Getting fit/losing weight, lets do it together! - Page 3

my hips dont lie · 07-01-2007, 07:48 AM

I agree plenty of water does help with loosing weight and I kinda found you get used to it and pop becomes less and less tastey

......however I am a girl who doesnt like tea and coffee so my fluid intake is limited!!

I tried weight watchers last year and managed to loose 3 stone and so far have kept it off, but I never reached my goal weight and I have another stone to loose - motivation for the gym and cutting out the chocy (my weakness) has been difficult to find of late

....

anyone else in the same boat?? any ideas hows to gain the motivation back??

I do find that the 'old cliche' of combined healthy eating and plenty of exercise is the best way

I am a UK size 14......depending on the time of the month

Wiggly · 07-01-2007, 05:48 PM

Hi My hips don't lie

I have struggled to gain motivation to do all this. I've struggled for over a year. One day I just decided that was it, my husband said 'I'd like to see you in bikini on the fore deck one day' (we want to go sailing soon for our hols)and all I thought was YUCK. That was it, I made up a picture of what I want to look like, so now whenever I feel down I put that picture of me in my head.
Oh boy does that really help.
Also I've been told to vary what you eat, change the diet, and how you excercise. Don't do the same thing all the time because you plateau, your body gets used to it all.

Drinkswise, well do you like fruit, how about making yourself some smoothies/squeezed fruit, all different kinds, there are some good but cheap books on different ideas and what good they do.

Hope it gives you some ideas/ motivation.
Wiggly

my hips dont lie · 07-01-2007, 07:41 PM

hi Wiggly

Thank you for that. I have a blender that my friend bought me and at first i was using it all the time and lost loads

......but then motivation ran thin and its collecting dust

yeah i agree your body does get used to it and i havent been to the gym in 6 months now

.....how time flys!!!! however i havent gained weight so thats a bonus but i feel less toned now and with joining the dance group at class i feel self concious of it all.....you know the usual....does my bum look big in this!!!

as for pictures i have a 'thin' me on my firdge door and stopped buying sweets etc when i go shopping, also my boyfriend (who is like a lat and can eat anything without gaining weight!!!

) is helping me as well with it all.

I'm sure if we all give each other a kick up the bum on here we an all feel fitter and healthier in no time

Kharmine · 07-01-2007, 10:35 PM

Weight Watchers is a very sensible program if one can stick to it and doesn't have particular nutritional challenges.

One thing I like particularly is their policy of not weighing oneself more than once a week -- you drive yourself nuts if you do, because the human body just likes to fluctuate sometimes, no matter what you do.

Another thing to keep in mind is that so long as you are exercising regularly and eating sensibly you'll always look and feel better than if you don't. A 150 pounds of fat and 150 pounds of muscle weigh the same but look very, very different. So even if you are not losing in the numbers department, you are still improving things!

Shanazel · 07-02-2007, 01:41 AM

Oh...my...goodness. I just got home after the hike from hell with my physically fit seventeen year old son who has legs the length of the Florida coast. We walked into the Encampment River Canyon, about 4 miles and 1700 vertical feet down- bushwhacking, of course. I did fine until faced with the final pitch- what he ASSURED ME was much less rugged than the hike we took last year into the same area. The slope was about 30% (I've climbed ladders with a less acute angle), covered in loose rock, dry brome grass, and sagebrush. He was off somewhere picking up some elk sheds he left last season, so good old mom started down on her own. BY the way I was a quarter down, I had called my child everything but sweetheart. He saw me from afar and came bounding up that damned slope to help me get down to the bottom of the canyon, apologizing profusely, saying he'd forgotten how steep it was.

Well, to put it mildly, I came to grips with the reality of having spent eight weeks recovering from serious illness. I knew there was no way I was going back up that slope. Not then, maybe not ever. So we walked along the river a couple of miles in 95 degree heat until we found- TAH DAH! a path to an established trailhead that no one but three fisherman know about. Up the path we went for another two miles, then my son left his ancient mother to sit in the shade while he dashed another couple of miles cross country to get the pickup and transport her tired ass back to camp. I did half again as much as I though I could, and three times as much as I should've attempted. Suffice it to say, I am no smarter about pacing myself now than when I was 17.

