cherrygarcias fat loss diary...378lbs never again!

[xHKOx]

Keep it up! When are you going to give a weight update..unless I missed it recently.

[cherrygarcia80]

Keep it up! When are you going to give a weight update..unless I missed it recently.

xHKOx, thanks for stopping by my journal As of today i'm at 325....i have enterred the may to july thread to help me stay on course with this journey, so will now be updating my weight every friday.

[cherrygarcia80]

Yesterday was a rest day and today was back at the gym. Today did:-
Leg press, dumbell rows, bicep curls, farmers carry, lat pulldowns, chest press and back extensions. Thereafter cycled for 45mins on the recumbent bike. I'm trying to do some things different with my workouts to help shakeup the plateau i was in.

Foodwise, yesterday was my cheatday and had pizza and was a rest day. Today was back on course with eating and gym.


Today, the only female trainer at the gym walked up to me and said that it's showing that i've lost weight and that i should keep doing what i'm doing This is the third person this month who has walked up to me in the gym and said that (and these are people who i have never spoken with beyond saying hi as i pretty much keep to myself when at the gym). When i look at myself in the mirror i just see the same old me, but for 3 people to say that must mean something.

My weight may have plateaud for months but i did loose two inches from my hips and another two from my waist so that helped me keep going and not give up knowing that there was a positive difference even if small.

[cherrygarcia80]

So unfortunately the weekend was not so great, on saturday i did not eat great and on sunday i just flat out binged (we had guests over the weekend and lots of leftover junk food and snacks). I guess old habits die hard. The slap in the face always comes after you've eaten all that junk and you think to yourself WTF have i just done?

Self-sabotage is a real b%$!, and it rears it's ugly head especially in times of success but I will not let it win. Will dust myself off and pick up from where I left.

Anyway, today (monday), i managed to get back on track and ate within my cals (1951) and managed to get my workout in ie swimming for 1 hour. Tomorrow will be back in the gym for weight training.

[tara19]

Hey, sorry to hear you've had bad experiences while using heavier weights in the "mens area".
I myself have gone from 80kg -> 60kg and even at my heaviest have never experienced any negativity from males. (I've always squat, deadlift, bench from day 1).
People will unfortunately always stand in front of you, it's hard to practise form, my suggestion is video recording yourself from your phone and compare it to tutorials on youtube. I just prop my phone up with my water bottle.

Have you thought about following a strength program?
I can see you enjoying lifting heavy on a progressive set out program

[Strobe57]

Dang keep it up OP. Best of luck to ya!

[Strobe57]

Hey, sorry to hear you've had bad experiences while using heavier weights in the "mens area".
I myself have gone from 80kg -> 60kg and even at my heaviest have never experienced any negativity from males. (I've always squat, deadlift, bench from day 1).

That's so crazy to me that guys would give you **** for lifting real weights. I L O V E seeing women doing real lifts instead of sitting on the machines and 5-lb kettlebells. And for whatever reason women tend to do exercises like squats and bench with way better form than men.

[tara19]

That's so crazy to me that guys would give you **** for lifting real weights. I L O V E seeing women doing real lifts instead of sitting on the machines and 5-lb kettlebells. And for whatever reason women tend to do exercises like squats and bench with way better form than men.

I've never really experienced it, I've been at 4 different gyms too.
Hope it gets better OP.

[cherrygarcia80]

Hey, sorry to hear you've had bad experiences while using heavier weights in the "mens area".
I myself have gone from 80kg -> 60kg and even at my heaviest have never experienced any negativity from males. (I've always squat, deadlift, bench from day 1).
People will unfortunately always stand in front of you, it's hard to practise form, my suggestion is video recording yourself from your phone and compare it to tutorials on youtube. I just prop my phone up with my water bottle.

Have you thought about following a strength program?
I can see you enjoying lifting heavy on a progressive set out program

Dang keep it up OP. Best of luck to ya!

Thanks very much Tara and Strobe for stopping by

@Tara: I think initially I was just lifting generally to just be active but now that I'm actually really enjoying it i'm thinking once I drop a couple of more pounds, would like to start following a proper lifting programme rather than just winging it each session. And thanks for the encouragement on guys being douches in the heavyweights section....I hadn't used that particular area before so was really surprised by the negativity. I'm targetting going at off peak times in the gym when there's not as many people so that I can take my time without disruption/distraction.

@Strobe: I honestly don't know what's wrong with people! But I won't let those hopefully isolated incidents shake me, I'm still going to that section of the gym and regularly now since i've started using barbells and afew heavier dumbbells. Thanks for the encouragement too!

