I just had my "enough is enough...get your butt to the gym" moment

[huskerlaw]

A little background: I just turned 30, I'm mildly overweight (size 12-14), I eat absolute junk, I'm seriously out of shape, and I'm DONE. I refuse to be this person anymore.

I've had a gym membership for about a year, but haven't really committed to going on a regular basis. Well, that's done. I've tried setting up an exercise schedule in the evenings and I can *always* find a reason not to go. No more.

Tomorrow morning, at 6 am, I'm going to the gym. I plan to start out with the elliptical and then some weights.

I'm horrible at diets, but I know that once I start working out I'll actually WANT to eat better, so I'm going to let that evolve on its own for now, with the exception of cutting back to one soda a day (to be phased out entirely later) immediately. And drinking a lot more water.

Any advice, success stories, or words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

[lizerdbits]

1. I feel better when I eat better

Though after something like vacation it's hard to get back to eating well but I know I'll wind up feeling better.

I also prefer to work out in the morning (unless like tomorrow I have to be in at 7:00). If I get up and go I don't have as much time to think about why I won't go.

Good luck! :)

[huskerlaw]

3. I think once I get used to being up this early, it'll work pretty well.

I'm not a morning person, but I do really like getting it out of the way...and I think once I adjust to the schedule it'll make me more awake during the day.

[lizziegrace]

2. I had a free week at a gym here

I felt so much better when I went. I hope to be in a position (eventually) to have a membership so I can feel better for longer than a week. :)

Good luck!

BTW, did you go at 6am??

;)

[huskerlaw]

4. Thanks!

I've had a gym membership for about a year, but I've only gone in spurts. Mostly because I was going in the evening and I'm just too good at coming up with other things that I "need" to do.

I actually did get up at 5:45 two mornings in a row! I'm in Nebraska now, dealing with some family stuff, but I'll be back at it when I return to LA.

I think eventually it'll make me feel a lot better.

:hi:

[CrispyQ]

5. So how's it going?

I found that when I work out in the morning I'm less likely to blow it off. The longer I wait, the more likely I won't workout. Also, morning workouts set me up for healthier eating for the rest of the day. I think, "I didn't get up an hour early & workout so I could eat this!" ;)

I think the best advice I can give is to be consistent with your workouts. Don't fall for the "every workout has to be longer & better than the last one." That's just not possible. If that were the case, then every one who has set a world record would break it every time out. Six decent workouts in a week will pay off more than two kick ass ones.

And finally, consider strength training. I have loved what lifting weights has done for my body! Cardio has stripped the fat off, but weights have really defined me. You're young, so you probably don't see it yet, but weights have taken care of that unattractive little wiggle I used to have in my triceps. :thumbsup:

Good luck cutting out the sodas! I do really good for awhile, but then I'll have one & it will take me another couple of weeks to get it under control again. I LOVE Coke-a-Cola! I could drink a six pack a day!

Wow, I haven't visited this forum in such a long time! I must check in more often!

[huskerlaw]

6. It's going well, thank you!

I've been going at least 3 days a week for almost a month. I'm looking forward to daylight savings time, because it is nearly impossible to drag myself out of bed when it's still pitch black outside. But I'm doing it! In fact, I've already pulled out the "skinny jeans".

My typical workout is 15 minutes on the elliptical, 5 minutes of stretching, and 20 minutes with weights. Then one day a week, I do a yoga class for an hour. I can already tell a difference in toning, particularly in my abs which is my biggest problem area. :D

I'm still working on cutting the sodas, but I do manage to keep it down to one nearly every day. You're so right about the food though, after dragging my butt out at 5:45, I think twice about eating junk. Not that I've quit eating junk entirely, but I definitely reconsider. ;)

[CrispyQ]

7. That sounds like a great workout!

No wonder you've got your skinny jeans out already!

Is an elliptical one of those machines that simulates running? Do you like it? Good work on the yoga, too! My husband has been doing yoga for over 30 years & he is the most limber person I know, especially at his age!

[huskerlaw]

8. Yeah, the elliptical is like running, but better on the knees.

The machine I use also allows a rowing motion with the arms, so it's full-body. I like it much better than the treadmill and find I can burn more calories and "run" further in a shorter amount of time. Plus, it doesn't hurt like the treadmill can.

I just started the yoga class and I am quite possibly the least bendy person EVER. I was getting schooled by people twice my age, which was a bit humiliating. Guess I'll just have to keep working on it. ;)

[flvegan]

9. If I may, huskerlaw, make one suggestion

I saw your above post on your routine. I'd consider doing 5 minutes on the elliptical as a warm up, then weights, then get your primary cardio workout in (your remaining elliptical minutes). For toning/losing weight, it's metabolically more efficient. The beginning warmup gets the blood going and also starts firing both the slow and fast twitch muscle fibers. The weights become both a muscular workout but also a cardio workout/warmup that further ignites your metabolism for your final cardio round on the machine.

I know...unsolicited advice. Just a suggestion.

[huskerlaw]

10. Thanks for the suggestion.

That makes a lot of sense. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

[Fleshdancer]

11. plus....

I read that doing weights before cardio is also safer because you are more likely to use correct form instead of swinging the weights due to fatigue. Do you find this to be true?

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. How's it going, husker?

I'm falling out of shape. Need to find some serious motivation to get going again.

[Uben]

13. I had mine about 10 weeks ago

After a cancer scare and finding my LDL cholesterol was dangerously high, I got it in gear. The doc wants me to lose 20 lbs. I am 54 yrs old, 6'1" tall and weighed 196. I was 206 at my heaviest.

In the last ten weeks I have changed my diet completely. I have always had one of those metabolisms that allowed me to eat whatever I wanted, and I would eat till I was full.

After 10 weeks of walking 2 miles every morning and doing various exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, deep knee bends, and using 20 lb dumbbells, I am 186 lbs, in much improved physical conditon, I have energy, and I no longer suffer as much from indigestion, headaches, and sore back spells.

I have completely eliminated fried foods from my diet and eat only whole grain bread (minimal). After my morning workouts I have either a bowl of raisin bran with a banana, raspberries and blueberries, and 2% milk, or a bowl of oatmeal, or sometimes just a whole grapefruit.

I now feel more like 45 than 54! (look good, too!) My chest was beginning to look like "man breasts" and I was getting a paunch for a belly.

I am working on the belly pretty hard. Already, I have reduced my waist size from 36" to 34".

You have to make it routine. It takes me 32 minutes to do the two miles on a treadmill (about 4 mph). Facing that each morning takes discipline, but I tell myself it is my ticket to good health and a longer life. And, I feel a lot better afterwards! I can't run due to a leg injury three years ago. That's when my health started going south. But, walking at a 4 mph pace gets me some good cardio,a lot of sweat, and reduces the shock on my knees and feet.

When I was your age, I was 175 lbs, worked my ass off every day, and was very active. I've been retired for 9 years now, and let me tell ya, if you don't use it....you DO lose it!

Anyway, I 'm back to a healthy lifestyle now, and it has become addictive to me. Good look with your effort, and endeavor to persevere.