Need my Groove Back, frumpy and 40

[Terraoverweight]

Why is it when you age and are in a relationship, you become a larger version of who you used to be? I have looked in the mirror and did not know when or how I have become the person I am. People look at you as a snapshot and assume you must be a certain way. I am new to Fitbit and love the discussion options. I need lots of love and support. I am turning 40 and need to become a better version of myself.

I need diet tips (I am addicted to soda/pop) and I don't stay consistent on eating right.

Terra

[WendyB · Accepted solution]

You need to set your mind to just do it. Be consistent.

Soda pop can cause other cravings as well. Even tho its diet and maybe 0 or low calories they do add up calorie wise depending on how many you are having

They are not required to put Caloies on if its less than 5 calories. Most are just under. They still have sugar in them altho Fake sugar its still there. Which can cause the other cravings

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

Perhaps you could make a rule with yourself where you must have a certain number of glasses of water before you can have a can of soda? And then increase the glasses of water you must drink each week until you no longer crave sodas.

[1stepcloser]

I am 40 and I hate seeing pics of myself from the past. At one point I topped 200 lbs, Im only 4' 11".

So I get what you're saying. The pop thing is just a matter of changing your mind set. I know people who were drinking 2 plus liters a day, their docs told them that if they kept it up they would be diabetic. They decided that day to quit. One of these people has now gone over 7 years without a cola. They had to change and you do to. So the pop thing is up to you cut down or go cold turkey, this is a fight for you, for your health! You have to decide what is more important a pop or you? Yes you may have set back and I know from cutting pop I got headaches the first week. So i ended up cutting down to 8 oz every other day, then longer days in between then none. I drink water and green tea. But that is me, you have to find what works for you!

[kimny72]

I hear you! 40 can be a great age for a lot of things, but man does it make fitness tougher. I noticed once I got past 35, all the little mistakes that used to not be a big deal (like a week without working out, or an extra piece of cake at a party) suddenly had a big effect on my shape.

As far as the soda, what worked for me was iced mint green tea. I would brew a pot in the evening, drink a cup hot, and put the rest in a pitcher in the fridge. In the morning I would fill a big water bottle with it on my way out the door to work. The tea has a bit of caffeine, and the mint is a sweet flavor, so no sugar, no calories.

Good luck!

[teach1996 · Accepted solution]

I always keep 2 bottles of water in my car. I make sure one is gone by the time I arrive at work, and I drink the other one within 15 minutes of arriving at work. Lunch, another. Late afternoon, another. Evening/Dinner, another. I was very addicted to diet pop. You will find once you start eating healthier, within a week or two your body does not crave that sugar anymore, and you will feel so much better. You just have to "do it."  You can!

[Lightsinger]

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@Terraoverweight wrote:

Why is it when you age and are in a relationship, you become a larger version of who you used to be? I have looked in the mirror and did not know when or how I have become the person I am. People look at you as a snapshot and assume you must be a certain way. I am new to Fitbit and love the discussion options. I need lots of love and support. I am turning 40 and need to become a better version of myself.

I need diet tips (I am addicted to soda/pop) and I don't stay consistent on eating right.

Terra

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The good news is forty isn't fatal. 😉   It's never too late to make positive change in your life, so decide where you would like to be, then do whatever it takes to get you there.  Even diet soda can contribute to over eating, so find something else that you like.  Try iced tea without sugar.  Try drinking lots of plain water instead of soda.  It can really help and it can help you avoid cravings. 

[roobarb]

Just give the soda up!  I did 4 years ago.  I don't miss it.  I will drink a glass bottle coke 3-4 times per year but after I'm finished I don't want another one for a long time.  However, when I did drink soda on a regular basis....I only drink between 1/2 of a can or 1 full can per day.  Still, way too much sugar everyday.  And skip the diet crap....its crap!  

[Chic_Malik]

I too want to get back my groove back, and totally understand what you are saying. I am there with you.

Wow, I had no idea that diet soda still triggered cravings.

For those who responded on the sugar fact - is honey just as bad with your tea?

As far a tips, I have found two helpful. One is to ask the people, I live with - ex. my hubby, to support me. (He does and I am so grateful) It's hard to come home if others in the household are not supportive. The second thing .. for me at least ... is that food is not good or bad. I have been working on this for about a month and surprisingly it's helped me not go nuts when I do decide to have a tasty treat. Bad food for me equals guilt and more ice cream.

Wish everyone success and continued success. Please feel free to add me as a friend.

Best,

ChicMalik

[Nan11]

Hi Terra, I am in the exact same position you are. I am actually counting the days until I turn 40 this year.

I have been trying to lose 20lbs and its so hard. The diet is the hardest for me. I seem to lack the will power. I have a 13 year old daughter and she has more determination than me. However, I want to set a good example.. Maybe we can share any suggestions and/or tips that we come across to help one another out!! Take care and good luck! 

