HLSG: State your goals!!

[lindrusso]

Wow, this is really taking off! Great!

I thought I'd start off this week with a "goal" thread. Some of us posted specific goals in the "intro" thread and some did not. And since these get archived eventually, they will always be here for us to access and look back at! This week can be our "official" kick off - exciting!

Here are my goals:

1. LOSE WEIGHT! I would like to lose about 15 pounds (maybe more - I haven't checked the scale in a while, but my shorts tell me most of what I need to know!). On a 5' 1"small frame, it's a lot of weight!! I'd really love to lose more like 20 pounds, but I'm trying to be realistic. I know I'd be pretty comfortable at about 120. What has worked for me in the past is exercising and counting calories.

2. WATCH CALORIES! My ultimate goal is to get used to knowing what I can eat (without gaining weight) so that I don't have to count calories anymore. I even have software on the computer that helps me count calories, so I shouldn't have any excuse not to!! I plan to try to stick to about 1500-1800 calories per day and about 40-45 grams of fat per day (which works out to 24 - 27% of calories from fat). I tried to stick to 30 grams at one point, but found that much to confining.

3. EXERCISE REGULARLY! As far as exercise goes, I would like to keep to 3-5 times a week with the ultimate goal of getting to a regular 5 days a week. I belong to the local YMCA where they have aerobics, treadmills, bikes, elliptical trainers, etc. They also have daycare, so it is very convenient. In addition to aerobics, I plan to weight train 3-5 times a week as well. On a rushed day I'll work out 45 minutes to 1 hour total and on a relaxed day it's more like 1 1/2 hours. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I should have NO EXCUSES for not fitting this in (granted we SAHMs can have very busy days too, but it's a rare day that I can't fit an hour of exercising in) !!!!

4. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER! One thing that I have been particularly lazy about is drinking enough water. I used to drink LOTS, but lately very little. So, I now have a 32-ounce bottle of water in the fridge that I fill up twice a day to make sure I get those 8 8-ounce glasses per day. Been running to the bathroom a lot lately!!! So far it's pretty easy to do - except when I'm away from home.

5. INCREASE GENERAL ACTIVITY! I feel this will help keep the weight off as well as benefit my children. So far I've done a few things like make sure we walk to the park, video store, library or any other place that is in reasonable distance. We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood that makes this possible.

Well, I guess that covers the basics and then some. Next week we can start the weekly "check-in" threads. Do you all think that once a week is too much??? We can just see how it goes and adjust accordingly as necessary.

I also would like to encourage everyone to start specific threads at any time - such as the question posted on this board about good fitness books, or any other specific questions that you'd like to ask the other members. On the Great Food thread we often do polls (some serious, some humorous, but always revealing!) that are a lot of fun to participate in. I think we can all learn a lot from each other and have a good time to boot!

Best of luck to everyone and WE CAN DO IT!!!!

[jd]

My goals are:
1. Eat healthier - through more cooking and trying new things.
2. Loose size - which ultimately means weight. I'd like to go from a size 18 to a size 14.

I'm using WW, and my 10% goal is 20 lb, but in total I'd like to loose 40 lb. I've lost 4 lb so far.

I think that weekly check ins are a good frequency and will give everyone a chance to check in, but not forget!

Here's to healthy eating!

[Pat58]

Maintenance is my primary goal. It took me over a year to get here, and I'm sick of yo-yoing. More succinctly:

1. Winter is creeping up on us in New England. Cold weather and shorter daylight hours seem to put me into a Deep Slump (some years, it was a Deep Depression). I want to do my best to continue my morning gym workouts.

2. Continue my healthy eating habits. Comfort food time will soon be replacing lo-cal fruits and salads and grilled meats - do the best I can with winter produce!

3. It seems like reducing starches has helped a lot - don't get back into a potatoes/pasta/rice rut - use them as side kicks and be sure to keep using low starch veggies and fruits to fill me up.

4. Keep positive! Keep up the yoga routines as often as possible and don't let the doldrums of winter get to me!

Gee, I see I'm going to have a lot to talk about this coming winter :-)

[JennyR]

After 2 years of getting this magazine I finally make it to the website and I read the idea for HLSG. Loved it! As a nurse with a very changable schedule healthy living patterns I find difficult. My goals:
1: To lose weight 20-30 lbs. I miss some of my nice pants that just aren't comfy at the waist anymore. I miss the size 10.

2: To be more consistent in the exercise area. I'm not a morning person and most days I'm working at 7am. Almost everything I read says excercise in the morning. If I did that I'd be in bed at 8pm and that doesn't appeal. I'm a binge exerciser-- good for a month or two and bad for 2 or 3.

