Staying Motivated

[ldematto]

We are the most self-centered people you will ever meet. Gym people LOVE themselves. Why do you think we spend so much time working out?? I stare at myself in the mirror, watching my form (okay I flex, too). I am so completely self absorbed and lost in my workout I don't even notice the people around me. I was nervous at first too, but I figured out pretty quick that no one was watching me (: So don't be nervous, and don't be self-conscious! Gym people are too busy with themselves to worry about you!!

You are so funny Les - but you are right~!

Molly - don't feel you must do free weights - get your bearings with some of the machines. When I first started I weighed in at 211, never had I gone to the gym EVER before. I used the treadmill, at first could only do 15 minutes, then did some floor exercises (Leg raises, hip thrusts, oblique crunches and glute kickbacks) and then made the rounds with the following machines, Adduction, Abduction, lat pull down, leg presses, things like that. I too felt funny at first, but if you really think about it everyone there is in the same boat, wanting to lose weight or build muscles. Ideally using free weights is better, but even Swanso would agree that using the machines first to get the hang of it and to lose some pounds first is a good way to get started. I lost 45 lbs doing it that way! I only added free weights toward the last few months of a one year period.

P.S. I wasn't only fat and had never done this before, but I was old! At least you have youth and beauty! Go for it girl - be committed and focused - you'll get there!

[Boss Man]

Good Ibuprofen I think, is the kind in Gel form. You can get it right to he area where you need it, so it passes transdermally through the skin to where it's most effective.

Ibuprofen tablets may digest okay, but the ability to find the source of the pain may take longer and may not use all the Ibuprofen, especially is you had one or two minor issues elsewhere, and the body tried to somehow redirect some of the Ibuprofen, away from the main source of pain, to the other niggly spot(s).

[Voluptuousme]

I hate the gym Salesman. This guy tells me they are doing free workouts for guests. He's all lets go! So I go put my stuff away and then meet him at the stairs. When he tells me what we are going to do I realize its the same routine as before. I tell him that I'm not going for his pitch at the end and that I don't want him to waste his time. He started up a conversation with me. I insisted that he was indeed wasting his time. He still continued to talk to me so I carried on by answering all his questions and asking some of my own. Personal stuff. We talked about his quotas and so on. 20 minutes Later! (no idea why he talked to me for so long)

Anyway, we decided to not do the workout.

I did 5 min. on the bike to warm up, !Ran down stairs, did some leg presses, leg lifts, forarms and Biceps, Then I tried to do my Triceps (the machine was glitchy, it kepts getting stuck on my way back and it pulled something in my shoulder. Super Painful.) I moved on and went back to do the Elliptical, All of them were taken and there was a line, I didn't want to cool off too much so I did the Stair Stepper (oh man, that was sweatTastic) I'll be doing that one again. did that about 10 min. All I could handle.

I do' need a Trainer, Someone to keep me on top of it. BUT ITS SO EXPENSIVE. I feel like i'm hitting that Wall, And I keep bumping into it head first trying to break through. HELP! Failure isn't an option. One Month of going to the gym is just a few weeks away. The immediate Goal is to go every other day. The second Immediate goal is to concentrate on not eating all the Crap that makes me feel BLAH! Healthy food and consistency.

[Bonnie]

Sounds like the Tricep press machine needs to be oiled.You don't NEED a trainer, though I'm sure it would be more reassuring for you, to have one in person.Perhaps someone to show you the correct lifting form, to prevent injuries.Yes it is all about consistency & discipline.Eventually it becomes your way of life & you wonder how you ever lived any other way.Keep going

[Boss Man]

Don't use the Tricep Machine, try either of these.

1. Crossover Machine. Put a grip on one end, stand straight Pronated hand position, (Knuckles facing upwards), then move your forearms up and down just with the Elbow, Back and upper Arms straight. Repeat for the desired number of times. 6-10 depending on weight.

2. Skullcrushers. Lie on a bench with an E-Z Bar straight above your head. Keep the upper Arm dead straight and lower the Bar towards your head with the Elbow only. then move it back to a vertical positon. Repeat for the desired number of times. 6-10 depending on the weight.

[Voluptuousme]

those Both sound like a plan I will do them tonight when i go to the gym.

I get to go with my Fiance tonight. Should be a lot of fun. Helping each other. Worst Case scenario is we end up distracting each other. Terrible!

Ez Bar - Cords - No Tricep machine! - Cardio - Leg Press - Leg Curls - Quads Machine - Thats the plan anyway.

I'll check in tonight with my Actual workout ! and a Photo of myself.

[Boss Man]

I'd refer to the Cords as Cables. I assume that's what you mean. Just so anyone trying to help or advise you isn't flummuxed .

[Voluptuousme]

Yes Cables. I am back from my three day weekend. I met Anthony's Family and Parents. Was a totally amazing trip. Had a GREAT time!

