Needing some major changes in my life. Help please!

mandijo

So, I've been on this roller coaster of a healthier lifestyle for many years now. For the last 5 years I've relatively stayed the within 5-7 pounds of 195 pounds. I've tried Weight Watchers and just plain old counting calories and exercise, but for some reason, I have such a hard time sticking with something for longer than a week. I'm not going to whine and complain because I know this is my journey, my responsibility, but the thing is that I loathe exercise (besides zumba) and love food. I'm having a hard time breaking my mindset and it's taking over my thoughts and my life. I'm so incredibly busy with a full time job, part time job, 3 kids involved in activities, and live in a small town 15 minutes away from everything so getting to zumba can only happen for me 1x a week because of the time commitment and the financial commitment. I hate exercise videos in repetition and NEED variety to stay on a plan. I know I can't be the only one that's ever been in this situation so i need your help. I don't ask for it quickly, but I do feel like if I don't, my kids, my marriage, and my over all self-concept are going to be affected. I know this may be asking a lot, but what do your weekly workout schedules look like and what are some easy lunch ideas I could take to work to make working in exercise and healthier eating a more convenient transition to my already so busy life. I feel like if I can make it as easy as possible, I'll stick with it. I really appreciate the support of my fellow MFPers. Thanks in advance!

DKWaggoner

Exercise is a must to be healthy..Exercise is not my favorite thing either but it has to be done for me to be the person I want to see in the mirror You have to make your mind up that you truly want change,which means leaving your current comfort zone.
Good Luck to you..You will succeed!!

absie107

Hey girl. I know it's tough to really change your mindset and lifestyle. I'm a college student and I'm pretty busy most of the time. I make sleep and exercise and eating as well as possible my priorities, though. I've never been much of an athlete, but recently I started running in the mornings/whenever was convenient. I run most days of the week, 2.5-3.5 miles right now (I hope to increase that number and run 10Ks!!!) I also walk a lot due to having classes and such. I also stretch and then do a bit of body weight exercise/strength training a couple days a week. I know that isn't much variety, but running in several different places at different times of the day really changes it up for me. Listening to music helps too! As far as healthy eating, it's tough being on the go, but I make a point to have breakfast every single day. Usually that's oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, fruit, maybe eggs... you gotta get something delicious and nutritious past your lips in the early hours. It helps so, so much. And it tastes awesome.

Honestly, it sounds like you're in a very tough situation. What I recommend is making small changes here and there. They make a big difference. Exercise even if it's for 5 or 10 minutes. Eat an apple as a snack, eat a small portion if you have to go to a fast food place. It's not easy. Our bodies are wired to gain weight, and while evolutionarily speaking that's awesome in today's affluent Western society, it's really horrifying what we do to ourselves, and the fact that you're taking the initiative to change things is wonderful. Again, small changes. Drink water. Sleep more if you possibly can. Read books by Michael Pollan or Paul Roberts or Marion Nestle. Read about the history of food and where your food comes from. Knowing the connection between what you eat and where exactly it comes from really helps me. Good luck!!!

diet45

You sound just like me...I'm a mom of four kids and I work part time, plus all the things that come with being a mom, wife, and taxi driver. It gets overwhelming sometimes and I've let myself go for the last 13 yrs. I started with setting small goals. The first thing I did before starts MFP was to stop snacking after dinner. I just stopped eating after dinner (after a knee injury sent me to the Dr. where I was forced to step on that scale). I then joined MFP and started exercising more (I'm a teacher and was home for the summer, so it was easy to fit in 2 or 3 exercises a day). The 3rd goal I set was staying under calories, eating healther, and stop drinking diet soda and 2 iced mochas a drink. I cut out unhealthy snacks and introduced hummus, Laughing Cow Cheese, hard boiled eggs, pita chips, apples. I also started drinking more water. I use to hate water and wouldn't drink any...none. I now only drink water and 1 iced no fun mocha a day. So, I've made some big changes, but they didn't happen over night. I'm now starting my 14th week and I've lost 17 lbs. I would also encourage you to get an elliptical. You can burn more calories on an elliptical. I set my goal that I will do the elliptical each day for 20 minutes (sometimes this is at night when my daughter goes to bed at 8). I have an IPOD and load my favorite music....I crank it up and just do the workout. I would like to get to 30 minutes, but haven't got there yet. I also do a few videos a week. I started with the 30 Day Shred...it gives you 3 different Levels, then I bought the Biggest Loser. There are lost of video programs that give you a variety of workouts, but they are a bit more expensive. Add me as a friend!!! I hope anything I said helps, but you have to be the one to take control and set those goals each week.

