Better Body Goals-Accountability Thread

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Originally Posted by MermaidHyli

I've been stalking this thread for awhile and I suppose I should add in my work out, but first a bit of history.

So fun fact some of you may or may not know, I was born without a thyroid. I know a lot of people have too much or too little thyroid well I have none, zip, zero. I've been on medication since I was three days old.If I'm off it for a few days I get very weak and sick. If I go weeks or months well I just cease to exist. Growing up it was VERY hard to get weight to stay on me. Enter child hood bullying for being too skinny. Not many people ever hear about the other side of the spectrum. But I'm here to say it sucks. People are people and they will act as such. In my case I was called twig or kids would literally blow on me to see if I would fall over -.- I could go on but you get the point. At the age of 14,weighing 60 pounds, I was entered into the hospital to have calories pumped into me because although I was eating literally pounds of food every day, it wasn't enough to keep up with my metabolism. By high school I was able to get my medication level and finally hit 100 pounds by my senior year. In college I actually started to hit puberty and so my body decided to put on weight, I even got up to 130 pounds. For me that was something I was not used too, not saying I thought I was fat it was just very different. I had a very major tragedy hit my family in my sophomore year so I dropped weight and was back down to about 90 pounds. Its been a very tough 23 years for me. I can never seem to get my weight to where I want it and also get the nutrients and exercise I need. On top of all of that I also have a ridiculous amount of allergies such as shellfish, dairy, variety of fruits and veggies, and now gluten. Any time I eat it literally causes me the worst pain ever. I sit in a ball for a few hours and let it pass. I'm faced with this decision every time I need to eat. I've learned to cook for myself and that has helped a lot but when we go out with friends or events its either eat and be in pain or don't and be grouchy then every one thinks I'm anorexic. Its sucked I'm not going to lie. Now fast forward to present day.

I've changed my diet to the Paleo diet (people have their different opinions this one works for me, also I get most of my meat from my parents farm so I know where it has come from) It has really really really improved my whole being. Its been two weeks and I can see the biggest change in my body and in my attitude. I'm able to eat healthy, work out, and maintain my weight. This is something I thought I could never achieve but slowly its coming around. I may never have the curves or the rear end but I'm happy with my body. Sure its hard at times and especially when it comes to my allergies but its so worth it! Just thought I would share my experience and encourage others that it can be done :)

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Wow, Hyli, I really feel for you. I'm so glad you found a diet that works for you. As someone who struggles with allergies too, I totally get the whole 'eating out' struggle.

I was allergic to fruits, veggies and nuts most of my life. I figured out why, and approached it with a method to change my body's reactions, but my doctors would have smacked me around if they'd known what I was doing. Still- the allergies are enzyme-based, I believe, and when I don't eat enough raw veg and fruits, they come right back. It's a constant matter of maintenance. I so understand.


Being susceptible to migraines is so ridiculous at times. The feckin' tap water here was doing it. I do get them with extreme barometric pressure changes and hormone fluctuations. I get them from dehydration and some food sensitivities, but at least those can be easy to avoid, I drink lots of water and I've been cooking for myself for a long time. But this time, it was the tap water. I really hate the way the tap water here tastes- it's known to have a high amount of minerals and bothers a lot of peoples' digestive systems. But for money's sake, I'd decided to sacrifice my filter refill just this last month, and use lemon juice to mask the taste.  Big mistake. The three days I used water from a filtered water refill station, I had no migraine. One day, migraine free, I used a little tap water to take my vitamin D (doc's orders, I have osteopenia in one foot from steroid medications for asthma when I was in Portland for two years), and I got a migraine within minutes. The rest of the day I used filtered, and have since, and the migraines are gone again.

Holy cow. I'm the canary in the coalmine, people.

Anyway, migraine-free means I was able to work out again. This morning I did a full workout, and it felt damn good. It's going to hurt tomorrow, but those are victory pains. lol My tricep presses sucked. My pushups are pathetic. And my abs seem to have weakened the most. I am going to get back to where I was, though. My clothes still fit, just not how I want them to.<br><br>My bf and I have both lost muscle and not worked out as much since meeting each other. We both want to get back to where we were. And then make progress again.

^ ouch .___.

I thought I'd share my success with everyone, I'm new to the forum and to "being" a mermaid (though since I saw The Little Mermaid in theaters at the age of 7, I always wanted to be a mermaid and will collect anything mermaid, and my family still teases me that I already am a mermaid with all the Ariel things I have!) Anyway, a few years after high school (I was fit and skinny back then), I got married, moved, my lifestyle changed, I exercised less (didn't play soccer anymore like I did in HS), didn't work a job that required tons of energy from me anymore, but still ate crappy. Almost 10 years later I'm almost at 200Lbs (about 90kg). I had to finally get off my lazy butt.

