I feel like my new year's resolution to lose weight has been going on 15 years now...

[Teknoe]

Can't get over the hump, going from chubby to fit/in shape.

 

I'm determined to slim down in 2015, though. I have already worked out 10 nights in a row stemming back to 12/24/14. Now I just need to eat healthier, with the holiday season over it will be easier to.

 

I know this is going to take me most of 2015. I just want to see small steps of progress though. I avoid weighing myself as I don't want to be discouraged. Besides, you can tell when you put on your pants or look in the mirror. Your face will be slimmer if you've been dropping some lbs.

 

Gotta avoid fast food, pizza, and other fatty foods. Once every 2 weeks is OK, but problem is, sometimes I can cave in and have them 1-2x a week.

 

Back to work on Monday so just need to keep up the work out schedule of 4-5x a week. It's possible!

 

Here's hoping this year will be different than all the rest

[deathandtaxes]

Cheers!! Don't make it a resolution, make it a lifestyle change. I started on that journey about a decade ago. It still takes a lot of work. I love bad food. Who doesn't!? But I account for the crap food I eat.

 

 

You can do it!! Just remember, it's not a sprint. It's a slow leisurely walk.

[HazyCosmicJive]

Can't get over the hump, going from chubby to fit/in shape.

 

I'm determined to slim down in 2015, though. I have already worked out 10 nights in a row stemming back to 12/24/14. Now I just need to eat healthier, with the holiday season over it will be easier to.

 

I know this is going to take me most of 2015. I just want to see small steps of progress though. I avoid weighing myself as I don't want to be discouraged. Besides, you can tell when you put on your pants or look in the mirror. Your face will be slimmer if you've been dropping some lbs.

 

Gotta avoid fast food, pizza, and other fatty foods. Once every 2 weeks is OK, but problem is, sometimes I can cave in and have them 1-2x a week.

 

Back to work on Monday so just need to keep up the work out schedule of 4-5x a week. It's possible!

 

Here's hoping this year will be different than all the rest

 

It probably won't be any different unless you change how you look at losing weight and being in shape. It's not something with a start and an end date, its a life-long approach that requires a complete change in your lifestyle. I don't think it's a good idea to set numerical goals for how many times you work out a week or how often you eat pizza - just make the decision to work out more and eat better. What will happen if you don't hit that numerical goal - will you consider it a failure? I think a lot of people fail because they set unrealistic goals and then when they don't achieve them they just give up. Never give up! You will have good days and bad days, you'll even have bad weeks but you can't let that discourage you.

 

As for working out 10 days in a row, that's good but keep in mind that getting sufficient rest is also very important. Don't burn yourself out.

 

Anyway, good luck!

[FitChick]

You don't have to give up any foods. Use portion control. Buy one slice of pizza, not a whole pizza. Eat it with a salad or fruit on the side.

[bebe23]

Teknoe, I can relate so much! My resolutions have been going on for over 30 years!

 

But when I look back on my life so far, the happiest years of my life were the ones where I kept motivated and had the weight off for a little while. For me that was 1992-93, (30 pounds lost) 2000-2002, (45 pounds after baby) and 2010-11 (20 pounds. I was pushing 40 and didn't lose as much but enough for people to notice.) I was happiest because I was proud of myself, exercise made me happy, and when someone took a picture of me, I actually didn't want to rip it up. And of COURSE it seemed like random men would smile at me/flirt a lot more those years. Sure I'm married but I kind of want that back.

 

I'm really frustrated with my addiction to sweets. I'm okay with the walks, there's something about taking a little brisk walk outside that I can't go without it. But that's not enough to make the weight go down without actual caloric reduction. I'm taking baby steps.

 

First I'm committing to the regular walks or Zumba video when it's too cold. When the kids go back to school I can have the family room to myself more often. (Don't want to pay for a gym). Then, I'm simply going to not bring candy, cookies and ice cream in the house. That's the hard part. My husband and 2 girls are not overweight and are used to sweets in their lunchbox. My 8 year old son has a little bit of baby chunk left, and a love for video games so I'm a little worried about his habits. There's still Christmas cookies and a bag of chocolates in the cupboard. I'm trying to wean myself off of them so that's the next baby step. One thing I WON'T try again is calorie counting or 'tracking' like when I was in Weight Watchers. I never stick to that!

 

Good luck Maybe we could keep a weight loss motivation thread here, both men and women invited.

[Teknoe]

Teknoe, I can relate so much! My resolutions have been going on for over 30 years!

 

But when I look back on my life so far, the happiest years of my life were the ones where I kept motivated and had the weight off for a little while. For me that was 1992-93, (30 pounds lost) 2000-2002, (45 pounds after baby) and 2010-11 (20 pounds. I was pushing 40 and didn't lose as much but enough for people to notice.) I was happiest because I was proud of myself, exercise made me happy, and when someone took a picture of me, I actually didn't want to rip it up. And of COURSE it seemed like random men would smile at me/flirt a lot more those years. Sure I'm married but I kind of want that back.

 

I'm really frustrated with my addiction to sweets. I'm okay with the walks, there's something about taking a little brisk walk outside that I can't go without it. But that's not enough to make the weight go down without actual caloric reduction. I'm taking baby steps.

