fitness motivation thread

[ut0pia]

sorry in advance that this is so long!!


Hi everyone, as you can see from this title I'm starting another thread that has to do with fitness/healthy eating and working out! I really, really need some motivation and I am sure there are others out there who are going through something similar as I am, but even if you aren't I appreciate any support that I can get! I find it helpful to write out my goals and my thoughts, because when I have it in writing and posted on TCS, I feel as though I'd be more serious about it.

So here is a little bit about what I'm going through- I used to be really good at eating healthy foods, cooking for myself and going to the gym. But then, when I started working, I'd have work from 8 am-5 pm and then class from 6 am-10 pm with only an hour break to grab some food for a quick dinner, which was fast food, and I barely had time for lunch because I spent my lunch breaks studying for class..I also started drinking starbucks lattes every single day (sooo much sugar!!) and buying snacks from the vending machine and stocking my purse with them and eating it late at night during class...
Needless to say I gained about 5 pounds (sometimes the scale says +7 depending on the time of day) in the 2 months I've been working. (that's in addition to the 10-15 pounds I already needed to lose before I started working) The problem is, I'm finding it extremely difficult to get back to my usual way of eating- light, vegetarian meals and only occasionally treating myself to eating out. It's as though even if I don't eat out every day and cook, I am craving sugary or really salty snacks that make up for the lighter meals and I still end up eating too much.. I've also gotten back to drinking soda

So, I know that once I find the motivation to get back to eating better and exercising just for a couple of days, it will become easier...

So, here are my goals. I plan to eat around 1000 calories every day and do 35 minutes of cardio and strength exercises three times a week. The maximum I can lose is 20 pounds, it would not be healthy to lose more (I would be happy with 7-10), but I am not concerned with numbers so much, what I really want is to be more toned and gain some muscle in my arms and abs.

So, here is my plan for tomorrow:
8 am- breakfast- yogurt, banana 200 calories
10 am- gym 35 minutes cardio
12 am- lunch sandwich with hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce 200 calories
2 pm- fruit mix for snack about 200 calories
6 pm- dinner- pasta with pesto and a big salad (using measuring cups to make sure it's around 400 calories)

 

[adriana]

1000 calories seems like a low amount, even for weight loss. I know for me, according to Lose It!, I'd need to consume approximately 1700 calories a day to lose a pound a week. I'd never be able to survive on 1000 calories a day. It's easier to cut back slowly, because if you decrease your diet in such a dramatic way, you crash because it's impossible to stay within 1000 calories. It's not a long term plan, imo. I think it'd work out better for you if you make long term plans, that include a balanced diet and exercise routine, rather than an unrealistic crash diet. However, I wish you all the best!

 

[ut0pia]

1000 calories seems like very low, but I have a slow metabolism

Anyway, I've been thinking and I don't really like the idea of having my day planned with what I'm going to eat, I like to make on the spot decisions, same with working out, lol...I mean it felt good yesterday because I felt like I had a plan and not all hope is lost, but today I feel like I can do this without having a thorough plan like that...
So I'm going to do that and see where it takes me. I just have to hope I make the healthy decisions

 

[capt_jordi]

for me personally cutting down on everything so dramatically causes me to fail at my diet. I have to start slowly. I've lost 10 lbs over the course of the summer and I really have not changed that much. I have been eating smaller portions, keeping fruit in the house, switching to whole wheat, keeping sweets out of the house, and exercising every other day at least. I have kind of backed off now that I have reached my goal and have just been exercising twice a week at least. And I do not count calories, cut out carbs, or anything. I just focus on eating better and exercising and let it fall into place.
At first I just said I would only drink diet cola, (I know not much better but I am a serious caffeine addict) would fix my own coffee in the mornings, (SO MUCH CHEAPER AND BETTER!)drink a bottle of water a day, and would eat at 1 piece of fruit and 10oz of juice a day.
Then I started going to Zumba class and that wore my butt out! I was chugging at least 2 bottles of water during the class, burning lots of calories, and then going for at least a 2 mile walk after class at first. But I had to stop the walks because it was so darn hot! I also got some great workout videos and started doing them at home. And did a couple of "Operation Boot Camps" (Check and see if there is one in your area! Those are GREAT!) and man, I couldnt move for 2 days but it felt great!
I'm pretty happy with where I am at the moment, but I need to maintain. I know this week has been horrible on me because we have not had any food in the house (tonight is grocery night) so its been lots of grabbing what you can which is never good! I bought 12 Zumba classes last night and did 2 zumba sessions and a yoga session last night. And I've been having to wear heels to work every day, and MAN are my legs awesome looking! I think once winter gets here the Beau and I are both going to be joining a gym, maybe as a christmas present to each other we will buy the others memberships lol!

