Jenn's journal

[bigwoman1]

Day 1

Today was day one. I am 100 lbs overweight. I weighed 218 lbs two days ago. Today I weighed and I am 2 lbs lighter and that is after eating 5 meals today.

I am following the diet plan here --> http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/brodski3.htm which was something suggested by one of the posters here.

I am putting this link here just so I won't forget where it is. It is my only forum posting. Most of my time will be spent here in this spot just documenting what I hope will be my life changing experience. I just turned 50 this December.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=6371671

I grew up slender and somehow the last 10 yrs I have just piled the weight on. Most of it started occurring when I went through the change at 40. After you start gaining like that, it starts seeming normal and you just quit trying. That is what happened to me anyway.. I just decided I was old.

Then when I turned 50 a couple week ago, I saw a picture of myself and I was floored at how really large I had become and I am going to change that picture as soon as I can.

============

Yesterday I bought all the food for the first two weeks and today I started. I have sweet potatoes boiling for tomorrow and I have my chicken grilling right now too..

For exercise to get the weight off I am going to attempt cardio and on alternating days very light weight lifting. I can't lift much but it will still have a good effect on me. I bought a weight bench yesterday and some light weights. It is not totally together. It will be finished tomorrow. Husband had to help me with it.

I know everyone here is a body builder and I am the fat woman but I hope one day that will change. Please be patient with me. You guys are a big encouragement to me even though I am not a body builder.

A lot of people here started out overweight so I am not deterred by that but inspired.

One day I will have my transformation but in the meantime, my journal will start out as a weight loss journey. I have a lot of miles and ground to cover but I can do it!!

One more thing. At my job they are having a slender-a-thon. 30 women and one man signed up. 10 dollar entry fee. Two winners. One is based on percentage lost and the other actual pounds. One person can win the whole amt or it will be split. That starts tomorrow. 300.00 pot. So I have two motivational factors going on.. Here and there. Both places will have me hopping.

Today I weigh 216 lbs. [-2 lbs]

Jenn

[IronIc]

Hi Jenn! Good luck with your goals. You can do it!

[jtroster]

Welcome Jenn.

[BigBT]

Congrats on starting the journal, Jenn. I read your post in the other forums and was hoping you'd make your way in here. You'll get nothing but support from us. Best of luck to you!

[bigwoman1]

Well, I exercised for 30-40 minutes.

Some with weights and some without. Did a little for legs, chest, abs, arms and shoulders. I feel it already and it feels good to know there is a muscle somewhere inside me.

It's 8:30 and I am getting ready for bed now...

Today was a good day ... in both diet and exercise. 100 percent successful in every way.

Jenn

[dcerullo]

Congrats on a great start!!!
DJ

[Tifflex]

Welcome Jenn. Good luck with your goals. You will be supported 100%.

[bigwoman1]

Day two entry is actually written at 2:am on day 3.

But day 2 went wonderful. I ate exactly what was on my menu and exercised...

My stomach doesn't show it on the scales but it feels smaller and lighter to me already. In fact, my whole body feels different to me since I am eating healthy.

The diet plan that I am on has a tremendous amt of food. It is hard to eat 5 times a day.......haha... I have been on many diets in the past and ALL have made me feel deprived with a growling stomach. But not this one. It feel I am constantly eating... The foods on it are also for the most part -- food that I like. I am just preparing them way different.

The biggest change is no grease and no soda. The one thing that I am having that eventually will be gone is that large cup of java in the mornings. In three days I have only drinken water, a cup of coffee in the mornings and yesterday I had one cup of fat free milk.. That is also a huge change. I am, or I might say in the past, I was an avid drinker of cokes... I was also a fast food junkie.

I am proud that for three day I have done so well.

so far.......
Wed -- water fast to get things going.
Thurs -- healthy diet and exercise
Fri -- healthy diet and exercise.....

Those three days are the healthiest things I have done for myself in years!!

But this is only the beginning.

I am going to weigh once a week on Fridays. This Friday I weighed 216.

This is Saturday and I am off work for two days. I will write more tomorrow. Today I plan on doing bill blanks for 30 minutes and this afternoon lifting a few weights. I will probably do the same.

So until later, Jenn

[bigwoman1]

I just got up on Saturday, my 3rd day. It is 7:10. Put some coffee on and weighed.

