Obesity Discussion Forums

[danv2]

So I found this site a few weeks ago during Vacation. I didn't want to start a blog or get all into my weight loss here before I got back to 'normal'.

Normal for me is being away from home about 350 days a year, inside a big rig. I live in the truck. I get my food from Truck Stops. Which... is going to make this tough. Healthy foods and such really aren't that feasible. Oh, sure, once in a while I'll drop into a Walmart and get some stuff, but that's more of the exception rather than the rule.

I guess some backstory is in order, eh?

Im 23 years old, 24 next month. I've been overweight since i was a kid. If I'm going to be completely honest, the Internet made me fat. lol. Nah, I'm not shrugging responsibility, just admitting I'm an Internet 'addict' or whatever.

I was always an active kid, even if I was... husky. I had trophies and awards for football, baseball, wrestling, etc. I was never the kid picked last when we played kickball or soccer, at least not more than once. But my late teen years came, I started gaining weight, and was finding myself less and less outside on the farm or being active, and more on my ass playing some stupid game or on messengers.

My freshman year of highschool I was 240ish lbs and would jog 3-4 miles a day and then go into the wrestling room and do that for about 3 more hours. Our coach was insane.

By the time I graduated I hadn't been into sports in over 2 years, and weighed 316 lbs.

In May 2006, the end of my second year of college, i was at 360. (I dropped out after that year due to... being a dumbass.)

March 2007 I got this job as a Trucker.

Thanksgiving of 2008 I weighed in at 410 lbs and realized that somewhere in my life something had gone terribly wrong. (I'll skip over the depression and drinking crap I got into after dropping out). I will say that I am not depressed, not anymore at least. I'm annoyed at myself and got a little resentment towards the world, but depression is so... lame. So I got over it. (Well, there was a girl who helped, and a realization it's impossible to have totally ruined my life by the time I was 22 years old. That helped).


Anyway. Skip ahead. Today I weigh 378 lbs. And I need you people.

I live alone, obviously. It's so easy to hide in the truck, to eat without anyone seeing, and then make excuses about my weight. It's so eaaasssy to just... not have any sense or feeling of accountability.

So that's what you people are. Congrats. You are the folks I am now going to force myself to answer to every day. To reveal my mistakes, binges, and failings. Because there's just no way to do this without someone looking over your shoulder, someone to make you feel embarrassed and ashamed to know your dirty little secrets. At least personally.

[danv2]

I realize breakfast is supposed to be the biggest meal of the day, and that eating your largest meals later is a bad idea... But like alot of folks, im not really big into food early in the day.

I'm going to try to have maybe a bowl of cereal (Cheerios or Raisin Bran probably) and a couple bananas for breakfast tomorrow. Im thinking one of those tuna and crackers lunch things from sunkist or whoever for lunch, and a chicken breast salad w/fat free ranch and maybe some peaches in light syrup for dinner.




Food Journal: January 21st.

8am: 2 Strawberry Newtons: 140 Calories.
10am: 1 Strawberry Newton: 70 Calories.
12pm: 1 Strawberry Newton: 70 Calories.
2pm: 4 Inch Chicken Breast Subway Sub: 300
4pm: 4 Inch Sub & 2 Strawberry Newtons: 440
7pm: 4 Inch Sub & 1 Banana: 410.
Total as of Midnight: 1,430 Calories.



My 'Im going to lose weight damnit' Subway Sub of choice, and Calories.

6 Inch (Wheat) Chicken Breast Sub: 362
+Lettuce: 4
+Tomato: 12
+Onion: 5
+Honey Mustard: 28
=411.
12 Inch= 822. Round up to 900 due just to be cynical/honest.

4 inches= ~300 (I get it cut into thirds, rather than half).

[SheaGrl]

Hey there! Welcome to the forum You'll find lots of great support here (and sometimes a kick in the butt when you need it).

I am laughing at your disbursement of strawberry newtons! That's funny. *sigh* I love those suckers, but they are high in sugar/carbs! Ug! Don't worry about breakfast being the biggest meal of the day. The key to successfully losing weight is finding what works for you and what won't make you burn out. Im also not a breakfast person and would prefer to eat those calories later. With that being said....strawberry newtons!? really!? lol...

