Extremely frustrated!

[bdtracey]

Hey everyone!

I've been poking/lurking around now for quite a while and I think it's finally time to introduce myself! So hello!!!!!

As you can tell from the subject I'm getting REALLY frustrated. Here's my story:

I've always been overweight. I maxed out at 235 lbs in February 2005, dropped and gained until January 2006 when I finally decided to get my act together. At that point in time I was 220 lbs and found myself down to 200 lbs by May 2006 after getting my eating on track (GI & Biggest Loser) and working out (Biggest Loser DVD). DW and I then took our first trip to WDW as a graduation celebration for me. We got back and I decided that it was time to join a gym and really start pushing the limit. I bought a few sessions from a trainer and he got me doing a few things that seemed to work. I eventually worked my was pound-by-pound down to 180 by January/February 2007. But now I'm stuck! We went to WDW again this past May for 2 weeks and I found 7 lbs while we were down there. I've managed to fight off 4 of them but I can't seem to go anywhere else! To top it all off I feel like my workouts are completely random, that I don't know what I'm doing, don't know which way to turn. I feel like I'm doing a whole lot of nothing...if that makes any sense! I always have high aspirations in the morning but by the end of the day I (almost always!) feel like a complete failure! I realize that I'm being really hard on myself but that usually kicks me into gear to accomplish something. Even today I'm struggling to keep a positive outlook on things. It almost seems like everytime I plan to do something my plan gets foiled!

Do any of you folks have any tips on how to stay on track? I realize that this is the most difficult part of living a healthy lifestyle because I've encountered it before! I really have a lot of drive and determination; which is probably what fuels my frustration! I want to work out, eat right a live a healthy lifestyle but it just seems like all of my efforts are futile!

Ugh! This is turning more into a vent than anything else! Sorry!!!

Do you guys think a hardcore, fully detailed schedule would help? Like I said I feel like I'm doing a lot of things but not getting anywhere. I do group exercise (Les Mills BodyPump and BodyFlow), cardio and weight training. My weight training seems quite sporatic and unfocused. I'm still fairly new to BodyPump but I don't attend regularly. I am generally pretty good about getting my cardio in and I am a faithful attendee of BodyFlow (at least twice a week). What would you do? Have any of you tried out BodyPump? Is that a good way to go?

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Welcome to WISH!

Congratulations on your accomplishments!

It is fantastic that you have done so well. My first thoughts are that you are really hard on yourself! I know that this probably has made you successful and I sure don't want you to stop doing what works.

When it gets to be difficult/boring I think you might have hit upon it with the schedule idea. If you create a plan, schedule yourself and get it done. The other thing I would recommend is to look at maybe changing up the way you are eating. Split your portions in two if you can, (don't increase what you are eating). Try to have that six meal idea and make it happen earlier rather than later if possible. Keep at your workouts, never give those away.

You can do this! You are doing it!

 

[mom2alix]

You might consider a few more trainer sessions too. The plan the trainer helped you with the first time may not be working for you now. You've lost a lot of weight since then and your body composition has probably changed somewhat. You body starts to adapt to the same exercises and changing it up a bit may be what you need to see results again.

If the trainer is not in the budget right now, a good book to try is Body for Life by Bill Phillips. It has a 12 week exercise program spelled out that is easy to follow and could help give you some direction.

Good luck and don't beat yourself up, you've done a GREAT job so far!! Concentrate on the progress you've made and let it inspire you to go further!

 

[bdtracey]

Thanks for all of the advice! I was actually able to get myself out of bed this morning and workout!

I've looked at the Body for Life stuff before and it's pretty intense but seems to work for people. I called my trainer yesterday and he only works mornings now but he's going to set me up with another guy. The guy he's referring me to is a body building competitor and seems to know what he's talking about. If things go well I'll buy a couple more sessions from him to get me on track. At 50 to 60 bucks a session it gets a little expensive!

I've been eating the "6 small meals a day" thing for a while now and it seems to work. It is possible that my portions are slightly too big but not by very much. Maybe I'll try to cut those down a little and see what happens. I've upped my water intake to well over a gallon a day, no sodas, 1 cup of coffee in the morning....my eating is pretty good!

I think I just need to find something that'll kick start me again. My plan is to get up several times a week and do a 1/2 hour morning workout, run at lunch when possible, push weights at the gym several times a week followed by cardio and keep doing the yoga. I figure as long as I'm doing 'something' everyday I'll be fine.

 

[lustergirl]

First of all- don't be so hard on yourself because you are only human!! I would suggest some of the things that I do to lose weight: (and I gots lots to lose so I am an expert, lol)

Try and stick to a exercise schedule. Perhaps writing what days on your calendar at home will help. I know that I have myself programmed for exercise every other day-monday, wednesday, friday, and sunday morning. During the week I exercise after work at 5:30pm. I enjoy going to a ladies workout center where the camarederie is awesome.

Also I eat light during the day to enjoy a great dinner at night.
Just become more active in everyday life besides the exercise by parking your car further away than usual, take the stairs instead of the elevator.

I have been stuck in a plateau as well so I changed up my routine with the exercise. I try new things at workout-this may help you.

Good Luck and just remember any change in your lifestyle is a healthy one and it will pay off in the long run.

 

[bdtracey]

Thanks lustergirl!

I used to climb the stairs at lunch in the winter for a workout but things have been too busy around here lately. Our building is 34 floors high and I work on the 22nd. I would walk up to the top from 22, walk all the way to the bottom, back up to the top, back down, back up, and then finish where I started (on 22). It was a solid 25 minute workout! I stopped doing it because the air in the stairwell is so stale and dusty that it aggrevated my asthma. It actually burned to breathe in that air!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am glad to hear you've had a better day today.

If you get your sessions with body builder PT I am certain that there can be some nutrition discussion.

I was recently having w/o session with a fantastic body builder who told me she could offer nutrition advice if I would be ready. At the time of my sessions, I was more intersted in the physical part.

I've got another friend that is in your situation and there was someone at her gym that could consult with nutrition portions. Since she followed what was suggested she has lost 10 more pounds and trimmed nicely.

I have some suggestions she shared, but I'm not quite sure about the value to you at this point.

Let us know how well you manage. There is definitely a way!

 

[goofyinohio]

I've been eating the "6 small meals a day" thing for a while now and it seems to work. It is possible that my portions are slightly too big but not by very much. Maybe I'll try to cut those down a little and see what happens. I've upped my water intake to well over a gallon a day, no sodas, 1 cup of coffee in the morning....my eating is pretty good!

First of all WELCOME! There are a ton of good people on this board that will help you along the way.

A thought and a question. Your calorie intake may be exceeding your exercise. Do you keep track of your calories and how many you need to maintain your weight with your current level of activity (Which sounds really good)?

The other thing could just be you are stuck at a weight. Mixing up your routine could help you out, but it sounds like you do alot of different things which is great.