Ahhhh, Discipline. Not the spanking kind (altho that might be an interesting blog, huh?) I'm thinking about the focused, do what you have to do to achieve what you want to achieve kind of thing.
Now, I thought I had a pretty good grip on this discipline thing. I'm a goal guru, for one. I know inside out the wonders of setting a goal, applying SMART rules to it and the wonders of deadlines. These were tools I learned and honed long before I sold my first book, all in my quest to make sure I could handle the dream I was shooting for --a prolific career of 3-4 books published a year.
So it's not the goal setting that's tripping me up this week.
It's the discipline itself. The day to day ins and outs of doing that necessary work.
I'ts like losing weight... I know what I have to do, I just can't make myself do it. Yes, it's going to take 10 hours of exercise a week for me to see the scale budge. I've proven this to myself many times over the years. And yet the best I'm logging on the elliptical is 2 hours, max, each week. Why? I know better, how can I moan and whine when I know what it takes?
But it's harder and harder to get myself focused. To care about that goal of fitting in the favorite pair of jeans gathering dust on the back of my door in psuedo inspiration. I feel like I've been 
fighting against it so long, it no longer has that golden glow of achievability.
fighting against it so long, it no longer has that golden glow of achievability. And the longer I fight- and don't achieve my goal - the more it seems impossible. The less energy I have to put toward it, and the less faith I have that I'll ever achieve it (yes, I could be talking about writing here, but I'm really thinking of my weight loss fight... you can substitute writing if you want, though *g*). I've steadily gained weight since I started writing (okay, so maybe you can't substitute writing in this part LOL) and am so frustrated with this struggle, I just want to beat my head on the table. The table with no food on it, because I've restricted my eating so much I'm exisiting on air these days. It's a study in frustration and the easiest answer is to just buy bigger jeans... but I don't want to. Instead, I seem to want to keep
myself in this miserable quest for the right key that will unlock my missing discipline.
myself in this miserable quest for the right key that will unlock my missing discipline. Then, at my chapter meeting on Saturday the speaker, the amazing Stephanie Bond, mentioned weight and sitting metobolism. Widening asses seem to go hand in hand with writing, sadly. She fights it by taking her Alphasmart on the treadmill with her. I, the one who breaks my foot walking out the front door, am terrified to try this idea.
But it did get me thinking. There have to be other ways to respark my excitement and belief that the goal is achievable. There have to be other ideas that I can mine for discipline and focus that will help me on my way back into those jeans.
So... I'm begging for help. Inspiration, ideas, suggestions for finding that fabled discipline to lose weight. Or, barring that, diet and exercise tips *g*
95 comments:
THis is me in a nutshell
I'm at home at the moment and I thought I would have soo much more time to use our gym which we set up, but do you think I can? Nope.
So Tawny I'll join you in the trying to lose weight but feeling overwhelmed category. I know the effort I need to put in to get the results (I'm a HPE/Gym teacher) it's just priorities right now. My priorities aren't in the right place.
YAY, Natalie is going to keep me company on the frustration train ;-) Is it bad that I feel a smidge less frustrated now that I have company?
So as a gym teacher - any tips for sneaking exercise into our day?
Congrats on nabbing the bird, btw!
You know I didn't even think of the bird... isn't that sad, he's going to be neglected today. Or maybe he can peck his way onto the treadmill..
Do small ten minute exercises throughout the day. Ten sit ups when you're watching tv. When you have to walk down the hallway to get something do a couple of lunges (though don't do this if you're busting for the toilet, there tends to be dire consequences).
Hula Hoop with your kids - I learned how to make my own so now I'm trying to re-learn how to hula hoop, my kids think I'm hilarious.
Family fun time combined with exercise helps uplift your whole outlook on life.
Chuck out the crap from your fridge - you know what's good for you, get rid of that which isn't.
And finally lots and lots of water. It'll flush the toxins out, clean up your skin, and help get rid of bad body odour. (The more hydrated you are the less concentrated your sweat is in urea etc so it doesn't smell as bad)
Hope this helps.
Oh, Tawny, I am so with you on the weight gain discouragement. Time is NOT on our sides, unfortunately.
I, too, began gaining weight when I started writing. I thought it was impossible to eat and type on my laptop at the same time. Nope! Not so, very doable LOL.
I'm very faithful at exercise, however, and this is my secret. I love watching TV and have my favorite shows I will NOT miss no matter what. But I allow myself only to watch them while I'm on the treadmill, so I record them and watch them later in my little room set up with the treadmill, the TV, and the recorder.
It works for me! I usually clock about 1 1/2-2 hours a day.
