New and looking for motivation

AL8098

Hi, I'm new to this board but have been stalking posts on The Knot for quite some time.

I never seemed to have an issue with weight, could always lose easily by controlling what I ate and actually lost my appetite when I was stressed rather than turning to food.  So exercise has never been a big (or even little) party of my life.  Then I turned 30!  Now I'm at a weight that I am not comfortable with (highest weight I've ever been in my life) and stress seems to send me running to food...not a good way to start out an engagement and wedding planning!

So I'm looking for motivation....what keeps you motivated?  What eating habits, diets or exercise regimens work for you?  I can't afford a gym so thats not an option and my FI talks about losing weight as well but so far all he's been is talk...as I know once he starts working out, he'll lose weight quickly and easily.  So I gotta do this on my own, for me....you'd think that would be enough motivation wouldn't you?!  Please help!!

lgrn22

Its so hard for me to stay motivated to work out. Its much easier if you have someone with you to do it. Drag you FI along or a friend. Go for walks during lunch/after dinner. Dont keep anything unhealthy in your house. If its not there you cant eat it. Lots of squats and lunges. Get some Dvds and do them. Up beat music helps alot. Idk.
Good luck

alyssaravensmommy

The thing that probably kept me the most motivated was one day when my fiance and I were playing around he had accidently pushed on my stomach and said "Dang you are really starting to get hard muscle under there." For some reason that made me feel really good. Plus I constatnly see those cute victoria secret commericals and I really want to look like that. So there for, I have been working out every day. Somedays I don't have time for cardio and etc, but I always make sure if I can't do my hour or more excerise that I at least do all together a 100 crunches (different stlyes, ones that work your upper abs, lower abs, and both). I'm trying to eat better. More fruits, veggis, Special K protein shakes which taste really good. I don't go to a gym either. If you have time warner cable got to channel 426. A whole bunch of free excerises with really good trainers like Jillian Micheals, Jackie Warner, etc. They kick your butt too! I love them though.

AraDesi

I never stuck to a workout routine ever until this year. Two things motivated me:

1 - After a few weeks of working out I felt so much better! I felt like I had more energy and I felt more fit - so if I ever wanted to stay in bed instead of work out, I'd remind myself I wanted to keep that feeling.

2 - Like the pp, my fiance is a big motivation as well. He helps me stick to eating healthier foods, and comments like "wow, your arms are starting to look really nice!" are a huge motivation to keep at it

I started out doing tae bo videos on youtube (MWF) along with pilates videos (also from youtube) on T Th (I love Erin Huggins videos). That got me started, then I began trying videos from sparkpeople.com and exercisetv.tv and a couple of Jillian Michaels videos (love the 30 day shred).

My fiance was very adamant about starting slow so I didn't get hurt. I'm glad I didn't try to do tae bo every day, it was nice to have the pilates in between and I didn't push myself too hard. That's another thing that can burn you out is pushing yourself too hard too fast.

Good luck, you can do it!

PeonyPrincesskdd

I made it so that I now feel that skipping out on my daily walk is NOT an option. 

I have to squeeze it in there some how.  Even if I am going at 8 at night.  I need to get that walk in no matter what. 

You ask what is motivation?  Well I go to the beach every weekend and see people with bodies like Jessica Alba, Carrie Underwood etc. 

So I do 4 miles every day and sometimes it takes an hour or sometimes 75 minutes max.

The previous poster is right.  Don't carry any junk in the house.  Eat only clean foods and not processed foods.  I pack snacks like baby carrots and grapes.  And eat yogurt and granola.  Lean protein, fish, the occasional 93% lean beef burger.

If you said exericse is your downfall though, you need to start up and not just for getting in shape for the wedding.  It needs to be a daily thing.  A lifetime change. 

It needs to be something that you do now.  I find I can squeeze in an hour after dinner.  It's less humid at that time anyway and it's relaxing and peaceful to get an hour or me time and leave husband and toddler at home to bond and hang out together.  They need that time together.  It's one hour.  I read somewhere that a mother felt guilty going out until she realized that she needed that one hour.

One hour a day everyday will really help.

Keep checking the boards and see what others have to say. 

You don't need a gym.  You can either get your cardio outside like bike, walk, run or do some videos inside like jillian michael's which seems to be one of the most popular one's that people on here have tried. 

