One week in.

First post. How do I start? I suppose I should talk about why I made a blog. I decided to make a blog to document my efforts towards losing weight and getting healthy. I'm hoping doing so will help me in my journey.

A little about me.
I've never been a stick figure. I've always been tall. I have a lot of German heritage in me and it makes me have a rather broad body. This isn't an excuse, it's just the facts. I will always be curvy, and I'm totally okay with it. But, I don't have to be what I am.
Two years ago I was at the weight that I want to get back to. A reasonable weight for my height. I am about 5'9"-5'10" and currently 200lbs. My goal is to get down to 165. Thirty five pounds doesn't seem that bad when you think about it, but it really does make a huge difference.
I still have all the same clothes from two years ago and plan to get back into them. (No, I don't currently try to force myself into them.)

I'm very scattered when it comes to writing, so bear with me.
I'm not even sure if I'm gonna make this public or not.
But, anyways..


I've been a smoker for about 3 years. Never a heavy smoker. A pack used to last me over a week. And then it got to the point where I would smoke two packs in a week. Occasionally, on bad days/weeks, more, but never a pack a day, or anything that heavy. I don't see myself as an addict, but, isn't that what all addicts say? Eh, I just really enjoy smoking.
But, I've decided to quit, to benefit my health.
Last week I tried quitting cold turkey, but only lasted 2 days. But, instead of stopping my mission to quit all together, I decided to limit myself and try the weening method. I've limited myself to one, maybe two cigarettes a day, and have done well with it. Once this pack is done, I will not buy another pack.

Two months ago I bought some things to work out at home with, including an exercise ball, yoga mat, resistance bands, and 5 lb weights. Figuring since I'm basically stuck at home all the time (as I am in a new area, where I know no one, and am taking care of my grandparents) that I would spend my time working out. That only lasted for about two weeks before I fizzled out.

So, last month, I decided to join a gym. Figuring that if I was spending money on a regular basis, I would take advantage of it. Plus, it would be a way to get out of the house, which I desperately needed. This, has been working out pretty well.
I've done pretty well with getting to the gym multiple times a week. The thing is that I've been going with no real direction.
I'm a gym idiot. I don't know what I should be doing for what I want as results, etc. I use the machines that tell me how to use them. Haha. Which is fine and all, but its not the best route, cause even with that, a person can screw up.
I've been waiting about a week now to meet with the trainer to get a good routine planned.
Earlier today, my brother, a former Marine, talked to me about things I can do and how I should plan my workouts. So, at least I have that to work off of until I meet with the trainer.

Today's trip to the gym was my best thus far. I lasted longer during my initial cardio than before, I did more reps of everything I've done and I tried a couple new machines.
Today I did:
20 mins elliptical
50 bicep reps
100 reps of 110lbs leg press
75 reps of 50lbs hip abduction
75 reps of 50lbs hip adduction
45 hanging crunches

Now, I realize I'm not supposed to work my whole body every day, but I didn't understand why until I talked to my brother. So...I won't be doing it anymore.
Tomorrow when I go to the gym I will rotate between cardio and abs, and thats it.
Thursday: cardio, abs, arms
Friday: REST, cause I'm going to a concert! :D
Saturday: cardio, abs, legs
Sunday: cardio and abs
And so on, in that rotation.

I will focus on drinking more water everyday.
I will focus on eating smaller portions.
I will focus on eating less quintessential southern food, because it if all very fatty, but so delicious. This will be the hardest task.

My biggest struggle comes with dieting.
Not only because I love food.
Or because I'm in the south.
But, because, while I'm trying to lose weight, I'm also trying to fatten up my grandparents.
I have to get into a habit of cooking myself healthy meals I can eat for a few days. While they eat something else. Cooking two meals is not something I want to do, but I need to sacrifice.