How did you start?

am2326 · June 2012

Hi all,

I just wanted to ask everyone to share their stories on how they started their workout routine, what the first couple days were like, and what keeps you motivated ? Any diet changes? Basically, anything and everything about your weight loss/getting healthy journey so far!!

I noticed the girls on the workout accountability thread seem to workout a lot and although I hope to get there one day, I wanted some motivational stories on how you started and how far you've come!!

pomundson0 · June 2012

I got my kickstart when the MOH dress I ordered did NOT look very good on me

I'm just re-starting myself, no results yet but even after the first day I had more energy

And I slept much better

Lobsters25 · June 2012

Hey am, great idea! I can't wait to hear everyone's stories.

I started at about 250 lbs, and decided I was just done. I ate my way through college and never worked out and, admittedly, loved it. I really just woke up one day post-grad, though, and decided it was time for the next phase of my life. So, I started by joining a gym with my roommate and tracking calories. I didn't realize how little I knew about what my body needed until that time.

I didn't get to the gym every day, which helped me from burning out in the long run, but I did force myself to look in the mirror and decide when I was really on the verge of a blowout versus when I was making excuses so that I could just be lazy. I also tried walking more places and getting myself to do something active each day, even if it was just for 20 minutes.

It got a LOT easier as the weight started to come off. Seeing my progress made me want to go to the gym more, and want to make more healthy food. I still LOVE ice cream and sweets, and a good slice of pizza, but I know that I need to balance it out because I need to take care of my body, too.

It's now gotten me down over 100 lbs, and really changed my mindset about how to take care of my body. I'm in what I call 'phase 2' now, where I've shed most of the weight, took a few months off of intensively working out, and have gotten back into it for those last few pounds and to tone.

souptin · June 2012

I started small, making small weekly goals first with my nutrition ie "this week I am going to drink 8 glasses of water a day, next week I am going to drink 8 glasses of water and have extra veggies with lunch", and so on. Eventually I started adding in exercise. I fell off the wagon a million times but getting back on and starting again is what is important.
I also made small obtainable goals, overall I wanted to lose about 50 pounds or get back to about a 6-8 size (from a 14)...thats a lofty goal, so I modified it to " I want to lose 5 pounds..then 5 more pounds and after that 5 more..."
with fitness I started walking, I walked everywhere then I started at the gym once a week and built it up to now (on a good week) I go 4 times eventually I want to make it to 5.

Dont know if any of this is helpful but its what I have done and I am getting results.

adawn1981 · June 2012

I'm just getting started. I need to lose about 15 pounds to be where I was in high school and what I consider my "perfect for me" body. I am not excited to track my calories and work out- I HATE working out, but I started yesterday and am going to stick to it. I wanna look hot in my wedding dress and in a bikini in Hawaii on our Honeymoon.. that's my motivation. I know I will mess up and eat too much somedays and I know I'll talk myself out of working out somedays, but if I get right back on after the bad day of eating or not working out, I know I will reach my goal! I don't want to look back at pictures on my wedding and honeymoon and wish I would have just lost a little more weight. I'm just going to lose it! I signed up for SparkPeople and the mobile app is awesome for tracking your food/excercise.

Good Luck!

Sjmiller418 · June 2012

I've tried so many times to get into a workout routine and was getting intoa good gym routine with my fiance until he was deployed and then I would never go.

One of my friends was interested in trying out Insanity and since my sister had copies of the DVD's we decided to start it togther. Another friend also joined in and started it the next day. For all of us its really helpful having each other holding accountable to the workout program becuase each of us feels guildty and lame if everyone else talks about doing the workout that day and you skip it. I hurt my ankle a couple weeks into it so had to put it on hold and so of course their commitment to the workouts also lagged but now were all back into it.

Having a way to hold accountable I think really helps motivate to get started and then once you start seeing the results and how much better you feel its easier to keep your own routine then going.

entropicbeauty · June 2012

Great thread idea!

For me, I lost 90 lbs. a couple of years ago with Medical Weight Loss...the lbs. just MELTED off back then, but it was because I was only eating 700 calories a day and it was only fake protein powder food and I was working out on top of that (as dictated by the plan). The diet put my body into ketosis, which is why I dropped 90 lbs. in 7 months. The weight loss was drastic and quick, and guess what? It didn't stay off. The minute I started eating real food again I binge ate like crazy and over the course of a year gained about 70 lbs. back.

