My journey to a healthier lifestyle

[whiterose]

Marcy and Alta have inspired me to create my own thread documenting my progress towards a healthier lifestyle.

In my youth, I was very athletic, participated in practically every sport available when I was younger. As I became older, my interests changed from sports to more sedentary activities.

When I worked as an RN in labor and delivery, I was active and on the go all the time. But, for the past 14 years, I have worked at a health insurance company, sitting at a desk all day long.

Year after year, I have become increasingly heavy. And it's all my fault. I know what to do to lose weight. I don't really eat all that much, but my choices have not been the best.

A few years ago I lost about 40 lbs mainly by cutting out regular sodas, eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising. Otherwise, I didn't change much about my diet. I truly believe that it was the exercising that was the key to my success.

The fact is, I hate to exercise. It bores me to tears. I would rather spend that time doing other things.

But, the other fact is, that when I DO exercise, I do feel much better. And I have made a commitment to exercise as often as possible each week. I am shooting for a goal of having exercised every day through March 31st. My hope is that by then it will become such a routine part of my daily life that it becomes second nature to me.

I joined a weight loss competition at work that also runs through the end of March. I'm on a team with 5 of my employees. The team that wins the highest percentage of their goal wins bragging rights. I joined the team because I felt it would motivate me even more if others were depending on me.

My goal in the competition is to lose 20 lbs, although my long-term goal is to lose MUCH, MUCH more.

I am starting this thread to document my progress throughout this competition. I am considering this my exercise journal. I think by writing down each day my exercise progress, it will help keep me focused.

Others who have the same kind of goal -- feel free to post here. If you have any tips on great exercise routines for beginning exercisers, don't be shy... share them.

Anyhow, here goes...

I actually started exercising over the weekend. I know this doesn't sound like much, but I exercised for 15 minutes each day. When you are as big as I am, and out of practice, one must start slowly and increase.

I just exercised tonight for 16 minutes with my daughter. She loves "coaching me."

I'm not doing anything fancy, just some basic exercises that my daughter learned in gym. In addition, I've been using the ab-roller. Anyone here tried that before?

 

[Faith]

I have one little tip that worked for me when I finally made the commitment to exercise by daily walking...

Since I was doing it alone, I needed something to keep me motivated. So I walked for an hour every day while listening to books on tape (or CD). I wouldn't let myself listen unless I was out there walking... and the need to know what would happen in the next chapter always inspired me to put on the walking shoes and headphones (and oh yeah... all the clothes in between) and head out the door.

Altogether I walked off a whole lotta pounds and "read" a whole lotta great books.

 

[whiterose]

That's a great suggestion, Faith! I might end up trying that during my lunch hour. That's about the only time of day I feel I have time (and energy) to go walking.

 

[jellybean400]

Thanks for this thread, and good luck with your journey.

I am trying very hard to add better foods to my diet, and cut out many of the bad ones.

Its hard for me to find an exercise, because i have severe osteoarthritis in both knees. Walking is OK, but not for a very long distance, or very fast. Swimming would be great, but i live out in the sticks and wouldnt even know where theres a pool.

I saw an infomercial for the bar exerciser thingy - looks like a bar that ballet dancers use. I have a site that reviews TV products, and it got lots of great reviews. I may order one, but that wont get me much of the cardio. Any ideas for very low-impact cardio?

I wont go into detail about how much i want to lose, yet

 

[whiterose]

Sorry I don't have any suggestions, Jelly, but maybe someone will chime in. I have completely ignored exercise for so many years that I feel like a complete rookie when it comes to understanding what is cardio vs. not and what products or exercises are good vs. not helpful, etc. I'm just mostly doing basic calisthenics and walking.

Last night I exercised up to 20 minutes. I know that doesn't sound like much, but for me, that's a huge accomplishment. My daughter is an excellent coach. She would make a great drill sergeant one day.

I weighed in at work today and I lost 7.8 lbs from last week. Obviously, most of that had to have been fluid, but I was happy. Assuming I can maintain that, I am 1/3 through to the goal I set for myself in that competition at work.

Yay!

 

[PinkCat]

I weighed in at work today and I lost 7.8 lbs from last week. Obviously, most of that had to have been fluid, but I was happy. Assuming I can maintain that, I am 1/3 through to the goal I set for myself in that competition at work.

Yay!

Awesome, congrats! The first week is always the biggest drop due to, as you said, fluid.... but I don't say that to discourage you, but rather so that you don't feel discouraged if the drop isn't as huge in coming weeks!

