New to Fitbit -- Looking for Friends! :)

[Animate_This]

Hi everyone!

My name is Sam -- I'm 26 years old, 5'2 and weigh roughly 130 lbs. Long story short, I've struggled (and continue to struggle) with my body image, self esteem, and eating for most of my life. I'm trying to kick the emotional eating to the curb and focus on my physical health. Growing up, I haven't had a whole lot of support... and while obviously not the only reason, I do feel like it's a big part of why I haven't been able to succeed. So I'm looking for some friends who would like to be healthy with me! 🙂 Can't wait to meet you guys!!

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @Animate_This

Trusting our bodies internal wisdom (not a food plan..) (regarding food choices, what to eat when feeling hungry, and how much.. listening to our body when having enough / feeling satisfied (but not stuffed).. is quite a journey but makes everything worthwhile.

Don't log food anymore, and ate first out of boredom.. now feeling not to have to eat more when having enough (always been alot under, above the 'plan' or about equally the same calories wise).. it's not only calories but also nutritients (we could have eaten may be less the day(s) before calorie wise, but having eaten enough nutritient rich quality food.. affecting how much our bodies need for today.. also depending on having done exercises, and our bodies in the moment not being so hungry (but the day(s) after) getting a feeling eaten more or less than otherwise.

Our bodies are complex and amazing, everyone is unique. Try listening to your body (am I eating out of habit, boredom,..)? If i'm eating out of hunger, which food(s) nourish my body the most in the moment? (does my body fancy to have more vegetables, want a salad, or can be even pizza.. anything else).. base portions on how hungry you are, notice when taking something extra (our body can need a bit more (like more vegetables, a piece of meat (a half piece of meat..) 'cause of eaten less on previous day(s), also depending on which nutritients (foods) we ate before.. and which nutritients our body needs more in the moment..

Try listening to your amazing body (it get better and better every day), it may not be 'perfect', however it will automatically want to be healthy (when eating everything in balance, in tune with your bodies needs), not needing more food when eating to nourish, anything you like and stop when feeling satisfied. Choosing nutritient foods mostly (if your body desires those foods), and having anything else in moderation (strawberry cake, candy..)..

We automatically eat less when eating what we want (because of feeling satisfied quicker), when only eating because of getting hungry.. and choosing portions based on how hungry we are (with choosing nutritient rich food).. we eat less calorie wise (but our bodies having all nutritients it needs).

When having any questions, don't hestitate to ask.

[greeneggsandham]

Hi Sam! 

I am new here too and glad to connect with others just starting out. I'm a 44 year-old mom who works full time at a desk job, but crave time outdoors and love keeping up with my 8-year old twins. I'm 5'0 and weigh around 125 lbs. While I eat pretty healthily by choice - salads, fish, chicken, fresh fruits and veggies - I like to reward myself with sweets - ice cream, cookies, anything chocolate. When I'm stressed, I "reward" myself with sweets far too often and too much: 3 cookies after lunch, candy bar on the way home, late-night ice cream. 

During the winters in my area it is hard to be motivated to exercise and be outside. Summer, on the other hand, has me outside virtually all of my non-working hours. 

I puchased by fitbit zip just over a week ago, and I love it already. I love tracking how many calories burned, and having the dashboard tell me throughout the day where I am in terms of eating, excercising, and maintaining a good in/out for calories to meet my goal of 10 lbs weight loss. 

I'm running a slow 2 miles on the treadmill at least 4 days/ week; hiking whenever I can, doing weights at the gym and joining my kids swimming whenever possible - 1/2 times/week. 

Sam, what do you like to do for physical activity? 

[Animate_This]

Hi GreenEggs!

I know how that is... I work a desk job as well, and it's much easier for me to grab junk food than prepare healthy things ahead of time!

I work a pretty crazy schedule, so I don't have time to do much in the way of formal exercise. I will usually run and/or walk the 5 mile round trip to work and back (otherwise I will bike on the days I have to be there early!). I want to get into strength training, but it's hard since I have no idea how to do it. I've purchased videos, but I always feel like my form is off.

Do you take classes at your gym? I've been thinking about getting a membership, but I'm not sure it would work with my hectic schedule.

[nightowl59]

hi im new as well

[Nadine_A_Saad]

Welcome!

Add me Nadine_A_Saad

[greeneggsandham]

Sam,

No, I don't take classes at my gym - I mostly go there for the treadmill, machines and free weights and often really enjoy the solitude of the solo workout. However, as weather has been nicer I've been recruiting friends for sweat-breaking walks and hikes and - hey - that makes exercise FUN!

That is great to have a commute that allows you to get exercise as a normal part of your day. Using machines and or free weights is a helpful way to target specific areas. And you are totally right - form is important and not always intuitive, even when reading the machine's instructions.

I'd suggest signing up for the lowest commitment membership at a gym that will provide personal training at least once, and bring along a notebook or ipad to note proper form. Depending on the gym, they may have flexible enough hours to allow you to work out when your schedule allows, and if you can also join a class - great! But if not, an ipod loaded with good music or books is good company too while navigating the machines on a regular basis when your schedule allows. 

[greeneggsandham]

How's everyone doing? I went to bed last night just a few steps away from my goal...! I think that in keeping the food calories down and burning more cals throughout the day, I just hit a point in the evening where I am just WIPED OUT - completely out of fuel. Does that seem normal? It was 10:30PM too, a pretty reasonable time for me to go to bed anyway.

What's happening with the rest of you? Let's keep each other motivated!

[nightowl59]

Hi just a hundred steps under .not bad for first day.quiet proud of myself.am determined to get healthy and fit.hopefully on the right track !!

[Lsparkles]

Hello All 🙂

I am new as well ...just started yesterday. I sit behind a desk all day but have made time to get my activity in.

I need to get moving. I am in my 40's and have been inactive for way to long

[nightowl59]

I'm in my 50's and work nights so find it hard to get motivated.had it it for three days now .today managed to walk the right amount of steps so it seems to help

[VivisFitbit]

Hello there guys! Here are more friends to share and compete with.  I hope you enjoy this experience and keep participating in the Community!