Zappa

(note: excuse me if this is the wrong forum, I figured this is where I'd want to post regarding my situation.)

I made it a goal to start losing weight last year on New Years of 2007. I was convinced that if I were to continue poor eating habits, I was bound to a fate of feeling sick, depressed, and out of tune. Yet, for whatever reason or another, I couldn't pull off more than 2 weeks of eating healthy. I lost a good amount of weight in too good of an amount of time, even though not all of it was fat. Unfortunately, as I got back into school, I went back to my original abusive habits.

Then, one day, around September this year, I decided to attempt something thought impossible and actually eat healthy foods. It worked well. I had my own set rules, and I managed to lose 30 pounds. I didn't work out, but I was definitely seeing results, and started to once again have a social life (which is odd, because I never had one since fourth grade, I wasn't even fat, I was just too weird.) I spent my time on music and writing instead of junking out, and I went from being 210 to being 180 and from having a 36 inch waist to a 34 inch waist. Again, not all of it was fat, but I would certainly do it again if given the opportunity.

However, in the past couple of weeks, since I've been on vacation from school, I re-discovered my love for junk food. Although severely reduced (3000 on a bad day versus the 5,000 I used to eat on a normal day), and I haven't gained the slightest pound (again, it took a LOT for me to gain weight in the first place), I'm starting to feel like crap again, and I need to find something before I get back into the groove of eating crap.

So, in essence, heres what I have set up right now. If there are any suggestions, comments, mistakes I could be potentially making, let me know.

Where I'm at: 180 pounds, 5'9" with 17-18% bodyfat
Where I want to be: 13% bodyfat, and go from there
When I want to start: Tomorrow, because I figure if I can't do it through New Years Eve, then I'm not going to find the right time on New Years Day
How I want to get there:

Diet

Throw away all the pizza and remaining soda's in the trash, or give to friends. Eat three meals a day and three clean snacks that are of nutritional essence. Take supplements for whatever I won't be able to get from the day's diet. Aim for moderation when it comes to fats/proteins/carbs, opting for something of a 30/30/30 diet, but with slightly less carbs than fats and protein. About 2,000 calories a day at first, and if I feel hungry or unfilled, add carefully.

Because my dad works for a chicken company, I'll use the abundance of free coupon's to my advantage: Egg whites for breakfast, at first adding some kind of flavoring which isn't too bad. If I can't tolerate that, I'll just eat turkey (which I get for free as well.) Cheese, natural peanut butter, and salmon in paticular will be used for fats. For carbs, I want to keep cautious. Moderate amount of vegetables, not many fruits, and slights amount of whole grain complex carbs. Oatmeal in paticular.

Exercise
I'm far more ignorant about working out, so I'm probably going to need to do so according to my individual needs. My goal is to do two muscle groups a day for four days a week, and about an hours worth of cardio, which will be moderate at first, and if I'm serious about gaining muscle once I reach my goal, probably become more of a walking task.

That's what I have for now. The other thing I would add is sleep, but I go to school at irregular hours (12 PM to 4 PM), and I get plenty of time to sleep in, and get the rest I'll need.

Thanks for anybody who bothered to read this
z

skelooth

I think that sounds excellent honestly.

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Midnight_Lifter

First, it's great that you have a plan. Far too many people don't put a plan together and get haphazard results as a consequence.
(However, be sure to change the plan when necessary. Just not too often and not on a whim or out of boredom...)

It seems as if you've arrived at much of what you write through experience and understanding... which is tremendous.

You should start to get some feedback on your plan, but it looks solid to start out. You might consider adding almonds as well as the natural PB, and kudos on the oatmeal... just don't load it up with all kinds of sugar and be sure it's the stuff you have to cook (not the instant packets).

Overall it looks good -- keep us updated and consider joining the IMPC next year... definitely something that can help keep motivation and focus strong.

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- Discipline means doing within, not doing without.

*Currently rebuilding in phase one...