my friend who works on my car. I needed my oil changed and that was the only day he could do it, so I had to rush out of bed and grab some food on the way. I think my calories for the day weren't that high, so it probably went ok, but I didn't get any cardio done. When I lost all that weight a year ago, I usually just took full weekends off, so I know I can make progress like that. I'd like to not take that day off though, but I don't know how people do it. It is far too nice to sleep in on the weekend and that tends to wreck the rest of the day as far as following a diet plan. Oh well, I'll figure something out.

Today has gone ok so far. Meal plan is on track and cardio was done this AM

Cardio and diet are on track today. I went to bed early enough to get 8+ hours of sleep, but for some reason I have a headache today. I had to turn down an invitation to a Christmas lunch with my co-workers, which sucked. I've noticed that most social activites seem to involve consuming calories. How do people deal with that when changing their lifestyles? It seems like I'm on the fast track to becoming a hermit.

I had to turn down an invitation to a Christmas lunch with my co-workers, which sucked. I've noticed that most social activites seem to involve consuming calories. How do people deal with that when changing their lifestyles? It seems like I'm on the fast track to becoming a hermit.

Just make sure lunch is a place that you can get a clean meal.
Most places will have a piece of salmon.
There is certainly nothing wrong with a 6oz salmon filet and a side of broccoli...
Just be sure to avoid all of the slatherings, breadings, and sauces...
Get the salmon baked or broiled and tell them no butter on your broccoli.

Also, a nice lean filet mignon or sirloin with a side of veggies works as well.
Sure, it is not ideal, but it will not blow up your day....

It is all in the preparation.

Edit: Watch out for salads! Our restaurants have a way of making an innocent sounding salad into a 800 calorie gut bomb... Cheese, bread, dressing, etc...

That seems like a solid idea, when I can get them to go somewhere acceptable. It doesn't strictly follow my meal plan though and seems like the portions would wreck my 5-6 meals ideal. It is something to consider though. No sense in becoming thin and then not having any friends to show for it.

I managed to get up ok and do cardio today. Unfortunately, I'm out of Nitrean and won't be able to get all my protein today. Hopefully the order I placed will show up today. I've discovered that getting 7 hours of sleep still leaves me pretty tired, so I'll have to start going to bed earlier (although going to bed at 8pm seems like such an old man thing to do.)

There is a big plate of cookies and candy on a table at work for everyone to share. I am starting to hate Christmas.

I am starting to hate Christmas.

Awe, don't hate on Christmas :P

Yesterday was rough. I ran out of protein powder and ended up working several hours of overtime to fix an emergency situation. My meal plan didn't go too well as a result. I never realized how important the shakes were to keeping me from getting hungry. I was ravenously hungry between meals and there was nearly a 4.5 hour gap between my second-to-last meal and dinner. I ended up getting a pre-made chicken meal from the grocery store on the way home. That seems like a failure, but it was an important step for me. Normally a high-stress day like yesterday would have sent me to a fast food place and ended with a lot of sugary dessert (my comfort food of choice.) That kind of breakdown would also normally lead to me abandoning the diet/excercise, thinking that I could always start fresh next week. By comparison, eating a pasta/grilled chicken dish that wasn't that far out of my meal plan anyway is a victory for me. I'm proud that I was able to come that far at least.

Things are on track for today. My Nitrean came in last night, so my meal plan is on track for today. I have not missed a weekday cardio session yet, an admirable streak for me.

On a side note, I have eczema, which is basically dry, irritated, itchy skin. Sweating seems to make it much, much worse, which doesn't mesh well with dry winter air. Does anybody else have a similar problem and how do you make it work with excercising?

I ended up getting a pre-made chicken meal from the grocery store on the way home. That seems like a failure, but it was an important step for me. Normally a high-stress day like yesterday would have sent me to a fast food place and ended with a lot of sugary dessert (my comfort food of choice.)

On a side note, I have eczema, which is basically dry, irritated, itchy skin. Sweating seems to make it much, much worse, which doesn't mesh well with dry winter air. Does anybody else have a similar problem and how do you make it work with excercising?