That's great you ate 1430 calories! What are you going to do for exercise?

[Chrissy]

Hi Dan, Welcome to the forum......your in good company here. Lot's of support! I can understand the feeling of "It's so easy to hide in the truck, to eat without anyone seeing, and then make excuses about my weight. It's so eaaasssy to just... not have any sense or feeling of accountability." Good for you for coming to the boards and knowing you need and willing to accept accountability.....it really is a useful tool to help motivate weightloss (At least it is for me).

My husband is a truck/heavy equipment mechanic.......and we are very familar with truck stop food.....not only is it not the best (most) it is super cheap and the portions are way more then one person should be taking in....especially those buffets. You are going to have to be really strong and order things you don't normally order. Maybe have a plan of when you go in.....don't look at menu to temp you, have what you want in mind (and a backup)......like breakfast (bowl of oatmeal with some fruit, and or yogurt, couple poached eggs on wheat and fruit) lunch ( turkey or ham sandwich with no cheese loaded with veggies and mustard on wheat or other whole grain bread, maybe a side salad w/light dressing or a *cup* of soup) also ask the waitress what she has for lighter fare.......they are pretty good and see whats in the kitchen and can guide you towards healthier choice. I know your choices of places to stop are limited to parking.......but try and plan your stops more carefully, there are some places that do have parking for trucks.

I agree with the other poster......YA, strawberry newtons are delish but really??.......you didn't eat anything but strawberry newtons from 8am to 2pm. I'm not a big breakfast person but I force myself to eat it everyday (might not be big but it will always be something ) maybe get's some stuff for your truck (some fruit- apples, bananas, or a case of juicy sweet tangerines) force yourself to start your day with a piece or two of fruit . Or look into the many powerbars (careful of sugar), or get a loaf of multigrain bread and a jar of peanut butter and a butterknife and slap a peanutbutter sandwich together.......something, it doesn't have to be big.

Also, what are your plans for exercise? Where you are in a truck so much you do need to get some exercise.....even just starting out by a small walk to get you moving.

You can do it Dan!!!!

[Fluffymomma]

Hello Dan. Glad to see you came back. I saw your posts from earlier. I am with Chrissy and Shea on this one about the Newtons. Thing is too, being obese, like I am as well, you face the possibility of heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes...I just put myself over the edge on the diabetes but am trying to fight it. Things to consider when we are not at our best of health.

Do you have a frig in your truck or a cooler? Either way, get into that walmart and get some pre-packaged fresh veggies to snack on. They go a long way when you get the munchies. Cut out those cookies. That sugar is not helping you.

Get the yogurt. I love Activia. Or maybe a yogurt drink may be more convenient for you. I was not a big breakfast eater either until I started to make some changes and once I started to eat in the mornings, I do believe it made a huge difference in how I ate during the day. Eggs are great.

On the run? McDonald's Egg McMuffin is 300 calories! Chik Fil A Grilled Chicken sandwich is about the same. I have grabbed them from time to time if I am in a rush or busy.

Take care. Glad to have you here. Stick around..you can do this and be successful once you figure it out and make a few changes here and there. You'll start feeling so much better. And yes, you need to find some way to do some kind of exercise.

[sickofbeinobese]

dan,1st of all its good to have another guy on board..this is my 3rd day and every time i start to read one of these womens blogs(which have been very helpful) they start talkin about ttotm,lol...on a serious note. i was a drinker and smoker til i was 42 yrs old..drinkin got so bad that i got locked up for 1 year for trying to support my habit..i wound up in the psych unit,nut ward,or whatever you want to call it for 30 days.(voluntarily).my dr said if i wanted to live i should try aa and i did... i havent had a drink in 15 years or a cigarette in 12...the support of my peers saved my life...the only thing that had changed was that i'd had enough of living like that and was now exposed to all kinds of folks with the same experience, and they taught me how to live sober....1st thing they told me in aa was that i was a volunteer,NOT A VICTIM,ouch!...we are all in this together and i'm pullin for ye...logan

[johnita36]

Hi Dan and welcome to the forums. This is such a wonderful place to get tons of support and motivation as you begin and continue your weight loss journey. I don't think I could have made it as far as I have without all the wonderful support I received from this site. There are tons of wonderful information also on the site that will really help you as you go through your weight loss journey.

