Hey, guys. I have to say I've been quite inspired by the posts on this forum, especially the before and afters! Way to go.
I just turned 24, I'm 5'4'' and about 142 lbs. It's 142 lbs of mostly fat because I've been so inactive over the past year. I'd like to get down to a solid 130, but it isn't really the weight that I pay attention to, it's my fitness level and how I fit into my clothes. Rarely do I weigh myself anyway as I don't have a scale! (I find that's a great thing for me, others might go crazy).
My problem is that I know exactly what to do... how to move, what to eat...to get there, but my motivation level is usually 0. I work from home all day and it's just so easy not to go out and exercise. I live in Southern California so the weather for walking is beautiful year-round but I live in a busy neighborhood and get tired of dealing with the cars and people all the time. I can't afford to join a gym, nor do I really like the atmosphere. I've been through the gamut of workout tapes- yoga, Pilates, cardio stripping (yeah
) but I get bored after I've done the tape a few times. Anyway, I've decided to build my workout routine around walking and incorporate jump roping and free weights when I'm in my apartment, on those days when I don't have the motivation to actually go anywhere.
My other big problem is FOOD. I absolutely love food and I'm not a picky eater at all...cheese, pasta, cookies, etc. I've been a vegetarian for 7 years now and don't really have a problem incorporating veggies into my diet. I eat whole grains, lots of steamed veggies, lean proteins (beans, nuts, tofu, etc.) drink nothing but water, and have little snacks throughout the day of apples, hummus, etc. My downfall is I'll eat like that for a while, and then a week will come with lots of events, birthdays, get-togethers, where there's LOTS of cake and homemade food and fast food and things and it's tough and/or rude to resist! I end up gaining a few pounds during the week and find it hard to get back on the healthy eating/exercise plan.
Anyway, sorry this post was so long!! I've been dealing with the vicious cycle of lose a few pounds here, gain it twice back, get motivated, lose all motivation...for most of my life, and although I only have about 10-12 pounds to go, it's been a struggle. I have to keep reminding myself I'm doing this for fitness and health's sake and not for vanity, because then I think what I'm doing is stupid and start eating junk food again. Strange, huh? I'm closer than I've ever been to realizing my goal, and I think these boards will be the extra motivation I need.
Good luck to everyone!
~Jenn
I just turned 24, I'm 5'4'' and about 142 lbs. It's 142 lbs of mostly fat because I've been so inactive over the past year. I'd like to get down to a solid 130, but it isn't really the weight that I pay attention to, it's my fitness level and how I fit into my clothes. Rarely do I weigh myself anyway as I don't have a scale! (I find that's a great thing for me, others might go crazy).
My problem is that I know exactly what to do... how to move, what to eat...to get there, but my motivation level is usually 0. I work from home all day and it's just so easy not to go out and exercise. I live in Southern California so the weather for walking is beautiful year-round but I live in a busy neighborhood and get tired of dealing with the cars and people all the time. I can't afford to join a gym, nor do I really like the atmosphere. I've been through the gamut of workout tapes- yoga, Pilates, cardio stripping (yeah
) but I get bored after I've done the tape a few times. Anyway, I've decided to build my workout routine around walking and incorporate jump roping and free weights when I'm in my apartment, on those days when I don't have the motivation to actually go anywhere. My other big problem is FOOD. I absolutely love food and I'm not a picky eater at all...cheese, pasta, cookies, etc. I've been a vegetarian for 7 years now and don't really have a problem incorporating veggies into my diet. I eat whole grains, lots of steamed veggies, lean proteins (beans, nuts, tofu, etc.) drink nothing but water, and have little snacks throughout the day of apples, hummus, etc. My downfall is I'll eat like that for a while, and then a week will come with lots of events, birthdays, get-togethers, where there's LOTS of cake and homemade food and fast food and things and it's tough and/or rude to resist! I end up gaining a few pounds during the week and find it hard to get back on the healthy eating/exercise plan.
Anyway, sorry this post was so long!! I've been dealing with the vicious cycle of lose a few pounds here, gain it twice back, get motivated, lose all motivation...for most of my life, and although I only have about 10-12 pounds to go, it's been a struggle. I have to keep reminding myself I'm doing this for fitness and health's sake and not for vanity, because then I think what I'm doing is stupid and start eating junk food again. Strange, huh? I'm closer than I've ever been to realizing my goal, and I think these boards will be the extra motivation I need.
Good luck to everyone!
~Jenn
