Newbie :) Could use some encouragement!

lstone22

Hey Guys

Ah, where shall I begin! I starting ANOTHER weight loss program again! I could really use some encouragement to stick with this program! With my busy life, between trying to finish up my bachelor's and working full time....... diet and exercise tends to take a seat on the back burner.

How does anyone find the spare time to fit in the gym?! On my days off... I spend most of my day sleeping! (I know bad habit) I already run on empty between working 40 plus hours...and taking 3 classes.... Managerial Accounting.... alone is a full time job!

If anyone could provide me with some tips, advice.... suggestions... I am ALL ears!

I really need to succeed this time around...... and when I walk across the stage at graduation.... I want to look STUNNING!


I appreciate all the help!

Lisa!

silvergurl518

hi lisa! you've come to the right place!

first of all, logging your food will make a HUGE difference. you suddenly become aware of what you put in your system--it's a real eye opener and will help you lower your intake. secondly, are you a morning or evening person? find a time in the day that you can dedicate to exercise. start slowly if you need to. 2-3 times a week can then build itself up to 5-6 times a week. if you don't exercise at all and feel that that's too daunting....try even 1-2 times a week. see if you can walk during your lunch break. there are plenty of ways to incorporate exercise without having to log gym hours!

good luck,
laura

mleoni092708

I'm a fellow accountant! - graduated in 2005.

This program/site is wonderful. I find that planning ahead is my friend. Plan your menu for the week, plan in your exercise. Believe me, I find that the guilt you will feel if you skip your exercise is far worse than the actual exercise

Try not to be overwhelmed. Little changes at a time. Feel free to add me for support and encouragement.

Karen_145

Welcome to MFP!

My tips:
- Exercise as much as you can and eat your exercise calories.
- Log everything, every day. Even bad days! Especially bad days!
- Get friends on MFP or find friends here. There's more accountability and encouragement if you lose weight with a social group.
- Get your BF/spouse/SO involved. Even if he's not on MFP, make sure he's on board with your weight loss and willing to help keep you on track, not help you fall off the wagon.
-Take pictures of your progress so you can see how far you've come.

Luandanielle1979

Exercise deffo helps keep me motivated and stops me from wanting to ruin my hard work. Welcome you are sooooo in the right place I am absolutley loving this site. It really helps me see what Im eating and I how exercise is helping I know with busy lifestyles its hard to make the time to do it. I work full time and am a mum and now I really enjoy the time I have on my own. Even an extra 15mins a day will make a big difference. Good luck honey xx

Iwillbemeagain

Add me as a friend !

LisaDunn01

Hi, "Newbie". :-)

First, don't look at it as "another diet". Try taking baby steps to changing your eating habits. Adopt a lifestyle that'll last the rest of your life. I just responded to someone who was losing weight too slowly. I've lost 4 pounds in about 3 months and I'm cool with that. (I wanted to lose 11 pounds total.) However, I want to enjoy food and enjoy my life. I have a very hectic life myself so where I started was with protein. Protein is what the body needs to heal and repair itself and most people (including me) don't eat enough protein for their bodies (women need between 60 and 90 grams per day). Also, by eating protein (starting with breakfast), it made it easier to make the other changes I needed to make (I'm a total chocoholic!). So, I recommend having a plan in place: e.g., start with eating more protein, then work on reducing (and hopefully eliminate) sugar, then grains (as grains turn into sugar in the body and put weight on), then make sure you're eating enough veggies and limit the fruit. Drink lots of water. As for exercise, I had to hire a fitness trainer to kick my butt as I wasn't doing it on my own. Yeah, it cost $ but it was worth it - I LOVE the results! Good luck! :happy:

kmjenkins

I can totally relate, I have a job in which I normally work no less than 50 hours/week, I am a full time student and when I get some time to breathe I just want to relax. I feel like lately I have been doing the best job to date balancing/coping with it all—and in order to accommodate fitness, I have taken the choosing factor out of working out. I tell myself every time I don't want to go to the gym--"Kelly, you've had your turn to make choices and you've made a lot of bad ones that have landed you right where you are---obese! So get off your a** and go to the gym!" <--I literally say this out loud to myself.

I finally had that tough conversation with myself that if I do not get my health in order I will be even more miserable in a year, ten years, twenty years (if I live that long) than I am right now--and my only option is to eat better foods and work out. I think that eventually if you prioritize yourself and getting healthy at the same level (or even above) work, or school, or whatever is standing in the way, you will get in the right state of mind. I can honestly say that working out consistently has also helped to reduce my stress levels and be on a good path to balancing out my life. I think once you get yourself on the right path, force yourself to do it, stick with it, and put yourself/health first, it will come more naturally. It’s very tough at first, but once you have a routine down it will all come together!

Good luck! We are all here to help you along the way you can do this!

~Kelly

lstone22

Ah - You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for all the tips and advice so far!

I am totally overwhelmed with wanting to lose weight one of my HUGE problems is If I don't see the results fast enough I give up! ( I know, another bad habit)

Planning ahead.... this past week I have been ATTEMPTING to plan my meals ahead. Has anyone been on the website Skinnytaste.com I LOVE It... I can't believe I am just finding it now. This past weekend I went on a cooking frenzy! ( I am 50% Italian... It is in my blood to LOVE to cook) Her recipes are simply delicious and low cal! - So I put the light Sheppard pie or the Spaghetti Squash Lasagna in individual size casserole (ramekins) dishes and stuck them in the freezer .(each meal is 300cals or less!) So I can bring them to work, school or have them for dinner!

kensai72

Hello Lisa,

I wanted to say congrats on beginning a new step in your journey. A few things to remember, that may help you stay motivated.

First, remember to have patience with yourself, weight is easily put on, but not always easily taken off. So try not to let the scale be your ultimate motivator or judge. Some lose fat but gain muscle weight, and fluctuations happen more often when dieting than when we are not trying to effect change in our weight. Also, try to be realistic about what it is you’re willing to change in your life, losing weight should be about changing your lifestyle long term...not a quick fix.

I see that you are someone who likes to plan ahead; great strategy...one of the things that has helped me to lose weight is to remove temptation in the kitchen. If you have stuff you will "cheat" with, throw it away or give it to someone else. I recently had to throw away left over birthday cake...it was becoming a distraction. Definitely brown bag at every chance. And really pay attention to all the little extra calories (I actually pay attention to the creamer I put in my coffee. I know that makes me less than fun...but it is important.) after a while, they can really add up.

Getting adequate exercise can also be a challenge; I have 2 degree's so I know what its like to be so busy you don't want to do anything outside of work and school. Try not to think of exercise in a traditional way, be realistic with yourself what will keep you in a workout mode....for example I cannot work out at home, I don't have the disciple. So, I tuned up my bicycle and ride if I have a little time....or I get up very early and go to the gym. They say it takes 6 weeks or so to change a habit. Make exercise a habit and try to make a pact with yourself to do it for 6 weeks. You can do anything for 6 weeks, then see if you’re not so satisfied with the results that you can't imagine stopping exercising. I always feel so much better when I work out, it can be addictive after a while. Perhaps you should look into some DVD's that have a series of 15-30 min workouts. I bet you can find 15-30 min in your schedule.

Last, try not to let your self esteem become a punching bag. You are not your dress size. You are a beautiful young woman with or without the weight, and you seem like a lovely person.

Good Luck To You! Feel free to hit me up if you need a pep talk.

C.