Any Ideas

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2005
Any Ideas
13
Tue, 10-18-2005 - 11:11pm

I've been watching this website debating on joining and each time saying I can do it on my own. I am soon to be 31 and gave birth in March to a wonderful, very busy little girl. I don't want to be the chubby mom. I also have a 10 year old and take him 3 times a week to Tae Kwon Do and work full time. My husband works nights so I'm home with the kids quite often and eating takes place. During the workday, we always have food days and food finds its way to my desk.

I've tried diets and dont' stick to them and I even put off buying clothes saying " I'll lose first and then buy later". This weekend I broke down and bought clothes to fit me. I had to buy size 18's. I'm so depressed. I have the hardest sticking to a diet and don't even think about working out. I am very good at making excuses and it's time to stop. I can't be 5'2 and weigh 200 pounds. I'm not fully round but am thick and it's so ugly to me. My hubby is supportive in anything I want to do but so far I haven't done or stuck wiht much.

Time is of the essence. I'm now pre-diabetic and must take off 30 pounds. I've thought of joining a gym but then wonder if I'd stick to it. I know what I need to do I just feel like I'm missing out on the good food when I'm on a diet.

Any ideas, support,etc is greatly appreciated.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Wed, 10-19-2005 - 7:42am

I'm so glad you decided to go ahead and post to us! You will find lots of support and wisdom here! Finding the time to workout can be a huge obstacle for many of us, and the excuses.....well, there are just so many to choose from ;-)


Have you tried any home workout video's/dvd's? Perhaps your local library has some you can check out to try before buying them. Or how about your neighborhood? Could you take some time for YOU in the evening to take a quick stroll around the block, either pre or post dinner? (Before your dh goes off to work)


Here's a quote I found this morning that might help inspire you-


When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new.
This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb,
and to seek the mountain view.
-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox


Good Luck, and looking forward to posting with you!

~IslandGirl


Moderation IS Key


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Wed, 10-19-2005 - 11:44am

WElcome to the board!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Wed, 10-19-2005 - 1:22pm

I have that issue too, of feeling like I'm missing out on all the good stuff. I slowly but surely start to eliminate one thing from my diet at a time. Soda was a big one for me. I love the caffeine and the taste. However, I have successfully switched to Coke O. It took me months to do this. Not sure what you biggest downfalls are but start with smaller portion sizes or for example with the soda thing I switched to C2 half the calories as regular soda then went to the Coke 0.


I wish I could say it could happen fast but it seems a little at a time keeps you from falling back into old habits because you feel deprived.


I almost got the


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2005
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Wed, 10-19-2005 - 10:59pm

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm jotting down notes and plan on trying them especially the prepacking idea. My husband keeps telling me to put myself on the top of the list because if I don't he can't make it without me.

I'll keep checking the message board and look forward to talking with everyone.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2005
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Sat, 10-22-2005 - 12:13pm

My idea is to check out durlingfitness.com.

My husband is a personal trainer and loves working with the heart of a woman. It costs only $15 a month. It is his ministy. He offers online videos where you can train in the luxury of your own home. Scales are out, fat calipers out, and brings honest to goodness encouragement back to women. He even has a show in his site all about nutrition. I am his worst client. I hate working out and I enjoy my Krispy Cremes. So I know how tender and supportive he is. If you are looking for a new idea in weight loss, just check out his site. Let me know what you think!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2005
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Sat, 10-22-2005 - 11:19pm

Hi there:

Thanks for the suggestion. I did look up the website but how would it wor? I work from 7:30-4:30 Mon-Fri and have 2 kids. I saw the thing on spinning. Would I need to buy a bike to particpate?

It sounds very interesting and it's affordable.

Thanks,

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2005
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Sun, 10-23-2005 - 10:42am

Just to explain a little further...

The workouts are archived everyday. That means that you would turn on your computer, become a member and go to "webcast archive". You can only see this link if you become a member. You clink on a video and have a personal trainer at your fingertips. The beauty is that Dennis is live. Workout videos can get repetivive. He has something new for you everyday.

You could work out anytime of the day you wanted. Right now, even on Saturday, there are 5 sessions (2 spins, 2 strength training videos and a nutrition video). To Spin, you would need a bike. They are priced less expensive than any other fitness equipment on the market. Otherwise, just to strength train, all you would need is an exercise ball and a set of dumbells. I spoke with my husband and he would like to give you a free pass until the end of October. This is a brand new idea. Let me know if you are interested. My name is Felicia! let me know if you have any questions.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2005
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Sun, 10-23-2005 - 10:50pm

Happy Sunday. You guys are too kind. I really do need to do something because being inconsistent and unmotivated is too much to bare.

the only thing I worry about is the Spinning part. There is no way I'd be able to buy that however I am interested in the strength training and maybe can join so I can use that feature.

It is a great concept and I am so glad to have talked to you.

I saw your picture on your husband's website. YOu look fabulous. You talked about not being motivated in one of your emails tonight but you look great!!! I wish I could be that small.

