A Healthier me, for long term this time

**LetAGrlShowU** · 01-14-2011 06:49 AM

Hey everybody. I joined this forum in august in 2009. I was a maid of honor in my best friends wedding in September '09 and I had gotten into a healthy mindset. I was eating right, working out 4 x's a week with my brotehr at the gym. Then he got into a horrific motorcycle accident. When i cancelled his gym membership (while still in the hospital), I think I knew I wasnt going back without him.
Unfortunately, I havent been back, the wedding has passed, and I now weigh more than I ever did. I lost 23 lbs in 4 months last year. I just need the motivation to get my mindset back. I dont feel healthy, and I just set a wedding date for myself and my fiance for November 3rd, 2012.
I want to get back to ALMOST prepregnancy weight (5 years ago). I am currently 149lb, and would like to be at 105 and stay that way this time. I remember the feeling of being ready to change my lifestyle and eating habits, and as badly as I want that feeling back, I cant find it.
I have since moved states, cook home more often, own a horse, and have two energetic dogs. I have no time to work out, but that doesnt mean I dont have activities to keep me busy. Heck, if my 5 year old can run around like I maniac, maybe I should just chase her

This issue is going to be exercise. That was a main component in losing weight last time. I moved to the country, have no friends/family in the new state, and the closest gym is 30 min away. I leave my house at 6:15 am and get home at 6 pm. Along with all my household duties, I just cant seem to find the time.
The weight loss is doable, but I'm hoping this site can get me back on track. I remember how supportive and helpful this site was last time..
SO IM BACK AND HOPEFULLY WILL BE AS SUCCESFUL AS LAST TIME, WITH LONG TERM RESULTS.

**CristinaZepol** · 01-14-2011 09:15 AM

to jump start your exercise, why don't you try doing 30 minute walks everyday. do this at least 3 times a week then move it up a notch higher when you think you can. over time, you'll find that it won't make you that tired, you'll actually feel more energetic doing it and then run when you feel fit doing it. learn to manage your time, i know it could really be difficult but you'll never lose that weight if you don't add in exercise to your routine.

**KMonte85** · 01-14-2011 09:31 AM

you live in the country? THE WORLD IS YOUR GYM! Find ways to work exercise into your normally busy schedule.

Chase that energetic 5 year old of yours around the house and the yard.

Leash up the dogs and take them for a run along the country roads. Or grab the whole family and go for a walk after dinner.

Park in the farthest spot in the parking lot so you have to walk longer to the store.

Put weights on your arms and legs while you're doing household chores (cooking, cleaning, taking care of the animals and your son, etc).

Randomly drop and do 10 pushups or 10 situps or 10 jumping jacks (or all three) in between tasks at home.

You've done the weightloss thing already (GOOD FOR YOU!) so you know what you need to do and what works for you... the only part of your post that worries me is you've said you don't have that motivated feeling yet. THIS IS CRUCIAL - you have to WANT to do this, or, well, you already know you aren't going to. So think about all the reasons why being healthier is good for you and good for your family.. maybe you can find your motivation here! it isn't really about losing weight, it is about getting healthy so you can be the happy and energetic person you can be for yourself, for your soon to be husband, for your son.

I'm on a bit of a healthy lifestyle journey myself, and I find my motivation in thinking about where I was on day one (June of last year) and where I am now. 50 lbs lighter, more energetic, healthier looking and healthier feeling. I keep myself motivated knowing I've come so far, and if I keep working the sky is the limit as to where I can take myself physically!

**belindakan** · 01-15-2011 07:23 PM

it sounds like you want to be motivated....that the motivation is almost at the surface where it will kick you into action.

You've felt it before. Why was it so important the first time? Was it simply the wedding? This time around it sounds like you want to be healthy not just for your wedding, but for life. I think having pictures of yourself at the peak of your health might be a good motivator, as well as creating a general vision of how you want to live your life (what activities will you be doing, what will people be saying, what will you be wearing!) that you keep in mind everyday somehow - either via photos, or a written statement posted up somewhere, etc. That vision, the "why," is so important and that's what makes the difference between going on a diet or a fitness program for a short period of time and making changes that last a lifetime.

Regarding exercise, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You sound active, and exercise is actually not a very efficient (time, money, and results-wise) way to lose weight. It's definitely good for health and weight maintenance, but don't make the fact that you can't get to a gym be a bigger obstacle than it really is.

What you eat is responsible for 80% of weight loss, exercise is 20%. For three days, track what's going in your mouth, the time of day, and the feelings behind the eating. I find that with little kids, we moms often put food in our mouths mindlessly. Don't skip breakfast, drink tons of water (at least 64oz), and spread out your calories throughout the day. I use healthy portion-controlled meal replacements (not "diet" food) when I know I'm not going to be home, yet I know I should fuel my body with something healthy rather than look for pizza.

Once you start seeing the pounds come off and you start feeling better physically and mentally, the trick is to NOT STOP. Just keep going. Most people revert back to old habits once they start seeing results, but to make this truly long lasting your vision of your healthy self has to be the primary force behind all of your daily decisions. You can do this!