Introducing myself... :)

Avatar for neatdesign
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Introducing myself... :)
4
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 4:42pm
I just made a pretty long post under the "Victory Log" but afterwards thought it might be more appropriate here. So forgive me, but I'm going to repost it here!....

Today is the first day of the new me. After years of putting off doing something about my weight, I'm finally ready to go for it, no matter what happens.

Let me give you some background: I'm 31 years old, 5'0" tall and weigh (today) 175lb. My goal weight is 110lb. But mostly my goal is to be healthier and trimmer, to look and feel better. I would love to reach this goal by my 32nd birthday, which is Dec 7, 2004. That's 34 weeks away. That means losing about 2lb per week - and keeping it off! I'm not sure if I'd be right at my goal by Dec 7, but even if I'm within 10lb I'd be really happy. :)

For the longest time I've been so afraid of trying to lose weight because I felt that I would probably ultimately fail. So I rationalized that if I didn't attempt to lose it at all, then there was no way I could fail.

Of course, this is a very twisted way of thinking! The opposite is actually closer to the truth. If I try, then at least I have the opportunity to succeed. But if I don't try, the best I can do is stay the same; however, I have just ended up gaining more weight, which means I'm actually failing by NOT trying. So if I truly want to avoid failing, I NEED to do something about my weight NOW! That's the only way I'll really succeed. (Cliche, I know, but true!)

My last attempt to lose weight was back in Nov 2003. That lasted about 2 weeks. I kept a log of how much I lost in those 2 weeks, and it was about 7lb. I kick myself now thinking that if I had just stuck with it, now - 5 months later - I would be SO much closer to my goal. But ultimately it doesn't matter - the past is the past, so all I can really focus on is what I can do today and tomorrow.

My approach is pretty basic: A balanced diet, 30-min vigorous workouts at least 5 days a week, lots of water and portion control. I'm not a calorie or carb counter, just doesn't work for me. I also know from previous experience that it is useless to cut out everything I love to eat that's fattening from my diet; instead I will just eat them less frequently and in smaller proportions.

I've found two books rather motivating and setting me up to get in the right direction. One is "The Ultimate Weight Solution" by Dr. Phil. The other is "Making the Connection" by Oprah Winfrey and Bob Greene. The former is really good for handling the emotional aspects of weight loss, while the latter (I find) is better at explaining the physics of how eating and working out affects your weight loss efforts. I recommend both books to anyone who's trying to lose weight, especially if you have a lot to lose, like me.

What also motivates me are images and feelings that I keep in my head about what will happen once I lose the weight. My husband, for instance, loves me as I am now, but has never seen me slender. Since he's from England, we only see his family about once a year; it would be awesome to lose all this weight and for them to see me again afterwards - they wouldn't recognize me! And I also look forward to not having as many aches and pains, and being able to wear normal clothes again. :)

I suppose this is more of an introduction of myself to the board than anything else, but the very fact that I got up today and worked out for 35 mins when I haven't worked out in months is a HUGE accomplishment for me! I am really looking forward to meeting others here and sharing experiencing with you. :)

~ Neat

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 5:39pm

Welcome again, Neat!


 


 


 


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Avatar for muscrat56
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 7:40pm
Welcome Neat! You have found a great support group here. They are wonderful ladies! Thanks for your reading suggestions. I had read Oprah when it first came out. Dr Phil is on my reading list 'as we speak". Good luck in your weight loss journey.

Musky

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-11-2003
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 7:53pm

I'm so happy you've decided to join us, and give us a bit of a bio! I have to first congratulate you for

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Thu, 04-15-2004 - 12:46pm
Welcome Neat,

I love this board, although I am new as well, the ladies here are great.

Good luck to you. I too am only 5' and 2 yrs ago I did weigh what you do. Now I am 30 heavier. Long way to go.

Christine