Ahh!! Only 70 days left!! Yikes!!

So I just did a little math...I only have 70 days left until my b-day - June 9th. I started counting calories in september, and have only lost between 6 and 9lbs... sad, I know.

I have a LOT to lose - we're talkin like 80 lbs, and this is going to take me a while, I understand that. But I want to get down to like 190 for my birthday. Really, I do!! But I don't know if I can manage that!! I don't even know how to do that!! I haven't ever really lost 2 lbs in a week and had it stay off...

What am I going to do?? I mean, knowing this, I'm definitely going to be pushing myself to work out more, but I already am doing it like 4-5 days/wk. I started Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred last week and have been doing that pretty consistently. I can feel my muscles getting stronger and more defined but I'm just so scared that it's not going to do anything!!

Okay, so basically what this all boils down to is that I'm scared. I'm scared and nervous and unsure of myself. If you have any words of wisdom, encouragement, or comiserations, they would all be welcome!

Hey flowergirl

Hang in there!!

Two years ago I smoked half a pack of cigarettes daily, was 60 pounds over weight, did no exercise of any kind, and generally lived a very unhealthy lifestyle.

I quit smoking, lost 50 pounds (10 to go) and work out 6 days a week with cardio and lifting heavy. I eat 95% clean and it makes a big difference not only in how I feel (tons of energy) but in my fitness goals. I'm better and stronger at 43 than I was at 26 before having kids.  Short version, I went from a total couch potato to a dedicated gym rat in less than two years. TWO YEARS. What is that out of a lifetime?

My advice..Find a program. I strongly recommend New Rules of Lifting for Women, you can get it in any bookstore now, it's very popular. There are excellent nutrition tips and a great weight program. Exercise videos are good for burning calories but if you're using small little dumbbells (the curse of the pink dumbbell) for the workout you won't see the results you are looking for. If you stick with a program, you develop a feeling of accountability which I've found can help.

Please remember, nothing will yield results quickly. The first thing you'll feel is  a sense of accomplishment, then you'll notice more energy. You'll be smiling more and want to keep working out. The days when you really don't want to work out, are the days when you need to the most, imo.

Most important...Do not be scared or nervous. This is your body, you are in total and complete control of what you do with it. That's empowering, not scary!

I have faith! HOpe that helps.

One thing you have to remember is if you don't make your goal for this birthday, who says you wont be just as happy next year when you do? Won't it be great to just get the weight off PERIOD?  Not just for one day, but for life???

DOn't beat yourself up. Workout, watch your calories and keep your goal weight in mind, not your goal date. That's the important one.

TIP: Before going to the gym, have a plan. Don't just walk around thinking about what you're going to do. Say "I'm going to go on the elipitical for __ Mins, then the treadmill, work on my legs and chest today...."

When you have a plan, you generally stick with it.

BTW, I would love to lose my twenty pounds by my birthday, but if it doesn't happen, I'll be happy to know that I'm healthy and by the next birthday I'll be where I want to be...My birthday is June 8th.

Original Post by mperic81:

One thing you have to remember is if you don't make your goal for this birthday, who says you wont be just as happy next year when you do? Won't it be great to just get the weight off PERIOD?  Not just for one day, but for life???

DOn't beat yourself up. Workout, watch your calories and keep your goal weight in mind, not your goal date. That's the important one.

Very good points.  But if this really is what you desire 2lbs in a week.  It is very possible.  Hard work, and self control.  I am by no means advocating the use of a detox kit (like a colon cleanse) because its not body fat that you loose its just excess feces that you would otherwise always have and will have,  but if the number on the scale is what truely matters, those detox kits can shed several pounds of weight quick.  But like I said, its really kind of cheating because your not loosing body fat, which was your original intent.

I don't even know why I wrote all of that, just wanted you to know all the options.  I wouldn't recommend the detox thing, I personally believe it can be done with hard work and self determination.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Original Post by sticksandberries:

Please remember, nothing will yield results quickly. The first thing you'll feel is  a sense of accomplishment, then you'll notice more energy. You'll be smiling more and want to keep working out. The days when you really don't want to work out, are the days when you need to the most, imo.

Most important...Do not be scared or nervous. This is your body, you are in total and complete control of what you do with it. That's empowering, not scary!

I have faith! HOpe that helps.

 Thanks for the replies guys! I'm really really working on working out more often - I really do love the feeling of it afterwards!! I just get bored so quickly that I sometimes find it hard to go back and do it all over again. As much pain/soreness I have right now (I hate jumping jacks - they kill my calves!!) I know that I worked them out good and that really helps drive me...

And you're right S&B - I AM in control...I just have to remember that. Maybe that's what's so scary. That I'm the only one accountable for myself.

I'm trying guys...I really am. And if I don't hit the mark by my b-day, that's okay, so long as I get close. I just really want to see that scale moving down, feel my clothes getting looser, and feel better overall. I just need a date in mind because otherwise I'll just be like "oh whatever...it'll come off as it comes off" and not really work hard. And until I get myself and my weight under control, I know this is going to be a battle and I have to work hard. I've lost the weight before (although I've never been this heavy) and I know I can do it again, I just didn't have to work as hard last time... So it's just kinda a shock to me I think...

Okay, I'll stop rambling! Again, thanks everyone!

Maybe try mini goals, give yourself a reward for every # of hours you log exercise, not pounds lost. Might be worth a try.

Oooo that's definitely a thought!! I like goals that aren't focused on weight and are focused on achieving goals!! I'll have to look into that! Thanks for the suggestion!