In need of some weight loss advice
April 22nd, 2012
All of my life – including childhood – I’ve been up and down with my weight. Only once in my lifetime was I “obese” and this was during college after gaining 50 pounds by my junior year.
Other than that, I’ve always struggled with only an extra 10-15 pounds.
The 10-15 pound range is a dangerous one. For me anyway. It really takes very little effort for me to start and maintain a weight loss. Just eat a bit less, chose lower calorie options and exercise 5 days a week. So I’m always going to start a diet program “next week.” Because whats one more week? In two months I’ll be at my goal!
But the truth is this has been going on for a couple of years now. In early 2010, I went back to Weight Watchers and within a matter of weeks was looking and feeling so much better. I even reduced a pants size! Then came Easter. And I let loose on Easter brunch and Easter candy. Since that day I’ve made several feable attempts to get back into shape, but nothing substantial.
I can’t seem to get into a routine or a rhythm, but I think about this extra weight and flab ALL the time. My clothes don’t fit and I can’t wear certain styles because of my exaggerated pear shape.
This should motivate me, yet I am the master of excuses. And I can make any excuse for why every possible option isn’t feasible. Although I feel they are legitimate usually, most would say they are not.
My husband says I should stop finding reasons “why not” and finding reasons “why.” Sage advice, I must admit. But this is much easier coming from the man that works from home and who is not the primary cook, housekeeper, child entertainer, etc.
So my excuse – which is likely every mother’s excuse – is that I have no time to work out.
I mean really work out. As many days of the week as possible, I take a brisk 30 minute walk during my lunch. But work deadlines, weather and personal commitments (that I must tend to by flexing my time, i.e. not take my 30 minute break so I can leave early or arrive late) seem to crop up several times a week – especially lately.
I want to keep this 30 minute walking routine, but I want it to be more consistent. And although its not always an issue yet, I can’t stand to walk when its hot. I despise being hot (I really need to move to Northern Canada), but also its not a good idea to be dripping with sweat, hair a mess and make-up running as the front desk person in my office.
I also want to add another workout in my day a few times a week. I have a treadmill. I have a stationary bike. I live in a really hilly town which is great for burning additional calories while walking or jogging.
So when am I supposed to do these workouts?
In the morning, perhaps? Well, I can’t jog/walk in the mornings. Its currently 6 am and still a little dark which is just a little frightening to me. The treadmill is in the bedroom where the husband is sleeping and the stationary bike is so darn loud with its constant beeping I would wake everyone up.
In the evenings? I can’t do that. I have a huge guilt complex. After being away from my child for nearly 10 hours, the last thing I want to do is say ta-ta and head off to the gym or leave for a run or hideout in the rooms containing our cardio equipment. My son is five, he is an only child. He needs someone to play with and interact with him. He needs his mom’s attention.
Ok, so why not after he is in bed? Well, the darkness rules out the outdoor jog/walk. Sweating before bed would mean a second shower and who has time for that ? Not me! So that rules out the treadmill. I could do the bike. I know I could. I sweat minimally on that thing. But I don’t because I’m tired or lazy or have some other pressing matter I must tend to before I go to bed.
I know I need to stop making excuses. I know I need to get off this computer at this very moment, put on my tennis shoes and get outside. But I also know that my son could be up any minute and when he comes looking for me he won’t be able to find me. He might get scared and cry in his room. Or he might wake up his dad and ask him where I am, but he won’t know because he’s been sleeping and then they’ll both be freaking out because they will fail to see the note I would have left them explaining my whereabouts (the missed note thing has happened before). Aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh!
I wish I could just make this happen. And I’m sorry for whining about it. I just don’t know how to juggle working, mothering, housekeeping and taking care of oneself.
So, my question to you is….
What has worked for you in your weight loss journey?
How have you managed to juggle your work and home life while staying active?
What are your favorite or most effective workouts?
I would greatly appreciate any advice, gems of wisdom, sympathy, etc!
Comments
livs
May 1, 2012 11:47 pm
Increase your water intake 8-10 glasses of water. add some lime juice to the water, it helps
Shandy Williams
May 10, 2012 2:43 pm
I know how you feel being a mom working a full time job and keeping a house clean is tough trying to balance exercise. If you are eating healthy that is definitely a start. I now work out in the mornings. I feel energized and my days seem better (as well as my sleep at night). On times you have with you child spend it outdoors! We garden all the time my son loves it we have a little pool for him to play with while I pick weeds and etc.. Do squats and such while you do daily tasks and definitely increase your water intake!
Shandy Williams
May 10, 2012 2:44 pm
To my note above, getting up at 5:30 every morning sucks but it is so worth it! I am under my weight previous my kid and I am so proud I have been able to keep it off.
madge
May 15, 2012 2:16 pm
Great advise Shandy! I’m on vacation for the next two weeks with many members of my family so I have a bit more help around the house and with my son plus I’ve not been on a time schedule. I’ve been getting up at 6:30 am to jog in the mornings and am restricting my portion sizes at meals. Hopefully after two weeks I can stick to the routine of getting up early to workout. It is a wonderful way to start the day! Best of luck to you on your weight loss maintenance!
Adina
May 25, 2012 6:54 pm
What options do you have for moving the treadmill OUT of the bedroom OR getting your hubby to wear ear plugs to bed?
Jade
May 30, 2012 9:57 am
Hi there,
At one point in my life I went up to about 285 lbs. It took me about 2 years to loose 120 lbs to 165 which is suited for my tall frame. Someone mentioned getting up early to do a work out is the best advice ever. The challenge for staying awake and getting out of bed. Get an MP3 player of most amazing music that pumps you up. For me thats super cheesy 80′s music or fun dance club music. Trust me after one song you will want to jump out of bed and rock it out.
As for food advice I cut out breads and switched to rice pasta and such. Found out years later I have celiacs but it made the weight just fly off. That and zero pop or sugar juices. Now I don’t watch portion sizes and eat what I want. It just takes time for you metabolism and your body to correct itself. Just hug yourself in the mirror and keep saying another 3 months, we will see where this takes us in 3 months and in 3 months start again and say let see where I am in 3 months. Its not about 15 lbs – its about the quality of your life and your body from now till you die. Live as if your going to live to 100 when it comes to your health.
Hope that helps
Jade
May 30, 2012 10:01 am
Oh forgot – A quiet way to do cardio at home that is super fun is hula-hooping. I hoop one way to one song and switch for the next. Then do some light weights in between. You can order them online for adults for about $45? don’t bother with weighted ones they are not needed. I’m 33 years old and its just a blast
madge
May 30, 2012 7:17 pm
Hi Jade!
Congratulations on your success and how nice that you’ve gotten your metabolism working on your side!
And thank you so much for your thoughtful advice. I love the idea of a hula hoop! Sounds like a good cardio and ab workout and I definitely need help in that arena! I’m realizing more and more I need to reduce breads and adjust to getting up earlier to workout! In fact while on vacation for two weeks I got up early 4 days a week and went for a jog! I ate a lot more calorie dense food than usual and despite this I only gained three pounds! I call that a victory.
I’ve also decided to go back to Weight Watchers and (as I understand it) the new Points Plus program takes into account carbs (which was not a factor in Points calculation when I was on the Winning Points program). So I’ll automatically be keeping those carbs in check!
Thanks again for taking the time to give me some pointers!
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