Comments on: Healthy train mini-derailment

By: John

John — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:39:24 +0000

Trying to keep yourself motivated to exercise just for the sake of exercising and being healthy is really difficult.

For me, I have to train for something.

I am currently training for a triathlon (I have never been athletic in my life, so this is big)

Knowing that I will have to complete the triathlon keeps me motivated to get into the gym and get my body ready for the challenge.

Just training my body for the sake of my health doesn’t keep me going.

Maybe that will help with your motivation.

Good Luck!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:41:10 +0000

I may be one of the only people who tell you this, but I think you should weigh yourself more.

Walking into your doctors office and not having measured your weight in 3 weeks, you had a lot personally invested in seeing the number.

I measure my progress once a week, at as specific a time as possible. The 1 pound gain you saw could’ve been time of day, time of month, water, a gain of muscle and loss of fat, etc.

Instead of discouraging yourself, find a way to get more accurate results to see if what you’re doing really works or not.

If that makes sense, and you’re interested, look for the “Monday Morning Weigh In” posts on my blog for my close to OCD system for tracking my weight.

By: Bing

Bing — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:39:53 +0000

Watching the numbers on the scale can be depressing. Throughout the week, my weight jumps up and down by up to 4-5 pounds. It drives me crazy, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I try not to take too much stock in the number on the scale, but instead focus on how my clothes are fitting. I think it’s a better judgment for me.

By: Heidi Renée

Heidi Renée — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:34:53 +0000

Ugh, I know how you feel. I was just talking to my sister about this! Sometimes I think my body is broken because my weight fluctuates so much on a daily basis, regardless of whether I’m exercising or eating right. I’ve lost seven pounds since my last time on the scale a couple of days ago, but will probably have gained it all back the next time I weigh myself. Sure, maybe it is water, but all the scale says is a number and I’ll admit it: I care what that number is.

By: A Super Girl

A Super Girl — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:46:06 +0000

I echo the comments about staying away from the scale. It’s an evil beast.

By: Chelsy

Chelsy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:32:37 +0000

I SO hear you. I don’t have any solutions but I can commiserate. In fact, I was at the doctor today and almost had a fit when I saw how much weight I gained from last year. I’ve never had to watch my weight before and now all of a sudden it’s like I hit a wall and everything that enters my mouth immediately goes to my hips and thighs. It’s depressing.

Not sure if you have already tried it or would even want to, but I have had a few friends who’ve had great success with Weight Watchers online…I’m thinking about heading that direction myself.

By: Megkathleen

Megkathleen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:52:44 +0000

I feel ya – I have a really hard time staying motivated. I’ve found that a food journal really helps me. I find that when I just track calories in my head I cheat and tell myself these pretzels or a fun size candy bar don’t count, but I don’t do that when I write everything down.

To motivate myself to workout I always think I’ll regret it if I don’t go and I never regret going. Or I’ll read workout blogs to remind myself why I workout (I feel better, I’m stronger, clothes fit better). Also, (and this sounds really silly, but it works for me) instead of say I really SHOULD go the gym, I say I really WANT to go to the gym over and over and over again until I start to believe myself.

I’ve been known to cry at the dr. about my weight too and it really did take me a while to start seeing results.

By: katelin

katelin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:53:49 +0000

oh trust me i am right there with you in the weight loss dilemma of life and it’s ridiculous. i’m so afraid of all the good food coming my way soon but i really hope i can make it through it by working out, eating healthier and seeing results, eventually. you can do it too! we’ll make it! woo!

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:48:50 +0000

I THOUGHT I had lost weight after some pants started to fit again, but I weigh pretty much the same as when they didn’t fit so I wonder if it’s just redistributing itself – mainly to my stomach, which never seems to improve.

Why not to the boobs, I ask you?

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:17:50 +0000

Honestly? I try not to weigh myself or think about weight during the holidays. I only end up making myself feel bad. There’s so much to do and rarely enough time to do it that I try not to beat myself up when I don’t go to the gym often enough or I eat a little too much. As long as I don’t go buck wild and as long as I get back into my routine after the first of the year, I’m OK with that.

By: Nora

Nora — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:17:54 +0000

1. I know how you feel. Trust me.
2. The fact that you are feeling better, clothes are fitting better, looking leaner? That is a very good thing. Maybe even better than the numbers on the scale. Not to say that I take my own advice often becuase I hate the numbers on the scale but lately my clothes are fitting better and that’s rather exciting.
3. Sending you a hug! (and I also would have eaten M&Ms and layed around on the couch.)

