How To Start Losing Weight and Keep the Pounds Off
A Personal Tidbit
I have been slightly overweight my whole life. I never felt comfortable looking in the mirror, unless I was in baggy sweatpants that didn't did into my sides. I wanted to to fit, but every time I tried to commit to working out and dieting, I lost motivation.
Once I had my daughter things got worse. I had dropped most of my baby weight, but I was a stay at home mom. The weight crept back on slowly, and soon I found myself disgusted with my image. I didn't feel sexy, I didn't have any energy and I felt like I was failing my daughter.
I did some research, talked to some friends and decided that I was going to put forth the time and effort to fix my health and my image. Here are some things that have kept me going and brought me closer to success.
Get a Workout Buddy
Whether it's a girl friend, significant other or co-worker, find someone who will commit to working out with you. Both of you will drive each other to push harder and stay motivated.
Try picking someone who has a similar schedule to yours. If you are looking to workout in the early morning, find someone who has time in the morning and won't have to skip sessions for work or other arrangements.
Other factors in a workout buddy that you may want to consider include personality, fitness level, and goals. You want someone that you feel comfortable with, even at your most vulnerable. When you first start working out, you may feel slow and awkward, and you don't want someone who is going to judge you. Also, an ideal candidate for a workout buddy would be someone with similar fitness and goals. Don't pick a potential bodybuilder if you are looking to lose weight.
However, anyone is better than no one. For me, my boyfriend is my workout buddy. Even when I don't feel like working out because I'm tired or sore, he motivates me to get up and get it over with. We do it together.
Pick a Program that Works for You
Don't just try one program and assume you won't enjoy working out.
Video Game Exercise: New technology has evolved to an all time high. All three popular consoles have exercise programs you can use to get fit. Wii Fit came first. It has options to do yoga, strength, aerobics and balance training. Playstation Move offers a variety of games that involve exercise. Do you enjoy boxing? Try The Fight: Lights Out. And my personal favorite is Xbox Kinect. The system registers full body movements. Just Dance 4 is a fun way to get fit. I use Nike + Kinect Training, an intense full body workout.
HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training is for those who are looking to sweat pools. It uses short periods of extremely intense aerobics and shorter periods of rest. Popular videos such as Beachbody's Insanity and Insanity: The Asylum will give you results. They are not for the faint of heart. They require time and serious dedication. You will push yourself to a new extreme and work your body the way it was designed to be used.
Zumba: For those who don't like the idea of a workout, try Zumba. Zumba is offered on video and on multiple game consoles. Dance to the rhythm of international music. Do it with friends for a more enjoyable experience.
Get Some Cute Workout Gear
It may sound silly, but new workout gear can really get you moving. I love going shopping for new sports bras, yoga pants and workout tops. You don't have to splurge on outrageously priced gear, either. Try hitting up an overstock department store such as Ross, TJMaxx, Marshalls and AJ Wright. I am constantly finding colorful, cute name brand clothes. I can't wait to get home, put on my gear and work out!
My favorite workout item has to be my yoga pants. I am addicted to these. I have them in every color and wear them EVERYWHERE! I workout in them, go to the mall, go grocery shopping, spend Sunday's and every other day that ends in Y in them. I love yoga pants! Next time you go shopping pick up a pair and check out your new booty. Pretty fabulous!
Check Out a Motivation Blog
I constantly visit blog sites that have motivation tips, new exercises and yummy recipes. Here are a few I visit regularly.
Back On Point: This is by far one of my favorite fitness blogs. She has been posting regularly for as long as I can remember. From healthy recipes, substitution ideas and workout routines, this girl knows how to motivate you and get you fit and healthy.
JWOWW: Reality star, Jennifer Farley, is fit and doesn't mind sharing her tips on how she stays so attractive. She shares fashion advice, exercises and delicious healthy recipes. She is one of my idols that drives me to get in shape.
Yum Yucky: This website takes reality and slaps you in the face. Sound brutal? Sometimes that is what you need. I know I need it to remind myself why I don't want to gobble down four donuts.
Motivating Music
I find it way easier to work out when I have my iPod plugged in to my surround sound and keep the volume high.
Here is my current workout playlist:
- Troublemaker - Olly Murs featuring Flo Rida
- Hey Porsche - Nelly
- We Found Love - Rihanna
- One More Time - Daft Punk
- Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan
- Maneater - Nelly Furtado
- Starships - Nicki Minaj
- C'Mon - Ke$ha
- Rack City -Tyga
- Who Dat - J. Cole
- Hot Mess - Cobra Starship
- Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz
- California Girls - Katy Perry
- Disturbia - Rihanna
Track Your Progress
At first, it may seem morbid to take pictures of the body you despise. Do it anyway! Print it out, put it on your wall and look at it every day. I have posted my before picture right next to my television so that every day when I workout I have to look at it. It drives me and makes me upset so I work harder.
Take new pictures, but not too often. Don't take pictures daily, or even weekly, because you may not see the results you want, and it can be frustrating. I take a new picture every three weeks and put it next to my starting picture. It is so motivating to see what you have accomplished.
Make a weight chart: I was ashamed of what I weighted after having my baby girl. Again, to motivate myself to strive for a lower weight, I put a weight chart on my wall. I bought a dry erase board and put my initial weight, weekly weight, and total weight loss. At first, the numbers weren't that impressive, but give it a few weeks and you will see how far you have come.
Track your intake: It seems like each of these is a method to disgust yourself. In a way, it is, because it works. I wrote down everything I ate when I first started and when I looked back at a full day I saw WHY I was gaining weight. Popcorn, soda, granola bar, hamburger, more soda and cheese. Yep, I love food. But after seeing my eating habit, it gave me motivation to change. It didn't happen overnight, but every day there were a few less fattening foods on the list and a few more healthy options. Over a month on the charts, and my eating habits were completely different.
Motivational Quotes for the Road
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
"It's easier to wake up and work out than it is to look in the mirror each day and not like what you see" - Jayne Cox
"Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it. Start now" - Unknown
"To change your body you have to change your life" - Unknown
"Don't quit. You're already in pain. You're already hurt. Get a reward from it" - Unknown