40 lbs for my 40th!!

[eandemum]

Ok not 40 til Jan 2012 - and whilst 'normal' people will be planning 40 parties (?) or jetting off somewhere fantastically exotic have decided that I WILL be wearing a fab dress after losing 40 lbs.

Anyone else in this with me!? 3 down, 37 to go ....

Okay, my birthday (not 40th) is next week, so I think I'm pretty stuffed for getting into a fabulous frock by then! However, if you still want some company, I would love to lose 40lbs and need some motivation.

Great MarianH! so far have resisted Easter eggs - but the house is FULL of them - every cupboard/the fridge.
Do you weigh yourself? I know pepole say go by the mirror but it is too scary to look into

I technically haven't started yet... but will begin tomorrow! I always weigh myself, not that that seems to make me behave any better. I'm one of these who has yo-yo'd for years, and now when I try and diet it's really slow to come off. I have done it all. I know the thing that works best for me is exercise in conjunction with diet, but I'm so lazy at the moment. I really need to get a grip. 40lbs is how much I'd like to lose, but I know it's going to be tough to get back there.

Easter eggs are torture. Only one belongs to me, but it does not stop me pinching bits from the kids.

Are you following a particular plan?

I have many things planned for my 40th (not coming round just yet)
but I think it is a great milestone to use as a marker.
I WILL be a size 12
I will have a regular exercise routine
I will have sorted out my head somewhat

and I will go into the 2nd half of my life(ish) with a new zest and enthusiasm.

Thankfully it isn't till the end of 2013 but I need to get started as most of the above is going to take time!

Good luck on your quest!

I also own no full length mirrors. Maybe I should get one.

eandemum well done on your 3lbs so far - that's such a great start .

ByThePower I could have written that. I think it is all about the head, but it is so hard to change behaviour that is compulsive. I'm hoping the exercise will help that (assuming I force myself off my bum and do some.) In my daydreams, I like to see us as this amazingly active, outdoorsy family, and yet I never do anything to make this reality - or if I do, it is sporadic and there's always an excuse not to go again. I really want to overcome this, and totally agree with wanting 'zest and enthusiasm'. Good luck .

My BMI (if you believe in them) is currently 28.9. If I lose 40lbs it will be 23, so that certainly gives me a good target.

My plan will be to follow sensible diet - I have ordered Patrick Holford book as I am a bit of a diet junkie and tend to do better with a plan. I'm going to have a read of that. Until it turns up, I will be attempting to be good generally. I have had porridge for breakfast this morning.

My weaknesses are carbs and takeaways. But, if I am that way out, nothing is off limits and I will go for any junk. I'm also rubbish at portion control.

I cannot understand why it is so hard for me to stop eating things. I have had a pretty stressful time recently with some big life changes, and have subsequently regained a stone since Christmas. (I had lost 2st 10lbs of baby weight with another 1st 5lbs to go at that point. Using Xenical - works great but as soon as I stop taking it I pile weight back on. I don't think this is a side effect, it's not having the psychological crutch anymore. I have 3 months' worth of pills still, but I have decided to go back to old style diet and exercise as it will work far better in the long run.)

I will also do 30 minutes of exercise (at least) each day. This will either be aerobic or pilates, but I vow now to mix it up and not be lazy...

I'm trying to be positive that it will be better this time! I've also decided not to weigh myself for 12 weeks. This sounds a bit odd, but I'm a compulsive weigher, and if I haven't lost what I want to each week, it does throw me and I go off the rails. So, weigh in will be 18th July!

I am not sure I could hold off with the weighing!! I think it can be an addiction too (have in the past got undressed in the middle of the day just to check!?) You are spot on though - if the scales don't show what you want/expect then it is really easy to think sod it!
I think I will wean myself off to weekly.

I am counting fat grams - aiming for 12g a day (I did this before I got married along with alot of aerobics)

I too am rubbish at portion control - so I fill up my plate with veg/salad so it looks substantial !!

Also I tend to daydream re: what is for dinner.

