OLW- FAIL
>> Friday, March 30, 2012 –
Weight Loss
I'm a failure at losing weight. It's just not happening for me. I'm tired. I'm tired of being fat. I'm tired of no clothes fitting. I'm tired of hating the way I look. I'm just plain old tired. It's time to start thinking of some other extreme (for me) options. I'm thinking about getting a trainer, or starting a P90X type program, starting a gluten-free or some other "crazy (to me)" diet, or maybe even some vitamins/supplements/pill that aides in weight loss. Something needs to happen. Summer is quickly approaching and feeling this way about myself isn't fun. (And it isn't just a self-image thing. My BMI is now in the "obese" category.)
Any suggestions on how to lose weight fast. What route should I go?
You are not a failure, but I definitely know how you feel! I too have tried everything and workout at least 4 to 5 times a week and was seeing no weight loss. I recently started doing South Beach diet again and HIGHLY recommend it. I did it years ago and lost 20lbs and felt and looked great. I started eating way too many carbs/processed foods again and packed the weight back on plus some. I have come to the realization that my body just can't process carbs like everyone else and it's a food I need to stay away from/limit till I get to my goal weight. And it really is all about what you eat as opposed to working out all the time. Good luck and stick with it! it will happen!
We have P90X (and it's predecessor, Power 90), but I can't devote that much time to a workout--some of them are an hour and a half! I just bought Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution, which is another 90 day program but the workouts are only 30 minutes. Totally doable, even for a mom. :) I started last week, and the videos are great! This week, though, I've had a sick little baby so no time for workouts.
And diet-wise, I love WW. It helped me lose 15 pounds a few years ago, and I joined again when Audrey was five weeks old. Slowly but surely, it's helping!
You can do it! Stay focused! After constantly falling off the healthy eating and working out bandwagon, I finally feel like i have changed my lifestyle. My husband and I completed P90X and now are on week 4 of P90X2. You have to find time and truly stick with it. Please email me if you want an accountability partner:)
Ugh, I am right there with you and have somehow crept up into the obese category too. :(
I've tried a lot of things, but recently started cutting out a lot of bread, rice, and pasta that was filling up a lot of my diet. I've been focusing on eating more "real" foods and upping my protein and I'm finally starting to lose. After doing a little research it looks like I've been pretty much following the South Beach Diet without even knowing it!
I don't like "fad" diets or ones with processed foods associated with it (like South Beach), but the more research I've done the more I like it. I'm going to stick with those principles and hope that it will work out. Best of luck! I'll be interested to read about it on the blog! :)
Don't be to hard on yourself. I'm not sure lose weight fast is the best mind set... If you do it right (and right is different for everyone) you might not see results with in the first few weeks. I think I read it takes 3 weeks to make something a habit, from you're previous posts you did something for 7 weeks!!! I've had a bunch of friends join Weight Watchers and they love it... I haven't bought in to it as I'd rather count calories than "points". A bunch of those same WW friends have started a Couch to 5K program and worked thru those weeks and have been running ever since. Someone just completed a 10 miler. Just keep working. Best of luck, Kim
weight watchers is the best. I did it without working out and lost 10 pounds. honestly you really have to think about everything you put in your mouth and think "should i be eating this"
I would recommend not doing a fad diet or a workout program. EVERY TIME I try these I fail. I would recommend focusing on a more whole foods approach to eating. Also, watch the documentary "Fork Over Knives" (it's about the importance of eating whole foods). I currently eat gluten/dairy/sugar-free (gluten & dairy due to allergies) and I am meat free except for seafood. It's made a HUGE difference in how I feel (which makes me more willing to workout). As for a workout regimen...while guidance and a plan help a lot also make sure it's something you love. Don't like running? Try biking. Don't like lifting weights? Try bouldering or rock-climbing. And remember...it takes 4 weeks to notice a change in your body, 8 weeks for your friends to notice and 12 weeks for the world to notice. Just stick with it...and if you "fall off the wagon"...don't beat yourself up, just start again :)
Did you try weight watchers? It does works and helps you figure out just really how many calories/food you need to feel full. I was shocked to realize how much food I had eaten before going on it.
You're not failure momma! I lost weight after Brady was born and did so good then packed some back on...ugh. It's hard, especially working and being a mom. What worked best for us at the time was biking. We would put brady in the bike trailer and go. He loved it and it was a good workout. I felt better too because i wasn't loosing time with Brady per say. I will be right back at square one once this kid come out so if you find something that works, let me know! :)
I know too in the past, I've used protein smoothies for breakfast (protein powder, frozen fruit!) and it helped and kept me full longer.
I don't know how much this will help but changing to healthier eating habits and exercise the way to go! i was getting frustrated with my weight and when my wedding rings no longer fit it was the last straw! i limited my starchy bread intake to almost zero, ate TONS of fresh fruits and veggies, salads everyday, also great for dinners are the mixed frozen steam-able veggies in a bag. I avoided all processed foods, and limited sugar and salt to almost zero. I started drinking ONLY water (besides a 8oz glass of fresh OJ in the morning) I tried to drink at least 60oz of water a day. for exercise I did strength building and body sculpting workouts the best DVD I found was Denise Austin body makeover mix. working on lean muscle and not really getting your heart rate up to high. i LOVEed it!! it took me about 6 months to loose close to 30lbs but I came off so easily after I changed what I ate and my activity level. DONT give up and what ever you do make this change for LIFE. if its not a way of eating/ living you see yourself doing for the rest of your life then it may need to change. I made a life change not just a "diet" or "extreme workout plan" and the weight has stayed off and I'm more healthy for it. you can do it!