unknownndoll

you know what, work on your calories first, then you can work on exercise for you health later. Dont worry and start with small things to change your life.

zumbalori

You already have gotten some good advice! Making small changes that make a BIG difference is pretty doable. I am fortunate enough to be able to go a gym daily but if you can't, just walking is a fabulous start! I know if I want to get stuff done, I have to get tough with myself. I HATE getting up early but it's the only way to squeeze it in before my day starts. I figured if I really want to do this, getting healthy and losing weight, then I have to make it a priority and get up earlier than I like. I homeschool my son so I get up early and go to the gym in the morning so I can get home before he even knows I'm gone. I also try really hard to get my gallon of water in, (that's my weight in ounces), eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible, and gave up soda and starbucks! YIKES Now I only drink 2 decaf cups of coffee in the mornings and water the rest of the time. Baby steps won't overwhelm you and the fact you are starting anything at all is a great first step!

Good luck on this new journey of yours!

1QueenB

I applaud you for taking the necessary steps to make the changes you want and deserve. I am no expert by any means, but the first thing you have to do, is STOP thinking of all the reasons why you can't, and think of all the reasons why YOU CAN!!!!! I can relate to exactly the way you are thinking, I was that person 5 months ago. But when I started this journey, I had ZERO interest in exercising and was always making excuses. I started by joining a Ladies Boot Camp, classes are 3 days a week for 60 mins. I figured if I pay for it and there are others there just like me (overweight) then I would be more committed to going. Well I am here to tell you it was the best decision I have made, and it branched out into other things, such as increasing my 3 days a week of exercise to 6, the other 3 days I wasn't in boot camp I would walk with my DVD (Leslie Sansone). Then I realized, that walking in place was boring for me and my legs got cramped so I started walking outside and before I knew it I was walk/jogging and I was impressed with myself, because a runner I am not! I then joined our local gym and started walking on the treadmill, this I love, put my MP3 player on and before I knew it I had walked 3 miles!!! Then I kept reading on the boards here on MFP about the 30 Day shred with Jillian Michaels, so I bought that, because by now, I have figured out, like you, I don;t like to keepn doing the same thing over and over again. I will be honest and say I have not done the Shred for 30days straight but when I don't feel like going out, or I am just too tired, I pop in my DVDs. I also purchased a used recumbent stationary bike that I use on occasion. While the weather is nice though, I prefer to be outside and walking doing interval exercises and I still do my Ladies Boot Camp. So far so good, I even began to walk on my lunch hour at work, you'd be surprised how a 15-20min walk can rejuvenate you and burn calories. S oon the days I don't have boot camp, I may walk at the trail and that's 6 miles, or I ride my bike, my mood changes often, so I never know what I am going to do, I just try to do something. Maybe you can even get some Zumba DVD's since you like that, just do soemthing to get you moving and don't make excuses, they will only hold you back from being the best you - you can be. My favorite quote is "I am a work in progress, but in order to progress I must work!" Good Luck and Stick with it no matter what, it works if you work it.

mandijo

Thanks you guys! This is all great advice, and much needed. Small changes are a great way to start. I have a treadmill, so if nothing else, I can do that. My husband will download TV series episodes that I want to watch and the only way I can watch them is to be walking on the treadmill. I just hope that walking is enough! Here are some mini goals for myself.

Week 1: Eat breakfast every morning and drink AT LEAST 64 oz of water.
Week 2: Come up with a "fun" and motivating 5-day exercise plan I can stick to, and then do it
Week 3: Cut back to 1 Diet soda a day
Week 4: Get up early starting with 1 day a week and working my way to 2-3 to get exercise out of the way
***Continually revamp my goals and my workout plan to keep myself motivated.

Now all I need is a TRUE accountability buddy who's going to keep me on the right track and won't allow me to quit! Again thanks!!