I am the mother of two happy, healthy two-year-old daughters. My weight since giving birth has advanced to the "you better do something about it soon" stage, but I am not feeling motivated at all about getting started with the process. I live a very active life, socially. I work outside of the home Monday-Friday, and attend church Sundays most of the time, so when I find time to myself, all I want to do is sleep, or relax in some way. Does anyone have any suggestions? Money is very limited, even on a two-person income. I want to be able to run after my children and not feel like I have run a marathon. I also want to be healthy. Help?
I normally don't go for fad diets but my mother and my boss are both doing this and it really seems to work. http://www2.fatloss4idiots.com/?hop=id997
My mother recently had surgery and (b/c she couldn't exercise afterward) started to pack on the pounds. She did this diet and lost about 18 pounds. My boss has been on it for less than a week and lost 5.
Good luck.
Check out Body for Life, but unless you're motivated... it won't work. Nothing will.. so you have to get yourself motivated.
I felt the same way ... too busy with work and the kids, where am I going to get time? I ended up enrolling at California Family Fitness and it's the best decision I've made in ages. They have great childcare so I can work out when it fits into my day. The downside is that it's pricey, but you can achieve the same results on your own. I'd start with a basic exercise DVD. Read reviews on Amazon and find something that suits your style. There are some that are as little as 30 minutes and you'll achieve results (I liked Postnatal Boot Camp by Lindsay Brin).
I agree with the pp ... it's a mindset thing. If you're not really motivated to do it, you're going to fail. I just hit a point where I was tired of feeling tired all the time (same thing in wanting to keep up with my kids) and tired of snug clothes that used to fit. Now that I exercise regularly, I'm not as hungry and my energy and outlook are much better.
Good luck!
Michelle
Motivation is definitely the key. In the beginning you just have to force yourself. Try some mental preparation. I've never had a weight "problem", but I've fallen out of my routine many times due to work, children, school, etc. When I want to get back into my routine, I plan the night before. For example, I'm going to the gym at such and such a time tomorrow. Then I keep telling myself the next day. Each time you do it, it gets easier. And it doesn't have to be the gym, of course. It can be a video, a walk, a bike ride, etc.
When I'm at work, I ALWAYS take the stairs instead of the elevator. I'm lucky enough to be able to walk to my daughter's school to drop her off and pick her up (on my days off).
Snacking on junk food has to be out of the question. When we go out to eat, my boyfriend order one entree and split it or if we don't share I put half to the side for the next day. It's easier said than done in the beginning, but good habits form and just become routine. Oh yeah, never eat at fast food and when you go out to eat, get ice water, not soda. I will admit, I do get cravings for In and Out burger from time to time and I have to feed my cravings every once and awhile!
For me it was all about portion control. After eating whatever I wanted through two pregnancies and breastfeeding, I was finding it hard to stop myself and the pounds kept coming on. The food was horrible, but I did nutrisystem for 1 month, just to get an idea of what a portion size should be. After that, I bought an inexpensive scale to start measuring out portions so I could put it on my plate and have an idea of what a "normal size" meal should be. I don't have to measure things out anymore, but I do find that sometimes it is a good reminder to measure to keep things in check. The jumpstart in weightloss I got from the nutrisystem diet was enough to get me motivated to keep going ( I think I lost 7 lbs that first month). I was regularly eating about 4 times the number of calories I needed to be eating each day. I also then started adding in exercise, as I want my kids to be active too, so we try to go on family bike rides, walks, or just run around in the yard playing soccer together at least 5 times a week. I also try to sneak in some strength training whenever possible, although I have to admit, I know it isn't as often as I should. I did great with the exercise and diet, but was still couldn't lose that last 7 pounds. Since I am competitive, my husband and I had a contest to see who could get to their goal weight first, which was great motivation, since I don't like to lose. We averaged our weight week to week, and the loser each week had to give the winner a massage. After each 5 pounds, we were allowed to treat ourselves to a 20 dollar reward. The winner got to plan a date night. It worked for us, we both reached our goal and now we are trying to maintain it. (For me, maintaining is actually harder than losing). I feel so much better though since losing more than 20 pounds, and hopefully am setting a really good example for my kids for healthy eating and exercise. Good luck.
Arbonne (www.arbonne.com) has a great weight loss/management line and a website for those who prefer a program to commit to...www.GoFigure8.com The shakes and supplements are all very reasonably priced and fit well into any busy schedule. Good luck!
Ericka Benassini
Arbonne Consultant
17524441
Check out weight watchers online. It worked for me. The Core plan lets you eat til you are satisfied, and with the food choices makes you more healthy.
I bought the weight watchers cook book and there are delicious recipes, I am sure your family will like them and they won't know their are eating a lowfat meal!
I have 10 lbs to go. back to my prebaby weight.
Good luck and you can do it!!
My Dr told me to not focus on excercising for weight loss, but for my mental health. Somehow doing it for my mental health seems so much more doable and immediately gratifying. Weigh loss takes a while, but after one walk or session of yoga I am already feeling better mentaly. I'm still accomplishing the same thing just a different focus.
