[Cooper]

i need to get it all out. i stayed away from this thread for a long time. it is hard to admit that you are overweight, even when it's obvious to you and every body else. on Jan 11, i was about 100 lbs. overweight.

but . . . since Jan 11, i have lost almost thirty pounds. some would say that's too much too quick, but when you're 100 lbs. overweight, there is no such thing as unhealthy weight loss.

i set a limit of 1200 calories per day. if i go over a little bit, no big deal. but i don't go over by a lot, maybe 10-20 calories at each meal.

i get 20 minutes of aerobic exercise every single day. this includes days that i have worked until 6, been at school till 11, come home and had to walk 20 minutes in the 15 degree weather. this also includes the day i had my wisdom tooth taken out.

now, 1200 calories is not a lot. i have a system that allows me to eat more: i burn it off BEFORE I EAT IT. going out to dinner? figure out what you'll eat before you get there and do enough exercise to cancel out the extra calories.

that's the basic plan: 1200 calories, 20 minutes of cardio, burn off any extra before you eat it.

since Jan 11, i have not cheated ONCE. i am more proud of this than the weight loss itself. i didn't think i had the discipline do it. but i do, and i will continue to do it until i am at my ideal weight.

in addition to the basic plan, i'm weight training and playing volleyball. this has obviously sped my weight loss up considerably. i'm only able to do this because i had some extra time this semester and needed the easy credit hours.



to those who read this thread and are wondering if you should try to lose weight: do it. get serious about it. you will be amazed at how quickly your life improves. i look way better, i feel WAAAAY better, i have lots more muscle definition. my back doesn't hurt anymore, my knees don't hurt, i don't wake up wondering if i'm bleeding internally anymore.

the best part about it all is the renewed faith in myself. i didn't believe i could do this. and honestly, i couldn't. the only explanation i have is that the Good Lord is giving me strength that i have never known before. perhaps He wants me to live past 45.


some advice for anyone trying it: the first few days will be hell. after that, your body will adjust. this is why excercise is so important; it keeps your metabolism up and tells your body that you want it to keep burning calories even though it isnt' getting enough.

find something you can eat until you're full. i found sugar free jello cups. at 10 calories a pop, it's pretty much negligible. after four or five, i'm done with jello for the day.

eat good food. no reason to eat broccoli every night. a calorie is a calorie. eat a big ol' subway sandwich.

that's my experience. i hope someone can benefit from it.