Last March I stared Medifast. It's worked for me. I've lost 47.8Lbs (about 21.5kg) so far. I've had people tell me it's fantastic, I've also had people tell me it's the worst thing I could do. (as you eat their food 5 times a day, then 1 meal on your own, basically only veggies and protein are allowed, no fruit, and even certain veggies) It's really worked, I never feel hungry, and I'll lose weight slowly, so no flabby skin or surgeries. I still have under 20Lbs (about 9kg) to lose to hit my goal. The total I need to lose is 62.4Lbs (about 28kg).

My weight was a big reason I wouldn't get a tail. I knew they were being made, and were very gorgeous, but didn't want to be the "whale" mermaid. (Body issues, since I had been skinny growing up and was now the fat one among friends & family.) Or they couldn't be found in my size. Even though I've still got some "blubber" (it's still the winter!) I figured swimming would be a fun way to continue to lose the weight I need to lose. My big goal would be that once I hit my goal and maintain it for a year, I splurge and finally get a silicone tail. Until then, cloth tails for me since I can always take them in!

I can't run 10 steps without feeling that I'm going to pass out! None of my size 12 clothes fit anymore, since finding out I'm now a size 14, I started going to the pool once a week. This Sunday would be my 2nd time at the pool. Last week I did 7 laps of the 50 metre pool, I was so proud of myself, even though I took breaks in between! And it didn't feel as bad as when I'm trying to run the same distance. I wasn't out of breath, wasn't sticky, stinky, sweaty, my feet didn't hurt etc. Have decided to keep going to the pool and slow walking exercises around the block. Will do during winter too as it is an indoor pool and heated.

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Varshana

Golden Pearl, if you don't want to be a twig, for gods sake don't be a twig! The only reason the waif look got popular is - and you'll laugh - because smaller measurements means saving money in material costs in runway shows. Sounds like bunk to me. As for why a woman would want to be muscular, I work out like a man because, otherwise, my genes would cause me to be overweight. Also i just really enjoy weightlifting and the Michaelangelesque figure it gives me. I have some friends who can just do cardio, or nothing, and be a good weight. I'm not one of them. Thankfully I haven't lost my curves and won't. Be careful eating only salads. Eating too few calories will actually cause you to gain weight, ironically :)

as for the two models...they both look on the underweight side to me, but if I had to choose, it'd be the left.

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old quote I know but when you're making a dress out of real silk chiffon... that stuff is so fucking expensive, it's like £50 a meter (so like $80 a meter) at least! So it does make a little sense especially for young indie designers ;) But tbh it's usually more that the designers prefer taller, slender models with very small curves because of the way the fabric falls. I don't agree that it should be exclusively that size but I also want to say, that in the same way we shouldn't shame people for being big (I'm 226lb), we shouldn't shame people for being thin either. Many of those models train hard to keep fit and eat like a pig and never put fat on because their body doesn't let them. I totally believe that we should celebrate people no matter what shape or size they are.

I am aiming to get back in the pool and start doing T25 once my dissertation is in on the 11th X_x so please harrass me if I don't stand by these intentions lol

One reason I love being in a regular workout mode is that I don't need to worry at all about eating whatever the heck I want. My body stays the same as long as I eat healthy and workout. Anything extra doesn't really effect me. I do find I get dirty looks and stupid comments about being a 'skinny bitch' from people I'm going to assume are jealous, but I figure that just means they have some personal shit to work on.

Also, if I'm a surly one, it's not because I'm fit or not. It just means someone poked the mermaid at the wrong time. :p

Yesterday, I woke up without a headache. So I had a great workout, and I can really feel it today.

But today is another migraine day. I'm just hoping I'm not in for another week of this. I really feel good when I'm working out all the time, and I really can't when I'm down with a migraine.

ouch surly :( feel better!!

i think i'm actually getting muscle in my arms. i usually dont lift heavy items but today i lifted quite a lot... and i set up my own bookshelf :D

Thanks, I'm actually doing better. Been waking up with small migraines but they're not as bad so I get to work out. However, the gas in my entire building is shut off! For nearly a week! No hot water, no stove. It's a problem because I can't take a shower after I workout. I might find a solution, but for now... gah.

And now I'm going to collapse. Busy day, woke too early, dealt with the gas company people pounding pipes outside my window all day. Good night!

What about those portable electric stoves?

A friend of mine is letting me borrow a microwave for a while, which will help.

Really, though, I'm bummed about my workouts. Without the shower, it's just not going to happen.

Okay so I'm just going to post my goal and everything here for motivation(:

weight: between 108 and 112
goal: 90–92
fitness goals: flatten and tighten my stomach, and tone my thighs and legs

for about the last 8 months I've been putting on weight and I always comment on how I hate the way my body looks. SoI finally decided it was time to stop sitting around and start doing something about it! I'm going to be changing my diet as well as exercising more! I am starting the 30 day squat challenge and also the plank challenge. I ran a mile today and I'm going to start running as much as possible! I want to look great in my tail when it's finished!!!