PeonyPrincesskdd

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_new-looking-motivation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:818b792e-8fa6-4528-ba1b-f06e2c0a2f53Post:46f2b9ae-5ff2-492a-aa0d-3b13b5204c6c">Re: New and looking for motivation</a>:
[QUOTE]The thing that probably kept me the most motivated was one day when my fiance and I were playing around he had accidently pushed on my stomach and said "Dang you are really starting to get hard muscle under there." For some reason that made me feel really good. Plus I constatnly see those cute victoria secret commericals and I really want to look like that. So there for, I have been working out every day. Somedays I don't have time for cardio and etc, but I always make sure if I can't do my hour or more excerise that I at least do all together a 100 crunches (different stlyes, ones that work your upper abs, lower abs, and both). I'm trying to eat better. More fruits, veggis, Special K protein shakes which taste really good. I don't go to a gym either. If you have time warner cable got to channel 426. A whole bunch of free excerises with really good trainers like Jillian Micheals, <strong>Jackie Warner</strong>, etc. They kick your butt too! I love them though.
Posted by alyssaravensmommy[/QUOTE]


Allyssaraven-

Yes.  I bought a Jackie Warner dvd from walmart.  She is a celebrity trainer who gets paid like $400 an hour.  And I got the video but I didn't try it yet, but at least I have it ready to do it one of these days.  How did you like her video???

alyssaravensmommy

I really love her and Jackie Warner. Jillian is super good, she'll kick your butt, but you feel good afterwards knowing you actually finished it! The 30 day shreds are a killer, it'll take your breath away. I really love her boost metabolism though, it's a lot of kick boxing and what not. I find it really fun. Her quick trouble zone is also really good. You constantly have weights in your hands while you're doing lunges and etc. I highly recommended her. Be prepared for some hurting though until you get a bit more use to her. I think you'll enjoy her. Let me know

PeonyPrincesskdd

Joy-

You can always run at night.  I see you are from PHL.. I am in South Jersey right over the bridge.

Therefore I hear ya.

I run at night.  Usually 7 or 7:30 or 8 pm.

I make sure to be back by 9 pm.. aiming for 8:45

I run/walk 4 miles in my development and I feel accomplished if I can do it under an hour. 

It usually takes me 60-70 minutes.

Anyway, since you are a runner, what are your mile times.. How long does it take you to run a mile.. what is good for a beginner like me.. etc.

IN the meantime, it's good you have some indoor work outs you can do

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_new-looking-motivation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:818b792e-8fa6-4528-ba1b-f06e2c0a2f53Post:35dcd15a-0c57-46bd-a29f-d2605d0ba99a">Re: New and looking for motivation</a>:
[QUOTE]Joy- You can always run at night.  I see you are from PHL.. I am in South Jersey right over the bridge. Therefore I hear ya. I run at night.  Usually 7 or 7:30 or 8 pm. I make sure to be back by 9 pm.. aiming for 8:45 I run/walk 4 miles in my development and I feel accomplished if I can do it under an hour.  It usually takes me 60-70 minutes. Anyway, since you are a runner, what are your mile times.. How long does it take you to run a mile.. what is good for a beginner like me.. etc. IN the meantime, it's good you have some indoor work outs you can do
Posted by PeonyPrincesskdd[/QUOTE]

Yeah... it's a pain to try to find a time I was okay with running.  I finally settled on 7pm.  I'm a little uneasy at running outside after dark.  I'll probably have to get used to it once daylight savings time goes away... haha!  Thanks for the advice!

I read your post the other day about how you go to Ocean City every weekend.  I go there every summer as well.  Mack and Manco pizza is awesome!!

PeonyPrincesskdd

Yeah there pizza is definatley good.  I love it there and that is why I have to eat so healthy and exercing during the week so I don't feel guilty indulging on the weekends. 

kysnowbird

Hi Joy and Peony. I hear you on the Mack and Manco's. I used to spend a lot of time in Somers Point, and there's nothing like a slice of their pizza. I have one of their T-shirts, but feel kinda silly because I mostly wear it to the gym (the last place you want to think about delicious pizza!)

angiehascandles

Hi everyone!  I am new to this post!  I am in need of some motivation.  I have recently started on the New Atkins diet.  I am liking it so far and have dropped 3 lbs in the first 3 weeks (i seem to indulge a little bit to much on the weekends). 

I will start dress shopping around January so I am hoping to lose at least 20-25 pounds by then.

Any advice is always great!

I agree about Jillian Michael's she kicks butt!!!!

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_new-looking-motivation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:818b792e-8fa6-4528-ba1b-f06e2c0a2f53Post:f10914ef-a063-4b8a-b955-19af09118012">Re: New and looking for motivation</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi Joy and Peony. I hear you on the Mack and Manco's. I used to spend a lot of time in Somers Point, and there's nothing like a slice of their pizza. I have one of their T-shirts, but feel kinda silly because I mostly wear it to the gym (the last place you want to think about delicious pizza!)
Posted by kysnowbird[/QUOTE]

I so need to buy one of those shirts.  Yes.

patreato

So I have been in your shoes completely!! You would think getting married you would have all the motivation in the world to get in shape! The stress of wedding planning can be very difficult to deal with!  My fiance and I talked about getting shape for ever!   The thing is that you have to make a commitment to a life style change, its not easy, its really hard but to make a change you have to make that commitment just like getting married.  You don't need to buy a gym membership, you have the great outdoors to run and exercise in! Honestly the best and hardest workout is for me running on the beach, its hard and free to do! Just think of how amazing you will look in your dress!! You can do it!!