Ooooh, great tips, Natalie! I love the situps throughout the day idea. Its so hard to carve out an hour (or hour and a half, which is more like the time it takes to budge my butt-size) each day to exercise, but the little bits here and there could really help.
ROFLMAO on the lunge-to-the-bathroom restriction, though!!
Jo... no no no, I refuse to acknowlege time. I simply refuse. I have to believe we have SOME option here. Or I have to believe it today, although last week I was perfectly willing to just go get bigger jeans and give it up.
I don't watch much TV, but do get certain shows on DVD and those are my exercise rewards. I'll have to get back to it, huh?
Ohoh, I do think Natalie's idea of lots of water is great, too. I drink iced tea by the gallon, but should up the water intake, huh?
Swap Iced tea for water for a week and watch the weight come off.
But without the caffiene, wouldn't the week of sleeping offset the benefits of water? *g*
I drink lots of water and gave up all sodas. That helps. I also buy lots of fruit (NO junk food) and reach for an apple or pear when I get the munchies. But, I don't deny myself completely. I set aside a day of the week when I'm allowed a small goodie (like one piece of chocolate or a WW fudge bar) after I've completed some exercise. If you go into total deprivation you're much more likely to crave those junky foods.
I'm a great procrastinator when it comes to exercise. I can always find an excuse for not doing it so a couple years ago I started treating it as an appointment. Just like a visit to my doctor or dentist, I write my exercise appointment in my planner as a scheduled appointment. I've found that it helps me in keeping that appointment. Also, I don't go to the gym more than 3 times a week. The other days I find fun things to do like playing ball with the dogs or the neighbor kids.
Natalie, a friend of mine started using a weighted hula hoop last spring and it's absolutely amazing how much her waist has changed since then. It's great exercise!
Tawny, isn't Stephanie wonderful? A total sweetheart and very motivating.
If you just can't force yourself to leave your chair, Tawny there are still lots of exercises you can do right there. Check this out.
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blofficeworkout.htm
http://exercise.about.com/cs/
exerciseworkouts/l/
blofficeworkout.htm
Sorry, part of the link got cut off in the last post. Let's try that again.
Actually a good nights sleep helps you lose weight. So getting off the caffeine will help you lose weight. Your body processes things at night, so if you're still moving around a lot it thinks you're in survival mode and will actually stack on the weight. It's the same as stopping eating, your body goes into extreme mode and anything that comes near your mouth goes into fat storage.
So stop drinking most of the tea for one week. Everything in moderation, and yes get plenty of sleep.
PJ, I just traded my glass of tea for water. I figure I should listen to Natalie LOL. We're vegetarians in my house, so we do eat alot of veggies and fruit, but I'll admit, carbs are a major downfall. Since my husband was diagnosed with some health issues, we've really stepped up our veggie and fruit intake though.
I like the appt to exercise idea - I tend to blow it off too easily. But I am thinking a combination of mini-exercise (Natalie's 10 situps) and the appt to hit the ellipitcal might make a difference.
and YES!!!Stephanie is amazing. I was so blown away by her information and she's just the sweetest gal. I'm a huge fat :-)
oh -and thanks for the link... I'm off to find some new ides. I was thinking about one of those bycicle peddlers that could sit under the desk *g*
Wow - Natalie, I wonder if sleep deprivation is playing into my problem? On deadline, I average 4-6 hours of sleep a night. My body is happy with 9, so its a major restriction. I feel like I've been sleeping nonstop since I turned in my last book.
Congrats Natalie have fun with him
Tawny I wish I could help but I gotta say I am hopless at exersice or dieting even thought they are things that I really should be doing.
The last time I got healthy and lost lots of weight I went to weight watchers I walked 30 mins everyday and I felt fantastic I have never been a small person but I did feel excellent after loosing the weight but unfortunatley things changed at work and I couldn't get to the weight watchers meetings and that is something that I need to encourage me.
Then there are all these wonderful books that you authors write for me to read and what can I say the books say read me more than I say go for a walk.
I wish you luck in your quest for discipline and hope I get some too.
Have Fun
Helen
Tawny sleep deprivation will do it to you every time. When you're tired you tend to eat more to stay awake only you don't remember eating more, you just go onto kitchen zombie mode (ala eat anything that doesn't move and some that do!)
Sleep, water, short ten minutes of exercise scattered throughout the day, you'll see a difference.
Oh and if the scales don't change but your clothes do, listen to your clothes - scales lie!
