Hi, my name is Amy. I am 24, 5'3", and weigh 267 now. I started a diet 3 weeks ago, and have lost 16.5 lbs. I am on a low carb diet which restricts starches. No pasta, rice, corn, potatoes, or bread. No fried foods (obviously), or pork, and there are a few more restrictions such as bananas, green peas, grapes, etc. For the past two weeks, I have been walking daily and allowing myself one cheat meal for every 5 lbs. I lose. I don't want to go overboard, but for every 5 lbs. I lose I figure it won't kill me to have ONE serving of pasta or some other starch. That is what I really miss. The starches. I don't miss cake, cookies, and other desserts, and I am beginning to get over the green peas (which were my favorite). My goal is 115 because that was what my doctor said my ideal weight is. However, I have always been overweight (wore a junior's size 6 at age 6), and have no idea what 115 lbs really is. I just want to be fit.
I am going to be starting a weight regime tomorrow night. My exercises are as follows:
Walking (for at least 30 min) daily
Crunches daily
Weights 3 times a week
Water Aerobics (this is fun!) 3 times a week
and 1 day I will do something different - like a long walk along the beach or something.
I created a weekly Physical Fitness sheet if anyone would like me to send it to you. (It's should be a useful form to monitor progress.)
I am now walking in the mornings before I go to work instead of when I get home. There is nothing like going to work and thinking, WOW, I have already walked a mile and a half. It makes the day much more satisfying. And since it is something I don't really enjoy, it is nice to not have to dread going home to do it.
I know I love water aerobics, and think I will really enjoy weight training as well, so hopefully I will stick to it.
The only problem I think I have been having with my diet so far is that I really want to loose the first 80 lbs. quickly. I have been severly limiting my caloric intake daily (which is not a part of this diet). I have been keeping it under 400 calories. I have heard from so many people that this will only slow down my metabolism, but that is why I plan on working out daily, so I can keep my metabolism up, and weight training so I won't lose as much muscle mass. I am determined to do this, and I guess everyone will just have to tell me "I told you so" if I end up regretting this.
I have been checking out the LOW CARB forum and the 100LB CLUB, but I think I will definately add this one to my list. It just doesn't seem to be very active, does it?
See you guys, and good luck!!!!