We now have someone to go visit on Holidays that isn't a dozen hours away. just 5 hours. not bad. and visiting Oregon was fantastic and Beautiful. They did however eat really yummy food. I tried to keep the portions small and often. Hard not to indulge though. Felt like a fatty all weekend. But now i'm back on track. Got to go Grocery shopping today. Going to the Gym tonight. a little less than a month till my Wedding. I want to increase my activity to 100%. I want to do the Elliptical Every Day. So far I have only been able to push to 20 minutes before I am ready to collapse. But i'm going to push for 30 minutes a day. weight train every other day.

I REALLY need to get some core training going. Failing at that part. Mainly my concern is getting my 30 minutes in. I think that would make a big difference.

[fitoverforty]

But i'm going to push for 30 minutes a day. weight train every other day.

I REALLY need to get some core training going. Failing at that part. Mainly my concern is getting my 30 minutes in. I think that would make a big difference.

That a great attitude, pushing yourself is how you achieve results. Are you doing any increases in speed while you are on the elliptical? Like say a 10 or 15 second increase in speed, then back to slow for a few minutes, then increase the speed again, alternating back and forth. This is a great way to up the calorie burn and make your time on the elliptical more productive for fat burning. As far as core training, what kind of exercises do you have in mind? My favs are rev. crunches, bicycle crunch, and good old front & side planks - really great for increasing core strength. I like to do them right after my cardio, I just grab a mat, plop down and get right into them, cause I'm already sweating and feeling all buzzed from the workout, it just feels good to finish up with the ab work...but that's just me. And if you are at the gym, don't feel self conscious about doing planks or crunches on the floor. I understand, and I think we have all had times when we felt that way - I used to worry about people seeing me on the recline bench doing my sit ups - afraid they would see my belly fat, and I worried about people hearing me breathing hard and sweating so much on the elliptical and treadmill - but I got past it, because I realized that these were the things I needed to do for me, and if I let everyone intimidate me, then I was just hurting myself and denying myself "my time" in the gym. Go for it girl! It's all good, and good for you.

[Voluptuousme]

I'm really dreading going to the gym today. I know I said I was going to go every day for 30 minutes but I didn't go yesterday. Been feeling really down and anxious for a few days now. Been thinking a lot about the wedding and having my house neat and tidy for Anthony's folks coming this weekend. Not to mention the money factor. We have to be able to save enough money for the honeymoon and still have enough money to pay rent next month. A lot more information than "you" need but there it is.

All I want to do is curl up with a cocktail and have quiet time. But i'm going to the gym, I SWEAR!

[Voluptuousme]

I'M GETTING FATTER, MY MEASUREMENTS ARE BIGGER. I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT THAT. CAN'T YOU TELL. WTF IS THE DAM POINT IF I CAN GET ANY RESULTS. I'M SO SAD!!!

[Bonnie]

Depression can be tricky, how long have you had this ? Perhaps some medical intervention would be an option.I have a diagnosis of depression & once your in it, it is hard to drag yourself out, nay impossible.It has to do with chemical levels in the brain coupled with behavioral habits or thinking, that sometimes we are not even aware we are doing.Try to go beyond a regular general doctor, to a shrink, I personally find they are more experienced.

[Voluptuousme]

I don't think I'm depressed. I think I had an overload on stress. today I feel better. I have to stop drinking so dam much. I try to stay away and then I ok it by saying I had a long day. I deserve these three cocktails. And I haven't been eating well enough. too much salt and not enough veggies. Just all around not treating my body well enough so I was tired and not capable of dealing with stress properly. And sometimes its good to just scream a little I suppose.

I did go to the gym yesterday. I was really dragging myself in there kicking and screaming on the inside. It wasn't a great workout but i did complete the routine. 15 on cardio, weights (legs and arms and butt), and 15 on cardio. then I went to take care of some errands. After I got diapers I sat in my car with the window down watching the clouds and have a very peaceful moment. Here in Seattle the clouds in the evening have this gray glow that is so tranquil. Then I went home. Had some Veggie and noodle soup that my Anthony made. Was very good.


Thanks for all your support and I know if I just get all the components together then I will start to see results. Food, exercise, and a good attitude. So far i've got the exercise and the other two seem to waver around.

and I know I still owe a photo. I'll get on that asap.

[Voluptuousme]

Feel like a Giant Cow today. I haven't been going to the gym every day. Though my FAT arms are begging that I start doing so. The last dam thing I want are my fat ass Flabby arms waving around like crazy at my wedding. Disgusting.

[Voluptuousme]

yeah, I can understand that. I think mostly whats been holding me back is the alcohol, The more I push it away the more I want it. Don't get me wrong, I am not a alcoholic. I drink a few cocktails every night. I don't get obliterated, I'm a light weight. But in the morning I feel run down a bit. Unmotivated.

I will say this, I HAVE been consistent with going to the gym. I know I can stay commited to going. The next goal is to make it through my 30 min. Cardio/Fat Burn workouts. The weight training is a second thought. I feel like i'm struggling to break through the Brick wall I hit after 15 minutes of Cardio going 4.5-5 mph.

Will come back later to say more. Got to go pick of the soon to be Rents-in-law from the Air port.

xo