Workout Buddy/ Pusher

Hi,

Congrats on the membership! I used to work out at the Y in Farmington Hills. Ok, don't laugh, but I can only speak from my experiences of losing a large amount of weight that your best cheering squad is the fit, healthy person dying to come out of you. Let her shout it out for you and talk you into going each day and making it a part of your life. Don't psych yourself out, psych yourself in. It's your body and life and what you choose to do with it is your decision.

If you're brand new to excersize, I know that the Y offers a complimentary work out with a trainer. Tell them what you want and they will give you a routine that will work into your lifestyle. Don't feel pressured to sign up with them after the session, if you don't want to pay for a trainer.

The Y offers some great classes. The classes were included in the membership when I attended. I know working in a class I find that I challenge myself a little harder than on my own. Once you get past the hump and start feeling good and you will, that you'll just make it a part of your every day routine. Pace yourself in the begining and slowly challenge yourself. Pushing yourself too much in the begining will only result in getting discouraged and possibly injuring yourself.

Whatever you do, don't give up, EVER.

Kim

Check out sparkpeople.com. They have support and it is a great web site. Also if you log what you eat it really helps to see how much you are taking in in a day!

:) I dont live up there but how many days/week and for how long do you go? I am currently going 3 days/week to the gym and do a workout at home 2 days/week. I am eating 3 meals/day which consist of a cereal for breakfast, salad for lunch or cereal for lunch followed by a healthy dinner with a larger side salad which I eat first to help fill me up quicker. I also have a snack of popcorn most every night. I found one that has 25 calories in 3 cups, so it comes out to less than 100 calories in the entire bag!!! :) Needless to say...it's a lot of work. I do a lot of cardio and I have lost 6 pounds in the past week. My exercise routines usually consist of 20-30 minutes of walking/running, 5-10 minutes of biking, and then weight lifting. :) The off gym days I use my treadclimber 20-30 minutes a day. I hope that helps!!! You can do it!!! I know you can

J.
www.mygc.com/jfiegl

Self magazine has a cool website, you might want to check it out -- self.com

my tips:
-eat whole grains (vrs refined) when possible
-eat as many veggies as you can, veggie soups are good too
-eat lots of colors
-drink lots of water, and down a glass before every meal so you don't overeat
-use smaller plates (lunch size vrs dinner size)
-keep a food diary (it doesn't have to be elaborate or measuring food, but approximations and/or tally servings per food group may help) *this one takes discipline throughout the day, but it works! you can use a chart or just a small notebook in your purse.
-focus on what you CAN eat rather than what you can't. If you crave dessert, look at an alternative like an apple, and if that won't do it, then wait 10min and decide if you are hungry/bored/or actually wanting desert. if you still want desert, have something small and stop--no 2nds.

-balance your cardio with strength/weights (muscle will burn more calories all day long)
-tell a friend when you have a good workout and she'll likely praise you (and then you'll feel good about it even longer!)

Good for you and I hope you find someone to keep you accountable.

If you try a supplement and your body is getting all the nutrients it needs your less likely to snack. Something that I have tried and it has seemed to help is verve. check out this site bwynia.vemma.com

I lost about 20 lbs. so far. Working off the baby fat. The key is what you eat as well. Reduce carbs especially at night. Give up after dinner/ late night snacks. I replaced those with a protein smoothie. Mine are so Yummy-taste almost like a milk shake. Plus drink a lot of water, I also drink sustain sport (kind of like gatorade but less sugar and more electrolytes. Vitamins are huge for me as well. I also will eat attain bars which have crave blocker in them, also yummy. Taste like a candy bar so a great chocolate fix. I work for a wellness company. Shoot me a message and we go over any more questions. Keep it up- you can do it.
Plus lots of CARDIO as well!!

M.