The best of luck to you!

 

[kailie]

I want to wish you luck hun!

I'll tell you a bit of what worked for me. I lost a total of 170 pounds and have maintained it now for 4 years.

1000 is REALLY low, and I know that with me personally, if I only ate 1000 calories a day, I would end up binging. My doctor recommended 1500 calories a day.

I would never, EVER deprive myself of anything. If I wanted a treat, I would have a treat, just in moderation and I would always make sure to exercise to compensate. I never once "dieted". I changed my lifestyle. There was a point where I went to the gym, but now I either workout from home or spend a lot of time walking/hiking outdoors with my hunny.

I would and still do exercise about 5 days a week for at least an hour. I also drink a TON of water. I eat out a LOT because I hate to cook and so does Dana, but a lot of fast food places have healthier options, so just be choosy. Always have snacks around, but pack fruits and veggies instead, or the 100 calorie packs which I think are great portion control.

Again, good luck! Losing weight and keeping it off is MUCH easier said than done, but it CAN be done if you want it enough.

 

[ut0pia]

Thanks everyone

Kailie your weight loss is amazing!! And you sound like it was easy, but I'm sure it wasn't easy at all...
capt_jordi is the zumba class offered at your gym?? It sounds fun...

I really appreciate all the support. I realized 1000 calories is low and I decided just not counting calories as strictly anymore, and I'm going to pay attention to when I'm full and stop eating then, and just avoid junk food altogether. Even after 2 days I feel different, less bloated and more comfy in my own skin. I want to focus more on physical activities than diet anyway...
I started the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred videos again and I did surprisingly well!! I hate jumping jacks, so instead I did butt kicks every time she did jumping jacks so maybe that made it a little easier but still I don't feel as sore as I used to feel, I'm not sure why. I increased the weights maybe that's why, because I used to feel really, really sore in my legs and maybe using more weights balances it out.
Anyway I decided to wait until next week to go to the gym because then I can go to the campus gym, much better than the creepy community center gym where creepers go just to stare ....

 

[Winchester]

Good luck utopia! I have found that I have to be strict with myself or else it won't work. I'm very regimented during the week, but then I allow myself a treat on the weekend. And by regimented, I do mean between 1000 and 1100 calories a day. Even with all the exercise that I do (walking, Bowflex, and workout with dumbbells), I seem to have a sluggish metabolism and I can gain several pounds, just by snapping my fingers. It's frustrating sometimes.

This week, since DH wasn't home, I found myself slacking quite a bit and it shows. Dinner with my sister on Sunday (Chinese), shared a pizza with a co-worker on Tuesday while watching the Wizard of Oz, had dinner with my MIL and SIL Wednesday night, and I'm having a small dinner party tonight. I'll have to get back on track or it will get ugly.

Kailie, you are amazing! Kudos!

 

[kailie]

Oh trust me guys, it sure as hell wasn't easy, but I know I did it the right way, and it took me 2 and a half years to lose it all. I was just super determined. I was overweight my entire life and got tired of being "the fat chick" or "the one with the pretty face, it's a shame she's so big."

I knew there was more to life, and my goodness is there EVER. Life is good!

 

[capt_jordi]

Originally Posted by ut0pia

Thanks everyone

Kailie your weight loss is amazing!! And you sound like it was easy, but I'm sure it wasn't easy at all...
capt_jordi is the zumba class offered at your gym?? It sounds fun...

I really appreciate all the support. I realized 1000 calories is low and I decided just not counting calories as strictly anymore, and I'm going to pay attention to when I'm full and stop eating then, and just avoid junk food altogether. Even after 2 days I feel different, less bloated and more comfy in my own skin. I want to focus more on physical activities than diet anyway...
I started the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred videos again and I did surprisingly well!! I hate jumping jacks, so instead I did butt kicks every time she did jumping jacks so maybe that made it a little easier but still I don't feel as sore as I used to feel, I'm not sure why. I increased the weights maybe that's why, because I used to feel really, really sore in my legs and maybe using more weights balances it out.
Anyway I decided to wait until next week to go to the gym because then I can go to the campus gym, much better than the creepy community center gym where creepers go just to stare ....

It is actually just a class offered by a certified zumba instructor. We have it at a recreational center and at a church depend on the night! Its SO much fun! I know a lot of gyms offer it! Its worth a shot! You will feel like a moron the first time, but its so much fun you dont care! And the ladies I have met there are amazing people!