My highest weight was 240 -around 2000-2002. I lost 100 and then gained back 30 last year. I relost the 30 this year.

I have learned tremendously from my mistakes and this past year my diet and exercise routines have changed and have helped me significantly. I have posted before but will post again some tips in case you are interested.

-i try to move everyday
-i do cardio in my target heart rate zone-yes doing it in my zone makes a difference-i do it 3xs/ week for about 1 hour moderately
- i do cardio 2xs/ week intensely-higher end of zone (35 min)
-2xs/week are my rest days-have fun with my cardio-do whatever i want at whatever pace-for ex. casual walk
-2-3xs a week weight training
-drink water-i need to drink more!!
-eat small meals throughout the day-it helps curb appetite/helps metabolism-this makes a big difference-include proteins/carbs/fats in meals
-fill up on veggies
-set goals for yourself-small attainable ones and long term ones-check them off as you achieve them
-forgive self if you make mistake-move on right away
-change up routine (exercise and diet) if not working so you dont get bored and your body doesnt get used to it
-hold yourself accountable-thank you guys-you have helped me to hold myself accountable and i really appreciate that!!! i will continue to use this site to help me reach more goals and see how my body transforms. i hope you do the same!!!! )

Woah congrats on that jennifer!

How did you find your "target heart rate zone"? Is that the 220- age thing?


I'm still unsure of what I should do. Since im not really that big (57 kg) I think someone mentioned that I should start with the more weight training idea. So I have been trying to do that 5 x 5 strengh test.

I'm still doing a little bit of cardio, I got a bike for xmas (I feel like a kid again! lol) so i'll be using that when the rain stops.


Congrats again on your sucess and thanks for posting those tips, they really help people, especially me!

Way to go, Jennifer! That is so awesome!!!!

It is a great accomplishment, Jen. Your experience sharing has helped many. Thanks.

Very well done! This is inspiring!

Way to go! Keep up the great habits!

Awesomeness!

You rock my face off Jenn!

stitch- target heart rate = 220 - age x .65-.85 (this is approx) the 85 is the high end. you dont need to be sure of what to do. just start moving and you will feel better. everyone is going to give you different advice of what works for them. you need to find what works for you. so start somewhere and try things out and see what you like/dont like and what is giving you results and what isnt.


thanks ivie, glovia, minu,erez, tim and cardio and the rest of traineo-you have no idea what a support you have been to me too! i am glad i have helped inspire you too. lets keep helping each other. you guys are amazing!!!

You rock my face off Jenn!

lolololo

Congrats! I'm inspired because I've still got 20 to go!!

Congrats great acomplishment,

You are such a great inspiration Jen!! Reading your Goals and tips help me so much!!! Awesome!!!!

shane-thank you-you can do it too! i have more to go too!!!

stacy-thank you too!!!

sher-and thank you also! you have inspired me as well. glad i have helped you-as you have helped me too. keep it up!!

Jennifer:

Great job...
I never knew. You're very inspiring and I'd like to hear some maintenance tips from you.

We all know that this thing is a lifelong behavioral change and we're not going for a finish line where we can then stop exercising every week and go back to old eating habits (like I and so many other roller-coasters did).

thanks dan! the most impt thing is to find a diet and exercise plan that works for you now so that you can maintain it for life. i do like my diet now and i see a nutritionist so i do tweak it when needed and when my goals change. also, when i go to the gym i dont always love it but i do tend to pick the things i like better to do. i like riding the bike but if i get bored of that i switch it up. i dont feel like im going to ever go off of this lifestyle once i get to where i want to be (which will always change b/c i will always be setting new goals for myself).

OK, I have to chime in: CONGRATS! I hope I can be of some help as you set your sights on the next goal. Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll nail it.

thanks herb-you have been a help and an inspration to me! next goal is to run 3 miles by jan 15. i havent been running much but my cardio has been helping me to get in better shape to run so if i keep that up i think it helps with me getting in better shape to run.

dan-another thought- i keep cut up fruits and veggies on hand at all times. i keep water around me available at all times and junk out of the house ( i know where to find it if i need/ want it!!!) i always carry a protein bar in my car for an emergency snack.

