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Sunday, February 28, 2010

It's Sunday!

Another day and all is well. I woke up and ate a breakfast of oatmeal and a small orange. I had water to drink. Then I went to church with Heather and Mrs. Penny and I have absolutely no idea what we are going to have for lunch. Probably something like a sandwich. I'm trying to make my biggest meal of the day be lunch - and eating a snack like an apple or an orange in the afternoon and then something really light for supper. I'm not having too many problems as of right now.

I know, however, that I am stressing out over this literary analysis paper that I'm supposed to be writing about why in an already violent movie/literature is one act so shockingly violent and what it tells us about the works as a whole. There's some other details, however I have chosen to write about kill bill vol. 2 and Ovid Book 13, Hecuba's revenge. Anyway, so I have that to write. Hopefully I can get it done in a few hours and have the rest of the afternoon to do whatever I please.

Today I also have to go over to the old apartment and get the rest of the stuff that we left there yesterday and turn in our keys. So, that moving project is almost all complete - now I just have to have a garage sale!

As far as exercising is going, I'm not doing it every day, but I am trying to do a little something every day, if you know what I mean. I know I need to get my magnetic biking machine over to Penny's house so I can bike on it for thirty minutes a day, regardless if I have exercised elsewhere or not. I think riding a bike in the morning or a few hours before bed time will not only help me loose weight, but help me sleep better.

I've been sleeping much better at night without caffeine in my system. I had a little sweet tea yesterday for lunch and I could tell because I wasn't able to sleep as easily last night. ugh! So, none for me. I'm still drinking plenty of water and making an honest effort to eat breakfast in the morning.

I haven't taken my weight yet this week, because I don't want to see if I have lost weight or gained it back - I'm kind of nervous! Maybe I will wait until next week to see if I have lost any weight. :D

Well, I think that's all for now. I got to start working on that stupid English paper! YAY!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Still going

Well, it's been another day. We finally got moved out of our apartment into a storage unit and it looks like we just have a little left to do tomorrow. I consulted my eat this not that book and had to take my moving buddy over to McDonalds for breakfast. Then, after we got done, my wife and I treated him to dinner at Captain D's. That definitely isn't the healthiest thing to eat - but I made up for it with my drink choice and I didn't eat as much as I wanted to.

Also, that was the only large meal of the day that I had. I did not get a chance to eat this evening because of work. I had an orange when I got home. I don't want anything too heavy on my stomach right now before bedtime anyway. I'm staying up later then usual tonight because I can't get my mind to shut off. I keep thinking of new ways I can exercise or save calories throughout the week. I think of little inventions that I wish I had, or I wonder how life could be different "if" sorts of things. So, I'm up late, blogging about it. Maybe I can wear it down before it gets too late.

My wife, Heather, has agreed to start exercising with me in the mornings. I'm going to start doing a light workout with her tomorrow... so she won't feel so bad and want to do more. So, maybe that will give her some motivation to exercise and look good. I hope everything works out for us.

I haven't weighed myself on a scale in awhile. I'm going to wait a week or so before I do it again. I just don't feel like I have done much of a difference in my diet yet to see a difference on the scale. So, maybe it will be something to look forward to this coming Friday.

Anyway, that's all for now. Good night!

-Seth

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

More Success!

I went up the stairs to the third floor of Hanna Hall today... the stairs that I really hate to go up because I get so winded and feel out of shape. I didn't breathe very hard at all! I wasn't very winded... I didn't feel my heart rate jump up tremendously at all!

It can be done people!

Today I woke up and exercised at home. I found a great video on YouTube for some easy morning exercises. I did some jump squats, jumping jacks, sissy pushups and some in place skiing. I was amazed at how much I sweat doing all of it! I have felt pretty good the rest of the day too.

I'm resting tomorrow, maybe going on a 2 mile walk at the activity center between my classes. I'm going to try to find a time when I can work out with Heather as well. I know she wants to lose some weight as bad as I do. So, I guess it would be fun to work out together and motivate each other.

