LETS GET FIT/LOSE WEIGHT TOGETHER.....

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

Just as we support each other in our hair goals lets support each other in our fittness or weightloss goals. Lets start now getting ready for next summer. I've always been complemented on my hair and my pretty brown eyes, but never on the whole package. I am doing everything I can think of for my hair externally, but doing nothing about the crap I'm putting in my body----IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm an emotional eater--MAD, I EAT---SAD, I EAT---HAPPY, I EAT---STRESSED, I EAT. And lately, I've been mad at my boyfriend ALOT!! So, I either need to dump the boyfriend or find me another planet that will hold all this weight /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

So, lets set some weightloss/fittness goal and support each other together. I'm starting tommorrow.

1. Eat in moderation--1200cal/day
2. Drink at least 96 oz water/day
3. Exercise 6 days/wk
4. Take all my vitamins
5. Drink my protein shake/day
6. Thank God each morning for allowing me to wake up. I'm not really very religious, but every now and then it hits me how really blessed I am.

It will probably take me a year to reach my goal weight, but atleast by next summer I'll be half way there.

[lshevonne]

Hey, I'm in.
1. 5 small meals a day. 1200-1500cal/day
2. Drink 96 oz water/day
3. Exercise 5-6 days/wk
4. Take my vitamins
5. Thank God everyday

[Tea]

Include me too.
1. 3 small meals a day & 2 snacks (I don't do very well with counting calories. Like how many calories in a bagel?)
2. Drink 96 oz water/day
3. Exercise 5-6 days/wk
4. Take my vitamins (I've been doing pretty good with this so far)
5. Thank God everyday

Tea, you could always get a calorie counting book from the library or Greetings & Readings.... I have one, it helps me keep in check the calories in the foods I eat. I try not to get to crazy with it.
My fitness goals are going to be to get a bathing suit body!!! I just bought The Firm workout videos and the fanny lifter from Target... (it was on sale for $79.99).... and I started it yesterday. I am determined to watch what I eat and do these tapes. If I do well, I'm going to spend A L L my tax return money and buy myself some bangin' clothes and a hot little bathing suit. LOL- I might even take swimming lessons, b/c I can't swim /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tea]

I'll try to find a little calorie counting book that I can carry with me. Caramela, how do you like the videos and the Fanny lifter so far? I've seen this advertised on TV and have been considering it. You know, from your pictures, it doesn't look like you need to lose anything. Plus, if I remember right you are tall and only 140. Now, me on the otherhand, at 5'2" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif and 145 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif that's just isn't working. I need to get behind in gear and get my body under control.

So far, I've only done one tape. It was hard, but not unbearable. I liked it. I'm sore today, but a good sore. And the fanny lifter is awesome. You really feel your glute muscles working, hell, you feel all your muscles working throughout the tape. I just need to watch my diet. I have picked up between 5-10 pounds /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but I'm okay with it. I just need to focus.... and get a grip. I have this birthday cake and icecream fetish I just can't kick! But anyway, I think what we should do, is a weekly or biweekly or even monthly check-in to update everyone on how we're doing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[5thLMNT]

Here is a good site for calorie counting i feel so bad i used to be obsessed about counting calories, i still look at the calorie count though but i dont let it bother me as much.

Nutri-Facts (http://www.nutri-facts.com/index.asp)
I go to the gym 3-4 times a week
I can't say how much i eat a day because the only full meal i eat is dinner. and about 3 small meals other than that
only vitamins i take is for my hair ...i better get on it lol


BTW congrats to me i think i lost 10 pounds but i won't jinx myself just yet because my weight today and my weight tomorrow sometimes suprise me lol

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

Caramela: I was thinking of a weekly report for the week, like if you stayed with your plan or not. If not, then what caused it and what will you have to do differently for the next week. And on a monthly basis, report our inches/weight lost.

What do you guys think of REWARDING ourselves when we've done well at the end of each month. For example, I'm thinking of rewarding myself with a professional facial if I'm good this month /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Or, take that belly dancing class I've always wanted to join /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Nothing major, just something (other than food) to keep you motivated.

Just some thoughts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Great ideas. Okay, let's do it!!! I started this week, so Monday I'll report my sucess w/this week. I think it's a great idea to reward yourself w/something other than food. I think I'm going to treat myself to a Swedish Massage or a Warm Stone Massage. That's a small treat but my major treat is going to be Spring/Summer shopping. I can't wait!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[nita4]

Ohhh, count me in.

