Almost 41 and need to lose 70 pounds

[HeidiM]

I brought this post over from the old forums so we could all stay in touch and keep helping each other stay motivated. 

I have been in a kind of funk lately but am climbing back up slowly but surely. I bought a used treadmill so I have no more excuses for not getting my steps in. Today was a snow day here and I didn't go in to work. Instead I cleaned my car off, shoveled the driveway, went for a short walk with my hubby, came back and jumped on the treadmill for an hour, then after dinner I got back on the treadmill while I watched Biggest Loser. I feel better getting in the extra activity. I am seeing the difference in little ways-my clothes are baggier, I can walk up my hill without feeling like I'm dying (lol), my stomach isn't as quite as big as it was two months ago. I have to stop being so hard on myself and congratulate myself on the little changes I am making. I have to remember that those little changes will add up to big changes down the road. I have lost 16 pounds as of last Thursday. I have upped my step count goal to 11,000 a day and sometimes its a struggle but I am trying 🙂 
How is everyone else doing? How do you stay motivated? Does the Holidays and winter months effect you and how do you handle it?

[WendyB]

Holidays and winter do not effect me. I still go out daily for my walk. Its the only thing that gets me going in the morning. It gets some what cold here. But not as cold as other places.  I just bundle up more

[April]

Heidi, I'm so glad you brought this over from the old forums!

How's your funk? You've lost 16 lbs and that's great! And if you have a funky day, try to make the next one a little less funky. (At least that's what I keep trying to tell myself - it's not about being "perfect" every day, it's about making sustainable changes to a healthier life. My new mantra. )

It's been so absolutely frigid here for the past week and a half (like the windchill has been -25F), it's been hard to get out.  I did manage to get out with the dog one day. It wasn't pleasant for me, but he didn't seem to mind.

[HeidiM]

Thanks for the mantra April. I actually have lost another 2 pounds for a total of 18 pounds since I started this journey 51 days ago and my Fitbit One and this site has been a huge help to me. When I am having a rough day I log in and see how my steps are for the day and where I am ranked among my friends and it gets me moving  having a treadmill in my living room is making a huge difference-NO EXCUSES 

[SunsetRunner]

I was 63 and needing to lose 70 lbs. That was last February. Now I'm 63 and needing to lose 23 lbs. 🙂 The Fitbit has been a great motivator! It keeps me moving. The boards and my Fitbit friends are also motivating! But I must also stress the importance of seeing your doctor. I had to switch doctors in order to find one who would say more than, "Yes, you need to lose some weight." My current doctor started with blood work and other tests. We discovered that I had to stay away from gluten and dairy. It made a world of difference! Not only did I feel better, but my cravings disappeared. I was like a mad woman before ... always looking for and planning for my next food fix. Now, I can walk away from the foods that are bad for me. Yes, the holidays will be a challenge. But it will be easier to eat healthy, knowing how sick I will get if I stray. I made it past Halloween. (First time in my life!!) Made it thru Thanksgiving, maintaining my weight loss. I've lost a couple lbs since then, and plan to go into maintenance mode for Christmas and New Year's, then weight loss mode again afterwards. Slow but steady.

We can do it!

[TheLastDiet]

Hang in there, you can do it! (in fact, you already are!). Treadmill in the living room--genius!

Holidays--I think one reason they are so difficult to navigate when one is trying to live in a healthier way isn't so much the temptations one is surrounded by (though that certainly doesn't help), but by all the triggers for emotional eating that one encounters: foods that have large symbolic or emotional freight, eating because you are angry, eating because you are happy, eating as a social activity, etc. This year I am trying to pay attention so that I can identify some more triggers and learn to either avoid them or substitute a healthier behavior. 

[LilBudyWizer]

I hate to say it but how I stay motivated is I smoke and I have to walk for the smokes. Running out of smokes is one powerful motivator and I can only procrastinate for so long. It gets me out that door everyday though. My house is also 170' above the road so there's really incentive to give up and go home once I'm down it. Continuing on is a whole lot easier than going home.

[PastaLuver14]

I wish I had a picture of all the dogs I attend to,but I don't (yet).  I just keep motivated with music and the doggies. Sadly it has not rained here in Nor Cali. Usually we get lots of rain starting at least in November. It's been cold in the mornings but then gets to 60's in afternoon sun out. Weather not really "effecting" me.

[PastaLuver14]

Okay, found 2 pics dogs I walk. These are 2 of the ones that keep me going!!

[HeidiM]

I have lost another 4 pounds, for a total weight loss of 22 pounds in just under two months and I am so thrilled and proud of myself. I had to go buy a pair of dress pants last night and was actually able to buy a size 14 and wear them comfortably so I treated myself to a new sweater and had to buy a large instead of XXL or XL-I'M STOKED!!! Walking, drinking water, eating right (on most days) and more walking seems to be working well for me and I think my doctor will be very impressed with me. I know I am. 

How is everyone else doing? 

