Help with changing my mindset

Posts: 14
8/16/12 1:04 P

I basically used index cards to number to 1 to 100 everytime I did any type of exercise I'd tear them up, i keep the stack where I'd see them every day that worked for me, maybe it can help you before Ya know it you'll look and your on #59 it becomes second nature to training you brain and body exercise it will become a obsession, to tear up those pieces of paper and once you find what kind of exercise you like the process will be even easier. I no longer write on index cards but I do blog about my exerise I'm currently on #97 {2nd round of 100} added algebra to my routine i know it sounds insane but needed to reteach myself algebra for school I'm hoping to get back into the pool soon since the college I enrolled in I'll.have access to swim laps in neighbouring college (my fav all time exercise) but couldn't afford a membership to a Y but since I'm enrolled in school now can finally use the neighbouring college's pool just have to find that thing that you like but physically tearing up the paper triggers your brain to keep motivated, and the results will be awesome your body and perceptions about exercise will also change before Ya know it!

Edited by: STAYIN32DD at: 8/16/2012 (13:23)

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8/16/12 11:06 A

I read your message and found it very nice. You found a way to make things and activity's work for you and that is great. Good for you and i hope the best for you.

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8/16/12 8:31 A

no one knows better than me what u can or cannot afford. i was forced to take an early retirement. i did find, that I do not get as many mani's and pedi's as I used to because now I do them myself. I also do my own hair myself and rarely eat out. I do find I'm saving about 125.00 per month and I invest that in my addictions; Zumba, Belly Dance and Hustle/Ball Room. Where I live if you are a certain age you can take classes at the community college for free..so I take Belly Dance and Ball Room/ Hustle. I pay (and gladly) for Zumba and I love it and have fallen in love with my Zumba Instructor (he's soooo cute). I did spend some money on making my own Belly Dance costumes and have found a whole new set of friends and interests and now have a 2 day a week baby sitting job. I used AARP to get a deep discount at my gym and I go to classes there 7 days a week. i keep busy. I must because of the Fibromyalgia and depression/anxiety. I just love Spark becuase I can vent. Thanks for listing and Jai Ho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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8/15/12 9:04 P

the best advice i could give you.. "losing weight is a mind game" :)

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8/15/12 11:37 A

i am having somewhat of the same problem. i find that the elliptical is probably the only exercise that i really LIKE to do that's affordable for me. i am not that interested in walking, and i love to dance but cannot afford classes. so i do it at home but it's not nearly as fun as having a classroom setting.

what i've found is doing just 30 minutes of it is enough for me to feel good without being overworked or exhausted. i also find that my body isn't as stressed out. sometimes i force in 10 minutes of treadmill. despite actually walking being better for you, i enjoy the treadmill more for some reason.

as time passes on i'm going to try to engage in more activities, but for now the elliptical is really what i enjoy doing. so i'd rather keep a steady pace with that than do nothing at all.

this weekend my friend did show me some easy strength training exercises to do at home, so i may try to cut out 1 day of my elliptical for those.

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8/15/12 10:50 A

I too, have suffered from depression. Although lately I haven't needed my meds. I find that physical exercise boosts the endorphins, makes you feel better not only about yourself, but physically. Take a walk in the morning as it gets the day started off right. It may be hard to get out the door, but that is the first step. Get a neighbor or friend to walk with you. If the day is bright and sunny talk about that. Get your mind off of what is making you sad, if even for a little while. It will help. I know from personal experience.

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8/15/12 12:00 A

depression makes it hard to luv yourself and do good things for u. maybe go see psych dr. u may need something to boost endorphins or chemicals to get u feeling better. i had fought depression for yrs. my meds really have helped me to feel like taking care of me.

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8/14/12 11:55 P

i like ur goal to donate ur larger clothes to charity. forces u to stay smaller not regain.

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8/14/12 8:29 P

Same here, I just need to get going and stick to it.

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8/14/12 7:53 P

It is hard to keep going when you are down. Keep going and writing your feelings. I pray a lot lately. Even if it is this is yours God, I can't do it any longer. I have been trying to do this with stressors in my life. Have a good week.

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8/14/12 3:40 P

I am in a very vulnerable place right now - I was doing very well with both watching calories but also going to exercise at least four times a week - but I am kind of in a depression and have lost my ability to care about myself. I still try to watch what I eat but potato chips have become my best friend and I have to stop. I am sure there are people out there who believe the same thing I do that maybe I am not worth taking care of - and feeling so deperately alone in so many ways. Just need to learn how to care again - I had lost 0ver 70 pounds in under a year but I am right now kind of at a stalemate - just not moving forward - not necessarily going backwards but not in a good place.

