Motivation

So I have seen teen, 20's, 40's, 50's and beyond, but no 30's group.  So would anybody like to get something started?  Not sure where to begin hmmmm

I guess being in our thirties our metabolism has not hit a wall just yet, but it certainly isn't what it was in the 20's.  Don't you miss those days?  Anything you want and as long as you did maybe one sport in high school, then no worries.  Ohwell on to real life where nothing seems to be on schedule.

Let hear your thoughts.

Hi ladies

Thanks for the input on the running when it's hot. My problem is the only time I seem to be able to get out to run is in the afternoon(when it is hottest). The only time My babysitter can come. I'll try more water(even though I'll have to pee) Maybe I'll carry try carrying a water bottle.

I think I may have broke through my plateau! I don't officailly weigh in till Friday, but scale says I'm down 1.5(2 days in a row). Yay! It's been a good month since I've seen the numbers move down. Hopefully this is real!

 

Hey immom ~ have you thought about trying a camelbak so you don't have to carry a water bottle? They make models for runners - just in case this helps out... (I'm sure other stores sell them, this is just the first link I saw for them.)

Congrats on your loss, too!

1april ~ I'm also on a plateau; well, on the scale, not in inches. This is typical for me and I do find it frustrating. But I can see my body changing so I try not to let the scale rule my life (kind of like manta suggested.)

musicismydestiny ~ I had to adjust up in cals to break my last plateau, too. It is weird to think you need to eat more to lose, but higher activity levels demand higher calories...I hope you find out what will work for you!

mjthomas96
Yes, we sound very similar.  I also have a desk job and I work 6am to 3pm.  It is part of my lack of motivation, I get up so early then when I get home I am dead tired and I still have dinner and homework with the kids to get done.  I try to get naps in, but that doesn't always happen.  I know that getting back into a work out routine will help give me the energy that I am lacking. Plus, with school being out I don't have the homework to help with anymore, that frees up lots of time in the evening for me.

I forgot to welcome  immom!

Thanks (as usual) to lynnhaslost.  Pizza is a huge weakness for me, but you are right, I shouldn't beat myself up about it! I have moved on and logged 1300 and 1400 for the 2 days since then, not too shabby!  One thing I have noticed is I need to eat more for breakfast...that is a new goal of mine.  Your suggestions were great as usual, and lucky for me I like stuff like veggie burgers, tofu, rocks, twigs, vegetables and all other healthy foods! (except rhubarb, YUCK, who invented that stuff)

musicismydestiny you are too sweet! I get carded unless I have my 16 year old son with me.  Plus I married a younger man, that also makes me look younger! *wink*.  I am so over my 1800 calorie day! It is so 2 days ago, I hardly think of it (until the next time we order pizza of course!)

...and talking about plateaus..I believe I am at a new plateau, they seem to happen every 10 lbs.  But, I am not going to stress about it, I have that running clinic coming up and I am off to Vegas next week... and I can't think of such things whilst on vacation!

immom, taking water with you will help tremendously, as daizy said, look into the camelbacks, much better than carrying a water bottle.  I don't think you realize how much fluid you lose in the desert because it evaporates so quickly on coming to your skin, so keeping well hydrated during your run is vital, especially since you have to do it in the afternoon (trust me, I know how tough it is to fit in runs with kids! thats why I do 5 am, while hubby and DD are asleep).

musicismydestiny, you and I have similar stats ( I am 5'4" 32 years old) and a similar build it sounds like too, but it sounds like you are burning a lot more than I am a day from exercise and the walking.  Also, I have not suffered from an ED, so not sure how/if that will actually have an effect on your metabolism.  Anyway, I started at 167 (pretty close to you) and was religious with my eating for a few months when I dropped most of my weight.  Here is what I came up with caloriewise (you may need to tweak this a little, but at least it will give you can idea).  At your height/weight you burn about 1700-1800 calories just through sedentary daily living (not sure what your job and if that can be considered active, but if it is, that means with your job, you probably burn closer to 2100 calories).  This is the number WITHOUT you exercise or walking.  For the time being, don't even WORRY about your BMR, thats a whole other issue thats you shouldn't really need to worry about right now.  So, lets go with you are sedentary, so on gym days with walking both ways you are burning close ~2700 calories, which means if you are only eating 1300-1500, that is too few (you shouldn't have more than a 1000 calorie deficit, I used to aim for 500-700 and found that worked really well).  So, in reality you need to be eating closer to 2000 calories on your full workout, full walking days, and then you can do the math accordingly for the other days.  ANd trust me, I KNOW it is so hard to add in calories, I had the hardest time with that, but I think it may help you.  Even though we are realitively short (5'4" is a funny height isn't it?  not exactly short, but I wouldn't say average or tall either, I have the hardest time finding pants the right length!), at 170lbs, you are burning quite a few calories with every activity you do (not that 170 is huge or anything, but the extra weight does up the burn!).  I woudl suggest trying for maybe like a 600-700 cal deficit on workoutdays, and maybe 300 on non workout days and see how that goes for you.

