Sustainability........for the long haul.....!!!!
on 11/12/13 6:40 am
Thanks for the timely post. I have come to the realization that I am not a "no pain, no gain" type of person when it comes to exercise.. I currently go to three 40 minute kettlebell classes a week before work. It is a very low stress, relaxed class but I am seeing results. The gym is 2 blocks from my house, I roll out of bed and into my car. Then I have been walking for 45 minutes to an hour twice a week, I love walking, I take my IPhone and listen to audiobooks while I walk. Once the weather gets worse here in the frozen north of PA, I may have to head back to the treadmill at the gym. . I have decided that I DO NOT WANT to exercise during the weekends unless it it some kind of fun activity. I have had time periods during this journey where I have been an exercising fool, but that is not me. I think I would be thinner if i was exercising 2 hours a day, but I don't think I could keep it up. I worry I am being a little lazy and will regret it later .but then i think to myself "i set my alarm for 530 every morning to exercise, for gosh sakes" I guess because I enjoy it it i don't think it counts. .
I am in very early maintenance and have been thinking alot about sustainability. I need to find that magic weight and calorie level that I am happy, healthy that I can maintain for the rest of my life. If the weight is a bit higher and the calorie intake a bit lower than my ideal so be it. This is not a diet it is a transformation. No going back to the old me, but i haven[t quite figured out waht that new me is, or what it will take to sustain it.
LOL... I wrote my post before I read all of the other responses.... I also live in PA and it's already too cold for me to continue my outside walking (has been for a little while now) which is what prompted me to think about joining a gym. I guess I just felt like joining a gym just to walk on a treadmill for 40 minutes is silly... but I know I've got to get over that thinking!
For more info on my journey & goals, visit my blog at http://flirtybythirty.wordpress.com
You said it Holli. It really is about making choices around the damn cookie.
LINDA
Ht: 5'2" | HW 225, BMI 41.2 | CW 115, BMI 21.0
If we break this whole thing down to the nitty gritty...... It's all about cookie and jeans......
and how they don't play well together......
frisco
SW 338lbs. GW 175lbs. Goal in 11 months. CW 148lbs. WL 190lbs.
" To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art "
VSG Maintenance Group Forum
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
CAFE FRISCO at LapSF.com
Dr. Paul Cirangle
Another 'frisco-ism' to add to my collection. teehee
LINDA
Ht: 5'2" | HW 225, BMI 41.2 | CW 115, BMI 21.0
I'm right there with ya! Screw the cookie...and as far as being active, I'd rather pull weeds in the front yard than take 3 hours out of my day to hit the Gym....just my personal preference and what fits into my lifestyle....whatever blows your dress up!
Deb
Goal Reached in 12.5 Months
HW: 274 Pre-OpW: 266 SW: 254 CW: 125 GW: 145
You must permanently change your lifestyle if you want your weight loss to be permanent. You can do it!
I get what you're saying. I think this is part of my hesitation in joining a gym. I guess I've felt like the only people that could go to the gym are the hardcore people and that if I was only going 3-4 times a week to walk on a treadmill then that's just silly, right? What would be the point? That's not "exercising!" haha
I need to get over that! I've noticed my activity levels with walking outside have drastically decreased in the last 2 months because of the cold weather (being cold all the time now + northeast weather = FREEZING!). So, what I'm looking for is a place to continue the walking in the cold months... (maybe step it up a bit with some running) and really to use some weights so that I can "tone up" as you call it!
I think something like that would be sustainable for me. I enjoy being active and I feel good when I leave the gym, but I'm all about getting "real" and being honest with myself - I do not think I could sustain heavy exercise. BUT, I could be doing a much better job of being active and working out for my health - in addition to the weight loss!
For more info on my journey & goals, visit my blog at http://flirtybythirty.wordpress.com
So, I'm a day late on this one, but I was OH vacationing yesterday, I suppose! Anyhow, I love the gym! I do. I admit it. But I don't spend hours there. I do my workout and leave. I do my workout, not to lose weight or to be able to eat more either.
I never added calories to my day during WL because of working out. I think that's BS. My body had plenty of reserves in fat. Didn't need any extra calories for energy. It was all there waiting to be used.
I am also the first to preach that exercise is not a substitute for a good food program. I don't have enough time in my day to exercise away a ****ty food day. Still need to eat properly to keep the weight off.
But I do agree with you 100% that you need to find something that is sustainable. For me, it just happens to be the gym rat thing!
I think this is a great reminder, Frisco. We are all different, and we have to find what works in the long run.
I might be a little abnormal here, but I actually want to be an athletic person (it's hard for me to say "athlete" because that feels so far away). I want to be able to do things I never thought were possible and I want to feel strong. I actually think I enjoy working my ass off at the gym, and then I stretch and then sit in the sauna for a bit, and I feel so calm and accomplished. I'm working on the balancing act of fitting this into my life right now. It's tough, but I want it so bad, and I hope that doesn't change. But if it does change in the future, your post is a reminder that I need to be okay with that.