Interest in a weight loss support group for the new year? - YouLookFab Forum

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Interest in a weight loss support group for the new year?

medusa

Veteran

I haven't seen any weight loss support threads here in a while (although I may have missed them, I haven't been reading the forum consistently). Is anyone interested in doing this regularly for the new year?

I've been working on weight loss in the last 6 weeks after gaining a bunch of weight last summer and fall. I had some health problems that limited how much I could exercise, and that combined with some stress eating meant I gained about 10 pounds. I've lost about half of that, but have more to go.

It would be fun to do this with others in the forum! Anyone up for this?

General

93 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Kari

Veteran

Yes! I'm in.

kimlee

Veteran

I do not need to lose any weight but I really do need to improve my eating habits and step it up on exercise....so can I join?

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I'll be in, too, although I admit to being a bit of a flake in regards to these types of groups over time. But it will be a good boost to get started! I am at home today, but starting tomorrow when I'm back to my regular routine I'm going to log all my food and exercise on fitday.com. I prefer to workout in the morning, but it's a real hassle going to the gym before work (having to back everything, plus I don't get an outfit diary snapshot!). So I'm going to try going at night until it's light enough to run in my neighborhood in the morning. We'll see how it goes. Sometimes I'm too tired after work to think about going to the gym. If I can't go consistently I'll have to switch to mornings again and just deal with the packing!

MsMary

Veteran

I'm in! I'm about 48 pounds down, 12 to go, and I want to make it by my 1-year weight-loss surgiversary on March 17!

Kari

Veteran

I hate to admit it, but I haven't made it to the gym literally in months. I called the other day just to make sure my membership was still active! I WILL be going tonight, though.
These days it's too dark to run outside when I'm home from work, which I prefer, but I have a gym that is just a mile away, and a small workout facility in my apartment complex. No excuse at all for me to not work out at least 5 days a week.

Kim, I think we will all welcome your participation. For me, it's not so much about the numbers as it is developing a healthy eating and exercise routine, and being able to fit back in to some clothes that are too tight to be comfortable right now.

MaryK, I didn't know that you had been through weight loss surgery. Congratulations on your success!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Kari, amen to that! I have found that if I just keep it healthy and exercise regularly the scale doesn't even bother me at all! Good for you, going to the gym. I'll go tomorrow night. PROMISE! (-:

Kim

Veteran

Depending on the day and my scale I have between 5-8 pounds I'd like to get rid of again.

I exercise regularly, just ran 7km this morning, but I need to be a little stricter with my eating habits. I'll be starting Jan 4 when I go back to work and my life goes back to "normal". Right now I'm on vacation so my schedule is whacked! LOL (Although I still make time to run! I just forget all about the yoga and the strength training and the gym...LOL)

So, I'm in too!

LeahJanes

I'm in. I've lost 25 pounds in the last year - 15 in the last three months specifically since starting a full on exercise regimen. I have about another 15 to lose - but I am more interested in my measurements. A waist measurement of about 30" would be perfect. I'm hovering about 32.5" at the moment. That would make me the smallest I have ever been as an adult. I am going back to Australia in March so I want to wow them with my transformation over the past year since I have been away.

I'm working towards the Escape from Alcatraz swim in the San Francisco Bay, I'm hoping to do it in May. So I'm swimming 4 times a week and going to the gym 3 times a week as well. It's almost time to start swimming in the bay again - I have to purchase a new wetsuit.

I am just about to scurry off to do some weights then hop in the pool. The biggest transformation has been in my mood. I feel on top of the world all the time - that's the biggest motivator to get to the gym, I just remember that warm fuzzy happy feeling it gives me and I've got my shoes on and I'm out the door.

kellygirl

Veteran

I'll be a cheerleader! I've put on about 10 lbs over the last several years and I'd like to lose about half of it (but I'm not feeling particularly motivated yet.) Hopefully reading about your weight loss successes will get me going! MaryK and LeahJ, you guys are awesome. Congrats on your weight loss!

