Well this is my attempt at a journal. I started officially on 5-13-04. I weighed myself the night before and was 271lbs. I wish I would have weighed myself the next morning to get an accurate reading of my weight. Well, I weighed myself on the morning of 5-18-04 and I was at 266. So I don't think I have lost 5lbs, but I just weighed myself at differnet times. I am starting this journal basically to track my first week of dieting and update it from time to time. I really just want to one day look back at this and be like "This is how and when it began and I am the finished product" I also wrote down my first week of Max OT stats so I can see how I progress as far as my lifting abilities.

It has been a challenge for me to eat at the right times, especially since I don't wake up at 8:00 like everyone else. I usually have my first meal around 11 or 12. I will eat 5 meals a day, usually.

So her we go:

Monday's Diet:
Meal 1 (12:13)-
-Bob's Red Mill Oatmeal 2/3 cups 240 cal, 25g carbs, 10g protein, 1 g fat
-2 Large Eggs 140 cals, 2g carbs, 12g protein, 9g fat
-Whey Protein Shake 115 cals, 4g carbs, 20g protein, 2g of fat
-2 CLA tablets 19cals, 2g fat
Meal 1 totals- 514 cals, 31 carbs, 42g protein, 14g fat

Meal 2
-1 Banana
-1 Can of Tuna- 150 cals, 32.5g protein, 1.5g fat
-10 fat free crackers- 120 cals, 24 carbs, 2g protein,
Meal 2 Totals- 270 cals, 24 carbs, 35.5g protein, 1.5g fat

Meal 3
-Protein Shake 115 cals, 4g carbs, 20g protein, 2g fat
-Salmon Burger (2) 380 cals, 4g carbs, 40g protein, 22g fat
-Slim Fast Pasta 240 cals, 41g carbs, 10g protein
Meal 3 totals- 735 cals, 49 carbs, 70g protein, 30g fat

Tuesday:
This morning (10:20) I had John Stone's Oatmeal:
1 cup oatmeal 360 cals, 75 carbs, 15g protein, 3g dat
1/2 cup 2% Milk 60 calories, 5 carbs, 4g protein, 2.5g fat
1/4 cup atkins Syrup
Protein Shake 115 cals, 4 carbss, 20g protein, 2g fat
2 CLA Tablets

Then I went to workout (lifting and cardio)

Meal 2:
8 oz orange juice 110 cals, 26 carbs, 2g protein,
2 Slices WW Bread 100 cals, 20g carbs, 8g protein, 2g fat
2 Chicken Breats (est. 8 oz) 220 cals, 0 carbs, 46g protein, 1g fat
1 1/4 cup veggie sitr fry 80 CALS, 16 carbs, 2 protein

I forced down meal 3 and ate
1 can of tuna 150 cals, 32.5g pro, 1.5g fat
Fat free crackers (10) 120 cals 24 carbs, 2g protein
1 Detour Whey Protein Bar 170 cals, 14g carbs, 15g protein, 6g fat
*Sugar free Jello somewhere throughout the day*

Meal 4 (came a little later than planned)
Chicken Breast 110 cals 23g protein .5g fat
2 slices WW Bread 100 cals, 20g carbs, 8g protein, 2g fat
Mixed Nuts 170 calories 6g carbs, 6g protein, 15g fat
8 oz Orane Juice 110 cals 27g carbs 2g protein

Meal 5
Mixed Nuts 170 cals 6g carbs 6g protein 15g fat
2 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter 200 cals, 6g carbs, 9g protein, 15g fat
*Sugar free Jello somewhere throughout the day*

Totals for the day are 2479 calories, 239 carbs, 220.5g protein, and 67.5g fat.

Wednesday:
Breakfast- John Stone Oatmeal
Meal 2- Protein Bar, can of 7up, unmeasured amount of shrimp fried rice (won't happen again)
Meal 3- about 10 oz of Talapia, 1.5 cups of Broccoli, 2 slice of WW bread (est. on broc)
Meal 4= 4 oz. Lean ground beef, 2 WW bread, Homemade protein bar, 1 egg white.
*Sugar free Jello somewhere throughout the day*

*I don't think I ate meal 4 or didn't write it down. I probably forgot to write it down actually*

Thursday:
Meal 1- 3 eggs, 6 slices of Lean Turkey bacon, 2 piece of WW bread
Meal 2- Homemade protein bar, 1 can of Tuna and 10 fat free crackers
Meal 3- 15 chicken wings (Not whole size. The little drummies or what not)
Meal 4- Protein Bar, Protein shake, apple
*Did not eat meal 5 it was too late.