Oh, and congrats on outdoing the skinny girl at the gym.  and yes HIIT will kick your arse, thats what it is designed to do, but it is great for you too! Just make sur eyou give yourself enough breaks to recover from the tough workouts!

If its not to late to join in, I would like to.  Im 35,  Ive been married for 17 years or at least will be next month and I have 6 kids. 4 girls 2 boys ages 15 to 6.  Im a stay at home home schooling mom trying to lose about 60 lbs.  Hubby and I started on a diet together on June 1st.  He wants to see which one of us can lose the most weight by July 1st.   Hes going to win.  But, hey at least it got him up and moving. 

I decided now was the time to do this because my father died in January of heart desease at the age of 55.   Then my husband has an accident at work where he got super glue in his eye.  The eye doctor said he was over 300 lbs and I freaked out.  So we bought our first scale in about 10 years and I found out that I now weigh nearly 200 and I really freaked.   Of course all the kids wanted to weigh and my skinny teenage daughters got a good laugh at mom grumbling over how skinny they were.   Then my youngest daughter, the one that was three months premature, got on the scale and I had a very quite third freak out.

My 7 year old baby weighs 100 lbs.  Her 11  year old brother doesn't weigh that much.  Admittedly shes almost as tall as he is, but still  it was more than I could handle.   So hubby and I went on a diet.  I don't want her thinking she needs to be on a diet, so I told her that we were doing it because we needed to improve our health.  Well shes is following in my footsteps exercising more, and changing her diet but not enough that she loses weight.  

I told her maintaining what she was now was good cause she would grow taller and it would all work itself out.  She just needed to make sure she got plenty of exercise so that her heart stayed healthy.   To be honest, my father passing kind of shook us all up.  Now Im playing a balancing game between taking care of my own health and not letting Stephies self image take a hit.

So anyway thats me in a nutshell.  I look forward to getting to know all of you. 

Me too, me too!  I'd like to join.  I'm 31, 5'5", currently 147 lbs (down from 190 lbs), and mom to a 13 year old girl.  I've been calorie counting for about a year now and it's been a fabulous experience.  Really it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.  I ultimately would like to lose around 10-15 lbs more but since summer weather and activities have started I'm having a tough time just maintaining.  I also struggle with exercising regularly.  While I am looking to get in better shape like be able to run 3 miles without feeling like I'm going to pass out, I actually like how I look right now and I am very grateful for where I have come from. 

ladykelien, it's nice that you and your husband are doing the weight loss thing together.  I wish I had a partner to help motivate me, but at least I have CC and the community here is really great for staying motivated.  With 6 children to care for and educate, I can't imagine how busy you are, so it's even more impressive that you are taking time and energy to take care of yourself.  I'm sorry to hear about your father but at least you and your hubby are making changes so that you will be able to be around a lot longer for your kids.  Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure run in my family and I am very conscious about wanting to do the things necessary to avoid those illnesses.  Good luck with helping your little one change to a healthier lifestyle.  I think it's probably easier for her and you since she is homeschooled and away from all the candy, ice cream, soda, and other treats that are just so pervasive in mainstream schools. 

Shyran > Just take your times and find your balance, and if I have some advice to give, you know I'm going to give up my last 2 cents of input. LOL.