3: To be more aware of proper servings and to eat more healthy foods. I primarily cook for 1 and a good entree had better be really good because I get stuck eating it all week. As a result my cooking has decreased in amount over the years. Those fast food stops have become a crutch during parts of the year. I enjoy cooking and started getting the magazine to jump start me back into a healthier lifestyle.

Someone had mentioned the water thing. As with exercise, I also binge with my water habits. Good a month and bad the next 2. I would like to become more aware of what is going on to get me "off the right path" so that I can prevent it from happening again. Just staying on track is hard enough, on and off and on again begins to wear down one's resolve.

[Kelly]

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that we've started this thread! Reading everyones' posts is keeping me motivated.

In an earlier posting, I said that I planned to rejoin my health club. Well, I did it over the weekend and already went to a class. Of course, I felt completely ill walking into it - I had not been to an aerobics class in years and was convinced that I would make a complete fool of myself. I did ok though & walked out feeling great.

My goals:
1. Loose 20-25 pounds by 12/1/00.
2. Aerobic exercise 3-4 x a week. Weight train 3 x a week.
3. Maintain a consistent eating plan. I can't use the word 'diet' here; I don't do well on 'diets'. This includes adding more veges to my daily intake.
4. Weigh in once a week only & at the health club only. I weighed in over the weekend and found I am 3 lbs heavier than I thought - I'm blaming that on my recent vacation.

I've got 12/1/00 marked off on my calendar and I'm going to keep track of my exercising on a daily basis.

Pat58 - It's interesting what you said about reducing starches. I drastically cut back about on starches a year ago when I was helping my mother get onto a diabetes eating plan. I felt totally different when I didn't eat as much bread, rice, potatoes, etc. I didn't loose weight or anything, but the mid-day slump pretty much disappeared. I now limit my starches to only dinner being careful to not eat too much then. I know that I'm not getting the 6-11 servings that is recommended, but if I ate that much bread every day I would gain weight every week.

I am also in New England and am dismayed at how dark it is early in the evening now. It has also become too dark in the morning for me to walk before work; I really miss the early walks when it is so quiet. I have also had the 'winter darkness' issues. I'm fighting them all I can this year!


Good Luck everyone - I can't wait to hear how we all do.

[andi]

Wow! We're off to a great start! Reading everyone's goals has helped me define mine a bit.

1. Fit back into pre-pregnancy clothes by Jan 1. (Maybe I shouldn't worry so much about the weight but focus on feeling "toned" and healthy.)

2. Cut down on the binge foods and focus on eating more fiber (whole grains, etc.), proteins vegies/fruit.

3. OK-I'll go with the drinking more water stuff-argggg...

4. Finally, I'm making the commitment to up the exercise. I only work Tues/Thursday (I consider my primary job to stay at home with my wee ones) so MWF will be my goals.

Lindrusso, I'm heading to the Y too, where there is a nursery so no excuses! Right now I'm doing the treadmill (I'm up to a 7% grade in three weeks!) and the cybex weight circuit (is that what you're doing for weights?). I can already tell I feel much stronger even though there are 70 year olds who are lifting much more weight than I am!!!!!

Jenny, I'm a nurse too and wonder if you might get a chance to walk outside at lunch? Does your facility have any type of gym that you could use after work? Sometimes after a wild day I think I've burned off everything I've consumed!

Kelly, Congrats on starting the exercise thing
!

I love how we are all different ages, sizes and live such a variety of lifestyles in different areas. It's dark earlier in the Midwest too!!!!! Here's to us! (I have a baby here trying to type with her foot!)

[BeckyM]

I didn't state my goals in the "introduction" thread, so here goes. It's good that I'm actually POSTING them where others can read them -- I feel like I can't back away from them now!

1) Get to 130 lbs (I'm 5'6") by Thanksgiving. That's about a pound a week, because I'm probably around 141-143 right now.

2) Exercise 5x per week. Right now I'm probably averaging 3-4x, so I don't have a whole lot to increase there -- mostly just forcing myself to exercise on the nights when I just feel lazy. I know I feel better when I exercise, so I just need to get over that lack of motivation at times. I also need to vary my exercise a bit more. I usually either go to the gym & do some weights along with the elliptical trainer, or I go running. I'm planning to start swimming again on occasion, riding my bike, and doing yoga. Hopefully that will keep my interest up as well as exercising some different muscles.

3) Avoid emtpy calorie snacks, especially the chocolate ones! This is really what kills me. I get home from work, and the urge to munch takes over. So if I have an open bag of chocolate chips in the pantry, watch out! I am resolving that I will find something else to do until the urge to snack leaves me -- go over to visit with a neighbor, do some gardening, read Cooking Light, give myself a pedicure, or something else I enjoy. That way, instead of having food be my "reward" for making it through a tough day, I'll find healthier ways to reward myself.