But what matters isn't what you lose in one week, but what you lose over several weeks... over longer periods of time.

Keep it up, the small changes will add up big time! It's great that you know that starting small is the best thing for you. I think the highest rates of failure are among those who think they will be able to run a marathon in their first month or something. Exercising 15-20 minutes a day is GREAT!!!

 

[kittylane]

adam is setting an mp3 player as we speak, he wants me at the gym with him, he helped me pick all th 70 thru todays dance songs and hits.

i gained 10 bloody lbs this year, whiterose, i know that sound tiny but i really went up nearly two full sizes.

our gym has a jaquzzi, that is a fun part for me.

great job on your weight loss so far, you deserve to look and feel your best, you are a marvelous and wonderful, kind and beautiful person.

 

[whiterose]

Awwwww, thanks Pink and Kitty! (((( hugs ))))

And Pink, you're right... I need to set small goals and not get discouraged if I don't lose a lot. My plan is to not consider this a diet, but instead, a change in lifestyle.

I was always athletic as a youth, and I really got away from any sort of exercise in my very sedentary job.

With the new position I'm taking at work, I'll eventually be working at home more and can take my dog for walks during lunch. So, that'll be additional exercise.

Last night, I worked out for 23 minutes. It was fun (my daughter is so funny, she cracks me up while we are exercising) and I really began realize how easy it is to incorporate exercise into a daily routine. I know that there will be times when I won't feel like exercising every single day, and I will not kick myself when I don't. But, my goal is to exercise as often as possible, even if it's just 15-20 minutes a day. That's better than nothing for sure. And eventually, I know I'll build up endurance.

It really does help keep me focused by coming here and documenting how things are going. Hope no one is bored with reading this.

 

[marcy]

So happy to have you along with me on this journey to healthier us!

If you are easily bored with exercise you might give Curves a try. I think you can try it for free for 2 weeks (and if not let me know I have a ton of guest passes you can have). It is a circuit and you move from machine to machine (and also cardio in between) very quickly. It is a 30 minute work out.... so they say... actually takes me about 40 mins from twice around the track to stretching to out of there.

I am also using Fitday.com to journal my intake. It is free and you might like it. It is an easy way to track. A normal diet (mine is not!) would be like 40% protein, 30% carb, 30% fat. The carbs can be natural (fruits and vegs) and whole wheat and be perfectly good for you. I protein load and I'm usually around 60 to 70% protein, 8 to 11% carb, and the rest in fat. Fitday tracks it all for me and even includes a nice lil chart so its easy for me to tell where I am during the day.

Water is the big problem for me. I hope your more successful at it . The more water the better and I'm about 10 to 20 oz low every day, but on the days I hit my mark or exceed it... I almost ALWAYS find I lose weight!

Faith I LOVEEEEEEE the idea of walking and books on tape! I'm definately stealing this one.

(((Kat))) We can do this!

 

[satya]

Exercising bores me too. My only form of exercise these days is walking, unless of course if you count sex!!!!

A couple of suggestions for fun exercising.

1. I used to go to pole dancing classes and they were the best exercise classes I've ever been to. There were women from their early 20s to their late 40's in my class and we all had a ball. Being overweight I lost interest because I couldn't get myself upside down on the pole but doing the spins and routines were great fun.

2. I know someone who is going to hoola hoop classes. You expend a heap of energy trying to keep that hoola hoop up and it looks like its a lot of fun.

 

[marcy]

Both of those do sound like terrific fun. LOL this thread is giving me all kinds of ideas! Someone was telling me about aquarobics earlier in the week too and that also sounded like a blast.

 

[bubbleee]

Add me to the wellness train

Kat, congratulations on your weight loss and exercise, etc. Your daughter is really sweet and fun! And Marcy, you know you are our resident superstar!!

I'm on the wellness train this year, too. I've been getting up early in the morning and going to the gym before work because it works out with my work and school schedule. So far I've been to the gym 12 days this month, I think and walked on the treadmill at home the other days I haven't been in the office.

I've only lost 7 pounds thus far. I think it is because I always have to watch what I eat, being diabetic, and that I've dieted enough over the course of my life that my fat burning isn't the best. But I'm trying to focus more on the behaviors and less on scale and figuring that eventually it will all come together.

Let's all pat ourselves on the back!

