Turning 40 in November and feeling defeated

Good for you!

Personally, exercise keeps me motivated because it makes me feel great. Are you getting enough movement in your life?

I just turned 40 a couple of months ago. It can be a bit of a mental block, but you will get through it.

Is it possible you could try this? Leave work and walk 45 minutes down your bus route. Catch it wherever you you walk to. Each week as you get fitter you'll notice you're walking past that first bus stop you hit at the 45 minute marker. Sure you'll be sweaty when you get on the bus but you're on the way home. Shower as your reward.

Hi I totally understand your feelings regarding turning 40 and feeling defeated! I was so excited to turn 40 and make a change but now I am almost 41 and it's just gotten worse!!! But I am her to make a change once and for all!! Amy motivation will be greatly appreciated!!!

mish3131 wrote: »

Trying to exercise is difficult due to my schedule. I sit at a desk all day so no movement, plus an hour commute each way Monday thru Friday. In my subdivision we have been having issues with black bears roaming in the evening so walking/running outside scares the crap out of me. I have to wait until my son is a sleep because he can hear the treadmill. So many people say I am making excuses, no, this is my life. I can finally get on the treadmill my 9pm. This is my life, crazy busy.

Difficult, sure. Impossible--NO.

I once got more than 25,000 steps on a day when I also worked at a desk job for 8 hours. If you want to do it, you will find a way. Do you get 15-minute breaks during your work day? Use them for walking.

Exercise isn't absolutely necessary for losing weight, but it is necessary for long-term health and for feeling energetic. If you want to be a happy, confident person and to have lots of energy for your kids, some exercise is probably part of the equation.

I feel you on the bear thing--when I first started losing weight, I was living in an area with brown bears, cougars and coyotes. I carried spray and a big rock in my pocket...but it did make me really nervous!

Set some small goals, reward yourself along the way and just keep adding more as you go. You don't need to have everything figured out all at once.

Have you tried Focus T25?

25 mins per day is a realistic goal and should be maintainable. I've been on the Insanity version and he really does keep you motivated.

Hey! Same boat here! I'm turning 40 in March. I lost 56lbs on mfp in 2012. Gained 100lbs with pregnancy #2. Here it is 2015 and I'm still fighting. Still going. Snails pace? Yep. But I fall down and I get back up. It's hard. Add me. You're doing great! I have been in the middle of a career switch so now things have calmed a bit I can move forward. Best of luck to you. One day at a time.

I totally understand - turned 40 recently and I'd like to turn 41 as a healthier person. I also am at a desk 8 hours a day, and get how challenging it is. I wear a Fitbit and there are days when I literally don't take 500 steps during my work day. One thing I've done in the past is to go and walk the stairs in our building when I can. Even if I only do it for 5 minutes, that's 5 more minutes of activity than I would have gotten. I also keep hand weights in my office and will sometimes use them while on conference calls. Can you think about starting small like that? I'm also in the same boat with balancing exercise and kids/family - the only time I have to exercise is 9-10pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, which is when I go to the gym or walk outside (but no bears near me!). My husband gets Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time.

You've already taken a positive step - congrats on that! On to step 2 - you'll get there!

My mum walks her parkade. She's terrified of nature - bugs especially - so she walks up and down the parkade over an hour a day. Not sure how that is on her lungs. Don't know why I assumed you ride the bus.... funny that ...

I get up at 5 a.m. to walk in my neighborhood. But it's dark and I am scared of loose dogs and snakes. I carry a flashlight and some pepper spray. But I totally understand being afraid. If bears were spotted in my area, I'd be a nervous wreck! But I have enjoyed walking in the early mornings this summer. It's nice to get my workout done early and sets the tone for the entire day. But it's already staying darker longer in the mornings and I don't enjoy walking in the pitch black. We don't have many street lights either. I carry a flashlight. I just ordered some Knuckle Lights from Amazon. We'll see how those work.

Once the weather cools down (I live in the south in the US), I will walk during my lunch hour at work. That is my favorite thing to do. Then I don't have to take any time in the morning or when I get home from work. I eat my lunch at my desk, and then take my walk later in the afternoon so I'm not sweaty and overheated for too long before I go home. I am lucky in that I work upstairs and don't come in contact with many people. I change into walking clothes, walk 45 minutes, then sit and cool off in the ladies room lounge area with a big glass of water for a few minutes before I get back in work clothes. I know I'm lucky I've got that private space to cool off in, not many offices do. Then I go upstairs to my desk and just blow a fan right in my face to finish cooling off.

I'm turning 39 in November. Your diet is where you will lose or gain weight, exercise is what will help you feel and look better. If walking isn't practical, what else can you do? There are body weight exercises that can be done literally anywhere. Maybe there is an activity you can enjoy on weekends, even if you take your child along. Start with what you can do. Keeping an accurate food diary and a reasonable deficit is most important, though. And that takes planning and awareness, but not much time.

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