Dear Gena,
I have struggled with my weight for the majority of my life. Several years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS, and in an attempt to control one of the symptoms, it caused me to gain a ton of weight. The problem with PCOS is that it also makes it very hard to lose weight too. We went through 2 years of infertility treatments and were blessed with a daughter. Three months later I learned I was pregnant with my son. So after 2 babies in 2 years, I was ready to lose all the weight I had been carrying around for so long. Ironically it wasn't the baby weight I needed to lose (that was gone) it was all the weight I had gained while trying to get pregnant.
I started off on Medifast, but didn't want to live like that and knew that once I was done I would go back to my old ways. I LOVE food and have a hard time limiting myself. So I started counting calories. I try to keep to 1200 a day, but sometimes it's a little closer to 1300/1400.
I also try to go to the gym 3 times a week, but that isn't always possible so, if weather permitting, I take my two kids on a walk for an hour or so. Otherwise I have to get up at 4:30am to get to the gym and back home before my husband has to leave for work.
What has been the biggest success for me is simply counting calories. I didn't do it at first because it seemed too hard, but with a couple of cook books that give me a calorie count for each recipe, looking up nutrition info before eating out, and budgeting in treats like hot chocolate or ice cream, I've manged to lose 22lbs. I have 9 more to go. I write down every calorie I eat to hold myself accountable too. I also write down my weight at the beginning of the week and it's been wonderful to see the pounds disappearing.
You don't have to have a gym membership, you don't have to pay for expensive products, you don't have to deprive yourself of everything you love. But I have changed how I eat and am seeing the results. I truly believe it will be something I can keep up with because I still get to splurge every once and a while (even once a week)! I still get to eat sweets, and I haven't paid for a program that is expensive. What keeps me going is knowing that once the weight is gone, I get to up the amount of calories I eat to maintain! I have taken control of my weight situation and it feels great, but it was a LONG road to get here.
Whatever path you decide to take I wish you nothing but success. Remember that no quick fix is a lasting one, but like other posters have said, small changes that become routine can last a lifetime.
I was in the same boat as you. I am horrible with diets because I am picky about what I eat and everything I like is kind of fatty. Then I found this website: http://caloriecount.about.com/ You enter in everything you eat and it automatically counts the calories for you. You can also enter any exercise you do and it will calculate how many calories you burn. It helps when you have the numbers right there in front of you. Weight loss is all about calories in and calories out. You want to burn more calories than you eat if you want to lose weight. It is absolutely free to join. I also have joined the rec center in my city and I started off slow, but now I work out 5 days a week and everytime I see my family and friends that I don't see that often, they comment at how much weight I have lost. And I still eat the foods I like, I just limit the amounts. You can do it, you just have want it. Good luck!
PS. I don't have the energy in the evenings either. I work out in the mornings. I drop my daughter off at school at 7:30 and I don't have to work until 9:00. I only work out for 30 minutes and it's enough.
Hi, Gena! Have you ever tried Herbalife? I am a distributor, and I know people have had great success with our products. I know people are hesitant to try weight loss products, but if you are interested, respond back and we can set up a call.
Another suggestion I have is to find a buddy who will lose weight with you. Just having someone in your corner whom you can call on when you have cravings or just need some encouragement is so important.
I am a life coach and, while I don't work with weight issues specifically, I have several colleagues who do. The coaching approach is pretty much an anti-diet -- it's all about working with your stressful thoughts and what causes you to overeat, instead of focusing on food restriction and deprivation. The great thing about this approach is that you not only lose weight and become happier with your body, you also get happier and more peaceful in every other area of your life, too.
Here are a few sites to check out. I know all these ladies personally; they are phenomenal, caring people and their clients get great results. They each have their own style, of course, so check them all out and see which personality seems to fit best with you. They offer free consultations and free information, so you can see what it's all about:
Try Fitness Together. This is exactly what their personal trainers do. My husband went because he had back problems. He lost the spare tire, strengthened his entire body and looks great. They have a few locations, so try one near you if it is in your price range. Good luck. m.j.
Let me start with saying that I am SOOOO in the same boat! My husband and I just agreed this morning that we were going to start next week on a new diet commitment. He wanted to start this morning, but I had already purchased this weeks groceries and they are not exactly dietetic (tasty, but not healthy).
