Should I start now or wait til new year?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Should I start now or wait til new year?
4
Tue, 11-25-2003 - 11:09pm
I'm really needing to start a new routine, meaning my diet and exercise, but am getting pretty bummed out about the holidays approaching and not having the willpower to control cravings and such. I really need to find the motivation somewhere in me to do this, but have been unable to so far. Exercise used to be one of my most commited things I did for about a year, then I hurt my back and haven't really gotten back into it. I need additional support and encouragement. I can't seem to motivate myself. Anyone who is willing to help me out, I would greatly appreciate it!! babsdepauw@aol.com

Thanks!!

Mellony :0)~

Avatar for shandc
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Wed, 11-26-2003 - 8:52am
Hi Mellony:

One of the things I like best about SBD is that it fits into MY life and I don't need to try to fit my life into it. If there's a special occasion and I want to eat something unhealthy, I do. I just try to recognize that there are tradeoffs for doing that. For instance, I'm planning to have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow and not turn down any of my holiday favorites. Since I know this is coming up, I'm being extra careful in the days leading up to it: Last night I started a new job in a mall I'm unfamiliar with and spent half my break looking for a McDonald's because I know that I can get a grilled chicken salad there, today I'm packing my lunch because the McDonalds' I found is kind of far from my store :-) I'm also kicking my exercising up a notch in anticipation of off eating days.

There's a lot you can do to make this plan work for you, this is just what works for me. Start it whenever you feel comfortable to make the right choices for yourself. I would recommend reading the book if you haven't already, it really helps explain the philosophy behind it all.

Hope this helps!

Shan

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2003
Wed, 11-26-2003 - 12:38pm
Hi Mellony,

I would say start right now, or as soon as you familiarize yourself with the plan and get to the grocery store to buy the foods that you will need. But of course, since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I would start on Friday, or any day after that that you can be fully ready.

My take on when to start a diet is to not start on a Monday, because Mondays are hard enough without adding starting a diet. Likewise, News Years and January 2nds are hard enough, too. Seriously, the post-holiday blues are a recognized phenomenon. Why start in that condition when you can start during a time of year charged with excitement? And think of the one month head start you'll have on all of the New Years Resolvers! :-)

In another thread a few days back someone suggested starting this plan on a Friday, because for the first few days of carbo restriction, a person can feel a bit off, strange, or tired. I actually started on a Thursday, just because it worked out to be the day I was ready, and for me the "weirdness" hit on Saturday morning, which was perfect timing. By Monday, I was feeling human again.

Finally, I want to share with you that I am not exercising at all, yet I've lost 30 pounds since August 28. I do *not* advocate my approach!! It would be much better if I were exercising, for all of the obvious reasons... overall health, lose weight faster, etc. I just wanted to let you know that it *can* be done.

Welcome to the beach, and good luck!! for whenever you start!

Jill K.

phase 2

(228,198,145) *all-time high 242

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2003
Wed, 11-26-2003 - 12:43pm
Hi Shan,

I'm doing the same thing tomorrow. I plan on enjoying all of my favorites, too. Over the past couple of months, when I've occasionally indulged in something off-plan, I've found that I can't even eat nearly as much as I used to. So far so good, with just a couple minor stalls. And as of today, I've lost 30 pounds in just about 3 months!!!

Shan, good luck with the new job. Anywhere interesting? Getting a good discount??? ;-)

Jill K.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 11-27-2003 - 10:41am
Hi Jill!

Have you tried Walk Away the Pounds? It's a great set of videos that you can do at home without a treadmill. No matter what level you are at, these videos are awesome. The instructor is Leslie Sansone and she does 1-2-3 miles so if you are a beginner, you start with 1 mile then work your way up.

I have never been able to stick to an exercise program up until now. I walk around 15-18 miles a week now. It's fun and there is no strain on joints.

Just a helful suggestion if you are looking for a program to start!'

HTH,

Jackie