Am allowing the DC to eat all their Easter eggs whenever they want just to get them out the house (the eggs not the kids!)

Have all been cycling this week - great until I have ended up ... actually I won't say (TMI) just that sitting is a bit of a prob now (although that might be good as can't veg out on the sofa!!)

Ouch for the cycling! At least it has paid off on the scales.

I must force myself to get off the sofa and do some exercise this evening. Even though it is good for me, makes me feel happier and better about myself, it is still like pulling teeth! Although the reason I'm feeling tired and can't be bothered is because I spent a couple of hours digging/gardening, so I suppose I have done something productive. However, this is not an excuse to not crack one of my many DVDs and do something - choices include zumba, yogalates and Nadia Swalhalla. I am the queen of good intentions - I buy them, and they sit around gathering dust. But not tonight. Wish me luck!

Remember digging/gardening can be good exercise too!

I have DVD by Janice from Corrie - but have no willpower with these at home things!
So GOOD FOR YOU!

Good Luck!

Took the yogalates from its cellophane and did that for 30 minutes. It's great because you can feel it working, though I know I need to mix it up with more cardio. I also did the relaxation... don't think that would help weight loss, but it was certainly very nice .

All in all, a successful first day. One down, lots to go.

How did you get on?

OK so now am walking to work - 3 miles round trip. Not esactly a marathon but every little helps!!
NO Easter egg has passed my lips....yet (there is still time I know!)
How many calories does walking burn off?

What is Zumba?

Zumba is new fitness craze, complete with neon clothes and its own music . Lots of gyms offer classes, but you can also find sessions in church halls and community centres. It's a mixture of dances that I think are Latin in origin, and possibly other stuff. It is good fun, excellent exercise and most people I know (a mixture of ages, shapes and sizes) who have done it like it. I'll bet if you search it on YouTube they'd be footage. I know they've launched a Wii game recently too.

I was doing well last week, but I did eat a lot of BBQ yesterday. I've been told I look like I've lost weight (after 5 days - get in!!!) but this could also be a result of the bit of tan I've got from all the gardening. The hardest bit is staying off the scales...

How are you doing? Have you lost any more?

Hi. Have seen an ad for a local Zumba class - it sounds good.
Have also a tan (but out of a bottle!)
Isn't it great when people start noticing!

am now 12st, 7 - slow progress - was thinking of getting new scales

Got myself a new pair of trainers - for walking to work - they are the ones that apparently 'shape' your bum too ?? I think it might be a case of the Emperor's new clothes.

Used my new trainers for the 1st time this morning - I don't know whether it was in my head but I felt as if they were pushing me forward - so felt some muscle ache my calfs/bum more!!

I was looking a pair of those trainers. My problem at the moment is being able to get out for a walk during the day. It's quite difficult as I can't take both DD and DS out by myself so we are a bit housebound. I have been very lazy for the past few days, but my birthday present is still in transit - DH has bought me a cross trainer (I asked for it ) - so hopefully I will be a bit more active when that turns up. I also have lots of gardening still to do, and dreaded housework. I need to make myself do something tonight though. Pilates perhaps...

I got Patrick Holford book today. I was hoping low GL would mean I could still eat lots of eggs and cheese (I don't eat red meat or chicken) but, no!!! I predict I will be mostly eating beans and salad.

How are you getting on?

Walking going ok - can't do it every day as sometimes have to do the school run.
Starting to feel difference - ie jeans a bdit looser.
Food bills up - I don't care what anyone says buying healthy/ier food IS MORE expensive! Today I noticed alot more products have gone up but NOT pizzas/oven chips etc (mmmm)
Although trying hard NOT too have crap in house for DC
What about yourself?

Ok. I need to do more exercise, but eating isn't too bad. I agree about food prices though; fresh stuff always seems expensive. Saying that, I went into Lidl on my way to an appointment yesterday and I was really impressed with the range of veg they had and how cheap it was. I don't normally shop there, and the occasional time I have has been on an evening when the veg has been really picked over. I think I might have a drive down there the next time I need to shop and see what I can get.