Getting (and STAYING) in shape!

[KristinCB]

Share you tips for what has helped you!!

[rach3975]

Joining a gym with a one year commitment! I've tried many times to exercise at home, but it's too easy for me to put it off or make excuses. When I'm paying for a gym membership and there are only a few times of the week that my schedule allows me to go, I make sure to go at those times. I purposely picked a gym with a one year commitment because I didn't want to be able to back out. I joined in Nov, and this is the first time in my life that I've managed to work out consistently for this long. I'm definitely going to keep the membership when my year is up.

[YepBrook]

See, the gym only helps me a little bit. We havent used our gym in over 5 months, so we finally cancelled. I want to workout... but have to GET there in the first place, which is more than half the battle for me. I'm actually doing better with my 30 day shred DVD and Gaiam yoga or Pilates DVDs lately.

But the big thing for me is just eating less... And eating what sticks. No empty calories or sugar binges. Lots of fruits and veggies for my snacks. I have also stopped buying food that tempts me to over eat. We just don't have the chips, cookies, crackers, ice cream, and creamy dressings that i love in the house anymore. If I do buy crackers and cookies (I have to have something for the kids to snack on) I buy something I'm not going to eat... Like sour cream & onion chips, I hate them, so if I buy chips I get those. It helps! I also haven't baked treats in a long time. If I want something we go out and get it somewhere... Like buy a few at a bakery. That way I don't have a whole batch of cupcakes sitting around my house.

[SeattleSheri]

About 3 years ago I just got sick of not being in shape and slowly gaining weight. Since then, I've been very self-motivated to work out and stay active. I lost 15-20 lbs, but more importantly I gained strength and endurance and have been able to consistently keep the weight off. I lost 2 dress sizes and even though I weigh more than I did in my 20's, I'm smaller. While I'm still not 100% pleased, I'm content. I work out 4-5 times per week even though I really kind of hate it, lol. I used to make the excuse that I didn't have time, but I know that's not true. I work full time, have 2 kids and do a lot of extracurricular activities and still find time to do it, so I'd challenge anyone to tell me they are more busy than I am. My workouts are only 45 minutes or so (which is less than 5% of my waking hours). It's all about prioritization. I don't have time to commute to a gym, so I bought an elliptical that I use religiously (that and P90X Ab Ribber X).

[YepBrook]

Originally Posted by SeattleSheri

About 3 years ago I just got sick of not being in shape and slowly gaining weight. Since then, I've been very self-motivated to work out and stay active. I lost 15-20 lbs, but more importantly I gained strength and endurance and have been able to consistently keep the weight off. I lost 2 dress sizes and even though I weigh more than I did in my 20's, I'm smaller. While I'm still not 100% pleased, I'm content. I work out 4-5 times per week even though I really kind of hate it, lol. I used to make the excuse that I didn't have time, but I know that's not true. I work full time, have 2 kids and do a lot of extracurricular activities and still find time to do it, so I'd challenge anyone to tell me they are more busy than I am. My workouts are only 45 minutes or so (which is less than 5% of my waking hours). It's all about prioritization. I don't have time to commute to a gym, so I bought an elliptical that I use religiously (that and P90X Ab Ribber X).

I had an elliptical before I got married and it was the best! I would love to buy one again someday... We just don't have the space in this house for one.

[SeattleSheri]

Originally Posted by YepBrook

I had an elliptical before I got married and it was the best! I would love to buy one again someday... We just don't have the space in this house for one.

Ellipticals definitely take up a lot of space! .... and you have to have pretty tall ceilings too. I was super disappointed when we bought a new house and our basement couldn't really accommodate the elliptical ... so it's guestoom city for Mr. Elliptical, lol.

[KristinCB]

I recently got an apple tv and am making a playlist of workout videos on youtube so that I can use my tv for that.

I love going for walks but there has already been a grizzly bear and mama bear cub spotted just the other day so I'm going to stick to doing indoor workouts for the most part I think!

[YepBrook]

Originally Posted by KristinCB

I recently got an apple tv and am making a playlist of workout videos on youtube so that I can use my tv for that.

I love going for walks but there has already been a grizzly bear and mama bear cub spotted just the other day so I'm going to stick to doing indoor workouts for the most part I think!

Oh, gosh... grizzlies scare the crap out of me.

That's a good idea to do work out videos thru YouTube! I wish Netflix had some. Seems like it would be a good idea if they did. That would be awesome.

[lovely1m]

The key is to find something you enjoy doing. If you like playing tennis, do that. You like riding bike, do that. It doesn't have to be something in a gym or anything. I finally found my loves this last fall. I am far from being at ideal weight, but I am in shape now. I love fitness classes and distance running. Two things I never dreamed I would love, but I do. Keep trying things until you find your love, give it a couple of tries before you decide.

[carrie1977]

Weight Watchers and my personal trainer kicking my arse and Zumba. I <3 Zumba!

