Weeks 1 and 2 of Phase 2

Wow, week 2 of Phase 2 is over! I know I missed a week, so I have some catching up to do. Many things happened within the last couple of weeks that I need to catch you all up on. Week 1 of phase 2, I did amazing job bringing my own food to work. I brought my own snacks, drinks, and lunch and was able to log what I ate. The only time I bought something was when I stopped at Dunkin’s for my iced coffee. At the end of week 1, I actually lost 2 pounds. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed, but then I realized two things. One that it was only February any my physical isn’t until May 30 so I still have plenty of time  to lose the weight and two, I lost 7lbs the month before so I was actually down 9lbs. Once I realized that I was fine.  Week 2, was an exciting week because I did my first virtual 5k for my friend Dani, at Weight off my Shoulders, Tedy’s team, and The American Stroke Association. I kind of powered walked it on a treadmill, and was able to successfully complete the 3.1 miles in 52 minutes and 11 seconds. My new goal is when I do my next 5k is to come under that number.  I am very excited that I will be getting my first medal for completing the 5k.During the week, I continued to bring my own food to work except for Friday where I ordered out…Nothing excited just a spinach, mix greens and all veggie salad. I snuck a peak on the scale, and saw that I lost some weight since Sunday, and that was my motivation to get a healthier option. Now, the fun part… numbers!  At the end of week 2, I lost 3lbs, making my total weight loss from January 1 to 12lbs! And I am down 17lbs from my heaviest, which was 221lbs and I am more than positive that I am 3lbs away from reaching the 20lbs weight loss that my doctor wanted me to be for my next physical. I am determine to blow that number out of the water!

One Month Down

Phase 2 is here. It cannot believe how fast the last month went by. I made a full month without soda. This was a big victory for me, because soda was in away my drug of choice. I only craved soda at work and I do not know why, but I think it was a stress reliever, just as smoking is for most people. Phase 1, was all about giving up soda. After doing the math, I figured out that I was taking in 5,000 calories in five days just from soda. Now, times that number by four and I was taking in 20,000 extra calories in just one month. That is crazy. Now here are my official numbers…

Weight: 209lbs, I lost 7lbs since January 1, my official starting weight was 216lbs. I am also down 12lbs from my heaviest of 221lbs and I am only 8lbs away from where my doctor wants me to be for my next physical in May, but I think I am going to exceed that number.

Height: 5’9

Waist: 36 inches

Shirt Size: Extra Large

Another goal that goes along with this journey is to fit into H&M clothes. Last year, I tried to buy an outfit, and when I was searching the racks, I did not see my size. I asked the employee, and they told me that they could not carry it. This was another wake up call for me. I am hoping before summer to reach this goal.

Phase 2 of my journey, is all about planning my meals and counting points/calories.  Why am I doing this a month into my journey? I said it before; I did not want to give up everything all at once.  I figured I would be more successful if I could space everything out that I was giving up and cutting back on, and so far so good. Phase 2, I will also be trying to build up my Facebook page. This past week, I got 31 new likes, which has been very motivating. Finally, in phase 2 I will be doing weekly official weigh ins and posting results on my Facebook page and blog. Welcome to Phase 2.


“Think Healthy Not Just Thin”

A Week Away...

I am getting excited that I am almost a week away from making one month without soda. I was surprised that I only had one withdrawal day. On day 2, without soda I woke up from a deep sleep with the worse headache that I ever experience.  I tried a few things such as coffee, aspirin, and tried to sleep it off, but nothing helped. I had to deal with it all day and night, by day 3 I was fine. The days that followed I was shocked that I had no cravings, even at work where I drank soda the most.  I think it was because I had replaced it with Fruit Water. Fruit Water is flavored water that you can get anywhere. My favorite is black raspberry. It has zero calories, has carbonation like a soda, comes in plenty of different flavors and it even has vitamins. This is much better choice than my over 200-calorie soda. Now, that my one-month without soda is approaching, that means Phase 2 of my journey will be starting.  Next week, I have 3 days off, which will be a big help for me. That means I can start plan out the following week and go food shopping to get everything I need to start phase 2.  My biggest challenge about meals is my schedule. Working in retail, I do not have a set schedule. Three times a week I work at 5:30am and the other two could be a 9-6 or 1-10. That is why planning will be very important. Last year, I saw a nutritionist who came up with a plan based on my work schedule, which I already pulled out and will be using as a guide when I start planning my days.  