Sigh, we've been on the diet and excercise plan from h*ll at our house since last fall. The result a wopping 35# in a little over 14 months. Now this sounds like a lot, doesn't it? (I need to still lose twice that much...sigh)
So, hubby has me on a PACE excercise plan. I do all these stretching exercises, then I get on the exercise bike on level 1 for 2 minutes, then up to level 4 for 2 minutes, then back down to level 2 for 2 minutes, etc...for a total of 3 of each. Then he checks my heart rate a bunch of times, yadayadayada. The theory is your heart is going through the flight or fright cycle and you burn fat for the rest of the day after exercising. Of course he has us eating no pork, no seafood with shells, no snacks other than fruits and berries (I call it the Yogi Bear diet...and don't I want some picini baskets!). And of course drinking 120 oz of water a day. Let's just say the chocolate drawer in my office is NOT negotiable with the crazy man!!!!!
Tawny, I'm with you all the way on this! I wish I had some tips for you, but I don't because I'm a worse case than you--I did go and buy new jeans (twice). But today I went to the gym and I'm cutting down all the beautiful cakes and cookies I used to consume far too regularly. I've fallen off the wagon so many times, though, I'm not bragging. Just hoping to stick at it this time!
Seriously, if your tea isn't sweetened, you still can't have it? (I'm freaking out right about here.) Caffeine makes that much of a difference? (I feel the shakes starting already....)
I know sleep deprivation kills a diet. I remember snacking constantly in a vain effort to feel awake when the kids were little and I was up all night all the time.
I'm trying to lose some too--I'm being threatened with blood pressure meds by the doc, and want to try to deal with it "naturally" first. One of my secret tricks is my daughter's vegetable soup; it's just so good, I don't think of it as healthy, but she skims all the fat off.
Walking is my big downfall. It's getting dark earlier now, and when I come home from work I want to eat dinner and collapse into an early bed. Hibernation. ;)
Ah Tawny - such an uphill battle. I fight it all the time. I have clothes in my closet with little signs on them - things like - "you can wear this if you stop drinking coke for a month". Or "You can fit into this once you stop putting sour cream on your potatoes". Yeah, like that's going to happen.
Recently I hid the remote control to my TV and now I have to get up and change the channel. One of the many concessions I've made to my diet regimen. OH,but you don't watch much TV. Ok. So make your life a little bit harder. Do things like walk up the stairs, don't take the elevator. If you have to go shopping, park your car far away from the entrance so you have to walk a bit, the night before put the clothes you're going to wear in different parts of the house. You know pants in the living room. Socks in the attic, shoes in the basement. Then you have to walk all over the house to get dressed. I know sounds quirky, but it's those extra steps that help - especially when exercise equipment is gathering dust.
I hate exercise, too. But I do a lot of walking, because I have to work during the day. I hope to correct that one day, to where the work is all about writing. I think one big key to keeping weight off is eating right. And not over eating. It's tough to do, but once you cut out the crap, you usually feel better about yourself and more willing to get up on your feet. I also have a dog that likes to walk. He makes sure I get out on the weekends so I'm no hibernating with the computer.
Congrats Natalie, you have to keep an eye on the GR, if you neglect him he might plant bugs in your house.
I am a firm believer in the reward system. If I work that hard then I think I deserve a reward and the fact that I have an extra inch in the waistband of my jeans is not enough of a reward for me.
I didn't know about the sleep thing, it makes a lot of sense, sleep has never been my friend.
Now I have to do the water and sleep thing and see what it does for me. I started gaining wait when my job changed years ago and it never went away. I had to sit by a phone for 8 hours a day and the weight came on fast. Unfortunately it doesn't leave as quickly as it came to me.
Natalie, maybe the Golden Rooster can exercise with you today. *g*
Man, Tawny, you hit a sore spot today! I've found the only way to make myself exercise consistently is to do it with someone else. I've been working with a personal trainer for a couple of months, which is great because you HAVE to go to sessions and work hard.
At work, there are two ladies I walk with most every day. We force each other to go, else all of us would be tempted to stay indoors. It's still hard and I have lost no weight, but at least I'm not gaining weight, so that is a triumph.
Young people, I hate to tell you but once you turn 40, it gets harder to take weight off all the time and it piles up in the blink of an eye! Start exercising early and try to keep it off. It's the only way.
I am running (ok groggily shuffling) out of the house for a meeting on MY DAY OFF so will read everyone's comments when I get home...from my meeting on MY DAY OFF!
You mentioned in your post, Tawny about the bare table and existing on air. You do know that if you restrict your eating too severely, your body goes into survival mode. IT thinks you're starving and will then HOLD ONTO fat to survive.
I have been successful with Weight Watchers but even with that I find I do better if I eat my points spread out over about 6 small meals. Seems to stimulate the metabolism a bit that way.