I have an update on her progress as well... She quit drinking soda with me! I think it's her 5th day without caffeine. Her headaches have gone away by now too. She told me that she feels better now - her health has improved. So, if she can do it - then you all should try it to... throw out the soda!

That is all for now.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

My type of exercising

I've been doing some reading on the internet about what the best type of exercising is to do for me. I have come to the conclusion that I should actually start by walking maybe a half of a mile on the track to loosen up a bit, and then do about 30 minutes of lifting weights, with a brief cool down period at least three times a week. I think, however, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I am still going to walk (and later on) jog around the track between my classes.

The reason why I have chosen to lift weights is because muscle will burn more fat at rest then aerobic exercise can. If I bulk up and gain muscle and continue to diet as I am, I will be able to lose the weight and gain the muscle that I've always wanted. :D

I want to look and feel good. :D

Now time to study for a Louisiana History test...

My eating habits: Then vs. Now

Before I became more health conscious, I would in a typical day, skip breakfast, have a coke, then eat a huge lunch, have another coke with lunch, a lunch filled with carbohydrates and fat and then sit down to do homework and research while drinking another coke. Then, for suppper, I would get hungry - so I would make something for myself for supper - typically a few hotdogs. (don't forget the chili and a coke!) When my wife would get home from work she would be really hungry - and because she doesn't like eating alone - I always joined her. I would say it was ok, because I didn't eat breakfast - when in turn, I shouldn't have eaten so late. She would bring home a burger or a pizza and I would have another coke with that. No wonder I'm fat!

Now, though, I no longer consume soda. I actually look at a soda with distaste, because I know what harm it can do to my body. I don't skip breakfast anymore - but I don't eat poptarts either. I wake up and know that I have some fruit and oatmeal waiting for me when I wake up. That typically keeps me full until around noon. For lunch, I make it my biggest meal - I eat a nice sized turkey or chicken sandwich with mushrooms and if I'm still not full, I'll have a salad with (not very much) Caesar dressing or Italian. Lite ranch is also good in moderation. For supper, I try to keep it as light as possible - and if I do have to go out and get something, I consult my "Eat this, not that," book before I make a purchase. If I don't have that book with me, I stick to the five basic rules:

1. Eat til your full, then stop.
2. Only eat sweet desserts at special occasions - or if you are just craving it. (in moderation)
3. Try to keep every meal less than 600 calories.
4. Do not order sides. Don't have the AND. And's are bad. A burger "AND" fries. Skip the fries and just eat the burger.
5. Don't think that just because you ate a small breakfast means you can eat a huge meal sometime that day.

I actually like exercising!

I went to the activity center after I ate at Schultz cafeteria on campus. I walked about 2 miles around the track. I didn't get out of breath. I let my mind wonder around and think about everything I had to do for this week and also about this little novel that I'm writing. While I was walking, it was kind of a place for me to just think. Walking around the track lets my mind settle down and think. I used to think that I could only think while sitting down and concentrating. In fact, I feel like that is now a load of crap. Granted, I don't know if I could think as hard if I were jogging or running - but walking is fine.

The other thing I like about exercising is that I know I am doing my body good. I know that after I get through, I will feel better about myself, I have a higher self esteem, and a better outlook on my body - even though I know I'm still fat. I really enjoy exercising because it also gives me a sense of accomplishment... just like when I make the right food choices - I know I've done something good and feel better about myself.

To sum it all up: I think that making exercise a habit will be really easy. Easier for me to start exercising then it was to give up soda.

Still feel great

Since I went walking yesterday, I kind of feel like I have a little pep in my step today. I have a little time between my classes today. I get out of Geology at 10:45, so I can go walking from 11 to 12 and then get something to eat at the college cafeteria. I forgot my bottled water this morning - I had it in my hand and I set it down to get something and it just slipped my mind.