Anyway, the best kick starts that I have found are these:
1 - get a girlfriend to do it with you! she is your accountability partner... most hubbies just won't do for this. (Their metabolisms are different and they loose weight much more quickly, which I find terribly depressing.)
2 - I have had great success with Atkins & Weight Watchers from the start. A big hint for weight watchers (avoid prepared foods, because the package labeling is frequently WRONG... thus sabotaging your diet.)
3 - Pick a type of exercise/activity that you actually ENJOY... you should look forward to this... not dread it. My personal examples include dancing, walking the dog (in good weather), rock climging, ice skating, and skiing. You do not need to do the same thing all the time.
You have got to get active. The activity alone will combat the depression and the losing weight is simply a side bonus. We are designed to be active and when we are our body releases endorphins that make us feel good.
So you have got to get a physical outlet. Either sign up for a class or find a buddy to walk with or take a class to learn dancing or SOMETHING. The more you do, the better you will feel and the more motivation you will find to change your diet and be even more active.
The best ever is still 'MOVE MORE, EAT LESS". If you don't think you have time or energy to excercise, start while watching a TV program. Excercise ONLY on commmercials. During one set of commercials, do jumping jacks, next set, push ups (wall pushups if you can't do floor pushups), next set do crunches, next set squats or lunges, etc. During an hour tv show, you can get in a good 20 minutes of excercise and the jumping jacks, jumping rope, run in place, anything like that is cardio. Put some weights by your chair and do tricep and bicep curls. Replace one unhealthy snack a day with something healthy, DO NOT skip breakfast, even if its a slimfast shake or something like that. Keep a food log and excercise journal. Sparkpeople.com, livestrong.com, lose it are some good online programs to log both. If you have a bad day, remember, just start back the next day and don't stress over it. We all backslide. You HAVE to take time for yourself and you will notice the more you excercise and start to move, the more energy you will have. Also, junk food is a depressant and energy zapper. May get that initial rush, but then you hit the wall and feel lethargic. I lost 25 pounds last year, just by doing more moving and eating less. No particular "diet" plan. Good luck!! You CAN do it!!
This is always hard. Do you work during the day? I have never been a good evening work out person because I don't have the energy. I am a better morning person. I also take a little to get going but once I get started in the program (I love to walk) then I miss it when I don't do it. It just takes those first few weeks to get in the routine and I notice a change in how I feel.
The six week body makeover (available online). I bought it a couple years ago and my husband, mom, mother-in-law and all each lost 30+ lbs in about 2 months.
I have tried several products and a friend gave me sample before the company officially launched. I tried it the next day and was able to not eat any of my kids junk food. The next day I went to Bob's Steak and Chophouse with friends from out of town. It is a very nice Steakhouse in town. They were out of the seafood special so I only ordered a side spinach salad and a cup of soup. I didn't finish either one and I only had a very little taste of the bread (I didn't think it tasted good). I had one bite of the peanut butter and chocolate dessert. I have never done this at a fine dining establishment. I can eat like nobody's business. My husband was shocked. I was full and not craving carbs. The next day I called my friend and told her I needed more. I lost 10 pounds, 3.5 inches and 3%body fat in a month. I have thyroid issues so it isn't easy for me to lose weight. I did exercise, but this gave me the energy to keep wanting to exercise.
Now that the company has officially launched you can get a
6 day sample supply for only $12.95 including S&H. You can view my website at www.DietMagicInfo.net. 80% of people that sample the product, buy a bottle. It is completely all natural. It will give you energy, increase your mood and cut your cravings and hunger. It is one pill a day. You will have the energy to start working out. I love the workout during commercials idea. I do that on the treadmill. I walk during the show and run during the commercials. I hadn't thought of doing jumping jacks, or pushups. I also have heard great things about doing the 10,000 steps a day with a pedometer. That way you know how many steps you need to do when you get home.
Best of luck with your weight loss. January is always a good time to start a new program. Make sure you weigh yourself and take your measurements(even though you probably don't want to). Sometimes you might lose inches and not pounds. You need to be able to feel accomplishment on those weeks that the pounds might not be changing but your clothes are getting loser.
Have your vitamin D levels and B12 checked. They can cause signs of depression and difficulty losing weight! I just found out that is one of my big issues!
HMR in FW (used to be Harris Fast) is really good, I lost 90 lbs............but you have to be committed to working on your weight for your health and not letting yourself (laziness) get in the way of your future.