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8/14/12 1:37 P

I suggest buying a heart rate monitor to know exactly how many calories you’re burning because true calorie burn depends on your current weight and your rate throughout the duration of exercise. No machine or website tool will be as accurate as a heart rate monitor. A nice one could cost $70 - $90.

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8/14/12 12:52 P

I always try to mix up my cardio exercise. Some days I'll go for a run. Other days I'll do Zumba. I even do the SparkPeople 10 minute cardio videos a couple times a day for a few days during the week. If you keep doing the same thing, you won't see as much results as you would if you mixed it up, and you'll have less motivation to do it.

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8/14/12 10:24 A

Wow, I marvel at how you all can fit so much exercise into your days! Once I get back to my classroom next week my work day runs from 7:20 AM until at least 5 PM and beyond many days so I find it very hard to do so many organized activities (gym, classes, Yoga, Zumba, etc.) If I went to the gym or a class I wouldn't be getting home until 8 PM and that's my bed time.

Having said that, I still believe in variety in exercise, I just have to be creative about it and make it part of my daily plan. I think we have to be less focused on WHAT we do and just make sure that we DO. For instance, during the school year when it's dark and rainy outside I'll take a walk around campus (I work at a middle school) for about 10 minutes right after my kids leave. It gets me out of my classroom and allows me to refocus my energy to the tasks at hand (grading papers, calling parents, etc). At first my mind set was, "It's only 10 minutes", but 10 minutes is 10 more minutes than if I'd done nothing! I might do another 10 minutes at lunch time then some strength work when I get home and maybe a walk if weather permits or a bike ride or if the weather is crummy I'll do a treadmill or elliptical (we have those since my hubby and I do them together) or some DVD/Video workout. The key is to keep a variety and keep at it. When I get the chance to do a Jazzercize class (I do those all summer) it's like a bonus. We also sign up for local walk/runs on special occasions like Thanksgiving (The Turkey Trot) and Valentine's Day (The Truffle Shuffle) which are fun and motivating.

I think the most valuable lesson I've learned from my fitness/weight loss journey is that the journey itself is the real goal, not the scale numbers or the calories burned. It's the journey that makes us healthy and when I finally realized that it freed me to enjoy the journey and not look forward to an "end" but just a continuation of a great trip.

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8/14/12 10:02 A

Your comment made so much sense to me. I definitely need to change my thinking patterns about food. I sometimes feel deprived of the foods I like if I even think about eating healthier. I am a sweet tooth junky. However, after reading your blog, I know first that I need to take a good look at me and the way I feel about me and realize that losing weight and eating healthy is more about moderation than aout deprivation. Thank you.

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8/14/12 9:42 A

The first advise is to do some real thinking about WHY you want to/are doing this. By taking time to understand the reasons you are doing this, I think it will give you the initial momentum that you need. For me, it clicked when I realized that in all of my previous photographs, I was always the "bigger" person. I wanted to change to mindset and definitely not forgo all the food I love. I think that quitting the "deprivation" ideology and embracing the "moderation" ideology hanged my mindset

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8/14/12 9:36 A

completely agree with getfit...i started running to shed a few pounds. i have found it an amazing relief for my anxiety

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8/13/12 9:53 P

Please help me I don't even know how to get started

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8/13/12 7:00 P

Kacey..I also have arthritispain. My doctor recommended water aerobics and I love it. nMuch less strain joints and it is a good workout .

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8/13/12 6:04 P

Just wanted to say I liked your quotes about food! Today is my 2nd day with SparkPeople and I'm super addicted to the trackers etc! I'm feeling like I can finally do this!!

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8/13/12 2:45 P

If you don't enjoy spending all that time on the elliptical, don't do it! Try taking a class at your gym, exercising outdoors, or splitting your time between the elliptical and another machine. Try rowing, since it combines strength with cardio, it burns more calories than any other cardio machine. It's all about variety and keeping you interested, as well as keeping your body from getting too accustomed to the same thing.

Remember, if you don't enjoy the way you feel while you exercise, the reason to keep going is for the way that you feel afterwards. Once you become accustomed to enjoying that, it helps you look forward to your stress-busting workout!

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8/13/12 2:35 P

I try to always pay attention to the OTHER benefits of regular exercise. Better sleep, less anxiety, etc. I've never had bad numbers (such as blood pressure and cholesterol) and I attribute that partly to the fact that I try to stay fairly active.