[YepBrook]

Originally Posted by carrie1977

Weight Watchers and my personal trainer kicking my arse and Zumba. I <3 Zumba!

Yes... I forgot to mention WW. That weekly weigh-in and accountability. It's been a huge help for me! I also love Zumba. There was a class at my gym I loved until the instructor moved and they never replaced her with someone good. Do you do classes at a gym, Carrie, or a DVD?

[carrie1977]

I take classes at the gym. I'm not a very good at home exerciser. Too many things distract me...and the kids usually bug me too much. LOL!

I do have some Zumba DVD's and I never use them. I should give them to someone that would get some use out of them.

[marnel]

Last year all I did was Zumba and only lost 8-10 lbs but didn't change my diet a whole lot, this year I researched and I've completely changed my diet. When the PT said i was ok for the gym I had my plan in place. April was the beginning of it all....
I still had our YMCA membership so I continued with that. Zumba 2x a week and 4-5x a week it's a HIIT, PowerSculpt, & Triple T followed by the Elliptical or Brisk Walking. If I can't make it to the gym I'll do 30 day shred w/Jillian Michaels.
I also discovered MyFitnessPal it helps me track calories even though I never go over what it says b/c of my exercise regimen.
I have no clue how much I've lost in these 7 weeks I've been working my butt off but I know my muffin top has gone down and that alone make's me happy!!
I've never done WW, it's just not in my budget

[marnel]

Originally Posted by carrie1977

I take classes at the gym. I'm not a very good at home exerciser. Too many things distract me...and the kids usually bug me too much. LOL!

I do have some Zumba DVD's and I never use them. I should give them to someone that would get some use out of them.

jaja Carrie same reason I try not to do it home... the distraction's and then the kids want to do the exercise with me

[carrie1977]

Originally Posted by marnel

Last year all I did was Zumba and only lost 8-10 lbs but didn't change my diet a whole lot, this year I researched and I've completely changed my diet. When the PT said i was ok for the gym I had my plan in place. April was the beginning of it all....
I still had our YMCA membership so I continued with that. Zumba 2x a week and 4-5x a week it's a HIIT, PowerSculpt, & Triple T followed by the Elliptical or Brisk Walking. If I can't make it to the gym I'll do 30 day shred w/Jillian Michaels.
I also discovered MyFitnessPal it helps me track calories even though I never go over what it says b/c of my exercise regimen.
I have no clue how much I've lost in these 7 weeks I've been working my butt off but I know my muffin top has gone down and that alone make's me happy!!
I've never done WW, it's just not in my budget

I've seen all your healthy meals on Instagram...you are definitely rockin' the dietary changes for sure!

[marnel]

Originally Posted by carrie1977

I've seen all your healthy meals on Instagram...you are definitely rockin' the dietary changes for sure!

Stalker, JK yes I am trying. I've def cut down on sugar and salt!! I Cut out fast food completely and will cheat once a week if I have to but I try to avoid it.

[carrie1977]

Originally Posted by marnel

Stalker, JK yes I am trying. I've def cut down on sugar and salt!! I Cut out fast food completely and will cheat once a week if I have to but I try to avoid it.

Hey, I have come to terms with my stalking tendencies. :P

[clearskies]

I'm another who can't exercise at home (I get too distracted). So like Rachel I paid for a full year at the local Y. Then I hung the receipt up where I would see it constantly. After the first year I had dropped 25-30 pounds, I signed up for a second year and then joined ActivTrax. It's a weight lifting/nutrition program through the gym. Everytime I go in (3x a week) it generates a brand new workout for me. So I'm constantly challenged and never bored. So far I'm down 45 pounds (of a goal of 50) which is temporarily on hiatus seeing as I got pregnant. Still working out, but anxious to add running back in this fall!

[tanyiadeskins]

for me, it was making it a family affair. It is easy for me cause my kids are older tho. We joined the Y which is amazing and has so many classes and activities all included in the price so we get to try lots! Plus they have coaches that will work with you and help you set goals and teach you how to get there...also included. So my 20 year old and I work out together 2 or 3 times a week while the girls are in school, I personally love the treadmill and do 1 to 3 miles depending on if I am trying to add jogging or not. But the other days of the week I bring the 15 yr old and the 11 yr old after school and we go then and they work out too. Who knew...my 11 yr old can rock 5 miles on the elliptical and apparantly she loves it! Also they enjoy the pool <3 We promised we would not let each other fail...we even pinky swore! lol

[chicka]

Originally Posted by lovely1m

The key is to find something you enjoy doing. If you like playing tennis, do that. You like riding bike, do that. It doesn't have to be something in a gym or anything. I finally found my loves this last fall. I am far from being at ideal weight, but I am in shape now. I love fitness classes and distance running. Two things I never dreamed I would love, but I do. Keep trying things until you find your love, give it a couple of tries before you decide.

That's Right.. find your love first.

[farrijc]

Originally Posted by lovely1m

The key is to find something you enjoy doing.

