SpouseBUZZ Fit Club - Report In!

How did you do this week?  I had some good, some bad, and some VERY FRUSTRATING.

The good?  I managed to exercise every day but yesterday when I was barfing up everything I'd eaten since 2002.  I kept up the hamster stair-runs, I managed pilates three times, and I added in two days of intense cardio.  And the family went for long walks on Saturday and Sunday, too! 

The bad...  Although I've been good about sticking to the eating portion of what I'm trying to do, I did slip three times this week.  One night I had fast food.  And two mornings I've had slices of honey toast because I kept forgetting to buy milk for my delicious Special K with Chocolate Cereal. 

And now the frustrating...

Hearing about my mother's weight loss from bariatric surgery.  She's down about 25 pounds now, in the same amount of time I've been working my tush off running up and down stairs, stretching myself out like the lead in some S & M torture movie, and denying myself M&M's.  Needless to say, I'm not down anywhere near 25 pounds.  I'm not even sure if that new looseness in my jeans is because I'm shrinking or because I haven't washed them for three wearings and they're stretched out.

I do know that my butt is absolutely noticeably firmer, but since it's a BIG butt, I'm not sure how much that counts. 

So, that's my disenheartening, I-feel-like-giving-up issue of the week; hearing someone else wax poetic about losing weight quickly with surgery while I glare at my butt in the mirror and try to will it to shrink faster.

What kind of issues do you all have with staying motivated?

Comments

[Laura, a Military Mom]

I admire your diligence I haven't been that good. The exercise stopped last Friday(excuse #251 tired and babysitting the grandson in the afternoon when I should have exercised) Then was sick Sun thru Tues...BUT the good thing was the eating. Eating healthy and in true portions...well except for the sick days and that was a diet of soda crackers and diet 7-Up. I will try to get back on the hampster wheel tomorrow and start the week better...because today once again I'm back to excuse #251!

[Slightly Salty]

AFW - stick with it! One thing I've learned over the years when embarking on any weight loss endeavor is that it takes time. Surgery might be a quick fix but it's also a drastic measure to lose weight. You are really doing well doing your hamster stair maneuvers and pilates, etc. Try and keep the diet as clean as possible and work out as much as you can. Add some weights in if possible b/c muscle burns fat longer than cardio over time. When you add weights into your workout plan, your metabolism will speed up and will burn fat longer throughout a given day then just cranking out 30 min. of cardio. You need both to really change your body though.

And for many women, it takes a few months to really get your body retooled and in weight loss mode. Every woman's body responds differently to exercise and diet changes. I'm doing Body For Life and I'm ending week 5. While I don't notice any number changes in my measurements, my clothes are starting to fit ever so slightly better. I'm focusing on that small bit of progress that what I'm doing is working.

I'm not any kind of expert on this stuff but I've spent the better part of my life struggling with being slightly overweight and have done a lot of reading over the years. I've learned that diet and exericse are needed to really change your body and that diets don't work - you have to make lifestyle changes b/c the minute you stop doing whatever you are doing, the pounds will come back. Set realistic goals for what you want to achieve and make it happen.

Don't give up! :)

[liberal army wife]

not so good with exercise, pretty good with eating. except those darn goldfish! and the Nilla Wafers (need to find some organic ones) Still doing the stairs, except today with the ice coating them! Cannot find my yoga DVDs... DH may have chucked them or "straightened up" and who knows where they ended up.

LAW

[Jen]

AFW- I'm impressed that you kept up your workouts even being disappointed by the lack of results. Keep going- you'll get there! I didn't do so well this week. I planned to go rock climbing monday but had mice in my garage so I skipped the gym to meet the exterminator. Tuesday I went to the gym only to find out it was closed due to a training holiday and tried to run the track but the cold wasn't agreeing with my lungs. Wednesday I have bible study and can't workout. I did make it to the gym last night and did a decent hour workout including stairmill, rowing machine, and weights. Tonight the plan is rock climbing. This week the diet has not gone well either...Girl scout cookies sitting on my desk is too much temptation and I have given in too many times this week! For all those who did stick with their plans this week I give you guys kudos! Keep it up! :)

[HH7]

My biggest issue is finding the time to keep up a routine in between work and household responsibilities. Sometimes I'm too tired and most times there aren't enough hours in the day.