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8/13/12 2:30 P

I have found myself in quite a bit of pain since the addition of the exercise due to my arthritis. The elbows and the knees are the worst, but I can't let that stop me from trying. I am boosting my glucosamine-condroiton (per my doctor) intake to help solve some of the pain. Keeping moving is a chore, but it is my only option. The alternative is completely unacceptable to me.

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8/13/12 1:12 P

You need variety in what you do or it gets boring. But also keep in mind that the calorie count on any excercise counter could be way off in terms of your actual calorie count. The counts are only an average and the calorie count for at 250 lb person is not the same as a 150 lb person. The main thing is to keep doing something; walking, eliptical, playing a game of pick-up basketball or softball. Keep moving. Enlist family friends to do things with you. It is much easier to keep things going with friends.

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8/13/12 11:51 A

This take a lot of work I have found. We must believe we are acceptable at the weight we are now. We must believe we are worthy of having a happy healthy life. At any weight, we have to start somewhere.

I saw an overweight person jogging last week and I thought that took a lot of guts (no pun intended) to jog in public while really fat. I thought, who knows? this person might have already lost 40 #s and was still out there. Take a bow.

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8/13/12 10:28 A

Each step we take is a success in our journey. Instead of tracking the calorie expenditure, change the goal to be exercise for " x" number of minutes per day or week. This way you can change up your routine to keep you motivated to exercise and still be making the progress you want to make.

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8/13/12 9:22 A

I have found baby steps so I have victories more often works for me - and if I have had a not so great day - accept it and start over the next day instead of beating myself up

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8/12/12 9:51 P

I wish I could trust monitors. I kind of trust how I feel, how much sweat, how much recovery. Gizmos and monitors are fun, but can't rely on accuracy.

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8/12/12 9:35 P

switch things up when you can for all the reasons already listed

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8/12/12 7:33 P

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am trying hard. Stopped all sugar drinks and to the gym I go!! I'm gonna make it this time. Good luck to everyone!!!

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8/12/12 7:30 P

For me it's not so much about what or how much I exercise, but why. I don't often "do cardio." Instead, I put on a slinky dress and dance the oh-so-sexy Argentine tango with dashing men. And I kick ass in the dojo because it makes me feel empowered. And I commute by bike because my city has great bike paths. If I thought about it as exercise or working out, I'd still do it but I probably wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much.

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8/12/12 8:14 A

all of this is great advice. But i dont trust the calorie burn either on the monitors...

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8/12/12 6:14 A

So much of what is written below resonates with me - but the overall message I'm taking away from the thoughts you have all shared is that:
1. Exercise needs to be a habit (I know I feel better afterwards),
2. Take time to think about what I eat (I love cake but it needs to be a treat not part of my daily tracker)
3. Learn to embrace the healthy lifestyle that makes me feel able to take on the world every day (and its a tough world sometimes)
Thanks guys, it helps to hear that others struggle sometimes too, but that we're all working towards the same goal.
Enjoy your Sunday!

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8/11/12 8:21 P

You really do need to change up your routine in order to burn calories efficiently. Your body is smart and even though the exercise charts *say* that those elliptical minutes are worth more than the others, if you only do elliptical, those muscles start getting more efficient at their job and you don't actually burn as many calories.

Also, elliptical is not weight bearing exercise, so it is not as good for your bones. Keep mixing it up! It is the right thing to do and will give you the best results in the long run - and that's what's important!

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8/11/12 4:24 P

A wise person shared with me once that exercise should be viewed as part of our personal hygiene - we have to brush our teeth; we have to bathe; we have to exercise. It's part of our daily overall well-being.

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8/11/12 2:47 P

Getting back into the game is about the way you think. Like what you are doing - instead of making excuses and feeling bad about exercise - think about how good you feel after you have worked out. Instead of cursing while your instructor is trying to get you to do something challenging, smile and and tell yourself you can do it. Change the way you think. I used to think my exercise was a chore, but now I love it. I miss it if I don't do it. And the exercise has helped me in so many ways. Focus on what you like about the process instead of what you don't like and get moving. I'm making the same choices about food. Luckily, I like all kinds of food so choosing something healthy is no problem. Then just slow down and enjoy every bite. What a difference it makes.
You can do it!

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8/11/12 2:12 P

starting a dvd library is a great way to add variety so you don't lose interest. read reviews before you buy so that you know you're getting one that has great calorie burn. and of course, good luck!

