I need alot of help in losing weight and getting in shape!I know the obvious, cut down on what goes in and step up the exercise,but how do you stay motivated? Have you tried any special diets or exercise programs that work for you?

I resorted to a personal trainer back in 2002, and in four weeks flat I was down 20 pounds and toned. It was amazing. For me, I needed that commitment, and at $20 a session, I knew I would keep my appointments. He was also great at telling me what to eat, so I was careful in that dept., too. I need to find him again.

I like going to classes at the gym, like step aerobics and spinning. Each week builds on the previous week, so I feel an obligation to my teacher and classmates to go, which motivates me. When there's no class, I walk on the treadmills at various inclines. If you can work your way up to a 15% incline, you will burn a ton of calories and it's not as hard on your body as running. You can do this with a friend walking on trails, or at home on a treadmill while watching an hour-long episode of a TV show on DVD.

The thing is, for the first month or so, exercising sucks. You will look for any excuse not to do it. However, once you've done it for a month and it's become a habit, you'll start to look forward to it. You'll feel out of sorts if you don't exercise. You just have to push yourself for that first month. The upshot is that you will probably see results fairly quickly.

I think I'm going to try the "Life Steps" program at the Keller Wellcare Center.It includes membership in the Wellcare Center and I think they have Personal Trainers available,too.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

One other thing: If you don't already have one, I would invest in an Ipod or other MP3 player. The gym would be unbearable for me if I didn't have my music to drown out the yucky grunting weightlifting guys.

Wow, LWGRL, $20 a session is a great bargain for where I live. My husband and I used a trainer once and it was $400 for 12 sessions- each. He about killed us. It was pretty insane, really. He worked us so hard 3X a week that we never had time to recover and rest. We eventually quit him and resumed our couch-potato lifestyle. Now my 20th HS reunion is coming up and I'm trying to lose 50 pounds in a month! Yea, right, I know....

I love YOGA. I do the stretching kind. Helps the tummy and the posture takes off pounds. I'm doing the ALLI thing right now. Started last Wednesday and I've lost 5 pounds. Not "water weight" I don't think cause I had started the low fat, low calorie part the week before and lost 4. I am fanatical about watching my fat grams right now (if you read the instructions you'll know why) and have had absolutely NO gastrointestinal stuff.

I picked up a second (part-time) job cleaning apartments. So far in a little over a month I've made $820 and dropped almost 10 lbs! I think I am gaining some muscle too, because at first I was s-o-r-e, but I'm not anymore. It beats the heck out of a gym membership. I don't have to wear headphones, or wear gym clothes that show off how chubby I am!

7 pounds first week with Alli and no oily poop!

I lost over 40 lbs on Weight Watchers after my first child. The only exercising I did was walking at the park. I tried to do 2 miles each time because I could usually only fit that in once a week. WW works for me. It teaches you how to eat correctly and form new habits. After I reached Lifetime status, I got pregnant again. I went back on and have lost 40 again. The thing that does it for me is being accountable each week for my progress (or lack of) when I weigh in. They were always encouraging to me - even if I didn't lose that week- which makes me more motivated to do it. Find a partner. It makes it easier to stick to it and not bad to have a little competition. Also, always eat breakfast and drink lots of water.

Martial Arts is an awesome way to discipline your body, eating and life.

I haven't found an Akido dojo around here... and that's my preference.

My alternate form of exercise is dance aerobics in my living room, though lately I've considered checking out a gym. A social environment is sometimes a good motivator.

I tried Pilates for a while. First day I absolutely could not move my left leg to the pavement to get out of my car after the class. Then I had no stomach muscles to do some of those things. I'm convinced you have to be s lutty to get your legs in that position. But you'd be plenty popular!

quote:

I'm convinced you have to be s lutty to get your legs in that position. But you'd be plenty popular!

then call me a s\ut....LOL
52 and can still do chinese splits, leg pull-backs and leg extensions

I have zero willpower. My plan is simple...under no circumstances are Hershey Bars with Almonds, Snickers or Baby Ruth candy bars allowed in this house. I buy healthy snacks as well as snacks that my son likes but are not a temptation for me personally. I also boil, broil, grill and bake - no frying! After a while without fried food, if you eat something fried, it makes you feel awful, which takes care of that temptation fairly well. I also allow a treat every once in a while...no need to just suck the joy out of the room being overzealous, right?

Exercise is my downfall...we are thinking of joining YMCA. I love to swim; so swimming laps would not be a chore to me at all. I've tried walking and was bored to tears. The key I am sure if finding something you enjoy. I took a dance aerobics when I was younger & it was actually fun.