Jennifer, you are such an inspiration and another shining example that anyone can do this! Thanks for sharing!

I'm always curious... how has your day-to-day thinking changed?

Jennifer - Way to go, that's fantastic! Your tips are brilliant as well. Tomorrow I'll be going to the grocery store to stock up on fruit and veg to cut up and keep in the fridge. Thanks for providing the inspiration to those of us just starting out!

Way to Go Jen!! That's a huge achievment and a major difference in the quality of your life.

Congrats, thanks for the tips

Forest

thank you cindy! thats a tough question to answer. i am "thinking" about it. what exactly do you mean in terms of "thinking?" thinking about what in general-life do you mean?

thank you natasha-im glad i have inspired you. it definitely pays to get the cut up fruits and veggies. they may cost more to get the precut ones but its worth it to save time and to have them ready to eat. i just went and got pineapple today in fact. sometimes when i know the pineapple is about to go bad, i freeze it in little baggies and it tastes so good as a snack! yum!

thank you forest. im sure you have noticed a change in yourself too! i definitely feel much lighter and can move more easily.

Nice job! Do you have before and after pictures?

i threw out all my "fat" pictures or shall i say shredded them b/c i didnt want to even see myself that way anymore. i can remember in my head what i look like and that is enough!! sometimes i regret not keeping at least one though just to actually see it right before my very eyes.im sorry i cant share pics with you but i will say you would not recognize the before and after b/c i look so different but the inside is mostly the same.

I am beginning my journey... with a little further distance to make than you.... but I will make it.... If I believe I can achieve... that is the new motto...... I lost my job in april and have been so depressed I have not ventured out.... I am only temping currently and until I can find a new permanent job.... with more stable income, more in line with my previous income... I cannot afford to meet with a trainer..... nutritionist.... and join a gym... so any tips you can offer to a beginner like me.... would be truly appreciated.....

thanks for posting the positives too... it helps beginners like me see that I too can achieve my own sucesses like you!

you dont need to join a gym, have a trainer or have a nutritionist (although all of those things might help). the most impt thing is the right attitude and determination. the first thing is taking the first step. first, get rid of the junk in the house/anything tempting and stock your fridge with fruits, veggies, water, salads. get stuff prepared in your kitchen. cut stuff up and have it ready to eat so that if you want to grab -youll grab something healthy. have lean proteins in the house-tuna, chicken, fish-cook it and have it ready-if you have too much freeze it in portions so you have extra for the week. next step, take a walk around the block. it was cold outside today but i bundled up and walked and it wasnt too bad. take out a piece of paper and write down a few short-term specific goals you have and why you want to achieve them , how you will achieve them,and what you will do to reward yourself when you achieve them ( it could be to take a bath, buy a cd etc), and also write down a long term goal. hows that for starters? then come report back here and let us know how you are doing!!!

I think what you have done is amazing Jennifer! And you have been a great motivator for me!

I know what you mean about people not recognizing you, I have lost only 50 pounds and people walk past me at work that I haven't seen in awhile and then a few days later realize who I am and comment that they didn't say anything to me because they didn't realize it was me!

I have before and after pics that I will post someday soon, they are pretty amazing for me to look at because I don't remember looking like that and that I think, is what scared me the most!

It happens so quickly, you just have to keep nutrition and health in the forefront of your mind daily otherwise you wind up gaining it all back without even realizing it!

Anyway, Great job Jen! I know you will be successful at keeping it off!

WAY TO GO!

great job too april. keep it up!!!! you have been a great motivator for me as well!!! dont think 50 pounds is a little amount of weight-it is alot!!! sometimes i wonder why people dont say anything but sometimes either people dont know what to say, dont know if it is right to say anything or they might not recognize me, but most importantly it doesnt matter b/c i did this for me not for them. like today i was at a place and for sure i saw people i hadnt seen in 2 years that i know noticed i lost weight and they didnt say a thing and i wondered why but i realized after its not my problem or business as to why they didnt. keep up the great work!!!!!!

Jennifer, reading these has been so inspiring, I am just starting at traineo but when I feel like I need some inspiration, all I have to do is go online and read stories like yours. Bravo to you, and thanks for sharing your story.