What are some tips you guys have found helpful?

Good on you! Making that decision is a healthy thing to do. I don't get my friends who complain and complain about their bodies but then get defensive if someone even suggests they do something about it.

Tips? Consistency. Start off at an easy pace. One of the biggest mistakes people getting into fitness make is to jump in too gung-ho, they power through a whole huge workout or too much exercise too fast, then they either lose interest or end up hurting so bad they can't motivate themselves to get going again.

It's best to start off slower, find what works for you, plan a realistic schedule coupled with a way of eating that works for your health, and be consistent. Then add more as you build strength and start working toward your goals. :)

Thanks Surly, I'll definitely keep that in mind! I hate looking like I have any fat on me, because I was a gymnast for almost 7 years. I had a lot of personal things happen and sadly I had to quit and I kind of let myself go after that. I was up at 4:30 every morning and my dad and I would go to the gym before I had to go to school and I was in fantastic shape! I did red hot yoga twice a week, and I swear by it. It's harder now to motivate myself to workout because we moved to a very small town with no gym and we have limited equipment at home. I'm sure many people here know it's much easier to motivate yourself at a gym rather than at home where you can be lazy :P

Actually I don't go to the gym. I'm a germaphobe :p I work out at home.

Wirh that said, I'm now 112pounds instead of 120 :D

Wow, that's awesome SeaGlass!!!

thanks kishiko.

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Originally Posted by SeaGlass Siren

Actually I don't go to the gym. I'm a germaphobe :p I work out at home.

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ha! I was about to write EXACYLY those words.

Also, congrats, that is the best feeling to be where you know you are at your best.

I work out to a DVD. The sporadic inconsistency of my workouts is not helping me but at least I got my eating habits back to where I want to be.

Mine is pretty sporadic too but I found a way to work out while at work. Workception!

Omg Arion. I'm obsessed with your butt no kidding I can't stop thinking about it.

I used to have a good ass, but as I got older it got dimples and my husband doesn't call it squishy anymore. He had a pet name for it. But when I got pregnant, squishy went away never to return :-(

Hey SeaGlass Siren ... I HAVE TAI BO! I found the DVD in the weekend, oh how I've missed Billy Blanks<3
My aim is to combine those exercises, with the squats exercises from Arion.

I'm joining in! lol I'll post a pic soon at my beginning and do one once a week. I really lost my motivation over winter and gained back 15 of the 20 I had lost :( all that hard work gone..

So I believe I have posted about my caffeine addiction before, well I tried to stop but I kept getting migraines bodypains anger restlessness extreme tired feeling just a bunch of stuff, so I couldnt do it. Then I became pregnant, and the cravings and everything else just stopped. No more waking up in the middle of the night for a fix. I think it has to do with my hormones or something. I'm just worried that it will start up again once the baby is born.

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Druxilla that's odd- I usually hear the opposite happens 0-0

Ocean rose omg I love billy banks!!

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Originally Posted by drucilla

So I believe I have posted about my caffeine addiction before, well I tried to stop but I kept getting migraines bodypains anger restlessness extreme tired feeling just a bunch of stuff, so I couldnt do it. Then I became pregnant, and the cravings and everything else just stopped. No more waking up in the middle of the night for a fix. I think it has to do with my hormones or something. I'm just worried that it will start up again once the baby is born.

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It probably won't- you'll have been off the caffiene for so long that the addiction will have been beaten. I hope you can take the opportunity and not start again! Caffeine- gah so insidious and so not benign as people want to believe.

My apartment bldg has the gas turned on again. woohoo! This means I can workout tomorrow morning, because the hot water works again.

Migraine or not I am freaking going to workout in the morning. I still don't own a scale but my bf does and it's a fancy schmancy one which I trust. I do not like what I saw, but it accurately reflects the changes I already knew had happened. Bah.

I'm currently working out :D wooo! I can't wait till the weather gets nice enough for running outside again.

I need more swimming. Cos I can't run 10 steps without feeling like I'm gonna pass out! I'm so out of shape! I used to do running and high jumps at high school many years ago, I was even champion in one year! But that was over 30 years ago. Couch lounging has taken over instead! I prefer swimming too, mainly because I need to wear custom arch supports and even after a few hours of walking in them, my feet will be sore and hurts to walk on, like not wearing arches at all! I find swimming is less painful on the legs too. Maybe less impact?

Definitely less impact! and works your whole body plus builds cardio and lung strength.

So even though I may be young and you all might say that I have nothing to worry about, I'm determined to lose a couple of pounds by this summer. I'm not aiming for a skinny twig (that's nearly impossible in my family - we have thick thighs xD ) but I want to take off just enough. In the past week I've been working out more and eating right (gosh darn it I LOVE food :lol:) And I've already lost a pond whoo!

