Ok, so I know that in the summer goals thread many of you (and me!) mentioned going on diets or feel the need for more excercise.

I thought it needed a separate thread to hold everyone to what they are wanting to do.

I'm talking SUPPORT here people! I need it more than anyone.


So if you are doing something to get in shape, or need support for anything else, you can update daily here!!!




Day One for me: Went on Weight Watchers today. I need to stick with it and excercise at least a half hour a day. Please hold me to it!

Count me in.

For starters, I need to get off the boards no later than 2am and get to sleep earlier.

And I have a workout starter goal of working up a sweat every day.

Who's with me?

Should we make a list?

So it's like we're getting accountibilibuddies?


Uhhh I just need to have 12 cups of water, tea, or plain lattes a day. And eat less carbs. And exercise an hour a day instead of 30-45ish minutes.

Thanks for starting this thread Sharpie! I know I'll need it, so sign me up. I get nowhere without accountability, because I am an incredible cheat.

My goals are: no more fast-food. In bed by midnight. Workout at least five times a week. Loose 5-10 pounds.

I've been successful so far, but that's only because I just started. This morning I ran for an hour, did crunches and push-ups.

The one thing I'm having a hard time with today is snacking. I've been incredibly hungry all day, especially craving snack-y type food so I gave in and bought a small bag of gummy bears to satisfy my sweet tooth. I think it did the trick, but if I start day dreaming about the vending machine down stairs I'm going to come here instead!

i need some support to stay away from the cake batter flavored ice cream @ cold stone!!

A great substitute is the light ice creams or the sinless sansfat. I like the sweetcream sinless sansfat with raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. The cherry pie filling is delicious, too!

Well don't look at me...

so which one of you are showing up at my door to chain me to my treadmill?




seriously

Count me in! Me and BJB started our workout routines yesterday and decided to be each other's motivators (even before all this talk of accountibility )!

My goal is to not necessarily lose weight, but the lose fat and gain muscle. I'm a small guy, and I weighed 135 most of my life and always had great muscle tone - then real life kicked in. Now I weigh 155 (last I checked) and I have no muscle definition. My abs are gone and I'm pale as can be. (D@mn you MB and Gabbly chat!)

I used to lift weights and run, but I'm switching it up a little. I'm going to try swimming. Swimming works out almost every muscle in your body, (including arms, legs, and abs) and I'll also be outside with the sun shining down on me. So that will tan me! I plan on swimming at least 10 laps every other day. I did this yesterday and I can feel the burn still. I'm gonna chase that feeling.

That is a different thread, OH. I don't wanna know about it.

i'm with you!! i have to start field hockey in a month and a half and i'm so out of shape.

a good tip is if you have a treadmill or a stationary bike, watch the office while you work out, wierdly enough that motivates me, sort of

Okay, last summer and Fall I started working out very regularly and watching what I ate, and lost almost 20lbs. Then the holidays, and a derailed schedule kicked in at the beginning of the year, and I found myself pretty much back at square one. So I started working out again, 4-5 times a week about 3 weeks ago. I do 40-50 minutes of hard cardio. I've definitely gained muscle mass and tone in my legs, hips, etc., but lost no weight. I don't want to be a slave to the scale, I'll go more by how I look, feel, and how my clothes fit. But I've got a great schedule this summer to be able to get to the gym 5-6 times per week, and I want to do it! Everything is better with exercise; sleep, mood, flexibility, aches, pains, skin, etc. Plus I've got seriously bad genes on both sides of my family, and I'm not going to end up giving in to heredity. I've watched my Mom deal with one health problem after another all related to weight, and that is NOT the kind of future I'm going to have. So! Here we go . . . .

I did 40 minutes of cardio today. I need to add weight training BADLY, so I picked up the schedule for that.

Good luck everybody!!

The one thing I keep reading and have been told my my sister who runs 4 times a week is that consistent exercise will lessen your period(TMI? sorry then you dont know me very well )

Mine are horrible and thats as much detail as I will allow. This gives me more incentive to PUMP UP THE JAM on my routine. And a really nice pair of Levi's I bought last week are tight......and i dont mean snug, i mean waistband tight that turns your skin red :cry:

I have been looking for a free exercise diary program, but havent found one that I liked yet. I'm still looking.

GAME ON

It's true

I posted a list of goals about a month ago on the OFF TOPIC Ramblings thread:



I've been actually doing pretty well on some of them. Not so great on others. I don't quite get up at 5am, but I get my son to daycare close enough to 7am. I don't get to walk every morning, but I do often and it's one of the best decisions I've made in a long time for multiple reasons. I hardly ever leave during my lunch break (but I had picked up a new activity and that's actually about to change again so I may be leaving my office more often). I've been very good about getting off the boards by midnight.