You look great, Lauren! But if you are feeling down, mix it up and come to Bikram with me at 8am on Saturday and Sunday mornings!! I'm sure Mike wouldn't mind getting some extra time with the little man and with summer coming up, maybe someone can watch him for a couple of hours while you go? You know that I could go on and on forever about hot yoga, but it really strengthens your core and detoxes like no other...and paired with running/strength training/Weight Watchers type of program--you could make some really significant changes in your body quickly. I know any minute away from little man is tough, but I promise you that it is worth it. Love you and I'm always here for you!!
Sorry you are feeling sad, girl. I'm also sorry I don't have any real advice for you except to say that the only reason I am thin is because I joke that "I am on a diet every day" ie the lactose. I know you've said before that you wouldn't ever want to go that route, but for a short period of time and quick weight loss, you should try it. I will help you :) Les
I've been doing CrossFit for the past year and absolutely LOVE it. It is the most fun I have ever had working out - ever - and can't imagine myself doing anything else. And forget what some people think - that CrossFit is only for hard-core folks - we have obese members, senior members, and it's scalable to anyone. I've been gluten free (due to an intolerance) for the past 4 years but about a year ago went paleo and feel amazing. I've leaned out, never have those sugar crashes (no sugar, grains or legumes, so no craze carb-overload). Tons of research is showing that sugar (and refined products like breads and such) are not only weight-inducing, but toxic. CBS article just today on this topic with Sanjay Gupta!
Love the Dukan Diet :)
I recently started using two apps on my phone that have been extremely eye-opening, very helpful in losing weight, and are easy to use - Map My Run and My Fitness Pal.
I think I was in denial for a little while - I would jog/walk every day, generally eat pretty healthy, but wasn't losing any weight! What gives? When I started logging my workouts in MapMyRun, I realized I wasn't really going very far, and wasn't burning as many calories as I thought. I like it because I can carry it with me, and it just maps my route as I go, tells me my pace (which I'm trying to improve) and some other stats.
Then I go over to My Fitness Pal. I have never counted calories or anything like that because it seemed like such a CHORE. But this app makes it SO easy! It has almost every single thing I've eaten logged in there, so just search for it and all the info about that food gets loaded in (not just calories!). I realized that I also was eating more calories in a day than I thought. It lets you put in a plan of how much weight you want to lose in a certain amount of time, and tells you how many NET calories you need every day - you can add in the calories you burn from your workout (from map my run) and it calculates your daily net. Well, since I wasn't burning off as much as I thought, and I was eating MORE than I thought - duh, that's why I wasn't losing any weight. Once I realized this, I started eating better portions and going for longer walks. It's made a big improvement so far!! Hope this helps!
No carbs after noon. I've been doing it and am losing about 3lbs a week, but I'm also doing spin 3x a week and pilates 2x a week. It's really not that hard. And going no gluten will only work if you have a gluten allergy or celiacs, which most people don't. Good luck!
Weight Watchers. Not a crazy diet. Support at meetings or online, if you'd rather. It's a healthy lifestyle and it works.
I'm probably a little late to the game, but I suggest cutting out meat so you're only eating it once or twice a week, and really focus on eating whole, plant-based foods. Incorporating plant proteins like quinoa and sprouted grains. When I switched from eating as an omnivore to becoming a vegetarian, I lost around 9 pounds. My body was trimming out the excess it had built up. I had not done any exercise at that point.
I'm now a vegan, and have slimmed out a bit more, but have also gained some because I have picked up my weight training. But, I feel so much better.
Just something to think about. By no means is this a comment to tell you to not eat meat, but wanted to at least share my personal experience.
ALSO, you are not a failure. It took your body almost a year to gain the weight from Ethan, so it's obviously going to take at least 9 months to work it off. It takes time, and you'll get there, so don't lose faith in your ability.
I just found your blog from a link on Bower Power. This post hit home for me. My baby will be one in just a couple weeks and I am not where I wanted to be with my weight loss. It is hard. We really have to do our best not to beat ourselves up so much. Being a mom is exhausting. There are so many other important things to focus on. I am sure you look amazing. Try to feel your best with where you are at in this point of your life. Buy clothes that fit you for now.
If you really want to lose weight then try to go about it slowly. Weight watchers worked wonderful for me in the past. Easier said than done though... I've been trying to find the motivation to start back up for months and I'm still not there.
Best wishes!
I totally feel your pain and have been in your shoes. A little over a year ago I approached my son's first birthday I was 10 lbs overweight, but couldn't find the time between teaching and being a mom/wife/etc. to figure out and/or have the energy to lose it! I ended up joining weight watchers and lost the weight in about 5 weeks. I did their online program, so it wasn't too much of my time spent going to meetings or anything else. It will come off eventually no matter what you decide to do. best of luck- and enjoy your time off with your son this summer! :)