[April]

Congratulations, Heidi! You should be so proud of yourself!

I've lost about 17 pounds since October and am wearing clothes I haven't been able to fit in for years. That makes me feel pretty good. It's been kind of hard to stick to a routine the last week or so. I've had days full of meetings, lunches/dinners out, and I'm spending every spare minute trying to finish a quilt before Christmas. But I'm trying to make smart choices when eating out, and while I haven't been getting 10,000 steps/day, I'm doing what I can (taking the long way to the bathroom on the first floor and then walking back up to the 3rd floor, parking far away, etc). And I did manage to sneak out of work early one day to take a long walk in the woods with the dog.

Now to just get through all of the holiday gatherings over the next couple of weeks! Starting with brunch at my Mom's tomorrow morning. 

Hope everyone else is doing well!

[Jessicavh46]

Hi!!  I just got a fitbit for Christmas so I am new to all of this.  I used to be a group fitness instructor at lifetime fitness so I can try and give you a little advice.  I read your last post and from what you said I think that you are doing an outstanding job!!  I gets a lot harder with age and being a woman doesnt make it any easier.  (Men have it made....No legs to shave, dont care if they gain weight (well most of them), dont have to blow dry their hair...etc etc) .  But I think that its great that you have someone to walk with everyday.  Keep it up!!  The 1st 10lbs or so come off pretty quick but it will most likely get harder after that!  Remember...BIG breakfast, small snack through out the day, and a light lunch and light dinner!!  Good luck and I hope everthing works out!! Dont let the snow bring ya down...I live in Chicago!  Talk about snow!!! 😃

[HeidiM]

this has been a rough couple of days for me and I am slacking. I did just order the Aria scale and will get back on track. I'm not beating myself up on having slacked, just seeing it, admitting/acknowledging the fact that I am slacking and plan on getting back on track. Time for reflection and get re-energized. 

[Alliern]

Hello. Just got my fitbit flex for Christmas and trying to figure it all out. I just synced it with MFP. so I guess I will log food and cardio on there....I am 45. I have 70# to lose (I cannot believe I let myself get here) UGH no more. I know new years is cliche...but I never want to be this weight again. Looking for supportive friends to check in with! I am married mother of a teen and a tween. My entire family is active and fit. I am tired of letting life pass me by...I gained 30# after the birth of my son 12.5 years ago and another 40# since losing both of my parents (7 and 3 years ago) SIGH. I work FT as an Oncology Nurse and when I am not at work I am a slug 😞 Need to get it together!

Allie

[April]

Welcome to the club, Allie!

Heidi - you're an inspiration to me. I tend to live my life very much in my head and don't express a lot of my feelings unless some asks me directly. I feel like you post things that I want to say! I gained a couple of pounds last week - it wasn't a surprise - I spent lots of time in the car, sat in endless meetings, and had numerous meals out. It wasn't a surprise, but it was a bummer. I feel like I'm on track again. Or as much as I can be in the middle of the holidays (still hours and hours of driving ahead of me this week). I've had a couple of people comment that I look like I'm losing weight. That's good positive reinforcement. And today, I'm wearing a pair of pants that haven't fit me in years.

So I keep reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race. I'm in this for the long haul and I will persevere!

[harrisoniris]

Just got my fitbit flex for Christmas as well.  So far, I love it.  I, too, am tired of letting life pass me by.  I need to be more active and I am hoping this helps!  If anyone wants to help me by becoming a "friend", please let me know.

Thanks.

[MissDragonfly]

Hi Everyone! I am also new to Fitbit, but used Bodymedia for 3 years with great success. Just got the Fitbit for Christmas and LOVE it so much more than the Bodymedia. So small and compact and doesn't burn your skin like the other one.

I have about 60 lbs. to lose, but I am on the road to re-discovering myself. I am recently engaged and he also got the Fitbit (for us both) for Christmas. We are best friends and I know he loves me the way I am. I need to do that also...but, I am figuring out the site and the band. Love that you can have a "virtual trainer" and that it vibrates instead of beeping. That was embarrassing...haha...but, I look forward to talking with all of you. I am in school for nutrition, and if I don't lose the weight, who will listen to me tell them about nutrition? haha. I know what to do, will just be doing it!

Happy New Year to all of you! I know it will be a much healthier one for us. Talk to you all soon,  LA

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Lao Tzu

[mhybd1]

OMG Allie...you are me. LOL....Let's totally connect. I am 43...want to loose at least 30lbs...prob could afford more. I am a nurse and mother of a 12 year old son and 8 year old daughter. I always valued that I lived what I preached to my patients and now here I am, letting life get in the way of what I knwo should be so important. FITNESS. I want to be a good example to my kids so I am starting anew. Good luck on your venture also. Michelle

[mhybd1]

Join the Christmas Wishes 2014 team.....

[BearsBairn]

Hi there!

I just sent you a friend request.  I'm fairly new, just started at the end of October.

Happy to cheer you on.

Let's do this!

Donna