Good job on going with the reasonable choice... My job envolves entertaining from time to time (which in America means eating and drinking). When force to eat out I try to get baked/broiled fish with a side of broccoli.

My wife gets mild eczema from time to time on her torso in various places. Her doc told her to wash those areas with Selsun Blue shampoo. Work like a charm for her...

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll give those a shot.

I skipped my cardio this morning. When I woke up, my legs felt dead, like they could barely hold my weight up. I think I overdid it last night on leg day. I think the lack of sleep is catching up to me too, so I went back to bed for a few hours. I feel much better now, so I think that may have been the best choice for today. I suppose it doesn't matter much, my schedule will get wrecked by Christmas anyway. Speaking of which, I came in today and someone had left a bag of candies on my desk. D'oh! I gave it away, so I'm being as good as I know how to be. I still plan to go to the gym this evening and will follow my meal plan today. Tomorrow I start my long drive home and will return to this blog on either Wednesday or Thursday. Merry Christmas everybody.

Ugh, what a bad week. Christmas was pretty hectic and my diet did indeed suffer, much like I thought it would. It could have been worse though. I wasn't able to work out while I was home. No gyms were open for Chistmas Eve/Day and it rained everyday so I didn't even try running. To make matters worse, I caught a nasty virus from my brother and have been sick for the last five days. I'm told it is a bad idea to try to excercise while you are sick, and it is rude at best to go around spreading germs all over the gym equipment so that has been bad and the diet has suffered too. I like comfort food when I am sick. Fortunately, my appetite is in the dumps, so I haven't eaten too much. I hope to get things back on track after the new year.

I finally felt well enough to start up again. I'm still congested, but it appears to be clearing out and I don't feel achy or feverish. I walked over to do cardio this morning and the gym was inexplicably locked! It is supposed to be a 24 hour facility for all residents. As the management wouldn't be in for several hours, I was pretty pissed off. I ended up driving to my gym and working out there, but it made me a little late for work. Anyway, things are back on track again.

Well, my diet has not been perfect today or yesterday, but it isn't as bad as I usually am. I'm mulling over switching up my diet and excercise program. The program I'm using certainly works (when I can stick to it,) but it is the same style of program that I burned out on before. Maybe I need something different? I'm not sure. I think I'll look up different programs and diets and see what grabs me. I'd like something more flexible I think.

I managed to make myself get up and go do cardio, despite some very cold weather. It wasn't easy, but the journal helped again. I've been going to my gym down the street all week, which is nice because it has plenty of equipment. I'm worried the condo mini-gym I usually do cardio in will get crowded with the new-years-resolution-ers and one of the only two treadmills is broken again. I kind of like going to my larger gym, but I don't like having to start my car and drive it for a mile round trip every day. Huge gas waster with a V8 engine. When the weather gets better, I may buy a bike and ride it there.

I'm still deciding what to do about a workout plan. I will mull it over during the weekend. I'll probably do a full-body type workout today since I've missed almost two whole weeks of working out now.

Forgot to post this morning. Got up and did cardio a-ok today. I'm going to stick with the original diet plan for now. After some thought, I realized I have some specific short term goals that I need to work towards and this diet will help me get there. I will re-evaluate again after some of those dates pass. A different diet may be necessary for maintaince when I'm where I want to be.

Also, I seem to have lost some fat. I can fit into some of my older shirts now, which I couldn't do previously.

I was bad yesterday and had leftover pizza for dinner. I couldn't stomach the thought of more thrown together crap. Sadly, the pizza wasn't even that great heated up in a microwave. I'm going to have to start leaving that stuff out of the house on non-cheat days. Today has been on track so far, although I get tired of eating the same stuff everyday.

I forgot to update yesterday, but all meals went as planned and I have been consistent with cardio this week. I've been going to the gym instead of the local mini-gym, since we still have a treadmill out of commission. I think I like it a lot better, it is less claustrophobic when other people are working out. I hate having to start my car and drive it such a short distance though, it isn't good for it and it slowly bleeds gas out of me. I think I might buy a bike and ride it there in the mornings, which should be a decent warmup too.

