*sigh* So here I am at the beginning again. I've gained everything that I have lost up to this point due to laziness and just not sticking to m plan. I'm really struggling again and I'm having a hard time getting started. I really could use a push and/or some support.

Cheers.

It's a long...hard...unforgiving road. But through it all, you have to remember what you're working towards. It's always easier to be lazy and not do anything and eat until you can't stand, but then when you realize that you've gained that weight, you feel bad, etc.

I truly believe that weight loss is a "mind over matter" affair. If your head's not into it, your body won't be either. When you really get sick and tired of being unhealthy or "fat," then you'll be ready to commit and push yourself. It gets frustrating, but you always, always have to remember what you're working toward. And also remember that people who have those nice bodies have to work just as hard to maintain them. They don't have it any easier than we do. And when in doubt, count on your friends at traineo. I honestly didn't think I could get the support I needed from a website, but here I am, roughly 8 pounds lighter, dishing out advice, eager to get to the gym and drop more weight.

Hope this helps Rick, and good luck with your goals.

welcome rick! come join us! thanks for stopping in! you could do this! you took the first step! The next hardest step is getting to the gym or getting your foot out the door and walking (or whatever exercise you enjoy)but once you do you will feel much better! try it today just for a few minutes and come report back and let us know what you did and for how long!!!

Cheers, Curtis & Jen. Thanks very much for the kind words. It's a real pain getting started again. I know I've got it in me to do well at this. I've had some huge successes and about as many catastrophic failures. I'm planning on getting started again today and with a little bit of grace I'll be on the right track again.

Thanks for the motivation. I'll do my best to keep you up to date.

Why don't you do the 90 day challenge like Jen and I have been doing. She's nearing the end of hers (unless I'm mistaken) and I'm almost 30 days in, nearly 10 pounds lighter. If you need me to, I can be one of your motivators as well. Whatever helps!

Not a bad idea. So it basically comes down to 30lbs. in 3 months? That is worth a shot. Cheers.

Hi Rick - Just had a couple of thoughts after reading your post. You mentioned having had great successes and great failures before. It sounds like you have no problem doing what you need to do to make it to a goal, which is great. It's sticking there that gives you trouble. Just a suggestion... have you tried keeping a journal? Maybe this will help you discover what the 'triggers' are that start you down the path of undoing your successes. I have found that being able to recognize and deal with these things before they begin to have an impact can go a long way to helping you avoid the negative consequences.

Also, be wary of overtraining... try to diet, exercise, etc. at levels that are maintanable and enjoyable as a lifestyle of new habits. If you are too restrictive in terms of working out or eating 'x' number of calories, you risk burning out in these areas. Then you are more likely to just bail and go back to old habits (which may be bad habits) that feel easy and comfortable in comparison to a hellish diet and exercise regimen.

Good luck!

Well put Jenn! Can you be my motivator too? LMBO

You got it Curtis! I want you to do 50 invisible abs contractions sitting there at your desk LOL! (related to another post, for those of you confused by this comment)

The thing we all need to realize is that we will always have to count calories to maintain that nice weight loss. If we go back to our old ways we might as well not strain at losing. I am 3.5 lbs above goal and my plan is to count calories and make sure I don't go over my maintenance calories. With JUDDD you just up your down day calories a bit until you don't lose or gain. Good luck all!

nicely put jenn!
rick-i would try to aim for 1-2 pounds a week as a weight loss goal.
curtis-yes i am nearing the end of my 90 day challenge (2 weeks left) but i am going to do another challenge again and again and again.......

Counting calories is definitely the thing... I just meant not to be so restrictive that you starve yourself and end up feeling deprived and ravenous (I speak from experience).

I downloaded Calorie King software to my laptop, which is a great tool for tracking... it has most brand name foods and products and a pretty wide variety of fast food/restaurant items also. I had to pay $ for the software, but I think there is an on-line version that's free - I am sure there are others on-line that people know of. During the week I log everything I eat, which definitely helps keep me on track. By the end of the work week tho I am sick of my laptop so I don't log weekends.

Good luck everyone on their 90 day challenges! Is there a Group on that or something?

Also, what is JUDDD?

Well the train has gotten out of the station. I jumped on the elliptical machine this morning and now remember how much I despise cardio. I can push weight all day, but I hate running on a machine.

Either way, a brand new day has progressed and with a little help from my "motivators" maybe we can see some improvement. Thanks for the kick in the butt everyone!!

Just remember Rick, no matter how evil you think cardio is, it's a NECESSARY evil for your weight loss journey! Get yourself a music player, crank it up, and feel the burn!!!

I know, I know. It still sucks though. Once I get back into the groove of things it will not be so bad.

NICE JOB RICK!!!!!! nice JOB!!!!!! YOU DID IT! you took that hardest step of getting back in the gym. cardio isnt easy but it will only get easier. can you pick a piece of equipment you like better than the elliptical or is the elliptical the lesser of the evils?

i so dont want to go to the gym today either but im making myself go b/c i want results and i want my body to change and get into shape and lose weight. i feel so good after and i know the rewards of getting in shape will be worth it!

keep up the good work!

Hey everyone-

So I just joined Traineo yesterday and this motivation thread is going to be a good one. I have hit my ALL TIME HIGH WEIGHT and really don't know how to do the weight loss thing since I have always been average weight.

I look forward to getting to know more of you as we try to keep each other motivated to make our goals. I have a whopping 27LB goal that I am targeting by March to lose in a healthy way and to keep it off.

Welcome to traineo Kat!

