SuperReader

Began my lifestyle change on June 27th, 2009. Getting more exercise, and eating cleaner, whole foods. Not perfect, but I try. I drink about 100 ounces of water a day and take multi-vitamin and calcium-VitD supplements. Also drink massive amounts of caffeine such as coffee and diet sodas which, for me, is unavoidable as I work nights and have a young child.

Exercise consists of cardio via running or on the elliptical. I usually do steady-state, but sometimes mix it up by doing HIIT on the elliptical. I used to do strength training, but have found that I gain bulk too easily and, for now at least, I want to drop sizes. I still do core work with planks, crunches, and pushups though. Experience has definitely taught me calorie restriction and cardio is the way for me to go right now. Will surely add in more strength training over time.

In general I under-report the amount of exercise I do, and I overestimate the amount I eat. This all in an effort to avoid going over my calorie goals and also because I've found the Livestrong calculators to be a little inaccurate, at least for my stats.

I've tried having the higher calorie goals before. I put on weight like mad and it's not because I've screwed up my metabolism by dieting over the years. In fact, until these last two years I've never really restricted calories.

I work too much (50-60 hour weeks, mostly night shift, hospice nursing) and I have an active young child. This translates to very little sleep, which at this point in my life I can't really control. It's a challenge to fit in time to exercise, but I do what I can.

I've had a few major losses in the last few years. Each time I've had significant weight gain, esp this last year. I'm just coming out of a bereavement situation, hence the recent weight gain. Not an excuse, but a reason, and I'm trying to focus on bouncing back again, which is what I'm doing right now.

An additional positive note is that I've starting running in races within the last year. Even ran my first full marathon last June, so am definitely making healthful progress overall.

06/27/09 - 172 lbs.
08/22/09 - 161
09/23/09 - 156
11/02/09 - 152
12/04/09 - 150
01/19/10 - 150
02/03/10 - 148, body fat percentage = 26.2%
03/11/10 - 145
06/10/10 - 155
06/27/10 - 149
09/01/11 - 139
04/30/11 - 144

Relapse.

So here I am, starting again, focusing on the big picture.
01/23/12 - 154