Everything is on track today. Today is also leg day, which I hate. Squats are difficult for me. I get super winded and it seems to get my heart rate too high. It makes me feel like I'm going to pass out. This happens even if I don't use any weight on the bar. It is also embarassing to struggle with such low weights. I know I shouldn't care, but I do! Oh well, hopefully it will get better.

I wonder if my friends even remember to read this after the Christmas break?

I forgot to update yesterday, but all meals went as planned and I have been consistent with cardio this week. I've been going to the gym instead of the local mini-gym, since we still have a treadmill out of commission. I think I like it a lot better, it is less claustrophobic when other people are working out. I hate having to start my car and drive it such a short distance though, it isn't good for it and it slowly bleeds gas out of me. I think I might buy a bike and ride it there in the mornings, which should be a decent warmup too.


How is your body progressing? Lower scale weight? Lower BF%?
Maybe pick a day and write down everything you eat and drink. Add everything up and post it here so we can help you refine things... I have gotten some killer feedback on my dietary regimen by posting food logs.


Everything is on track today. Today is also leg day, which I hate. Squats are difficult for me. I get super winded and it seems to get my heart rate too high. It makes me feel like I'm going to pass out. This happens even if I don't use any weight on the bar. It is also embarassing to struggle with such low weights. I know I shouldn't care, but I do! Oh well, hopefully it will get better.


Squats are probably the most important compound movement in your training regimen. Stick to it. Once you get acquainted with the form/technique and begin to feel more comfortable, your squat numbers will quickly escalate....

Keep it up Burn! I'll help you with the things that I can.

Good point, I have forgotten to post some of my weight-ins and other progress. I have definitely lost weight. My parents and hairdresser could both tell I had lost weight even after just two weeks and I can fit in my XL tshirts for working out again. They are not quite as comfortable as the XXLs but they will fit over my belly now!

I am not sure if my starting weight was correct. I think one of the digits on my scale may have burned out and I was at 287 instead of 297. I weighed myself at the gym before cardio this AM and I was at 278, so progress is being made! I may try a food log soon, that can't hurt.

It should actually be easy to make a food log, I eat the same thing pretty much every day. I need some new recipes. It is hard to find good things to eat on this diet due to the seperation of carbs and fats.

Thanks for the support DN, good to know somebody is still watching!

Leg day went ok yesterday. I'm sore today though. The temptation to skip cardio was high, but I got up and did it anyway. I weighed myself at the gym and then realized that their scale is broken. It said I weight 294 today, after weighting 278 yesterday. My scale at home said 284, though I am starting to doubt it as well. I may have to visit a doctor and weigh myself there. Diet is fairly on track today.

I'll give the food logging a shot. I won't reveal my exact amounts, since I got them from Swolecat. Here is what I have/will be eating today:

meal 1 (after LISS): two cans of tuna, romaine lettuce, dressing (mostly olive oil and fortefied with omega 3 oils)

meal 2: two servings of Nitrean, almonds

meal 3: Chicken breast and broccoli, piece of cheese

meal 4: two servings of Nitrean, mix of flax oil and cod liver oil

meal 5: (PWO) 1.5 servings of Nitrean, dextrose

meal 6: (PWO2) tilapia, rice

The weekend was a mixed bag. I had a normal cheat day on Saturday, but ended up cheating Sunday too. I slept in until almost noon and then it was too late to get a full day of eating in. I guess it isn't a huge deal, I don't think I've ever had a non-cheat weekend, even when I was losing a lot of weight about a year ago. I ate pizza and paid for it big time. I woke up with horrible heart burn and indigestion at 2am and couldn't get back to sleep. It made it tough to get up at 5am, but I managed. Things are normal so far today, except my face is really red from eczema. I think I may have to see the dermatologist again.

I'll give the food logging a shot. I won't reveal my exact amounts, since I got them from Swolecat. Here is what I have/will be eating today:


Didn't know you were giving SC a shot. That's cool....
I may give him a shot when I go to bulk in the summer/fall.

