getting back on track....need support!

[dara1012]

I have struggled with my weight and body image for as long as I can remember. Last night I decided that I really need to do this....no excuses about not having time, I need to make time. I need to not eat unhealthy foods.

I would like to potentially entertain the possibility of having another child. Last time my OB wouldn't enter into fertility treatment unless I was at a certain BMI, I need to lose 30 lbs to get there. I would really like to lose 70lbs. Which sounds like a lot, but would put me at a place I feel comfortable.

Today I exercised for an hour, tracked my food on myfitnesspal.com (and was under my calorie count for the day). I came up with a plan to exercise in the morning since evenings won't work with grad school and work commitments. I need to get up at 5:45a M-F to make this work, I love my sleep so I need support to maintain this regimen.

I also eat unhealthy food when I am stressed so I need to support to make good decisions even under duress.

My goals are to exercise daily and track my food intake daily. If I can stay under my calorie goal and exercise I should lose 1-2 lbs a week.

I want to wear this dress in late January and feel good in it again.

Attachments:

[sarahisis]

You're such a strong person, and if anyone I know can do it, you can!!!
Just keep your eye on the prize!!!!

I'd like to try Zumba.. I've heard it's a kickass workout and fun too! Interested? lol I've been thinking about getting on track and losing about 50-60 lbs but it's hard with the kind of food we have in our house.. between my husband and my kid there are snacks everywhere! We do have a new elliptical but the times that I have time to do it, I'm so tired, that I just want to nap... I need to find time.

Goodluck!!!

[supermommy]

I am with you ladies. I need to drop 30 pounds and have the hardest time finding any motivation at all. I will be honest here, I have never needed to exercise before. I could always eat what I want and a ton of it too and only lose weight up until this last year. Now I am 30+ lbs overweight and have no clue where to start. Wishing you the best of luck, I think what you have planned is great but sticking to it is the real challenge. Rooting for you 100% You go girl!

Sarah if I had an elliptical in my house I would use it all the time, I LOVE those things. I was addicted in college! My apartment sadly would never fit one in:-(

[dara1012]

Super- A good place to start with tracking food for free is myfitnesspal.com. There are other things on that website, but I only use the food tracking feature as I don't want to be able to eat extra when I workout. You enter your height, weight, how much you want to lose and how fast (they recommend 1 - 1 1/2 lbs per week) and it will calculate how many calories, fat, protein etc. you need.

For me I was an athlete in high school and college so I pretty much stayed the same weight. When I graduated I lost weight because I was able to still work out daily after work (and wasn't drinking as much beer). I met DH and we started eating out more as we were dating, I changed jobs and my schedule wasn't as predictable so it made exercise harder. Fast forward to my early 30's and with a 3 yo, FT job (that also has some evening commitments) and grad school. I eat bad food when I am stressed and haven't had time to exercise. I lost 20lbs 2 years ago and it is right back on. I need to lose weight and keep it off!

[deannemdm]

Try to modify/adjust the snacks you buy-- gradually so it is not a shock to the family. My kids love fruit. I also get string cheese, and try to have veggies and dip on hand, etc. Don't have much else to offer. I'm one of those people that after over 20 years can still fit into jeans from high school and always border underweight-- tough to do that too. Try to have quick, healthier meals available-- maybe frozen lean cuisine or something. Often I go to junk because I want something fast. Also a lot of people eat when they are really thirsty so try drinking a glass or two of water first. Sorry I can't be a bigger help.

[laurac]

Gaining weight is just awful! I had lost 20+ pounds in 2 years and have gained back 10 in the last year and I know it's due to my personal life! My Dad getting sick, my MIL passing, My DD being raped, losing my house, losing my Dad, all of it. I just went to the dr last week and I was more afraid of getting on that scale than having the exam! Yup, 10 pounds up. I'm just sick. I vow to exercise more and like you, am tired when I get home. It's mind over matter and I just have to do it.

[dara1012]

Well....I woke up this morning at 5:45a. Got in my workout clothes and did 35 min on the bike and 15 min on the rowing machine, stretched, showered and ran home to get DS ready (and packed a lunch). So far, so good....need to keep it up

[jlschlangen]

Good luck girl. Keep up the good work.

[dara1012]

So far this week:

I got up at 5:45 a on Mon & Tues; Monday was cardio, Tues was swimming laps. I have class until 9;30p on Tues, so I slept in today and did a dance workout at home after work.

I have been under my calorie count daily (but not by a lot) since Saturday

[elizac]

Good job!

[ReneeW]

Wow Dara, way to go!!! Think about how great you feel when you're DONE with your workout (that always helps me when I'm like ugghhhh don't want to exercise today!!) Keep up the good work.

[apryllraye87]

Awesome job Dara!

The more you keep working out the easier it will get.. you start to feel really good and pretty soon your body starts craving it!

[jessijo]

great job! Keep it up - soon you will want to workout because you know how good you feel afterward and how bad you feel if you don't workout. I lost 50 lbs after having my first kid and kept it off for 3 or 4 yrs. Then I got pregnant with DD and even tho I didn't gain as much weight with her, she left me with these lovely love handles and I can't seem to get rid of them. AARRGG!!