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

[*Whispers* I've eaten one too many mince pies these past few weeks - I'm in! :-)]

Elly

Veteran

I don't need to lose weight, per say (although at the moment I have no idea what I weigh, but I know it is more than I did a few months ago--- my scale got stolen by a teenage boy that took it to the yard to weigh turkeys and dogs, and it has never come back!).

However, I could really use some help being accountable for working out. My doc is insisting on 5 days a week, but I am afraid with no sort of structure I just won't make it happen. I mean, I used to love to run, swim, lift weights, but since the heart problems they don't have much appeal. The past 4 months I have been swimming (if you can call it that) 2x a week for an hour. It was a class. This next year I am not sure that I need the extra stress. Plus, I would really like to get out of the pool during the coldest parts of the year. But then, gyms are notorious germ breeding grounds-- especially during cold season, and I am immune suppressed.

I usually use the pool/gym at the college where I take classes. I took last week off of working out, but there are 2 more weeks that those facilities are closed and I have to decide if I am going to not work out, or pay and drive 15 minutes to a local rec center.

I think I need a shot in the arm!

MsMaven

Veteran

I still have the last 5 pounds (which still leaves me weighing 5 more than what used to be "normal.") It will probably be 7 or 8 by Jan 1.

Leah J--Wow! I am impressed. I didn't know there was such a swim, but I can't imagine swimming in the Bay, even in May. I hope I can cheer for you.

Mellllls

Veteran

i'm not trying to lose weight at the moment but need to stay active for health reasons. would love to participate.

Lorem Ipsum

I'd like to participate.

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

I'm another one that would love to join in for health and fitness reasons, but not weight loss.

I had been using my treadmill 3x week for fast walks to help improve my fitness levels post-pneumonia last year, but for the past 8 weeks, I have literally done nothing and it shows As an asthmatic who has had pneumonia, my lung function has declined and I cannot afford to be so slack with my health.

I've also had atrocious eating habits - its all boiled down to being crazy busy these past 2 months, and getting out of routine. BUT, its all about to change!

For christmas I received Wii Fit, so I'm really keen to incorporate it in because its more fun and has the variety I crave.

I'm thinking of a plan like this to start with:
(Bearing in mind its expected to rain almost constantly til March here, so limited opportunities to get outside - although if the sun shines, we will definitely hit the beach!)

Treadmill 2 x week - 1/2 -1hr walks (start at 1/2 and build up)
Wii Fit - Yoga & balancing activities 1 x week minimum (my core is atrocious)
Wii Fit - 2 x week - the other routines - I really like the boxing but haven't had a chance to fully suss the game out yet so I'm not sure exactly what this will entail.
(Maybe 2 x yoga/balancing and only 1 x other activities?)

I'd like to aim to do something every single day, but I'll start with just the week days for now (and at the end of Jan, both girls will be at school 5 days a week so I'll have more time).

And I'm about to go grocery shopping this morning, so will be making sure I make much better choices!

LeahJanes

Theresa: You should get in the pool! Swimming is great for lung function. Not to mention really fun and relaxing. Swimming is my meditation, cause you're always concentrating on your breathing and the rhythm of your strokes.

Elly: It's hard to exercise when our surroundings & circumstances have other plans. Maybe just take a regular brisk walk or do some stair runs in the next 2 weeks. It can't cause that much harm to take a bit of time off.

I weighed myself at the gym today. I only put on 1 pound over the holidays, and I ate with abandon. So my metabolism must be speeding up. Weeew!

medusa

Veteran

I'm excited to see how many people want to participate! This will be fun.

Everyone is welcome - it is absolutely fine to participate if you want some motivation to be more healthy or stay active, even if it isn't about weight per se. In fact it's probably more healthy to focus on activity and general health, rather than just weight.

I suggest that we have a thread to check in each week on Monday. We'll start next week since that will be the first Monday of the New Year. For this week there no requirements, I suggest we discuss how we want to get started - what do you want to commit to doing?

Personally I think it works well to start with small goals and build on success. For example, rather than committing to work out 5 days a week it can be good to start with 2 days a week, then work up from there. Many small steps can be encouraging!