Coke is one of my biggest challenges to overcome. I had done pretty good for a while there, but then I fell off the wagon. However, I had lowered my overall daily intake so there's a plus. I decided yesterday to get back on that horse, but I immediately fell off again due to my stressful day. I plan to jump on once more tomorrow morning. Why do I suddenly feel like I sound like Bridget Jones? (in the book, not the movie)

So, yesterday I decided to up the ante, as Scotty mentioned above. I'm planning on getting on my elliptical machine more often and the plan is to do it as soon as I get home from work so I don't even think about it or try to talk myself out of it (I am very convincing). Eventually I'm going to work in some weight training. I'm also giving up fast-food. (Though, again due to my stressful day I already broke this rule.) I just want to be fit and healthy again.


Okay, wow. Long post. Sorry.



Exercise also helps with cramps! Though, cramps make you not want to exercise.

For some reason, if you have a good handle on this, I've found it works best for staying motivated (for me). The scale doesn't really tell the whole story, anyway. (Unless you have one of those special scales). When you're gaining muscle mass you can actually gain weight, even though you are getting smaller, because muscle is denser than fat. It's frustrating, because then how do you really know unless you constantly have someone checking your body fat index or whatever.

But most of the time isn't it really about how you feel about your body rather than what a number on a scale says? Unfortunately, not all of us have a good grip on it and are never satisfied with our bodies, no matter what. I've been recently looking at some old photos of myself and I'm like d@mn, I didn't look half as bad as I thought I did back then. In fact, I looked pretty darn good. Now if only I could get back to that place, maybe I'd be able to appreciate it.

Sorry, I kind of started to ramble there.

No, I understand exactly what you're saying. Muscle weighs more, but takes up less space. So I'm looking a bit thinner, even though I've only dropped a couple of lbs. at the most. It's all good! I've had the same experience with old photos. If I only had more perspective at the time. It's a good remind er for us to keep a better perspective and not beat ourselves up so much about every pound, and concentrate on how we feel, and our over-all health.

I kind of love this thread -- reading everyone else's goals has prompted me to finally put mine down ....

I need to work out ... period ... doesn't matter what. But, my husband leaves early and gets home late, so ... I have a hard time finding the time (without the kids) to actually get something done. So, I have to sneak in a few sit ups here and there. I had my second baby seven months ago - and by the time my first baby was four months old I had lost the 40 pounds I had gained in the previous nine months. This time, evidently, I need some extra help. So, my plan is just to get up and work out before the kids wake up. That means three times a week, I need to get up at 5:30 -- UGH!

But my biggest goal is to start a regular daily schedule with my kids ... since I started staying home full time in february, I've let our schedule go by the wayside. I used to be home all day Tuesdays and Thursdays, and my schedule included time for cleaning the house, and different activities with my daughter. Now that I am home all the time, we sit around snacking and watching TV, interspered with a little reading, and playing outside. I need structure.

I lived by schedules when my kids were very young. I had 3 kids under 3 years of age. My sanity back in those days relied upon a schedule that I followed 95% of the time. The other 5% was pure Hel|. We had our morning tv shows, then turned it off for play time, snack time, either potty training/changing diapers, reading books, then LUNCH, then the 'big deal' was QUIET TIME. Quiet time was between 1-3pm, no tv, no phone, dimmed or lights off. We had 2 couches that were pullout beds and I used those for nap/quiet time. The 2 older kids would lay on one bed, i would lay in the other bed w/the baby, and within 20 minutes they all were asleep.

I then would do quiet chores like laundry, folding clothes, cleaning bathroom/litter boxes and started to make dinner. The quiet time was GOLD in my eyes. Back then my husband was traveling 3 weeks a month for his job and I took every opportunity for any kind of daytime quiet.

After they woke up, it would be playtime outside(weather permitting) and by the time that was over, Daddy would be home in time for his shift. I finished dinner, served dinner and then it was bath time, reading stories and then bed time. My kids were pretty easy to put to bed.

I was not a Nazi about this but I do believe to this day that having a semblance that it helps out how they behave today, in some respects. I dont have kids who need or want to be up at midnight, or wake up in the middle of the night for no reason. And when I do forget something that is 'usually' done, my kids take the task to tell me that I missed something (5%).

I'll admit it, I wasn't going to work out today. Then I thought of this thread and how I was going to have to answer to all of you (plus it's my FIRST day...wow) soooooooo....
I only did a 20 minute workout, but come on...Mari Winsor and her pilates kicks my a$$. Well...kinda, plus I couldn't hook up my ps2 to play DDR (wow...did I just admit that?) Regardless, I feel AMAZING right now. I can't even tell you how good I feel! Tomorrow may be a different story because no doubt I'll be sore, but ahhhhhh right now I'm in heaven.