“Think Healthy Not Just Thin”.

Let's Try This Journey Again

I decided to do my journey in phases because I did not want to give up everything I love all at once. I think when it comes to weight loss resolutions that start on January 1^st people give up all the things they love all at once, and they eventually go back to their old routines pretty fast. I know, because this has happened to me plenty of times in the past. Here is the break down on how I am going to be successful this year…

Phase 1:

 Start date: January 1, 2014.This month is a about giving up soda, my weakness.

Phase 2:

Start date: February 2, 2014. This month I will be planning meals, watching calories/ counting points, still giving up soda and updating my blog, Facebook, and Twitter pages in hopes to inspire others, to keep me motivated and to hold myself accountable.

Phase 3:

Start date: March 2, 2014. This month is I will be introducing exercise to phases 1 and 2. I want to use the gym a few days a week and do longer walks with the dog.

My goal is to lose about 50lbs but, I need to hit at least 20lbs by May 30 for when I go to my yearly physical, this was a request from my doctor. Last year, at my appointment the doctor told me that, my blood pressure was a little high, but not high enough where he was too concerned and also my cholesterol was also a little high, again he was not too concerned. The only way he told me that I could fix those numbers was to lose some weight. This is why I am doing this journey is to be healthy and not just thin that is my motto for the journey, “Think Healthy Not Just Thin”.

Week 2 of this journey

So, Week 2 was just okay. I am down 2lbs for a total of 7lbs since I started. I didn’t hit my goal of being down 3-4lbs this week, but it’s okay. Now, it is time to get focused for week 3, which is great because I am on a staycation this week and now I can use the gym and continue to measure our my  foods and count my points. This week, I also made two weeks without soda and also created a Twitter page for the blog. You can now follow me on Twitter @themeltingman81. I even have followers from Dublin Ireland and Canada. It’s so crazy that my little blog has reached that far. Now, week 3 is all about getting refocused. I am going to try to use the gym 3 times this week and shoot for a 3lbs weight loss to hit double digits.

"Think Healthy, Not Just Thin"

Week 1...DONE!!!

My official week 1 weight is 209lbs, which is 5lbs down from last week. I feel AWESOME!!!

Here are my big wins from last week…

1.       No soda at all.

2.       Planning my meals the day before or in the morning.

3.       Logging my food using my app.

4.       Creating a Facebook page for The Chronicles of the Melting Man to help hold myself accountable.

5.       Doing a little more exercising rather it be in the gym or more walks with the dog.

6.       Bringing my own food and snacks to work.

My goals for week 2…

1.       Continue logging my foods using the app.

2.       Trying to use the gym more for at least 30 minutes.

3.       Doing 1 or 2 more blogs during the week.

4.       Lose another 3 to 4 lbs.

5.       Try to get more Facebook “Likes” for The Chronicles of the Melting Man page.

Now, it’s all about one day at a time. I am happy with my week 1 results. I am in no rush to lose more weight, although it will be nice. I am just thinking about my motto for this journey “Think healthy, not just thin”.  I am doing this to be healthy and the Journey continues...

The Journey Begins

 

My journey begins on a good note my official start weight of 214lbs is better than I thought. I am 7lbs less than my heaviest weight and I am 1lb less than I was 3 weeks ago when I first met with the nutritionist. Although the number is high and not where I want it to be I am already making some progress. Today, I was motivated, I planned out my meals and snacks for the whole day and I recorded all my points on the phone. The biggest challenge I faced today was not having any soda, but I managed and made it through day. I came up with a quote today to help me along my journey “Think healthy, not just thin.”  I want to do this yes, for the weight loss, but also to be healthy. And the journey begins...