I have had great success with MediWeightloss Clinics (not to be confused with medifast). One of my friends, that I referred to them, has lost over 100 lbs in 6 months. I've lost 60 lbs myself. I finally feel like i have the secret to weight loss for me. :)
The products that have worked for me with no side effects are Arbonne's Figure 8. As far as the energy they have an energy drink called NRGGO3 that gives you a natural energy without the jitters and no crash. Also, it has anti-oxidants in it which give you an overall "feel good" feeling. When I was working a full time job, I would drink one before I left for home and the traffic wouldn't bother me. LOL! But I'm serious.
The supplement increases your metabolism, decreases your appetite and supports fat loss. What I like about it is it has no side effects. I had tried Metabolife and it made me VERY irritable. I was pleased when this did not do that to me.
You also said you have some health conditions, not sure if you're on medication, but I can get you ingredients list to verify with your pharamcist to make sure you won't have any issues.
All of Arbonne's products are Vegan certified and botanically based.
Please let me know if you'd like more information.
Yes as I've mentioned I have used the products and have seen results. The first week I lost 6 lbs. After that the weight loss slowed down for me but in 3 months I lost a total of 16 lbs.
I pray for your happiness and health. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
I have been on the Isagenix plan. I really like it and it gives me quite a bit of added energy. Which I need. They have a great protien shake and bars, etc. If you're interested call Tony Kelsoe at 682-429-7699.
Give it a try! Besides that, exercise and diet are KEY. If you really want to shed the pounds I would say you need to do at least an hour of cardio a day. Sorry. I'm at the gym every morning at 5am. Take care and good luck!
This is probably controversial, but Phentermine (a prescription) has done it for me and several friends, as well as my husband. I have lost 16+ pounds in two months. I didn't have a whole lot to loose. I was a 12-14 and am now a small 8, just 9 weeks later. No working out, just eating very little because I'm not hungry. Message me if you have questions. I see Dr. Cherkassky in FW.
I know this can be so hard as a busy mom. When I finally decided to lose all my baby weight, I knew I had to be disciplined and I wanted to do it the healthy way.
The best thing that I have ever done was write everything down. I always thought I knew how much I was eating but you really don't until you write it down. Plus you think twice before eating something cuz you don't want to write the calories down. You can keep track of fat and stuff too but I just stuck with calories cuz I knew I wanted to keep it as simple as possible so I could stick with it. It is a little time consuming at first when you are still figuring out how many calories are in things like fruits and other things like restaurant meals. But you quickly get really fast at it.
The other thing I did was work out. This really made me feel soooo much better. I don't like working out in the evenings that much so I had to get up at 5:30am and do it then. I didn't have an exact routine or anything as long as I did something wether it was the treadmill, a video, or a toning routine. It is definitely hard to get used to mornings but I liked how I felt for the day plus I knew it was done for the day and couldn't get skipped.
You can use pills to get started but I was always worried about side effects so I can't reccomend any of them.
My last advice is to not get discouraged by a slip up. If you don't workout 1 morning or eat bad at breakfast, don't give yourself the greenlight to give up on the whole day. Pick yourself up and eat extra healthy at lunch: )
Hope this helps! I started having some energy problems too and now I take the best vitamins in the world. They have a 10 times higher absorbtion rate than other vitamins so you actually FEEL the difference. I don't drag in the afternoons now : ) It is great!
Hi Gena,
I see that you have received lots and lots of advice. Lossing weight can be challenging and frustrating at the same time. May I introduce you to Slimming World USA? I have recently started this program and it has been the easiest program I have ever followed! In the last 2 weeks I have lost 10 pounds. Not a whole lot but it is just falling off. Check out www.slimmingworldusa.com I eat all foods you buy in the grocery store, it is easy for families because everyone can eat the same thing, there is no counting, no adding calories up, no popping pills or no premade meals...just food from the grocery store! I invite you to visit one of the meetings to get more info for free. It just arrived from the UK where it has been a complete success for over 40 years. If you have questions you can call Yvonne Sanders at 972-480-4319.
My theme is 50 by 50. I hope you reach your goal:)
Kris
"The Garage Door Lady"
Mummy magic weight-loss tea is a safe and natural way to lose pregnancy weight. My weight was 170 after baby that was over about 35 pounds. I used this tea for two whole months and got my target (135pounds).