Self.com has an excellent forum with some great tips, at-home exercises, recipes, and excerise/eating logs so I check in there every once in awhile.

I also just picked up The Abs Diet for Women. It's 1 book in a series of 5-6 but I've found that most of the information is duplicated in each so there's not really a need for all the books. The title is deceiving though I think b/c it's more about making smart and healthy food choices so I'm not having to starve or deprive myself of anything. And it doesn't focus just on the abs either. It has an exercise section and a dining out guide too. Guess I'll see how it goes for me.

Good luck everyone and keep up the great work!

[Vypergirl]

Still working out the same number of days here. I have let myself have a few treats this week but kept them small so they are not effecting me overall...I hope, hehehe. I can see a definite difference in what I have been doing and honestly, my hubby is the one keeping me going. Otherwise, I would have given up after the first week.

[plc]

I have found when someone decides to lose weight the really hard part is to STOP GAINING weight. You have accomplished the hardest part, good for you! And you didn't gain the weight in a short period of time did you? Most of the time the pounds sneek up on us, so give yourself time to let them come off. You are taking better care of yourself and that is much more important then losing weight.

Jumping rope while watching TV is good cardio. Even just little spurts here and there can help get your heart rate up.

[Christine]

I have a horrible time motivating myself to workout. I've been blessed in that I've always been naturally skinny, so everyone assumes I must be in terrific shape. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm trying to run a 5K by April..it's going to be tough! My biggest motivation right now is to be able to go on runs with my husband. Also, I'm usually less likely to feel depressed and down if I run everyday.

[awtm]

AFW,

this really hits home, because I almost never ever eat fast food, I really do not eat bad, and I exercise fairly regularly...

It has took me 3 years to loose 25 pounds, and 3 dress sizes. 3 years!

3 years of me walking for 12 miles at least a week , yoga, pilates, etc....

I had to go to the Dr. a couple of weeks ago for illness, they weighed me (I do not keep a scale at the house)

I hopped on, and noted I have not lost any weight in a year.

NONE

the good news, I guess I have not gained any...

Anyway, the motivating factor? I am stronger than I was, and that is worth it, I can do things, I could not do 13 years ago....!! And I am older! That feels GOOD

[lea]

Im awful at workout motivation. I just find it so hard to stay in a consistent routine. Its tough to find the time with two little ones at home and usually no hubby around to give me sometime to hop on the tredmill. I only have so much kid free time a day and (while I am on here now oops!) there is just so much to try to squeeze into the days that they actually go down for a nap at the same time. And come nighttime... Im just tired!

Good for you for working as hard as you are!

[Sandy]

Airforcewife, good job! We all have our down moments...Reread slightly salty's post or better yet print it out.

When I am in competetion mode I find it useful to have buddies that I can email or call in my moments of weakness. They have given me the strength to resist the cheese and other non-plan foods.

I don't have any good advice regarding the surgery temptation. Maybe instead of focusing on how much your mom has lost focus on how much she has had to endure for the surgery?

Oh, and personal trainers can help you get through a plateau...which you may be in.

Good luck and keep up the AWESOME work. YOU ROCK!

[HomefrontSix]

Didn't make it to the gym this week but I did spend the bulk of Thursday lifting 40 lb. boxes of blankets for Soldiers' Angels. Does that count? Because the muscles in my arms and stomach sure say it counts!

[GBear]

I went to a parent/kids game of soccer yesterday with my son b/c hubby (who IS a soccer player) is, of course TDY! So, I tried to live up to some semblance of athleticism.

After 20 minutes, I sat back down, didn't want to humiliate my son too much. I've never played soccer and my back was giving all the signs that it was going to make me regret trying to keep up with a bunch of jr. high students.

I realized after my third glass of wine to dull the pain in my back and relax the muscles, that I should start slower. So, I'm starting - really - this week!

I did manage to lose a pound last week! Now I just need to get what I've got shaped up!

[aircrew fiance]

I have to say I started weight watchers 3 weeks ago, and lost 8 1/2 lbs so far!

I've done it once before and lost 60, but then slowly gained it back and then some.

My goal is now that im eating healthier, eating less, drinking at least 6 glasses of water everyday, and keeping a positive attitude is to exercise every day. I wanted to start today, but the flu has knocked me down since Friday. One step at a time.

It will be a nice surprise when he gets back from the sandbox to have a healthier fiance, I havent told him yet :)