How to get back into working out.

[mhazen]

OK. So I keep going back and forth when it comes to working out. I'll work out hard and consistently for maybe 3-4 weeks then I stop for like 3 months and gain all the weight back. I started some Jillian Michaels workout DVDs and seriously felt like such a failure because I couldn't finish some of the exercises. I am going on my honeymoon in June and want to be down at least like 30 pounds, then after that I want to be down about another 20 so that I am at least healthier when we decide to have children. I work 10 hour days then tend to go home have dinner and lounge around or work on wedding stuff and go to bed exhausted. How does everyone stay motivated with working out? How do you not get discouraged that you may not be able to finish work outs on a DVD? Do people tend to work out then eat dinner and find things to do after dinner? I do not want to just go to bed after I eat. I am determined to reach my goal but just feel like I never will.

[exhile]

Lifting weight exercises 5 days a week for 20 minutes in the morning is what I've been doing for the past 10 months are so. But if you want to be down 20-30 pounds in 6 months then you ought to implement a daily calorie deficit and cardio exercise. An Aria 2 weight scale will monitor your progress of weight loss during the weeks and is a motivator to keep on losing those pounds.

[MagsOnTheBeach]

You can't just exercise,  for the biggest long-term changes you have to change your food / calories  . Make new habits, after getting home,  go for a long brisk walk.  When i can't keep up with a video I just March in place or do another modification.  Good luck!

[russsss]

MHazen...hi and happy holidays !

Forget what you can't do and do what you can do . If you can go to a gym or go outside for a walk and don't worry about WHAT you do or HOW MUCH you do just do what you can do and build on that .  This is as much about changing habits and lifestyle as anything else .  

[Dominique]

It’s very hard to "out-exercise" your diet, unless you have a lot of time on your hands (which doesn’t appear to be the case, with your long working hours, wedding arrangements and all), so I would focus on the diet and have a more minimalist approach to exercising. Think of exercising more as a way to improve your health, fitness and well-being, and less as a tool to lose weight. Exercising will support your weight loss, but not be its primary driver.

[Esya]

You sound like the all or nothing type of person. Seeing  you work out hard and consistently and then nothing at all. Maybe find a level of work out that is less hard and often, but that you can maintain over a longer period. You could start with once a week and then move to twice a week and just stay at that level. It might not be ideal and what is adviced everywhere, but it is still better than not working out at all. Also a work out quit early is a work out and better than not working out at all. Give yourself credit for what you do accomplish and don't judge yourself for what you don't accomplish.

However, in order to lose weight you better look at your food as other already pointed out.

[Tristisedly]

When I started my weight loss journey my first and most important step was diet. No soda, less processed foods etc. Once you eat healthier you’ll have more energy to workout and you’ll feel better afterwards. Don’t worry about the DVDs workout at your own pace and do what your body can do. Maybe watch videos to get ideas, and then do those select movements at your own pace mixed with other exercises you like! WIshing you the best!