[cherrygarcia80]

Today was a good day, i ate within my cals (1999) and managed to make it to the gym.

Workout was:
-Deadlifts 8 x 8
-Overhead press 4 x 8
-Dumbell rows 4 x 8
-Leg press 4 x 20
-Barbell curls 4 x 10
Then finished with 30mins on the recumbent bike.

Trying to take this weight loss journey one day at a time especially with food now that I've recently started counting calories. When I look at how far I have to go it can seem very daunting...so trying to take things day by day. And glad today was a good one

[cherrygarcia80]

Today ate within cals (1,713)....one of the things i eat now on an almost daily basis are protein pancakes with low fat greek yoghurt....they really help to satisfy the cravings and make me feel like i'm having a "treat" of sorts...so will keep at it for now and look for other interesting "dessert" substitute recipes to try out. I had seen a nice and simple recipe on youtube for homemade protein bars that i'd like to try out as well.

Managed to go to the gym and decided to make today a long cardio day....i do these maybe once a month or so to keep the body guessing, they also tend to leave me quite sore so i don't do them often.

Today did:
- 65mins of "hillclimbing" on varied inclines but at a slow pace.
- 40mins on the arc trainer (varied inclines).

[cherrygarcia80]

Today ate within cals (1,790).

Todays workout:-
- leg press 4 x 15
- chest press 4 x 12
- lat pulldowns 4 x 12
- back extension machine 3 x 15
- dumbell rows 4 x 8
- overhead press 4 x 8
- tricep pushdown 3 x 10

Finished with 20min recumbent bike cooldown.

Tomorrow the gym closes early and know that probably won't make it there, so even though today i was feeling really winded decided to just push through then I can rest tomorrow.

[cherrygarcia80]

So after being on a freakin plateau for about 3 months now (i loose the same plus/minus 2 pounds), it's been driving me completely insane. In terms of counting calories, I started just over a month ago, measuring EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth, and still hovering up and down the same. All the while working out 5-6 days a week without fail. This has nearly broken me and it's been hard to keep going on with it and working out and not seeing results.

Sooooooo....after doing lots of researching for a while now and brainstorming how I can jump start my weightloss I've decided to start on the ketogenic diet (LCHF Low carb high fat). I started yesterday, today is the end of day 2 on keto. And so far so good i'm not experiencing any side effects so far. I am hoping I get lucky and won't experience the initial side effects (headache, nausea etc) that happen in the first few days.

I am extremely full (might have something to do with drinking water like crazy as is recommended), but also satiated due to the high fat intake.

Initially there should be water weight loss and thereafter fat loss can begin. I am really praying that this is the solution for me, I've been pulling my hair out with frustration and hoping that this is what I need to jumpstart my weightloss.

My daily nutrition goals from now henceforth will be:-

1945 kcal Daily Calorie Intake

20g Net Carbs (4%, 80 kcal)
95g Protein (20%, 380 kcal)
165g Fat (76%, 1485 kcal)


I'm starting at a 20% calorie deficit and seeing how that works first before I know if I should adjust it.

[cherrygarcia80]

Quick update: after 2 full days of keto (today is morning of day 3), I have weighed and now at 324 pounds!!!! The lowest I have been in years! (afew months ago got to 323 for a day but was due to being sick with food poisoning so i'm not counting that lol).

I have lost 3.5pounds after 2 full days of keto!!! I really really REALLY wish i knew of this in january I would have started then and not have been on a plateau for 4 freakin months!!!

I'm just really happy to know things are working, moving again, I've been so down and broken with the plateau it feels good to see the numbers on the scale go down.

I know the initial weight is water weight but that's fine with me because thereafter the fat loss can begin, plus it helps my sanity seeing the scale numbers go down so quickly for the first time in a long time.

[cherrygarcia80]

So it's almost end of day and I have one meal left. I feel full/satiated for most of the day, any "hunger pangs" I've experienced have been mental rather than physical, I have experienced some cravings for carby foods but have not acted upon them because at this point I can definitely tell it's my mind playing tricks on me and I am continuing to fight this fight and win


Workout update:
I went to the gym and would say my energy levels were good (much better than i thought it would be being new to keto), I would say I was at about 90%, I experienced abit of fatigue towards the end but I still did a pretty great job considering. The only time I experienced abit of weakness/shakiness was once I was done with the leg press but that quickly passed and continued on.