By: Erica

Erica — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:58:19 +0000

I’m going through the same process and it’s incredibly frustrating. Instead of focusing on the lbs, have you thought of taking pictures of yourself (in undies and a sports bra) every couple weeks so that you can see the change in your body. Your weight will fluctuate as you lose fat and gain muscle, but where you’ll really see the difference is in the tone of your arms, abs, mid-section, etc. Best of luck!!

By: phampants

phampants — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:59:41 +0000

Remember, muscle weighs more.

By: thatShortChick

thatShortChick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:49:03 +0000

I agree with Kyla when it comes to incorporating rewards with your exercise routine, little things like that really help.

everyone stumbles on their path to getting healthier, so try not to beat yourself up too hard!

By: Kyla Roma

Kyla Roma — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:21:06 +0000

Ugh, I’m so sorry Jessica. This sounds like what I go through with my back pain. After being rear ended one too many times my back is a wreck and I’m always in some kind of pain- and to feel comfortable I have to do yoga & work out & stay on top of it.

And sometimes there is nothing that I want to do less.

Mostly I think that finding ways to build rewards into my routine is really helpful- like if I’m going on a long walk, I listen to podcasts, or I’ll work out, clean up and then read a bunch of a book I’ve been dying to read. And trying to re-work what I think of as progress- maybe progress isn’t just numbers on your scale, but it’s also measurements & hitting your calorie intake goals?

Just don’t be too hard on yourself, miss. You’re doing good work & it’s a process- showing up to do the work is WAY more than most people can muster. You’re doing awesome!

By: Reinventing Amy

Reinventing Amy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:19:49 +0000

I loathe counting calories more than anything. For me, the more “on track” I try to be- the more I fail. So I just stick to making things uber healthy and low calorie and exercise. Weight management is different for everyone so it’s hard to say- this works for me, it’ll work for you. Take a deep breath and realize you’re doing what you can and that’s the important part.

By: SoMi's Nilsa

SoMi's Nilsa — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:12:46 +0000

I echo your sentiments and then some. I’ve been trying to lose weight for 6 months. I had a good first few months and I’ve all but halted since then. It’s why, for most of my life, I’ve n ever cared about the scale and focused more on how I look and how I feel. So long as I’m giving myself thumbs up for those two things, the scale can go fuck itself. I’m serious. So, think about what’s important to you. If it really is a number, maybe doing something like Weight Watchers will help you continue to make healthy choices (with an added dose of accountability to someone other than yourself). And if the scale isn’t the most important thing, I say continue to follow those activities that are important to you. Watch what you eat, but don’t become imprisoned by the system. And so long as you feel you’re heading in the right direction, you likely are. Hang in there.

By: The Modern Gal

The Modern Gal — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:09:36 +0000

Having gone through this several times, I can tell you I always gain a pound or two or three before I start losing. You’re gaining muscle, which is why you look leaner. Then, all of a sudden, you drop a few pounds (as long as your sticking to your routine). And your doctor is probably right about being on your period. I always weigh less after it’s over.

It totally sucks, but you’ve got to just push yourself through the first few weeks, and you’ll see your reward. It’s the hardest part of the losing weight/getting healthy effort. Take photos of yourself looking better. And enjoy feeling better when your on a healthy routine. Enjoy the extra energy. Try not to get hung up on the scale but on how you feel.

You can do it, I know you can :)

By: Rebecca_C

Rebecca_C — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:07:25 +0000

HI! I went to the gym last night for the first time in…well…I don’t remember. The scale says I’ve gained 6 pounds since the wedding this spring. Could have something to do with the gelato and cheese binge of last week, but it was worth every bite.

Anyway, if you’d ever like a gym buddy, let me know. I keep meaning to take some classes (especially yoga!!) but I don’t like going to them by myself. Could provide motivation for us both?

By: moonjava

moonjava — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:05:42 +0000

You can do it hon! I would say make sure you aren’t totally withdrawing everything that you do love eating, cause it just makes you crave it more.

Maybe find a workout buddy and you can motivate each other to go to the gym. And do something fun, like a class. I took zumba, it’s lots of fun, and it’s more like dancing than anything else! Even if I can’t shake my hips like Shakira.