Didn't know you were giving SC a shot. That's cool....
I may give him a shot when I go to bulk in the summer/fall.

Forgot to update yesterday, but diet and excersise are going well. My weight keeps jumping around all over the place, but I can tell the difference in my clothes, so I'm not worried about it.

I actually used SC about a year ago. I lost about 35 lbs that way, so I'd definitely recommend his services. I'm not currently a client, I just dusted off my old diet and am modifying it myself to try and get back to where I was. So far it seems to be serving me well.

I too am getting back in the groove. Nice to see I am not the only one who made great progress and then slide backwards... I lost around 50lbs. I have put so much of it back on over the last year and a half. No reasons just excuses. Job changes, eating patterns, quit working out. All the hard work out the window.

I too was on SGX and had great results. I have been eating good the last two weeks and mixing in my am cardio with a few lifting sessions. Also trying to make up my cardio when I didnt get my butt out of bed.

My previous Journal buddies seem to be MIA, so I may check in on you. You figure it will be easier this time since we know what to expect? Probably not. :gl:


Take care and good luck.

Things are on track for today.

I have pretty much the same excuses that you listed and it wasn't easy to start back again. I actually gained back MORE weight than I lost! I'm pretty much in a groove during the week when I have a regular schedule, but I'm struggling on weekends, when I don't.

At least it might be easier because we know it will actually work!

Yeah, the schedule was the killer for me. Before, I hardly left the office. I could do my cardio in the am (not to early), eat on time, and work out in the warehouse out back. I had all my setup out there for lifting. It was great.

Changed jobs, which required early mornings and late evenings and going out to eat. Moved and never setup the equipment, but joined a gym. That kept me going for a while.

Over time it just faded away. I have noticed some lbs dropping in the last week just with eating good and working out a little. That is keeping me motivated right now. Joined the gym again and will mix that in with workouts in the garage.

Do you ever pre-make your meals? I used to cook for about two hours on Sunday and put them in tupperware for the week. Than you always have something ready.

Good luck and get afteri it. Next week is time for me to kick it up a notch and I will start posting my workouts.

This has been a rough couple of days. I forgot to update on Friday, but here is what happened. On Thursday, we had a bad snowstorm. I wasn't able to get to the gym (or rather, didn't want to risk trashing my car to get there) so I skipped that workout. I skipped the next AM cardio partly for weather and partly for a bad foot cramp. They have been happening ever since I started up cardio again. Is that a sign I need to replace my running shoes? I did my workout Friday (decided to do my leg workout that I missed instead of my scheduled arm workout) and things were going ok, but then I went out to eat with a friend. I meant to just get a steak and baked potato, but once I got there I couldn't control myself and ate too much. Even had dessert! I also cheated the rest of the weekend, as usual. It doesn't seem to be packing on pounds, but I think it is slowing me down. I'm going to have to tighten up on that stuff.

Yeah, the schedule was the killer for me. Before, I hardly left the office. I could do my cardio in the am (not to early), eat on time, and work out in the warehouse out back. I had all my setup out there for lifting. It was great.

Changed jobs, which required early mornings and late evenings and going out to eat. Moved and never setup the equipment, but joined a gym. That kept me going for a while.

Over time it just faded away. I have noticed some lbs dropping in the last week just with eating good and working out a little. That is keeping me motivated right now. Joined the gym again and will mix that in with workouts in the garage.

Do you ever pre-make your meals? I used to cook for about two hours on Sunday and put them in tupperware for the week. Than you always have something ready.

Good luck and get afteri it. Next week is time for me to kick it up a notch and I will start posting my workouts.


I also tend to cook meals and put them in tupperware for the week. I think it is the only way possible to do this, as otherwise you spend so much time cooking and preparing and eating and working out that it seems to dominate your life too much. I want this to be a part of my life, not the whole thing! Good luck with your workouts.

I also tend to cook meals and put them in tupperware for the week. I think it is the only way possible to do this, as otherwise you spend so much time cooking and preparing and eating and working out that it seems to dominate your life too much. I want this to be a part of my life, not the whole thing! Good luck with your workouts.