-Back extension machine 3 x 10
-Chest press 3 x 10
-Lat pulldown 3 x 10
-Leg press 4 x 20
-Dumbell rows 4 x 10
-Triceps 3 x 10
-Bicep curls 3 x 10
-Farmers carry 4 x 4

Nutritionwise I meal prepped this week so mostly have eggs for breakfast, chicken and veges for lunch and dinner, and butter/coconut oil/olive oil slathered on everything to reach my fat content. I have managed to keep carbs below 20g each day, then next making sure to hit my protein then finally trying as best to hit the fat macros as close as possible.

[cherrygarcia80]

So today is day 4 on keto.

I cannot believe it, I have dropped 5.9 pounds!!!!!! after 3 full days of keto. On saturday i was 327 pounds and today I am 321 freakin pounds!!!! this is some kind of a miracle for me, the last time i weighed 321 was 6 years ago!!!

All this after having plateaud around 328ish for 4 months straight despite eating right and working out. Again I say I wish I knew about keto sooner but it's okay, no regrets, just forging forward from now on.

Yes i know it's water weight initially but the psychological impact of seeing the scale go down after months of a stall has been very motivating for me to keep going.

On the downside....today I woke up with a headache and nausea :-((( I thought i had dodged the "keto flu" but looks like it got me afterall. All was going well so i don't know if it has to do with the fact that i worked out yesterday or not.

I think i'll make today a rest day...i'm debating if initially i should cut down my workouts to 3 times a week then thereafter go back to the 6 times a week....either that or braving through the keto flu continuing on with workouts not sure, so trying to read on others experiences.

[cherrygarcia80]

Okay today is morning of keto day 5, the good news first,

Today I am down to 319 pounds, have dropped 7.7 freakin pounds in 5 days yay!!! again haven't been this weight in 6 years!!!

I recently enterred the weight loss tracking thread/challenge (may 1st to july 31st) .....when i joined it i was very demotivated as i was still just hovering over the same weight. I joined keto on may 2nd not knowing to expect and the first week alone (which is not yet over) i'm already blown away by the results.


Now on to the not so good news, more on the keto flu:
- yesterday i felt like absolute crap! Woke up with a headache and nausea both of which became steadily worse as the day progressed. By the time i was going to bed my headache had turned into migraine status, the nausea had turned almost into actual vomitting i did my best to just hold things down, and was feeling abit lightheaded and heart throbbing. I was so ready to quick (felt like death! was in bed all day!) but i thought to myself, i'm sick anyway what will it hurt to just follow the programme, sleep and wake up tomorrow.


So today i've woken up much better. Still abit of a residual headache (that i'm hoping tapers away rather than gets worse as it did yesterday), no nausea today morning thank goodness. This i can handle, just hoping the worst is over sigh!!!!

The scale has kept me sane throughout this first few days, i know this will slow down soon, but it has really helped me hold on at least for this initial period. I am now in this for the long haul!!!

[Strobe57]

It isn't always just the keto flu. Some women's hormones don't allow them to do keto :/ Hopefully it is just the initiation period for you, but it's possible your body won't adjust.

[Wootball]

Be careful with Keto. It nearly killed me when I tried it.

[cherrygarcia80]

Okay, so i'm back a couple of days later, the keto flu got progressively worse to the point I thought I would give up (or go to hospital). But did loads of research and reading and learnt that some of the side effects I was having was due to certain imbalances...most of them came down to lack of enough sodium due to how much water I was drinking (was scared to increase sodium intake) but once I did the headaches and nausea vanished. (taking a potassium/mag supplement too). The second thing I learnt is that being new to keto i need to eat (for me at least) 3 solid meals every 4 hours to avoid becoming hypoglycaemic, particularly as i'm still new to this.

I say the above because on day 5 I fainted for the first time ever in my life (was scared as hell) and tracing back my steps of the day I was able to identify it was due to hypoglycaemia as I hadn't eaten for hours and when i did had a very low cal meal. On day 6, I violently projectile vomitted and tracing back steps identified it was due to salt restriction as well. I since increased intake and all has since gone back to normal.

One thing I'm still completely blown away by is the fact that my gout (had very high uric acid levels) is completely 100% gone despite the ridiculous amounts of meat I've been eating the past few days. This after suffering for months with it, trying meds that made me sick as ever and natural supplements that would work only temporarily. Beef, chicken, fish etc was all a big no no due to high purine content which was going to spike my uric acid levels etc etc. About 2 days into keto I was walking normally, again I'm just blown away by this. In case you're wondering how I got gout in the first place? It was a side effect from one of the high blood pressure diuretic pills that I used to take (always read the fine print side effects in your meds....i learned the hard way).