I HAVE LOST 9 LBS!!! I weight 209 this morning!!! wow..... This really amazes me. I have been sticking to my diet religiously but it just seemed like so much food to be a diet plan. Granted it is mostly fat free and low carb but I am still eating 5 times a day and the weight is falling off. I know I said I would only weigh on Fridays but I just couldn't resist and I am sooooo glad I went ahead and weighed. This is incentive and really motivates me!!!

This is also the first time I have ever watched my carbs. I never knew it could make such a difference. I am still not sure what foods are considered high carb and low carb foods.

I don't have 100 lbs to lose anymore. Only 91... yea!!!

My meals today consist of:

1- 1/2 cup (dry) oatmeal w/ Splenda and cinnamon and 6 pouched egg whites also sprinkled w/ Splenda and cinnamon

2- protein bar

3- 4 oz grilled salmon sprinkled w/ lemon juice and 2 cups brussel sprouts

4- 1 small bag low fat beef jerky

5- 1 grilled turkey breast with 2 cups steamed butternut squash w/ peal

NOW THAT IS A LOT OF FOOD........ I guess it si just what it is and combined with exercising, it is just a winning combination.

If anyone knows the author of the diet, Brigette Brodski, please thank her. She is a god send and a life saver all combined.

Boy oh boy, I will be in a good mood today.... AND today is going to be 50 degree finally. Me and my dogs Emma and Blossom will be walking today. I think I will take them to the lake and back. It is about 250 yards from my cabin but instead of walking the dirt roads, I will take them down the creek bed. That is some rough walking and mighty pretty. I'll take my camera and catch a few new pics of them. It is supposed to rain but I love walking in the rain.

Jenn

[BigBT]

Jenn, reading about how excited you are about the first steps is awesome!! Congratulations on your 9 lb loss
The best part is that your new eating habits make you feel good. That means you'll stick with it. You are doing great. Keep up the good work.

[bigwoman1]

Hi,

Husband is eating my meals with me when we are at home together. He might lose a pound or as well....

I just finished exercising.... I feel so good. And it feels so good to be making this change.

For breakfast I had 6 scrambled egg white + fat free cottage cheese with a cup of coffee.

For lunch, 10 brussel sprouts and a chunk of grilled salmon. No seasons with water to drink

I waited a couple hrs and then lifted my weights. I feel awesome.

What I am doing for weights is this... And this will probably be my every other day routine. It is just enough for me.

It might be the wrong terminology but.......
-------------------
With 20 lbs on the bar [plus the bar weight]:
2 sets of 15 incline chest presses
2 sets of 15 regular [flat] chest presses
-------------------
With 5 lbs on the dumbbells [plus the dumbbell weight]:
2 sets of 15 flat flies
-------------------
With the bench at an incline:
2 sets of 20 crunches
[I hope to one day do this flat or even at a decline position]
-------------------
With 50 lbs on the leg portion of the bench
2 sets of 15 leg extensions
-------------------
With 50 lbs on the rolled preacher pad attachment
2 sets of 15
-------------------

I can't do the leg curls while laying on my stomach because my legs won't go over one pad while going under the other. My legs are too short to bend that way and even if I scoot all the way down the bench, it just doesn't happen.

My hips are the only thing I might be lacking in but I am not sure how to exercise them.

And except for eating my other meal, I am done for the day.

Day three has been a good day. I was going to do cardio today but lifted weights instead. It is fun! And... I might do some cardio later tonight. Husband is at work.

Jenn

[Tifflex]

You're doing well Jenn!

[IronIc]

Congrats on the 9 lbs, Jen!!!! That by itself is a great motivation to keep on going

Isn't it nice how LIGHT you feel when you're eating right???? I attribute that to NO BLOAT. Junk food has a horrible bloating effect. Also, if you're watching carbs, that will help the bloat, too.

Great workouts as well. For hips (or glutes) any kind of squatting, lunging or even walking with your butt cheeks on the floor will do

[NotTooLate]

OMG that is GREAT progress! Your doing an awesome job! Glad you like the weights too It really is fun.

[Hibiscus09]

Originally Posted by Jenn

I HAVE LOST 9 LBS!!!

Woohoo!! Congrats to you! I'm glad you're so motivated and having great results!!

[bigwoman1]

I love lifting weights! It is making me feel great!!

Here is my new weight bench..... It will probably last me a long time. It is very sturdy and I did not have to spend much money. Bench, weights, bar and all cost approx 150.00.. Definitely worth it in my eyes.

I am so proud of it!!