I can do three small meals a day. I don't count calories...my problem is snacks, candy and sweets.
Drink 32oz of water a day, but I could stand the increase my water intake.
Take all my vitamins, especially on the weekends. I'm in the habit of taking them all in the morning at work. I forget on the weekends...
I always thank God daily for my blessing...
My biggest problem is exercising...I am uh...lazy /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[summer]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />

Ohhh, count me in.

I can do three small meals a day. I don't count calories...my problem is snacks, candy and sweets.
Drink 32oz of water a day, but I could stand the increase my water intake.
Take all my vitamins, especially on the weekends. I'm in the habit of taking them all in the morning at work. I forget on the weekends...
I always thank God daily for my blessing...
My biggest problem is exercising...I am uh...lazy

[/ QUOTE ]

ditto that. i have ten extra pounds that just don't want to leave me /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif i'm jogging on the treadmill and belly dancing. my trainer friend also suggested jumping rope. i feel like a big kid, but i am working muscles i had forgotten about. my goal is to tone up and get bikini ready for my june 2003 cruise. count me in!

How's the belly dancing? I always wanted to try it! What results are you seeing?

[Lucia]

Count me in I'm at a plateau it seems but I want to lose 10 lbs. I've been eating right and excercising but not as often as I should.

[summer]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
How's the belly dancing? I always wanted to try it! What results are you seeing?

[/ QUOTE ]

i really like it! i've been doing it twice a week for about a month now and my arms, my thighs, and my waist are tighter. i'm looking for a tape so i can work out at home. let me know if you hear about any good ones...

[skegeesmb]

I'm in. I started this past Wednesday. I want to lose 35 lbs. I'm 5'7" at 165.

1. I will try to eat 3 meals a day. The first two will consist of a few pieces of fruit. And the last meal will be a moderate dinner.

2. I will try to drink between 66-99 oz. of water a day. I hate water, so this is going to be hard. I try to drink water, but end up drinking seltzer water.

3. Exercising. I will try to go to the gym 4-5 days a week. I will do cardio twice a day for 45 minutes each. Every other day I will to Ab excersises along with the cardio. This way I can burn about 800-1000 calories.

4. Pray to God to keep me motivated. It's so easy for me to make excuses not to go to the gym, I need all the help I can get.

[Honey Vibe]

A good tip if you're using videos at home:

To keep yourself motivated to do it, make the session enjoyable by playing your favorite CDs while you work out. Music you want to sing to takes your mind off the exercise!

[Tracy]

I want in on this one!

I am going to be starting in January because I have tummy issues to resolve and I know Christmas will be a trial. I'm 130 and holding at 5 feet. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I want to lose about 25 lbs. and tone up. I'd like a lean, slender body - no jiggling.

To make this happen I'm gonna do the Carb Addict's Diet (there's a book on it I haven't bought yet but I read a synopsis on it in another book) and join my local gym ($250 a year). I'll do cardio for 45 minutes until I lose half the wieght I want to lose and then begin VERY light weight training and some yoga and pilates when I feel ready.

My goal is to lose the 25 lbs. by May of 2003 so I can return to ballet class. By then my hair should be another 3 inches of hair too - so hopefully I'll finally be FLY! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[deon19]

My goal is to lose 35 lbs. My current weight is 165bs,I want to lose it my June for my best friends wedding and for my self. Right now I have been doing 30-45 min cardio exercise and eat right. Well I will report on a bi weekly bases adv of weight lose

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

I started last Tuesday, Dec 3rd:

I'm not to pleased with last week. I follow my calorie count 5 out of 7 days. I exercised 4 out of the 6 days planned. I drunk my water (96oz, but most of it I drunk right before bedtime /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. I did take all my vitamins and I thanked God every day.

Things I need to do differently this week:
1. Drink water (88oz) before 8pm. Start drinking throughout the day.
2. Stop eating after 8pm. Usually when I'm eating after 8pm I'm not hungry.
3. Exercise in the morning. If I plan on exercising after work in the evening, there's a good possiblity that I will skip it.

I hope last week was better for everyone else /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Hotchocolate, think about the positive or you won't be able to stick with it! Don't be so hard on yourself. You were "good" more than half of the time! Give yourself credit for that!

[Robin41]

Count me in -- I need this more than hair care! Tea, we're the same size: 5'2" and 145 lbs. Lord, would I love to lose at least 25 pounds. It sounds like a lot, but it's my goal. I've been working out sporadically at home after work cause I'm in school part-time but the semester's over tomorrow and I'm determined to lose weight!

