Need help with motivation!

horseryder77

Hello all!

I need some motivation from you wonderful people Here's a little bit about me-
I'm 23, I'm in my last year of undergrad (I've changed my major a LOT), and I'm active. Active as in, I horseback ride (competitively.. I don't actually show because I don't have the money, but I train like I'm going to show), and feed horses/do general barn work. I also work in a research lab where I'm generally on my feet a lot.
Last year, I started running at the end of may, had NEVER run a step in my life, but figured I'd try. I ran a half marathon in September. Most surreal experience ever.

This year has been difficult for me. I found out my aunt, who I'm very close to, was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. and last semester, about 3 weeks after I heard that news mind you- my favorite professor died. I was currently taking a class with him, and a day after I saw him in class, I get an email saying he passed away from having a stroke while driving his car home.

Anyway-needless to say, on top of all this, last semester was my busiest with classes and the hardest with my science classes. So extra exercise sort of fell to the wayside.

Now, I am with a wonderful guy who makes me very happy, and makes me forget all of the bad things that have happened in my life. We have been together for 7 1/2 months, and I don't know what I'd do without him. He makes me feel beautiful all of the time, and sexy, and confident. Even when I had fallen out of shape and personally was disgusted with my body, he would never fail to tell me how stunning he thought I was. At first I didn't believe him-but he is persistant. Even now, when I can't remember looking this.. blah.

Right now, he's in Turkey for a study abroad trip. He'll be there for 5 more weeks (7 1/2 weeks total)
My goal is to get into good enough shape, or look good enough, so that he can't keep his hands off me. I want his jaw to drop when he comes off that plane and sees me standing there.

I'm not overweight-I generally eat pretty healthy, and because I live an active life style, I can pretty much stay in a healthy weight range.
However, I am 5'4, and 137 lbs as of today. It's mostly just excess fat around my stomach and thighs that's driving me nuts. I don't like things to touch/spill over. I'd like to tone up.
My goal is to lose 7 lbs in 5 weeks. Actually, it's not really my goal. My goal is to look awesome.

I've done the weight loss thing before- I used to be 180 lbs, then got down to 130.
I know that when you get in your healthy range, it's more about how you look/feel than what the scale says. (I was 133 the day that I went to run my half marathon)

So here's where you come in!!! I need people to help motivate me to get back into awesome shape/suggest things to help tone my body. ESPECIALLY my abs/thighs.
I think I might start Jillian's Ripped in 30 tomorrow.
I used to do the 30 day shred, but honestly, I'm getting bored of it. Not that it's easy by any means, but I've had this DVD for about 3 years and I keep doing the same workout over and over. I wanted something a little different.
I also started running again today. Picked up at day 3 week 4 of my c25k app. Might skip some if I can get my endurance back up.. considering I used to be able to run 13 miles.. now I can barely run 1...

Any motivation is appreciated! Feel free to add me, ask me any questions, or provide any support/suggestions.
This site has always been an excellent resource. I think it's the reason I didn't give up last summer when training for the half marathon.

Thanks!!!

CatharinaC

I think you are amazing, I know we talked a lot last year and then I had a work and home shake up.. For me I gave in.. I remember how excited you were for the race in September and a weekend where you were frustrated... You have an inure strength I admire and truly believe you will get rid of excess fat around your stomach and thighs that's driving you nuts.

I found mucking stalls worked and many of the core exercise... but I think you need a challenge and there is where these last few pounds will go.. change it up weights, core lots of sitting trot on a rough trot

You can do this!!!