Ladykelien > I do believe this is on going.. Jump in and make yourself known.. Welcome, we are all here for support and fun.. It's even a few fellas in here too..... I see you got your hands full as well. Another Super Mom. 6 Kids, you are a super-super mom.  Married for 17 years, what a blessing... Sounds like you have a well blessed family.  Husband started with you on this.. Well, you don't have to sneak to get him to diet... ( But this is a life style change for the 2 of you. Not a "Diet".)  He's going to win, but you know that don't you... Just do what is best for your family. You taking charge of this now is going to work for everyone. Don't you know.. We run across some people who are adults who don't eat right on CC. My oh my! I mean really.. This one girl told the world she don't eat right at all. Then she had this post about Poop, and she wonders why all these things was happing to her... EEEW!  I mean..... Start them off right now! Eating right. Walks in the after noons with you, and just have them fully active with you. My children are very active. I'm with you 100% cheering you on.... There is never a wrong time to start living life right, and to the fullest. NEVER! Sorry about your father's passing. My father has heart problems as well. Didn't find out until last year, and he is part of the reason why I've been kicking my own but into shape. The thing about father's are. My father notice. I was too busy taking care of everyone-but myself. Now it's time for me to find a little room for me and every one else as well. "us mother's need to do that from time to time." Nice to meet you again...  WELCOME! 

Ajazzymama > Welcome to the group, nice to meet you... And we have another mom here...... 13. I have a 13 year old girl too, along with a 9 year old , and a 10 year old little boy.. Grown man in his own right he says.....  You are going to lose those last few pounds, I have a little more to go. I have 12 to go. I know this is going to be one hell of a battle, but I'm not scared...... I can do it....You can do it too, and you are not going to past out from running 3 miles.. Just take your time and do it...... I think we all struggle with exericising..... I do sometimes, and sometimes I don't.. When its weight training day.. I am in the gym with bells on.... Just put a cow bell around my neck on that day, and watch me fall in like I'm Rocky... I love weight training, but most of all.. I really love boxing, and that's been something that I call my power trip.   You are going to find your fit. My fit is getting tough, and I love being kinda on the, (I can kick his (A**) type of feeling.) You will find your fit in time.. Just give it time..... Nice to meet you again, and welcome.......................

Hey there.  Turned 30 in March...was actually a motivating factor in my decision to lose weight going into my 30's as the 'fat' mom was not gonna happen if I could help it and I can! So I gave myself a year to lose 91 lbs and get to a healthy weight for my size.  I'm 5'6" but big-boned (I swear! LOL)  I have never thought of myself as skinny or petite that's for sure.  I was pretty happy with myself until after I got married.  I looked down one day and said OMG I have stretch marks on my stomach. (and at that time I'd never been pregnant)  I was very upset but figured I was gonna have kids anyway so get over it.  Each time I went off birth control pills to try to get pregnant (both were planned) I ended up gaining around 30 lbs during the 'try' period so that by the time I was pregnant and gaining pregnancy weight, my doc was having hissies.  Each time I lost the baby weight, kept the pre-baby weight.  So eventually 3 years after having kids I was now around 65 lbs heavier.  Then my mom moved in with us and I gained around 25 lbs just because of stress and also her way of saying 'thank you' is always with food.  But don't blame Mom, I'm the one who ate the food.  So anyway, long story short (ha,ha) I ended up at 241 lbs and was ready for that to be my top weight.  I'm lost 28 lbs so far and finally went down a size in pants and two sizes in shirts.  I can't even believe I wear an L shirt.  I don't think I wore that size even when I could fit into it! LOL I always chose baggy clothes to cover myself when I was smaller.  Little did I know! But I'm happier knowing that someday I will be who I want to be.  That I someday I will no longer outweigh my husband and that my daughter's are going to have an energetic mom they can be proud of.  I also want my daughter's growing up with healthy self-images and if they are around me always being negative about my overweight body, they will never learn to love themselves and that's not acceptable to me.  Already my 4 yr old asks me if I think she's chubby so it starts so young.  I just wanna be a good example.  I love them too much NOT to change myself for the better.  It is very very hard to love yourself after a lifetime of not loving yourself though.  It's like you have to start at square 1.  So here I am.  Square 1. LOL Nice to meet you all.

manta515, you are amazing!  Thank you for taking all that time to detail that stuff for me.  I'm going to try to get to the store and find some calorie dense stuff to get me a little higher in calories without a)being junk or 2) being filling.  Another one of the perks (insert sarcasm HERE) of being a former bulimic is the monumental stomach shrinkage (sadly, inside, not out) issue.  1500 calories of healthy stuffs about killed me yesterday.  It's a real pain in arse. 