Maybe if I walk every day of the week when I can, I will see some more immediate results of my lifestyle change. Plus, I need to walk anyway. I might just walk on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then jog on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after a few weeks of getting used to walking. I have more time on those three days to get ready for my first class then I do on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The main thing is that I'm getting into a routine. I'm making healthier, more conscious decisions about what I am eating and I am trying to get in the routine of exercising. I'm sure after a month or two of doing this, I will see a big difference in my body and my mind. I can wait though - I'm not going to rush it. I didn't gain all this weight overnight and I'm definitely am not going to lose it overnight either.

I'll post some more pictures hopefully when I get the chance. I have been really busy with school, and I'm freaking out about two tests and an English paper due tomorrow! I've been working on my paper - but it's still stressing me out because I haven't had to write a paper in years! ugh!

Anyway, class is starting. That's all for now. Thanks for reading and if you can, subscribe!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Another day...

Hello everyone,

I woke up this morning and ate a banana and an apple and then I went for a 2.5 mile walk around the activity center. My legs are a little sore, but I know it's for the best. I hope I can keep up my exercise routine. I know that it's difficult to start a habit sometimes, but this is a habit that I definitely need to have. I'm going to probably try to walk for 30-45 minutes, three times a week at the activity center for the next three weeks, and then I will work into light jogging/walking after that. I'm marking it on my calendar! I won't call this a success yet - because I'm not in the habit, but a long walk did make me feel good - knowing that I am doing something about my health.

Maybe I'll buy some tennis shoes and a pedometer soon? I dunno... we'll see how that goes.

New weight as of today: 263lbs.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Great News!

More Success! I have lost 1.3 pounds in the last week - without exercising! I'm measuring myself on the Wii Fit system. I am sooo proud of myself! Maybe I can keep going with 1lb per week for the next year - I will be happy! I'm going to add exercise to my regimen and maybe lose 2lbs per week on average! Man, I can't wait to look as skinny as I feel right now! Success!

Today, Heather and I went grocery shopping today after she got off work. The lady that we live with and her daughter don't eat many veggies or any fresh fruits at all. So, we bought apples, banannas, oranges, pears, a cantaloupe and some fresh broccoli. She already had some salad stuff and some baby carrots - which are great too. I'm trying to add more fresh fruits and veggies to my diet and cutting as many extra calories as I can.

Anyway, I saw the difference on the scale - so I'm happy so far. I'm going to keep it up.

A few Pictures



This is a picture of my wife and I on our trip in Vicksburg.



This is me as of last weekend. Yeah, I know. I need to shave. I think my wife took the picture while we were in Vicksburg.

Woke up at 7.

Well, I went to bed at midnight yesterday - it's the weekend after all. I woke up quite easily at 7, and lounged around in bed until after 10. wow. Well, good reasons for it, I guess. It is a Sunday after all! lol!

I woke up and ate some oatmeal and haven't exercised yet, but I am before dinner. I figured I didn't want to do too much after I just ate. I took some pictures of the dogs this morning. I'm going to post some pics in a few minutes.

So far so good with everything. I'm still not drinking soda pop and I feel better then ever. I think this is my 12th day or so without soda or caffeine. So, I think I'm doing pretty good. One step at a time, right?

I bought a resistance tube trainer thing - the one you put under your foot and pull up, or attach it to something and work out your chest... I think it's going to be fun and interesting to do. I also bought a couple of grips. The hand grip exercisers... so when I'm watching TV or reading something, I can be working out my hand grip. I know I definitely need to improve my hand strength.

I want to lose my moobs! I guess the only way to do that is to do this lifestyle change on top of exercising my chest and abs a lot. I don't want a body like Brad Pitt, (though it would be nice) I just want to look and feel fit.

It's time for me to do something too - I don't want to have all those health problems that you see on TV that obese people get. You know how you watch a TV program on health, like Dr. Oz and you see all those horrible things that people get when they are fat... and then you go in the kitchen and eat oreo cookies? Well, I was watching Dr. Oz and I had that "Ah hah!" moment where I put two and two together. I realized that those things on TV could actually be me - in my body... and I didn't want that! That's one of the reasons I am doing this lifestyle change.

