Time to Re-motivate!

Have you thought about adding resistance training to your exercise plans? It is great for both fat loss and making your body look good - which would be useful for your swimsuit aspirations.

I appreciate the advice- certainly my biggest goal at this point is to "tighten" everything. I'm not overly familiar with resistance training...all I know is that it usually involves some form of elastic resistance (like the Bowflex.) Any suggestions on how to incorporate it without going to the gym?
 
Sure, there are a lot of things you can do without going to the gym , or even using any equipment at all.
Here's a few exercises you might do:

Planks
Pushups
Pullups/Chinups - requires a bar to pull up on, but you can do it on the monkey bars at the playground, or install a bar at home
Squats
Dips
Lunges
Crunches
Burpees
Stepups

Many of these can really get your heartrate up, too.

Add some dumbbells and/or resistance bands and you can really take off with this.

Resistance training doesn't always have to mean lifting heavy weights or using a machine.
 
That's a great list of exercise suggestions- I'm already doing lunges, but I can see lots of other good stuff I can add to my routine. I used to be able to do bench dips back in the day (college.) Never could do a chin up though! I doubt if I ever will ;)
 
Still going strong with the healthy eating, and the exercise. I've been doing my intensive 4-mile "walks" which are really more like hikes considering the hills in my area. BTW- I did try running in the past, but found that no matter how good my shoes were, I ended up with knee pain. Walking gives me no issues. I've also been incorporating lunges into my routine. I tried squats, but have trouble keeping my balance, so lunges it is!

Did my weekly weigh-in, and I'm back up to 150 lbs. I'm not concerned at all...ovulation always does that to me. Hopefully next week will see some additional loss. I'm still feeling great- my immune system seems to be a lot stronger too. I felt an impending cold all day Monday (sore throat, achy and fatigued), but when I woke up Tuesday I felt completely fine. Phew!
 
Car Accidents are De-motivating!

Cord- thanks for the reassurance that my hikes are just as effective as running. Of course it takes much longer, but I do enjoy the alone time actually.
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I finally discovered a massive de-motivating factor for me....getting into a fender bender! Especially considering it was my fault :banghead: On the plus side, I and the man who hit me are fine. He was really cool about it, I didn't get a ticket, and I hated my old car. HOWEVER...I was quick to use the accident as an excuse to indulge in junk food (all weekend.) Because I earned it! LOL. Anyway, the binge is over now. I gained 3 lbs, so I will need to be strict about indulgences this week.

My weekly weight in this morning: 153 lbs. Blah!
 
sorry to hear about the fender bender :(
Good to hear that no one was hurt though-and dont worry about those pounds-its just water weight from the sodium in whatever you ate over the weekend. its not possible to gain 4lbs that quickly!!! it will be gone in no time...try drinking plenty of water :)
 
Thanks Nightrunner- you're right about it being water weight. After staying on track all week, I'm back down to 149 lbs. It's amazing what a huge difference it makes to limit sodium intake and drink water (not to mention how much better I feel.)

I do feel like I'm really having trouble getting into the solid 140's though. It's like a mental block- I get to 150 and end up indulging too much, gaining a couple pounds, then losing it again. In my mind there is a barrier: because I haven't been less than 150 (consistently) since high school, subconsciously I feel like it's impossible to get any lower, that my body wants to stay here. But then I stop and realize that it's ALL MENTAL...my body doesn't know the difference between 150 and 148...or 135. It's an arbitrary number on a scale. I've definitely come to realize that I have a mental roadblock though. I will get through it!!
 
YAY!!! feels great to be back to normal weight again eh?!

I'm like that too with the scale!!! the other day i was curious so i weighed myself before my official weigh in day. i saw that i was two pounds less, so what did i do?! totally binge on nutella! *sigh*
 
Mmmmmm....nutella. I have a total craving now! LOL

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I've discovered a fun bonus to my weight loss- I can wear high heels without killing my feet! I had no idea what a difference that would make. I don't wear them very often, so when I wore them to a concert last night (Tragically Hip- they were awesome) I was pleased to discover that I could walk, stand and dance all night without a problem. The last time I wore this pair was Christmas, and they hurt my feet just sitting down, let alone walking around. So fashion can be my friend once again :D Think I'll go ebay shopping now....
 
ooooo, you are a girl after my own heart. I LOVE shoes :D

I do feel like I'm really having trouble getting into the solid 140's though. It's like a mental block- I get to 150 and end up indulging too much, gaining a couple pounds, then losing it again. In my mind there is a barrier: because I haven't been less than 150 (consistently) since high school, subconsciously I feel like it's impossible to get any lower, that my body wants to stay here. But then I stop and realize that it's ALL MENTAL...my body doesn't know the difference between 150 and 148...or 135. It's an arbitrary number on a scale. I've definitely come to realize that I have a mental roadblock though. I will get through it!!

I completely understand what your saying here. My body loves 150!! About a month to 2 months ago now I was down to 143lbs, and very excited about it. But then with the stress of the move I just crept back up. My husband gets mad at me b/c there are so many woman who would kill for 150... but I don't "feel" good at 150lbs. This is my plateau point, and it sounds like it might be yours too. Lets break through this shall we ;) What is your time frame for your goal?
 
Thelast20- if you like shoes you must check out . I discovered them yesterday, and am already addicted. They sell stuff on ebay too. I know how hard it is to go shopping with kids!

Sounds like we're in the same position being at our "comfortable" weights. I'm tired of just being comfortable- I want to be at my HAPPY weight! It's great to have supportive hubbies, but they don't really understand. I didn't have a timeline in mind, but maybe it would be a good idea. I know that it helps with motivation to be held accountable :D I guess I would expect to be down to my goal weight by the end of December (eeek- Christmas!) So I'm going to say that by the new year, I want to be at my happy weight. Then my only resolution will be maintaining! I love that thought.
 
