Sort of new; lurker; finally motivated! (long post)

DivaJenD

So I've been lurking on this board on and off for probably about a year or more... Sporadically posting, but not actively participating... I have a habit of starting exercise programs, but quitting after a few weeks or a month (or less at times)... I've done a month of Insanity... I've done a few weeks of Jillian Michaels' 30DS... I've done a few weeks of treadmill stuff... everything I start, I inevitably quit before I make much progress.

I started doing WW in January 2009 (and have actually continued with it... for the most part)... since then, I've lost 60+ lbs simply by changing my eating habits (looking back, it's horrifying to know I was eating THAT badly that I was able to lose so much weight purely by eating better/smarter)... but I've never been able to get that exercise thing down.

(I think part of it is that I had exercise/activity shoved down my throat growing up (playing soccer and basketball for 10+ yrs, softball and lacrosse for 5+ yrs, dance for 12+ yrs, among others). I think part of it may stem from the pressure I felt as a kid to be amazing in everything and bad memories associated with exercise/activity...)

Anyway... I'm getting married 5/18/2013... and I just bought my dress 2 weeks ago... I was told I could probably manage a size 14 at my current weight, so I decided to go with a size 12... My hope is to lose about 30 lbs in the next 6 months. My motivation is that I just paid $1200 for a dress that I HAVE to fit into... otherwise, I'll be paying an arm and a leg to let out the dress so I can fit into it. I'm hoping this will be my ultimate motivation for losing weight and getting healthier in the long run.

I started last week... Walking/jogging 2 miles minimum on M/W/F and an hour long zumba class on Tuesday.

This week, so far, I did workout 1 of Jillian Michaels' 30DS yesterday, and I'll be doing the zumba class today after work.

So, I'm only about a week into this right now, but I figure if this doesn't motivate me, I don't know what will... I am determined to feel beautiful on my wedding day.

So, I'm here asking you all for support and encouragement and to hold me accountable... I will be joining the daily accountability threads, but just wanted to put myself out there first.

akttng07

First of all, 60+lbs down is amazing! Cheers to you!! You can totally lose the 30 in 6 months! 

Second, I totally know how you feel about starting the whole exercise process and quitting. I've done that with countless gym memberships, living social/groupon deals, and workout dvds. The motivation feels easy at the start but staying motivated is the hard part. In the words of Dory (from Finding Nemo), "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

Sunrise1028

Exactly what the pps said!  Tracking food is so much more important than working out and if you need motivation this board (along with my fitness pal) is a phenominal asset!  We are all each other's greatest cheerleaders!

60 pounds is an amazing feat!  Pat yourself on the back!  I am at about the same place as you, I started in Oct of 2009 and have lost between 65 and 60 pounds in that time!  The 30DS is amazing ... I've been working my way through it!

YOU CAN DO IT!

DivaJenD

Thanks!! I appreciate the support and the words of wisdom! I will definitely keep that all in mind as I continue this journey!!

AndreaCata

Welcome back!

I agree with PPs, especially what kwit said...you HAVE to enjoy what you are doing in terms of working out. I love to do all the activities: I run, do yoga and zumba, swim...and weight train (not that I love weight training but I know how important it is and I love the sore feeling afterwards.) I never thought I would be into Spinning but  co-worker convinced me to take a Spin class with her and I got hoooked so I do that now too!! There are SO many ways to be active that if you don't enjoy what you are doing, then look for something else!

Definitely start posting on the accountability thread, it will keep you on track and hopefully stay with the working out. And keep on the diet part because like pp have said, that is SO important when it comes to loosing weight. You can totally loose 30lbs. by your wedding! Good luck!

buriostegui

DivaJenD, you mentioned you gave insanity a shot but stopped doing it, what made you quit? Do you think not having motivation or accountability is the reason why you start something and never finish?