Anyway, that's all for now. ta ta

Saturday, February 20, 2010

No Breakfast for me today...

I woke up late, late this morning. It's close to dinner, and my wife and I are going to a movie at 11:55 - going to see Shutter Island! So, I guess I'm going to skip breakfast today. Not much else has happened. I still feel better.

11 days - caffeine free. YAY!

Friday, February 19, 2010

10th day and still there.

So, I weighed myself yesterday and I'm at the same exact weight that I was when I started. I have no idea why - I was hoping for a pound or so of weight loss, however I know I haven't been exercising. I feel better though - I can tell that my blood pressure has stabilized because I don't feel bad for no apparent reason anymore. I can tell that I can think clearer - like I have mentioned before.

The only thing that is bothering me right now is that I have been drinking plenty of water - not overdoing it though - and I am still having dark yellow/orange urine. This concerns me because I have read material that says the more water you drink the more clear your urine should be. I'm not experiencing this! Why?!?! I like to imagine that it's fat and toxins leaving my body that has been built up over the year of abuse to my body. lol! Ideas?

Anyway, I think that will be all for today. Subscribe!

The Dangers of Soda Pop

Here’s what’s in Soda Pop:

Phosphoric Acid: May interfere with the body's ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which can interfere with digestion, making it difficult to utilize nutrients.

Sugar: Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single user of refined sugar in the United States. It is a proven fact that sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging and many more negative side effects. Most sodas include over 100 percent of the RDA of sugar.

Aspartame: This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy/seizures. Further, when aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in warm areas it changes to methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens.

Caffeine: Caffeinated drinks can cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps, birth defects, and perhaps some forms of cancer.

http://www.oleda.com/oleda_tips/tips.asp?dept=48


AHHH!!! Don't drink the stuff!


Thursday, February 18, 2010

9th day and going strong

I know many of you say that I will eventually lose my motivation and start to eat unhealthily again, however I don't think so. I lot of people that try to lose some extra pounds go completely off of everything that can be fatening, only to start eating it again after they have lost the weight.

What I am doing to my diet isn't just cutting out the fatty foods, but developing new tastes. It takes about 12 times for your palate to get used to tasting a certain food to like it. I'm not really eating more foods that I didn't really like, but cutting out the foods that are merely bad for me, IE fried food. I have completely quit drinking soda, except when the water is fowl and very bad tasting and there isn't any other options, even tea.

What have I noticed?

1. I can climb stairs a little easier. I'm winded, but I don't feel my heart beating as hard.

2. It has improved my overall self esteem.

3. I overall feel better. My headaches have gone away almost completely. (although I do have somewhat of a sinus infection and stuffy nose right now. yuck)

4. I feel like I can get around easier and faster.

5. I feel like I can think a little harder,... concentrate more. Or at least feel like I can do more things at once without going back and think "What was I thinking about?"

So, I'm not looking to just lose weight and get toned up, I'm also mainly concentrating on the health benefits from losing weight. If there is any advice that I could give at the moment to anyone who is trying to lose weight its this: Get off soda and caffeine. NOW!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Diet changing steps

I'm going to list the set of steps that I am going to take in order to lost weight healthily.

Diet
1. Get off of soda and all caffeinated products

2. No fried food to very little fried food. Cut portion sizes of fries or don't have a side with a burger.

3. Desserts only on special occasions (with no excuses.)

4. Listen to my stomach. If it says it's full, then I'm not going to cram any more in there.

5. Eat more plants. Not necessarily salads, but more plant material in general. That can't be unhealthy, right?

Exercise routine:

1. Start walking more.

2. Find 3 hours a week to exercise before class. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays - I have 30 minutes to exercise and 30 minutes to clean up and get to class in the morning.

