[Gavelgirl]

How in the world did I get back up to my birth weight and my son just turned 3? I know how but how did I let this happen? SAD? food addiction? love affair with food? fountain cokes? all of the above I know but if anyone can point me in the right direction I would be very greatful!

 

[fawnie]

Gavel, haha! well, at least you have a reason! I am just lazy!

Whenever I feel like reaching for a MalloMar, I think about how crappy my skin looks on the junk food diet!

I spend way too much time and cash on my skin to ruin it with cheap food. This is some basic advice to get you going, but you probably already know this:

Smart Skin Care: What diet is best for your skin?

Aerobic activity and weight training will give you some great results in a short time if you hit it hard! I hope some of the fitness gurus here can jump in and give you better advice!

Good luck! and if you need support we're all here for you!!

 

[Gavelgirl]

Oh thank you and you are not alone lazy gets me too!!!

 

[fawnie]

Oh sure! But it must be hard with a toddler around to find time to make nutritious choices! But a good time to teach healthy eating too!

Is there childcare at a gym near you? That could be a good way to get some free time for yourself. I see moms out there with those jogging strollers - the kids seem to be enjoying it too. Kinda hard when it's 20F out there, I know....

What activity did you like to do BB? (before baby!)

 

[Freddy]

You need to make fitness and hitting the gym as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth and taking a shower.

I may sound a little bias, owning a personal training business and all, but A GOOD, personal trainer can help you get in shape effectively and safely. It's definately money well spent.

 

[dragonlilly]

You need to make fitness and hitting the gym as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth and taking a shower.

I may sound a little bias, owning a personal training business and all, but A GOOD, personal trainer can help you get in shape effectively and safely. It's definately money well spent.

... or just begin by taking a brisk 1/2 hour walk three days a week, now that the weather is getting nice ... then work your way up ... TAKE Baby!
Drink 1/2 serving of fountain soda 4 oz instead of 8 oz each time you get a craving.

 

[Freddy]

...sometimes I think I'm too hardcore. hahaha

 

[IluvNY]

Freddy sorry but i think gyms are far too over priced these days in UK anyway and i wont spend my money on them personally! You can buy gym equipment for cheaper than spending money on gym memberships fees or as DL said just walk a lot and go swimming too! Pilates and Yoga are always good too!

 

[Freddy]

I don't think the person that originally asked the question is from the UK, in the US the fitness industry is competitive and gyms aren't too expensive.

 

[IluvNY]

You guys i think have everything cheaper than us brits though!

 

[chelsie]

start by walking every day and cut down on soft drink, even taking one out per week will make a big difference................Also taboe is really good to loose weight fast, and it's not expensive..................... good luck

 

[StephM]

I agree with Freddy... I'm at the gym 5-6 days a week and I hear all the excuses in the world about why people don't work out and it really all boils down to one thing: laziness. And I can say that because I used to be that way. I work fulltime and go to school fulltime and hit up the gym on my way home every night. I have 15-hour days, but it's part of my routine and one that I can not (and would not) break for anything!

Start off simple though...

- Water or SF (sugar free) drinks instead of soda or juice (which can be high in unnecessary calories, sugar, carbs, etc).
- Walking a few times a week is a great way to start getting more active. So are fitness videos.
- Get a buddy to workout with, if you can and help motivate one another.
- Pick up fitness magazines (Oxygen is geared towards women and have some good tips for home workouts).
- Eat lots of lean proteins (egg whites, chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, tilapia, etc) with green veggies (broccoli, spinach, green beans) and try to reduce simple carbs from your diet (sugar, white bread, white rice, etc) and replace with complex carbs like whole wheat/grains, brown rice, sweet potatoes. Also, you need healthy fats (egg yolks, fat in certain fishes) to maintain good health.
- Feel free to enjoy treats, but there's so many creative things you can do with "healthy" food to make it more interesting. Healthy does NOT = boring and tasteless, so get creative. Tosca Reno's "Eat Clean Cookbook" might be something good for you to check out!