This is why in case anyone was wondering why after fainting and vomiting I would want to be crazy enough to continue on with keto? it's because I had began to see benefits that meds had failed to cure. I will be going to see the doc this week to get my High blood pressure checked just in case, but I am feeling better than normal and hoping that will reflect in the numbers too.

The good news is that as of yesterday, I am back to normal...in fact better than normal. I have loads of energy I am beyond amazed. Yesterday I did 10 straight hours of housework....in the past the same amount would take me about 3-4 days to complete. I honestly felt like superwoman as my energy levels were through the roof!

Today woke up again feeling energised, did lots of house chores that I never in the past would have done with so much zeal. I feel I am now ready to go back to the gym...haven't been since monday, feels like forever lol!

I have also learnt that deadlifts have strengthened my lower back and legs beyond what I could ever have imagined. The housework I did would take ages because within an hour of standing my lower back would be throbbing and would have to take a painkiller and continue on another day. But this time I was like the energizer bunny and just kept going and going and going.

This week has been rough, but I feel that I have emerged victorious and ready to continue on this journey and I think keto is the way forward for me for sure.

Today I went out for dinner with friends, to a food court typa place, I knew in my mind I had to have protein and veges, no carbs. So I chose to order from the indian restaurant that I used to love to go to for their decadent curries with naan bread (nom nom nom). But I knew those days are gone. So instead I opted for the tandoori chicken (which comes with naan or rice by default but instead requested them to serve it with salad instead). They brought two drumsticks and 2 thighs, chicken tandoori grilled to perfection! Another thing that has just occurred to me is that my carb cravings seem to have vanished! One of my friends ordered from the chinese place (sweet and sour chicken with a big heap of fried rice) and my other friend just had frozen yoghurt (heaped and loaded with lots of extra goodies). But somehow I was content with my meal and never felt like I had missed out. I hope I can be this strong everyday, it was another good day

In terms of weight I'm still fluctuating abit but at 321 (which is still waaaay lower than the 328 that I hovered at for months, so i'm really happy with that too )


Still tweaking my macros to find the right balance, have upped protein abit and lowered fats abit, my new food plan:-

1981 kcal Daily Calorie Intake (20% deficit)

20 g Carbohydrates (4%, 80 kcal)
138 g Protein (28%, 552 kcal)
150 g Fat (68%, 1349 kcal)

[cherrygarcia80]

Have not been to the gym in exactly a week due to life happening but looking forward to getting back there today, have missed it.

Yesterday went to avoid a birthday dinner at a friends house, i tried to get there as late as possible (hoping they would have cut the cake already), but they hadn't. So we sang and they cut the cake and began to distribute it and i had to say no i don't want any (awkward stares glances at me, the biggest person in the room saying no to cake and i didn't want to respond with i'm on a "diet" i just politely said no thankyou). But it felt good, i realised i hadn't really had cravings, but sitting there chatting for hours with half the cake left began to torment me a little....but i knew i could make my "dessert" replacement aka protein pancakes in the morning which always make me feel like i'm having a treat.

It felt good to stick to my programme and just say NO!

Getting ready to prep some chicken and veges for the week (i HATE food prep but it really helps me not stray), and thereafter head to the gym.

[GravyVeins]

Good job dodging that cake land mine!

[cherrygarcia80]

Back from the gym, hadn't been in a week and was going to by my first workout after having been under the weather last week.

Today did:-
- Chest press: 3 x 8
- back extension machine: 3 x 8
- leg extension: 3 x 10
- lat pulldowns: 3 x 8
- dumbell rows: 3 x 8
- biceps/triceps: 3 x 8
- knee ups 3 x 10

Then finished with 20mins on the elliptical with max resistance.


Still on keto and would say this being my first workout since being sick, i felt very energised. I would also say post workout i wasn't as tired as i normally am.

Unfortunately yesterday was at a friends house and sat on a seat without a backrest for hours and by the time i was leaving my lower back was in pain. Really dumb. So today postworkout can still feel an ache in my lower back. I am thinking of resting tomorrow then resuming on wednesday, this really sucks!

Food is still on point, has been for over a week now eating 2000cals on average. I'm finding with keto i'm satisfied by the end of the day and i don't have any cravings or urge to binge (fingers crossed things stay this way).