I think those are probably enough goals for me for now. I'm doing fairly well on drinking lots of water (keeping a big water bottle on my desk at work), and I am focusing on eating lots of fruits and vegetables. One of the things that is helping propel me toward those goals (and that timeline) is that I have committed to running a 10K race on Thanksgiving Day. I usually run 5K when I exercise, so 10K is pretty long for me. I've only done it once before, and I am determined to do better than last year. I figure running will be much easier if I'm lugging fewer pounds around with me!

Thanks again lindrusso for starting this support group! I think this will be great motivation to keep me going when things get challenging. And I think weekly is a good frequency to start a new post. I plan to weigh myself weekly too, so that seems like a logical time period. Best wishes to everyone this week, and keep being healthy! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Becky

[marys]

It's amazing how putting my goals in writing can help me focus. (Especially when they are in writing for everyone to see!) My goals are pretty similar to the others:

- Weight training 3x per week
- Some form of aerobic exercise 4-5x per week
- Stay away from too many sweets and carbohydrates
- Drink more water!
- Cook more healthy meals, so I can bring the leftovers for lunches.
- I don't have any specific goals for weight loss. I would like to tone up and lose a little from my hips and thighs.

As my doctor explained, as I get older I just need to eat less and exercise more than I used to in order to maintian my weight. That wasn't something I expected to hear just a month after my 30th birthday!

Well, there it is, in writing for everyone to see. I can't slack off now!

[iqueen]

Well I just replied to an old message and found this one so I'm going to jump right in. I just turned 46 years old, live in the Atlanta, Ga area and have lost 27 lbs on WW since the beginning of the year. The last 6 or 7 weeks I have been teetering on disaster so I am looking for the motivation to stay the course and reach my goal of 9 more lbs. I work out consistently, walking & weight training but my problem is wine. I love good wine and can't seem to resist as often as I should. Maybe these motivational chats will help me. It doesn't seem fair that I have to trade off food to squeeze in a glass of wine every now and then, but I do.

I hope to be a lifetime member by the end of the year and then work towards fitting all my loves into a maintenance program that will keep me on the straight and narrow forever.

[Missi]

WOW! Putting goals in writing is scary, but I am so motivated by everyone else that I have to throw mine in as well---

* lose 30lbs by Jan 20 (the date of my wedding!)
* workout at the gym at least 4 days a week.
* two words-- portion control
* be able to RUN a 5k by next year.
* I've got those one pair of pants that I keep in the closet to hope to fit back into someday. That "someday" is going to be this coming Thanksgiving!

Good luck to everyone else and their goals!!!!!

[sage]

Well - time to join up.

I'm 33 and a grad student. Have been up and down weight-wise for years and years and years. Unfortunately, each time I hit the up-swing I go back to where I was plus some. Have finally convinced myself that I am one of those people who just HAS TO EXERCISE to keep the weight off. Laying around watching TV and eating potato chips is just not going make those pounds magically disappear (DARN). So, back in March I started at the gym again. I try to go every morning. I do 40 min on the stair-stepper for cardio and about 25 minutes on the weight machines for arms/shoulders/back. I don't know how much weight I've lost because I didn't want to know how bad off I was when I started so I never weighed myself. I do know I am back in pants I haven't worn in two years. I've also tried to start eating better. Am trying to incorporate some type of vegetables and fruit each day and watch portion control. I try to drink lots of water.

My goals are - and I'm sure I'll think of others:

Lose 5 more pounds.
Keep working out every day.
Keep drinking enough water.
Try to figure out how to get more veg/fruits in the daily routine.
Don't eat just because I'm bored, depressed, stressed, or distracted.
Work on finding a combination of health eating/exercise that I can (and will) continue long term.
Don't let a momentary lapse back to bad habits or a small increase on the scale become a monumental backslide or an excuse to give up.

That's it for me at the moment. Will be checking back in to see how we are all doing.

Later,
S.Sage.

[cookgirl]

Scatterbrain here.
I'm young. I'm also 5'9" 127lbs. (Please don't gasp and kick me off the board!!!)But I am still very insecure about my appearance and see room for improvement. It could be because I'm married to a musician who is surrounded by attractive girls a lot of the time, but I think it could also simply be me.

I think that it will be good to have this variety on the board. I think it will make us all more sensitive to others, and realize that we are a lot more alike than we are different.

