You CAN do it!!!!!!!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2005
You CAN do it!!!!!!!!!!
5
Thu, 10-19-2006 - 4:42pm
Lifestyle change. Two simple words. Buzz words in the diet "industry". Just change your lifestyle. EAt healthy, exercise. It's all so simple. We all should do it...fat, thin, children...EVERYONE knows this is the best way to live your life. But as you and I know..it's not just that easy. Most of us have kids, jobs, husbands (or no husband which poses it's own challenges), meetings, grocery shopping, visiting, ailing friends/relatives..the list goes on and one. Life is busy. It always was..it always will be. For my own personal journey (at my heaviest I was 210, am now 139..I know I'm not a 100 pound loser..but I wanted to post here becaue I come from a family where even at 210 pounds I was the "skinny" one), the biggest key was realizing that no matter how busy I was..no matter how many meeting..how many ailing friends..how many obligation..people wanting a piece of me...I would never NOT brush my teeth at least once a day. I know I know..what does brushing your teeth have to do with losing weight? WEll..actually it doesn't at all..the actual act of tooth brushing I mean. I just thought of something I do everyday without thinking..that I wouldn't DREAM of not doing. I realized...exercise HAD to become like brushing my teeth. Something I always did unless I was basically on my death bed (in which case I probaby couldn't brush my own teeth).
I'll be honest. The first 3-4 mo...there were MANY mornings I did NOT want to get up at 5AM to work out. Almost every morning as a matter of fact. 5 AM. For a non "morning" person...that is a lot to swallow. Honestly..with my busy life (busy like yours), it was really the only time I could squeeze exercise into my schedule. Sure..I made some other lifestyle changes..like clearing my house of convenience foods and eating healthier. I also didn't eat out or get takeout while losing weight (this will MORE than pay for a gym membership I guarantee), but on those mornings when I really wanted to sleep in I would say to myself "will I brush my teeth today?". The answer was always "yes"..so I got my butt out of bed, put on my runners and shorts (which I would put out and organize the night before by the way), and get my butt to the gym, or the track, or the trail....whatever activity I was planning that morning. It honestly took about 4 monthes (don't know who came up with the 28 days to make a habit thing...that didn't work for me), before I just got up and didn't even think about going to the gym anymore. It was just something I did..like brushing my teeth. Once you get to that point...it's really not that hard anymore. I hope this helps you all. It took me a year to loose the weight..and I've maintained that loss now for 2 years. I am currently training for my first fitness competition. Good luck to you all!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Thu, 10-19-2006 - 11:40pm
That's a really great analogy, and very inspirational post. Thank you, and congratulations on your fantastic success!

Misha

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2006
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 12:50am
Wow! You are an inspiration. You are right it takes lifestyle changes to accomplish your goals. I hope that I can begin developing the good habits that you have. I'm making a commitment now and I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Cyndi
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 8:39pm

I definitely agree with you about the importance of working out on a very regular schedule.

It seems so easy to decide to do it 'tomorrow' or next week, but I find that if I make a plan at the beginning of the week for when I'll go to the gym and when I'll work out at home I am so much better off.

I read your post last night, and thought of you when I was rushing my teeth this morning!

I would love to know more about your fitness competition. I lift weights, swim, bike (at the gym, not on the road!), and have a small flirtation going with the step mill. I walk but don't run. What kinds of exercise are in your competition?

Good luck!
SJ
225/173/135

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2005
Sat, 10-21-2006 - 11:37pm
I'm actually enetered in the figure division. When I speak about my competition to a genreal audience I often say "fitness" because most people don't have a clue what figure is. Anyway..the step mill..machine of torture..and a surefire way to tone and tighten your legs and rear. It is the BEST cardio workout in any gym..hands down. It makes the elliptical, even the treadmill seem like a cake walk. I do the step mill 3 times a week right now (after my lower body weights) on level 4-7 for 45 minutes. Right now I also run 3 days a week (3-5 miles per run), do core workouts 3 days a week, weights on monday, wed, and fri...plus teach spin 5 mornings a week. I KNOW! Crazy huh? This from a woman who couldn't get up a flight of stairs without puffing not so long ago. Oh..a note about the elliptical. It is a great tool if you really REALLY can't have any impact on your joints. As you get fitter though...you need to branch out..as some impact exercise is necessary to maintain bone density. The ellip won't do that for you. I work in a gym now..and I'm a size 5-6. I always laugh because so many overweight women meet me and assume I've never been fat. I take great glee in informing them that not only have I been very overweight...I've also had 5 kids. If I can do it..anyone can.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 7:01am

Thanks for sharing your inspirational story. Right now I'm trying to do the same thing and make fitness a habit. I've been going on for 10 days.

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