See ya'll later because, you know, I'm going to a meeting on MY DAY OFF
:-)
Tawny - thanks for this post. I'm reading and gathering up sorely needed tips. I know getting enough sleep is a problem. I'm a night owl. I'm usually up at 2 AM. My husband gets up (and wakes me) and 5 AM, the dog gets me up at 7 AM, and the phone starts about 8 or 9 AM. Sleep is a problem.
I also live on diet Dr. Pepper so I'm guessing that caffeine is keeping me up at 2 AM. Going to all water will be tough - if only it had some taste :(
I'm also a social execiser. I love doing aerobics with a group and used to (last year) do three hour long classes a week. Then my son lost his license and I'm the chauffeur to get him to class on the other side of town. That has caused me to stop aerobics. Only two more months, though, and I'll be back at it. Hopefully, I'll be able to walk after such a long absence :)
Stephanie is a dear. Yes, I've heard her say that about her alphasmart and the treadmill. I have an alphasmart. I have a treadmill. But the treadmill is in the basement, and I just can't drive myself to exercise in that enviroment. I need windows. Am I alone in this?
I feel your pain, Tawny. I really do. I've struggled all my life with the diet and exercise thing and I'm really getting tired of it.
I know I need to get out and exercise for my health. But I'm feeling so stretched right now, it's nearly impossible. And I just took a part-time job, which is of course sitting in front of my laptop for 20 hrs a week.
I also don't have any home gym equipment right now. I used to do Jazzercise (and loved it) but that takes up most of morning with travel time and shower time added in. So I told myself I would get out and walk every day at 7:30 when my son leaves for school. Yeah, that happened for about the first 3 weeks of school.
Needless to say, I need some motivation too. Help!
Donna, your opinion of water reminds me of my late dh. He used to say, "If it's colorless, odorless and tasteless, why bother?" (grin)
Have you tried adding a lemon slice to a glass of water? It might make it more palatable for you.
Thank goodness it's not just me. I keep telling myself, this year I'm going to lose the weight. I'll manage 10 lbs and then...well laziness sets in (and winter). But it's true, it's all about discipline. And if you want it enough, you'll do it. I want it, but apparently not QUITE enough. Sigh
Hey, Tawny!
First, I'm so sorry you're frustrated with your weight. I know how awful that feels when the numbers on the scale shock you & your clothes don't fit. I nursed my kids for almost two years each & I hated the extra padding my body insisted on holding onto until I weaned them. (Apparently your metabolism thinks of it as emergency rations for the baby.)
I think you have plenty of discipline. Maybe too much if you're living on air & self-denial. Especially if you're living on 4-6 hours a week of sleep. Yikes.
Have you tried getting away from the elliptical & doing something unusual & fun? I recently took up Irish dancing & I was shocked at what an intense work out it was. I was surprised to wake up all sore & creaky the next morning because I'd been having so much fun. I hadn't realized I was working so hard.
Worth thinking about, anyway.
Weight Watchers--I highly recommend.
I got bored with it though and lost my discipline. I got it back when A) I gained all my weight back; and B) hooked up with an old friend who also needed to lose weight. The catch? She lived across the country so we email each other inspiration and our weigh ins. The BONUS? She's not close enough to go, "Gosh, I think we should go eat Chinese food because this week sucked..." and then we do. *LOL* Because I can be a social eater. Every week I know my friend is looking for me to succeed in some regard: lose weight, go to the gym, drink all my water...whatever.
Plus we have that girly goal of looking so darned hot that the men who dumped us are going to be so freaking sorry.
Susan has a great idea! Try something fun that requires you walk a little.
Tawny it sounds like your family is eating a lot of healthy things. What we do in our house is we don't have anything to eat that comes in a package or is ready made. In essence we have to cook it first to eat it. Since I do not plan on spending my entire life in the kitchen, it cuts down on what we eat, how much we eat, and we avoid all the sugars pre-packaged food has, and of course, there's no junk food in the house.
Here's what I use Tawny:
"It doesn't matter whether I want to do it or I don't want to do. I just do it. Instead of spending time thinking about it, just do it. Schedule a time slot for exercise every day and then show up and just do it."
A shout-out to Natalie for the chook.
Tawny, I've been fighting the weight fight lately, too. Yuck.
My new discipline is simple and seems to be working. Write/treadmill/write/treadmill. Eating and sleeping go in there somewhere, too, but the thing is, if I'm not writing, I climb on the treadmill (which is the only place I'm now "allowed" to watch TV). Treadmill is my break from writing and writing is my break from treadmill. On a perfect day, I write as many pages as I do laps. I've yet to see a perfect day, but I do regularly do 2 hours a day on the treadmill (which also translates to 2 hours of TV).
Having a treadmill sitting in my family room, facing my TV set, is the best money I've ever spent.
