"I just need to" 230-170

[vass66]

"I just need to" is what I responded to a friend of mine when he asked me what was my reasoning at this point to do it. It was a strange questions as he is 5"11ish, 205ish, and practically solid muscle who after his cut this fall will be bulking upto to 230ish. About 7 years ago I was 167 and in shape, but no 6 pack or really cut, but I was in shape, and after gaining over 60 pounds while staying the same height I just couldn't take it anymore. I knew the longer I waited for that "perfect time" to start would only prolong the process of where I want to be.

I actually started June 8th and weighed in 230, and today(July 28) I weighed in at 214. I feel a lot better so far and although I don't see any large transformation yet, my parents when they saw me said I looked a skinnier in the face, and my girlfriend has said I just look better.

I'm really trying to figure out what diet to use, but for now I'm eating around 2000 to 2200 calories a day. In the beginning I was around 1600-1800 and was losing weight, but it seems to be going a bit slower now that I'm up to eating 2k-2.2k calories. I figured this would be better for me to start a bit higher then 1600-1800 so when I lose more weight I can still bring down my calories.

I would love some critiquing as I'm no professional at this stuff! Also for anyone that is in my position, and is just starting, keep up the good work. I remember I would eat fast food at least once a week, and when I went over to friends houses I'd eat pretty bad, but now that has changed and I don't get the cravings like I use to.

All of my food journal will be a day behind since I want to wait till I have all of my meals in before I post. Should I put my workouts in here as well?

7/27/09

Breakfast - 7:30am
Half a cup of oats in water
2 scoops of ON Whey Protein

#2 - 10:30am
I actually missed it today, but that was the first time in a few weeks

Lunch - 12:30pm
1 can of Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore in water
1 cup of 0% fat cottage cheese(I usually have this for my 2nd meal)

#3 - 3:30pm
2 Stoneyfield Yogurts(1 blueberry and 1 Vanilla)

4:00pm
1 Serving of Natural Harvest Planters California Almonds

4:45pm Workout (Should I post in here or in the "workout journal thread")

#4 - 6:15pm
2 Scoops of ON 100% Whey in water
1 Medium Banana

#5 - 7pm
Greek Salad without dressing

#6 - 9:30pm
6 oz Salmon with some Garlic Powder

#7 - 11:00pm
1 Scoop of On 100% Whey in water
1 Tablespoon of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter in shake

Calories: 2,127
Protein: 256 grams
Fats: 61 grams
Carbs: 148 grams

Now why does fitday say that my %-Cals for fat 25%, but when I have over twice the amount of carbs, the carbs are only 26%?

Hope you all enjoy and keep up the great work!

[vass66]

Meals for 7/28/09

#1 - Breakfast - 7:30am
Half a cup of Oats
2 Scoops of ON 100% Whey

#2 - 10:30am
1 Medium Banana

#3 - Lunch - 12:30pm
1 can of Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore in water

#4 - 3:30pm
1 Stoneyfield Yogurt Vanilla
1 Stoneyfield Yogurt Blueberry

#5 - 4:00pm - 30 minutes before workout
1/2 Serving of Natural Harvest Planters California Almonds

Workout - 4:45pm
Cardio - Knee still bothering me from last thursday

#6 - Post Workout Shake - 6:15pm
2 Scoops of On 100% Whey in Water
1 Medium Banana

#7 - 7:30pm
3.33 oz Turkey Burger w/ bun

#8 - 9:30pm
3.33 oz Turkey Burger no bun

#9 - 11:15pm
1 Scoop of ON 100% Whey in Water
with 2 tablespoons of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter

Calories: 2,010
Protein: 210
Fat: 66
Carbs 154


I didn't really want the bun with the Turkey burger but my girlfriend had made it and I realized that the few carbs wouldn't hurt too bad since that is the first time in a while I had a white bun. Also I didn't really want to eat a 2nd Turkey burger for my 8th meal, but that is what was left in the house.

Today I received some more compliments from my girlfriend saying I do look skinnier, but my knee is still bothering me when I did my first 9 minute mile in over 7 years. I did notice in my logs that on the 7th when I did my first 10 minute mile, my leg hurt as well, but I don't remember it being that bad.

I think I might look for some new shoes as I've had these for over 6 years but barely wore them until I started working out and have been doing over(and increasing) 12 miles a week now on them.

