Introducing myself...

[gypzye]

Hey ladies, I'm glad to have found this forum! I've been struggling to lose some weight the past six months(ish) and have fluctuated between extremely motivated and not so much... I'm tired of giving it a half-hearted effort and I'm ready to make this really happen. I have lost ten pounds and I have about another 20 to go -- I'm 5'5" with a small frame, and was comfortable at 125 with a fairly lean BF% a few (5) years back -- currently clocking in at 144.

My biggest issue is motivation (yeah, whose isn't, right?) and sticking to my plans. I'm also very frustrated that the scale hasn't budget the last few months, although I can certainly blame it on my lifestyle. I've been focusing more on cardio and less on weights (earlier in the year it was reversed) because I just don't have time to do both every day and everybody's always harping that cardio's the only way to lose. Which stinks, because I think it's really boring. I'd much rather lift.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and give a little background info!

[DENDY]

Welcome,
I suggest alternating cardio with weights. Cardio really does speed up the metabolism, along with increased muscle mass, fat burning is going to happen. M,W,FR different body part, T,TH,S, take spin class or x-train for an hour along with diet.

[deeyala]

WELCOME....!
i suggest you try reading the journals , they're exceptionally motivational...
and when you don't feel like going to the gym and you read through them, you'll find there are others who feel the same yet manage to be self-motivated..

[ChocoChick]

If you'd rather lift, then lift. You will get great results with a properly designed nutrition and lifting program, even if you do no (or little) cardio.

Read this: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=290201 Look for the posts from Buffedwildcat. She gives you all the advice you need (imo) to put together a great workout program and eating plan. COme back and post yours and we will help you tweak it.

[BBjunkie]

Welcome! There is a wealth of information on these forums and articles. Be careful not to get confused, you have to find what works for you by trial and error. What works for one may not do a thing for you. Our stats are similar, a year ago I was 145 and I'm 5'4". Weights and diet changes did the job. It took alot of willpower to say no to the french fries and diet coke and yes to the chicken breast and water, but take my word for it, it's worth it.
I did a figure competition as my motivation. I found a date of one close to my home and it gave me something to work towards. I also had a workout partner that helped me keep from letting her down so to the gym I went. We talked each other through bad foods and lazy days. Best of luck to you and if you need anything feel free to drop me a PM.
Oh, currently 122 two weeks after my competition, I didn't place but looked better than I have in years and wearing size 5 hip huggers, I feel younger and stronger than ever.

[gypzye]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone!

Okay, I don't have anything "official" written down but let me just go off the top of my head on an average food day, for me:

Breakfast:
bad day = none
good day = light yogurt (~200 cals), or oatmeal square (~220 cals)

Lunch:
bad day = fast food (had too many of these last week!)
good day = Lean Cuisine (~250-350 cals, ~3-6g fat) or salad (chicken, cheese & dressing, maybe 500 cals?)

Snack:
bad day = none
good day = fruit (apple or orange)

Dinner:
bad day = take-out or pizza
good day = chicken, veg & starch (for example, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes & mixed veg; or chicken sauteed [light on oil] with stir-fry veg over rice), no idea on cals

Overall, I'd say I'm 50/50 good or bad on breakfast, all-or-none for lunches each week (if I do grocery shopping, I eat healthy; if not, I eat crap) and 70/30 for reasonably healthy dinners. I should probably focus a little more on portion control. I usually down 32 oz of water while I'm at work and another 32 oz if I hit the gym.

I think I figured one time based on my BMR I was supposed to stick to 1200 cals/day for weight loss? I'll have to redo the calculations... but I think my calculations said 1100, and I thought that was ridiculous and nobody should go below 1200, so I stuck to 1200.

Next: exercise schedule!

[gypzye]

Oh, I wanted to say, I had a workout buddy but she up and got pregnant and she's not so concerned with her figure anymore!

[spytechs_wife]

hi!

there is a LOT you can do to make your diet better. read this thread--it is the ultimate!

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=290201 EDIT-- OH I SEE DBFLGIRL ALREADY POSTED IT! BUT REALLY READ IT, ITS AWESOME.

i see you have "good days" and "bad days." to help with your bad days, try making clean healthy foods in advance (leftovers) that you can turn to when you dont have a lot of time or patience to make something up. cook a bunch of chicken breast ahead of time or make a big batch of healthy chili or soup to have on hand. then when you want to go for that fast food, just tell yourself you have some healthy "fast" food in the fridge!

clare

[gypzye]

Originally Posted by spytechs_wife

there is a LOT you can do to make your diet better.

[...]i see you have "good days" and "bad days." to help with your bad days, try making clean healthy foods in advance (leftovers) that you can turn to when you dont have a lot of time or patience to make something up. cook a bunch of chicken breast ahead of time or make a big batch of healthy chili or soup to have on hand. then when you want to go for that fast food, just tell yourself you have some healthy "fast" food in the fridge!

clare

Heh, yeah, I know. The problem is not that I don't know *how* to do it better, it's just that I *don't* do it better. When I plan (shop) and cook in advance (I almost always cook extra for leftovers when I'm making dinner), I do very well. It's just when I don't have time to get to the grocery store and I have no more food in the house that I end up making ff runs. I don't know what the girls here do (haven't had the time to read everybody's journal yet!) but just to give a little insight to my life, I am a FT employee and a FT student, so sometimes taking an hour and a half to make a list, meal plan and grocery run seems really overwhelming!

I always tell my students, if your education is a priority then you'll find a way to make it happen... for me, I just need to make my figure and my health a priority, and I'll find the strength to make it happen. Until then, it's a struggle even to get to the gym, some days; not entirely because I'm lazy (although that is part of it) but because I'm so tired already.

I am so impressed by you girls who manage to work this into your already-full schedule; it takes real willpower to do it and you're my proof that I can do it, too.

[spytechs_wife]

WOW! full time job and student?? that is amazing...i can see how you might have time constraints! reading the journals here will def. give you some new motivation. just do your best!

Originally Posted by gypzye

for me, I just need to make my figure and my health a priority, and I'll find the strength to make it happen.

change that to health first priorty and figure second priority-- you'll do much better mentally and physically that way.

hang in there...keep reading and trying new things, it will keep you more excited!

clare