TAlk to you soon!
Tiffany

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2005
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Mon, 10-24-2005 - 11:59am

I am inconsistent and unmotivated too. I do have the genes that make me kind of small BUT what about when I am 75 and dealing with osteo, heart conditions, etc. See, there is an entire different idea out there regarding fitness. Fitness should equal health not weight loss. The weight loss is a result of being healthy. I need my heart pumping well into my older age.

Thank you for the kind words!

I appreciate the compliment.

I spoke with my husband and he said consider the personal training and do the SPINNING AT A GYM. You can learn how to spin at home by watching the vids and take your confidence to a club. I would personally say as one who needs constant support, Dennis is an encourager. Last night when he trained me, I really wanted to cry, and he started telling me to feed my mind with things that uplift me....you are strong...you are beautiful. I encouraged him to do this site because I cant imagine, people like me, who do not like to workout, going at it alone.

good luck..good luck.

Avatar for tchik
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2003
In reply to: jonkaitsmom
Wed, 10-26-2005 - 6:02pm

Helo Jonkaitsmom,

Well, I can surely feel the pain in your words. I'm certain that you probably had tears in your eyes and your heart must have been so heavy as you wrote this.....we're here for ya!

I've been reading the advice so far that has been given to you and the outpouring of support has been great...but I have to be honest and say that I've seen very little practical advice yet. Not that I'm above anyone, but I'd love to give you some ideas since I, too, struggle with trying to lose weight and hold down a full time job; including the demands of home and outside commitments as well (church etc). I'm trying to lose 50 lbs so please don't think that I'm talking about a mere 5 or 10 lbs here.

Here are my tips that have helped me to lose some weight thus far:

Eat 3 meals a day plus snacks: sensible, portion controlled meals that will sustain you properly. Snacks for me are fruits or veggies, rice cakes, maybe a little popcorn. And I control my portions ~ unless it's salad or veggies, everything else is no bigger than the size of my palm (fingers not included!). I'll fill up on green salad and allow myself lots of veggies to my heart's content; but mashed potatoes, steaks, pastas, etc., are not bigger than my palm. Notice I still eat mashed potatoes and steaks. I continue to cook the same as always (real food), but have limited my portions and made sensible choices like taking the skin off my chicken now (even though it's the best part!). I still have dessert if I want, but very small, less often and I make sure I exercise. The only thing that I have banned (almost) from my diet is junk food. You know, chips, tacos, cheezies, pop, ju jubes, etc. But I do still have a little bit of chocolate almost every day (small square) and I do indulge in the junk foods once in a while. If I feel like I'm about to burst unless I get some junk, I'll have a little. Otherwise I know I'll completely blow my efforts. 'Tis better to satisfy those cravings while they're small rather than pig out and feel like crap later with guilt.

Drink as much water as you can stand: I take a one litre plastic juice bottle with a lid, (or even a store bought water bottle). I fill it up 1/2 way with water and freeze it overnight. In the morning, I top it up with fresh water and take it with me to work. The frozen water serves as a constant ice cube and it stays cold at my desk almost all day. My daily goal is to drink this 1 litre every day. (sometimes I do, sometimes I don't - but at least I try). I know I should drink more, but hey, it's a start!

Exercise: obviously time is precious and scarce in your life with a full time job and two kids....so make it simple. If you can't squeeze time at home before hubby leaves for work, take a walk on your lunch break. I usually only manage a good 20 or 30 minute walk every day and it's helping. I eat my lunch when I return to my desk but exercise comes first. I take the stairs every chance I get and I purposely park far away in every parking lot I go to. Some of this is to save my paint job, too! You also don't need to buy any expensive equipment for working out either. Use soup cans for weights (100 reps of those will give you a burn!), take your kids for a walk, practise Tae Kwon Do with your son at home, buy a children's skipping rope at the dollar store, dance in the living room - do whatever you want! I noticed that you were interested in something called spinning but it needed a bike....personally, I think you can get just as much exercise on the cheap or for free, but I also don't want to discourage you. If this spinning is the ticket for you...then do it and do it with gusto!

Stop eating after 6 or 7 pm: I think this has helped me the most. After my evening meal it's nothing but water for me until breakfast. If I'm absolutely starved, I'll eat some fruit or a veggie (carrot sticks etc.)

I'm no expert, but what I've noticed is that the simplier I keep it (diet, lifestyle changes, routine - whatever you want to call it), the more successful I am. The weight is coming off - that much I can assure you. It's a little slower than I'd prefer, but at least it's steady. So, if it's working for me (a regular working chick in her 30's), I'm sure it can work for you.

Most of all, be kind to yourself. I'm glad you bought yourself those clothes. The tag may not be the size you want, but at least you've got some clothes that fit and feel good. Keep it up! Treat yourself to a lipstick or something after one month of sticking to it. Allow yourself to be human...sure you may have days where you just want to say "the hell with it", but I urge you to not stop. If you falter and eat a whole bag of chips...so be it. But the next day is a new one and you can get right back on track. You haven't failed, you've only stumbled a little bit. YOU have the power to do this. Food, work, clothing tags, kids, husband....none of them are in control...you are. Give yourself the respect and time you deserve to achieve this goal. You are so very, very worth it! Go get 'em!

Much luck and love to you!

Tchik :o)

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