[Almelund]

Hi,

I'm looking for support members who face similar challenges to mine. I live in rural Minnesota where it is difficult to get outside to exercise for much of the year. I can't afford a membership to a gym and I work at a job where I sit all day. Everytime I start a diet program I find myself dealing with feelings of anxiety and deprivation that gets in the way of any long-term changes or weight reduction. I also deal with S.A.D. for much of the year.

I need to lose about 45 lbs. to achieve a healthier me.

Katie
Starting at 180
Goal of 145

[Kery]

Hello Katie, welcome to the board!

If you can't exercise outside or at a gym, what about doing it at home with fitness DVDs perhaps? You don't need to have a lot of them, 1-2 good workouts are already enough to keep you busy for some time. I recently got the "Walk Away The Pounds" DVD, and it looked nicely-going, fun and efficient to me; maybe this could be a good way to kick exercise in? (Plus you can then do it whenever you want!)

[Almelund]

Hi Kery,

Thanks for the reply. I work an 8 hour day and I've 2 hours of commute each day and then about an hour of chores to get through before I can get to dinner. I do have a step aerobics tape but by the time I get done with everything I need to do I find myself too tired to motivate myself to do it.

I've read articles that tell you do find activites that you enjoy and start exercising that way. Part of the problem is that I'm very isolated where I live and it's easy to talk myself out of just about anything when there is no one around to notice or to do things with. I get frustrated and eat, or discouraged and eat, or depressed and eat. I've been trying to do more reaching for raw carrots than bad foods as my first step to improve.

I've thought about getting a different exercise tape - I've had mine for more than 15 years and it may be just too much familiarty which has led to boredom. Have you heard much about the Pilates tapes? I've tried yoga and did not care much for that.

Almelund
Start 180
Goal 145

[SoccerGirl]

You know, I'm a huge proponent of writing things down. I believe once you see what your eating and the calories you are taking in (write down calories too) then you'll start to want to make a change.

And remember, you don't have to start big. Start with small things. How about when you are watching TV at night, do 10 sit ups or crunches? The point is, just move. Do something, anything to get your body moving. Take it gradually. You can do it!

Believe me when I say, if I can do it - LITERALLY anyone can. I'm the most unmotivated person on the planet.

Edit to say: I'm going to add one more thing to this. I have a two hour commute too and I sit on my behind all day at my job as well. So I know what you're dealing with. I know the excuses and everything else. You really have to WANT to make that change. When you do, you will.

[beefunkee]

Hello there,

I don't know if you will like what I have to say, but I do feel I have to say it.

I was in a similar situation for years. I am a single mother, always have worked 70 plus hours a week, and always thought I was too busy.

Then I moved to Vail, CO. A place where fitness is huge. Everyone looks like a movie star (or at least their bodies do) and I realized exactly how fat I was.

At 250 pounds I decided that I couldnt allow myself to get any bigger, and I wanted to be a yummy mummy.

I can't afford a gym membership, but I do it anyhow. And they cost 90.00 a month in these parts. I don't have time.. but I do it anyhow.

The problem isnt your time.

Its your head. You need to put excersise on the very very top of the list. It has to be right after your children and hubby (if you have em) and before everthing else.

I still work 70 plus hours a week. I still take good care of my daughter.. but I go to they gym 5 days a week. I fall behind on the bills occasionally, but I feel so great.

I was very depressed when I started eating healthy and excersising.

It made a huge difference in my life.. in my thinking. Alter your priorites. I can't excersise at home.. and the gym was scary at first.. but now its a pertinent part to my existance. I am not a person who "enjoys" sports or excersise.. this is the only way for me to do it.. I have to have a membership, its as important as a car, or clothes.

Good luck.

If you really really want it..you will find a way to do it.

[chubbyvixen]

Welcome to the boards!! I agree with beefunkee...you just have to put your mind to it. I can't afford to go to a gym either. Our villa has 4 flights of stairs. So, I walk up and down them. It does get a bit boring but it gets me moving. Thats something thats easy that I can do. Then, by the time I am done with that, I use my exercise DVDs. I really dont like to work out in front of anyone anyway. I just dont like it, never have.

Good luck!

Love,
Deanne

[kl_life]

Hi Katie,
Wow, another minnesotan in the group...i grew up in southern MN so I know what you mean about the weather, however it has been a mild winter there I hear.
I fully understand where your coming from with not being able to afford a membership to a gym...me and my husband cant really afford it either(im trying to immigrate to canada so im currently not allowed to work here), but at the YMCA its really good price..only $50.00 for a family membership which is a steel.
** However if there is not a gym near you, or its still just not gonna fit in the budget I would suggest getting something new and set aside the tape youve had for the last 15yrs and try something new.
** My mother and two aunts both do the "walk away the pounds" video and they have had great success with that. Im actually considering getting it for myself for on the weekends.
** I myself have a small set of dumbells and an exercise ball (stability ball). You can do soo many different moves on there, the ball combined with a video you would have your cardio and you could get your strength training off the ball/dumbells. (i only paid like $8.00 for the ball and another $5.00 or so for some dumbells at a local walmart)
** I also belong to TOPS (taking off pounds sensibly). The biggest thing that I have learned thus far is to drink drink drink that water...at least 8-8oz glasses a day, and to really be conscious of how much you eat, portions and weighing food. The other thing that may help you a lot is to write down everything that you eat, EVERYTHING..."if you bite it you gotta write it"...this helps wake you up to how much the little stuff adds up.
As everyone else has said, when you make the decison that you want to make a change in your life, you will make sure that you make the time for yourself!!!
Wishing you the best of luck, you can do it!!!!!!!
Kari (kl_life)