Day 1

First day of my weight loss "Journey". I really hate that phrase by the way. "Weight loss Journey". I'm not really on a journey, I'm not going anywhere. Except either to work, home, or the gym on a regular basis. So I've been pretty overweight for a while, enough so where my doctors have finally said it's time for you to be less of you. Make sense, as I carry the weight of probably 2 sprinters carrying a backpack full of bricks.

why now? 

Good time to start. July 2 through Christmas, there's not much going on. I have some idea in mind for Thanksgiving built into my diet, as well as my Birthday. Also, I have 10 days off from work (stay home vacation) so my body can adjust to the sweeping diet changes that have started today. I have spent the past 2 weeks easing into it so it won't be such a shock, but you know how it is. 

Information time!

Diet will be from 7/2/12 - 12/16, final weigh out on 12/17. 23 Glorious weeks of healthy eating and living. Goal would be to lose 46 lbs ( 2 lbs a week) for this diet time line which would put me down to 252.8 lbs. Yep, I said down to 258, which means I'm a whopping 298.8 right now. Now 250s still isn't a healthy weight, but for now that's my goal. Eventually I'll be setting up a similar plan in January with the help of my doctor & dietitian to change to a more sustainable diet structure. Speaking of diet: 

In essence it's a high protein, low carbohydrate style diet. I'll have tons of vegetables at my disposal and the majority of my carb intake will be from fresh fruit. My diet also is very liquid heavy. Meaning lots of water, and 1 meal that's just a nutritional packed shake. 

If anyone ends up reading this blog, I plan on tossing out a lot of information on the diet side. Reason being is losing weight is 70% mental, 20% nutrition, and 10% exercise. Good recipes that are quick and easy to cook in bulk, along with actual food costs. I have grocery lists and I plan on tracking the cost of eating healthy. I think many people will be surprised how inexpensive smart food choices can be compared to running out to eat all the time. 

Also to note, I do use various supplements throughout the diet of which no one would ever need to use to lose weight. I'm personally choosing to for 2 reasons: 

1. I'm lazy. It's easier to grab some protein, toss in some spinach, banana, peanut butter, and almond milk into a blender than it is to prepare ANOTHER MEAL. 

2. I have issues hitting specific protein intake goals without it. 

starting statistics: 

weight: 298.8lbs

body fat: 40% (taken on 4/27/12) 

chest: need a cloth tape measure still. 

waist:

hips:

upper arm:

thigh: 

Starting Strength Metric: 

Max Bench: 235lbs

Max Squat: 250lbs

Max Deadlift: 235lbs

As far as tools go, I use Fitocracy to track my exercises. Yes those are real numbers. While I'm 300 lbs, I've been weightlifting for over a year now, and on and off my whole life. While I'll get around to posting my workouts, I don't expect anyone to follow what I do, ever.