I WISH I was trying to break a plateau.  I keep reading about people with plateaus and I'm all....LUCKY!  A plateau means you were losing in the first place!  I haven't even begun and I'm 8 or so weeks in.  My BFF keeps telling me I'll wake up one day thin.  Of course, I'm fairly sure she also believes in unicorns, so I'm taking that with a grain of salt.

HIIT question for you all:  Um.  Did I do it right?  I only did the HIIT portion for 15 minutes, but then continued on to do 30 more minutes of steady state high intensity (but not anything like the HIIT) cardio.  Is it meant to replace or supplement?

One more: HOW do you ladies make the strength training work?  I do about 20 minutes of it---rarely with free weights.  I say I only go 20 minutes in the interest of time, which is generally true, but also I find it booooooooooring.  I also tend to believe that I was raised to think that cardio was THE way to lose weight, and I'm having some trouble pushing through that.

Did y'all hear that Jazzercise is back with a vengeance?  I wish I could find a class...I remember Saturday Enrichment classes in 1st grade.  Purple Leotard and Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust".   ah the 80s.  Killer music, baaaaaaaaaaad fashion. 

Thursday, almost as good as Friday.  Sort of the weekend's redheaded stepchild, if you will.

Musicmydesitny,  the numbers were easy because I just used what I had calculated for myself and then added what you gave me for your exercise.  I would suggest trying the increased cals for a few weeks at least.  Note that you MAY gain weight initially, try not to let that freak you out.  If you can, maybe just do the increased cals and DON'T weight yourself for 3 weeks.  As for high cal foods that are healthy (the ones I try to avoid because unlike you I have no problems stuffing my stomach with thousands of calories!), peanut butter is a good one, any full fat dairy, and certain breads that are quite dense but healthy with mor cals than normal.  Thats what I can come up with off the top of my head.  As for HIIT, 15-20 mins of HIIT are plenty, you can add in a 5-10 min warm-up/cool down and that could be your entire workout.  The thing with HIIT, is that you should take at least a one day break between sessions, so that means you can do HIIT one day and then regular cardio the next.  As for strength training, 20 mins can be enough, try to get it in 3 times a week, but I would suggest trying to switch to as much free weights as possible and maybe start a full body routine.  If you search strength training on this site there are some really good links to full body routines that you can do 3 days a week.  I learned to love strength training, one thing you should be doing is high weight that you can only so 8-12 reps of.  Once you can easily do 12 reps, up your weight.  Hope this helps

 

Welcome to all the new people

Welcome all you new ladies

musicismydestiny - I'm a couple inches taller (5'6") and burn about the same calories as you on my workout days.  I agree with manta that you probably aren't eating enough calories on those days.  I aim for a 500-700 deficit on my work out days and so far have been losing weight steadily.  It may be a little different for you but hang in there and you'll start losing!!  I also do about 20 minutes of strenght training four days a week.  I alternate arms and legs every day and I just use a resistance band at home.  It works really great.  I have really noticed a change my muscle tone, especially on my arms.

ladykelien - I am with you and trying to yourself and the kids healthy.  My family has a history of high blood pressure and diabetes and I'm trying to nip it in the bud now so I don't end up with it.  I have and 8 year old boy that weighs just over 90 lbs.  Granted he's pretty tall for his age, but still not healthy.  We have been learning about portion sizes and when he's not in sports, he's been jogging with his dad.  My husband is about 250 - at least 50 lbs overweight.  I started (this time) at 175 in December and if I weighed in at 154 this morning!!! I was so excited.  I lost 15 lbs really easy to start and had been on a plateau for about 4 months until I really started exercising more and counting calories.  Best of luck to you!!!