What I need to change:
1. Junk food junkie: I love everything that's bad and I've got a sweet tooth the size of Texas!
2. Drink more water: I try.
3. Work out consistently: I've discovered this workout show on the Health Channel called Carribbean Workout. It's a funk, dance, aerobic type workout. Sometimes they use a step, sometimes weights but it's fun. I tape it Monday-Friday and do the workouts at night and on the weekends.
4. Fight genetics: I'm built EXACTLY like my mother but I know I can stop this vicious cycle of gaining weight. Plus I'm 41 and my metabolism is working against me so I've got my work cut out for me.

Good luck, everybody! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Tea]

It's great to have a body double. We can both encourage each other. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I've tried to follow the Caribbean Workout but my feet don't seem to want to go in the direction and step he does on TV. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif My preference is to do the workout with Gilad that's after the Caribbean workout.

[Robin41]

Tea: I forgot to say that I tape both shows because they come on back to back in the mornings. I do both workouts when I'm feeling especially ambitious (which ain't often) but I really like Caribbean Workout. Gilad is just as hard to follow sometimes but as long as you're moving, you're making progress!

I hope you have better luck losing weight than I do. My body just seems to want to hold onto the weight no matter how much I exercise but I haven't given up. My biggest problem is making the right food choices and I'm getting better at it, but it's SO HARD!!! You're right, I'll be right here to encourage you, girl.

[Fashionista]

Count me in! My goal is to lose 40lbs, alter my eating habits, and to achieve over all health. I just bought The Firm Super Cardio Mix DVD and the Walk Away the Pounds DVD(for days when I don't feel like doing a lot of jumping). When the weather warms up I want to start jogging.

Good luck ladies!

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

2nd WEEK

Taking all vitamins. Worked out 4/6 days and went over my calories 3 days, but I'm ok with this /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. This month is really hard, holidays, birthdays(3), and office parties/dinners. I'm not going to stress myself about not following exactly to plan, but I can't wait for this month to end /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

[Tea]

I did better my second week than my first. Took all my vitamins, walked the stairs and ate healthy. I agree this month is going to be a challenge because of the office party, dinner at church, family dinner at sister's on Christmas Eve and dinner at home Christmas Day.

[lshevonne]

Ok, my 2nd week was better. I worked out 4 times and have been eating very healthy. My legs are a little sore this week. I also took my vitamins. I'm still working on the water thing. (32 oz bottle sitting here) All and all a good 2nd week. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Tracy]

I'm actually staring this weekend coming. I am going to make a real day of it all -very cermonial.

I'm getting my nails, toes AND my hair done (Christmas money) and joining the rejoining the gym all in same day.

I am also going to get a calorie counter so I can watch my cals. Still doing a modified carb addicts diet but allowing some low glycemic foods. Still only going to have one meal of carbs (in the AM) and protein the rest to the day. Cals to 1200. I am going to work out 5 days a week every week for 45 minutes in the morning. Cardio only at first to get the pounds off and then some weight training closer to the spring.

Working out is going to be the hardest part. I think I'll add some tapes to the regimen just in case I can't get to the gym.

How are people doing so far?

Good for you, Tracy! Sounds like you have a good plan to keep you motivated. So far I'm doing well, loving The Firm tapes, I actually just got finished doing my A.M workout! In just a month of doing it, I feel so much stronger. I can't really see that much definition, but that's to come, I know. I am trying to find protein rich foods that I like to help rebuild my muscles. Loving turkey bacon, &amp; scrambled egg whites!

[Tracy]

Caramela,

Are you doing Turkey bacon and egg whites in the morning before work? Like cooking before you leave the house? Do you find this disrupts your AM at all? Because I love that combo as well, but find myself relegated to eating a half a bagel in the morning because I can't think of any hi-protein on the go alternatives (those shakes are HTE WORST unless you blend them yourself) that don't cost me a grip or make me late in the morning. I'm not a morning person so I have a half hour - if that - to get up and out every AM.

Do you have the combo alone? Or with bread? Is there anything else you eat in the AM that is quick and diet friendly? For some reason breakfast is my hardest meal - but it's my most important. If I get breakfast right, the rest of the day is cake (no pun intended /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ).

Anyone else can answer this too - I'm just curious about Caramela's experience since we have similar taste buds... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Congrats on your first week BTW sounds like you really got on track! Good girl!

