Those last ten pounds

[spookie]

I've been struggling with them since I was 18.

 

I've never been able to exercise regularly enough, watched my diet obsessively enough, and abstain from drinking for long enough to look exactly how I want. If I work out 2-3 times a week and eat relatively healthy, I am about 5 pounds of fat over where I want to be (no tummy fat). If I do nothing, it's ten pounds, which takes a toll on my self esteem but I've learned how to suck in in a way that fools people into thinking I'm thin and fit even when I don't feel it.

 

It's hard to stay motivated to "live healthy" when there's almost no difference in my appearance. I want to lose and keep off those last 5-10 pounds, but I think I'm going to have to get hard-core about it (right?)

 

But, I've never been able to do this, and I don't know if it would be worth it. I love food sooooo much.

 

Anyone OCD about dieting/working out? What are your secrets?

[LivA79]

Do you take pictures of your physique?

[LivA79]

Are your work outs cardio and weights? Just cardio? How clean do you eat?

 

You could try doing cardio in the morning on an empty stomach 3 days a week, 30-60 minutes. Weights at night.

 

Five to six meals of protein/fiber/carb. If you want, no carbs after 6.

[Pedigree]

Anyone OCD about dieting/working out? What are your secrets?

 

To me it's working out at the gym and cutting down on soft drinks and snacks (Apart from that I didn't change much of my diet). It's worked wonders for me.

[jtalia]

I am always obsessed with dieting and working out. I have been able to maintain my weight until 2 years ago. I had a hysterectomy and I also had to quit running because I have arthritis in my hip from a congenital hip problem. I am only 33 years old. I had put on about 10 pounds. The older you get, the harder it is to lose. When I was keeping my weight off, I ran 5 days a week (2 miles at a time), lifted weights (alternating days of arms and legs), and did my ab workout everyday. I basically ate what I wanted. I love food too and do not want to give that up. I had deprived myself for years of food and wasn't very happy. I decided to workout more to be able to eat what I wanted. It worked until I had to quit running and had surgery. I now walk 5 days a week about 3 miles. I cannot do squats so I do some pilates. I still do my ab workout and use the Bender ball (which I love). I also resorted to taking phentermine to help boost my weight loss. I have lost 6 pounds but really need to keep my eating in check. I have managed to try to teach myself to eat only when I am hungry and in moderation. It definitely takes work and dedication. I also went up a size in clothes. I have now learned to accept that. Good luck to you.

[spookie]

I don't know what's wrong but I've just had no motivation recently. I don't care that much about being healthy (probably because, to date, I've never had health problems or gotten sick despite the smoking, the drinking, the irregular sleep patterns, and the gallons of soda I consume on a weekly basis) and like I said the difference in my appearance when I work out and watch my diet and when I don't is minimal (5 lbs). I guess I'm lucky. I guess that'll change as I age. I know it's important to get into good habits now but for the last couple of months I just haven't felt like it.

 

What motivates you?

[LivA79]

For me, I want to try to look younger for a LOOOOOONG while, so I like to keep myself fit. I like the way it makes me feel when, at 28, 3 kids later, I look better than a lot of the college girls.

 

I like challenge of changing my body. I like the control that I have. I don't let my thighs control me, I control them.

 

Guys seem to need visual stimulation a lot more than women, so I like to stay in shape so that my guy has something to miss when he goes to work, away from me, etc.

 

Most importantly, I like to be different, and when I go out, I'm usually the only girl that has any muscle tone and muscular legs. At the gym, I'm usually the only girl doing weights. Don't get me wrong, I'm not "manly".

 

Wouldn't you want to do it for the confidence?