Seeking Motivation!

I too am struggling with weight for the first time in my life. My problem is I already eat healthy....so I am going to have to put in a lot of working out to loose anything. For snacks, pre-pare them in a snack size bags so you can grab and go. It takes and hour or so after going grocery shopping but worth it. Try making a mix of dried fruit and a crunchy like Cascadian Farms Purely O's. Ando nly eat the 1/4 portion...mind over matter. as far as going to the gym, sign up for a weekkly class while some or all of the kids in school. You will find you have to go beuse you paid for it. and then, it is like: wow, this is nice..maybe I will pay for more babysitting and walk the track too. Once you are there and in a routine, it gets easier. I signed up for Pilates on fridays while one of my kids are in school...so I am already in the car taking her to school, then go right to the gym, have an hour for grocery shopping with only one child, and then pick my daughter up, home for lunch. It works pretty great. Did take a couple weeks to get going on this schedule though.

I had a hard time getting motivated to work out and I would like to lose about 15-20lbs to put me at my ideal weight. I finally joined 24 hour fitness and I go on my lunch time since I work all day and when I get home that is family time and my sleep is so deprived anyway getting up early is way out of the question. I just picture the body I want and how unhappy I am with my body now. Also I wanted more energy. I would get so tired and just want to veg on the cough after work instead of play with the kids. That isn't fair to them. I want to feel good about myself like I did before getting pregnant (twice) not that I am totally unhappy with myself I would like to be in better overall health. One of my favorite snacks is celery with the plain laughing cow cheese topped with some shredded turkey. Getting some premade snack bags is also a good idea so you can portion it out and grab and go. nuts, veggies etc. they say that almonds and walnuts are a great snack just dont over do it. Think about your long term goals and how much you want them, start doing it and the motivation will come especially once you start to notice a difference. It wont come overnight but it will come.

when i'm snacky and trying to be good, i drink a glass of water first and wait a few minutes. sometimes i feel snacky when i'm thirsty, and drinking lots of water will help in being healthy and losing a little weight (because we sweat it out and it cleans our insides.). If you go to the gym, an alternative to taking kids to daycare is get a baby sitter or go to the gym before your husband needs to leave. If you choose to work out at home, be simple and build up to what feels good. I do crunches, pushups, stretches, and a few other exercises with a pilates ball. i go jogging whenever i can.

Go to the website: www.slimbodycoach.com. It's wonderful and has wonderful free support from others that need motivated too. I was the Round 1 winner in 2007. It really works!!

Hi G. -

I love the book "Body for Life" By Bill Phillips. It keeps me motivated to work out and I am never hungry when I eat what is on the "authorized food list." The website has thousands of recepies and ideas too.

I don't go to the gym, I have a treadmill and some Dumbells. Then I can do it in my jamies if I want to. My kids love to "work out" with me. I feel that this is instilling an appreciation for excersise in them. I have a very small set of weights for them. The other thing that has really helped lately is my neighbor comes over at 7:30 am and we work out together. It helps to drag us out of bed when you know that someone else is depending on you to show up.

The other last tidbit is the tape Abs of Steel with Tamilee Webb. Every thrift store has a copy.

Good luck, I know it is challenging.

I use the You on a Diet guide from dr. Memmot Oz. He's on Oprah a lot. I think his diet is really easy to follow. I never feel hungry which I always did on other diets (esp. Weight Watchers!). I checked his book out from the Library and he's got tons of meal ideas in his book. Plus, he recommends 30 minutes or more of walking each day, which is something I can do with my daughter in a stroller. I figure pushing extra weight helps too :-).

Good luck!
J.

Hi, G.,

I'm a little late getting on this thread, but I just wanted to tell you about a program called StrollerFit. I teach the classes on the west side of Denver (Lakewood/Golden, Denver Highlands) There are three different class formats you can choose from and the best thing about it is that you can bring your kids to the class with you! I'm not a fan of going to the gym; I hate feeling as though I'm being sized up by everyone the second I walk through the door.

At StrollerFit, it's not like that. All the moms in class act as a support network for each other and that alone keeps your motivation up, especially when you get a call from someone in class asking why you weren't there. While we're working out, we're engaged with our kids because we're singing songs, counting in different languages, doing nursery rhymes, etc. I highly recommed it. It's also a fabulous social outlet.

To find a class near you, visit: www.strollerfit.com

Best of Luck...

How bout instead of going to the gym and having to do the daycare thing, make it a family thing. I have 2 kids who love to ride their bikes and scooters. In the Summer, I make it an every morning routine to get the kids on their "wheels" of choice, and I walk as fast as I can to keep up with them. My heart gets pumping and I lose weight. This really shapes my thighs, butt and waistline. We go around our neighborhood which has hills and a small park we end up at for the kids to play. My best girlfriend comes with us to so I get some girl talk in. This can still be done during the fall on sunny days. You just have to bundle the kids up a little more and head out. As for eating right, that's not really a problem for me. I love salads! Also, I don't cut out anything. I love to eat, and I won't compromise what I like. I just eat less of it and move more. Doing this has helped me lose the baby weight and then some. I think unless you are seriously obese and have health issues, this is the best way to lose weight and feel great about yourself while spending time with your kids.

Check into CrossFit training. It's a unique way to exercise that is infinitely more fun than just going to the gym and doing the old standards. Many gyms offer CrossFit group classes -- cheaper than a personal trainer and would still motivate you to get out the door for the class.

One of my favorite snacks is honey nut rice cakes spread with all natural almond butter (freshly ground is best if you can find it.) Sooo good... Also, check out Lara bars at your local natural grocer (Whole Foods, perhaps?). They are snack bars made with all natural ingredients like dates, raisins, nuts, etc. Very sweet and chewy and absolutely good for you.

Good luck!

I use sparkpeople.com it's free, you can join groups and challenges keep your blog about what is going on and track your foods get ideas of snacks...everything you are asking about. and free. I have been really happy with it.

Hi G.,

We are starting a Weight Loss Challenge next week (Nov. 12) up in Thornton (a day class or a night class). I'm not sure what part of town you live in, but this a great (fun) way to learn how to lose weight, meet other with your same struggles and have fun doing it. The best part (other than the weight loss) is that the top 3 winners, take home $$$$$. Please contact me if you'd like more information.

To your health!

T.

G.,
Look to see if you have a StrollerFit class near you. www.strollerfit.com It is a group fitness class where the kids can come along. Three different class formats are offered, including one to restore the mid section and help you lose inches around the waist and hips. This is a great class to help with motivation. I teach classes in the North Metro area and I make sure to help my moms get to class. The kids of all ages love it too and you get the added bonus of socialization with other moms. You will also get the benefit of havinga personal trainer without the high cost of a personal training seesion. Let me know if you have any questions and good luck!

It takes me about 2 or 3 months to get into my exercise and diet routine. I always have to start with my food then I can slowly work in my exercise. And with kids who has time? My husband is a personal trainer and I still struggle! Once I start logging my food and the weight starts coming off it is easier for me to get motivated. We invested in a food logging system for our clients and I tried it, and it worked. I am still struggling to get to the gym but I try to do stuff here at my house. Here is a 7 day activation code: K46HYT our website is www.phys1que.com on the home page click PHYS1QUE nutrition. Hope it helps! Good luck!