[Tifflex]

Nice set up Jenn! I predict you will be buying more weights soon.

[Hibiscus09]

Yep, that is nice!

There is an exercise where you can use the preacher curl attachment in the reverse position. I didn't care for it very much and can't remember what it's called, so I suggest you stick with your plan to turn it around.

[bigwoman1]

I already turned it around and changed that picture so people won't think I am a total fruitloop.... haha

I also am going to stick with the weights I have for at least a month. Or I think I am.... Time will tell....

I thought at first my husband was going to hinder my efforts but I was wrong. He is being very supportive and is smiling all the time the last few days. I promised him I would not do anything to hurt myself.

I can see how this could become addictive...

[user7896786868]

Wow - you're really going gangbusters w/ this, aren't you? Good to see hubs is supportive after all.

Congrats - just don't do too much too soon. It's no fun to be sidelined due to an injury.

[bigwoman1]

That's me ... the gang-buster!! I've always been that way.

I just finished my weights for the day. Did the same routine as yesterday. The way my muscles feels after lifting is great. I feel stretched and energized.

My upper body feel like it has worked harder than my lower body. I need to research what exercises I can add to my lower body. I can't do squats in the traditional way because I can't put the bar on my shoulders. I am just not flexible enough yet. But I can hold dumbbells in front of me and possible do them that way. I will have to look for a way to do this. I read this is a great exercise for all body parts from the waist down.

I substituted fat free vanilla yogurt for oatmeal this morning. It said to eat the oatmeal dry.... Does that mean "uncooked"???? Or is that cooked with nothing added???? Does anyone know?

My weight today is still hanging the same. 209.. I haven't gained but haven't lost either. My jeans today feels slightly looser. My sides also feel a tiny bit smoother. It is working even if it is not reflected on the scales. But it will happen. Especially with my new eating plans.

I talked husband into me throwing ALL the grease out of the house today. I am going to the creek and dumping it all an acre or so behind the house. Goodbye Crisco! He said " what if I want to fry something?"... I replied with "bake it, broil it or grill it".. He said ok with a little reluctance..... hehe

He then went to take a nap and told the dauchaund, "come on, mama is going to starve us to death. We might as well sleep while we can.."

When I exercised today, he gave me privacy .. and I am glad.

This afternoon, since we are both off, we are going to take the dogs walking to the lake and back. That is about 500 hard yards to walk total. It is uphill 2/3 of the way back. The part that is level is not easy walking. It is way less than a mile but it is a good trudge. On my days off, I can also walk to the mailbox. That is 2/10s of a mile uphill from our house. I also discussed with him a jogging path around 1.5 acres on our house side of the creek. He is going to help me clear it so this spring we can keep it beat down and not worry about snakes. Killed several rattlers last year and saw one cottonmouth. We are also going to increase the size of the dog yard to deter critters more.

Here is a rattler I found right beside my porch


But........ he didn't make it.


So....... until later. Off to go shopping and get a few more items that I forgot to get for my diet.

Jenn

[bigwoman1]

Day 4 is complete. I'm very tired. Long day. it is 7pm and off to bed. 3am will come quickly.

[NotTooLate]

Your journal is so interesting! I know you must be a reader because your a great writer!
It's really great that your hubby is supporting your goals. It's so cute the way you talk about him. I can almost SEE him in my mind, his expressions and mannerisms
I really like your new weight bench. It's cool
I might have to change my mind about exploring your land after that snake picture! I HATE snakes! It's a good thing that creature didn't get into your house. I like him flat better than round haha
Oh, the oatmeal dry probably means uncooked. I like it better that way anyway. I mix it with a few almonds and some raisins and some seeds if I have them hanging around, put some skim milk on it, and it's really good. It's called muesli when it's like that.
You can do squats with dumbbells held at your sides if you can't do the barbell. They work pretty good too. Just do what you can and don't worry about what you can't. It will all come in time
Your doing REALLY GREAT!

[bigwoman1]

Thank you "not too late". And yep, I am/was an avid reader... Until recently I was working two full time jobs so my reading was put on the back burner for awhile. I made the choice to resign from one job and so now I just work days like a normal person. I WAS working all the time. I would get up early, like now. It's 2am with coffee brewing. I would leave a little before 5am and get home at 1am. IT was killing me... Never more than three hrs sleep except a couple days a week. Sunday was my only day off. I was a police dispatcher by night and constructed airplane wiring harnesses by day. I kept the wiring harness job. I had been dispatching for so many years that I was just burnt out. I now work approx 56 hrs a week instead of 96. I am really enjoying having time to do things for myself and getting to know my husband again.

