by Open mind 60 Replies latest social physical
A while ago* I set a goal to lose 10 pounds before summer. Today's the day. I didn't make it.
Where did I go wrong?
* "a while ago" was yesterday
Do you try to get in better shape for the summer?
How has the passing of years affected your efforts/results?
om
I started out this January. And I lost about 20lbs, now I want to gain those 20lbs back but with muscle. It's harder either way you go.
When did you start? First thing, is setting reasonable goals. A pound a week is good, two pounds a week is even better but it takes more dedication.
What worked for me was keeping up a food log (fitday.com), and keeping up with your calorie intake. Once you've done it for a few weeks you should know how much you should eat to keep the progress going without using the log.
You didnt try losing weight by eating anything "sugarfree" did you?, its been revealed that not only is the likes of Asparteme a neurotoxin, it also makes you fatter than the original made with sugar.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jun/11/why-our-food-is-making-us-fat
The above is also an interesting read.
I remember when I was a kid, everything was made with real sugar, we used to eat tons of sweets and cakes, evrything else was laden with fat, yet we were mostly skinny as rakes.
The thought of getting in better shape for summer never even occurred to me personally until I hit my mid-30s. I would notice that the pants were getting a bit tighter and I had probably actually gained 5 pounds (HORRORS!!!) .
So somewhere around the start of May, I'd just make sure I started riding my bike every day (or something similar) and by June I'd be trim and lean.
Now that I'm in my late forties, the over-winter paunch gets bigger each year and doesn't come all the way off anymore.
Time to adopt a new way of looking at this.
om
I don't try to shape up for summer per se. But once our midwest winter is over, I get back into a groove of walking, parks, swimming etc. I automatically feel better and shape up. I always have a summer obsession and perk up fashion wise.
This year it's summer hats and cute swimwear. I think the best thing about summer is being comfortable and uninhibited. Don't try to fit any standard except your own. Summer's way too short.
LOL on getting started a couple of days ago.
Do you try to get in better shape for the summer?
Yep, I try.
How has the passing of years affected your efforts/results?
A little harder to take off weight, partly because I spend more time reading and studying now, a little less active. And I'm a little more sore after exercise. This year I'm trying to shape up my gluteus maximus. So far, I'm just getting a sore butt.
Yeah, I try.
Next summer, I plan on trying harder.
LOL.
I've never worried about shaping up for summer just because it's summer, but I do find it easier to eat fruits and vegetables when they are fresh and tasty. I've managed to lose about 90 pounds, and it's really only in the mid summer that I can drop pounds steadily.
Most years, I start getting outside more and begin a consistent weekly routine when Spring rolls around. Last year was our first year out of the WT and I never got in the zone mentally. Zero motivation. Was a bit depressed about family, drank a coke-n-alky almost every night, didn't care about what I ate or how much. Then mom passed away, more stress from that... later, lots of birthdays and holidays.... it all caught up with me and I morphed into a skinny-fat caricature of myself and couldn't run a quarter mile without gasping for air.
This year, Jan 1, I started using a Couch to 5K app, stuck it out and managed my first ever sub-thirty-minute three-milers after 9 weeks. Not outstanding by any means but I set records for me, so I'll take it. (I've never been a fan of running unless I was chased by bees that were molested. haha *crickets* Kingdom Melody? Anyone?) Unfortunately, I was still wearing my cheeseburger cumberbun from the previous year.
Depression cleared up, I started feeling healthier, and only treated myself to weekend drinks, and neat at that. Gained momentum and started picking my foods more carefully. Added other Crossfit-type exercises and now I'm about where I usually would be in the summer... gauging by performance, pants, etc...
But this is where I usually plateau and eventually quit around September. Then when the fall/winter months come around and those damn pagans start shoveling pecan pie down my open gullet, all progress goes out the window. Just hope I feel motivated to start it all over again early next year, near the bottom rung again.
I want to talk to the fool who manages to stick to it all year 'round.
SBC - judging from your pics you are never out of shape. You're probably talking about a 3-4 lb gain/loss.