Recap: Yeah...it's a good day .

I plan on doing the workout thing this summer and i am doing the weightwatchers thing, only im doing it online, which is easier for me, so...

I love you more than words can express! (I love ddr, shh)

You know what, sign me up too! I haven't really exercised in months and I have never been so moody and/or depressed in my life. I have been a dancer since I was 2 and I taught dance up until last December. Most of my life I have been dancing 5-7 days/week. Since then I have done nothing and I've never been so tired/crabby/moody. So I am going to get motivated and start exercising and hopefully I'll start feeling better!

OMG OMG OMG!!!!! We should sooooo have a party....I can even bring it to the convention!

Yes! Bring it to the convention! I've always wanted to try DDR but I don't know anyone who has it!!!

Dude! LOL That would be freaking hilarious if you brought it to the convention! I think I'd rather be out stalking Angela Kinsey though. But you should still bring it anyways!!!

DDR is a great way to exercise.

My hubby and I did that a couple of years ago when I was trying to lose the baby weight, and hubby was trying to lose the sympathy pounds. It worked really well for us. I think we each lost about 15 lbs.

I really need to start exercising. I did really great after Christmas- I joined the gym and was going 3 times a week. Then I just stopped going. I told myself I was going to start getting up early every morning and go running- but it hasn't happened yet.....

Way to go Sharpie!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

BTW, I agree, this thread is a great idea!!!

Well, im joining my colleges gym, and the class starts June 1, so....


I just want to lose some weight and get really big arms this summer.

*note to self* Buy tickets to the Gun Show.

Totally! It even keeps track of the calories you burn, isn't that awesome? I actually bought that ps2 a few years ago (when they were super pricey..sigh) JUST to play DDR...to date it is the only game I own.



I did it before too, I lose 10 lbs in a month, then I quit and eventually gained it back...not this time though .



Thanks BJB!!!



I am also taking advantage of my university's rec center...the company I work for also has a gym for employees....so I can totally do this!

That's one of the things that I really miss about going to the U. It was the perfect situation. I would set aside chunks of time between classes and work where I would having nothing to do and be stuck on campus. The idea was that I would have nothing better to do than work out. And it really worked. Then I graduated.

Here is what my weekly workout looks like:

Monday-Legs/Cardio
Squats - 5 sets at 8-1O reps
Leg Press - 4 at 8-1O
Straight Leg Deadlifts- 4 at 8-1O
Calf raises - 3 at 1O-12
3O min. Cardio

Tuesday-Cardio/Abs
1.5 hours doing any cardio
Weighted Crunches - 5 at 1O-12
Select various ab exercises from www.abcbodybuilding.com and add a few more

Wednesday- Day Off

Thursday-Upper body
Bench Press- 3 at 8-1O
Deadlift - 5 at 8-1O
Lat Pulldown- 3 at 8-1O
Shoulder Press- 3 at 8-1O

Friday-Legs/Cardio
Same as Monday

Saturday- Abs/Cardio- *OPTIONAL* If you feel sore/tired take this day off and eat well.
Same as Tuesday

Sunday-Day off

I also swim laps 5 days a week for 45 minutes each time. When the mood strikes I also ride my bike or hit a tennis ball against the wall at a local school. Finally, I do *tons* of squats & lunges everyday.

Call me vain, call me superficial but I will do whatever it takes to have the hottest legs & a$$ ever. I want the kind of body that stands out in a dress & bikini & the kind that makes men do a double take. Yep, I will be bringing sexy back. Sorry Justin.

Niiiice!


I want to lose 10 pounds too! (only I want to lose them 15 times).


I don't really like ice cream. Does that help?


I would love to weigh 155 - fat or muscle.


Don't you mean we?


Ummm, what's DDR?

So, who is keeping me accountable for getting off the board by 2am? I'm still here.

Which one of you is going to pull me out of the kitchen in the middle of the night when I make a bowl of (eggless) cookie dough to munch on?

Ooh can I do it? Of course, it'll have to be virtual but the effort is still there .

To motivate myself I give myself an option. It's either the handful of cookies or pair of jeans. Obviously as it's the jeans as they'll satisfy me greatly in every aspect where as the cookie will fix the brief needs. It's also quite easy to confuse hunger & thirst. Basically, your craving should most likely dissapear in the span of 10 minutes. If not, go for a walk or do something that keeps you away from the fridge.

But jeans don't taste good.

That is true .

I guess I can't blame you for wanting to eat cookie dough. That's my weakness. Maybe it's better to try just a bit now. With me if I ignore a food craving for a while I tend to indulge a while later & that's better. If you give in quicker chances are you'll be satisfied quicker & that will allow you to take your mind off your craving.