There is nothing worse than having a great life and not having time to live it.

So right now, this is my time. I am living again and enjoying my life. I just have this weight thing I need to conquer.

I have always been an extremist and now at this point, I am learning how to slow down and enjoy things.

Oh, the snakes?? I like em flat too. Except for black snakes, rat snakes, garter snakes, and ring necked snakes. The others are fair game if in my territory. If they are out in their own environment, I leave them alone but in my immediate yard -- well, that is a different story.

The only exception to the above rule of killing a snake is the cottonmouth. They are aggressive and if I see one, if I can, I will kill it. I have a stick, a cedar tree really, that I have cut, sanded and fixed. It has three large nails in the end. Kinda like a real sturdy walking stick with a spear at the end. I always keep it handy and if I am in the woods, it is with me. I keep it by the door. We don't own a single gun. The stick is handy for poking in areas when you walk. Rustling leaves. Putting it in holes that you might find. Pulling yourself up hills. It is a tool and a very handy one at that.

Also......... yesterday I threw out all the grease, white bread, salt, noodles and junk out of the house. We cleared the icebox and it is filled with fresh veggies and low carb/fat free type stuff. I have two kinds of milk. The two percent for husband and fat free for me. I am on a mission. Now I am off to ebay to see what new Billy Blanks tapes they have.

[bigwoman1]

I have lost one more lb.

10lbs total. 208

[IronIc]

Nice weight bench Jen! I wish I had a setup at home.

Nice that hubby is supportive as well - and it'll benefit him anyway. My SO has gotten used to my fitness habit, but he does not eat right yet I will buy stuff for him when I go grocery-ing ... pretzels and chips, things I won't touch any more However, when I fix suppers (and he likes to grill, it was warm enough to grill today, yay!) I get finer meats, and less starchy veggies that he'll eat. He loves potatoes, which I don't eat any more except on carbup days. So ... yes it's a major balance.

I love snakes but I certainly would not want poisonous ones nearby Fortunately, there's not alot of vipers where we live

[bigwoman1]

You could get a weight bench. This one only cost 94.00 at walmart. The weights were extra of course. This is a gold x17. It's even more beautiful in person. It's nothing expensive but it serves my purpose. It's not fancy but it is very sturdy and I am a big woman.

Now back to the storm watch. We have tornadoes where I live. One was reported on the ground 15 miles from me. I am a nervous wreck. One of my daughters is directly in the storm path. Her and her husband are getting in a crawl space under her house right now. We only just built our house and we have no interior doors so I put our mattresses against the bedroom window and have a little cubby hole in the closet with my pillows, covers and dogs.

Right now it is very very still outside. Not is speck of wind is blowing. I hope the woods protect me. I live in a low area and usually they blow right over us. I am kinda freaking out. Our local weather channel just went out. It is unbelievable that I still have internet. We have satellite for tv and for internet.

Oh lord, they just put a sign up on the tv saying the station is temporiarly unavailable.

I gotta go..... I want to look outside. My husband is not here. I am alone.

I hate this. I have a hammer, a flashlight and the phone with me.

[Jordo1]

As always, I'm late to the party! Welcome to journaling and a big CONGRATS on the great start!

[bigwoman1]

So far, the storm is 15 miles north of me..... I see it, and I hear it but it is very still at my house. Tv is back on.

The house is tore up. I have a chaise lounge upside down so I could get underneath it if need be. That is my storm shelter.......

I have the wind up clock set just in case electricity goes out. My daughter is fine. Nothing but softball size hail and a few tornadoes. Springfield, mo and their surrounding area's took some damage. Major major storm system.

I am terrified of storms.

[Jordo1]

Originally Posted by bigwoman1

So far, the storm is 15 miles north of me..... I see it, and I hear it but it is very still at my house. Tv is back on.

The house is tore up. I have a chaise lounge upside down so I could get underneath it if need be. That is my storm shelter.......

I have the wind up clock set just in case electricity goes out. My daughter is fine. Nothing but softball size hail and a few tornadoes. Springfield, mo and their surrounding area's took some damage. Major major storm system.

I am terrified of storms.

Even with no interior doors, an interior bathtub with a mattress over you is a great place to be right now. Cari and I are praying for you.