I look forward to reading your weight loss journey. Keep up the good work and know we're all here to help and motivate you along the way.



Johnita

[danv2]

Wow, okay. There's some real hatred for the Newtons. *sniffles* Those joyous little suckers.

Thanks, seriously. I had thought I was being SMART of all things. Figure I could toss back a few high calorie snacks early in the day, just to keep the metabolism working or what not.... I hadn't actually realized Newtons were so... decadent when I got 'em. Thought I could toss back maybe a sleeve of 'em or something and it be like 300 calories. Not gonna happen though, it seems.

Okay. I am throwing the Newtons out. That 'D' word up there scares me. My dad, sister, gramma, and others in my family got it, and I got no clue how I don't being in worse shape than any of them are.

I thought calories were all I needed to look for, but yeah... Maybe I should pay attention to the sugar I take in.


Any suggestions on meat? I am a HUGE fan of red meat... I am trying to restrict myself to eating it no more than 3 days a week though. I do tend to go overboard on things though, so chances are I'll be channeling the spirits of the hordes of dead chickens I'll be wading through before long.

What's the consensus on maybe half a peanut butter sandwich as my 'go to'/default midmorning snack?

I gotta head back to work. I'll talk about exercise later. In short: Yes I exercise, but I do need to step it up.

[Fluffymomma]

I believe the serving size of Peanut Butter is 1T. So be careful and take in consideration of the serving sizes...meat portion should be about the size of the palm of you hand. Be sure to eat some fish high in Omega 3 like tuna, trout, and salmon.

One favorite of several members around here is the Orowheat (or in some locations it's Arnolds) Sandwich Thins. High in fiber, low in calories. And they taste really good.

Good on the exercise. I mainly just walk but I move. Moving is something.

When you have a chance, you may wish to consider going in to see a Dr. and have some blood work done on your cholesterol, sugar, etc. Then you will know just where you "are" health wise....

[danv2]

Food Journal: January 22nd.

0730: Dry Cinanamon Toast Crunch and a Banana: 350 Calories.
1000: A banana: 110 Calories.
1245: SunKist to Go Pack. 240 Calories.
1430: 5 slices Elk Salami ~200 calories.
1730: Compleats Meal- Chicken Noddle & Peaches in Light Syrup: 320 Cals.
1900: 5 Slices Elk Salami ~200 Calories.
2000: 5 slices Elk Salami ~200 calories.

2 Packets Crystal Light Orange: 25 calories.
Total: 1645

Exercise: Walked 1.7 Miles to Truckstop and back, for food and bottle waters (3.4 Miles total)


I'm really bad about exercising. Every once in a while I'll do half an hour of various exercises in the truck: Squats, crunches, 45 degree pushups leaning from the edge of my bed to the overhead cabinets in the cab section, shadow boxing, or whatever. Etc. 3 days ago i walked about a mile down the road and back to get some food, and today I had to walk even further.

When I was on vacation i was playing DDR nearly every day that I was at home. It has a workout mode that I would set to 250 calories, and do that 2-3 times a day. I'm going to have to see about getting it in my truck, if i can figure out how. I'll do that because its fun, obviously. Just doing exercises on my own is boring and unmotivating.

I also want to see about getting some resistance bands and get more of a tae-bo sort of thing going on with them.


I am not completely sure on the calories of that elk salami, but from looking up calorie stuff on the net I think I've gotten close... I've emailed the company who makes it to get some information, but luckily I finished it all off and won't have a problem with it again. I just couldn't stop slicing off another bit and eating it. Ugggg. I haven't had red meat since the 18th.

I drink about 3-4 Liters of water a day. I'm assuming that's more than enough. Beats drinking 3-4 liters of soda. Or 8-10 cans of it. I always want something to drink with me.

I guess that's all for today.