 

[whiterose]

Yeah, Marcy, I need to look into Curves. There's one near me. In fact, I'll call them in a few minutes to check out costs, etc. And thanks for the tip about fitday. I'll definitely look into that. I'll take all the help I can get.

Great suggestions, Satya, thank you! I think I'll go dig out one of my daughter's hoola hoops.

Good for you Bubs for the approach you are taking! I agree completely with placing less emphasis on the scale. It's really more about improving our overall health. Along with that, weight loss will eventually occur.

I'm really glad that this thread is helping others. We can all share and support each other!

Go Team! LOL

 

[whiterose]

I exercised for 25 minutes on Thursday. By Friday, I was so pooped that I crashed on the sofa after I got home. I was a slug all day Saturday and then yesterday I did housework all day, but no exercise. So, that's 3 days straight that I have not exercised. I have got to work on making sure that I maintain my routine on the weekends.

I ate healthy foods, however, I did have a small ice cream on Saturday. But, I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

Yesterday I did very well with my food choices, and I did enough laundry that I think that serves as exercise.

 

[RobsGirl]

I hate exercising too, I could be doing something more important while I'm wasting my time...but I bought an elliptical machine and that's improved that thought process. It's a great machine, easy to use, easy on the knees, gives you a great workout and is actually more fun to use than a treadmill or a stairstepper (jmo) Check into one of those, Kat, they're great!

I hate going to the gym so I bought the machine and it is setting in my living room. I use it an hour a day during the week - while Law & Order SVU is on. That way I watch my favorite show and exercise at the same time. I usually take the weekends off and just walk instead. I've lost 25 pounds since Thanksgiving with this little self imposed exercise program. Hopefully it keeps working!!

 

[bubbleee]

Exercise is the magic pill

I exercised for 25 minutes on Thursday. By Friday, I was so pooped that I crashed on the sofa after I got home. I was a slug all day Saturday and then yesterday I did housework all day, but no exercise. So, that's 3 days straight that I have not exercised. I have got to work on making sure that I maintain my routine on the weekends.

I ate healthy foods, however, I did have a small ice cream on Saturday. But, I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

Yesterday I did very well with my food choices, and I did enough laundry that I think that serves as exercise.

It's pretty hard to lose weight without much exercise, unless you are young! Man I could lose weight without much exercise back in my 20's. I just watched what I was eating and bam it just melted away.

Keep with the exercise Kat, it will pay off. I'm down about 9-10 pounds since the first week of January. I hit the elliptical or the treadmill for about 35-40 minutes 6days a week and watch what I eat, of course.

I exercise in the morning before work. It's hard to get up but it is what works best for me since I have school two nights a week.

Keep up the good work all!

 

[whiterose]

30 minutes of exercise last night done! Yay! My daughter, the coach, is getting bored though. I'll have to think of ways to keep her interested, because once she is interested, she is a fabulous motivator.

 

[christina923]

good for you katrina!!!
all of you ladies are inspiring me...i'm like kittylane...put on a few BUT i quit smoking...so a trade off here. now its time to focus on the calories again...thats what works for me, plus walking. katrina, the exercise...it is for YOU! make it a priority, even the days its the last thing that you want to do, 15 minutes, you can spare that much time for a new and improved kat!

 

[bubbleee]

What kinds of exercise have you done Katrina?

Today I started strength training at the gym. A fitness trainer gave me a personal routine to follow three times a week. She said if I do cardio 5 to 6 days a week and strength train three, I'll get optimum metabolic benefits.

I'm tired just thinking about it, lol.

This month I went to the gym or walked on my treadmill at least 5 days a week and did 35 to 45 minutes each time. I'm down about 9 pounds thus far.

 

[whiterose]

I am just doing some standard calisthenics, walking and jogging at the moment. Oh, and some abdominal crunches (ugh).

I have a treadmill, but it's in the garage at the moment. I moved it there while my new flooring was being installed and haven't decided if I want to move it back in the house or not. I never liked it.. it's the most boring form of exercise to me. On the other hand, I know that it's just going to waste in the garage.

I keep saying I'm going to check out the cost of Curves, and keep forgetting. But, if I can afford it, I might join there as there is one nearby.

I only managed 20 minutes of exercise tonight. Got started too late. But, at least I exercised! I almost slacked completely off.

Tomorrow morning is my weekly weigh-in at work for our weight loss competition. Wish me luck!


Edited to add: I am also joining Weight Watchers. My employer is paying half the cost. And they are holding meetings at work. Yes, that's right. HALF the cost. Too good a deal to pass up.