My goals:

#1 RE-THINK SOME OLD WEIGHT IDEAS
a.36-24-36 is a mutation of nature.
b. Barbie's measurements are waaaaay disproportionate (I think I read it would be like 40-20-30 or something like that.
c.Super models are UNDERWEIGHT, and often,VERY UNHEALTHY.
d. Fashion is a scam (FYI http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gifid you know that Marilyn Monroe's size 14 translates to a size 4 today? Every so often, clothes manufacturers/designers re-do size standards, which, I guess is sort of good, but pretty misleading.
f. BODIES ARE DIFFERENT.
g. Unless you've got the cash, you can't change your body shape.
#2 KEEP THE SCALE OUT OF THE HOUSE.
I encourage you all to do the same. Scales can be a hazard when you want to "look" better. I say trust the mirror and the jiggle, and weigh in occasionally to keep track.
#3 AMEN! PORTION CONTROL I tend to overeat and then overexercise out of guilt. It sometimes gets beyond "compensation." I need to level out
#4 GET A GRIP ON THE WOMAN THING. I think we are automatically conditioned to worry more about things like our appearance than men. I want to stop feeling pressure, just because I'm a woman, to be the physical ideal.
#5 Exercise regularly
#6 Give myself more sleep
#7 yeh yeh WATER
#8 In spite of all the healthiness in the air, I will not deny myself the pleasure of indulging every now and then. (Hopefully that will ward off bingeing).

OVERALL GOAL: Moderation amd Maintenance.

[mightyh]

My goals are similar to those you all have been listing...
1. Lose 15 pounds--to better fit into my pre-baby clothes and feel better about myself.
2. Exercise at least 4 times a week for an hour each time... and keep this up throughout the winter. As a SAHM, I don't have any excuses either.
3. Run a 5K.

I'm very much an "it's not fair" person--feel like I should be able to eat anything anyone else can without repercussions.

Was interested that someone mentioned she has had most success by combining exercise and counting calories. Two questions--first, is there a website that can help me count calories? Second, what other techniques have others found successful in becoming more healthy?

I'm an avid water drinker and don't eat too many sweets (on an everyday basis, at least), so I can't count on those to "cut out" some problems. I think my main problem may be portion control, but am not sure how to tackle it.

Any hints on helpful techniques or tricks (not limited to portion control)?

[BevP]

OK here's my goals:

1. hopefully lose about 20 pounds by:

2. aerobics 5xwk (not just 2-4) and weights 3xwk (not sporadic) and

3. portion consiousness. If I really want to eat 4 servings of pasta, ok, but be aware of it instead of thinking it's only 2. From there work on eating less.

And I'm with cookgirl -- be aware of the conflicting messages from the media. 5 thousand pizza commercials and nothing pushing veggies. I remind myself that those models and actresses have people helping them with their hair, their bodies, their clothes. And when all else fails, there's always airbrush on photos or body doubles in film.

[Laura]

Last year, I got myself motivated by deciding to do a mini-triathlon. Although I had been weight lifting pretty religiously at the time my cardio workouts were nil. My goal was to finish and not to have to walk during the run portion. I am achieved my goal and love wearing my Tshirt that I received.
1. Running a half-marathon. My problem is that since I moved my routine is way out of whack. So to achieve my half-marathon goal I need to run 4x/week a minimum of 4 miles.
2. Eat healthier.
3. Cut myself some slack. I am 5'8'' weigh 140 and can bench press 125. I am 38, single mom with 2 kids, so my breasts look like tangerines in the bottom of a sock, http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif isn't that what Wonderbra's are for?

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Laura:
3. Cut myself some slack. I am 5'8'' weigh 140 and can bench press 125. I am 38, single mom with 2 kids, so my breasts look like tangerines in the bottom of a sock, http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif isn't that what Wonderbra's are for?

First, wow - you can bench 125???? Very impressive!!! And unfortunately I can totally relate to the hanging breast thing - ugh. I think I have worn almost every size there is. I've worn everything from an A (skinny high school days) to a DD (while nursing). Now I'm a C, but a sagging C. And when others complain about being small I tell them that, having been at both ends of the spectrum, being small sure beats feeling like a cow with udders!

[Kathy]

Great goals, Ladies! I am having a hard time coming up with mine..definitely says a lot! Here goes:

1. Get the treadmill fixed! It is very difficult to use with all the boxes on it and it could use a motor.

2. Walk/jog 30-40 minutes 4Xweek. Weight train 3X week.

3. Do not feel guilty about taking time for myself. This is important!

4. Follow weight watchers and reduce consumptions of simple carbohydrates..those binges are ugly!

5. Treadmill will not shake while jogging by January 1, 2001. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

6. Lose 25 pounds by January 1, 2001.

7. Check board regularly and don't give up!

Good luck ladies!

[This message has been edited by Kathy (edited 09-13-2000).]