Hey Tawny! Urg. Discipline. Urg. I have to agree with whoever said I think you are incredibly disciplined. You just have to find some fun ways to be active and DON'T skip meals, especially breakfast. :> I couldn't lose weight until I started back to the martial arts. Walking isn't enough to drop the pounds for me and I need something that engages the mind as well as the body. So, Karate works for me!
However, I have a friend who suggested that the wide-arse/writing connection could be broken by sitting on an exercise ball for part of the writing time. The need for balance and keeping the ball still uses fine muscles and keeps the blood moving somewhere besides the brain. Ha!
I'm going to try it today, since writing that here reminded me of it! I'll let you know how it goes.
Hey Natalie, congrats on the well-trimmed, very svelte bird. He maked me ill he's in such good shape...although all that time at Fedora's and he might have put on a pound or two...hmmmm
I hear you girl! I am the same why I can not loose weight. I know for me to loose I have to live on salaids and exercise all the time. Right now I am walking about two miles a day and I know that is not enough. I know I need to cut out all carbs and eat a lot of salaid but I can't seem to make myself do it. Those midnight snacks while I am reading doesn't help much either.
Helen, I know Weight Watchers has been amazing for a lot of people! I've tried it without success, but my husband lost easily on it so we still apply a lot of the principles to our eating :-)
and LOL on the books. Hey, I never thought about them adding to the readers weight as well as our own. Thats too funny!!
PACE, Suz? I'm so intrigued. How cool that your husband is your coach! LOL about the emergency chocolate in your drawer. I hear that. I have very little in the house, but it does help to have it there just in case.
and OMG WHOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO congrats on the 35#!! Thats awesome.
Ok, I'm trying to get over the shock that PJ...purveyor of the best d*mn chocolate candy/turtles eats WW bars!!!!!!
I wish I had someplace to put a treadmill in my house. I don't have a family room only a living room and it's not big. I belong to a gym but the "umph" to get in the car, drive, exercise, get back in the car, fight traffic, struggle with the steering wheel NOT to go into the Mickey D's and come back...just wears me out.
Giving up the Diet Coke is hard. I am drinking smaller sizes but it is THE comfort food that gets me through the DDJ.
No matter whether you do WW or something else, you hav to STICK to it.
I found while we were in SF that portions at resturants were SO much closer to normal portions than ANY resturant here in KY. There were a lot more healthy choices too. (Southern = fried).
I also agree with Natalie to try not to weigh that often. How your clothes feel will do more for your ego than a number.
Oh, and I attended a workshop by Stephanie Bond at M&M....the opportunity for injury while typing AND treadmilling dissuaded me from buying an AlphaSmart.
Though I did snag onto some of the goal setting she talked about...
I'd rather have excercise bike in front of a tv than treadmill...
Hm. Natalie told you to drink lots of water, but recently I read from a newspaper that you can actually end up in the hospital if you drink TOO much like some people seem to do these days, because it upsets the balance of your body. After all, you do need to have some amount of salts and stuff in your system. Drink when you are thirsty, don't try to force down more than your body really needs. And healthy food doesn't have to taste bad. There are plenty of spices. And you can look ideas from the kitchens of other countries, like Italy, Asian countries... I rather like those foods with lots of vegetables made in a wok.
Christine, don't you wish we could use the same discipline to exercise as we do to write? I wish wish wish I could spread it around and do both. Sometimes I feel like its an either or proposition :-P
But GO YOU on getting to the gym!!! YAY :-)
LOL - Gillian, c'mon over to my side with that pitcher of unsweetened tea. I'm in the same boat!! But... here's my thought. Compromise. Really ;-) Tea all morning, stop at 5 and switch to water. I think that'd help with the sleep, too.
We're in the same boat with the blood pressure in my house (dh, not me) and really trying to make major diet changes. I'd love your daughters veggie soup recipe :-D
ROFL Marisa, I'm picturing my naked trek through the house becuase I forgot which room I left my underwear in ;-) I like it...
I love the idea of little bribe talking. I can easily work a "if you just exercise for 30 on the elliptical every day, you can fit in that cute top by next month"
Thanks - self talk is a great tool and a major motivator, and one I forget all the time :-D
thanks, Tiffany :-) I love the idea of hauling the dogs out to walk. Mine are lazy, but it'd do them just as much good as it would me. I'm adding that to my weekend itinerary *g*
LOL @ Joanie! Hey, those WW Fudge Bars are GOOD! :)
Tawny, I wouldn't walk half as much if I didn't have dogs. My two Labs drag me out every morning and evening and it does all of us good.
minna,
You're right, if you overdo the water drinking you can wash out all the sodium in your body...water toxicity is a life threatening condition.