3. Find a cardio machine that I like.

Why I want to lose weight:

1. I want to feel better and be healthier.

2. I want to be around for my wife when we get older.

3. I don't want to die of a completely preventable disease.

4. I don't want my fat to jiggle when I brush my teeth.

5. I want to look good naked.

6. I want to do all of the things that normal skinny people take for granted.

7. I want to show everyone that I do have control over my body and my life by losing weight.

8. I don't want to lay down at the end of the day and feel my heart beating hard in my chest.

9. I don't want to be winded by just simply walking up a flight of stairs.

10. I want to master my life by first mastering my body.

Fried food

While I live in the South, and as my brother has said, we like to deep fry as many things as possible. Fried snickers even. I went over to my parents house today and my mom was frying up some salmon patties and french fries. I declined the meal, of course. Way too much fried food on my now tender stomach. I haven't had a gut bomb of fried food in about 8 days... and I'm sure if I did that to myself right now - I would probably throw up. Yuck.

Salmon is meant to be baked or eaten raw - not deep fried with bread crumbs! All my childhood years, I just thought that was the only way! BUT IT ISN'T! Just because someone invites you to their table for a delicious gut bomb meal - doesn't mean you have to partake.

So, I have to admit, I did eat some curly q french fries from Aarons Pharmacy today. I halfed it - put half of my share on my wife's plate. My mom ate the rest of them that I didn't eat. Usually I would probably order a burger and fries and finish off what my wife doesn't eat - but I didn't do that today. GO ME!

I think by getting rid of fried food in my diet, that I will see a positive increase in my health and overall well being. That's what I actually want - not necessarily to get skinnier - but to just feel better.

Thanks for reading!

8th day off of soda/caffeine

So, I've made it over the one week hump with a couple of minor slip ups... at least it was just Sprite. ok, ok, but I have been doing well for cutting it all cold turkey.

I have to give thanks to my brother, Jonathan, for his support and advice. Though, I don't think I'm going to be too crazy on the couscous. lol :D Keep it coming if you can, and yes, I would absolutely love some of your favorite recipes, (minus the couscous) lol. Love yah brother!

I've come this far - I'm not going to stop now. I just bought some new pants from JCPenny's that were a size 46w30l! I don't know how many inches that is around the belly, but I can only imagine that it isn't good.

My acid reflux is coming back full force - I don't know why - maybe my stomach is mad at me for depriving it of that delicious syrupy goodness. In any case, the acid burnt out my throat two days in a row - it hurt to talk, and now I have a head cold. Yay. So, I'm still drinking plenty of water and watching what I eat, but it makes it more difficult to make proper food choices when you have a cold and "just don't care." But I'm doing it!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Calories, Fat, and Me.

To stay at my current weight, I consume around 2650 calories per day to remain at a constant 265lbs at my type of sedentary lifestyle. To loose about one pound per week I will have to consume about 500 calories less per day to lose about one pound per week. On top of exercising, I should lose about two pounds per week.

That means that I need to only consume around 2150 calories per day to start to lose weight. I thought to myself, what is the best way to cut these calories out of my diet? Stop drinking soda. I drink maybe three to four cans of coke a day. That's around 500 calories that I could automatically cut out of my diet. Woot!

I'm also starting to look at the fat grams in food. I realize, like any other person out there could, that the more fat grams, the fattier something is and the less fat grams the less fatty it is. Yay! So, watching my caloric and fat intake will help me to lose weight. But, not without exercise.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Vacation

So, my wife and I went to Vicksburg, Mississippi for our two day vacation. We went and ate out at a few places. I bought a book titles "eat this, not that." I looked it over and realized that I actually make some really poor food decisions. So, I'm going to try my best to keep to the code.

I have a confession to make - since it was my vacation, I did slip up and had a few cokes. But, I tried eating healthier things overall and made an effort to get breakfast in my stomach. I am still going to drink water and milk as something wet. I just felt that since it was a vacation, I could afford to slip up a little. But, as far as I am concerned, I am still on the bandwagon.

I have not weighed myself again yet, but I feel better. I know I feel better because I have been sleeping better. I feel better because my heart doesn't pound as hard when I do things. So, I know I'm doing pretty good right now. I'm going to keep trying to lose weight one step at a time.