[MrsReber]

My goals- well, I really just want to lose between 5 - 8 pounds. I used to be much heavier and I somehow mustered the will power to get from 175 down to 125- on a 5'4" frame, although it took a few years. I was at 125 and very good about keeping in shape and eating well, but something happened in the last year and I strayed from my plan. My work suits tell me it's time to get serious again, no matter how many people say "you look fine!" (I don't FEEL fine) Here's my goals to get back in shape and feel good about myself again.

1. Actually get to the gym 3x a week instead of just 2- and try to even fit in a 4th session of cardio.

2. Do NOT eat while making dinner or thinking about what to make for dinner. Bad!!

3. Do NOT eat 3 portions of something for dinner simply because it tastes good. Eat more sensibly and stop eating before I am so full I could burst.

4. Don't be so hard on myself if I go crazy and need to eat some chocolate. Deprivation does not work. And don't be so hard on myself if I am a little tired and I can't do a full 45 minutes of cardio.

I really hope I can stick to this! I just want to get rid of the flab I have acquired in the past year- it all started the week before I got married- rehearsal dinner, honeymoon in St. Thomas (awesome food everywhere!!) then winter set in and now my eating is out of control. I just want my clothes to fit right again!

Good luck everyone! I hope we all make some progress toward our goals!



[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 09-13-2000).]

[Laura]

Originally posted by lindrusso:
First, wow - you can bench 125???? Very impressive!!! And unfortunately I can totally relate to the hanging breast thing - ugh. I think I have worn almost every size there is. I've worn everything from an A (skinny high school days) to a DD (while nursing). Now I'm a C, but a sagging C. And when others complain about being small I tell them that, having been at both ends of the spectrum, being small sure beats feeling like a cow with udders!



Actually, I can, but when I started lifting 2 years ago I could only bench 35 pounds. That is the great thing about weight lifting you are really able to see the improvement (Plus it is pretty cool to tell the young studs to leave the 45 pound plates on and then add some http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif)

[andreajackson]

My Goals:
1. Exercise regularly, I would like to exercise about 3-5 times a week for about an hour.
2. Drink more water! I am a diet coke addict and need to drink more water.
3. Positive attitude! If I don't workout I get down on myself and I hope to get rid of that feeling.
4. Have FUN!!

[Natasha]

Well, here goes! Hi everyone!
I have not posted on the intro thread but will try to later. Just wanted to get my goals down now!
Lindrusso, before I start - HLSG is a wonderful idea! Kudos to you!!!!!

My goals are mostly performance-based. I hope that s okay with everyone. Here are some of them:

1. Keep training well (I m a runner who also cross-trains a lot.). Recently things got hectic, and I put running on the backburner (which I hardly ever do, but it just could not be helped) and am getting back into things now - knock on wood.
2. Don t get down on myself for not meeting time goals that I had set for myself before the setback. Just concentrate on getting back to where I was and better, and do NOT overtrain to make up for lost time. There s always next training season. I m already goal-setting for 2001 and 2002.
3. Start getting more focused on my next big race (in a few weeks).
4. Get enough sleep (I need a lot of sleep!)
5. Eat well and strategically (the right foods at the best times), drink tons of water ... the usual stuff... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif
6. I have not weighed myself in ages (I refuse to.). I go strictly by how I feel, how my training is going, and how my clothes fit. I m really tiny and every time I lose or gain more than maybe 1 pound or so, literally, I know it. Based on all this, I am estimating that I might benefit from losing 1 or 2 pounds of fat and gaining about 2-3 pounds of muscle before the end of the year (so either no net gain/loss, or a net gain of about 1-2 pounds).
7. Stick with Pilates and strength training at least 2-3 times a week.
8. Do not, not, not neglect to stretch after any cardio exercise!
9. Always take one day off a week.
10.Keep enjoying how great it feels to be fit!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Every day I am grateful for my health.
11.Stay uninjured if possible.
12.Most importantly, keep laughing and keep on loving life!!!

I will check in to let you know how it goes and am looking forward to seeing how you are all doing too. We have a diverse group and I think that is a very good thing. Best of luck, fellow HLSGers!

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif *Rah rah rah!* http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 09-13-2000).]

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Natasha:
My goals are mostly performance-based. I hope that s okay with everyone.


Natasha,

You bet it's okay!! It's important to always have goals - nothing worse than reaching your goal only to have it all come undone! Setting goals always helps you reach for that next step and not slack off. I personally look forward to the day that I'm setting goals more like yours - more performance-based and less weight-loss based!!

[LauraEllen]

I love this! I tell myself all the time that others have the same concerns as I, regarding weight and food. But some days it is just hard to believe. Then I read everyone's posts here and I could have written half of them.

