I have no motivation, give in to cravings, and too busy to work out!

amanda1611t

I need help with some advice. I weight 180 and I want to be between 130 and 140 for my wedding in October. I have no motivtion to work out, I try to resist cravings but cannot, and because of my schedule there is no time for the gym. I am a nanny from 8-6 M-F a journalist on the weekends and I am the head of a non profit group. 

Not only do I need advice as to what to do to loose some weight, I am also wondering when should I go to have my dress fitted if I am marrying in October? How long do I have to loose this weight?

jennipea382

I can't help on the dress fittings since I don't have a dress yet, but maybe I can help with the weight loss. I'm in the same boat. I weigh about the same as you and eventually I'd like to get to the same goal as you but I'd be fine with 150. I used to weigh around 120 when I start college so although I don't need to be that small again, I need to get rid of this excess!

The best advice I have is really make that effort to eat better. I know it's hard, trust me. I just went to the gas station and while I was there I picked up a couple pops and some sour gummy worms. Not so much health food.. haha.

What I'm trying to do is eat the junk food in moderation and add in some good food where I can. When I eat chips or something, I've taken that extra step to put some in a bowl so I don't overeat. I like to make rice (brown rice, yummy), and recently I bought some carrots, broccoli and onions to add into it for some extra veggies. Small steps can be a great start.

I'm also trying to cut back on pop (and other sugary drinks) and drink more water. That's another piece of advice - drink a glass of water when you feel hungry, let it settle, and see if you still want some food. That's something I'm working on. Making changes to your diet (without going on a crazy diet) is going to make a huge difference.

If you're a nanny, is there anything you could do with the kids to get some extra activity in? Go for a walk, run around with them at the park, stuff like that. That little extra movement can do a lot. If not, maybe go for a walk after dinner, pop in a workout DVD (Jillian Michaels has some great quick workouts like 30 Day Shred, only 20 min a day and it's ok to skip days if you need to), something like that. If you have a gaming system, there are some awesome games to get a little exercise in. I just tried my new Dance Central game for the Xbox and I love it! It's fun and gets you moving.

Honestly, there's no need to go to the gym. Some people get motivated by going to the gym (I know it helps me sometimes but I can't afford it right now), but it seems that it's not a huge motivator for you. Just put 20-30 min into your daily schedule a few times a week and try your best to stick to it.

As I said, I know it's hard. I'm a procrastinator and I'm constantly tired, so I totally get not wanting to work out. But today I just did a little bit and I feel great now that it's over with. You can do it! :-)

Lafleches

We are on the same boat! I am 180 and would like to be at least 150 by May! Ahh!! I am doing the P.I.N.K system (recommended by Dr. Phil). I am preparing to start my PINK on Jan 5th. I love the idea and I had proven it even I haven't give it a full GO! Low calories intake per day - fruits, veggies and lean proteins - no exercise for 2 weeks, you will see result!

About fittings, you would want to give your dress to the seamstress about 4 weeks before the wedding day - Since then you will have at least 2 other fittings up until a couple of days before your day.

Let me know if you need help on the dress and if you need a very reliable seamstress and affordable, too! I know the dress part will be a huge hassle part of the wedding. I'm glad that I did that part last October for my wedding in Indonesia. Lots of research and looking! OMG! And now onto planning another one for May in OC. But the dress part will only be a piece of cake matter to me this time!

Good luck, girl!
Mayco

CarleyBo

I know the celebrity and pop-culture diet/workout fads may seem appealing, but think about a lifestyle of food and exercise that you can see yourself comitting to now AND after your wedding.  If motivation is low now, it will be even lower after your big day. 
Small steps are the key- eat little but often, make your snacks fruits which will help fill you up in between meals.  Do yoga and pilates to help tone your muscles (I went the dvd route), but if you want significant weight loss, you must do cardio of some kind. 
If you have a smart phone, download the "Lose It" app.  It will help you set goals and tell you what your daily caloric intake should be to meet your weight goal.  This also helps you understand how long you need to do a physical activity to burn X calorie.  (i.e. for my body weight, I only burn ~100 calories per mile I run)
Do some research into the nutrition facts of the restaurants you frequent....it's scary but necessary.  If you're serious about losing weight, find a program you can stick to after you say "I do"- you (and your hubby) will be happier if its something that becomes a lifestyle rather than a wedding fad.  Good Luck!

MerAndTrick

Weight loss is 70% diet and 30% gym.

And when you are in the gym, since you have little time focus on strength exercises... and when I say that I mean, heavy weights and low reps.  This will cause you to put on some muscle and have a higher resting metabolic rate... read more calories burned even while you sleep.  And no, it will not make you bulky.  Unless you are on certain supplements, women can't get bulky because we lack testosterone.  

Also, the idea of using the kids as exercise is a GREAT idea.  Lift the kids... pick them up and do air squats, use them as the weights and develop "sets"... "I will hold them and do 3 sets of 20 air squats today with their weight."  Run around after them... Heck, they will probably love getting to "play" so much!