Friday:
Meal 1- OAtmeal
Meal 2- Pro. Bar, Pro. Shake, Apple,
Meal 3- 4 eggs, 2oz. chicken breast, 3 slices of WW Bread
Meal 4- 6 oz. lean ground beef, 2 slices of WW bread
Meal 4- 2 TBSP of natural peanut butter, protein shake.

I have kind of started not tracking my calories and writing them down as much. What I am going to do is input my favorites/usuals into fitday.com to make it easier. I pretty much just TRY to make sure I have about 500 calories a meal.

This will usually be how my meals look. I know I have some fine tuning to do, but I really kind of wanted to get a feel for how the next couple of months of my life will be. It was at first hard to eat a lot, but it has gotten easier and usually every 3 hours I am very hungry and ready for the next meal. It is easier and is starting to get more like clock work. I bought a scale to help measure my food so I won't have to guess so much on what kind of nutrition my portion actually has. That along with grilling/preparing my food in advance will make the journey much more easier.

I realize I need to add more vegetables to my diet, which I'm working on. I really hate veggies, but I believe with time I will grow to like them or at least tolerate them. I am sampling different things to see what I like. I also want to learn to cook nice hot gourmet type meals within my calorie range. This will make it less boring, but I am still learning about different recipes and by looking at what others have done I'm able to get different ideas. This is it for my diet. I may post my next week's diet which should be looking much better.

Well my workouts consists of MaxOT and 30 minutes of cardio on a stationary bike. I got a local gym, Access Fitness. It's small with a lot of equipment and there is only a handful of people in there at a time. I'm only going to be there for the summer after that I will join a bigger one more than likely with more "luxuries".

Well my cardio has been going pretty good. At the gym the cardio machines (stepper, treadmills, elipticals, bikes, etc.) all have tv's with headphones. This helps a ton. I always thought cardio was boring and I hated it especially doing it for so long, but this makes it rather enjoyable.

The first day I got on the bike, which was Monday I ddin't know what to expect. I didn't know whether I would be out of breath or not. I take that back. Monday was my leg workout with MAxOT I did not get on the bike. Tuesday was my first day :p. So, I got on and peddled. I t was rather hard and I stopped maybe 3 or 4 times within the 30 minutes. I remember stopping after 10 minutes and then 20 minutes. It felt good to stop. I worked out on the intensity level, 3, a coupple of times I pushed it up to 4 and my legs really started to burn which made me even more tired. The last minute I kick it up to 6 and bring it on home. I think I will stop doing that, since it takes my heart rate sky high above 180bpm. My resting heart rate is around 90bpm

Wednesday I got on the bike and it was easier I was proud of myself, because I ddin't stop the first time until the 20 minute mark. AFter that I took it on home. I was once again on intensity level 3.

Thursday I expected to do even better, but I performed more like Tuesda. I had to stop quite a few times as I was getting very tired.

Friday I made it the whole 30 minutes YAY TO ME!!!! :claphigh:
I still kick it up to intensity 6 for the last minute, it really forces me to push myself and go past my body telling me to quit. It forces my mind to overcome my body, because I want to give up and stop so bad.
I'm also proud of myself because I have not fallen short. Many times I was very tired and felt like quitting and would tell myself I would only go for 15 minutes, but I stayed put and endured the other 15 minutes. I felt good for that. Usually after you quit once or twice it becomes a habit, so I pushed myself. One time as I was about to stop and rest for a few seconds and cute girl came and got on the stepper next to me. As soon as the pedals started to slow, they were at regular pace. I don't know why I did that. I ddin't talk to her or even look at her, but I ddin't want to look like a punk :cool: so I kept going and didnn't stop the rest of the way. Funny how a girl can do that. I am ashy person to top things off and I guess anxiety gave me a boost of energy. Well that's my cardio for the week.


I only did cardio 4 days this week, but normally it will be 5 times. I do my cardio immediately after my lifting. I am praying this does not have too bad of an affect on me. I hear some say it's ok to do and I hear some who say it's terrible and you should do your cardio in the morning before eating. I would do that if I could, but at the moment I won't be making 2 trips to the gym in one day 8 hours apart.