[Rainafterthesun]

my experience..for what it's worth.

years ago I gave up soda. It wasn't a conscious thing, initially, but I just decided I need balance in my life.

I hate the word diet because it makes me think its a temporary thing, vs changing your lifestyle, I think it's easier with that mindset

Back to balance, I love sugar. I love food..I will be the one ordering tempura while everyone else orders sushi. I will be the first to hit the dessert bar at an all you can eat buffet..and this was in middle school..if my mom didn't make me eat at least a savory side before hitting the dessert bar..I don't know.. I also would eat ice cream for breakfast because I didn't believe in limiting myself (hah! jokes on me)

But I realize that while I was lucky to be chubby at most, usually the weight doesn't show with the amount I eat. Plus when I eat what I want, I'm generally full with a small portion, rather than when I would eat what my parents said I should eat, but than my mouth would still be itching for it.

At some point, as I got older, I realized I can't substain this type of lifestyle (besides every other older woman telling me about their weight issues and metabolism) and at the same time, just because I wasnt "fat" didn't mean I was healthy. I used to be happy just being able to fit into 0/xs or in Jcrew measurements, 00/000

so I focused on the food I love, that's healthy, like tofu and avocado, and put that more into rotation. Russian borsch? LOVE. Vegetables steamed? Loveeeeee.

I also still have my pastries. Just had a Danish today, a burger yesterday..but that's where Fitbit comes in. I walked more to burn more calories, and I also had mapo tofu for dinner today since I had a Danish for breakfast, and chicken breast with bits of rice and teriyaki sauce (they make it fresh fusing fruits to sweeten it naturally) and a green smoothie (naked, blended) for lunch. Also may have had half an almond scone with ginger and a whole chocolate croissant..

Besides indulging in what I want (what's the point of life if not to enjoy it?) I make sacrifices to have those indulgences.

The reason I don't drink soda isn't because I don't like the taste; but if I had to choose between getting to eat a donut or drinking a soda, I'm going to have a donut with a side of tea. No sugar, no cream, no calories and it gives me a bit of energy.

So my advice is if you don't already have something you love that is healthy, than try different healthy foods until you find one that you could eat everyday for the rest of your life and stock up on those.

If you have stuff you can absolutely not give up, make note, and find ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle, especially when you're out with family or friends, those can be the moments you "indulge"

Find out stuff that's bad for you that you can cut, to be able to indulge. For me it's sodas, most juices unless it's coldpress and organic, mayo, mustard, ranch, egg yolk (there are times it can't be avoided but I try my best), and so forth

I always ask for sauce on the side so I can control that, esp with French toast, waffles, etc.

And, I walk everywhere. I prefer to vacation in dense cities like New York city where I can walk from upper east, like near the met, all the way down to Greenwich/soho. Or gorgeous landscapes like whistler..I plan on getting over to Utah and Alberta soon.

Dance, every morning, even if it's just five, ten minutes, in the bathroom where you get your body moving and it just makes me feel better

[Terraoverweight]

It is hard as we get older. Harder for me as my parents have passed and I
don't really have many friends. My fiance thinks pizza is a food group so I
fight having a non supporter in my household. Add me as your fitbit friend
I'd be happy to encourage u, share the things that work for me and keep
pushing each other 👍terra

[lilrhody]

I used to have a diet coke with my lunch every day. I am a middle school teacher. I never finished the whole can before my lunch break was over, so every day this one student, Stephan, would come back from lunhc, see the can of soda on my desk, and tell me how bad it was for me. After weeks of him harassing me, I stopped drinking it. Can I tell you something? Diet soda is addicting. Seriously. It is the one thing I missed when pregnant. Not caffiene. Not wine. Soda. What might help you ditch the soda is if you read any of Michael Pollan's books, or check out www.100daysofrealfood.com. They are big proponents of eating real (not processed) "food."

[Terraoverweight]

I'll read out. Thanks for the tip

[chopperkat]

Making yourself drink water before having the soda is a good suggestion.  I have done it myself!  I love soda and coffee with sugar.  I have made myself drink most of my daily water before allowing myself to either have a soda or coffee with minimal sugar.  It is a very effective way to drink more water.  At least, I have very little willpower and this strategy did help.

[DJean4]

I'm totally trying your mint tea idea! 🙂 Thanks!

[SunsetRunner]

lol, opposite of you 1stepcloser, used to be much fitter, playing football, american football, cycling everywhere etc, but as I got older, I got lazier 😞 but thankfully, FitBit has got me back in the groove as it were

I've had it a while, but it is only recently that I am exercising more, watching what I eat etc, I think I have to thank The Biggest Loser for that

I don't care if it is real or madeup, the reality is that watching it has changed my mindset, will I ever have a 6 pack? probably not, but as long as I get rid of this beer belly, man boobs, double chin and get into the Green Zone on the NHS website then I will be happy