My goals: This spring I was up to 148 lbs. on a 5'6" frame (which my doctor now tells me is only 5'5", but I refuse to believe it - my driver's license wouldn't lie). I was appalled and set out to lose weight - 20 lbs would be good for my small-boned frame. I got down to 138 and stalled out. Now I am 140. I would still like to be 128 to 133. The weight is less important than the size, since I have been weight training I know I have added muscle over the past few years. I want to easily fit into size 8.

I also want to continue to weight-train 3X per week, but would like to step up my cardio workout from 3 to 4X per week.

Most of all, I want to be able to maintain this without feeling like I'm on "a diet" which implies restrictions. I will continue to love to cook and to eat so that has to fit in.

Finally, it's that WATER thing you all mentioned. I have been doing so much better the last 3 months but, even thought the water cooler (and the bathroom) are right outside my office door, I still forget to drink until something reminds me (today I didn't have any water until I read this board - thanks for reminding me).

[Kerri]

Hello, I have been lurking around and have found what everyone has been writing very interesting and helpful to me. I am 24, 5'9", 150lbs. That makes me at the high of of a healthy BMI. Sure, I would like to loose some weight, but now is the time where I would like to change my lifestyle so I can always be healthy. I am pretty active now by playing soccer (VERY good work out) and run when I can. I would love to run a marathon next year. I really need to learn to control portion size and not give into my ice cream weakness so much.

I have a suggestion for some of your goals. Many of you have said you want to work out several times a week. That is great, but in this busy world we live in, getting that 5th workout is not always possible. I have always heard that a 20 minute aerobic activity, 3 times a week, is the general rule. Maybe for some of you with tight schedules should start off with this and work up to 5x plus weight training gradually. This isn't for everyone, I know, but trying to do something that is impossible for you will just make you frustrated. Hope I didn't offend anyone with unwanted advice!!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Kerri:
Hope I didn't offend anyone with unwanted advice!!

Kerri,

I think you make a good point - don't set impossible goals, get frustrated and give up - try your best and do what you can!

However, it can be confusing - there are so many different opinions on how much is enough - some experts say you HAVE TO exercise EVERY day for an hour, some say 3 times a week for 20 minutes, some say - well, you get the point. So, maybe start at three and if that's not giving you results, you may have re-evaluate.

Another way that I have tried to get more exercise, besides spending an hour at the gym, is by doing things that need to be done anyway. Like mowing the lawn - our mower is not self-propelled, so you get a pretty good workout. I never used to mow the lawn, but now I see it as a way to get some exercise and accomplish something all at the same time. And it makes my husband very happy! Of course if you have a riding mower, that wouldn't really count.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Natasha]

Originally posted by lindrusso:
Natasha,

You bet it's okay!!

Thank you!!
Hope you have a wonderful day.

[ginny177]

My goal: You may laugh, but, having just recently found this great board, I have becone totally addicted. So my immediate goal is to muster the dicipline NOT to start reading the daily posts until after I've had my exercize ! ;-D

[Natasha]

Originally posted by Ginny177:
My goal: You may laugh, but, having just recently found this great board, I have becone totally addicted. So my immediate goal is to muster the dicipline NOT to start reading the daily posts until after I've had my exercize ! ;-D

Ginny,
I AM laughing, but not at you, with you! Have you seen those new machines I ve heard of that let you surf the net while you work out? You could read the posts WHILE exercising! Before you know it an hour or two could go by! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[jd]

LauraEllen - I solved the water reminder problem by keeping a large plastic glass on my desk. It reminds me to fill it up at the start of every day and keep filling it when it gets empty. Hope this helps!

[LauraEllen]

Originally posted by jd:
LauraEllen - I solved the water reminder problem by keeping a large plastic glass on my desk. It reminds me to fill it up at the start of every day and keep filling it when it gets empty. Hope this helps!

jd - Believe it or not, I have a large plastic water bottle on my desk. Sometimes it becomes invisible, though. Maybe I should keep it on my computer keyboard, huh?

[andi]

Hi All!
I may be jumping the gun a bit here but I'm sooo excited!! I've been really sticking faithfully to my exercise/eating program since we all started this thread and I feel wonderful! I have so much more energy and I think I can actually feel some muscle starting to develop under those fat layers! I was able to wear a pair of pants that I've been trying to squeeze into for the last few months. I don't think I've lost more than a couple of pounds but maybe am beginning to tone?
I'd be really interested in how those of you who mentioned using weights are using them. I think that would help my overall health quest. Any suggestions?

[KristaMB]

Okay, as I just stated on the introduction board, I finally realized that I need some motivational assistance! My goals are as follows:

1) Start going to the gym again. I walk at home, but I haven't been to the gym in over a year! I hope to be able to exercise three times a week at the gym, doing cardio and strength training.

2) Water, water, water. I started keeping a tally on the white board in my office so it serves as a constant reminder. However, I still am not drinking enough.

