Wedding Weight Loss

We just decided we are getting married.  Because of the training program that I'm currently in (2 years) we've decided that 2010 is the year.  About 3 years ago I quit smoking and gained over 75lbs... not good.  I finally joined a gym a year ago and have been approximately 5 times. 

 I just really need some help with motivation.  My new job is so stressful and I live in NY... just coming to work and getting home takes 2 hours.  By the time I finally get home all I want is comfort food, the couch, the remote control and a HUGE drink (or 4). 

I've always been an athlete and have never been overweight in my life... until now.  How can I get motivated?  Can anyone help?

Heather

Wow 2 hours of travel time, that sucks!! What a horrible waste of time, huh? I used to live 45 minutes from work so I feel your pain there!

How far away from work or your home is your gym? I think the best thing to do is get on a schedule. And honestly, for me, it was much easier once I had a normal routine down. I ALWAYS feel better after I go to the gym and I have a ton more energy to get things done on those days. Right now I work 8-4 at my normal job, then I go home & go the gym for about an hour. By the time I get home & eat dinner, it's about 7. Then I have to do another 2-3 hours of work at home so trust me, it can be done. It's just a matter of going to the gym BEFORE you get too tired. I literally cannot sit down on the couch after work for more than 15 minutes or I don't have the motivation to go.

Also, it helps to have a workout buddy. Does your fiance want to go with you? Mine does or I wouldn't go half the time!

First, Congratulations on your engagement! That is sooo exciting!

You know, you and I sound a lot alike. I quit smoking a year before we got married, and noticed the pounds starting to creep up on me.. Here I three years later and am a size 10 now.. formerly a size 2. It is just way too easy to end a long day with an unhealthy, but tasty meal!

I think that just starting to log your food each day is a good start. Just by doing that you will really see (and hopefully feel accountable for) the things that you are eating.

My biggest help has been bringing snacks with me. I find that by eating small healthy things all day, it really helps keep the huge calorie meals to a minimum. And I don't mean boring 'ol carrot sticks. I take bananas, dried mangoes, almonds... things that I actually like, and keep me full. It doesn't take major workouts to lose weight.. just watch the calories and it will happen fairly quickly. I think that by making small changes, and noticing the impact they are having, will help to lead you to an exercise program in the near future. I think too often people feel the need to drop everything they love to eat and join a gym on top of it... not that it doesn't work for some, but it can be a real burn out to others. I think by starting with something manageable like diet.. since you have such a busy schedule, would be a better start.

Anyway, good luck, and congrats again!

Thanks, Megan.  It's actually a little over an hour each way (**** 2 hours), sorry that was confusing.  My gym is actually only 2 blocks from work but the train home is 1/2 a block away so the temptation is to go home.

Thanks for the encouragement!  I do need a gym buddy, that's a great idea! 

Thanks Starbux!  (me too, by the way : )

Everything you said rang so true for me!  I have started the food log which was a big wake up call for all of the crap I've been putting in my body... I've already improved my daily grade.  The snack idea is a good one, too.  All too often I just head for the snack machine which is right by my office door.

Thanks again!

A couple of ideas:

1. Food journal -- good idea; it will tell you exactly what it is you are doing.  Pay attention to times you feel compelled to eat, and note any of those times when you are not as much hungry as something else.  (Bored, tired, stressed, sad, afraid you'll pick up a cigarette and/or want to put something, anything, in your mouth instead of that cigarette...)

2. Once you have a handle on why you eat other than being hungry, find alternative means to satisfy that non-hunger need.  Be creative.  If you're tired, and you didn't have enough sleep the night before, take 20-min nap.  (No more, or you really won't sleep at night.)  If you're tired but you are sleeping at night, take a rejuvenating bath.  Or turn on the TV, but dance in place while you watch.  Take just a small walk - around the block, perhaps.  Just move, and see if that solves the "tired."  If you're bored, do something important to you for just you (plan your wedding.  Think of the next present for your fiance, and do some surfing for it ...) If you're stressed, either do something to remove the stress (maybe clean one room as a start on a full house cleaning, or pay 2 bills as a start on all bills or ...) 

3. Take every opportunity to increase your calorie burn during normal activities.  Rule: Never sit if you can stand, never stand if you can walk, never walk if you can run.  Watching TV?  Dance.  I'm serious -- this is my typical aerobic exercise each day.  March in place, do step aerobics, whatever, just move rather than sitting.  Standing in a line?  Dance.  People will stare.  Let 'em.  If you feel you must explain, tell 'em the truth - you're trying to get more fit, so you are dancing through life.  Most folks smile. (Yeah, I'm doing this, too.)  On the phone?  Pace while you talk, instead of lying on your bed or sitting in a chair.  You get the idea.

4. Consider whether you are thirsty rather than hungry.  Often we mistake thirst for hunger, especially since most of our liquid intake comes from our food.  If so, drink.  Not soda.  But water, tea, coffee --.  The colder the water, the better -- it takes more calories.

5. Promise yourself just 5 minutes at the gym after work.  That's all.  If, after the 5 minutes you still want to go home, then do.  Repeat next day.  Eventually, after changing clothes and doing something for 5 minutes, you'll stay, anyway.  Then, start increasing the "minimum" you promise.  10 minutes.  15 minutes.  1/2 hour.

6. If you really are hungry, and it's not a meal time, the idea of healthy snacks is a good one.  Nuts (especially almonds and walnuts) fruit, watery vegies.  Broth.  Especially hot broth.  Low calories, but filling, and takes the edge off of hunger.

7. Participate here.  Get some buddies, stay in touch with your journals.  The best part about this website, for me, is how encouraging and motivating it is.  

Congratulations!  And good luck.