Posts: 12
11/9/09 11:49 P

I am new to the team 5'2" want to lose 20-25 pounds. have been mostly good on SP for 5 weeks have not lost a pound(actually lost and gained 1.8) My weaknesses are chocolate and pino grigio. I used to love to exercise but now find it more difficult to get motivated but still do fit in 3 cardio days and 2 weight training days. My biggest challenges are eating my fruits and vegetables(does wine count as a fruit)

Posts: 7
11/5/09 5:14 P

Thank you all for the great encouragement and tips. Just knowing that I posted a message for help has been motivating. I figured out how to get small spurts of exercise in while the kids are playing and that has been great (ok its only day one but its a start). Tanks again, I will keep going!

current weight: 142.2

144 139.25 134.5 129.75

125

Posts: 1,761
11/5/09 11:04 A

I completely agree about the nutrition tracker. That was KEY for me. I started off just saying I would log absolutely everything I eat. I remember one day I had one Chees It as I was making the kids lunches for school. I made myself figure out what percentage of the serving that one cheese it was. It was such a pain that I didn't do any more of the mindless munching. Now I track at the beginning of the day what I'm going to eat (okay, well I'm restarting that habit today because it worked SOOO well for me). That way I know ahead. If there is something I'm really craving I will then work it in the next days calores and macro ranges. If I'm desperate I will look at what I've planned for the day and see if I can rearrange my meals to fit it in.

You'll figure out what works for you. The biggest key is to keep moving forward and don't give up even if you slip up from time to time.

Good luck!!

SparkPoints: (103,545)
Fitness Minutes: (83,083)
Posts: 17,748
11/5/09 10:40 A

to the Team! Read the emails they send you, a lot of information in them and the articles.

Make small goals that are obtainable. You will not believe the power you feel when they are obtained and keeps you moving forward.

Use the nutrition tracker and be honest! It worked for me. Opened my to the amount of food I was consuming.

current weight: 107.0

128 122.75 117.5 112.25

107

Posts: 5,571
11/5/09 8:48 A

I found that if I get in 30 - 60 minutes of exercise before the kids get up, I have started my day off well. I wake at 5:00 just to make sure I get in my exercise.

Good luck on your healthy journey.

Joy

Pounds lost: 8.0

0 9 18 27

36

SparkPoints: (41,309)
Fitness Minutes: (31,770)
Posts: 3,784
11/4/09 8:50 P

BethAnnM1 - As the other 2 Ladies said. Take your time, and do it one step at a time. Make sure you let somebody else know what you are working toward and ask for support from others.

Also consider that your children are in their forming years. What they see you doing can (will) become part of them. So eat healthy, try lots of new and different foods and teach your children to eat and exercise. If it isn't really good for your kids, it isn't good for you.

Play with your kids as much as you can! Walk, run, jump, swim, cycle, climb, tumble, skip, play catch and soccer, skate -- DO IT ALL. It burns calories and it is fun!!

Pounds lost: 13.0

0 5.75 11.5 17.25

23

SparkPoints: (10,219)
Fitness Minutes: (7,427)
Posts: 1,023
11/4/09 6:38 P

Welcome to the team! Take one day at a time and one challenge at a time. I don't have kids, but I have friends that do, so I can maybe share there information with you. One mom I know tries to incorporate her kids into her workout - so the one is her weights. she'll lay on her back and basically bench press them - but the kids are having fun too cause they'll get the giggles. you could also do the sitting V reverse crunches with them on your legs and pull them towards your chest.
Also - don't eat their food! Those stray bites of food here and there can add up. Soemtimes the stuff they want to eat isn't healthy for us adults. If you are pressed for time, try to take a night and cook extra servings of something healthy - like grill/bake chicken breast and put them in the fridge or freezer, then when you need a sandwich/wrap/salad, you can throw 3-4 oz of that into your meal with lots of veggies. Plus if they are pre-measured you aren't tempted to take too much.
I have to travel for work a lot, so I do the same things - I potion my snacks and have something in my purse for me at all times - this could apply to the kid bag too, you grab snacks for them - but also grab a snack of some healthy kind for yourself.

Lots of luck. I'm thinking of tons of things. But honestly one step at a time. Try to change one thing per week and it might be less overwhelming than trying to be completely healthy all at once.

Posts: 64
11/4/09 6:25 P

Welcome Bethannm1; this is a great place to get support. Your youth is in your favor, but I have found that the less you have to lose the harder it is. Try to eat most meals at home- you know the drill, lots of fruits and veggies. Finding time to take care of yourself can be a huge challenge with 2 toddlers. Your best bet for exercise will be early AM before the kids are up, or maybe you can enlist hubby to give you some time in the evening. Some moms are successful exercising with the kids, especially in the summer, but that never worked for me. I'm sure you'll figure out how to do this with a schedule that works for you and your family. Good luck! (And enjoy those little ones, my youngest just moved out of state Monday and my nest is very empty.)

Posts: 7
11/4/09 6:14 P

Hi everyone~ I am new to message boards and am looking forward to connecting with others who are in the same struggles I am facing. I am trying to get healthy and lose 10 pounds. I can't seem to get started. I am a stay at home mom to a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Any tips or encouragement would be most appreciated. Thanks so much

current weight: 142.2

144 139.25 134.5 129.75

125