27 lbs in 4 months may be a bit high, but I've always found that you work just a little harder when that goal is just out of reach. Of course, that all depends on your personality. My goal is similar to yours, so I'll be right there with ya! There's tons of good information on this site, and helpful people. These are the nicest people I've ever met! (nicer than people I see in person all the time). And the support is bananas!

Good luck with your goal and keep me updated on your progress! Again, welcome!

-Please excuse all the exclamation points, I just had a cup of coffee, and I drink coffee like once every 3 years.

Welcome Kat! This is a great site to get help and support. I'm in agreement with Curtis too. 27lb in 3 months is ambitious, but it is doable. I've just started myself and I'm looking to lose between 55-60lbs total, and I would be super happy with an 8-10lb loss by January 1, but I'll take whatever I can get.

What are your diet and exercise plans?

Good luck with your goals and keep us in the loop on what is going on with you.

Well, I guess that I thought if I maintained a 2LB average per week that it might be doable.

I have a friend who is going to float a good diet my way, so I am hoping that will be helpful for me.

I think exercise is going to be the key and getting myself motivated to work out is the greatest challenge. Its really dark here in Seattle in the winter and when I get home some times the main thing I want to do is go crawl into bed!

Curtis and Rick, thank you for the warm welcome BTW. I like all the !!! I need to get enthusiastic!!

Good luck on the goal Kat, and Rick stay on those machines

Remember healthy weight loss is better than the alternative. you'll find you'll keep it off better if you eat well, and exercise vs a 'fad' diet.

Good nutrition and a good workout routine that you enjoy and live by will last a life... starving yourself leads to cannibalism when you forget to eat just the ice cream the guy next to you was holding and not his hand too

Shawn- do you have any motivators to stick to good eating habits? Its 4:20 in the office and the witching hour for chocolates. I will admit that I had 4 little pieces of chocolates from the receptionist's bowl. That is where I always fail!

welcome Kat!

Hey Kat,

Try to bring some fruits or cheeses or nuts for those craving around 4 PM...I always I have a sugar craving around that time but I tried to have healthy snacks most days...then the rest of the time, go for dark chocolates!

2lbs per week! You can do it for sure! Dont forget to exercise 20 to 30 min 5 time a week and you will see a big difference...doesn't have to be the Gym...a fast walk will do too! Anything to get you into a routine!

drink water and have water near by and make a list of your goals and reasons why you want to lose weight and hang it up on your desk and stare at it!!!

Heh i'm probably the worst to ask but here goes:

Typical Day:
Get up at 5:30am, do bible study and eat breakfast while doing it.
I eat 2 cups of multi grain cheerios, 2 cups of milk, 2 pieces of toast with PB on it.
930am I eat a can of Tuna (2.5 servings)
1130am I go for lunch
3pm I eat a can of tuna (2.5 servings) or a power bar (its like chocolate i swear! )
6pm Eat dinner
9pm Workout
1030pm Drink 2 Servings of Protein Shake
1130ish go to bed.

As far as skipping the candy bowl, i dip in rarely but i only take one piece. For me my motivation comes from what I want to be. I skip alot of 'fluff'. We have alot of parties/candy/cake/ice cream/pies/etc at work. I usually dont eat any or if i have some its a 'small' piece (not my old 'fat boy' serving). I really want to hit my goal and it is my driving force to be good.

NOW that said I have 'treats' that I plan on. Saturday is a treat day. I go to braums and get me a small (or usually medium) Egg Nog Milkshake (egg nog ice cream and egg nog blended = ooooooooooh good )

I enjoy what I eat and try to be healthy but i'm also realistic. When i go out I don't eat the chips and salsa at a mexican food place and i try to not eat alot of fried stuff.

Gum = good also as a way to avoid the candy dish. I also drink 1 gal of water a day on average. The lady at work who sits by the restroom I think has a pool each day on how many trips I make but they all know I eat healthy and comment on it

So stay strong, and know that your goal is more important than those little pieces of chocolate

Jennifer is right! I think the key to keep yourself exercise is to find one that you like to do. It can shift your focus from trying to lose weight to enjoying the activity. Then, you will find yourself looking forward to exercise. I am into running now. I started running to try to lose weight. Now, I enjoy it and always looking forward to run. It becomes my priority in the weekend over partying with friends.

Rick, you can try. It may not be easy to find an activity you like. You can keep on experiment different equipements in the gym.

Kat, control eating is hard, especially in front of food you like. I have the same problem. I am totally out of control in front of carb. It is a not a challenge to me fo knock down 2 or 3 big baked potato in 1 meal. That's why I make slow progress in losing weight. If you are into chocolate candy, how about try to replace with chocolate calcium chew? I keep a jar of it in my office. It is about 20 calorie each. I take one everytime I know I need to walk by the receptionist's desk that has all the junk food.

Shawn's idea of gum is also good. You can keep chewing it for a long time. It may stop you from snacking on other junk.

Thanks for the advice everyone. It's been a slow start at the gym for me. After my last elliptical adventure my legs are KILLING me. It's not so bad today so I'm jumping back on this evening after work so we'll see what happens.

On the other hand, I'm down from 254 to 249 this morning!!! It's a small jump and I know the large losses will slow, but it feels great to see an initial loss. Keep the faith everyone!!!

keep it up rick/agent!

Another thing for everyone to remember is that just because the scale's numbers don't change, it doesn't mean you aren't healthier. Don't forget about your overall fitness! I feel better than i have for a really long time after this month of working out. WOO HOO!!!!