ajazzymama - congratulations on your weight loss to date!! that's great.  With three kids and work and kids sports I can understand trying to fit in exercise.  I also get up at 5am while dad and kids are sleeping, otherwise I would never have time.  I don't run, so can't help you there, but keep working at it and you'll get there!!  Good luck with your 10-15 llbs!!!  I would also like to lose about 15 more.  Hoping I can do it without hitting a plateau!!!

nillytoots - congratulations on your weight loss also!!  Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you can fit into something better.  I was actually able to button a pair of pants this morning without "sucking it in"!!  I'm hoping five more pounds and I can actually go down a size.  You will be a great example to your girls!!  You keep on track and they will follow and it will be second nature for them, they won't even think a thing of it.  I know with my boys I want them to understand the exercise and eating healthy is just part of everyday life, not something you only have to do to lose weight.  That's why I'm glad to be starting this now also.

Hey there!  I'm interested in joining the group as well.  I'm 30, turning 31 in October and started using this website over a month ago.  So far I've lost about 7 pounds.  I lost over 100 pounds in 2001 and kept 60 of that off, but I want to get to my previous low.  I don't want to end up like my family where obesity runs rampant.  My aunt has trouble walking because of the excess weight and my mom is not in great shape either.  It's a cycle that needs to end and I want to break it for myself.  I definately need some support in doing so. 

lynnhaslost and mjthomas, thank you for the warm welcome!  This group is just so positive and supportive.  I love it!  :-)

nillytoots, entering my 30s was a wakeup call for me too.  I also have really tried to be a better rolemodel for my daughter because we used to eat a lot of junk food/fast food.  Now that I've lost some weight, my daughter has actually noticed and told me that I look good and likes to work out with me.  What more could a mom ask for?

musicismydestiny and manta515, I've heard that HIIT is the real deal.  It's sounds so intense and scary.  Have you had good results with it? 

triciae, welcome to the group.  I also had a previous try at weight loss in which I was successful but ended up gaining some of the weight back.  I think the good thing about this is that you know your body is capable of losing that much weight and the amount of work and dedication that it takes.  Obesity is a common issue in my family as well.  Luckily my family has been encouraging about my healthier lifestyle but it's always tough we go out to eat together.  I usually end up eating what they eat (fried chicken, mac & cheese, etc) but I've at least learned how to control my portions better.  I'm still working at making better food choices.

I was bad yesterday.  1300 calories BUT it wasn't a gym day so I'm going to give myself a pass on that.  I get my car back today so it's back to 5 days in the gym a week, and I'm going to start with 1600 a day and see how it goes.  Going to get some avocado and peanut butter and things that will add calories without stuffing me silly.

I revised a little at the gym today...5 min steady cross trainer into 15 HIIT into 15 high interval at 4.5 on the treadmill and then 30 of strength machines.  It felt weird to stop cardio 10 minutes short, but I wanted to tack another 10 onto strength training.   Unfortunately, I didn't dare start fumbling with the free weights.  Why, Mollie, you ask?

Gym rats.  I hate them.  Let me explain.

There's this woman, maybe mid-40s, with a slamming body and serious definition.  Constant scowl and way too much tanning booth.  Clearly doesn't have much to do outside of workout, but hey, I'm not hating.

That said.

The biatch TAKES OVER the nautilus section.  Weights everywhere.  Her settings on the machines.   Balance balls all over the place.  It pisses me off royally.  Two days this week I've had to skip two machines I NEED to be using because it's impossible to navigate through her obstacle course of ****. 

Incidentally, this is not an enormous gym.  Itty bitty, actually.

/rant

I really need to go buy a scale that works.  For ****'s and giggles I moved mine into 4 places in the house to see....yeeeeeeeeeah.  4 different weights LOL.  I will shell out for a good one, get on it Monday morning, and put that sucker away for a while. 

 

ajazzymama, I JUST started HIIT.  I do know that it is forcing me to get my ass kicked on machines that I use daily and was probably getting far too used to.  I don't run and loathe the stationary bike---and the treadmill takes too long to respond to adjustments, so I do it on my beloved crosstrainer.  I can tell you that the same 15 minutes that would normally yield a 150 calorie burn for me turned into 295 today...so that has to be something.  IT HAS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT????????

Sigh.  Weekend's here and I've got a summer solstice party to go to tomorrow night and instead of a cheat day this week, I'm letting myself drink a couple beers. 

