I need to form a plan

**Retriever Mama** · 07-16-2008, 05:22 PM

Not join a plan...I'll never stick with it. I don't believe in cutting out food groups nor can I worry about recipes for special menus. My best bet has always been to count my calories and exercise.

However counting calories has been voided by all the summer BBQs and ice cream and wine/frozen drinks. I have got to get it under control and think I can do that, but...

I cannot seem to find the time/energy to exercise. The only time I can exercise in the a.m. and we are just barely getting up with enough time to walk the pups in the a.m. And I know I HAVE to do cardio...it makes a huge difference in my metabolism and I will lose the weight. But I am so flippin' tired all the time. And I'm so flippin' tired of being so tired all the time...vicious circle.

Any recommendations on what I can do to boost my energy to get my butt on the treadmill?

**Jinx** · 07-16-2008, 06:29 PM

are you taking a multivitamin in the morning? that helps. so does eating a good, relatively low carb breakfast.

**Retriever Mama** · 07-17-2008, 09:23 AM

*pops a multivatimin * Yes, I have those...but haven't been taking them regularly.

I really crave carbs in the morning so instead of bagels, muffins, etc. I've been having shredded wheat or raisin bran. And then I have fruit at the office....but by 11 I'm ravenous...and the munching begins. :no:

I've brought a ton of fruit in the office so hopefully I will snack on that instead of the pretzels and cheeze-its that I really want.

**Chester B. Dickens** · 07-17-2008, 10:40 AM

Try this site: www.thedailyplate.com

It's excellent for tracking cals AND exercise.

Just saw a study that shows that people who keep a food/cal/carb diary lose 20lbs more over the same time period as people who just go it on their own and decide nebulously to 'cut down.'

Once you see on a graph what a hit a serving of cheese fries is (graph starts to look like Mt Everest), you're less likely to order them.

**Retriever Mama** · 07-17-2008, 10:46 AM

Thanks Dan...I'll check it out!

**Jinx** · 07-17-2008, 10:50 AM

i read the study on keeping a food diary, too. it was also on our news. another thing is it helps to keep you accountable for everything you put in your mouth.

anything with higher fiber will fill you up quicker and keep you full longer. the fiberone bars are good for that if you need something quick. if you crave sweets the chocolate chip ones help satisfy that as well.

**joflake** · 07-17-2008, 03:50 PM

I don't have the problem exercising, I do an hour every morning of the mixed variety. I have done it so many years now, it is just routine, and boy do I feel out of it if I am sick and have to skip it. That is the ONLY time I will skip. A couple of things to remember, you are supposed to eat breakfast within one hour of getting up, or your metabolism starts to slow down. And if you are trying to lose weight, it is better to snack on veggies, fruit, even though it is good for you, is full of sugar. I am not a big snacker, my down fall is that two pieces of pizza I just ate.

Tundra Aries · 07-19-2008, 12:32 PM

I love this section, you guys give such good advice!!

**Retriever Mama** · 07-21-2008, 11:32 AM

OMG - I'm using thedailyplate.com What an eye opener! They have a huge database and it is so easy to use! It is really helping me see what I am eating during the day.

This is my new plan for my diet! Now...if I can just get myself downstairs to the gym we have in our basement...I think I'll need to do some dusting first....

Lucky.N.Lucy · 07-21-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Retriever Mama

But I am so flippin' tired all the time. And I'm so flippin' tired of being so tired all the time...vicious circle.

Any recommendations on what I can do to boost my energy to get my butt on the treadmill?

I know how that feels. In the two years of nursing school that I spent either on my butt studying, on my butt in lecture, at work running my tail off, or at home sleeping, I went from being at my ideal body weight with boundless energy, to packing on ten pounds and having zero energy. I mean seriously, NO energy, and easily fatigued. What has happened is that I have become deconditioned. Even though I've continued to bicycle commute to work and my job is very physical, neither of those things can take the place of sustained aerobic activity.

Since I graduated and am no longer in school, I've been to the gym maybe about six times. I've started including more physical activity into my daily routine, alternating with rest periods. I'm finding that both my energy level and my endurance are slowly increasing.

So, I guess that would be my advice. Don't expect yourself to just suddenly have all kinds of energy. Just take it slow. Start with a small workout, maybe fifteen minutes, and allow yourself a rest period when you feel tired.

As far as getting yourself to the gym to do the workout, that's the hard part for me, too. I can always find something important that needs to be done, and as a neat freak, I have a hard time walking away from a messy house to go exercise. What I do is remind myself how, in the long run, my physical health and quality of life *is* a high priority for me, and that means that sometimes, I have to put exercising at the top of the list and do other things later. Once I get to the gym and have done my workout, I am always glad I did.