And the truth? I had a wonderful time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A'isha Azar

Dear Shanazel,
I lost 10 pounds in 6 months, but have put 2 back on. I am just having so much trouble. I might take the challenge to take off 1/4th of a pound in a month.... if dehydration can be counted as a weight loss factor!! ( Dear Miss Shimmy, please do not think of this as negative self-talk!!)
Regards,
A'isha

Oh, babe, I hear you. Anyone but me would've lost five pounds after that hike on Saturday. Me- I'm afraid to get on the scale because I'll bet I gained five. Hugs to you from me. I think at fifty something, our respective metabolisms have gone south, along with body parts that once were considerably north of their present location. Shanazel

PS, I'd better speak for my own descending body parts, A'isha- yours might be just perfect!

Aisha Azar · 07-02-2007, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanazel

Oh...my...goodness. I just got home after the hike from hell with my physically fit seventeen year old son who has legs the length of the Florida coast. We walked into the Encampment River Canyon, about 4 miles and 1700 vertical feet down- bushwhacking, of course. I did fine until faced with the final pitch- what he ASSURED ME was much less rugged than the hike we took last year into the same area. The slope was about 30% (I've climbed ladders with a less acute angle), covered in loose rock, dry brome grass, and sagebrush. He was off somewhere picking up some elk sheds he left last season, so good old mom started down on her own. BY the way I was a quarter down, I had called my child everything but sweetheart. He saw me from afar and came bounding up that damned slope to help me get down to the bottom of the canyon, apologizing profusely, saying he'd forgotten how steep it was.

Well, to put it mildly, I came to grips with the reality of having spent eight weeks recovering from serious illness. I knew there was no way I was going back up that slope. Not then, maybe not ever. So we walked along the river a couple of miles in 95 degree heat until we found- TAH DAH! a path to an established trailhead that no one but three fisherman know about. Up the path we went for another two miles, then my son left his ancient mother to sit in the shade while he dashed another couple of miles cross country to get the pickup and transport her tired ass back to camp. I did half again as much as I though I could, and three times as much as I should've attempted. Suffice it to say, I am no smarter about pacing myself now than when I was 17.

And the truth? I had a wonderful time.

Oh, babe, I hear you. Anyone but me would've lost five pounds after that hike on Saturday. Me- I'm afraid to get on the scale because I'll bet I gained five. Hugs to you from me. I think at fifty something, our respective metabolisms have gone south, along with body parts that once were considerably north of their present location. Shanazel

PS, I'd better speak for my own descending body parts, A'isha- yours might be just perfect!

Dear Shanazel,
I think that I am actually turning into 2 people... Some day when I reach the "desired weight", I shall wake up and be facing the self that split off from me there in the bed. Why wait for reincarnation?? That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!!
Regards,
A'isha
( Also a victim of "southernization"!)

Didi · 07-02-2007, 04:07 PM

These all sound like great tips and suggestions. I have one to add that has helped me considerably with motivation.

I think sometimes when I look at my body and criticize it or feel resistance to how it is now or just have a negative, burdened kind of feeling about it, it derails my motivation and then I have to really push myself to exercise and eat properly. It makes the process harder. I've tried just thinking positively about my body, but often, I'm sucked down into a vortex of bad thinking habits built up over the past. So recently (in the last six months) I have made a ritual of loving my body for 10-20 minutes a day.

How I do it: I put my favorite belly dance or other inspiring music in my c.d. player, put the headphones on so I can't be distracted, and really pamper my body with lotions and focused attention. While I'm putting vaseline and socks on my feet for the night, for instance, I'll internally admire my feet and be thankful for all the great things they can do, how strong my ankles are getting with all that en releve practice with the 3/4 shimmy, etc. If a negative thought comes in, I just let it pass through and move on to something more loving toward myself, appreciative of my unique beauty. You can do this for your face while looking deeply into your eyes in a mirror, your lips even when you apply a little chapstick or gloss during the day, or right out of the shower putting on oil or lotion or self-tanner or whatever. Now, I admit this can be awkward and hard to do at first with your hips or bottom (or any part you've grown to hate through internal criticism

)... but if you keep doing it regularly, you really start to love all of your beautiful body, to see it not as an object (how we are taught by the media and culture at large) but as a radiant vehicle for you as you journey through this life.

And then you want to exercise and eat right, and it's easier to keep your motivation. Plus, an added bonus is a better body image around other people, even tiny 18-year-olds in class

Of course, you can all create your own beauty rituals, unique to you and what you love about your body

. It's fun to be creative and use our incredible mind-power for something positive for once!

