Remembering where I came from and Sticking to goals...

thismamarox

Hey friends, I am curious as to what has helped many of you start your journey to getting fit, and goals that help you stay on track? I would like to share a couple of things that I am doing and see if any of you can relate?

A little story to start with...

Last November we went to Hawaii on a well needed vacation. We took another couple with us and I felt self conscious to say the least... She is stunning with her small frame, paid for chest, and long beautiful hair. I was 5'6" and 203 pounds when we went (not so stunning). All the swimming suits I took on the trip were far too small for me, and I found myself running to the Wal-Mart to buy men's swim shorts and tank tops to wear on the beach. I felt hideous! Once we got home and I saw the pictures from the trip I wanted to cry... How did I get this big? Some of it is relationship fat (25 pounds worth), and a LOT of it was too much beer, and far too many calories for my body to burn. I exercised frequently and kept telling myself that I didn't eat that much (WHOA the denial). I didn't really eat that much, but boy could I put a 12 pack of beer away...Hmmm let's do the math...110 calories x 12 Beers =1320...and that was on a slow weekend. Times this by about 3 days a week...and WHAM-O!!! I didn't realize JUST how much I was drinking, until one night I counted them...empty cans on the stove...HOLY CRUD! I drank my daily allotment of calories plus some!!! This doesn't even take into account all the carbs and excess calories from food I was eating. I was consuming well over 3000-4000 calories on a weekend. What an eye opener!!! So When we came home from Hawaii and I saw the pictures, I had a choice to make...I could feel sorry for myself and become a depressed slug, or I could get off my overstuffed derriere and do something about it! So I did, or so I thought...

My friend started a weight loss challenge last January. There was approximately 20 people that joined, and we all had to contribute $20. The winner got to take the pot! I thought...AWESOME!! I can do this! 16 weeks of hard work and accountability! Just what I needed...right??? Well, I did ok..I lost about a pound a week. I was down 15 pounds and had looked better that I did in quite some time! Only problem was...I got complacent and stopped doing what I needed to be doing. By the end of the challenge, It was nice and warm outside. Instead of going to the gym, I sat in the pool with a drink in my hand...

Through out the summer, I averaged about 4 days of the gym. I went in, did the bare minimum, and left. My eating habits sucked... my alcohol consumption went up because of friends, fun, and bbq's. I gained every pound back, plus 4! By July 4th, I was miserable! I made a decision...no more beer, no more excessive alcohol. I had to do this for myself. So on the 6th of July I started my quest. This time is different...

In January, the mister and I are heading to Cancun for another well needed vacation. My goal is to drop 30 pounds by the time we go. I bought some darling swim suits that I plan on taking and wearing comfortably while we are there. My friend started another weight loss challenge for summer/fall...same start up fee, same accountability...So I joined...Here are some differences that I would like to share...

1) My weekly gym goal is 6 days a week. I alternate between lift days and cardio days, but I still try to get some cardio in on lift days as well. Most weeks I can accomplish all six days but I never go below 5.

2) I have for the most part given up beer. I see it as a whole different evil. Would I seriously sit down and drink a 12 pack of Pepsi by myself?? NO, so why would I drink something just as bad? Not saying that I don't have an occasional glass of beer, but I limit it to 1 once in a great while...it is my Kryptonite, and I wish I was one of those people that absolutely HATED it!

3) I fill out my food log first thing in the morning. I log what I am going to eat the whole day. I manage my caloric intake by crossing off food as I eat it. This does 2 things for me...I can see how much I am actually eating (not just guessing), and helps me stay accountable for myself. Also, by seeing results attached to different food intakes, I can see what is working for me and what is not.

4) I have goals...I have small goals and I have large goals. I know that I can't expect to drop 30 pounds overnight. I know that I need to start small and work my way up. I also know that I have to expect good weeks and bad ones. Since July 6th, I have dropped 17 pounds. I started at number 14 out of 17 on our weight loss challenge, and I am now up to number 6. I am averaging about 2 pounds a week. I have 29 pounds to go before January to hit my large goal.

5) I have limited my cocktails to Friday nights. I have one or two and I am good.. I learned that when you don't drink very much, 1 or 2 drinks does the trick I have also noticed that my endurance is increasing at the gym, My head doesn't hurt, and I am not so groggy when I wake up on Sundays that I don't want to go to the gym...I actually thrive on it! But most of all, I learned moderation is key to everything. It does not mean you can't indulge from time to time, it just means that you can't do it every night and expect different results.

I love this site and I love the people I have come to know on here. It's helpful for me to know that it's ok to struggle, and if it is too easy, then you are not changing. I am loving this new me... and I am sure I will be in love with the future me as well

BradfordBear801

Was obese for the first 19 years of my life, I decided I had had enough. My roommates laughed when I told them I was going to diet, and that only fanned the flames of my resolve. Fast forward six years from then to now and Weight training has become a huge part of my life. It allows me to channel negativity from work into something positive, helps keep me feeling 'good' when ofttimes life is rough and uncertain. And helps me be a positive role model for my two year old son.

I love this site too, because at the end of the day, from the fittest to the heaviest, we're all human, We strive and we struggle, but progress is progress. Be proud of what you've accomplished, be ready for whats to come.

vettim16

This is an amazing journey! Congratulations on putting your health first! You are going to hit those goals, I know it and have lots of fun on vacation!

Every day is a battle for me, I just take it one day at a time. This site is so motivational, and all the people are so helpful! WE are all human. :flowerforyou:

thismamarox

It's funny how most of my struggles come from giving up things that are really bad for me. I quit smoking at 22 and gained 70 pounds. I know that things don't come easy, but it seems that the longer you go without them, the more you realize that you don't need it to feel good. I am excited and up for this new challenge and chapter in my life.

Kimdbro

Awesome post! This really rang with me: "I have for the most part given up beer. I see it as a whole different evil. Would I seriously sit down and drink a 12 pack of Pepsi by myself?? NO"

I'm pretty judgy at my husband for the amount of Pepsi he drinks, and I don't like pop so I very rarely touch the stuff, I scoff at how much wasteless calories and sugar he's taking in, but I think nothing of drinking 4 beer in a sitting or half or more of a bottle of wine. It's really easy to forget the sugar, carbs, and calories in our liquids. I've lost 27 lbs and totally stalled, I'm sure that it's due to the summer beers, and evening wine. Pretty easy to lay back and relax instead of getting up and exercising. This site always helps 'shake it off' and get us going. Posts like this are one of the many ways. Thanks for sharing!

thismamarox

Thank you so much for the encouragement. It is good to know that I am not alone, and others have some of the same views and struggles that I do! Bradford is right, we are all human and we do strive and struggle. I am excited to see what I can accomplish over the next few months. I have this