AwkwardOwl

Thanks the welcome back and your helpful response! One of my main downfalls is eating bad one day and allowing that to be a downward spiral. Also, just feeling overwhelmed in general with a lack of energy/stress and letting that dictate me eating food to comfort myself. I think eating to comfort myself is my biggest downfall.

So....I'm back at where I started about 9 months ago. I lost ~20 pounds, then life happened and I stopped working out and started eating crap to comfort myself. Gained back the 20 pounds and here I am. I'm struggling with my cycle of 'lose some weight', get bored, and go back to how I used to eat. ....I want to lose ALL of my weight but I really don't know how to keep my motivation through the long haul (already lost 60 pounds, looking to lose another 50 and get down to around 140-150). The lowest I've been is 179. Help or advice is appreciated!

Yup, this is the story of my sugar intake as well. I'll do well until I get to work (which is a toxic, depressing environment with free candy) and then I become possessed and I have a very difficult - if not impossible - time stopping consuming a ton of candy. I'm not sure that I have any advice, per say, but having healthy sweet treats (Larabars) helped some (until I ate them all....). I've also been trying to add honey to my tea to curb cravings but that hasn't been helping either. You're not alone in your struggles! I'm curious to see how other people have reduced their intake.

I'm always in need of more buddies. Send me a PM? =)

@Arkham - Thank you! Your pups are adorable -- I have a soft spot for huskies. =) Stuffing explosions galore. Mo's favorite game is to rip all of the stuffing out of his toys and then wait for us to restuff them.

Thank you. I do have some dairy substitute milks that I make smoothies with. I'm a fan of coconut and flaxmilk. =) It's just hard, because the farm that my spouse and I work at gives us free goat milk and then we have to buy alternative milks for me.....it just seems silly. Here's a link to the Core Workout I've been doing.

I have two dogs, Star (our 17 year old blue heeler) and Mo (our 14 year old beagle).

You're welcome, @Blocky. The fun thing about homebrewing your own kombucha is you can flavor it however you want. I think my favorite flavor is turmeric ginger, but I'm excited to try brewing an apple spice kombucha too. Kombucha is great plain too. =) Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of further help!

I thought that raw goat products were fine (normally what I have -- raw cheese and raw milk) but after being away from goat milk for a few months and re-introducing it into my diet, I've felt bloated and had other GI issues. =/ GI issues may be related to an increased carb intake (potatoes, limited rice) when I'd been away for 4-ish months. Not cutting out goat milk entirely, but my body is out of balance right now and I need to work on getting things settled again. The recipe for 'booch' (as I like to call it) is here -- Kombucha Recipie I grew my own scoby from a bottle of plain GT's komboucha. How to Grow a Scoby

That experience sounds so magical! Updates so far on my challenge: 1. Lift weights Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Monday, Wednesday, Friday for an hour (using weight lifting videos and bodyweight fitness routine) Lifted weights twice this week (Wednesday and Friday) for 30 minutes both times. Am going to try a beginner's bodyweight fitness exercise routine I found on Reddit for this challenge. I think I might lift weights once a week, and do the bodyweight workout twice a week. 2. Work on core at least 6 times a week for 20 minutes (using core videos) Worked on my core twice since starting my challenge. Oof. I did go for a 3.1 mile walk yesterday, though, and worked on posture, brisk walking, and holding my core tight for an hour. 3. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day This has not been happening. My water bottle (made out of plastic that's BPA free) got a crack in it and there's water I can't get out of the bottom and it smells like mildew. I've been trying to keep a glass of water by me and refill it often, but it isn't working so great. 4. Save at least $150 from each paycheck Complete. 5. Bring healthy snacks to work (dried fruit, nuts, etc.) to avoid temptation of snacking on sugar and other things at work. Bought some jerky, dried fruit, and Larabars to help with healthier snacking at work. 6. Avoid gluten and dairy. Limit egg intake. This didn't happen. Been struggling with intense depression and anxiety and went after the goat cheese in the fridge late last night. Fuck. My body is now punishing me for my poor decision.... My body surprisingly(!) tolerates duck eggs well. If only they weren't $8 a dozen... 7. Limit consumption of processed carbs and starchy vegetables (potatoes). Use substitutes like plantains and try making cauliflower rice. Had mashed potatoes yesterday. Again, been struggling with intense depression right now. 8. Cook at least 90% of meals at home. Limit eating out to a maximum of once a week. Ate out on Friday night at a Thai place. Had a very small helping of rice (bad idea, body didn't like that). Also had some lettuce wraps and a curry chicken soup. Goal is to spend tomorrow cooking meals for the week. 9. Incorporate more fresh juice into diet. Go to local juice bar or use juicer at home. Drink fresh juice at least once every week. Hasn't happened yet. 10. Consume more probiotics. Kombucha and sauerkraut are both great and easy to make at home. Aim for at least an ounce of probiotics a day. Had sauerkraut or komboucha every day since starting challenge.