In terms of food...  well, just antiup.  It takes willpower... learn it.  Do this... select one bad for you food and cut it from your diet.  After 3 weeks, do this to another bad food.  And I'm not talking like "I will not eat any bread" resolutions.  Be specific, like... "I will not eat potato chips".  Science shows us that something becomes a habit after 17 days.  If you add one thing to your healthier eating plan every 3 weeks, you'll be good, and by the time you get to the wedding will be eating soooooo much healthier.  

Also, add protein.  Between 30-40% of women don't get enough protein.  A woman should have 1 gram of protein for every lean lb of weight.  so the calculation goes like this:

• 180 lb woman
• 30% body fat (you can estimate here) = 70% lean mass = 126 lbs of lean muscle mass
• x 1 gram for every lean lb = You need to eat 126 grams of protein a day to even MAINTAIN that muscle... If you are lifting weights and working out, its better to go with 1.5 grams per lb or 189 grams total

As a refernce a chicken breast is about 40 grams of protein depending on size.  That means you need to eat at least 3 chicken reast per day to maintain muscle, and 4-5 to put muscle on.  This is why protein shakes may become your friend.

However, if there is one thing that you need to think about with diet remember this:  Fat doesn't make people fat, insulin responses make people fat.  Insulin responses comes from sugars, simple carbohydrates, fruit, etc.  Limit these... these (other than fruit) should be on your every 3 weeks cut list.

And remember... "You are not a dog, so don't reward yourself with food!"

lolson1215

spikeinc said it best. Get up early and get your butt to the gym. No excuses. You need a lifestyle change. Start going to bed earlier and wake up earlier. If you want to loose that weght in 10 months start making changes now. I'm sorry, but lifting kids will not help you loose 50 pounds. (DO NOT listen to someone who says you don't need to go the gym or work out, they are probably overweight as well) Keep your fridge at home and work stocked with easy, healthy options. When you're craving something sweet go for a sugar free jello or pudding not cookies. I know this all sounds harsh but you have to stop making excuses and start making change. With the right mentality and self discipline you can do it. Good luck.

jennipea382

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_motivation-give-cravings-busy-work-out?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c2690b6b-0dfa-4e0e-9d52-a2cc01279104Post:b45e6223-ddbc-435a-b2bb-744c7e7c3716">Re: I have no motivation, give in to cravings, and too busy to work out!</a>:
[QUOTE]spikeinc said it best. Get up early and get your butt to the gym. No excuses. You need a lifestyle change. Start going to bed earlier and wake up earlier. If you want to loose that weght in 10 months start making changes now. I'm sorry, but lifting kids will not help you loose 50 pounds. <strong>(DO NOT listen to someone who says you don't need to go the gym or work out, they are probably overweight as well)</strong> Keep your fridge at home and work stocked with easy, healthy options. When you're craving something sweet go for a sugar free jello or pudding not cookies. I know this all sounds harsh but you have to stop making excuses and start making change. With the right mentality and self discipline you can do it. Good luck.
Posted by lolson1215[/QUOTE]

Um ouch? I was just trying to find some easy ways to get a little more activity into her daily life. It was a starting point, and I admit I probably could have been clearer about that. But I stand by not needing to go to the gym. There are plenty of ways to lose weight at home. It's obviously not a motivater for her, so maybe something else will help. And I definitely didn't say there's no need to work out ever. I mentioned ways to get a workout in each day. Everyone is different.

That may not have been directed at me and sorry if I got really defensive, but that was a little uncalled for.

amanda1611t

Thanks jennipea382! I was considering using the Jillian Michaels DVD because everyone is saying that it works. I usually watch what I eat but sometimes it is SO HARD! When I work I always pack breakfast and lunch that are healthy with small snacks inbetween like wheat thins or no butter low fat popcorn. Just when I am off of work it is really hard because im in my own home with all the food that I can eat rather than their house with food that isnt mine. I also don't really believe in going to the gym just because I see no results when I go there. The only time I really would go is now because Ocean City, NJ is super cold in January. I think I will start walking and drinking water before I eat dinner. I am getting a part time nanny job now so hopefully in the morning I'll be good to work out!

jennipea382

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_motivation-give-cravings-busy-work-out?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c2690b6b-0dfa-4e0e-9d52-a2cc01279104Post:3c8b0e5a-095e-414f-be26-354c618032a1">Re: I have no motivation, give in to cravings, and too busy to work out!</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks jennipea382! I was considering using the Jillian Michaels DVD because everyone is saying that it works. I usually watch what I eat but sometimes it is SO HARD! When I work I always pack breakfast and lunch that are healthy with small snacks inbetween like wheat thins or no butter low fat popcorn. Just when I am off of work it is really hard because im in my own home with all the food that I can eat rather than their house with food that isnt mine. I also don't really believe in going to the gym just because I see no results when I go there. The only time I really would go is now because Ocean City, NJ is super cold in January. I think I will start walking and drinking water before I eat dinner. I am getting a part time nanny job now so hopefully in the morning I'll be good to work out!
Posted by amanda1611t[/QUOTE]

No problem! I thought of another thing that might help. When I go grocery shopping, I make myself a list with healthy options and ingredients for healthy meals and I do my best to stick to that list. It's a simple way to keep yourself from buying the junk food. When I don't have the junk in my fridge, I'm forced to find something else!