i need a plan...
so heres the deal the wedding is sept. 4 - im a chubby mess. yes im cute, yes im doing better than this time one year ago, two, three, five - of course hell marry me regardless of what i look like. but i want to feel really REALLY, STUPIDLY good about myself that day.
im still grossly overweight despite my big losses, everything has completely come to a stand still this winter and honestly i cant take it anymore. i could easily stand to ditch 40 by september so thats 27 weeks - in theory its possible - likely? who the hell knows but im leaving it to you fine folks out there in SWLand. you train harder, do crazy things, can bend in ways i can only dream of.
i need help, i need advice, i need a plan.
any of you SW peeps want to help me avoid looking like the stay-puft man? GREAT.
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first, i'd really really really recommend you look into the paleo way of eating -- it makes total intuitive sense and it's not nearly as difficult as people assume. you can check out my previous posts about it. killercadoogan and runleenarun also started eating this way and have had excellent results. i'm taking results in terms of general well-being -- skin is clearer, digestion much improved -- but for me and killercadoogan also in terms of weightloss (which wasn't even anything intended). i lost 4-5 lbs in 3 weeks without even thinking about it or ever feeling deprived. killercadoogan lost 6+...
Secondly, set up a regular exercise regimen. Most importantly, don't just do cardio --- weights are an absolute must. you HAVE to work out to increase your lean body mass, or you'll risk actually losing muscle from all the cardio, decreasing your metabolism. if you at all can, i'd try to at least have a couple sessions with a trainer so they can discuss a good plan of action for you.
you have a lot of time...just go about this slowly and responsibly. you want to do this in a maintainable, balanced way - no suffering, no deprivation. you'll make it happen!
Submitted by msh258 on 02.26.10 at 01:46.
msh's organization is right: to lose weight, start with diet, add in cardio and exercise, then add in weights.
do not fast or do a cleanse, as your muscles are the first to atrophy, then your body fat is broken down and flushed through your bloodstream, and your body naturally restores your body fat before muscles... doing any of these will lower your strength and muscle mass, and actually increase your fat storage.
the paleo diet is an excellent diet, but there are others who have had equally amazing results with different diets. i think the thing is to minimize carbs, take out anything processed from your diet, only intake natural sugars, etc.go organic. go local. go fresh.
also, don't drink. period. do not drink. no drinking. i mean it. do no take a sip.
just working out alone does not lend itself to you losing weight. try 3 days of cardio, and build up the length of your cardio every week. then add in some light sculpting and so on. there are numerous free resources online for workout regimes, and you're also on a site chalk full of faux professionals.
understand that there are hugely different body types in the world too. losing weight is not always a healthy option, and going into any workout routine with that goal in mind is defeatist, particularly because a woman's body changes so much from month to month. avoid scales, please. super skinny is not hot, i feel, but i'm an ass man.
we're here to support.
M
Submitted by Mr. Mohawk on 02.26.10 at 01:56.
so um...not so specific...but I think the best thing you can do is stay positive and do something good for your body every day. maybe good meal, maybe a workout, maybe just avoiding a usual pitfall. SW has helped me not fall into the self destructive funks that used to derail my efforts in slow times like this winter.
I do poorly with super strict rules like the paleo or no drinking - I end up getting psyched out and blowing them spectacularly - but if you've already lost so much you know what works for you. Also - all of the above - good advice that I actually need to take too.
Congratulations on the nuptials!
Submitted by Butwhatifido on 02.26.10 at 02:04.
great advice from everyone above. my advice is to try to go low carb, high protein with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods in general. exercise is a must - diet without exercise, exercise without diet doesn't work. also, since you have 27 weeks, maybe think about setting weekly/monthly goals for yourself.
whether you make the 40 pound target or not, taking care of your body and self will make you feel amazing regardless. i really think that although i haven't made my personal goal weight, there has been a major shift in how i feel about myself since i began working out regularly - and apparently that shows on the outside. keep us posted on your progress!
Submitted by starry04 on 02.26.10 at 03:50.
Wanna join me on the "13lbs in 13 weeks" challenge I'm about to invent? I have a 10k 13 weeks on Sunday, and I also have 13lbs to lose until I'm in the next stone bracket. I've been coasting along for months now and need to a) learn how to run 6 miles and b) get serious about looking after my bod.
If I don't make it, I won't stress, but like starry, the shift in how I feel inside and out will make it worthwhile.
Oh, plus whatever the next SW Challenge ends up being too!
Submitted by CakeOrDeath on 02.26.10 at 03:46.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! So exciting! I think you have enough time to start making some changes that will have lasting impact but that can still keep you on an even keel. I don't know what your daily habits are, but maybe bring your lunch to work instead of buying it, or maybe incorporate a few more blocks of walking each day. Maybe cook at home more frequently, cut the sugar out of your coffee. Just go through your daily life and think of things you could do without. Also, sign up for a class. Maybe a dance or yoga class. If you put it into your schedule, you are more likely to be held accountable. Good luck!!
Submitted by andrealc23 on 02.26.10 at 03:48.
Make a plan and then...here it comes...have fun with it. Stress holds onto weight like my one friend holds a grudge. Try to find healthy food options that taste good. Find fun and interesting ways to exercise.
Submitted by killercadoogan on 02.26.10 at 04:21.
First of all CONGRATS ON THE ENGAGEMENT!!!! I am getting married in July, so if you need to vent about planning drama, feel free to let me know.
2) Seriously, try not to use a scale. Focus on how you feel. If the goal is feeling really stupidly good (which I love!) then focus on that - not some dumb number.
3) I agree with what butwhatifido said - strict rules are really tough. For the new years challenge, my DIY was to take down my insane hot chocolate habit from 1 daily to 1 weekly - and I definitely noticed a difference in how my pants fit. So whatever your achelies heal is, don't cut it out completely because you'll make yourself insane with cravings, but just reduce it by a lot to make a difference
4) Whatever exercise you find the most fun - do it. You'll be more likely to actually participate in it, enjoy exercising more, and therefore be more successful.
5) BE HAPPY
Submitted by yeahredgymnast on 02.26.10 at 09:09.
I think you need to keep it simple. You're going to be doing a lot of planning, and that's inevitably going to lead to some stress. If you're working some crazy program that's high maintenance you won't stick with it. And if you're miserable leading up to your wedding, you might not remember the good stuff as well. That said:
Start swapping "bad" foods for better ones. I gave up anything deep fried for the months leading to my wedding. I love french fries, but they weren't doing me any favors. (Nor were the fried toffee bars, fried chicken, vegetable tempura..) But if you want ice cream, have frozen yogurt. If you want french onion dip, make it with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. If you can commit to something more serious, kudos, but I found making simple swaps led to better habits that lasted longer than my reception did. And if you cook, cook more. Take your lunch to work. Freeze things. It's easier to fight temptation if you have a better option handy.
Find some kind of exercise you love to do. It's easier to want to do it if you like it. Not only is it going to help you get where you want to be, it's going to be your best opportunity to get any "me time" and destress. Also, push ups. Push ups are your wedding dress's best friend. Your arms will look good, your back will be sexy, your posture will be awesome. Push ups. Hop to that.
When you make a goal, however small, reward yourself. Take a day off, get a facial (wedding prep, it's "practical"), buy yourself something, sleep in. You can handle the pressure so much better if you give yourself a chance to rest your body and your mind. One of the things I bought myself? Besides facials? Exercise clothes. Oui. Sounds silly and girly, but if you feel good, you work harder. And how awesome would it be if said new workout clothes happened to be in a size closer to your goal? Just sayin..
Good luck!
Submitted by Evangeline on 02.26.10 at 09:57.