Day 2,499 and the beginning of the 7th phase

Tomorrow, it was 2,500 days ago I began my journey towards a healthier lifestyle. Frustrated weighing in at over 300 pounds, I decided to do something about my weight and learn about diet and exercise. This was after a particularly difficult day I had while trying to get new clothes for my senior year at USC. I had a major epiphany when I was about to eat dinner - I realized the choices I have made and the lifestyle I had lead up to that point, got me to this miserable place. I had to change, and I knew I would have to get help. What I didn't know on August 22 2005, is that this journey would truly be lifelong as here I am still counting the days all these years later.

On August 22, 2005, now 2,500 days ago, I began this blog and over the past 7 years I have been on an off blogging about my journey. So far there have been 6 phases to my journey, and today I'm entering the 7th which will be a period of huge growth for me:

Phase I: August 22, 2005-Jan 1, 2006: Learning about exercise, visiting the nutritionist, had a physical and learned about my current state of health, went from 310 to 265lbs. Started swimming to avoid joint pain. Began a food journal

Phase II: Jan 1, 2006-April 30, 2006: Reached my first goal, obtained 230 pounds. Started a swimming routine and weight routine. Learned about the Zone diet, and took a cooking class.

Phase III: Summer 2006-Summer 2007: The hardest part for me - my first year out of college, away from my support system, first period of yo-yo dieting went from 230-235-225-216-227-230 and across the spectrum with my weight. Worked out at the Long Beach YMCA, jogged on the beach. Traveled to Europe and reached again 230 pounds. Began drinking alcohol once a/week.

Phase IV: Fall 2007-Spring 2009: Weight remained in the 220s, left the gym and walked/ran around echo park, weight fluctuated into the 220s, depression became a factor in my eating habits, became leaner into the fall/winter 2008, after my first breakup at the beginning of 2009 I reached my lowest number: 212lbs. I remember feeling 'weak' and lacking in muscle at this point. Financially had struggles, so I ate a grain-based diet at home. Moved to Playa Del Rey, and worked out on the beach. Joined the YMCA in the summer of 2009. Began regularly jogging again on the beach.

Phase V: Fall 2009-fall 2010: Joined Crossfit LA and learned about pushing my body to the extreme. Entered cross fit at 228 pounds, reached 222 while at the gym, became leaner and more muscular. Did my first round of pull-ups ever on my own, learned about olympic weightlifting, gluten-free dieting and the paleo diet. Waist got down to nearly 41". Crossfit Ended at in Nov 2010, as financially I couldn't swing it in school. Entered CalArts. Got 'dunked' (hydrostatic body composition test) in the spring of 2010 and I had 19% body fat. Began attending OA meetings.

Phase VI: Fall 2010-June 23,2012: Completed my Master's Degree at CalARts. During this time I drove 28,000 miles a year, ate out regularly, snacked out of vending machines, exercise consisted of light walking/running, toured regularly, ate most processed foods, began drinking coffee, and alcohol intake increased to several times a week at school and at gigs. My weight went from the upper 220s to the 240s where I am now. In March of 2012, I got to 229 again. April and May were two of the hardest months in my life for me - both emotionally and for my career, and I ballooned up to 244. I have lost 2 pounds this week after working out daily, 3 days of weights, and 6 days of cardio. Im back on a plant-based diet and I have began my food journal again.

Phase VII: July 1, 2012-August 12, 2012: 6 weeks of plant-based dieting: avoid breads, processed foods, sugar, soda, coffee, and alcohol. Eat lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and frequent meals. Cardio (elliptical, walking, jogging, sprinting, swimming, jumprope) 6 days a week and weight training (upper/lower body routine) 3 xs a week. I just joined LA fitness down the street at a steal - $19.95 a month!. My goal is to get as close to 230 in these 6 weeks.

Beyond phase 7, Im hoping to again aim to get to 190 in the long term- however, the immediate goal for the rest of the year will be to get to 211 - one pound under my lightest so far. My ultimate goal is to get my waist at or below 36".

I have began my food journal and workout journal so Ill be posting my daily results on here. The 4th of July holiday is wednesday, and ill plan ahead to have a fun holiday which still meets my goals of activity and food choice.

Other factors which have been challenging to reach my health goals: career projects (touring), stress with developing/finding work, driving to gigs/teaching, success/failure in finding a companion to help me on my journey, family hardship, and struggling with dating women in LA.

Any support is greatly appreciated, this has been a long, hard journey I've been on. This is a life-long struggle and I realize this. Granted, I've been the one that has put myself through my eating and health habits. There have been many other people with much higher goals than what I originally have set who have obtained their goals within the time which I have been concentrating this effort. However, I know that everything happens for a reason, and after figuring out that tomorrow marks my 2500th day, I know that this truly is a new day for my lifestyle goals. I can do this and thanks for all your help and courage.

J
Sun July 1, 2012 10:31pm.