Here I go again, advice?

[DarkEyes16]

So in 2006-2007 I lost about 40 pounds and it was great, but I also had no social life and didn't really meet people or do many things. In Sept of 2007 I got a job working in the music industry and that completely changed my social life. I love my social life now and really enjoy going out to shows, which tends to involve a lot of drinking :-/ Anyway, when I got this job, I also started regaining all the weight. I was working two jobs and taking a class then I was working three jobs, and volunteering. Now I have quit that job mainly because I did not like it anymore and also because I realized how unhealthy I was becoming by eating lunch and dinner out everyday and not exercising anymore.

It's so hard to start back at square one, never during my weight loss was it ever easy. Just to thinking about how I'm going to have to count everything, think about every single morsel I put into my mouth is already making me mentally exhausted.

Here are some things about me:
I hate cooking, I think it takes up too much time. I lost my weight before by using frozen meals but also being very conscious of my sodium intake, which really helped reduce my weight.

I also had a personal trainer at a gym, unfortunately he is not at that gym anymore which really sucks because I felt very comfortable with him and he changed things up quite a bit. He was also my nutritionist, so I could ask him about anything. Now he's still a personal trainer, but I can't afford him.

I tend to carry most of my weight in the stomach area, I would say about 70% to 85% of my weight is in my midsection.

I'm also not one of those people that can work out during a lunch break or something. I sweat and then I need to shower. When I lost weight before, my entire routine of changing to go to the gym, working out at the gym, driving back, and showering took me about 2 and half to 3 hours. If I was training I spent about an hour and 15 or hour and half at the gym. 30 minutes lifting weights and 30 to 50 minutes cardio. If I wasn't training I would do about 45 to 60 min cardio. I get training at an extremely affordable rate, but that gym has awful hours it would only be open when I was at work. This is also why I quit, because I know I needed to go back. I like it because it is very small and never crowded. I also like working out outside of my home. I need to physically go somewhere when I work out. For cardio, I really like doing the elliptical.

I guess my question is, how do you get started again? I would absolutely love to lose 20 pounds by February. Not because I want to lose weight fast, well I mean who doesn't but I want that kick start cause I remember that I tended to lose more weight faster when I started feeling more comfortable with my body. It was a good motivator. I lost motivation once I started feeling a little comfortable and I started having a social life. Right now I think I'm averaging a gain of 2 to 3 pounds a week which makes me feel awful. Does it just never stop?

I've tried several times going back and every time I've lasted about two weeks with eating somewhat right and exercising, but then a busy week comes in where I have a ton of things to do or plans.

Do you give up your social life to lose weight? It's hard right now, I like being social, I'm 24. I've never had this much fun before!

Also I've signed up for two training sections next week. December 1st and on! I need to go grocery shopping ahhhh!!

 

[endurance]

Hi there welcome been through your before and after pics,First of all Congrats for such a huge weight loss,about starting the journey again, start by being regular with your exercise,keep a record of your exercise as well as diet, it helps,start with any sort of exercise that you enjoy....be regular and then increase intensity and duration.....You have already done it, so you know it better

 

[wwdeb]

Dark Eyes it's great you're getting back onto the fitness train. I always tell my client's that the hardest part of getting in shape is staying that way. Weight Loss is work, but maintenance is every day life. I call it living a 80/20 life, if you eat and exercise the way you should 80% of the time you'll maintain what you've worked so hard to attain.
You don't have to go to a gym to get a good workout and there are great ways to exercise and have social interaction. Have you ever thought of joining a fitness class in your community or a local walking or hiking group? What if you were to try to set a goal of getting to the gym twice a week. If the trainer did his job properly he should have taught you how to exercise on your own. Meetup.com is a great resource to find exercise groups in your own community. I'm not sure where you live, but walking and hiking groups are a great option. Most groups have beginner level options. Zumba, Nia, Pole Dancing, hiking , walking, boot camps, there are so many options to choose from.
I get the sense that right now you have a can't attitude, I think it's more a won't attitude. Can't infers some lack of free will.
You can do it! You've done it before. There's only one you! You need to decide that you deserve everything you want in life.

 

[chloemum]

I hear you girl. I've lost the weight before as well - only to gain it back plus more after having a baby.

I lost about 10kg in 2006 by going to the gym three times a week (with a personal trainer), and eating healthy. I ate three meals a day but I only ate carbs before going to the gym - like a banana or bread. To be honest, the restrictive diet of no sugar, no fried food, no rice noodles or bread etc. was really really hard to stick to. So when I got pregnant and could eat it all, I ATE IT ALL!!

Like you, going to the gym now is a challenge for me too. You have work and I have a baby that tires me out!

My current solution - I'm going to start on the Cohen diet. A friend of mine went on it and lost loads of weight.

Good luck with your weight loss journey! I look forward to seeing you on the forum - and remember, we've done it before so WE CAN DO IT!!!