[vass66]

Meals for 7/29/09

#1 - Breakfast - 7:30am
1/2 Cup of Raw Oats in water
2 Scoops of ON 100% Whey

#2 - 10:45am
1 Banana

#3 - Lunch - 12:45pm
1 Can of Bumble Bee Tuna Solid White Albacore

#4 - 3:30pm
1 Stonyfield Farms French Vanilla Fat Free Yogurt
1 Stonyfield Farms Blueberry fat free yogurt

#5 - 4pm - 30-45 minutes before workout
1 Serving of 100% Natural Harvest Planters California Almonds

Workout

#6 - 6:15pm - Post Workout Shake
2 Scoops of ON 100% Whey
1 Banana

#7 - 7:15 Dinner
7.5 Oz Chicken Boneless Chicken Breast
2 oz of Raw Green Beans

8 - 10:45 Before Sleep meal
1 Scoop of ON 100% Whey
2 Tablespoons of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter

Calories: 2,098
Protein: 245 Grams
Fat: 59 grams
Carbs: 157 grams

Knee bothered me again today, it was fine during my 10 minute walk warmup, and then when I went to do my cardio after weights, it started acting up near the end up my 5 minute workup and couldn't even run a 10 minute mile for 3 minutes(I probably could have run longer but was in fear of just making it worse). I used the bike instead for 20 minutes and it was fine during it.

Also this morning and weighed myself and came in as 211.8 and lost an inch on my waist in 30 days. Each month, I'll do a little recap as well of my stats and my "month will be up on Aug 8th, which I will be 2 full months with dieting and a month of consistently working out.

[vass66]

Meals for 7/28/09

#1 - Breakfast - 7:30am
Half a cup of Oats
2 Scoops of ON 100% Whey

#2 - 10:30am
1 can of Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore in water

#3 - Lunch - 12:30pm
7.5 Oz Chicken

#4 - 3:30pm
1 Stoneyfield Yogurt Vanilla
1 Stoneyfield Yogurt Blueberry

#5 - 4:00pm - 30 minutes before workout
1/2 Serving of Natural Harvest Planters California Almonds

Workout - 4:45pm
Cardio - Did 10 minutes on the elipitcal but it bothered me so I just did another 30 minutes on the treadmill at 4mph and my knee didn't really bother me.

#6 - Post Workout Shake - 6:15pm
1 Scoops of On 100% Whey in Water
1 Medium Banana

#7 - 7:30pm
6.5oz Chicken Breast

#9 - 11:15pm
1 Scoop of ON 100% Whey in Water
with 2 tablespoons of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter

Calories: 2,109
Protein: 250
Fat: 123
Carbs 154

My knee is feeling better but still bothering me a little bit every once in awhile. This weekend I have a few events to go to so should be interesting on how my diet is.

[vass66]

Meals for 7/31/09

#1 - Breakfast - 7:30am
Half a cup of Oats
2 Scoops of ON 100% Whey

#2 - 10:30am
1 Medium Banana

#3 - Lunch - 12:30pm
1 can of tuna

#4 - 3:30pm
1 Stoneyfield Yogurt Vanilla
1 Stoneyfield Yogurt Blueberry

#5 - 4:00pm - 30 minutes before workout
1 Serving of Natural Harvest Planters California Almonds

Workout - 4:45pm

#6 - Post Workout Shake - 6:15pm
2 Scoops of On 100% Whey in Water
1 Medium Banana

#7 - 7:30pm
6oz Salmon

#8 - 4 Shots of Bluecoat Gin on the rocks

#9 - 12am
1 Scoop of ON 100% Whey in Water
with 1 tablespoons of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter

Calories: 2,094
Protein: 198
Fat: 42
Carbs 184

Good workout and my knee bothered me when I tried a minute on the treadmill(I could have gone longer but I just didn't want to push it), and used the elliptical for 30 mins. The last 30 minutes I went all out on the treadmill and my knee started bothering me so I'm thinking it was more than just from running that is bothering my knee. I did have the 4 shots, but I had them around 9:00 and just drank it on the rocks. Rest of the night I just had water and then my shake.

[vass66]

Meals for 8/1/09

#1 - Breakfast - 9:30am
Half a cup of Oats
2 Scoops of ON 100% Whey

#2 - 12:30pm
1 small apple

#3 - Lunch - 3:30pm
2 Servings of Chicken Marsala
2 Devil Eggs
Bowl of Lettuce, cucumbers, carrots

#4 - 5:30pm
1 Slice of Ice Cream Cake

#5 - 7:00pm
2 Devil Eggs

#6 - 9m
1 Stoneyfield Farm Vanilla Yogurt
1 Stoneyfield Blueberry Yogurt

#7 - 11:30
6oz Salmon

Not the best of meals but stayed within reason of my 2100 calories, and still had a good time.