That's so awesome! I heard some barn owls a few nights ago on an evening walk. =)

My spirit animal is an owl and I am awkward and clumsy -- hence the username awkwardowl.

Thank you! I home brew komboucha as well as kraut, and notice a big difference in my mood, nutrient absorption, and overall energy levels of when I consume probiotics versus when I don't.

You're very welcome. Thanks for your willingness to learn. =) I also may have bit off more than I could chew....the jury is still out on that. I think that I've made my goals SMART(er) for my next challenge. Thanks for the good luck in regards to that! I look forward to seeing you around the forums as well.

Thank you for posting this. Although I'd ideally be 100% Paleo, I snack on popcorn on occasion as well has adore homemade hashbrowns. Hearing the 80/20 rule really helps put things in perspective for me!

One of my favorite drinks involves a bit of honey, a shot of ACV, and 4 ounces of water. =)

Thanks! I'm not using a program for lifting (yet). I've been attending a body weight class at a local gym and found the videos for the class online. Do you have a recommendation on a good weight lifting program?

I'm back for my 2nd challenge! I learned a lot from my first challenge (including the fact that I need goals that are spelled out and a solid plan in order for me to be successful. That being said.... Here are my goals for my 2nd challenge (starting today!): 1. Lift weights Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Monday, Wednesday, Friday for an hour (using weight lifting videos) 2. Work on core at least 6 times a week for 20 minutes (using core videos) 3. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day 4. Save at least $150 from each paycheck 5. Bring healthy snacks to work (dried fruit, nuts, etc.) to avoid temptation of snacking on sugar and other things at work 6. Avoid gluten and dairy. Limit egg intake. 7. Limit consumption of processed carbs and starchy vegetables (potatoes). Use substitutes like plantains and try making cauliflower rice. 8. Cook at least 90% of meals at home. Limit eating out to a maximum of once a week. 9. Incorporate more fresh juice into diet. Go to local juice bar or use juicer at home. Drink fresh juice at least once every week. 10. Consume more probiotics. Kombucha and saurkraut are both great and easy to make at home. Aim for at least an ounce of probiotics a day.

Homemade shrimp mofongo

This is awesome! Welcome to Nerd Fitness -- sounds like you're on your way to making healthy changes. I'm happy to be a sounding board and/or support person if you'd like. Best of luck on your journey!

My name is Owl and I'm transmasculine. I use he/him/his pronouns. Losing weight and gaining muscle (in the right places) are important to me as I transition (socially for now, but I'm beginning to consider hormones). Looking back on things, a lot of my weight gain has been related to depression -- and that depression related to suppressing my true self. I've lost 70 pounds so far on my journey and I'm determined to make 2017 a year where I work on my health and happiness.

Congrats!!!! My spouse and I also proposed to each other (on the same day) for similar reasons.

I identify as a man (and am trans), hence the term transmasculine. I will certainly check out the LGBTQ forum in The Pub. Just a heads up, someone is trans or transgender, not transgendered. This is similar to calling a person of color a colored person -- it denies the individual's identity and makes the assumption that someone "did" something to be trans or a person of color. I did my first challenge (but it didn't go so great, my goals weren't specific enough!) Thanks for the warm welcome! =)

Thanks for the warm welcome, Flarg Longarms! =)

Hey y'all! My name is Owl (and I'm awkward). Now that that's out of the way....I'm here on NF (again) to find community and help me keep accountable to my goals. I've got a few nerdy things that I enjoy including: Potterhead <3, Super Mario Brothers (but only the original), Super Pitfall, and TMNT (bonus points if you love Donatello). I'm 29, a transmasculine dude, musician and nature explorer. I'm here to: 1. Lose weight (40ish pounds -- more concerned about physique than amount of weight lost) 2. Save $3,000 (currently at roughly $1,800+) 3. Get a healthier relationship with food -- my body knows exactly what it wants/needs, my mind gets in the way 4. Find a job that brings me joy and that I'm passionate about 5. Save money for a downpayment for a home 6. Pay off student loans (I'll be debt free after that!) Cheers, Owl