[Miranda]

Hey Dan, I'm new here too. Let's make a deal, I'll hold you accountable if you'll hold me accountable. Deal?!? Yeah, I totally relate. I also need a serious kick in the pants at times, which is why I'm here. Great job on the walking, by the way. Keep it up! You also might want to look into some protein bars for those pick-me ups. I'm going the "almost" vegetarian route with my weight loss plan and a protein bar with my banana at breakfast helps me reach my daily protein goal. You can also go to www.sparkpeople.com (THANK YOU Chrissy for this suggestion!) and log in your food for the day. I'm not much of a calorie counter but this site has allowed me to find some nutritional flaws in my diet. And yep, protein was one of them.

Good luck!

Miranda

[sweetn_low]

Welcome Dan. I enjoy your posts. You are being so honest with us, and more importantly, with yourself. I don't have a lot of suggestions about the truck stop food but I wanted to welcome you anyway Perhaps you can create a meal plan a week ahead and stock your fridge with the foods you can make by microwave or eat cold in the truck. I assume you have a small fridge and microwave, most of those trucks are set up pretty nicely. I have rode in a couple before Finding road side resturants like subway or even Wendy's for their grilled chicken and side chili instead of fries or Tim Hortons fresh sandwiches and soup are better options than truck stops when you can. As far as exercise, you are doing the right thing by parking far away and walking to your destinations when you schedule allows. I imagine it is tough to lose weight with your job but if you believe in your self and make some healthy changes, I know you can do it

Amanda

Originally Posted by sickofbeinobese

dan,1st of all its good to have another guy on board..this is my 3rd day and every time i start to read one of these womens blogs(which have been very helpful) they start talkin about ttotm,lol...

We do tend to do that don't we. It effects a woman's weight and sometimes it needs to be talked about, sorry guys

[danv2]

Thanks y'all. Im still at the Swift (my company) terminal I was at yesterday. Ain't got a load out yet. Grrrr.

Im feeling ridiculously lazy today. I'm going to try to walk back down to the same truckstop I went to yesterday, tonight. At least to get some more bottled water and *cough* smokes.

I don't have a fridge or food heater yet. My fridge went out back in the fall, and I had to throw my lunchbox heater away when i took the greyhound home for vacation simply cuz their wasn't room. Too broke atm. to replace either. Maybe next month.

I'm weighing my options for dinner later, and ALMOST decided to go ahead and order half a pizza with another driver. But... rechecking pizza huts nutritional facts page reminded me why I didn't wanna do that just yet.

What I am going to do... May seem... irresponsible? But... Well, I think i'm doing it the best way possible. I'm trying to not completely upset how and what I eat, but do it better, in a way that's conducive to weight loss AND a sense of fulfillment.

If i'm rationalizing, call me out on it. lol. Here's the idea though:

Im ordering... Chinese. Wait, wait. Here me out...

1 quart Steamed Broccoli and Chicken: 560 cal.
1/2 Pint (plain) Rice: 240. cal.
1 Egg Roll: 80 calories.

2 packets of duck sauce: 44 cal.
2 packets soy sauce: ~20 cal.

Dinner total: 944

Estimated Daily total: 1614.


The plan is to eat half at 4pm, very early for dinner. And then force myself to wait til 7pm to eat the rest. The thought of eating 900ish calories at one sitting is... ugg. Though, a month ago I wouldn't have batted an eye lash. heh.

(I really love broccoli and chicken. Probably a top 3 food for me)

[danv2]

Okay... so I got on the phone to call, and since the place sells eggrolls by the pair i ended up getting TWO. And he asked me whether i wanted plain rice or fried rice... And i went ahead and said fried. *sigh*

I'm walking up to the truck stop for supplies tomorrow as soon as I post this. Another 3.6 miles should make me feel less stupid.


Food and Exercise Journal: Janurary 23rd

0600- 5 minute 'quickie'* exercises.
0730- Half Package of Pistachios and a Banana: 170 Calories.
0845- Half package of Pistachios: 60 calories.
1200- Ham and Cheese on Wheat Sandwich & Oats and Chocolate Fiber One bar: ~440 calories.

1600 & 2000-
1 quart Steamed Broccoli and Chicken: 560 Calories
1/2 Pint Fried Rice: 363 Calories.
2 Egg Roll: 160 calories.

Total: 1,753.

No more of that crap. 1400-1500 is my goal from now on.