Didi

my hips dont lie · 07-02-2007, 04:27 PM

Didi, I am think our idea of 'self loving' is great, although i can imagine it taking plenty of practice to ignore those negative thoughts that creep into our minds about our bodies, after all you become accustomed to them within your mind and end up dismissing any positive ones, even compliments you may get;

For example when i was told 'wow you've lost weight!!' by someone
my automated reposance became; 'yeah but i have x amount of lbs to go yet'......instead of accepting the compliment and not turning it into a negative one

i will give your idea a go though and no doubt turn in to Miss Body Positive herself soon enough

Oh and Shanazel well done on the hike......sounded like an energetic one!!

Kharmine · 07-02-2007, 05:52 PM

Didi, that's a very positive strategy!

I find that when I am frustrated with one aspect of my body (usually the weight!) that it helps to look at things I can change quickly -- such as getting a hair cut or some highlights, giving myself a manicure and pedicure, using those dental whitening strips if my teeth are looking a bit dingy, that sort of thing.

Have also found great cheer in clearing out my closet and drawers of worn-out, tired, unstylish clothing and even perfectly good stuff that never looked as good on me as I hoped when I bought 'em. It frees me up to look for things that do better things for my appearance!

belly_dancer · 07-12-2007, 01:07 AM

ok ladies... did we blow up over the 4th??? where is everyone???
for whatever reason, I am looking for some outside encouragement here... as instead of losing weight for my 8/8 goal... I am piling it on!?!?!?!?!
hmmmmmm am hoping the rest of you are working towards your goals better than I am!!!
meanwhile... I do LOVE my fat A$(%... (no... really have gotten a compliment just this weekend

.....) however ALL my costumes AND "regular" clothes are TOO tight!!!! eeeekkkkk

just want to get back to "normal"!!!!!

07-01-2007, 07:48 AM	#21 (permalink)
my hips dont lie Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, England Posts: 22	I agree plenty of water does help with loosing weight and I kinda found you get used to it and pop becomes less and less tastey ......however I am a girl who doesnt like tea and coffee so my fluid intake is limited!! I tried weight watchers last year and managed to loose 3 stone and so far have kept it off, but I never reached my goal weight and I have another stone to loose - motivation for the gym and cutting out the chocy (my weakness) has been difficult to find of late .... anyone else in the same boat?? any ideas hows to gain the motivation back?? I do find that the 'old cliche' of combined healthy eating and plenty of exercise is the best way I am a UK size 14......depending on the time of the month __________________ Cheeky Girl

07-01-2007, 07:41 PM	#23 (permalink)
my hips dont lie Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, England Posts: 22	hi Wiggly Thank you for that. I have a blender that my friend bought me and at first i was using it all the time and lost loads ......but then motivation ran thin and its collecting dust yeah i agree your body does get used to it and i havent been to the gym in 6 months now.....how time flys!!!! however i havent gained weight so thats a bonus but i feel less toned now and with joining the dance group at class i feel self concious of it all.....you know the usual....does my bum look big in this!!! as for pictures i have a 'thin' me on my firdge door and stopped buying sweets etc when i go shopping, also my boyfriend (who is like a lat and can eat anything without gaining weight!!! ) is helping me as well with it all. I'm sure if we all give each other a kick up the bum on here we an all feel fitter and healthier in no time __________________ Cheeky Girl

07-01-2007, 10:35 PM	#24 (permalink)
Kharmine V.I.P. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Foot of the Rocky Mountains Posts: 1,246	Weight Watchers is a very sensible program if one can stick to it and doesn't have particular nutritional challenges. One thing I like particularly is their policy of not weighing oneself more than once a week -- you drive yourself nuts if you do, because the human body just likes to fluctuate sometimes, no matter what you do. Another thing to keep in mind is that so long as you are exercising regularly and eating sensibly you'll always look and feel better than if you don't. A 150 pounds of fat and 150 pounds of muscle weigh the same but look very, very different. So even if you are not losing in the numbers department, you are still improving things! __________________ What if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

