[LAGal08]

Hi everyone . I am new to the forum, although I admit to having read through the threads on many occasions. I decided to join because I am, undoubtedly, my own worst enemy when it comes to my setbacks and I thought it might be helpful to put it out there. I am 28, 5'4", 162 lbs, and a size 10-12. I have a medium build and have always weighed more than I looked - but I have packed on 20+ lbs in the past few years and it sure as heck isn't because of my "build" or any muscle mass.

So I made the decision to lose weight: Step 1. But I had come accross so much conflicting information that I ended up buying into all of it and became extremely frustrated. Calorie counting or low carb? Cardio just 20 min a day or a minimum of 45? Supplements or no supplements? I was trying to find "what worked for me", but I felt like I couldn't stick to anything long enough to see results, so I couldn't conclude anything except for the fact that maybe I didn't give it enough time to "work".

I just moved to LA and have always wanted to persue a career in singing. I told myself being in LA would be the motivation I have needed to really kick myself in gear. I have a gym membership, I got the fluidity bar for Christmas a few years ago (which I thought would be great because I loved dancing and the "dancer's physique", I signed up for bootcamp and only went twice (early mornings were a killer), so I bought Barry's Bootcamp Dvd, I signed up for the "6 week total body make-over", and I even got a trainer thinking someone with knowledge would be helpful, but realized unless I could motivate myself when I wasn't with the trainer, it was a waste of money. I have spent more than enough money on products and have plenty of options to be successfull sitting in my room as I type. So why can't I do it?

I make jokes (since I'm in LA) that I just don't "hate" myself enough. That seeing all the young pretty girls that are my competition isn't enough of a motivator for me because I don't have low self esteem... but the truth is I AM becoming very dissappointed with myself - even angry at myself - because this is something I want to do for me, not something the industry or anyone else is saying I need to do. I want to be in better shape, I want to be healthy. I want to be successful in my field. It's what I want... so why isn't that enough?

[LAGal08]

This double posted and I can't figure out how to delete one. My apologies

[Alana in Canada]

Wanting something--even really badly--is not enough.

I read a book on change, recommended here, and I really should get my own copy, so I can recommend it in JUST situations like this.

The next step is to take action--as you've done. If you quit the plans you were on, then you need to know why. Can you sit down and analyze exactly why you quit those other programs?

Then, if you are really sure you want to be slender, make a commitment to yourself to stick to an eating and exercise plan until you are where you want to be.

The truth of the matter is--any plan will get you there. There is no "best" plan--there are just plans easier for you to stick with--plans that work better for you.

That's why it is important to know why the plans you tried didn't work. Low carb is great for people who have difficulty controlling the amount and kind of carbs they eat. If that's you--you may have had trouble sticking with it just because it wasn't strict enough to "wean" you off of them, or detox, or whatever. I don't really know that much about low-carb--but there are lots of experts here--and not all low-carb plans are the same!

About the exercise: You can lose weight without it. People have done it. I don't recommend it for all sorts of reasons, but it can be done. So, to my way of thinking, that means ANY exercise you do will help--whether it is 45 minutes or 20 minutes everyday. I don't have a lot of time or patience. I like 20 to 30 minutes of walking or my stationary bike. I find three times a week is minimum if I want to enjoy the stress reducing benefits and feel the endorphins kicking in.

You can do this!
You have come to the right place.

[Alana in Canada]

Oh--and by the by--for life-long success--pick a plan you can live with for the rest of your life.

Sorry. That's the bad news.

The good news is: there's no wagon to get off. There's no failure: only "learning opportunities."

And you'll be slim and trim forever.

[AR4life]

to 3FC, you will find many excellent threads here that are well worth reading. Good luck in finding your plan and in your singing career. Cheers

[momto3kittiess]

I hear ya. I have like all those programs, and I just could not do it either. I realized, I like food WAY to much. When I would do one of those programs and mess up and have a macdonalds hamburger or something it would make me feel like a failure and so I would quit. Everyone makes mistakes though.

As for how long to exercise and supplements or not...exercise is great. My gym membership is a motivation for me. I do treadmill for 25-30 minutes and 3-4 machines a day. This works for ME.I do not think there is a set amount of minutes you HAVE to work out. Its whatever is good for you. Supplements I think are good. Vit C makes my stomach hurt and I get heart burn so I stopped taking it.

Good luck, and hope I helped.

[LAGal08]

You all helped! Thank you