Don't get it twisted, I "be" rushing in the morning. But I try to knock it all out in the morning, I wake up like 10min til 5, start my workout at 5, workout lasts until 6, then I cook myself a little breakfast (turkey bacon made in the microwave and the eggs cook so fast in the pan, I also sometimes make some instant grits to go along w/it, not really a bread person!) and then I shower, get dressed and I'm out the house by 7:15. But I think I have it down to a science, I don't have an extra moment to spare though. If I'm rushing, I'll just have some instant oatmeal (love peaches &amp; cream or strawberrries &amp; cream flavors) some lowfat milk and a peice of fruit, and if I'm in a super duper hurry, I just have a slimfast shake and grab a peice of fruit.
HTH

[Tracy]

Ok dude - that's early. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I give you a lot of props for waking up that early.

Note to self: Resolution number 10 million and 50 - wake up in time to work out in the AM. From what I understand it's way better as far as fat loss AND it's out of the way so nothing else that happens for the rest of the day interferes. I probably need to get up at about 6 to do it. I might even have time to make some breakfast for me if I do that....::sigh:: That which does not kill us makes us stronger...

Lord GIVE ME STRENGTH.

[Allandra]

I also do my cardio first thing in the morning. I know I definitely don't want to do it once I get home from work. I'm out the door by 5:45 AM. So, I have to get up at 4:00 AM to do my cardio, but heck, it IS worth it.

[Tracy]

Well - when I posted I had already kind of begun my diet. Not working out yet (and didn't quite have enough to join the gym this week - but I will right after the first of the year) btu I had a GREAT week.

I started cutting back on my carbs and calories on Monday. When I got on the scale that morning I was 142 - and I just couldn't wait anymore. As of Friday AM I was 134. Once I get back down to 130 I will be where I was when I wanted to START dieting a few weeks ago and I will actually be LOSING wieght at that point. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My ultimate goal is 115. When I get to about 125 I'll start working out so I can tone up.

I am happy with the way this week turned out. I'm also taking a fat burner. Xenadrine. Really reduces my appetite. I take the minimum dose (one capsule) every other day to avoid any issues I've heard about these things (it's an ephedra based stacker typee product). w\Whatever - I'ma happy girl! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

I'm starting over, it's a New Year. I'm glad the holidays are over, now I can focus on me! I've gotten everyone around me to start a healthier way of life---I need TOTAL SUPPORT. I completed my exercise today and I'm sticking to plan.

Happy New Year! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good for you! It's hard to get started but once it becomes part of your everyday schedule, it's much easier. I have been working out the entire month of December, and now it's a routine. I haven't missed a workout!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[uniquev11]

Caramela and Allandra,

Thanks for the early morning workout inspiration!
I used to work out in the evenings, then I starting working later hours because I was basically getting lazy and wanted to wake up later.
I get more sleep now, but because I get home later I am just not motivated to workout as much and I can really feel the difference.
Now, I have to leave the house at 8:30am and I know that if I just get out of the bed at 7:00am and do my little 30 minute workout, I can get my workouts done, but I kept telling myself that I should enjoy my sleep.
But, now that I hear how early some of you are getting up I realize that 7:00 am is not bad at all and I feel really lazy.
You have given me all the motivation that I need, now to stop making excuses and get on the ball. Thanks!!

[Allandra]

Aww, I'm so glad it's inspiring you. That's great! Girl, I wish I could get up at 7 AM.

[KinksnCurlz]

Okay, I know I'm late...hey, I'm getting ready for next summer http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/rofl.gif. I am going to start on Sunday (I hate mid-week beginnings) and I will all but gnaw my own hand to limit my carbs (i just love bagel mondays @ work). I have enuf workout equipment and tapes in my house to start a members only gym so the workout aspect shouldn't be a problem. Wish me luck girl... i'm going in. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/fallenangel.gif
Regimen:
Work out 6 days week
Limit carbs
Drink plenty of water
Drink Protein shakes
No eating after 7pm unless its healthy (ie. fruits, yogurt)

[Nessa]

I am in I am 5 foot 8 and weigh 180 pounds and I am ready to rumble. Count my fat self in. Cause Ineed to lose this wieght indeed. Thanks for all the support.

[karezone]

I am in also. My goal is 10lbs per month nothing major. I will also begin to drink my protein shakes again. I fell off the Weight Watchers band wagon when it stopped being economically feasible for me to go. That was in August 2002. Since then I have gained 27 lbs. What I lost at weight watchers plus 7 http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. I have always been overwight but it was by life style. I know. As soon as I start working out again and drinking water I will be fine. I will buy some shakes tonight and some veggies. Splenda is what I use mainly because my baby sister is diabetic and we watch her sugar intake closely.

You all are a real inspiration I know that if you all can find the time to workout I can too. Especially now with the semester ending I will not have an escuse to lay in the bed.