I'd like to share a little pet peeve that's been bugging me lately. I am 22 and need to loose well over 100 pounds. When I talk to others about my dieting (or attempts at dieting), I often get the response, "Oh, you're so young. It'll be easier for you." However, I would finally like to openly disagree!
It is true that your metabolism decreases with age (something to look forward to--not!), but even at 22, I can't seem to get the pounds off! In college, I had a roommate who would do Tae Bo with me almost every day--I'd say we did at least 30 minutes, 5 times a week--for MONTHS. She lost 10 pounds, and I lost NOTHING! Talk about discouraging. It's not like I was building too much muscle in those cardio workouts to make up for the loss of fat.
Also, no, I don't have kids or a family to feed to use an excuse for not eating healthily myself. However, I finally have my very own apartment, and I am finding that the prices of "diet" foods compared to normal foods are putting a major crunch on my diet. I do not feel satisfied after eating a Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice meal, and for less than the price of those meals, I could go to McDonald's and get a cheeseburger and fries! Sad that that's how the world is today. I also try to keep fresh fruit in the house so I don't snack on unhealthier treats, but it seems to go bad so quickly, and I don't have the time to go to the store every other day. In addition to working (usually more than 40 hours a week), I am a member of a choir and a bible study, and I am working on joining Habitat for Humanity and helping out with a theater group at a local community arts center.
So, being only 22 and starting out on my own life for once, I find that the combination of having no time and no money unfortunately have equated to no weight loss! If anyone has ideas for inexpensive meals and snacks that don't require much preparation, are actually filling, and won't go bad in just a couple of days, I would LOVE to hear them!
Also, if anyone has ideas for a workout that does not require expensive equipment, a gym membership, or too much jumping around (I am on the second floor, and if I can hear the toddler playing upstairs, I would hate to rattle my neighbors' walls and chandeliers with my aerobics!), I would also LOVE to hear your suggestions.
Thanks!!
I love these weight tracker bars--how fun!