Now I'm dedicated to losing weight the proper way. It really struck me that I needed to get control of my lifestyle when I started to see pictures of myself and my face was starting to look fat again. I guess I disillusioned myself for a long time because pictures were just of my face, and the weight hadn't started to show yet in my face.

It started slow. At first I just wanted to make sure I made it to the gym at least 3 times a week, but most of the time I was lucky if I hit 2 days a week. I had gotten so out of shape that the physical activity was trying and I could only endure 20-30 minutes of it at a time. It was a slow process of building up my endurance and strength.

In order to stick with a healthier lifestyle, I've been working on changing little things at a time. I rarely eat fast food anymore and I track everything I eat on myfitnesspal.com - that site has helped me out IMMENSELY in realizing my eating habits and helping to break some of the worse ones. I'm still guilty of not eating perfect all the time, but I don't let it get me down like I used to (which would usually result in a binge of awful for me food).

The accountability thread here has also helped me really stay on track, along with "Be Healthy" challenges at work (like our latest walking challenge). Educating myself on nutrition has helped. I bought a fitbit and that has also helped to motivate and educate me.

I'm still not where I want to be, but I acknowledge this is going to take time. My hope is that because i'm doing this the right way, that the changes are going to be lasting.

AndreaCata · June 2012

Hey ladies,

I am new here...have been lurking for a bit now...just engaged a few months ago. Anyway, I love the idea of this thread so I decided it should be my first post!

Without telling me whole life story...I graduated from college in 2007 at my heaviest weight ever...and feeling pretty awful about myself! Over the last 5 years, I dropped some weight for a variety of reasons and then in March, I got engaged and something just clicked. What started out as pure vanity has turned into a new lifestyle that I am loving so much. In total, I have lost 49lbs. and am hoping to loose another 20-25, ideally before the wedding but really...I feel SO much better about myself now than I have in my entire life...I can't imagine going back to the way I was. Anyway, for me, it's all about how you FEEL. The beginning sucks, its hard, you don't want to work out, you just want to have pizza and a milkshake, I totally get it. But it gets to a point where its just automatic...choosing healthy foods, going to the gym, make it become your routine and your body will THANK YOU so much!! And maybe this is just me...but those cravings for "bad food" really do go away...I think of some of the stuff I ate before and loved and it totally grosses me out now. If you want to treat yourself, the best it with something other than food. BUT, if you want something delicious, make it REAL food...not something processed that is just going to fill you full of chemicals.

Anyway, hope that didn't sound too preachy. I have lots of tips and stories to share and whatnot, but there is plenty of time for that.

Congrats to everyone on their upcoming nuptials! I know we can all make it to our goals and feel great about ourselves!!

Sarah5200 · June 2012

I had attempted to lose weight in August of 2011, and did lose about 10 pounds that month - but I did it by having the strictest most unsustainable diet possible. At the beginning of August I weighed in at 210 pounds. I was pretty unhappy. I started up school again in September and gain 6 of those 10 pounds back. I would catch myself eating 12 cookies at once because I gave in to one cookie and couldn't stop - instead of just allowing myself a cookie and saying "if you want one tomorrow you can have one tomorrow too - just make it work." I know now that at that time I was in the wrong mindset for weight loss. I still thought "I can't wait until I'm skinny so I can eat whatever I want."

Reality check!

In January I started again. I had been doing research and really thinking hard about my lifestyle. I decided that if I'm going to do this, I needed to be in it for the long haul.

At the end of February I started C25K, and slowly worked my way through that program. It took me longer than 9 weeks, but now I run 3-5k about three times a week.

On Saturday morning I weighed in at 179.4 lbs, so I'm down a total of 30.6! I'm just over halfway to my goal of 150 now, and pretty damn proud of myself too. It took a lot of revamping my brain to get here.

I still have my off days, I've actually been in a lazy mood the last couple of weeks as far as exercise goes. I will have off days in the future too. I go over on my calories here and there, and I skip exercising for 5 days in a row occasionally - but as long as I keep starting over, it's all good. Now that I have changed my life, it's not "quitting" or "failing". It's just an off day. It's not my usual, and it's not going to become my usual, so I just let it go.

It takes a bit to get going, but once you do, you'll never regret it. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself!

SimplyME22 · June 2012

I have a similiar story to some of you. Three years ago I was at my heaviest and finally had enough. Through WW and exercise i was able to drop over 100 lbs and keep it off for 6 months. I did a lot of the Firm workouts and started running. I've run 3 half marathons since then. Well then I bought a house and the weight began to creep back on- 30 lbs over the last 2 years.

