Hello from a Couch Potato

Izzwoz · October 2012

Hello fellow MFPers!

I am still relatively new to this site, but I am loving the support and stories from everyone! Now, I am curious to know if there are any folk out there who are determined to lose weight - like I am - but who, despite of this, are a bit of a couch potato - like I am.

I have started my journey a couple of months back and so far the progress is going ok, but reading my way through the message boards for motivation and tips, I read a lot about exercise, cardio, weight lifting, "insanity" (sounds insane) etc. ...
I am a self-confessed couch potato, I have a very sedentary lifestyle, I work from home and do the odd bit of zumba, dog walking, squash and horse riding but I hate the gym and I hate jogging. I can happily motivate myself to eat healthily, restrict my calories but I cannot motivate myself to do stuff I never liked in all my life.
I have the utmost respect for people who work out every day and shape their body to perfection, hell, I love seeing those success story pics. But I am not one of them, as much as it pains me to admit. Should I feel guilty because I won't ever have pretty abs or biceps? Or should I just enjoy the fact that despite the lack of gym in my life, I can lose weight, reduce the risk of food related diabetes and other illnesses and live happily ever after?

Would be great to hear from likeminded folks - if there are any ...

Valm0n · October 2012

Well, my GF told me many times I was a couch-potato so... I guess I am :laugh:

I think eating well isn't enough, we have to work out a little to maintain the muscles, the heart, etc
Getting to work out is a real pain for me, but once I start I enjoy it :happy:

grassette · October 2012

If you don't move, you are going to die young. It's that simple. Couch to coffin. Check this out: http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/sitting-kills/

Izzwoz · October 2012

Or, in the case of my dad: If you hardly ever sit down, you have three strokes and end up in a coma by sixty. Guess it's not quite that simple.

Valm0n · October 2012

those are both extreme cases. A balance must be found between hypo and hyperactivity.

A friend (who's fit) told me "Eat healthy, move a bit and relax". Maybe that's the key...

cornfritter22 · October 2012

I have an active job, but when I'm home, I want to SIT. I'm good exercising for about a week and then I lose it again. Maybe that's why at 30 pounds lost my body still looks like crap and I still feel like crap.

RealWomenLovePitbulls · October 2012

you have to have some exercise to be healthy, but that doesnt mean you have to go to the gym and spend hours on a machine... just find a hobby you like that gets you outside and takes a bit of movement and u will be fine

nikkinoonarr · October 2012

Hiya, I am a couch potato. I am self employed and my job is sitting. I walk my children to school and do the shopping, enjoy a wander round town but love sitting and watching movies. I go out with my friends to my local rock club about once a month too for a good old mosh!

I have a side stepper and use that a few times a week to try to tone up but really that is it.

I have hit my goal and feel healthy and fit. I want to start working on definition now and feel motivated to tighten everything up.

You do what is best for you, you sound just like me and I've changed, you might too. This is your life, your journey. Don't do anything you can't maintain forever.

Loosing the weight is only the first step of the rest of your life. To maintain this change you need to be happy.

Good luck x

Keiko385 · October 2012

I hear ya! I'm not one for going to the gym and joining up for classes 6 nights a week. I do walk a lot either outside or on a treadmill, do a little stretching yoga in the mornings and if I am feeling adventurous I will use some small dumbbell. I am perfectly content to get myself at a healthy weight, feel confident in cloths I wear, keep my cholesterol in check and have a little endurance to keep up with the grandkids. I know I will never have that perfectly sculpted body but I'm okay with that. I'm not in my 20's or 30's and feel no need to compete with them on any level.

Do what makes you happy!

Izzwoz · October 2012

those are both extreme cases. A balance must be found between hypo and hyperactivity.

A friend (who's fit) told me "Eat healthy, move a bit and relax". Maybe that's the key...

That sounds fair enough :-)

bobie1978 · October 2012

Or, in the case of my dad: If you hardly ever sit down, you have three strokes and end up in a coma by sixty. Guess it's not quite that simple.

Preventing a heart attack or stroke is one of the easiest things to do. You can dramatically decrease your chances by keeping a proper diet, exercise and seeing a doctor to make sure you do not have any pre-existing conditions. My mother had a stroke at 50! She had all the signs and never went to the doctors, she was a diabetic, overweight and had high blood pressure. My mother is "ok" now but will never be the same. She continues to live her same life style but now her conditions are treated. I am sure she will have another stroke

It is her life though.

Izzwoz · October 2012

Thank you Keiko (beautiful dog, btw) and Nikki for the encouraging words. I think you are absolutely right, it has to make me happy and I have to be able to maintain it ... And who is to say I won't be climbing mountains in the future as I am getting healthier and lighter - although I am pretty sure that my gym attitude won't change :-)

Izzwoz · October 2012

Bobie, I am very sorry to hear about your mum. You are right, it is her life, but it is nevertheless very sad. My dad is my inspiration to lose weight because I want to at least be able to say I have tried to live as healthily as I can while still enjoying my life - and that's where the exercise struggle comes in, as I am not enjoying that part :-) But I am hoping that bringing my weight down is the first step on the way to minimizing my risks and hopefully being healthy for at least another 30 odd years!

Hello from a Couch Potato

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