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8/11/12 1:55 P

I have learned you have to do it for yourself. No one is accountable for my own health, personal well being, or happiness except me. Once I learned that losing weight and eating healthy is not about the superficial things in life it's about having a life... and a good one at that. I give me the permission to be the healthiest me I can be.

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8/11/12 10:01 A

I agree with the starting small thing...I am taking it one meal at a time.

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8/11/12 9:42 A

URGETTINGTHIN et el. Not hypocrite's, just human. The choice for me has come down to HEALTH. When I focus on that the pressure of 'size', 'shape', 'weight', is lifted. I exercise for strength, balance, heart, lung,...HEALTH. I eat for nutrition which brings the pleasure of HEALTH. When I go to chose sugar, fat, salt... I stop and think, "why am I being self-destructive?" Then I try to make a decision that is for my HEALTH and therefore for me and my family. Take it one day at a time, one step at a time, one meal at a time to the best of our ability.

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8/11/12 7:58 A

I too had a problem with my mindset unti a good friend said this to me, "Take your measurements at least once a month and write them down. Even though the scale may say you didn't have a loss or you gained, you could be losing inches. Through exercising you are building muscle and toning. Muscle weighs more then fat." I keep this in my mind all the time when I step on the scale. It really helps.

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8/10/12 6:25 P

Be kind to yourself and start small. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. Trust your instincts and find something that works for you. You're worth the effort! Best of luck.

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8/10/12 4:41 P

Hi everyone, I am new to the message board but I have been a member of spark people for quite some time, just haven't been very dedicated, I really and I mean really want that to change I have a goal set and I almost reached it then fell off the band wagon thinking I lost the weight now I can go back to eating whatever whenever, I know that's wrong and I tuned it all back. I am all but 40 and work daily till 2 so I was using that as my excuse not to exercise, I know it's a lame excuse because I know I can go after work. I just can't get back in the game. Please if anyone has any good strategies for getting back into it PLEASE let me know.. I am desperate!!!

Edited by: MELPRINCE35 at: 8/10/2012 (16:46)

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8/10/12 12:01 P

I almost feel like a hypocrite giving this spiel. Anywho, I started this journey AGAIN with the mindset of I'm doing this for my health--good looks will follow. When I get up @ 5:30a every morning and hit the gym I think about how well I'm treating my body and how my heart is getting a good work out and the blood is racing through my veins all the while sweating profusely and hopefully eliminating some, if not all, toxins. Can't brag just yet because I've cross this bridge before. But this time I can say I'm more determined than ever!

KEEP SPARKIN!

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8/9/12 7:32 P

I echo Vixen's comments.

I'd also say just ignore the numbers and do what you feel like on any given day. I switch my routines around a LOT because I don't want to over-use certain joints - and because I get bored if I do the same thing all the time. But I change because I WANT to, not because someone told me it's a good idea.

I find that a good cardio workout relieves a lot of stress and helps me stay on an even keel, calorie wise. I think I'd workout for those reasons alone. You'll figure out what works for you as you go along - just keep in mind that it's YOUR life, YOUR body and YOUR well-being. None of the rest of it matters, really.

Enjoy the journey.

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8/9/12 3:09 P

Wow, didn't think I had a" woe is me attitude". My mindset is that I need to work out hard each day, and not slow down. I didn't think I said exercise was a struggle, just that I was working out too hard and thanks to everyone who helped me to see that "variety" is the spice of life. I guess I am disappointed because I came for support, and not to be scolded. Sorry, GrizGirl, maybe I took what you wrote the wrong way.

Edited by: ANNIESHAN at: 8/9/2012 (15:10)

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8/9/12 1:06 P

Look at the positives that have happened and go from there. Don't look at the negative. If you have gained a pound but lost an inch, that is a GREAT thing (as an example). We can all be healthy in body and mind. Don't be hard on yourself, just keep moving.

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8/9/12 11:25 A

Have a positive mantra that really speaks to you and motivates you.

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8/9/12 11:19 A

This really speaks to me. I notice a similar weight pattern as well. Thanks for sharing and understanding where my head is right now.

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8/9/12 9:05 A

To get in the shape I want, I also include strength training. Remember you have to give your muscles time to recover after cardio and strength training, so a combination of these disciplines may be something you should consider. It is also about calories in as well as calories out.

As your body gets used to doing an exercise, such as elliptical (for me it is spinning), it becomes more efficient at this exercise and your calorie burn will decrease. You may want to consider purchasing a heart rate monitor which is set up according to age, gender, fitness level, etc. It will give you a more consistent read of the calories you burn in each activity.

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