Looking forward, not only to our wedding but also our life together, FI and I both made commitments to healthier lifestyles and now we're watching what we eat more and doing Insanity. It helps to have his support, like another poster said, we keep each other accountable. I'm halfway through Insanity, after that I'll probably go back to Physique 57 and the Firm.

Good luck to everyone on your fitness/health journey! Keep up the great work!

am2326 · June 2012

Thanks everyone for sharing! I loved reading everyones story. It is so motivational for me to hear everyones experiences and how far you all have come. Wow! Congrats to everyone on their successes and most importantly, congrats on making this a lifestyle change.

I have always struggled with weight. Two years ago, I reached a point in my life when I even hated to have pictures of myself taken. It was at that point that I realized I needed to do something about my eating habits. I started Medifast and boy did the weight start dropping. I shed 50 lbs in 4-5 months. The diet was so strict and unsustainable. Powdered food (more like chemicals) mixed with water 5 times a day and 1 lettuce meal for dinner. At that time, I loved losing the weight so quickly. Unfortunately, after stopping the diet I gained all the weight back. Which is where I find myself now. I have made small changes in my diet for now. As much as I would want all this weight to fall off in the course of 2-3 months, I also see the bigger picture of this becoming a lifestyle change. I now make myself healthier breakfasts and dinners. Small changes like drinking more water or substituting vegetables as sides for my meals instead of starchy fries, and skipping appetizers and desserts have helped me lose 6 lbs in the past month. Now I'm ready to make more changes. This week, I started working out. It's so frustrating to be able to do so little, but I remind myself that everyone starts somewhere. So my goal for this week is to walk for 20 minutes and run for 10-4x wk. As time goes on I'll continue to modify my eating habits and adding additional time to my workout sessions. My goal would be to lose 50 lbs by my wedding date and more importantly be healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

What's important here is not seeing our off days as failures, but rather just as off days and leave it like that. Like some of you guys said, its okay to fall off the bandwagon just pick ourselves up and continue moving forward.

Ohhh..I too have been using the myfitness pal app and it has already helped me realize what I'm doing wrong, what I need to fix, etc. It's been so helpful and I definately recommend it to anyone.

Again, congratulations on your successes. Keep up the good work ladies!

Lobsters25 · June 2012

am - it sounds like you're doing a great job! I think your food swaps and exercise kick off plans sound perfect to make this a maintainable effort. keep up the awesome work!

harjess · June 2012

I've been working out for years, but with my wedding coming I have pushed extra hard to get in the best shape. I starting eating even more of a clean diet and I joined a boot camp which I start next week. Now my ring is going to have to be re sized. grrrr... But I love it.

Windsor81 · June 2012

I've done the yoyo thing a few times, and I'm trying to permanently get off that track.

About 5 years ago my (then) husband and I decided we were both ready to try and lose weight and get in shape. We joined a fitness challenge which helped shake up our eating habits and workouts, and we both lost weight and looked pretty fantastic. However, since it was only about 12 weeks long, after those12 weeks I had a difficult time maintaining. I did pretty well for a while, but due to some medication changes and lifestyle changes, I ended up putting a fair amount back on.

By the time we moved out to VA a little over a year later, I'd put most of the weight back on. A few months later, I was at the greatest I'd ever been - 165 lbs, and I knew I needed to change it. Back into the gym, eating healthier. I got back down to about 145 lbs, but I wanted to get all the way back to 135 lbs. I struggled through the following year and hovered between 145 and 150. When he and I split up, I managed to drop another 10 lbs.

The year after exH and I split, I started vet school and immediately noticed I was putting on weight. I slid back to about 150 lbs, and then hired a PT to help me lose the weight both for myself as well as for a scholarship I was trying to get through the army. I needed to pass the physical exam portion which would mean pushups, situps and running. With the help of my PT I really rocked it and lost a ton of weight. I got down to 139 lbs - the lowest I'd been in years -, and then a viral infection dropped me to 133 lbs.

I maintained in the 130s - between 135 and 140 for about 6 months, until I was involved in a car accident which injured my back and shoulder. I was grounded for about 12 weeks where I needed to go through rehab. During that time any physical activity hurt - even standing for any extended time - so I was stuck. And I started to watch the weight creep back on. By the time school started again in the fall, I was over 145 lbs. By the time spring semester started I was back over 160 lbs.