I will...as long as you hand it over to me.

Here's my true diet motto - it's on a sticky note on my computer:

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

DDR stands for Dance Dance Revolution. Its a video game where instead of having a controller you have this


The game plays music and has arrows that crawl up the screen and the object of the game is to step in the correct direction when the arrow gets to the top of the screen like so



It may seem easy, but it can get pretty intense like so



It is usually a 2 player game, that is why there are two sides to the screen. One player does the left and one does the right.

DDR is my daughters favorite game for the past 3 years. We have gone thru 5 dance pads with her b/c she & her sister play it alot. I dont complain b/c it is exercise

Okay, we have PS2. I'm thinking I should get this DDR. I just wish they had better music and better dance moves. Maybe ones that I could actually use in real life. But it does look like a fun way to exercise.

I remember when the arcades game first came out. I saw this "less than slender" kid was playing that game at the arcade at the movie theatre. He was still there playing it when he left and was pretty darn sweaty. I remember think, well good for him. At least he's getting a lot of physical activity.

That's why I almost think that getting a Wii would "almost" be a good investment.

Soda is the worst offender ever--well, I guess I am the worst offender, technically. Two months before my wedding I stopped drinking soda to cut down on the likelihood of breakouts. I lost about five pounds. I know some of it had to do with wedding stress, but I have noticed that everytime I cut back on soda, I start to lose weight. I have been drinking water more in the morning, and going to Curves. I drink a 20oz bottle of water after I workout (mainly because I may die if I don't) and I seem to be getting results after only two months. I totally agree with the scale discussion and muscle versus fat--I can see and feel a difference but the scale has only moved two pounds. You're better off with how your clothes fit then what the scale says.

Good luck to everyone!!!

Do you like Curves? I signed up with Curves last December, mainly because the had a spot in the building next to my work. I liked it at first, but it didn't last. One, I felt a little out of place. I was by far the youngest person ever there. Two, the music doesn't do it for me. I don't know what it is but a fast beat does not make me work out faster. I think all the beats start to blend together at some point. I prefer a stronger beat and a rhythm. Three, I think I discovered that I actually prefer working out in solitude. I don't really want to converse with others. I just want to put my head phones on and zone out in my own thoughts. But I have to say, overall the concept is really good. It's just not for me.

That reminds me, I need to call them and see if I can get out of that contract. I haven't been there since January and that's just money going straight down the tubes.

I just bought the Wii about 3 weeks ago (and I don't have kids). I absolutely love it. I can't stop talking about it to everyone. On Mother's Day I took it to my cousin's house and now he has one and my dad bought one too. I play tennis and boxing the most, and they are both great workouts (if you actually get into it and really move). The best thing I've found is the training section, especially for boxing. I did training for boxing for over an hour one night, and the next few days I could feel all the muscles in my upper body and even my abs and obliques were tighter and very sore. The Wii Sports game is really great for all ages, and a lot of fun at family gatherings. No, I don't work for Nintendo, I'm just amazed how much I like it. I work out semi regularly, not nearly as consistently as I should. I don't think you could just use the Wii to workout and not do anything else, but it's different and fun, and a lot better than sitting down watching TV at night (especially when there's nothing good on anyway). I notice that the time really flies and I'm not paying attention to 'working out', I'm just having fun, sweating, and moving... a lot. My sister and I have challenged each other to a Wii boxing match in about a month, so we're both in training now

3 miles on my elliptical in 22 minutes and I am sweating like Michael in a boob implant factory.

I also did 1 mile on my treadmill on a 3% incline 3mph as a warm up and to wake me up after only 4hours of sleep

Fine work Domina. One gold yogurt lid for you! Now hit the showers.

I do like it because I am seeing results, but I totally get what you mean about being out of place. I am 33, 5'2" and 122 lbs. I look relatively thin, but all my weight is in my a$$ and thighs (unfortunately none in my chest!) and I don't like it. I want to tone up and get in better shape and Curves works for that purpose. So anyway, yesterday, this older lady is leaving and I'm like, "Good night" and she shakes her head and is like "I don't see why you are here anyway". I guess I should be flattered that she thought I didn't need to be there, and she said it with a smile, but still. I am one of the younger ones and I feel the stares.

I also agree on the music, but I basically zone out on that. I don't like working out with guys and I need someone to tell me to move to the next station--it's like a cheap personal trainer!! It's not ideal in some aspects, but it's quick, relatively cheap and is doing the job! Now, if I can cut out soda completely (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN), I will be all set!

Also, here is a link to a website that lets you calculate your BMI (body mass index):

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

I like this number better than the one I get at Curves. They have a machine where you type in your height and weight and then you squeeze the handles and it gives you a reading. I'm not exactly sure how that works, so I like this one better!