However, you'd have to drink GALLEONS more than the 8-10 8oz a day recommended.
LOL @ Joanie! Hey, those WW Fudge Bars are GOOD! :)
Yeah, but they sure aren't turtles!!!
Dianna, I think stress is a major factor in weight. Its scary and one of those vicious cycles. Even if we dont turn to food in times of stress, just the act of stressing out seems to gather fat from the air and pad it onto my hips :-(
However, you'd have to drink GALLEONS more than the 8-10 8oz a day recommended.
Evidently, some people manage to do just that.
Caren, my schedule is so wonky I've given up on joining a gym and instead set one up at home. I've got the equipment, weights, bowflex and an elliptical here at home (I had a treadmill but when I broke my foot I couldnt' handle the stress of running - for me, the elliptical doesn't seem to be quite as intense).
But like you, I do better with someone whipping me along. I might see if I can find a personal trainer. That'd help, huh?
btw, I'm still ignoring the age issue.
Tawny said: stressing out seems to gather fat from the air and pad it onto my hips :-(
Actually, hate to say it, but it does, in some ways. Stress produces cortisol in the body and cortisol holds weight because it's that fight/flight/famine thing.
My friend, the fabulous looking one who looks great with seemingly no effort, recommends 45 minutes of meditation every day. She keeps quoting Deepak Choprha at me: We spend so much time being a Human Doing and a Human Going, you must spend time as a Human, just BEING.
Of course, she does it with an Indian accent, coming from a tall willowy blond. Verrrrrry funny.
Problem? I hate to meditate almost as much as I dislike drinking water. :>
Awwww, JoanieT - meetings on your day off? Thats just wrong!!
Good point on the restrictions. I'm careful to get healthy foods in, but to be honest, its easy to forget to eat during writing binges. I've read a lot of good info on eating small meals through out the say and haven't ever managed to do that. I'm adding it to the list of things to do :-D
Donna, we're twins :-D Except the DH wakeup - mine kisses me goodbye and tries to hold conversations at 6am, but I never remember them LOL.
On the water, I've heard a lot of WW people talk about crystal light - adding that to the water, or adding lemon, seems to be a good thing? I'm a total water-only gal, so I never tried it.
I think I'd be with you on the needing light to exercise. But I'm easily pacified with a TV LOL. If I can watch DVDs or something tempting (Johnny Depp?) I can overcome the lack of windows. Maybe. hmm... I think I need a basement so I can find out. (a basement is my dream, honestly!! I want one so bad and they just don't have them in CA)
Hey Tawny,
You are one of the most disciplined people I know! If YOU can't fit in the exercise, then there is NO HOPE for a lazy sloth and confirmed Pepsi-aholic like your olde Aunty. ;-)
Congrats on the GR Natalie! Can't hurt to try and teach on old bird some new habits.
AC
Oh Tawny, most days I want to kill the man, or at least smack the crap out of him! And try to adjust cooking to his crazy list of accepted foods. UGH!!
And as for the chocolate? My motto is chocolate or homicide, you choose!
Christie, have you thought about exercise videos? I've got a catalog of them here, but don't have the space in my house so I'm iffy on trying some.
Hugs on the frustration. I'd say we could get together and drown it with chocolate, but that does defeat the purpose *g*
sigh, Beverley. You hit the nail on the head. I want it. I want want want it soooo bad. But failed attempt after failed attempt have whittled away at my faith that its going to happen.
In other words, I have plenty of excuses to not be disciplined LOL
Susan, Irish dancing? OMG how fun!! I'd love to watch YOUR energy dancing that way. I'll bet its amazing and so fun.
You know, I wonder if falling back on the elliptical is just lazy thinking? I'm going to see what kind of fun stuff I can come up with to incorporate -- especially if I can find ways to do it in random 10 minute sessions like Natalie suggested.
Ms Hellion, friends are a blessing, aren't they?! How cool that you have that kind of encouragment and suport!! and LOL I love your end goal *g* Way to rock it!
Well, I just had my nap interuppted by a dude going door to door selling meat and chicken from a freezer in the back of his pick up!
Uh, no thanks.
I must have fallen asleep for a bit because I dreamed that Susan said she'd taken up Irish dancing???
I can't IMAGINE getting my knees to spin around like that!
Maria, GREAT advice! We live pretty close to that now. I'm anti-prepackaged food, altho I do tend to fall off that wagon when it comes to vegetarian offerings like the Morningstar Farms veggie sausuage or burgers.
We're not as good with the junk food *g* I'll admit there's a bag of whole wheat tortilla chips in the pantry LOL.
Since we made this shift, I've noticed a huge difference not only in energy but in attitudes. Everyone just seems to feel better.