I rehired my PT in the spring, and worked with him once a week. Sadly, my schedule made it really difficult to get into the gym frequently, or even to cook food some weeks so the most I did was maintain. I look back now, and considered myself lucky I didn't do worse. Our last 2 weeks were miserable - both from an exam standpoint and a food/workout standpoint. I ballooned all the way up to 170 lbs during those weeks because of the massive amounts of food consumed, the massive amounts of caffinated beverages consumed (read that as starbucks coffee) and the lack of being able to do ANYTHING beyond studying at school, and then sleeping for a few hours..

Once I finished school, I said "enough is enough". In the past 6 weeks I've gotten back down to 161.5. I was hoping to reach 159 this week, but I don't think it's going to happen. Instead, I'm going to just keep looking forward and trying to eat well and keep working out. Previously I've done the whole "no junk food ever", but I realize that's not realistic for me. I need a little bit here and there, or I DO binge. So, slow and steady wins the race!

In 8 weeks I go back to school. I was REALLY hoping to be back in the mid 140s by then, but we'll see. My FI is NOT a huge health food fiend. He grew up in the South, and likes his homestyle food. It's really difficult to make food for both of us. Likewise, when we go out, it's hard to find a place he'll eat at and I can still get healthy food from. He tries to be supportive, but its tough when he's so recalcitrant to even TRY to enjoy new food sometimes.

At any rate, my motivation is my past, and my potential future. I want to look beautiful in my wedding dress (two years from now). I want to be a healthy, strong mom for my future children. I want to get back into the shape I've been in the past where I feel *GOOD* about myself and confident when I go in public!

sara814 · June 2012

I started by joining a gym in January of this year. I found this board and it helped to motivate me and point me in the right direction. Then I hurt my ankle and was sidelined for a bit. . I wound up hiring a personal trainer and it was the best money I ever spent. My trainer has helped me gain confidence and muscle and I feel amazing. It was expensive, but I figure that if I am spending 150 on a veil that I wear for 20 minutes, I an spend a few hundred for a trainer who is helping me get healthy and strong for life. I also use Mu Fitness Pal to keep track of my calorie intake and my workouts. It is definitely working for me. My wedding is in two weeks and I am feeling better about my body than I have in a long time. Good luck!

ChelseyValdez · July 2012

My husband actually was the one who inspired me to lose weight properly. He's currently deployed and told me day by day the things he was eating, working out and it made me want to not diet but make a lifestyle change. For starters I cut out soda, energy drinks, coffee, sugar drinks, fast food, chips and junk I ONLY DRINK WATER (add fresh fruit yum). I had a gym membership but went maybe 3 times a month HORRIBLE! But now i have dedicated myself at least 45-60 min per day a workout either at the gym or at home but 30 min has to be walking or running. I am barely a week and a half in and I've dropped 6lbs in a HEALTHY way. I cook all my meals chicken, salads, fruit and veggies. Ill throw in an avocado smoothie here and there. I use pinterest for food ideas and youtube/shape magazine for workouts. I was at 120 lbs now I'm at 114lbs but i am short barely 5'3. 110 is my goal because a year ago I weighed that. The BEST thing I can say is DON'T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF and DON'T LET THE NUMBERS ON THE SCALE DISCOURAGE YOU!

sarita86 · July 2012

Well I've started many times over and over. I would blame the diets or my genes on my weight. But the truth is I wasn't really being honest with my self. I thought I could eyeball the food and say..yup that's a cup of rice.. or yup that's about 6oz of chicken. So I thought I was portion controlling. No. I was really fooling my self. I kept gaining weight. The first step was asking questions on this board. Entropic Beauty introduced me to my fitness pal. I used to use sparkpeople, but I like myfitnesspal better. It motivates me to work harder and now I know that I can have have the brownie, but I'm going to have to run hard for 30minutes to get the net calories consumed down!

Then I went to the nutritionist...Oh what a wake up call! I thought I knew portion sizes and I was wrong. He brought out yarn and asked me to show him a portion of spaghetti..and nope I was eating double the amount. He said "you can exercise all you want, but if your portions are out of control, your weight will be too!"

Now I measure and log every morsel that goes into my body. I drink tons of water, try to avoid sodium when possible, and exercise daily. It may not be for a long time, but I make sure everyday I do something. 10 minutes, 20 minutes, just something.
So far I've lost 17lbs, and I hope to lose another 23lbs, but it will take time, patience and perseverance. Don't give up! If you need help we can help!

How did you start?

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