Do something that you enjoy. You mentioned that you just want to relax. I'm the same, so I've taken up yoga w/a DVD. Just after one session I feel energy running through my veins! It's wonderful and you don't even feel like you've done that much.
Sign up for www.sparkpeople.com. It is FREE! They have menu options, exercise options, advice and lots of other people doing it.
I started it last week, because I hit a rut w/ my weight loss and I have managed to knock off 3 lbs again this week.
It doesn't hurt, since it is free. You just have to login and fill out the information.
I started running and it works well. I usually do it early in the morning and 30-45 minutes 4 times a week can do magic. The only cost is a good pair of running shoes (and take it easy...build up from running 2 minutes and walking 3 minutes off and on to finally running the whole time...email me privately if you want more info). Make sure the shoes are good so you don't injure your legs...if you know of a running track (there is one near me at the local high school) then use it...
Anyway, running is about the quickest cheapest way to burn calories. The other way to loose weight is to only drink water as a beverage (which I do anyway) and noteat non-foods like chips and fast food.
Hi. I can relate... I also need to lose weight. In the past Weight Watchers has worked for me and even if you didn't have that hour for the meetings, you could just go weigh in... for some unknown reason being accountable to these people you don't know works! I wish you the best of luck.
I second the sparkpeople advice. I've been doing it since '06 and find it superior to the paying Weight Watchers online program. And yes, it's totally free. I have a walking and weights program I do 3x a week in addition to drinking lots (LOTS) of water and watching portion sizes. It's a slow and steady way to lose weight. Mine hasn't come off fast, but it's not coming back either.
I love Weight Watchers because it teaches you how to eat right and keep portions in control. You can do it exclusively on-line or buy a monthly pass to attend meetings. The monthly pass also includes free internet programs, I think. What I've done, rather than the monthly pass, is to buy a 10 pass ticket which is a little less than paying weekly.
You can use their core program and count points or the flex program where you can eat any amount of the foods on that list (too many veggies for me on that list so I do the core plan).
You can find a meeting through www.weightwatchers.com. The meetings are helpful but like anything else, you need to find the right leader and group of people to keep yourself motivated.
Good luck!
I started jogging. I'm not a runner by nature but it was the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to exercise and I actually started to like it. Get some favorite tunes and go. I started off with just a 15 minute run and worked up to a 25 min. It helped with my weight loss and got me motivated to restart my exercise routine.
Ive tried many diets myself, so I know the feeling. I try saving my money to lose weight myself. I tried Hoodia, and recently I tried Slimquik '6 reasons why a woman can't lose weight', I was bouncing off the walls cleaning. I wanted to keep cleaning and getting things done. Our bodies are different.
I found my first love a few weeks ago, next thing I know we tied up the phone for two days. I wasn't paying attention and I saw my stomach literally disappear. I was happy to talk to him. If dieting doesn't work, exercise, positive attitude is another way if you don't want to spend money. Even things to distract you works fine, next thing you know, the weight disappears.
START WALKING!!!! It's something you can do WITH your kids (in a stroller), and it will get you motivated. It's hard to stick to a schedule at first. But I find that a brisk walk lifts my spirits and gives me energy. At first you will have to push yourself to get off your butt and do it. But once you get a routine going, then it will be easier to stick to. Work up to a half hour five days a week. You really have to make this your priority for it to work.
Once you've successfully incorporated a walk into your schedule, then I would suggest adding some strength training. Nothing major. Just pick up a set of 5 lb weights at your local store and get moving. Tony Little has a great book out that has an entire routine you can follow. It's cheap, you do it at home, and it gets results. I know. I do it and IT WORKS!!!
Of course, if you have any health concerns at all, always check with your doctor about how much excercise you can safely handle.
CHeck out Weight Watchers, worked for me and my friends. And throw in some exercise, walking is great with kids.
I felt like you were talking about me (with the exception of the girls; I have a 4 yr old boy).
Recently I restarted Fitness 19 (citrus Heights) they are $19 a month. No frills gym. Machines and free weights.
But this past 2 weeks, my family has come down with something and I haven't been able to go and I am feeling fatter. I completely dispise most machines- I tend to like the cardio classes which they don't have but you make do with what you have. You could also try to just walk around the block at night; start slow.. at work take a break and walk around the block or building.
start slow... I also do weight watchers but you have to stick to it for the most part.. but the good thing is the meetings help you as well.
Hi Adrienne. Good for you to seek help and advice in this wonderful forum. Your desire to lose weight is commendable. Your problem requires a lot more attention, however, than a few words of encouragement in a forum like this. I'd be happy to email back and forth a bit with you to get you on track. You need to be brutally honest with yourself about what you eat, number one, and having a soundboard for that is crucial! That's just the tip of the iceberg, so send me an email back (I think this site allows you to send thank yous to individual responders) and we'll get started. Good luck!
Kate in EC