I'd like to share with you something that REALLY helps me! It's an app called 'Lose It' and it's on the Apple App Store (not sure about other devices). Anyways, you put in information about yourself like age, gender, weight, how much you want to lose, etc. And by taking that information it tells you how many calories you SHOULD be consuming per day and about how long it will take for you to reach your goal. You can log down what you've eaten and it shows you a bunch of different information about it, and how many calories you have left for that day. I think it is a really great motivator and it's worth a shot, because it has DEFINITELY helped me so far!

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Originally Posted by OceanRose

Omg Arion. I'm obsessed with your butt no kidding I can't stop thinking about it.

I used to have a good ass, but as I got older it got dimples and my husband doesn't call it squishy anymore. He had a pet name for it. But when I got pregnant, squishy went away never to return :-(
My aim is to combine those exercises, with the squats exercises from Arion.

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Make sure to keep the motivation going and do this squats challenge everyday. Working out on a regular basis always give results if you give it 100%. If you stop, you won't get the results you're looking for. Period.
I used to have no ass 4 years ago, now I proudly have a firm bubble butt. Also nutrition is important too so pay attention of what you eat and drink. It's 50% of the job. True story :)

Current results of my training :

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Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk

Ooo! Sexy young man's butt!

Er... I mean you look very healthy!

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Originally Posted by ireneho

Ooo! Sexy young man's butt!

Er... I mean you look very healthy!

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Hahaha dying :) he is very healthy indeed :P whenever I do squats my knees hurt something awful. Is there a way to make doing squats a but more comfortable? I've thought of wearing wraps. I'm only 20 so I feel like I'm a bit young to have issues with my knees.

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Isabel(:

Hahaha dying :) he is very healthy indeed :P whenever I do squats my knees hurt something awful. Is there a way to make doing squats a but more comfortable? I've thought of wearing wraps. I'm only 20 so I feel like I'm a bit young to have issues with my knees.

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Well, first of all, you have to make sure that your position is right. Are you doing these squats like you should? Here is an example :

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As you can see, it's a bit more technical than people might think. So my advice would be to make them slowly at first to get it right and once you have the balance for it, you can do them with more energy. Keep in mind though that doing them slowly is also very good! It builds strenght and endurance too :)

Oh! I think I was putting my weight on my toes and front part of the foot instead of my heels perhaps that is my problem. Thank you for the help :) oooops and I swear I've looked up squats I just didn't realize where to place my weight (I saw your anger about not being people's information bitch) heh

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Isabel(:

Oh! I think I was putting my weight on my toes and front part of the foot instead of my heels perhaps that is my problem. Thank you for the help :) oooops and I swear I've looked up squats I just didn't realize where to place my weight (I saw your anger about not being people's information bitch) heh

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No worry. I feel differently when it's about work out. ;)

As someone who has had arthriscopic knee surgery, I can tell you right now that you do not need to squat that deeply! Your quads and glutes will get the same benefit and you won't blow out your knee ligaments! And never do squats deeper than parallel with the floor. I'm a Old. If I can offer one piece of advice to you youngsters, it's TAKE CARE OF YOUR KNEES!

If you want a great ass exercise, do standing side leg lifts - standing straight up, holding into a pole or chair back, slowly lift your leg up to the side, toes forward, foot flat, keeping your back straight. Repeat for several reps, them repeat with the other leg.

Roller skating will give you a nice booty, too. ;)

Arion, the squats really paid off...as was evident in your pic with the rose. That ass should be in film! lol I was in a similar boat until I started working out regularly, eating well, and adding some cardio. It helped me to gain 25 lbs. of lean muscle. The squats, walking lunges and dead lifts gave me a great butt too! Highly recommend them! ( Since its almost always swim suit weather here, it pays to stay in great shape.) Keep up the great work!

I'm glad this thread is still going strong. I'm in a weird place with my body, I gained a lotta muscle which just about killed my flexibility so I've gained weight but I feel more toned. Ab lines are coming back and my chest is getting more where I want it. Progress pics soon. I finally got clearance to practice in a pole acrobatics studio again. The one on island has been pretty strictly women only until now and I'm stoked. The last few sessions have been wrecking me, but it hurts in the good way. Keep it up everyone!

So I'm not really fat or anything, but I have like no muscle! I used to be a gymnast, so that is not okay with me. This is photo on day 1. Ignore my disgusting mirror and bedroom. Lol....

I'll try to post progress photos once a week.....if I don't someone should yell at me because I might have given up.... Haha.

I really want to tone my stomach and lose a bit of weight from my thighs. I hope to cosplay the nearly naked Mystique for Dragon Con in Atlanta. And I want a nicer body for my mer-self. I also want a fully swimmable Zora cosplay...but that is besides the point. xD

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