Alright, off to walk off a couple hundred of those.

[Miranda]

Don't beat yourself up too much, Dan. That's still a calorie total that with exercise will definitely promote weight loss! But in the future, (okay, I'm goin' into "Mom" mode) stick with plain rice or if they have it brown rice and trade out the egg rolls for a sweet crunchy apple!

I have to confess though that an egg roll sounds really, REALLY good right now! But the fat grams alone would send me totally off of my diet!

All in all, you had a good day. Celebrate that! And if you are feeling extra virtuous, walk a little extra to compensate for the egg rolls! It all evens out!

Have a good night!
Miranda

[sickofbeinobese]

YOU CANT WHOOP A MAN THAT WONT QUIT..

[danv2]

I'm starting to get really good about doing my '5 minute quickie' exercise in the morning when I get up, and right before I go to bed.

Basically it's: 20 Squats, 20 Wall Pushups, 20 'hard crunches' (bringing my knees up to my chest as i raise my chest, not sure what they are really called. Then laying on my side and doing 20 of those side leg lifts, for both legs. Gets me flustered, out of breath, and all of them elicit a nice burn from the parts of my body I'm working. (I'm finding the burn i get on my ass in that last one is very peculiar, but i kind of like it. MY fatass needs to feel some pain. :p)

Totally wouldn't mind adding another or so type of exercise to the group if anyone knows any good ones.

(And i did end up walking the 3.4 miles to the t/s last night. Improved my time from the day before even.)

[Rue]

You're doing very well to start! Congrats!

I dunno...I've been 'analyzing' the whole food/weight/desire issue for a good 10 years, if not longer...and I see a struggle between wanting to loose weight and being fit, but not wanting to give up any of the perceived pleasures of eating...

My personal weight loss this time around has been a combination of reduced calories, reduced carbs and increased activity (less so than official 'exercise')...and it's working. But as I said, I'm not a foodie per se. I enjoy eating good food as much as anyone, but ultimately I can take it or leave it. I hate planning out meals or thinking ahead about what I'm going to eat, if I could get by without ever having to eat or think about it again, I'd be ecstatic. However, we all have to eat, so that's not an option, and instead I have to deal with my own foibles about food...

I think part of success is not obscessing about food (and I know that's hard to do for many people). At the beginning it might be easier to stockpile a set amount of acceptable foods...just to get into the habit of eating the right foods, in the right amounts...after a while you'll be able to adjust that so it's not so monontonous...

In the end, so what if you ate the same menu for 2-3 weeks in a row? It's a very small amount of time in the big picture, but I think it might make things easier for you in the beginning...

You might also have to train yourself to enjoy healthier foods...but it's doable. For the most part we eat a very bland diet, because I've learned to enjoy plain foods while growing up because my Dad had an ulcer and had to eat plainly. Now my family enjoys the bland diet as well - if anyone wants to spice things up they usually do while eating out...so at home we eat very healthy, but don't feel deprived because we do get to indulge often enough...

By bland I mean I don't add salt or spices to most dishes, no butter/margerine (unless absolutely necessary), etc. Veggies are steamed or eaten raw. No gravies or sauces...no condiments...

[matt007]

Hi Dan, looks like you're doing well. On the whole calories don't feel bad about the 1600-1700 days those are still really good. Heck I shoot for 2000 and it's low enough for dropping weight (at least for me). On new exercises to add I like flutter kicks (course they're similar to the situps you're already doing). If you can get yourself into the habit more often I think those walks you do sometimes would be very helpful.

[danv2]

Thanks.

The biggest problem I'm finding is that I have to constantly resist food. I'm obviously not eating as much as I'm used to, and combining that with the fact I'm driving under billboard signs for such tasty treats all day... ugggg. Fueled up at a truckstop earlier with both a Popeye's Chicken AND a Pizza Hut inside it, and now I'm parked at one with a Hardees.

It's a different beast when yer sitting at home, get a craving, and have to go out to get something. Actually make an effort to get the food. Than when you pass something you love, or even HAVE to be inside the same building as it.

I'm doing okay, I haven't let myself just grab something out of ease of access and convenience yet... But I know eventually I'm going to.