Please Help...Where DO I Start???(Long)

[happydisfamilyof4]

I need to start, but don’t know how or where! Here is a little background …I have never had a big problem with my weight, like many I could always stand to loose 10-15 pounds, but in the past few months I have managed to put on quite a bit of extra weight that I would like to get rid of and/or stop from continuing to grow. My goal right now is to get off at least 15 – 20 pounds, but I know it will not be easy.

Question #1 – How, when, where, etc do you get in your daily exercise?
I used to go to curves 2-3 times a week and walk the dogs every morning, but then my DH, who is active duty military, was sent on a remote tour for 1 year (no, not to the sandbox, but to Korea) and left me here in Alabama to be a “single parent” to our two children. They are only 5 and 9, so leaving them home alone to go exercise is not an option. I work full-time, as well as am taking a full-time on-line course load of college classes. I have already had to stop taking a lunch break, so that I can drop the kids off at school by 7:30 get to work by 8:00 work until 4:00 and get back to pick them up from after school care by 4:30 to get them to soccer and girl scouts. Then it is home for dinner, homework, bath and bed.
I have no relatives within a 1000 mile radius, the few friends I did have in the short time we were here prior to DH’s leaving have also left, I don’t want to make a nuisance of myself to the one neighbor who has offered to help me out (I am trying to save that favor for when it is a real emergency). What do you suggest?

I have started to with a Pilates tape early in the morning before the kids wake-up, but will that be enough? What other tapes or at home exercise plans can you suggest?

Eating good?!?!? What exactly does this mean? I have the South Beach diet book, but many of the recipes seem to take time to prepare. How do you do it quickly while still preparing something for the kids who are somewhat picky eaters to eat?

This is a call out for help…any and all suggestions would greatly be appreciated ! My self-esteem that is going down the toilet and the buttons on my “big-day” clothes would be forever grateful!!!

 

[panfan]

Welcome to the WISH !! You have taken the first step in just posting here. I am fairly new so not real comfortable "giving advice" out get but I'll take a shot at it

First thing...My you have your hands full!! I have two boys ages 3 and 8 so I can relate...however ....have my hubby around to help! I think it will be difficult to get excercise in for you but it is important that you try. I think first thing in the morning is your best bet! To kind of get it out of the way....so life doesn't take over ...you'll be too tired at night! Allso getting it done first thing in the morning will give you more energy and start your day off "right"

As far as eating....I am doing the South Beach.Some of the recipes do look intimidating but just remember you can modify at any time! And don't worry about following it exactally....even baby steps are better than not taking any! Think "outside the box" also as far as meals. Once you are on phase 2...You could do a turkeybreast sandwich (or1/2) on whole wheat bread for breakfast along with fruit /yougurt for snack. Some good ideas can be found in some of the journals also!

Good luck and remember you will find lots of support on the WISH!

 

[DoeWDW]

First of all, I'm sending you a ! You are a brave woman, with a very brave husband. Please accept my thanks for all the sacrifices you and your family endure to protect our freedoms.

You have so much on your plate. I fear that trying to make a lot of big changes in your life would just make you feel overwhelmed so baby steps sound like the way to go. Baby steps are little changes that can make a big difference over time. Try to incorporate one or two small changes at a time until you're comfortable with them. Then you can add in more.

One great place to start is drinking water - try for 80 oz a day. This one thing will help you so much!!

Exercising in the morning works great if you've got the energy to do it! Pilates is a great way to slowly wake up your body - not too "bouncy" like some of the aerobics videos, but slower movements. Can you walk while the kids are at their activities? I almost always wear my pedometer (about $15) and try to get extra steps in during the day.

Food - almost every healthy eating program out there now asks that you start eating carbohydrates in moderation and focus on getting those carbohydrates from fruits and veggies instead of from processed food. Just cutting down on stuff made with white flour and/or lots of sugar can help. Make sure you're eating some protein at every meal.

I hope this helps! I'm sure there will be others along with more suggestions. Best wishes and hope to see you around the WISH board a lot!

 

[SetzKitten]

Welcome to WISH! I agree with PanFan about exercising in the morning. It's wonderful to not have to think about it all day long. I do all my exercise at home, before 5:00. Usually it's the treadmill or a stationary bike. I also dance around with 5 pound weights on my arms for 1/2 hour to music or a music video, the time flies by and my arms look fabulous (if I do say so myself. ). I also do some weight training, but not much. All of it at home, all of it for free, and it really, really works!
As for eating, I'm on the "if it comes from a box or a can, don't eat it" plan. I cook in bulk on the weekends and we just defrost during the week.

This is such a wonderful community to get input and support from. I don't think I would have made it this far without all these great people. You'll do well here.

 

[happydisfamilyof4]

Thank You all for your suggestions I feel better already. I will start out with baby steps and keep on going from there.

I plan to spend a bit of time looking around this board today, hope my boss doesn't mind , picking up some good stratedgies and recipies.

I am glad to hear that getting a good workout at home is possible. I think I will be hitting the garage sales looking for a treadmill this weekend!

DoeWDW - thanks for your comments, but I think that out of our family the kids are the brave ones. Thay are the ones who switch schools and friends more often than some people change their underwear! And, actually staying here in Alabama was their choice. We let them decide if they wanted to move to a new school near thier grandparents and cousins for just one year, making it DD's 4th school and she is only in 5th grade, or stay here for one more year then move on to another school where ever we end up.

 

[PartyofSix]

Here's my advise and basically what worked for me so it's tried and true. Drink water not just a few bottles of water either. Take your weight and divide it in half and drink that amount in oz's per day. THe more you loose the less you have to drink. I was big on cokes/pepsi so i allow myself first thing in the morning my cola not diet either! The rest of the day i drink my water i keep bottles with me and i always keep two on my desk to remind me there's another one waiting to down.LOL I don't believe in recipes for dieting per say. I believe in measureing your food. Trust me get to know your portion sizes and eat that amount of ANYTHING you want and you will loose the weight. Find out what portions of meats, veggies are and you will be SHOCKED and realize quickly how you put on the extra pounds. For snacks and to cure i sweet thooth which is my main down fall. I ate toostie pops, toostie rolls. I keep those handy even today!! The skinny cow icecreams where my reward on Sundays after a good loss week for myself. Now that i'm maintianing i eat brownies and real ice cream jut not the whole pan and half gallon.LOL Don't think you have to walk around with measureing cups/spoons once you realize who much 4 ozs is you will be albe to control what you put on your plate and be on the money with out having to measure for real. I read what i was cooking and always had the portion it called for on the boxes. Like zatteran's rice is a 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup depending on the variety you pick. That with a serving on hamburger meat off the foreman grill and a salad with cheese and crutons and dressing where a main stay in my supper plans during the week. I never add the butter to box recipes either you don't miss it at all. Also i used the walk away the pounds tapes in the mornings i would do the two mile walk or late after noon i would do that while supper was cooking it was my reward after i exercised. Once you see the pounds coming off your more motvated for MORE. Best wishes