Hello Mamas,
Today my toddler began daycare and I began at a new job where there is an incredible gym I can easily use at a discount. Using it fits super easily into my schedule, as I drop off my child, then have 2 hours before I have to start at work. It's been years since I've worked out consistently. I have been pretty overweight since my pregnancy. I really need to drop over 50 lbs and so want to get back some strength, agility and endurance. Any tips for sticking to it in terms of the gym and eating less/better? I plan to go to the gym 5 days a week (alternating cardio and weights). There's classes as well as a sauna... I figure adjusting my eating habits should not be too hard as I will be making the huge change of not being home all day with my hungry little one and the fridge! I really want to get it together. So tired of being low energy, weak, tough to dress and breaking a sweat at the drop of a hat!
Hello! Maybe find an accountability buddy to go with you. That helps me stick with stuff! Moral support.... :)
I agree with some of the other posts here. You do already seem to have the drive. Even so, when you first get started, it can be hard to maintain that drive - especially if you really push yourself the right off the bat. Start slowly - in terms of how hard you work, not how long or how often - and work your way up to pushing your limits. Doing a class or two and working with a personal trainer (if that is an option for you) can help in keeping you motivated too because it is much harder to duck out when you know people are expecting you to be there. My schedule right now is such that I really need to go get my workouts in early in the morning before the rest of my family is out of bed. So, my biggest problem is often dragging myself out of bed especially if it has not been a good sleep night. You have a jump on that since you are planning to do your workout after you drop off your child for day care - that's great! Make sure to do things that you will enjoy and that you will want to keep doing. Also, try to have several different things to do so you can change it up every so often to keep from getting bored and to challenge your body - doing the same exercise in a different way can target the muscles differently and force you to use other muscles as well whereas doing the same things all the time gets you in a rut and a plateau. Good luck and have fun!
Sounds like you've already got plenty of drive, and you've made up your mind to do it. That's the first hurdle. And once you get in the routine (give it a good three weeks) you'll notice if you have to skip for some reason. Your body will feel better when it gets a good workout.
As far as the food, don't starve yourself or your body will hold on to the calories. Just make sure you have healthy things at your desk/in your locker/at your workstation. Almonds, cheese & summer sausage, fresh fruit or veggies, hummus, etc. Fueling your body with real food (vs. edible food-like substances) is very necessary on your road to better health. Blessings!!
Do they offer a personal trainer? Most gyms offer FREE sessions for newcomers. Check into that. What a motivator!
Make sure you eat a decent breakfast. Have a little pick-me-up too if you'd like. I run regularly in the mornings, and I always have some coffee and a bagel beforehand.
Once you get into a routine, it will become easy and you will actually MISS not going. But be patient with yourself, and realize this takes weeks, even months, to establish. You will get there!
Work out with a buddy if you can. Make them hold you accountable if you don't show.
I always "reward" myself in some way if I do something I really didn't want to that day. Whether it be a small treat, a coffee from Starbucks, etc. Doesn't have to be food related, but you get the idea.
Join a blog! Connecting daily through blogging with other women in a similar position will help tremendously.
Set an actual goal for yourself and make it realistic. Reward yourself once you reach it.
You CAN do this. Good luck.
I schedule my workouts and I have a calendar in my bathroom. For every 15 minutes I workout I get a smily face sticker on my calendar. Its a little silly but dang I want those stickers! Remember every little bit helps. When I really don't feel like it I make myself for 15 mins. If I am still feeling it I am done. Usually I want to go on. I like to average 30 mins 4+ times per week. Remember it is NOT all or nothing. Keep on going and really pay attention to how you feel after. Keep reminding yourself of that great feeling.
I have just started working out and two things are helping this time. I go with my husband and that way we actually get time together doing something that we know is good for us and that will make us feel better. The second thing is that we paid for couples sessions with a personal trainer. It has been amazing. I have problems with my neck and I have always been afraid of certain forms of exercise. This trainer has been so good for me. He gives me specific exercises that will absolutely not hurt my neck and that have actually made my spine/neck feel better than it has in years. We do an intense 1 hour cardio/strength/flexibility work out that totally kicks my butt but I feel so much stronger already. Once we finish the series of six sessions we will be able to proceed on our own and to ask for help when we need it. It was expensive, but we did not go on a vacation this year and we made it an anniversary present to each other.
How great for you to be able to have access to such a great gym. That is going to really help you stay motivated.
I really don't have anything to say about working out - it sounds like you have that covered. However, I have been trying to lose weight for many, many years and can't seem to do it UNTIL I found a solution. My friends and I are all doing this and ALL are losing weight (along with exercise, of course) and that is Different Bodies, Different Diets. There are at least 25 different diets and you pick your diet for your body type - find the right lifestyle change (diet) and go for it. All it does it tell you what foods are best for your body type. I always ate healthy, good food but never could lose until I came upon this. I was eating ALL the wrong foods for my body type - ate what my body type wanted - don't get hungry - stay satisfied and I even get my treats.
I got the book from Amazon.com. There is a Women's Edition and a Men's Edition.
N.
Me and a few other girls started a facebook page that we are using to try and keep eachother accountable for. If you want to join us you are welcome to. It is "Workout-mama Pedia" on Facebook. We created a group on there. I check it every morning and just post how I am feeling. Seeing others put their accomplishments motivates me to keep up the good work.
Wish you luck!
certainly a buddie to be accountable too. That is a key factor for me.
Maybe start with 3 days a week. You can do 30 min of cardio and 30 min of strength training on those days. Keep going even when you don't feel like it. Eventually, you will crave working out. When you really get into the routine, then go 4 or 5 days a week alternating between strength and cardio.
Before you start make sure you buy some super cute workout clothes!!!! Target has some really cute one. Believe me...they will make you feel ten times better than an old t-shirt and ratty shorts.
Reward yourself with cool workout stuff like new clothes, shoes, heart rate monitor
Start gradually and you will be more likely to stick with it. Go at the same time everyday and make it part of your life style. Make friends there and take classes. It will hold you accountable and encourage you to show up when it is cold or dark out.
Good luck!
I've heard that you need to actually "schedule" yourself in your calendar to work out. I think there's even an app to remind you, probably one to help you add up your exercise/calories daily.
That wouldn't work well for me, though. If I had extra cash laying around, I'd reward myself on the days I did go, punish myself the days I didn't (or at least the days that I was supposed to go - like 3 days a week or whatever). So $5 goes into the jar for each day I go (new jeans money!) and $10 goes to my husband every time I don't go .... something like that would motivate me. But husband would have to be on board.
Accountability is very important too - can you find a friend who also wants to go? Or check in with her each week to see how her exercise is going, you explain yours. If one of you is not doing so hot, instead of making excuses for eachother, keep motivating eachother.
