MindStreamer's Journal, 07 October 2014

((hugs)) it'll get better and easier, just don't give up! 

Check the labels on the food that you are consuming and make sure that you arent taking in more than 2300mg of sodium per day (the daily recommended maximum) and up your water intake to at least 1 gallon per day. Based on what you said, and how sore you are; it sounds like you are retaining water. Consuming more water and less salt will help you to flush it out. Definitely do NOT give up on exercise...thats the last thing you want to do! 

I'm 100% with Chadlius! Good ideas! 

Aww - yes, we have all been there! Forgive yourself and move on. Make one small change each day and eventually you will be living a healthy life. 

Mind Streamer. We have all had those days. It's okay. Please remind yourself of the successes you've had in the past. Congratulate yourself for getting back to a routine after 5 long years. It's far easier not to do anything than to be proactive. You are being proactive. You are doing something for yourself, and occasionally you'll have a day where you feel down. Just don't stay down too long....you're worth not giving up. 

Maybe lifting weights is not where you should be right now. Treadmill always seem to be a right move. The one thing I have learned since this journey began is you have to keep trying different things til you find what works for you. And what is right for you may not be what is right for anyone else. I have now started the trick (mind over matter, sometimes) that if I want something I shouldn't have, I have to drink a LARGE glass of water and wait 15 minutes. This gives me time to think about what I want most...the food that I shouldn't have or the weight gain. Sometimes the food wins. But the longer I continue on this journey the more I realize the water has "filled" that need. Then I can think clearly, beyond the desire,and I eat something in line with my new lifestyle. Keep on keeping on Fat Secret. Reporting, especially to yourself, seems to be helping all of us. Keep positive my friend! 

We al have those days! Maybe the gym is not right for you yet! Walking works for me, especially getting outside and away from stress! 

Just keep going! Its your body reorganising itself. Keep active, train hard , eat beter , get enough sleep and the weight will start coming off. 

Keep the Faith!!! 

please don't give up. you are more than the number you see on the scale. exercising and eating healthy are essential for our health. Maybe u should consider having a brisk walk at the beginning...simple jog, breath fresh air.. and increase the intensity when u feel ready. eating healthy doesn't mean u have to eat gross untasty foods. just cut out a bit on your calories and carbs day by day. small step means so much. At the end u will feel happy. good luck :) and plz never quit. 

Yeah I know that Mr. or Mrs Sabotage they make their way back every so often learning to shut my hearing off to them. 

I know it is hard to begin tracking your food and making healthier choices, but if you just decide to do it now, and drink more water, you will start feeling so much better. Excercise is definitely important, however, I find that I get more results when I concentrate on food intake and water consumption along with burning more calories. All you need to do is make up your mind what you want to do. You can do it!! 

My sister, my niece and I have each lost approximately 30 lbs in the past 4 1/2 months by doing this. Tracking the food makes all the difference.  

You will I promise hurt less if you lose the extra pounds and exercise, just give your body the needed day or two recovery time after weights. My chronic pain is gone but it takes time, consistency and tracking why you eat.  

Thanks to everyone who commented. I went to the gym yesterday even though my mind was telling me what was the point. When I thought about it, I didn't have anything else better to do but go to Starbucks and have a pastry with a cup of coffee. That would have been so easy, but I know I would have felt awful afterwards. I drove to the gym, feeling like I was dragging myself and sat in the parking lot until my negative thinking was distracted with other things, I setup my cell to work with my car. :) So I got out the car and my negative thinking kicked in again on the way into the building. Here is what I heard. 1. Your feet still hurt maybe you should just sit today out. 2. Remember how uncomfortable you feel in those shorts that keep rolling under your big belly? 3. People are staring at me, wondering what a lost cause I was. Yall, I kept walking. I got dressed and climbed on the treadmill. I walked for 35 minutes and did a circuit weight session for my upper body. Then I got on the bicycle for 35 minutes, showered and went home. Why is it a daily battle to accomplish this?  

It's because it's currently outside your comfort zone my friend, keep it up and your comfort zone will encompass it and it will be habit and no so much of a struggle. On the subject of people staring at you, don't sweat it, most people you meet on the street or in a public situation like the gym are too focused on whether their gym shorts are riding up their own crack to worry about judging you. I ended up with a colostomy in 2010 and for the first few months I was all freaked out that everyone was staring at me and judging me. Then I realized that behind every set of eyes that looked at me there was another struggling human being behind them. They are dealing with their own junk and most of them do not have the time or energy to judge you. If they do, it's their problem, not yours. You are doing this for you, not for anyone else! Have a great day! 

MindStreamer. Don't give up. I was 249# on July 16th and today (October 8) I weigh 212#. First, no refined sugar. None. Drink LOTS of water. Find out (body weight calculator) what your ideal amount of calories should be a day. and set a realistic weight goal and when you want to get there. I have more tips that worked for me and I followed general guidelines, but no "official" diet. Hit me up. The gym? Not so much in the beginning. Walk. Start easy, say 1 mile, then 2, then 3. I did and it was painful. But, 3 months later I was jogging (not running yet) up to 5 miles, 5 times a day. Look, if I can do it, I swear anyone can. 

Thanks again everyone. JimboG, what about seltzer water, is that ok instead of diet sodas?  

Keep moving...it does get better. 

MindStreamer - I only had 40 lbs. to lose when I first started lifting, but even so...for the first couple weeks I had a hard time getting out of bed every morning because I was so sore. As your body begins to adapt to the stressful stimulus the soreness will be greatly reduced and you will be stronger for it. I promise you; you will get out of this journey exactly what you put in. Every drop of sweat, every repetition, and every morning of soreness brings you one step closer to your goal. When you get there you will look back on today and be proud that you didn't give up, trust me I know what you are feeling! All of us who have reached our initial goals have been there too!