 

First I'm committing to the regular walks or Zumba video when it's too cold. When the kids go back to school I can have the family room to myself more often. (Don't want to pay for a gym). Then, I'm simply going to not bring candy, cookies and ice cream in the house. That's the hard part. My husband and 2 girls are not overweight and are used to sweets in their lunchbox. My 8 year old son has a little bit of baby chunk left, and a love for video games so I'm a little worried about his habits. There's still Christmas cookies and a bag of chocolates in the cupboard. I'm trying to wean myself off of them so that's the next baby step. One thing I WON'T try again is calorie counting or 'tracking' like when I was in Weight Watchers. I never stick to that!

 

Good luck Maybe we could keep a weight loss motivation thread here, both men and women invited.

 

Aww thanks bebe! Yes, I have a weakness for sweets too so I know what you mean. I used to love buying those big Starburst and Skittles packages at Wal-Mart, and eat both during a movie. So much sugar! So bad!

 

I worked out 15 straight nights now

Determined to make 2015 a different ball game.

 

Good luck to you too! We can do this!

[Noproblem]

It probably won't be any different unless you change how you look at losing weight and being in shape. It's not something with a start and an end date, its a life-long approach that requires a complete change in your lifestyle. I don't think it's a good idea to set numerical goals for how many times you work out a week or how often you eat pizza - just make the decision to work out more and eat better. What will happen if you don't hit that numerical goal - will you consider it a failure? I think a lot of people fail because they set unrealistic goals and then when they don't achieve them they just give up. Never give up! You will have good days and bad days, you'll even have bad weeks but you can't let that discourage you.

 

As for working out 10 days in a row, that's good but keep in mind that getting sufficient rest is also very important. Don't burn yourself out.

 

Anyway, good luck!

 

A really great advice

 

 

As for me I hate taking rest form the gym

But the I work less harder at the weekends

[Noproblem]

Op, great decision,

 

 

Keep up the good work and yes, staying away from the scale is the right thing.

 

 

I gained 7 pounds over the lAst month; I'm trying to do the same!

[Noproblem]

Teknoe, I can relate so much! My resolutions have been going on for over 30 years!

 

But when I look back on my life so far, the happiest years of my life were the ones where I kept motivated and had the weight off for a little while. For me that was 1992-93, (30 pounds lost) 2000-2002, (45 pounds after baby) and 2010-11 (20 pounds. I was pushing 40 and didn't lose as much but enough for people to notice.) I was happiest because I was proud of myself, exercise made me happy, and when someone took a picture of me, I actually didn't want to rip it up. And of COURSE it seemed like random men would smile at me/flirt a lot more those years. Sure I'm married but I kind of want that back.

 

I'm really frustrated with my addiction to sweets. I'm okay with the walks, there's something about taking a little brisk walk outside that I can't go without it. But that's not enough to make the weight go down without actual caloric reduction. I'm taking baby steps.

 

First I'm committing to the regular walks or Zumba video when it's too cold. When the kids go back to school I can have the family room to myself more often. (Don't want to pay for a gym). Then, I'm simply going to not bring candy, cookies and ice cream in the house. That's the hard part. My husband and 2 girls are not overweight and are used to sweets in their lunchbox. My 8 year old son has a little bit of baby chunk left, and a love for video games so I'm a little worried about his habits. There's still Christmas cookies and a bag of chocolates in the cupboard. I'm trying to wean myself off of them so that's the next baby step. One thing I WON'T try again is calorie counting or 'tracking' like when I was in Weight Watchers. I never stick to that!

 

Good luck Maybe we could keep a weight loss motivation thread here, both men and women invited.

 

I would recommend do some weight lifting as well.

Best of luck!

[Els]

A few things I've learnt so far:

 

1) Sadly losing weight is 90% diet, 10% exercise. You still need to exercise for general health and to keep fit, so that's not negotiable. But don't indulge in high-calorie food frequently thinking you're gonna burn it all off in that great workout. You'd be amazed how much exercise it takes to burn a couple of pizza slices for the average person.

 

2) Don't try and go cold turkey on the food you love - I find it's easier to find low-cal replacements. Make your own pizza or have a small slice at a deli instead of buying the entire large pizza (which you will feel obligated to finish). Same with nuggets or whatever else you're craving from fast food - if you buy frozen nuggets and oven-bake them you will save heaps of calories.

 

3) Count calories. Get a good app like MyFitnessPal, or just google them online. Knowledge is power. You might be underestimating or overestimating calories for many items.

 

Good luck!

[Robert Z]

I disagree with the idea that it is okay to eat poorly. Having a cheat day is fine as long as you don't go nuts. But I think eating things like pizza on a regular basis is a terrible practice. It is crap - bleached flour, way too much salt and fat, way too many carbs, and relatively little nutritional value per calorie.

 

Count your calories and make your calories count! You only consume so many calories a day. Try to make them as nutrient dense as possible.

 

Good luck! And I agree wholeheartedly with most of the rest. Weight is mostly about diet, and diet is about lifestyle changes that are permanent.

 

Oh yes, and throw away your scale. All that you really need to do is track your waist size. Weight alone is not a good indicator of body fat. Your belt is a far better indicator.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Robert Z