Hey Burn! Something that helps me during the work week is making Sunday a cook-a-thon. I steam potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, green beans, and rice and put it in tupperware measured out in 1 or 2 cup portions. I also cook a few days' worth the chicken and beef. My fridge is nearly bursting by Sunday evening. That way, I just take some tupperware to work and dinner is simply cooking a meat and reheating the other stuff. Makes it *WAY* more manageable.

That is a good suggestion, I think I'll try that too.

Today, everything is on track. Hopefully things stay that way!

Today I got up to do cardio and felt so bad I just went back to bed. I had even gotten dressed and everything. I did not sleep well at all last night. I don't know why I can't get a good nights sleep anymore. I suspect my skin is itching at night and I'm scratching hard enough to half-way wake up. Hopefully the appointment with the dermatologist will do something about that. Food is on track for today, but I feel listless and lethargic. And today is leg day too!

I did not sleep well at all last night. I don't know why I can't get a good nights sleep anymore. I suspect my skin is itching at night and I'm scratching hard enough to half-way wake up.

I wonder if getting an oil blend supplement (like Carlson's super DHA) would help with dry skin....? I don't know. I hear certain oils can help the skin....not sure though.

I wonder if getting an oil blend supplement (like Carlson's super DHA) would help with dry skin....? I don't know. I hear certain oils can help the skin....not sure though.

Maybe it would. I already supplement with Flax oil and such, but it probably wouldn't hurt to try Carlson's, I've heard good things.


I ended up skipping my leg workout last night. I got there and realized I forgot my shoes. Went home and still felt pretty lethargic. A long time ago, somebody told me I should listen to my body when it tries to tell me something, so I did. I also went to bed nice and early. I felt significantly better this morning and plan to do my leg workout today instead. I'm kind of glad I did skip the workout, as I would probably have felt like crap today otherwise. So far, everthing is on track for today.

Forgot to update yesterday, but everything went ok. Things didn't go as planned today. I overslept and missed cardio and my first meal. Oh well. I feel more rested at least. I'm still on track for today and will finish up my workout tonight.

I slept through cardio and 1st meal AGAIN today. I checked my alarm clock and discovered that the alarm was set to the wrong time. Hopefully this won't be a problem tomorrow. I do feel a lot more rested though. Maybe I've been overdoing it a little. I also forgot to pack dinner, even though I'm working late. Now I'm hungry. D'oh!

Forgot to update yesterday. Since I've missed cardio three days in a row, I decided to take the rest of the week off from cardio to see if my foot cramps would go away. It seems to be working so far. I may have to change up the way I do cardio. The biggest problem I've had with no cardio is that I wake up MUCH later and am late to work. It also makes me miss a meal and throws everything off. I've not been good today, today is pretty much a cheat day. I may be changing jobs soon, so I've been super busy. I'll still get in a workout today though. My workouts have been great this week so far.

Haven't updated in a few days. I have stuggled a little with my diet. I cheated three days in a row, which I wish I hadn't done. I think it wiped out all the weight I lost last week. I skipped cardio Monday to make it a full week without cardio and my foot did feel a little better when I did cardio Tuesday. I went to bed late last night and didn't get up for cardio today. I also ran late getting to work and got an omlette from the cafeteria here. I've run out of protein powder for the last few days and haven't been getting all the calories I should. On a bright note, my workouts have been very good the last two weeks. As soon as I get my supplement orders in the mail, I plan to start a more hard core approach until my planned visit to the beach in March.

Been a few days since I posted. I went to the doctor and he put me on Levaquin for an infection. Let me tell, Levaquin is apparently a very serious drug! It has made me feel somewhat nauseous and gives me diarrhea. It also apparently interferes with caffeine being filtered out of the body. I drank a few cups of coffee and my heart was pounding so hard it felt like I had taken a fat burner! Anyway, it is only for a few more days, but it has knocked me out of two days of workout. I haven't taken a week off form excercising yet, so I'll do that while I figure out how the Levaquin and my new blood pressure medication affects me. I'm also trying to figure out a good diet, as I can't take some foods or protein powders while I'm on this Levaquin.