Can't say enough how much I agree with that! I floundered around for a long time believing I would never find anything I actually enjoyed that could be considered exercise, lol. Nine years ago, I went to my first jazzercise class and I've never looked back. I've done it religiously since then, even through two pregnancies. It's fun, and I love it so much I just became an instructor a couple months ago

[jenny]

For me it was, like above, finding activities I enjoyed and setting short term goals for myself. To look ahead to running multiple times a week and swimming almost daily would have seemed way too overwhelming, so I started off with baby steps. And if you have someone you can buddy up with, even better

[eranslow]

Originally Posted by clearskies

I'm another who can't exercise at home (I get too distracted). So like Rachel I paid for a full year at the local Y. Then I hung the receipt up where I would see it constantly. After the first year I had dropped 25-30 pounds, I signed up for a second year and then joined ActivTrax. It's a weight lifting/nutrition program through the gym. Everytime I go in (3x a week) it generates a brand new workout for me. So I'm constantly challenged and never bored. So far I'm down 45 pounds (of a goal of 50) which is temporarily on hiatus seeing as I got pregnant. Still working out, but anxious to add running back in this fall!

We have a Y membership and I've been wondering what ActivTrax is! Now I'll definitely ask!

As I just mentioned - we have a gym membership - and I usually go right after I drop Blake off at school. Landon goes to childcare and get to play - and I get some energy out We also purchased Jillian Michael's Body Revolution. Both dh and I are doing it - only he's been so much better at doing the workouts everyday. I end up getting wrapped up with being a Mom that the work-out goes on the back burner. So I need to make sure I do something - either Y or Body Revolution 6 days a week. And eat healthy. That's really my hardest part. No late night snacking. So easier said then done!

Good luck figuring out what will work for you Kristin!!

[Jenn Barrette]

What seems to be working for me, is aiming low. lol I make it a goal to do 15-20 mins of exercise a day; either strength or cardio and usually one I get that 15-20 mins done I keep going a bit longer; and even if I don't go longer that 15-20 mins more than I would get if I didn't have that small goal. I also walk places when ever possible and even something simple like that helps.

[mariewilcox]

We are Y members also. Cheyanne loves going there to swim, use the climbing wall, or the skateboarding park and while she does those things I work out. She also takes tumbling twice a week there so I work out then. I also have a treadmill at home that I use on the days we're not at the Y.

Changing the way we eat has been a big move too - no sugar, no fast food, no chips, no processed crap etc. etc. - we eat REAL food. And I don't bring my weaknesses into the house - chips and cookies especially. Cheyanne doesn't need to be snacking on that stuff either - it isn't any better for her than it is for me and thankfully she has always been a good eater and loves the same foods that I do. She's developed good eating habits from a young age and there are very few foods she won't eat so that makes it easier on me when it comes to cooking meals.

[4noisyboys]

I just started...but I joined crossfit. I challenge anyone who thinks they're fit, to go and try this. OMG!! Well, to start off with, I'm not fit. I'm fat, old, and weak...but I want to change all that, so I went extreme. My whole body is still weak from this morning. I can't wait to get fit and strong!! I'm getting older and I don't want to end up a couch potato! Actually, I want to look like Sheri, but I won't hold my breath for that to ever happen!!


I go early...the 6 am class because I know if I go any later, I won't go. I've changed my eating recently too...trying to do paleo (no sugar, dairy or grains, or chemicals...) and because I seem to be gluten and lactose intolerant, this is working well for me. I ended up cheating today on cookies a friend sent me though....ugh!!!

[carrie1977]

Originally Posted by 4noisyboys

I just started...but I joined crossfit. I challenge anyone who thinks they're fit, to go and try this. OMG!! Well, to start off with, I'm not fit. I'm fat, old, and weak...but I want to change all that, so I went extreme. My whole body is still weak from this morning. I can't wait to get fit and strong!! I'm getting older and I don't want to end up a couch potato! Actually, I want to look like Sheri, but I won't hold my breath for that to ever happen!!


I go early...the 6 am class because I know if I go any later, I won't go. I've changed my eating recently too...trying to do paleo (no sugar, dairy or grains, or chemicals...) and because I seem to be gluten and lactose intolerant, this is working well for me. I ended up cheating today on cookies a friend sent me though....ugh!!!

Good for you! A lot of the workouts my trainer puts me through are crossfit inspired. There's a new crossfit box that opened up down the street from me that I want to check out. The hard part is just managing to find a time that they are open that works for me.

[DawnMarch]

Two things have worked for me:
1. exercising consistently. When I exercise, I am much happier, more energized and less likely to eat crap because of anxiety (yes, I'm a stress eater). Even if it's only 20 minutes, it really helps me.
2. cutting carbs. Especially as I've gotten older, cutting the white carbs (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes) helped me lose weight much more than just randomly cutting calories. I do eat more protein to keep from getting hungry.