Happy Summer, ladies!  Have a beautiful weekend!

Hi everyone! Welcome all new people! wow, took me awhile to read and catch up! my garage sale went all right.. made about $150.00- which wasnt too bad considering most of my stuff was pretty cheap- dime, quarter, $1- $2  for most things.. I didnt really do much advertising, just put up a few signs, which really took a beating with the wind. There was quite a bit left over, but my husband has a friend who knows someone who works with a county nearby with low-income cases and I was able to donate everything I had left to that- really a win-win deal for everyone! 

 Anyway, after the garage sale,  we left Tuesday for a little vacation up north (Duluth) and just got back today. We had a really great time, but man, I really fell off the wagon! We ate out most the time, and I wasnt very good! I didnt really get much exercise except walking around quite a bit, but that was at a slow pace too- not just because the kids, but my hubby hurt his leg last weekend too. He was playing hockey and tried to turn around- his body turned, but his right skate caught on the ice and didnt turn with him and he ended up tearing a ligament in his calf below his knee. He has been having to wear a brace to keep his leg straight and it is such a pain in the butt to help him in and out of it and all that. I told him it would be pretty funny if he had to wear two of them things.. he would be walking like frankenstein! ha, he didnt think it was so funny.  He goes back to the doc tomorrow to check it out- make sure he doesnt need surgery.. i hope not.

So anyway, I left with the scale reading  166.5- 168 (remember I step on that damn thing at least 3 x a day) and today I came back at 171- 172 :(  grrr.. time to get with it again! I need to get back to eating right and get my lazy behind back in gear. I havent logged my eating or exercised in over a week! oo, shame on me!

Well enough of my little rant, have a great weekend everyone! oh, I put up a couple of pics from our little trip too.

hi again, I just checked my email awhile ago and a friend sent me a link to this wonderful story I want to share with all of you.. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey =8cf08faca5dd9ea45513  -- if the link doesnt work go to www.godtube.com and search for 'hoyt'.  It is a story about a man who runs marathons and triathalons with his son.. maybe some of you runners have already heard of them.. anyway, I cried when I watched it and was so moved.. very inspirational! check it out!

I have a feeling today is going to be a funky food day.  I had breakfast, and I know what I'm having for dinner, it's lunch I have NO idea about!  I think my boyfriend and I are going to try to have lunch together.  He's doing his thing now, I'm doing my thing soon and we'll try to meet up for lunch, or so I think.  I thought he would be home by now to discuss but oh well. 

I actually think this weekend might be funky since tomorrow is his grandmother's b-day and I'm doing lunch/bruch w/ his family.  Need some suggestions/encouragement on how to just take this weekind literally one meal at a time w/o freaking out about food/weight. 

Did I mention my period started yesterday and I'm not at all thrilled about the whole water weight/bloated thing?

Wow!  I haven't logged into this site for two weeks, and it looks like I've missed a lot!  Too many posts to read...

 I did accomplish a landmark number this week.  I officially hit the 20 pound mark!  Actually as of my weigh in last night I have lost 21.25 pounds. Now only 35 more to go!

Wendyb27 To answer your question, I go to the gym 3 days a week.  The first day I work on chest, shoulders and triceps, the second day back, different shoulder muscles and biceps, and the third day I do all legs.  I always do 30-35 minutes on the eliptical after each work out to finish off. 

I have yet to incorporate any abs in to my routine, but my ab muscles are fairly firm, I just have a lot of fat on top of them now.  I figure as the fat falls off, my stomache will look fine.  My husband works graveyard and I work full-time and commute almost an hour each way to work, so there is limited time to get my workout in before the gym's daycare closes.  The only way to get abs in is to add a fourth gym day to my week, which I just don't have time for. 

I have also been cutting back severely on what I'm eating and tracking my food intake and caloric burn in my own excel spreadsheet.  I mostly come to CC to look up the calories in foods I am not sure about.  Everyone here seems very supportive though, and it's nice to know I'm not alone in my efforts.

Oh, and I finally posted a photo.  Another landmark...this is the first picture I have taken in a long time that I didn't want to run to the computer and immediately Photoshop out my second chin!