Motivation, Success and Frustration Sharing!

congratulations jdelaroy, I just went back & read the posts more carefully, what a wonderful example to your family & for all the benefits to you

@jdelaroy Happy 1 Year!!! You have accomplished so much and should be proud of yourself!

@janetay01 Sounds like you've got some shows to get through! It'll definitely make the time on the cross trainer more interesting

@Evamutt As far as dropping from 3 to 2 days I would listen to your body. If you're overly exhausted and not having enough recovery time in between sessions then it may be time to cut down. Otherwise if you're feeling good and your strength and endurance keep improving, keep at it!

@gymprincess1234 Sorry you're having a rough time with the move. Change is really hard, and it's important to work through your feelings during this transition.

@HGSmith0920 I feel you on the finances. I'm struggling with balancing that as well, especially since I had some major purchases recently that took a toll on the ole bank account. I'm glad to hear everything smoothed over at work, you're doing a great job!

Welcome @brainbeeitsallinyourhead! I love fresh ginger in my tea so I'll have to try it with cold water too, thanks for sharing!

@clicketykeys Glad you're having a great day, that raspberry mule sounds amazing! Glacier progress is still progress and that's what's important

So I completely forgot I'm interviewing for a Leadership Institute program today, which means I am definitely not dressed my best I am wearing a work branded polo and black dress pants so it's not horrible, but I would have probably thrown on a suit jacket if I had thought about it, ugh. Oh well, fake it til you make it, right? This week at work is insanely busy, I guess when it rains it pours!

The happy hour last night was okay, but kinda blah. We only stayed for one drink, I just wanted to get home and go to bed (and I'm not a huge fan of drinking during the week since it makes me feel puffy). It was a beautiful night and the winery was gorgeous though so there were some definite plus sides.

I'm looking forward to going to my pole dancing class tonight for some well deserved me time. I need some relaxation amidst the craziness.

@Rachel0778 You sould like such a boss babe, especially with the pole dancing!

Hi everyone! I would love to join in on this thread.

My name is Rachel, and I'm 26. I have steadily gained weight throughout my 20s, particularly after age 21. The combination of eating out constantly, huge portions, and alcohol has taken its toll. I weighed in at 197.6 lbs a couple of months ago. I couldn't believe I was almost 200 lbs! I was around 150 lbs in high school, and it's been a slow uptick since then. I would love to get back to 150-160 lbs as my ultimate goal.

I joined a 10 week fitness challenge at a local gym that ended last Saturday. I lost 16 lbs and 18 inches throughout my body. I am very happy with my results so far! I ended up purchasing an annual membership to this gym to keep going. The people who work there/attend classes are really supportive, which is a big help. I currently do kickboxing Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and resistance band training Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, alternating upper and lower body. I have also started doing yoga on Wednesdays after kickboxing (I am a MAJOR newbie at yoga), and I finally have a bike for the first time in years, so I've made it my goal to go on a ride once a week. I am not good with hills! Lol.

I have been doing really well with eating and tracking my food. The fitness challenge I was a part of allowed 1 cheat day per week, but I have been having 1 cheat meal every 2-3 weeks, trying not to go overboard. I've been cooking more and trying new recipes, so it luckily hasn't been too hard for me to eat healthier (so far). On Saturday, we had our end of the challenge celebration, and I ate and drank way too much. I was up 4 lbs on Monday, which I know has to be water weight. I'm back down 3 today (so only 1 lb above where I was before). I'm ready to not have another day like that for a long time! On Saturday morning, I weighed in at 181.4 lbs, and my mini goal is to hit the 170s by the end of June.

The main reason I decided to get serious about losing weight is because I'm getting married in September! My fiancé has been working out with me too, and he also got an annual membership to the gym. It's very motivating to have him doing this with me, and I love seeing the changes in him.

So ANYWAY, (that got long-winded) I am looking forwarding to keeping up with you all and sharing my challenges and successes!

welcome rachelbachel32, this is a great group, good to have you. HGSmith, my friend grew up in Bridgeport, she's asking me if your on the south or north jersey? We're still having a heat wave thru tomorrow, 109! So I was going to go volunteer at animal rescue today but my friend text & asked if I'm going to the pool. I like to go with her because it motavates her to go & I like to go too. She lost 70lbs by last summer & is the one who got me started to lose. She gained almost all her weight back due to a few things.....she has a health issue but mostly because she had all this work done on her house, inside getting rid of old stuff, going thru closets etc & painting outside, garage cleaning. It took couple months & she had to be there for most of it so got off track & felt too much in pain to cook. she usually has to stay in bed a lot cause of her condition so she couldn't with all this going on.All the work is done, except I'm going to help her with the kitchen but shouldn't take more then a day or two. She already lost 8 lbs, Her weight makes things a lot worse for her physically. I should go with her I think

@Evamutt I'm from Central Jersey. The Jersey Shore actually. I live about 5 miles from Seaside Heights. She should know where that is. It's one of the biggest touristy areas at the Shore.

Good morning!