Now that I am armed with that book, I know I can make healthier food choices when I go out. Also, I just realized how important calories and fat content is when making food decisions! Like, the fiesta lime chicken at Applebees is over 1200 calories! That's about HALF of what you should eat in an entire day!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

4th day update

So, I haven't had a soda or coffee today at all. I'm feeling pretty good. I did "mess up" and had leftover fried fish today. One change at a time though. I'm not going to give up something else until I know that I can completely manage my caffeine and soda addiction.

What do you think I need to change next? Diet or Exercise?

If I change my diet, do you think I should practically eliminate fried food from my diet?

If I change my exercise routine, do you think I should start by walking on a tredmill?

I'm only looking to change one small thing at a time - and I know that soda was a major first step, but it makes me think that if I can kick this habit, then I can do anything!

4th day of my caffeine and soda detox

So, I woke up a little late this morning, around 10:30 because I stayed up late last night. It's almost 12 now - my wife doesn't eat breakfast because it hurts her stomach, so over the years that I have known her - I have habitually skipped breakfast.

So, I have identified a problem - now it's time to fix it. My wife and a friend are going to the grocery store to shop for healthier options. I requested salad stuff (of course with low fat dressing) some lunch meat to take with me to school and some high fiber and protein bars also for breakfast. To also balance my breakfast meal, I am going to hardboil one to two eggs in the morning, if I'm not going to eat a breakfast bar.

Eggs are a great source of protein and good cholesterol. They will keep you full for longer and they don't have any artificial sweetener. The only thing you have to watch out for is adding too much salt.


On Monday, my wife and I are going over to Vicksburg to celebrate both of our birthdays and to eat at the Ameristar casino, shop and get away from all the noise.

Well, if I can think of anything else later, then I'll add it.

Friday, February 12, 2010

wow. I've drank about 100oz of water today. It kept me full until I got actually hungry again. My headaches haven't gone away yet. I still haven't drank any syrupy drink or anything with caffeine. I hope that my headaches go away soon. They are progressively getting worse... I hope it will come to a climax and then go completely away. I've never done this before - and I hope I keep on it.

My Goals:

1. Stop drinking any form of caffeine or syrupy drinks.
2. Make better food choices and watch my portion size.
3. Don't snack on unhealthy foods -
4. Don't buy anything out of a snack machine.
5. Come up with a balanced and reasonable exercise routine.

I think I'm going to start working on an exercise routine. Anyone have any suggestions?

I figure I can work out three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 9AM for 1 hour before any of my classes. I don't want to put on muscle - even though I know that putting on more muscle burns more fat when your relaxing. I need to start doing some cardio or aerobic exercises first - because I will probably lose more weight that way - start seeing some results, or at least feeling better sooner.

I don't want to get on this whole - if I diet and exercise, I will visibly see fat be reduced on my body - I just want to feel better.

I am at that point where when I go upstairs, I get winded. I used to never do that. I used to run up a flight of stairs and be able to breathe normally and my heart wouldn't beat hard. Now I feel my heart beating quickly when I do any sort of strenuous activity - that makes me not want to exercise.

Anyway, I think that will be all for tonight. Thanks everyone and good night.

success!

I went to work this evening. It went pretty well. I noticed more clarity of thought - I could concentrate a little easier, despite my headache. I also noticed that my lower back hurt less while I worked and I was able to recover faster from the physical labor. So, I think it's working so far.

I haven't modified any other part of my diet - besides only drinking water and sometimes fat free milk. I have been conscious of how much food I have eaten - and I haven't been snacking down on desserts or anything extremely sugary. Though, tonight, I brought home two plate fulls of fried food from the place that I work at... Probably going to be dinner tomorrow.

By the way, My current weight is 265. I am 6' 0" tall and 21 years old.

My Caffeine detoxification

I started to research not only the effects of too much caffeine, but also how to get it out of my system. There are many ways to remove it completely from my system. The first way is to ween myself off by gradually getting through the day with less and less of it over the course of a few weeks. I have tried to stop drinking soda pop before, unsuccessfully with this plan.