3) Eat healthier by cutting back on pasta and eating more fruits and veggies

4) Firm up the flabby parts around my waist.

Wow! Now that I posted them I have to start working on these things.

[Laura]

Originally posted by andi:

I'd be really interested in how those of you who mentioned using weights are using them. I think that would help my overall health quest. Any suggestions?[/B]

Hmmm. A lot of using weights depends on whether you are using machines as opposed to free weights. There are some basics that I can give you with out going into too much detail (although you could email me I can tell you more)
1. You always want to equally balance your lifting. By that I mean, if you are doing biceps than make sure you do triceps, quads and hamstrings, chest and back, stomach and lower back.
2. The general rule is that you use lighter weights with more repetitions to define heavy weights fewer repetitions to build. In either case whether you are doing a set of 8 or a set of 15, you should be fatigued on your last rep. By fatigued I mean barely able to lift the weight with proper form (this is where a spotter comes in handy to allow you to lift a heavier weight and not lose form)

3. Give your muscles a day to recuperate between lifting. I lift 3 times a week but I do it all in one day. Others will go every day but do upper body one day, lower the next.

4. Circuit training (quick reps with little rest between machines) will help aerobically.

5. Very important STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH! It makes you feel better, prevents injury and actually allows you to lift more.

6. Vary your routine every 6 weeks at least. Your muscles become complacent if you do the exact same exercises in the exact same order day in and day out. If you are going to a gym there is likely more than one machine to work the muscle you are working on at that moment. Change it up and you will see greater improvement. You can also vary between machines and free weights with the same type of results.

7. If you have not lifted before enlist the help of someone who has (or a good fitness book/magazine) to make sure you are doing it right.

8. Finally, my pet peeve- don't read while you lift. You need to really focus on the muscles you are using. If you are able to read a book while exercising your quads the weight is way too light and your body is not getting the work out it needs.

Hope I wasn't too wordy and that some of this is helpful

[Kristilyn1]

Wow! This board got busy! Yay!

While I'd like to lose about 8 lbs. it's the last pounds I need to lose so they will be the hardest. My goal is to run the marathon I've been training for at the end of this month.....as I've focused on my running--I've found myself much less concerned with my actual weight which is nice. I have a half marathon this Saturday to do so that is my most immediate goal.

Next goal is to continue running through the WINTER!!! Don't slack off. This may or may not be hard depeding on whether I can find a job that is located near a decent gym or not (cross your fingers folks) or even better--a job that pays for the membership.

Kristi

[THE BIG ORANGE BABE]

My goal will be to lose 80 lbs. I'm supposed to be in a wedding October of 2001, and I believe that by achieving this in small 20 pound blocks will be the best way.
I plan to do walking as my exercise. I've tried the "gym" thing, and I'm motivated for a while, but then just stop going.
Keep your fingers crossed for me...

[Gwenniver]

Okay, here they are (I posted some of it under Introduce Yourself).

Get down to lifetime goal weight (135 lbs). Don't have a date for this, but Christmas would be nice.

Put on a little muscle (would like to *see* the muscle in my arm a little when I flex it--not a lot, just perceptible).

Flatten my tummy--ugh!

Put more moving around into my daily life--ie find some activities that are fun that are also active--like bowling (sort of), or swinging at the park, or roller skating (I went a while ago--Geez, some of the kids in there weren't born the last time I went roller skating)--that kind of stuff.

Start cooking more--I love to cook, but I'm also fundamentally lazy and they aren't going together. I know if I cook food for myself it will be healthier because I will use CL recipes and modified recipes.

Get myself healthy and ready to have a baby (lose weight, more calcium and iron and folic acid)--the Red Cross recently turned me down for blood donation for iron-poor blood again, darnit.

Whew--sounds like a lot, but I guess it's really balancing and changing my whole life for the better.

[lindrusso]

I just wanted to bump this up so that everyone could review their goals. Holidays are fast approaching, so now is the time to strengthen your resolve and not end up bemoaning your weight gain in January!

Maybe it's not realistic to LOSE weight over the holidays (though I'm going to try anyway!), let's at least try our best not to GAIN weight. Hmmmmm...now all I have to do is practice what I preach!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[kwormann]

Wow lindrusso..we sound the same. I am also 5'1" and want to lose about 15 lbs to get to 120 . I also want to just be healthy. My father died 50 and I am built just like him. I just turned 30 and am not ready to go in just 20 years! I guess then, you could say my main goal is HEALTH!!!

[lindrusso]

Hi kwormann - I don't know about you, but being only 5 foot 1" is another motivating factor for staying/getting in shape - I don't want to get any shorter (i.e. osteroporosis)!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

My father had a heart attack and quadruple (or was it triple???) bypass a few years ago. He's just fine now, and is doing MUCH better than his father who died at the age of 42 from a heart attack. Kind of scary. My mom is adopted, so who knows what history is there - although so far she seems to be quite healthy with no major problems. Those darned genes can be a blessing as well as a "curse", huh??