Yummy Low-Cal Snacks/Desserts:
- SF jello (I take the pre-made ones and put them in the freezer for a little frozen treat - SO good!)
- SF pudding.
- handful of almonds (protein + healthy fats!)

And don't forget to drink lots of water. It's not only essential (and critical for nourishing healthy skin), but it helps to keep you full so that you aren't tempted to snack as much.

 

[mireckca]

I agree with Freddy... I'm at the gym 5-6 days a week and I hear all the excuses in the world about why people don't work out and it really all boils down to one thing: laziness. And I can say that because I used to be that way. I work fulltime and go to school fulltime and hit up the gym on my way home every night. I have 15-hour days, but it's part of my routine and one that I can not (and would not) break for anything!

I disagree - it does not boil down to laziness in all cases. As people age they face a whole host of difficulties that disallow a rigorous exercise program. I could do it too when I was young. Then I hit forty-five and it all changed. Even though my will was still determined my body just could not handle it anymore. Other people make tradeoffs for the sake of their families so they just cannot take off for the gym whenever they want to. Things are just not so simple for most people these days.

 

[gymrat]

I disagree - it does not boil down to laziness in all cases. As people age they face a whole host of difficulties that disallow a rigorous exercise program. I could do it too when I was young. Then I hit forty-five and it all changed. Even though my will was still determined my body just could not handle it anymore. Other people make tradeoffs for the sake of their families so they just cannot take off for the gym whenever they want to. Things are just not so simple for most people these days.

I could not of said it any better! And I am a gym rat! But what I could do in my 20's and 30's, just isn't happening in my 40's! Has nothing to do with laziness at all!! More like endurance, priorities, and AGE.

 

[chelsie]

I agree, you have to think of illness also, it really limits what you can do.

I know for myself I'm not a lazy person in any way, never was.....but sometimes I just can't work out, it's the way it is.........

So for someone that has no illness please do not judge others.................

 

[periwinkle]

On the flip side, I'm 42 and have been working out for well over 30 years and have not noticed a decline in strength or endurance.

 

[Freddy]

45 years old isn't a bad age for excercise, in fact I know many individuals that are older that are in excellent shape. It all comes down to how serious you are about being in shape. If you don't excercise then yes, 45 will feel old and you'll make that the excuse not to go to the gym, but I can post pictures of at least half a dozen of my own clients that are in good shape at an older age.

I've got a lady that's 65 that I'm working with to get ready to do a half marathon. You read that right, 65. A half marathon is 21 km by the way, we're doing high intensity interval training to work on strengthening her heart, some leg excercises to get her legs stronger, and on distance training to build up stamina.

I know she's going to do it because she wants to do it, now or in five years when she's 70.

 

[Freddy]

Another things, as you age your workouts need to adapt to your age as well. So, while you won't be doing the same things you were doing before, it should still be as challenging to you as you age. In other words, if you use to sweat alot when you worked out when you were 20, now that you're older you should still break as sweat and your workouts shouldn't be a walk in the park.

To me, it doesn't come down to schedules, laziness, or anything other than desire and respect for yourself.

I KNOW, that no one on here is busy 100% of the time. Otherwise they shouldn't spend their time posting on this forum. If your first priority isn't to watch your own health then I think they need to be revisited and rewritten.

So someone will say, I've got kids and a mortgage. Well, if you eat crap and don't workout, you won't be able to take care of your kids or your mortgage from the illnesses and problems that come from obesity. A heart attack at a young age because you're overweight won't help your kids or your mortgage.

A famous quote that I think everyone should remember is "Fitness doesn't take time away from your life, it puts time into your life."

 

[fawnie]

Freddy: EXCELLENT!!!!!!
Dude, you are the Motivator with a capital M!

 

[Freddy]

I'm just passionate about the skin and body, but thank you for the compliment.