Tricia

Veteran

I'll join for exercise motivation! I had ben hovering at about 15 pounds over my "old normal" since I first gave birth almost 6 years ago, and then put on some more weight over the summer, so in September I joined Weight Watchers and took up running to try to lose it. I'm about 2-3 pounds from my goal of 24 lbs lost right now, but like Kari I prefer to run outside, so I'm afraid of losing my momentum now that it's too cold and dark. I have an office gym I belong to, so my goal is to keep up the 3x/week running regimen I'd had going. I found that 3x/week was plenty for me to go from never running at all to easily running a 5k, so I'm not going to mess with it! Once it warms up again, I'd like to get ready to try a 10K.

Kate

Veteran

I don't need to lose any weight, but I do need to be more consistent in my exercising, so I'm in for the being healthy and active part!

crazyone

Veteran

what Kate said is exactly how I feel...

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

My goal is to run a half marathon by the end of summer. I was even inspired to go for a 45 min run this afternoon in the rain (I have the day off). I'll be sore in the morning, but my HR monitor said I burned 500 calories. (-:

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm on Team Cheerleader and will support all your health and weight goals

Lynne

Veteran

I'm definately IN. My DH has been really unwell for some months now, and between looking after him and 3 busy children I am really struggling to fit in 'healthy me' time....and a healthy me is crucial to our family functioning at the moment! Plus, like ktp, Christmas was a fruitcake too far

Below, my favourite trick for looking half my size in photos - hide half my body !

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Elly

Veteran

Lynne-- that is too funny! LMAO! Sorry to hear your hubby hasn't been doing well.

LeahJames-- thank you so much for the encouragement. I am sure I will figure something out. Things are just complicated because I'm not supposed to be doing upright exercise-- so it is mostly the pool or a recumbent bike for me. Figures I would require a piece of fitness equipment that I don't own! There is a beautiful treadmill that is currently sitting in my garage missing me

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

YAY I'm excited that there are so many of us!!

Medusa I think a planning week is a great idea. I was reading earlier in the year about setting SMART goals.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

I'd never heard this before, but it makes so much sense.

I have a broad idea of where I'd like to head, and what I'd like to be doing at the end, but I need to work out the steps in between to make it actually SMART and not just some grand lofty plan!

medusa

Veteran

OK, here's who I have down as participating so far:
Kari
Kimlee
Jenava
MaryK
Kim
LeahJanes
Katiepea
Elly
MsMaven (I think?)
Mellllls
Lorem Ipsum
Theresa
Tricia
Kate
Crazyone
Lynne

Quite the list! Since for a lot of us weight loss isn't the focus, maybe we should call this the Healthy Habits Challenge. (Any other name suggestions would be welcome.)

It's great that a bunch of you have jumped right in and gone running or to the gym! But since this is the planning week, why don't we discuss what we can do to prepare for the changes we're going to make next week? This might include:
- digging out exercise clothes and putting them somewhere easy to find
- packing a gym bag so it's ready to go
- going grocery shopping for some healthier food
- making plans for someone to watch the kids during workout time
- making plans to meet a friend for exercise
- mapping out a new running route
- loading a music player with some good workout songs
What are you doing to get ready?

LeahJanes

I can vouch for going to the gym with a friend as a good motivator. You don't work out particularly hard if you're gabbing, but it sure beats going out for cake and coffee to socialise.

This week, my plan is to start trying the classes at my gym. I am also going to toss out all the Christmas food that is left in my house by Friday. A week after Christmas is enough to gorge oneself on candy and ham.

MsMary

Veteran

This week, I am squeezing in an extra session with Trainer Carlo (3 instead of 2) because on Sunday I am getting on a cruise ship for a week! LOL

But hubby and I have resolved that we will not use the elecators on the ship, at least. If we want to get somewhere, it'll be all stairs, all the time.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I'm in too. I'm concentrating on healthy habits - I did this last year and lost half a stone and then good habits crept out...
I'm planning to add the following habits at the rate of one or two a week and any more I can remember. Any weight loss that follows is a bonus!
- drink 1 pint of water in the morning
- eat every 3-4 hours
- eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
- drink 1 pint of water at lunchtime
- eat slowly
- drink 1 pint of water in the evening.
- snack on fruit, nuts, oatcakes

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