35-year old, loss goal 15-20 lbs, struggle with exercise, looking for buddies

Hello,

I'm 35-years old, female, married, no kids, one dog, one cat. I'm also a grad student finishing up my dissertation and teaching at the university. I really love teaching undergrads - they're so fun and energetic! I also love the diverse range of people I come into contact with throughout the university.

I need to lose 15-20 pounds. I'm currently 145 - I'm only 5'3.5". I've felt best in my adult life when I'm around 125-130. (And when I wasn't in grad school! But that's another story...) Basically, I'm size 10 pushing 12. I would like to be size 6. I would also like to be stronger and fitter and more toned. One of my big goals this year is to be able to do a pull-up!

I signed up for CCP ages ago, but didn't really start using it until last week. I've been actively logging my food for the last five days, and I find it very easy, fairly fun, and quite revealing. In general, my husband and I eat quite well, mostly healthy and natural meals based around vegetables. But by keeping track of my food the last few days, I've realized that I'm probably having more calories more often than I think!

But the biggest problem for me is keeping up with regular exercise. I know I have to do it first thing in the morning, before anything else happens. And once I get out there, I ALWAYS feel great. But for some reason, I can't get myself out there! As I mentioned in another post, I generally feel that working on my dissertation takes up all my discipline! I'm not going to reach that pull-up goal by only working out once or twice a week.

I'm interested in finding a weight loss buddy or two who finds herself in similar circumstances and/or with similar goals as mine.

Hi I am new to this site. I will be 35 in October. I also would like to lose about 30 Ibs. My problem is I have young children that don't always want to get outside with me, or it gets to hot for me to take them out. I am a stay at home mom, I just started this (staying at home) after working 10 years in a bank. Im busy but not the same as working. I started walking 3 weeks ago, a mile 5 days a week and actually it is becoming addictive. I can walk a brisk mile in 16 minutes. I weigh 163 Ibs on a 5'4' frame. Yuk!!!!!! I would like to be around 125-130.

I just had a baby 6months ago and I realize the weight is so much harder to get off the older I get. I get so frustrated when it doesn't come off right away.
Hopefully we can keep in touch and keep motivated. What I do to motivate myself is tell myself I will not go up another pant size. I am currently a very tight 12.

oh gosh a pull-up? i don't think i've EVER been able to do one of those, lol!

well welcome back to CC. i feel your pain about finding time and the discipline to work out regularly. between school and work it's really hard to find time everyday to get to the gym.

what has really worked for me is working exercise into my schedule, not just allocating an hour for the gym. i've started biking to work which burns almost 400 calories round trip alone and takes about as long as my commute by car! it's important for me also to remember that every little bit counts. i think a lot of people feel like exercise and dieting is all or nothing. doing little things like taking the stairs, going for short walks, trading soda for water -- it all adds up in the end!

well, good luck with your weight loss!

hello, aemommy2 & naurugirl!

naurugirl, i really like your attitude towards this weight loss thing! i've been thinking about biking to the university, too, but i always find an excuse - it's too hot (it's been 105 these last few days!), i don't want to get sweaty, etc. yes, i know, it's lame. but i like the super-efficiency of turning my travel time into work-out time.

aemommy2, let's do keep in touch and keep motivated. i've already found so much motivation and good ideas on this site. walking every day is awesome! some fresh air, lots of vitamin D, gets your heart rate up - all excellent!

i'll add you two to my buddies/friends list or however it works on this site.

sumitra