[cherrygarcia80]

Good job dodging that cake land mine!

Thankyou Gravyveins! Hoping this new way of eating will help me keep away from cravings/temptations...so far so good but time will tell.

[cherrygarcia80]

Thought I should rest my back today as it didn't feel 100% yesterday. Looking forward to going to the gym tomorrow as i'll be doing deadlifts then.

I'm still on keto and have fully adjusted and very happy with it. I feel i have high energy levels throughout the day.

Sorry if this is TMI for any guys reading, but if there's any women reading this is the first period i've ever had in my entire life of which I did not have any cramps and did not need to take any medication for it...and had no PMS symptoms whatsoever either (goodbye pms migraines and mood swings!)....i think keto is definitely the way forward for *me*.

It really helps to have both scale and non-scale victories. Unfortunately as it's that time of the month my water retention levels are high (sucks!) so hoping for a drop in weight guessing towards the end of the week.

I did however today try on a bunch of clothes that i had last tried afew months ago, they were all ridiculously tight....and was so shocked today to find them actually fitting comfortably today (a tad bit snug but i can definitely wear them out). so yay to that too!!!

[cherrygarcia80]

Today ate a little over cals but that's okay as i went all out at the gym. I've realised i'll need to have something to eat before heading off to do my workout as i felt abit lightheaded during the deadlifts.

Today did:
- Overhead press: 3 x 8 (30lb barbell)
- Dumbell rows 3 x 8 ( 20lb dumbells)
- Deadlifts 6 x 8 (90lb barbell)
- bicep curls 3 x 6 (15lb dumbells)
- Dumbell raises? 3 x 6 (15lb dumbells)

- Finished with walking 15mins on the treadmill to cooldown.


Unfortunately i should have waited one more day to give my back a rest, but had really missed working on my deadlifts so did them anyway (thought all was well at the time but now i'm about to sleep (had to take muscle relaxants and apply topical cream to help ease the tension in my back). Will rest another one or two more days and see how i feel.

[cherrygarcia80]

Decided to make today a rest day hoping my back can get back to normal. Will be back in the gym tomorrow for weight training.

I had to do some work outdoors for about an hour and a half which I shall consider as my workout for today.

Today was within cals at 2000. I'm carrying alot of water weight this week which sucks because I'm in the May to August weightloss thread and this week will have actually increased weight rather than decreased, I know i shouldn't let the scale dictate my feelings, but it really does suck sometimes especially when you know you've been following your programme.

[cherrygarcia80]

down to 320 today from 322 yesterday, damn water weight sigh. I want to start weighing less frequently to avoid scale frustrations.

Yesterday managed to make it to the gym and did an hour of weight training and 30mins elliptical. Today feeling abit headachy but if that passes i'm hoping to go for a swim as i haven't in ages.

[cherrygarcia80]

Did not make it to the gym yesterday or today....feeling abit sluggish for some reason. i have however made a point of trying as best as i can to stay within cals.

The gym closes early on sundays but i'm hoping to do an exercise workout video. My back feels almost back to normal now so i'm looking forward to getting back to the gym tomorrow for deadlifts.

[cherrygarcia80]

Today went swimming for 1 hour, hadn't swam in afew weeks and actually missed it. Was a nice change from the gym...I think i'll up my swim days once again 2-3 times a week.

Today I was able to do about 50% breastroke and 50% backstroke and afew laps of freestyle. I was amazed by this because in the past I would pretty much do 99% breastroke (as it was the easiest for me) and just afew laps of the others because they felt physically very taxing to the body. This is yet another benefit I have discovered since beginning on deadlifts (it has strengthened my lower back immensely) and realised this today as backstroke and freestyle was so easy to do yet in the past i would struggle with both even though i was gymming but before starting on deadlifts.

I don't even deadlift heavy at all as i'm still a newb working on form (less than 100lb barbells)...but somehow these have translated to core strength both in and out of the gym, simple things like carrying my heavy gym bag to and from the car, lifting things, standing for much longer periods of time without backache, swimming alot easier (as discovered today). These have all been some very exciting discoveries for me and make me want to keep working out and especially keep deadlifting and once i have my form down can increase how much i lift.

Days like this make me feel like i'm on top of the world...i just wish everyday could be like today

Nutritionwise i've tweaked my macros abit but still eating 2000cals. Keto is working really well for me (thank goodness), even the swim was a breeze in comparison to my pre-keto days. I feel like my energy levels are through the roof the whole day and able to do so much more than ever before.