Calories: 2177
Protein: 198 Grams
Carbs: 153 Grams
Fats: 86 Grams

[vass66]

Meals for 8/2/09

#1 - Breakfast - 7:30am
Half a cup of Oats
1 Scoop of ON 100% Whey

#2 - 9:30pm
1 small apple

#3 - Lunch - 3:30pm
1 Can of Tuna
1 Small Apple

#4 - 4:30pm
1 Serving 100% Natural Harvest Planters California Almonds

#5 - 5:30pm
1 Can of Tuna
2 oz of Green Beans

#6 - 8:00pm
Cup of Ziti
2 Meatballs

#7 - 10:00
1 Stoneyfield Vanilla Yogurt
1 Stoneyfield Blueberry Yogurt

#8 - 11:30
2 Scoops of Whey in Water
2 Tablespoons of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter


Calories: 2097
Protein: 209 Grams
Carbs: 196 Grams
Fats: 57 Grams

Was pretty busy today but still managed to get some decent meals in

[vass66]

Sorry everyone, I've been pretty busy with work, but still have been working out and eating right. I've been using fit day, I just haven't wrote down the logs here.

This past thursday I weighed myself and weighed in at 209! I'm down 20 pounds in 2 months and still going strong! I only wish I had started sooner.

[Tomek]

I like the Log name bro, the focus/ drive you put into this lifestyle when you realize "It's a need not a desire" is profound.

Sorry everyone, I've been pretty busy with work, but still have been working out and eating right. I've been using fit day, I just haven't wrote down the logs here.

This past thursday I weighed myself and weighed in at 209! I'm down 20 pounds in 2 months and still going strong! I only wish I had started sooner.

Just a quick tip, if your pretty much eating the same food's day to day, I find that tracking them for a few days to know where your at easily balances your life/ time. Then every few weeks fine tuning to make sure your on the right track..

Congrat's on the 20 pounds bro, it's a bit higher on the scale for loss/ week.. But isn't too bad considering weight.

Be grateful that you started now.. not at 240, 250 or in my case 280...

Keep pushing bro!

[vass66]

I like the Log name bro, the focus/ drive you put into this lifestyle when you realize "It's a need not a desire" is profound.





Just a quick tip, if your pretty much eating the same food's day to day, I find that tracking them for a few days to know where your at easily balances your life/ time. Then every few weeks fine tuning to make sure your on the right track..

Congrat's on the 20 pounds bro, it's a bit higher on the scale for loss/ week.. But isn't too bad considering weight.

Be grateful that you started now.. not at 240, 250 or in my case 280...

Keep pushing bro!

Thanks a lot man, I appreciate it. Yeah at my age, I just couldn't live like that anymore and hoping others around me follow.

I know the 20 pounds is a little high, but I know I can kind of get away with it since I'm still getting noob gains and I can see/feel new muscle. I'll have to put some pictures up to show the difference, it sucks that I thought I had pictures of me at 230, but I do have some from 220.

Thanks again for the encouragement and good luck on your goals!

[vass66]

I usually weigh myself today, but knew I wasn't going to be home to use my scale, so I weighed myself yesterday morning and weighed in at 207 so that is still 1.2 pounds lower than the 6 days before. I thought it would be higher since I cheated a bit and had quite a bit of alcohol, but seems like my workouts made up for it.

#1
1/2 Cup of Oats in Water
1/2 Scoop of ON 100% Whey Protein

#2
1 Can of Tuna

#3
6 oz Chicken Breast
1 cup of watermelon
1/2 cup of grapes

#4 1 hour before workout
Stoneyfield Blueberry Yogurt
Sonteyfield Vanilla Yogurt

#5 30 minutes before workout
1 serving of Blue Diamond Almonds

#6 Postworkout
1 Scoop of 100% ON Whey Protein

#7 1.5 hours after PWO
Subways Chicken Teryaki 6" on whole wheat

#8
1/8 of 95% Ground Beef
1 Serving of tator tots
Less than a .25 cup of cream of chicken

#9 Right before bed
1 Scoop of ON 100% Whey Protein

2 days ago I had a bit of trouble breathing, but seemed like next day I was fine. Everything else has been good!

[vass66]

Sorry I haven't been keeping up on this, but I still have been dieting and working out. I missed 2 workout days since Thursday, but I'm hoping to be 200 this thursday! I weighed in at 202 I blieve last thursday, but will check to make sure.

[Static12]

Good luck bro. Will be such an awesome feeling when you get under 200 I reckon.