Keira... you are a wise woman with wise words.
and great discipline ;-)
Claudia -wow!! 2 hours?! You're kicking butt. And reigning in that writers but at the same time LOL.
I love your process. It sounds like its really making a difference for you, too.
Hey, Natalie, congrats on the chook!
The weight thing is something I've conquered. My mantra is there's more of me to love these days ;-) Not helping, Tawny?
Let me tell you, reading all these comments sure makes me feel better. I've been battling weight since I was 11. I managed to take off 20 to 30lbs about five years ago but have put most of it back on. I was good until that "buying a size up in jeans" thing hit. Then I got mad.
I'm working really hard on controlling the eating and I've taken some of the weight back off. But the exercise is my mountain. What kills me is, back when I lost before, I did it with a pilates video from Denise Austen. 22 minutes three times a week. That's sounds easy, right?
So why can't I make myself do that again?! *sigh* My new apartment complex has a fitness center. I'm going to start going there. Someday. Really. I am. Really.
I drink nothing but water which is what annoys me about not losing. I've been doing that for 15 years. I don't gain much, but I don't lose either.
And I only recently learned about the sleep thing. My daughter is having her tonsils out because they are huge and cause sleep apnea. They explained that one of the benefits of her getting a better nights sleep will be weight loss. I had no idea.
As far as the water thing, I've discovered Propel. It's made by Gatorade and a 16 oz bottle has only 25 calories. I actually find them a little too sweet so a drink a litte and then add some regular water. That way I get more water in me plus a lot of B vitamins.
This discussion is so timely. This time last year I swore I had had enough and it was time for the weight to come off. Surprise, surprise, it is a whole year later and I weigh more than I did last year. What's worse is that the reason today was my draw a line in the sand day, is that it is my birthday. I am a whole year older as well as heavier and once again I have had enough.
I've done them all - Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, the Atkins Diet, you name it I have probably tried it - and I have decided that I am my own worst enemy and until I get my head into the right space there is no way the weight is going to come off.
Sorry, that isn't much help to you Tawny, but rest assured I am reading all the comments with interest and thinking I am going to try some of these ideas. I do have a treadmill and an alpha smart, and my new puppy arrives in about 7 weeks, so I think I shall make walking my focus for now.
Good luck to everyone trying hard to lose weight - at least we know we are not alone.
For me, weight loss boils down to one thing. Stop. Eating. Bread. And refined sugar.
If I stop eating bread (I can have pasta and other complex carbs, but not leavened bread. I can have honey or raw sugar, but not refined.) my body chemistry shifts and I drop weight like crazy. It takes about a month for the chemistry to shift, and that is a month of pure hell because I could eat raw dough, but once that four weeks of not eating bread has passed, I will start to lose weight. I can have anything else I want. It's just the freaking BREAD. I have done this diet twice and feel great on it, lose weight, have energy, and rest better at night.
But OMG I love bread. :0/
But as far as exercise, what Susan said:
Have you tried getting away from the elliptical & doing something unusual & fun? I recently took up Irish dancing & I was shocked at what an intense work out it was. I was surprised to wake up all sore & creaky the next morning because I'd been having so much fun. I hadn't realized I was working so hard.
This is the key for me. I HATE the gym, though I have had a personal trainer who kicked my butt before. I love to walk, play tennis, do SOMETHING. I hate the treadmill. I need the exercise to be fun. I don't like tv so that's not helpful.
Exercise needs to be fun, and I have to stop eating bread. Damn nutritionist put me on this diet and I HATE it, but it sure works. I can lose weight without the exercise if I don't eat bread. I'm not making any health gains that way, but I can.
For me, it's all about the bread. WAAAAAAH. :0(
I'm with La Campbell! There is more of me to love. Unfortunately there is also more of me to try to dress well and to chase dogs that are smaller, lighter and younger than I am - even in dog years!
Jeanne, I can't wait to hear how the ball sitting does for you. I've heard this before, and have tried it but everytime I do, I fall off *g* Might have something to do with the fact that I write sitting cross-legged, huh?
I like the idea of engaging the mind and body.
*sigh* Virginia... I hear ya. I do love salads, but they get old. I have a horrible time cutting out carbs, altho I've done it a few times and after a few months just give up when there is no result to celebrate :-D
But... keep reading, even if you cut back on those midnight snacks LOL>
Joan, at one time I had a small mini-trampoline that I stored under my bed to exercise at home when I had a small apt. It helped alot, and I might want to rethink that now, huh?
I think the stick with it stuff falls in that discipline column ;-) I'm still struggling there.
btw, lets talk goals baby!!