The only conceivable way that I could do this is to eliminate coffee and syrupy drinks out of my diet. (when I use the term diet, I mean the food I eat/drink, not a plan.) This might not be the best way for you, but it was for me.

It's been about three days now without a single soda pop. I have a very dull headache behind my eyes and in the back of my head - but that could be from the company and the 11 dogs we live in the house with. I rarely ever do get headaches, so I know that this is flushing it out of my system.

I have been drinking plain water and low fat milk for the last three days. I discovered the reason why I was having headaches is because caffeine decreases the amount of blood flowing through your brain. When you get off of caffeine, the blood flow increases in your brain, causing headaches.

Bloodflow through your brain is a very, very important thing. It carries much needed oxygen and nutrients/minerals/vitamins that it needs. So, in summation, blood flow = good.

So, I'm on my third day, and I have actually started to feel much better

My Caffeine Addiction

The more I researched it, the more I thought about it - I was not only addicted to caffeine, but also syrupy, sugary drinks. Here's some things that caffeine does to the body:

Nervousness, headache, increased heart rate, irrecular heartbeat, anxiety, upset stomach, irritability, GI irritation, elevated blood pressure, agitation, heartburn, increased cholesterol, tremors, diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies, insomnia, fatigue, poor concentration, depression, and dizziness. http://www.celestialhealing.net/caffeine.htm

Some experts say that you can be addicted to caffeine with your first drink. Therefore, I say I was addicted from a really early age with my first Coca Cola. At the age of 8, I started drinking coffee with my parents in the morning at breakfast. They didn't think anything about it - and I drank at least one cup of coffee ... most of the time two in the morning before school. Then, at school, I would have anywhere from one to two soft drinks and then when I came home I would have another one two, and sometimes three soft drinks.

Man, I didn't think that I was that addicted. I'm not just talking about the caffeine that these drinks contained, but also the syrupy drinks that I drank. How about all of those empty calories that I never even thought about?

My current lifestyle

My name is Seth Vidrine, I am a full time college student, husband, and part time worker. I am married to my beautiful wife, Heather, which I will talk about every now and then. My wife and I live with a very good friend of ours, and her teenage daughter. We are currently looking for a new apartment in North East Louisiana (so if anyone knows of any good cheap ones, please send me an e-mail!)

As you can see, I am a very busy person. I go to school 15 hours and have to study and do homework. I work a part time job - while going to school and I do my part in taking care of the house and my wife. I also do some writing on the side and I also work for Mr. Blake A. Deron's Umper Bumper Custom Jigs - doing his accounting and selling some of his custom jigs. So - busy busy busy.

I rarely ever think about what I eat or how much I eat. Even rarer do I ever think about exercising. Who wants to eat the healthy stuff when the fatty stuff is just so good? Who wants to exercise when your already tired and unmotivated?

I used to use that as an excuse for not exercising. I thought that "oh, well, I'm too busy." I also thought that "It's my genetics, I should be happy being fat." Well, the more I read and think about it, the more I feel like I don't have to be fat and act happy. I can be skinny and be actually happy.

MyFatlossJournal blog!

This is my first blog that I have ever done. I don't normally do this sort of thing. I've never been into the whole Facebook/MySpace/Xanga thing. I do have one, but rarely ever check it. I'm one of those old people who still write in a journal by hand. I have kept a journal like that since I was five, and I guess I still can't kick the habit.
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I created this blog because I want to develop a support system for my weight loss lifestyle. I have been doing a heck of a lot of research in how to loose weight and I have been picking a plan to suit my needs. I decided against picking out a diet plan to fit my needs and went with a lifestyle change.

Now, you might think that isn't a really big decision, but it was for me. I went through diets all the time in the last year or so - none of which actually had any real effect on my weight loss. I would decide that I was going to not eat this or that and that I would exercise on different days and come up with plans that I could not or would not keep.

So, I decided to go for a lifestyle change....