Snarf’s
Weight Loss Page
-Or-
How I Learned To Stop Worrying, And Love The Loss
Disclaimer: Since this is a very rudimentary page that I’m making at work
and don’t have access to anything besides Word, bear with me.
Hi, My name is Janel, and I’m a foodaholic. My Mom has known this for years, but it took
me until recently to admit it to myself.
I have been overweight most of my life, certainly all of my adult life,
and I have always been bigger then the people around me. I’m 6’1”, which certainly accounts for some
of the being bigger stuff, but not all of it.
A Little History…
When I was young, my mom would catch me not eating
chocolates secretly, but sitting in front of the fridge knowing on a huge block
of cheese. Ahhhhh, the power of
cheese. To this day, I adore cheese,
and have to restrain myself from eating a pound of it with everything.
I started Weight Watchers once, after graduating from
college (age 22) where I had been drinking heavily every other day for years
(hey, it’s college, right?) and my bloated body showed it. I didn’t look healthy, I looked bloated and gross. Now, a lot of the bloating was due to
drinking so much. You’ll be happy to hear that after that summer after
graduation I cut down drastically on my drinking to where I almost never drink
now, and have since lost that bloated, unhealthy look.
However, quitting drinking did not help in my weight
loss. My mom joined WW that summer
after graduation and persuaded me to join with her. I felt like I didn’t really
need to be there, that at 223 lbs I wasn’t THAT overweight (since I am 6’1) and
that I could wear my shorts and so whatever and I lost a total of 5 lbs (I
found my little book that I had used then a couple months ago, I was disgusted
with myself as I looked through it, to say the least) … I lost a pound, gained
another one, lost 1.5, gained half it back, etc etc. Vicious cycle that was caused by me really not caring that much
and so I eventually quit, just 5 pounds lighter at 218. My Mom also quit WW shortly after I did
(she needs my encouragement, and I totally understand that, because I need
hers).
Well, That was almost 2 ½ yrs ago, I’m 24 now and since
then I ballooned up to around 270 (My guessed weight before I started trying to
get in some physical activity and eating better). A lot happened in those 2 ½ yrs.
First, I had my tonsils taken out in September ’01 and as a result I
couldn’t eat anything for 2 weeks (took me a long time to recover)… Of course I
lost a TON of weight, putting me down to around 180. I hadn’t been 180 lbs
since, I dunno when. And though it felt
really good, I eventually could eat again and sky rocketed up the scale. Second, I met my DBF at this time also, Paul,
and we love each other so very much, and I got so comfortable with him that I
just ate and ate and ate to my hearts content, knowing he would not leave me,
even if I was fat. So I finally got up
to around 270 lbs in April/May of ‘03 and decided to start taking the stairs at
work, and to park farther out in the parking lot. I also started to eat a
little less, and a little better. Emphasis on little. But it did have an effect and I suppose I lost around 10-15 lbs
in a couple months, though again that is only a guess.
Then Paul’s Uncle, who is 1 yr younger then I am got
married, and pictures were taken as they normally are at weddings. Unfortunately, I was in several of
them. I had been thinking of starting
WeightWatchers at this point, because I knew my mom was going to start again, but
I just wasn’t quite at that point to where I could fully commit myself. Then the pictures were developed, and when I
saw myself, I cried, I cried so much, and hurt so very very much inside I
didn’t know what to do with myself. I only knew that I hated how I looked, I hated
how I felt and how knowing other people were going to see these pictures, … it
just all made me feel sick. I felt
sorry for my BF and didn’t want to be seen in public.
I went to WW’s website, and made the decision to join
online.
And I’ve not looked back since.
Update--
I've decided to put my workout on my homepage in case anyone is interested. I'll post it on this page and in my Journal.
My workout consists of 3 workouts, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I recommend having a day of rest instead of doing all 3 days together like me, but I do not have time to do it any other days. So here it is:
Each day I start by warming up at a brisk walk for 5 minutes. I then do my stretches holding each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Then I do my weight training as listed below, followed by 25-35 minutes of cardio on an elliptical type machine. I then cool down just a bit and repeat my stretches, again holding each stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds. Below are listed the weight training exercises I do on each day. I do not necessarily do them in order of day 1, 2, 3 but I ALWAYS do them in those groupings. This helps me not overwork my muscles. You will notice that I do not work any single group of muscles more then once a week. Abs are listed 3 times but they are 3 different sections of my abs (upper, middle/side, lower). Please make sure to not over work your muscles in your workout routine. Please also keep in mind I did not start out doing this many reps with these weights. I started lower and less repetitions. Please consult your physician and/or trainer before beginning any workout routine. :)
Day 1:
- Leg Lifts - 3 sets, 15 reps -- works the lower abs
- Triceps Pushdown - 3 sets 25 reps 40 lbs (I think) -- works triceps
- Kickbacks - 3 sets 20 reps 8 lb hand weights -- works triceps
- seated chest press - 3 sets, 15 reps 37.5 lbs -- works chest muscles
- butterfly press - 3 sets, 15 reps 37.5 lbs -- works chest muscles
Day 2:
- Side Crunches - 3 sets for each side, total of 6 sets 20 crunches each -- works sides and upper abs
- Leg Curl - 3 sets 15 reps 60 lbs -- works hamstrings
- Preacher Curl - 3 sets 15 reps 30 lbs -- works biceps
- Standing Bicep Curls - 3 sets 15 reps 30 lbs -- works biceps
- Seated Row - 3 sets 15 reps 60 lbs -- works back muscles
- wide-bar pull down - 3 sets 20 reps 70 lbs -- works back muscles
- No Name Bar lowering -- this exercise was taught to me by someone who works out at my gym. you take a long bar with 10 or 25 lb weights on each end, stand on a weight lifting box, keep your shoulders back, arms straight down at your sides holding the bar and slowly lower the bar, keeping back straight and shoulders back, down to your toes, then tighten gluts and hamstrings and bring it back up again. 3 sets 12 reps 50 lbs -- works back, gluts and hamstrings
- Squats - 3 sets in-between bar lowering sets 25 reps -- works gluts and hamstrings.
Day 3:
- Crunches - 3 sets 20 reps -- works middle abs
- Calf Raise - 3 sets 25 reps 60 lbs -- works calves
- Shoulder Press - 3 sets 15 reps 30 lbs -- works shoulder muscles
- Lateral Raise - 3 sets 15 reps 30 lbs -- works shoulder muscles
- Lateral Pull - 3 sets 20 reps 40 lbs -- works shoulders and trapezoids
- Leg Adduction - 3 sets 20 reps 90 lbs -- works inner thighs
- Leg Abduction - 3 sets 20 reps 90 lbs -- works outer thighs and hips
My Weight loss and Life Journal