Minna, ack. Thats a scary thought. hmmmm... maybe we should stick with the tea LOL.
I do love the taste of healthy food though.
Turtles... tell me more about turtles (yes, its sick and crazy to torture myself like this LOL)
Jeanne... you're right. Meditation is a huge blesing, such a great thing for mind, body and spirit. I love to meditate. I wish I did it more. *sigh* another thing to toss into the "need discipline" column. maybe knowing it'd help with weight control will be the push I need, huh?
this list is getting long LOL
LOL Auntie Cindy... I wish I was as disciplined as you think I am ;-)
Suz, ROFLMAO on wanting to smack your awesome trainer ;-) Talk about not being able to hide from being disciplined! and I hear ya on the chocolate. Its all about quality and quantity. Very little of very good chocolate goes a long way.
Turtles. PJ's turtles.
Little pieces of heaven made from scratch. Homemade caramel, REAL pecans, white or milk chocolate bodies...
Thunk.
Sorry I just gained a pound thinking about it.
ROFL Fo... I'm on the edge of embracing that mantra myself... the only problem is I'd have to embrace it naked cause I can't swing new clothes.
Awww, Terrio. You and me both. I lost a great deal of weight after having my youngest daughter by doing TONS of exercise, but very little dieting. Its total frustration, isn't it?
I just can't get myself into the exercise habit *sigh*
I have to, I know thats key unless I want to admit that age thing is playing in. And I refuse LOL.
Sending good thoughts for your daughter's surgery!! I hope she feesl much better afterward.
Iona, first off HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Secondly, hugs :-( on the frustrations. To be honest, I'm bummed this isn't just me. Usually I like company, but not in misery.
But you're so right that it always has to come down to our mindset and determination. That darned discipline thing again.
I hope we nail it this time!!! It sounds like your'e off to a good start :-)
btw, what kind of puppy?
Cassandra, you're tiny. No bread obviously works well for you :-(
I get what you're saying about the fun exercise, but see, I'm more a freak who likes the monotony of the gym equipment LOL. I'm seriously not competitive so things like tennis, etc don't entice me. But the walking the dogs does in a huge way.
LOL Louisa :-) I hear ya... Its hard to catch those darned dogs, too.
Homemade turtles? Like, with real homemade caramel?
oooooooohhhhhh baby!!!!!
I just got back from a Spin class and now am shattered, but in a good way. Tawny I think just find something that you like doing and go out and do it. Enjoy what you do or you'll soon find excuses not to do them.
No sodas, not even diet. I hear they make you crave more. I drink water, black coffee (freshly ground so it's good) and a glass of red wine with dinner (I'm not as hungry when I have wine) and my newest secret is activia yogurt. It really fills me up and it's good for you too. Good luck.
I'm always striving for more discipline. Wish I knew the secret - especially since I have a book due soon *g*
As far as exercising, I love my treadmill and will watch DVD's (I'm on a huge Supernatural kick at the moment) or other shows I've taped. When I get tired of TV, I'll rent movies. It really makes it so much easier for me to get off my butt and on the treadmill
:-)
My biggest problem is that I'm so scheduled, if something else comes up and messes with my schedule, I'll blow off exercising instead of just doing it at a different time. but I'm working on that and am getting better about making time each day to move *g*
Turtles? Did someone say turtles? Joanie? PJ? I adore turtles!
Natalie -thats a great point. I'm going on a quest to find my fun exercise. I used to love to do step aeorobics, but my living room is too small to maneuver in so I gave it up.
YAY that you loved spinning... way to show us how to work the discipline ;-)
Yow, discipline? NOT my strong suit... My only exercise these days (when we aren't running too late) is walking back and forth from the kids' school one or more times a day. Anything other than that has fallen by the way side (so to speak). Oh, actually the one other thing is a ballet class, once a week. So maybe if you find a class that seems fun, it'd be easier to make sure you go and do it :)
Congrats on the GR, Natalie! How did he do today? Did you whip him into shape?
Fedora, at least walking the kids to school is exercise. I homeschool so my walk is to the family room LOL.
Ballet class? Are you taking it? that is so cool!!!
Sorry, I have no discipline. In fact, I have negative discipline. I'm a discipline suck that causes others around me to lose their discipline. :P
And I'm whining b/c it's nearly 3 am and I still have to read for class [and sleep]
OMG ROFLMAO - negative discipline, Limecello? Tooooo funny.
*g* good luck with your reading. Its 1am and I'm just now getting started on my revisions for the day -scary since I need at least 50 pages. But work and life took over so here I am, middle of the night, blowing the get good sleep advice already.
It's not easy to loose weights. Now I taking acomplia for weight loss and loose few kilos.
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