MaxOT. I was kind of depressed during this week of lifting. I used to be doing so much more weight, but I slacked off and these are the consequences, so oh well. I'll take it like a man.

Monday (Legs):
*just a note to self, in August I was squatting well over 350lbs. I was working out with right at 400lbs and not to mention my leg press was over 700lbs :mad: *

Squats:
Set 1- 225 x 8 :(
Set 2- 275 x 5 :(
Set 3- 285 x 5 :(
Leg Press (I placed my weight I used to do on there I placed 6 plates on each side and I picked it up and brought down and I tried to push it back up, but it slowly just came back to my chest. I felt so embarrassed and :o. My Pride took a big drop, but oh well):
Set 1- 270 x 8
Set 2- 320 x 8

Standing Deadlifts (The bar was cutting through my hands like crazy. I lost one of my gloves so I had to buy some more, should be better next wek):
185 x 3
135 x 3

Standing calf raises:
115 x 10
140 x 10

Tuesday (Biceps, Triceps, and abs):
Barbell Curls:
Set 1- 95 x 6
Set 2 105 x 4

Dumbbell curls:
Set 1- 35's x 4
Set 2- 35's x 4

Cable Curls:
Set 1- 100 x 6

Triceps:
Skull crushers"
Set 1- 85 x 6
Set 2- 85 x 6

Cable Pushdowns
Set 1- 70 x 6
Set 2- 70 x 6

Kickbacks
Set 1 35 x 6

Wednesdays (Shoulders and Traps):
Military Barbell Press:
Set 1- 115 x 6
Set 2- 125 x 4
Set 3 115 x 3 ---> failure

Dumbbell Military Press:
Set 1- 35's x 5
Set 2- 35's x 5

Side Laterals:
Set 1- 20's x 8
Set 2- 25's x 6

Shrugs:
Set 1- 185 x 7
Set 2- 195 x 6

Traps (not sure on the exact weight of the bar so +/- 10lbs):
Set 1- 125 x 5
Set 2- 125 x 4

Thursday (Back)
Lat Pulldowns:
Set 1- 130 x6
Set 2- 130 x 7
Set 3- 130 x 5

Seated Cable rows:
Set 1- 130 x 7
Set 2- 140 x 6

Good Mornings:
Set 1- 135 x 6
Set 2- 155 x 6

Hyper Extensions (used upright extension machine. I couldn't find the regular contraption ;))
Set 1- 240 x 6
Set 2- 255 x 6

Friday (Chest):
Bench Press:
Set 1- 185 x 5
Set 2- 185 x 4
Set 3- 185 x 2.5 (hehe)

Incline D-bell press:
Set 1- 50's x 5
Set 2- 50's x 6
Set 3- 55's x 3

Dips- No machine

I am pretty sore. Right now my legs are still sore, arms a little, and that's about it right now. Everything else was sore earlier in the week except my back. I'm hoping and thinking my squat will jump back up rather quickly and everything else should increase over time. It's hard to really give it 100% effort without a spot on some exercises, bench being one of them. I just barely got the bar back onto the rack on my last repitition. I will be scared to increase my weight when I feel the time is come, but they have the safety bars, which I discovered today and that made me feel better about it. So, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Well that's it for now. I'll update periodically. If anyone is actually reading this please feel free to comment be it goof or bad on anything in any of my posts.

Past 2 weeks have been terrible. I fell off completely. I was tempted to quit I must say, but I just can't give up again. I had quite a few family problems. Some members in my family who are very close to me were contemplating suicide. IT really hit hard. I ran out of money to buy groceries, because I had to help a few friends out with some of their expenses, I now have to look for a job. I haven't been to the gym and have beene ating all the greasy unhealthy crap as of late. I finally ran into some money and am going shopping again for some groceries. So, I feel bad for being stalled. I could have been 6-8lbs lighter, but at least I didn't quit this time.

keep at it man! youll get there

You should be extremely proud of yourself for sticking through it despite the other serious things going on in your life. Most people would've dropped it altogether, but you're still going. Keep it up!

Keep it up man... you know you'll love the feeling you'll get in the end and along the way.

I know the feeling man....but just stick with it. I'm glad that you're trying to stay positive and keeping everyone posted.

Good luck on your transformation....you'll get there :tu:

Just stick through it. At least you did not quit! I have been struggling as well. We have all been there, just get back up, and push your hardest.