07-02-2007, 04:07 PM	#27 (permalink)
Didi Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Posts: 162	These all sound like great tips and suggestions. I have one to add that has helped me considerably with motivation. I think sometimes when I look at my body and criticize it or feel resistance to how it is now or just have a negative, burdened kind of feeling about it, it derails my motivation and then I have to really push myself to exercise and eat properly. It makes the process harder. I've tried just thinking positively about my body, but often, I'm sucked down into a vortex of bad thinking habits built up over the past. So recently (in the last six months) I have made a ritual of loving my body for 10-20 minutes a day. How I do it: I put my favorite belly dance or other inspiring music in my c.d. player, put the headphones on so I can't be distracted, and really pamper my body with lotions and focused attention. While I'm putting vaseline and socks on my feet for the night, for instance, I'll internally admire my feet and be thankful for all the great things they can do, how strong my ankles are getting with all that en releve practice with the 3/4 shimmy, etc. If a negative thought comes in, I just let it pass through and move on to something more loving toward myself, appreciative of my unique beauty. You can do this for your face while looking deeply into your eyes in a mirror, your lips even when you apply a little chapstick or gloss during the day, or right out of the shower putting on oil or lotion or self-tanner or whatever. Now, I admit this can be awkward and hard to do at first with your hips or bottom (or any part you've grown to hate through internal criticism)... but if you keep doing it regularly, you really start to love all of your beautiful body, to see it not as an object (how we are taught by the media and culture at large) but as a radiant vehicle for you as you journey through this life. And then you want to exercise and eat right, and it's easier to keep your motivation. Plus, an added bonus is a better body image around other people, even tiny 18-year-olds in class Of course, you can all create your own beauty rituals, unique to you and what you love about your body . It's fun to be creative and use our incredible mind-power for something positive for once! Didi

07-02-2007, 04:27 PM	#28 (permalink)
my hips dont lie Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, England Posts: 22	Didi, I am think our idea of 'self loving' is great, although i can imagine it taking plenty of practice to ignore those negative thoughts that creep into our minds about our bodies, after all you become accustomed to them within your mind and end up dismissing any positive ones, even compliments you may get; For example when i was told 'wow you've lost weight!!' by someone my automated reposance became; 'yeah but i have x amount of lbs to go yet'......instead of accepting the compliment and not turning it into a negative one i will give your idea a go though and no doubt turn in to Miss Body Positive herself soon enough Oh and Shanazel well done on the hike......sounded like an energetic one!! __________________ Cheeky Girl

07-01-2007, 05:48 PM	#22 (permalink)
Wiggly Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 44	Hi My hips don't lie I have struggled to gain motivation to do all this. I've struggled for over a year. One day I just decided that was it, my husband said 'I'd like to see you in bikini on the fore deck one day' (we want to go sailing soon for our hols)and all I thought was YUCK. That was it, I made up a picture of what I want to look like, so now whenever I feel down I put that picture of me in my head. Oh boy does that really help. Also I've been told to vary what you eat, change the diet, and how you excercise. Don't do the same thing all the time because you plateau, your body gets used to it all. Drinkswise, well do you like fruit, how about making yourself some smoothies/squeezed fruit, all different kinds, there are some good but cheap books on different ideas and what good they do. Hope it gives you some ideas/ motivation. Wiggly

07-02-2007, 05:52 PM	#29 (permalink)
Kharmine V.I.P. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Foot of the Rocky Mountains Posts: 1,246	Didi, that's a very positive strategy! I find that when I am frustrated with one aspect of my body (usually the weight!) that it helps to look at things I can change quickly -- such as getting a hair cut or some highlights, giving myself a manicure and pedicure, using those dental whitening strips if my teeth are looking a bit dingy, that sort of thing. Have also found great cheer in clearing out my closet and drawers of worn-out, tired, unstylish clothing and even perfectly good stuff that never looked as good on me as I hoped when I bought 'em. It frees me up to look for things that do better things for my appearance! __________________ What if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

07-12-2007, 01:07 AM	#30 (permalink)
belly_dancer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: central coast, California Posts: 568	ok ladies... did we blow up over the 4th??? where is everyone??? for whatever reason, I am looking for some outside encouragement here... as instead of losing weight for my 8/8 goal... I am piling it on!?!?!?!?! hmmmmmm am hoping the rest of you are working towards your goals better than I am!!! meanwhile... I do LOVE my fat A$(%... (no... really have gotten a compliment just this weekend.....) however ALL my costumes AND "regular" clothes are TOO tight!!!! eeeekkkkk just want to get back to "normal"!!!!!