Good luck and welcome!

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 11-06-2000).]

[HARRYET]

O.K. what I really want is to start exercising again on a more regular basis. Problem is, I work 2 part-time jobs, have two very active kids and house to keep up, hubby is very helpful when around but works 12-14 hour days. I lost approx 26lbs on WW 1 1/2 years ago, but in the last 6 months have regained about 8lbs, realistically I can maintain about a 4-5 lb loss, but with the holidays it's gonna be HARD! Reading all your posts has inspired me, and I am going to try very hard and just take it one day at a time!! Thanks for listening Ann

[emilycat]

Okay, (sigh) I guess I should state my goals, too. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I've been posting words of encouragement, but while I feel like I know where everyone else is, I haven't really shared any gripes of my own.
I'm kind of in the same boat as cook girl. I'm 5'2", 102, and although no one in their right mind would call me overweight, I've been freaking out because I've gained 4 pounds since I got back from my 1 month trip to Europe.
Anyway, here are my goals:
1. Don't let the scale rule my life! This is how I feel about my scale http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/mad.gif It's really obnoxious when you have to weigh yourself EVERY DAY or something in you says that you've been "bad" because you can't face the numbers. I will just say, point blank: numbers suck. My advice to everyone: don't get sucked in to them.
2. Know that I am not going to look like a waif for the rest of my life. Sometimes I'd like to, but I'd also like to have children someday.
3. So that I don't forget, drink more water!
I know I could run much more efficiently if I weren't mildly dehydrated all the time.
4. Realize that being the skinniest does not equal being the best. I don't mean to say that I have this superiority complex that I'm better than anyone who weighs more than me, but rather that I'm somehow not as "good" as someone thinner.
5. Learn to take a day off from exercise without feeling like a complete failure. It's true what they say about many runners; you get feelings of withdrawal if you go one day without it. I've learned to cross-train instead of running, but it's a rare day that I don't do anything. First of all, it's better for my body if I take some rest once a week; your body's like a rubber band -- if you keep stretching it without giving it a break, it'll snap. Second, it's good for my sanity to get used to not always being able to exercise...I really need to be more flexible for the times that I really CAN'T.
6. Start running more area races instead of just focusing on the really big ones. Racing helps speed, and improves race mentality. It's good practice, and it's a way for me to run with other people.
Goals are an ever-evolving thing, so I'm sure more will come up; but I feel compelled to also post a couple successes I've had within the last couple of months: I didn't weigh myself this morning (huge accomplishment) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
I don't weigh or measure my food anymore
I can eat out in restaurants now without totally freaking out or ordering and eating 1/5 of what I paid $30 for. (My boyfriend likes that one, too. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif )
I've done all my long runs by myself (go motivation! ) and have trained for this marathon completely solo (quite a different experience from having a training partner)
My race is this Saturday, so if I qualify for Boston, I'll absolutely let you guys know http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (If I don't say anything, don't ask)
Sorry this is soooo long, I just didn't want to leave anything out. I really love the support of this group; it's helped me out already http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 11-06-2000).]

[karen w]

emilycat,
Congratulations on all your accomplishments. I am also 5'2" and as my husband says "100# dripping wet!" I don't know if this suggestion is going to be to simplistic or just not practical for everybody, but here goes...perhaps, try getting rid of the scale for awhile (store it at a friend or relatives house, at the parents etc...). I have never owned a scale myself. I just go by how the clothes feel! The only times I get weighed have been during my 3 pregnancies, and now once a year at my gyn visits. It works for me anyway!
Good luck with everything!

P.S. My daughter's name is Emily. Where does the emilycat come from? Cat lover or something else?

[emilycat]

karen w,
Wow, that's pretty ambitious http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif , but it's certainly something to think about.
My middle name is Catherine; my entire father's side of the family still calls me Emily C. or Emily Catherine, because I have a cousin Emily, who is a mere week younger than I am, whose middle name is Bishop, so she was dubbed Emily B. We were quite a pair, and I think "The Emily's" in my family still implies a certain degree of mischief. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Jessica]

I don't know...I was never a waif but always thin (size six). I never used a scale and somehow gained significant weight over a relatively short period of time--I think I would have been more disciplined with a scale. I am new so I should state my goals.
1. Lose 25-30 pounds (I have lost 7 of this)
2. Keep up my cardio, weights and yoga.
3. Remember to drink water.
4. Stop obsessing over
a. not losing all the weight i wanted to lose before my wedding
b. gaining it in the first place