first post, pics, and need advice

[EB77]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking here for a few weeks but this is my first post. I decided to go for it and post some pics right off the bat. I'll also sum up some info about me too.

I'm turning 30 in 4 weeks.
I'm 5'8" and currently 141 lbs.
I have a 4 yr old and 2 yr old.
When I was 18 I was 125, in my early 20s I was 130 ( I heard these are good times/weights to go by as far as your potential).
I take prozac for depression, which is in "remission" right now, but I never know when it's gonna hit.

I started seriously working out and eating healthy 2 and a half weeks ago. I had been slowing changing my eating habits and doing some cardio and yoga for a few months before this.

These are the before and in progress pics. 2.5 weeks apart. 1 pound lost.

I am following the advice of the "You on a Diet" book and "The ABS diet and Workout" book for my eating. I've had 1 cheat day and 1 other cheat meal.

I am doing cardio (either elliptical or treadmill (speed walk or run) or speed walk with the double jogging stroller) 5 or 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes. Three days a week I do an interval dumbell/cardio routine I downloaded onto my mp3 player from the Self magazine website (Reach your Goal, drop 8 lbs in 1 month plan). I also do yoga 1 or 2 times a week and in these last 2.5 weeks have done Cardio Kickboxing once (hard on my knees).

So, here's the deal. I want to get healthy and fit for life. I love the way working out and eating healthy makes me feel (it has done wonders for my depression).

BUT...

I also have another goal. My hubby just suprised my with a trip to Mexico (don't know any other details - he wants it to be a suprise) for my bday. So in 4 weeks from now I will be sitting on a beach in a bikini. HELP!!!!!

Now, I don't want to do anything unhealthy or drastic just for the trip, but I would love to look a little better in a bikini (not neccesarily this one, maybe one with a little "push up", I have nursed 2 kids).

I would LOVE some opinions, input, advice, encouragement, whatever you can give me. I want hard CC!! I want to see myself from another POV. What do you think I need to work on the most? What would you do if you were me to get ready for this trip? I know I won't see any miracles but I want to be sure I am getting the most out of my hard work. I of course will keep working after the vacation, but what should I concentrate on right now. Remember I only have 4 more weeks.


Thanks so much for reading all of that! This looks like a very friendly place and I hope to be hanging out here more often!

~Beth

 

[trainerty]

That's easy enough. Hit the nutrition even harder. No cheats. You will be surprised how far you get. Also, learn what works and doesn't work for you as far as macronutrients go.

Best of luck to you and welcome to the forum.

 

[MellowGAman]

well first of all, I think you look great as a mother of two.

And congrats on the trip to mexico.


The Key is the diet and your regime you are doing alot of cardio, I would try and work some Strength routine into it.

I am following the New Rules Of lifting, which you can find in your library or local book store.

So stealing from the book,

For the next 4 weeks:

If you have access to a gym or have the stuff at home.

Do your cardio M-W-F
on Tuesday do:

Squats 2x15

superset
Static lunge 2x15
Two point dumbell row w/elbow out. 2x15

superset
push up 2x15
swiss ball crunch 2x15

On thursday:

dead lift 2x15

superset
Step up lunges 2x15
dumbell 1-arm shoulder press 2x15

superset
Close grip lat pulldown 2x15
reverse crunch 2x15

hope this helps and bbest of luck, when you get back from your vacation you should read the book and try some of the exercises.

I am no expert on here, just giving some tips. I would not expect any massive changes before your trip. I am sure your husband finds you sexy as you are, you have a great body, nothing to be ashamed of. Show it off honey, if you walked past me, I would certainly turn my head as you walked by.

Best of luck to you Beth!

 

[EB77]

Thanks Trainerty and MellowGAMan for the advice and support. Unfortunatly I was really sick this past week and so were my kids, so I didn't hit the gym at all or keep on top of my healthy eating. But I hardly ate at all so I didn't gain any weight - I may have actually lost some. I am still feeling a little cruddy but plan on starting fresh on Monday. I did go bathing suit shopping with my hubby and found a few that I really liked. Even if I see no changes by the vacation I am ok with the way I look. And knowing that I plan on gettting in really great shape from here on out (no matter how long it takes) and staying that way makes me feel even better. Yes, my husband finds me sexy just the way I am, but I know I have the potential to look even better.

Thanks again for the advice and I plan to try it out when I get back up on my feet and working out again.

I'm so glad I found this place, it is very inspirational and really helps me out when I am having a bad day.

Oh, and thanks for the pm GAMan, it made me feel very welcome.

Beth

 

[MellowGAman]

Hey,

Sorry to hear you and the kids were sick, try to eat some food and get that energy level back up..hmmmm chicken noodle soup!

Anyway, you got a good attitude which is key, Wish you all the best.

Enjoy your trip!

Best way to thank me is to enjoy your vacation with your hubby and take care of those two little ones! Enjoy them!

It's all good! Just enjoy! Make your workouts fun, not a chore.

all the best

 

[GT2003]

It looks like you've got a great bodyshape to work with. If you pull the pictures up side by side you can see that your stomach looks smaller and there seems to be some weight loss around your lower back/lovehandle area. So, you are definitely on the right track. Even though its only 1 pound, your shape is improving and thats what is important.

I agree with mellowGAman, incorporate weights with the cardio and you'll be rockin' by the time Mexico rolls around. Keep us posted and keep the progress pics coming. Take care and good luck, Greg