Sorry to reply on here but the site won't let me use the private message. Jan 1st sounds perfect!!! I was thinking x-mas, so we are definatly on the same page. I think I want to start with healthier snacking and adding more daily exercise. I've been watching my snacking and it is so reliant on my mood... and I LOVE to dip. I found this great hummis at Superstore the other day. I had bought it for the girls, but then today was thinking... that doesn't mean I can't have some. I haven't tried chewing gum b/c it's really hard on your jaw, but so many people have suggested it. Once a day, in the evening shouldn't be a problem.

I am very excited about this. Cheers to you!!
 
Sorry to reply on here but the site won't let me use the private message. Jan 1st sounds perfect!!! I was thinking x-mas, so we are definatly on the same page. I think I want to start with healthier snacking and adding more daily exercise. I've been watching my snacking and it is so reliant on my mood... and I LOVE to dip. I found this great hummis at Superstore the other day. I had bought it for the girls, but then today was thinking... that doesn't mean I can't have some. I haven't tried chewing gum b/c it's really hard on your jaw, but so many people have suggested it. Once a day, in the evening shouldn't be a problem.

I am very excited about this. Cheers to you!!

Yummy- hummus is perfect for snacking. Try dipping baby carrots.

So January 1st....the pressure is on! I'm glad to have that extra bit of motivation I need. It would be far too easy to just give up otherwise. Hopefully you can figure out your private message issue...maybe it's to do with your account settings?
 
I've been great with my eating habits for the most part (I had a little incident with pizza last night so now I have to be good for the weekend.) My weight still hasn't moved from 149 lbs, but it's also my time of the month. My size 8 jeans are fitting looser than when I first bought them, so obviously there is still change going on. It feels bizarre to be wearing size 8's that are loose in the waist. I NEVER imagined that one day I might actually fit into a size 6 (I'm not there yet, but I will be when I reach my goal.) I keep trying on clothes that are too big for me- it's difficult to wrap my head around the fact that I'm thinner, even though the evidence is right there in the mirror.

A great moment came the other day when my mom (who was being quite negative previously) told me that I was an inspiration for anyone looking to lose weight. She said I looked amazing :D It does feel good to get that positive feedback. I have an overweight friend (my best friend actually) who compliments me, but always has to add that she wishes she could be my size, and she feels so fat. It makes me feel quite self-conscious, and like I should be dressing down so I don't look too good when we're out together. But then I tell myself that it's not my issue, it's hers. And when she's REALLY serious about weight loss, she will get started instead of just talking about it.
 
I have an overweight friend (my best friend actually) who compliments me, but always has to add that she wishes she could be my size, and she feels so fat. It makes me feel quite self-conscious, and like I should be dressing down so I don't look too good when we're out together. But then I tell myself that it's not my issue, it's hers. And when she's REALLY serious about weight loss, she will get started instead of just talking about it.

Next time she says that give her my quote, "you gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughta be." It's horrible to say, but moving to a new city and trying to make friend I don't approach woman who are overweight (or super skinny either). I tend to want to go and strike up a conversation with the mom in the workout clothes who walked her kids to school, like me. And that's the main reason, but it's so hard when your that close to a person. Do you have any other close friends who are following a more healthy lifestyle?
 
Next time she says that give her my quote, "you gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughta be." It's horrible to say, but moving to a new city and trying to make friend I don't approach woman who are overweight (or super skinny either). I tend to want to go and strike up a conversation with the mom in the workout clothes who walked her kids to school, like me. And that's the main reason, but it's so hard when your that close to a person. Do you have any other close friends who are following a more healthy lifestyle?

You're so right with that quote! Ha ha. Sometimes I wish I could start fresh with my friends. I do have another good friend who's not overweight, and she's also a lot more positive in general and really fun to be with. I've been trying to spend more time with her- she's a good influence.

I find that I've been keeping our Jan1st challenge in mind these last few days, and it's really helping to keep me on track! I'm glad that we started that. How is it going on your end?
 
I have an overweight friend (my best friend actually) who compliments me, but always has to add that she wishes she could be my size, and she feels so fat. It makes me feel quite self-conscious, and like I should be dressing down so I don't look too good when we're out together. But then I tell myself that it's not my issue, it's hers. And when she's REALLY serious about weight loss, she will get started instead of just talking about it.

i hear you-it makes it hard to vent about any weight struggles because then they just make you feel petty for complaining. You are right though, it isnt your problem, and you shouldnt feel like you should change how you dress because of her. Maybe it will eventually serve as motivation for her when she sees your progress -then if you things REALLY work out you can be workout buddies :)

lol-thats what i keep hoping for anyway with some of my friends
 
I find that I've been keeping our Jan1st challenge in mind these last few days, and it's really helping to keep me on track! I'm glad that we started that. How is it going on your end?
It's so nice to have a goal to work towards, and someone to do it with. It really does make you accountable. Week 1 was hard to be honest, but I feel like I've got a good start. And I'm realizing just how much of a sabateur my husband is. I was so good this weekend and last night he went out and got McDonald's, and of course I ate it, and of course it was wonderful :p I think what's going to make the biggest difference for us is going to be meal planning. That way there's no reason to eat out twice a week. You know, it wasn't a great week, but I feel really good about it!! :cheers2:
 
i hear you-it makes it hard to vent about any weight struggles because then they just make you feel petty for complaining.

That's exactly it- and even if I'm not complaining per se, but just want to discuss my weight loss (which would be the normal thing to do with your best bud), she looks absolutely crushed like she's about to cry. I'm not trying to rub it in her face, but I hate having to walk on eggshells. Her weight is like the elephant in the room that we all ignore.
 
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