I was debating if I should even post here, cause I'm off track with everything in life at the moment, and it doesn't even go under 'frustration' and moaning doesn't help anyone else

With leaving my gym, changing time zones and being in a very flat area now, I feel totally confused with my workout routine. For 7 months I did Monday-Friday weights and indoor cycling for cardio, and added running in the last 1-2months. I was running in a hilly park/forest and loved my gym so much I basically lived there, which for me was 80% of motivation for working out.
Now, left with flat city center and no spin studio nearby, I've lost the appetite for working out. I have a bike, can still run, have weights and roller blades at home, but the 'fun' is not in it anymore. I know it's all in my head, and the endorphins will still be the same here, but I hate the feeling of 'I have to work out' when for 7 months gym/run was the pinnacle of my day that I looked forward to and canceled other plans just for it.

With flying and stressing I've got a cold now, so it's Thursday, but I've worked out only 1 time this week!
Uhhh, just need to get my *kitten* together and hustle. This is just a temporary 9 week situation after all..

Just rewatched Shia LaBeouf motivational video where he's screaming 'JUST DO IT' and I think I'm gonna be back on track today

Thank you all for your warm welcomes!

@Evamutt That's encouraging to hear that you were where I am and that you've had so much success! I hope to be where you are one day. Isn't it crazy how that weight can sneak up on you? I mean, I knew I was gaining weight, but I had no idea how much, so that was a big wake-up call! I didn't necessarily eat a lot growing up, but I ate whatever, whenever (ice cream at midnight, haha), and that didn't seem to matter.

@gymprincess1234 I hope you can find a new workout routine that is fun for you! I stopped going to the gym many, many times, because I wasn't engaged and just didn't like doing it. Like Rachel mentioned, maybe a local fitness group could help? It's always nice to have that encouragement.

I am still up 1.5 lbs after Saturday night, which is pretty discouraging. I want to be back where I was so I can get back to seeing losses! But I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing. I went to the gym this morning, which I generally hate doing; I feel sluggish in the morning and have never been someone who enjoys getting up early. I have my hair and make-up trial for the wedding tonight, so I have that to look forward to, and it's nice to have my evening all to myself. And I've had two people from work and one person from the gym compliment me on how good I've been looking today, so that is a definite mood booster!

I hope you all have a fabulous Thursday!

Getting back in to this myself. Been an up and down year in 2017 after a kick *kitten* 2016. I didn't completely fall off the wagon, but there seems to be a habit of a 'chunk of weeks on, chunk of weeks off'. Could always use a core group for motivation. That's what we're here for right?!

gymprincess, I've lost things I loved to do too & wanted them back so much. Several years ago I was addicted to racquetball. I met someone in my gym class who wanted to play with me. We played 5-6 days/wk for about a year & I loved it. Then she went on mission trip then got job after. I was SO frustrated. I used to cry over it & pretended to be casual while I asked other ppl if they ever played or would like to try but to no avail. I learned I need to mourn things I lose in life so I can move on otherwise I can't move on to acceptance so I can be open to new things to do.
I mourned it for quite a while

I thought I'd try this, as I need to lose about 12 lbs after a trip to Italy and spinal fusion. Being severely restricted is KILLING me! I usually kayak several hours a week, run, cycle, weight lift, whatever, and now I have to watch it. 3 months post op, speed walking over 4 miles and starting lighter weights and a little mild stretching, but I'm still at the no 'BLT' level, and nothing over 15 lbs. Can you say BORING?

@gymprincess1234 I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time! Just do what you can. Pretty soon you'll have a new normal and then when you go back home you can start right where you left off!

@Rachel0778 I'm glad you're feeling better! A date sounds awesome! I wish the DH and I could do something like that. Money's tight right now though. Got a ridiculously large bill I have to pay tomorrow. So this week is out of the question. Lol. But for most is the three years we've been married I was never able to spend my evenings at home with him. Now since I work normal hours I can and it still feels like I won the lottery almost six months later!

@rachelbachel32 I'm not a huge gym fan either. I'll walk on the treadmill or ride a bike but I prefer to walk/hike/bike outside. We have a couple of really nice parks around here.

@clicketykeys You debone that chicken girl!

@No_Knock welcome! I am kind of a chunk on, chunk off kind of person too! But we are one heck of a support group for each other!

@Evamutt I'm so sorry you lost your workout buddy! I would have mourned that loss too. I've never really worked out with anyone before. My husband and I go on short walks most nights but he's not up to the kind of walking I like to do.

@HGSmith0920 Thank you! And I hope everything's fine with your husband! I had an endoscopy recently, it's not that bad, I didn't fall asleep though or maybe did, the whole thing was a big blur.

Talking health, I'm also stressed cause Monday I have thyroid ultrasound. After last year's one I was told I most likely have cancer (afterwards biopsy didn't find it), and that whole period of time was so traumatic as I'm only 23, I fear it will happen again, or that something has grown and now I will need an operation or therapy. Uhh, life's just a handful at the moment.

Happy Meme Friday!