Better Body Goals-Accountability Thread

So just wanted to give a quick update :)

I'm extremely proud of myself, I've managed to cut back so much! I now eat a strict diet which consists of just under 2000 calories per day (as recommended by my doctor) and when I do eat, I never binge on unhealthy sugary and fatty snacks. It's mostly three meals through the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and then as snacks I now go for fruit only!

I've cut fizzy drinks completely, and now only drink flavored water (I don't like normal freshwater...bleugh...so the flavored is a good step for me) And on top of all this I have an exercise routine which I follow daily.

And so, in just under a month I've lost nearly 2 stone (which is about 28 pounds) and I couldn't be happier!!
I have never lost more than a couple pounds before, no matter how hard I tried so I'm happy to finally see improvement!! And now I am positive that by the end of the year I will have reached my goal of losing another 14 pounds, and being in my ideal weight so that I can then start working on toning my body :)

You wouldn't believe how shedding a few pounds can boost my confidence!! I'm wearing clothes I would never have worn in the past, and buying sizes smaller than what I usually do is a bonus as well ;)

By the end of this month I'm hoping to do a little comparison pic side by side, it won't be too much of a difference but I'm hoping you'll be able to see the improvement at least!! :)

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Originally Posted by Fablecat

Set backs, depression snagged me and I am having a hard time shaking it. My husband works from home, and I currently can't get a job until my parents move and are able to watch the kids. I am around all of them 24/7 and I think it is beginning to wear on me. I love my family don't get me wrong...but as an introvert I need that alone time to recenter myself and decompress...if that makes sense? I am also having side affects from my hysterectomy surgery and they have me very very down. According to the scale I have not gained any weight...which I am shocked about, but I have not lost any either. This is the second day in a row I have pretty much sat on the comp all day without the will to do anything...it's So frustrating. My lower back is killing me and the doctors don't know why so that doesn't help. I have had a terrible time trying to sleep. I actually ended up taking a nap on a recliner today which I rarely ever do during the day and it took me a long time to actually wake up enough to get back up which was weird. Blah...

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The trick to this kind of setback is to switch your mindset from all the reasons why you can't. "I can't" statements are the enemy of progress. Whenever you hear them in your head replace with with "I will try" do any little thing you can, you'll feel way better for it. Just ten minutes of elevated heart rate cardio will drop prevent new fat build up and you at least will not gain weight. As soon as you start your workout you will feel better for it. Just set an alarm, put a workout rubberband on your wrist and don't take it off until you finish your workout!

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Originally Posted by Amy

Agreed nice ass Merman Arion hmmm I may start this squat challenge today lol I'm pretty happy with the way my body looks and my wright but I rarely work out and would like to be fitter and maybe have some more definition in my calves :)

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This thread is for any kind of fitness goal you have! You should try pole dance, it's awesome and it's huge in Australia!

My body is ready for Summer :cool:

Thanks to the squat challenge, I totally can pull off a string :p I dare gay men (or straight ones.. I'm not picky lol) to resist to that hahahah :lol:
I'm gonna try to find some sexy swimsuits for the beach but essentially, I'm hoping to be able to wear my silicone tail instead.

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:jawdrop:

:eyepop:

Current body goal: Maintain a reasonable amount of fitness throughout my pregnancy. I'm also going to be practicing breathholds, though nothing over a minute to be safe. It's tough, I'm very tired all the time, though I have heard that should ease up when I hit the second trimester.

Aziara, be careful with the breath holds while pregnant. I was breath holding by accident when I was pregnant and when I told my doctor he told me to try very hard not to. That when you deprave yourself of oxygen you are also depraving your baby and it could be dangerous. Remember, you are the babies life line. Any stress you put on yourself you also put on the baby. Be careful.

Coradion, it's ironic as a coach I would tell my students all the time "there is no such thing as I can't, only "I will try harder". I feel a bit better today, physically...and I slept better last night which is helping the depression and body aches. I wish they could figure out what is wrong with me so I can try and fix it. I will try harder though! The rubber band is a really good idea.

Arion. Holy...Crap.....:eyepop:

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Originally Posted by Fablecat

Aziara, be careful with the breath holds while pregnant. I was breath holding by accident when I was pregnant and when I told my doctor he told me to try very hard not to. That when you deprave yourself of oxygen you are also depraving your baby and it could be dangerous. Remember, you are the babies life line. Any stress you put on yourself you also put on the baby. Be careful.

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Yeah, which is why I'm not going to do anything over a minute. A minute isn't difficult for me, I'm not even out of breath at the end. And since that's the last hold of my practice, the majority are only 30-40 seconds, with a minute between to reoxygenate. I've done a bit of research on it, and so long as the breath hold doesn't make you dizzy or lightheaded, you're not deprived of oxygen yet. I understand you're just concerned, so thanks anyhow. But how do you breath hold by accident???

A minute is fine for you but your baby isn't used to oxygen deprivation. I accidentally hold my breath when I'm doing something where I have to focus. I think they mean that. I would talk to a doctor before you do minute long breath holds. Your baby hasn't been training.


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Ok, just so you know I'm not doing this without research. These opinions are both from MDs. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pregnan...th/show/655987 https://www.healthtap.com/topics/is-...-when-pregnant No offense, but why the heck is everyone suddenly an expert when you get pregnant? "Eat this, not that. Do this, not that" I'm drowning in advice :anger explode: Take it easy, y'all. I do tons of research before I do ANYTHING. This is my first, and I don't want him to be screwed up.

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Originally Posted by Aziara

Yeah, which is why I'm not going to do anything over a minute. A minute isn't difficult for me, I'm not even out of breath at the end. And since that's the last hold of my practice, the majority are only 30-40 seconds, with a minute between to reoxygenate. I've done a bit of research on it, and so long as the breath hold doesn't make you dizzy or lightheaded, you're not deprived of oxygen yet. I understand you're just concerned, so thanks anyhow. But how do you breath hold by accident???

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It's really easy :P I'm a trained swimmer and sometimes when I'm doing something that reminds me of swimming or I space out I start to feel weird. Usually it's cause I forgot to keep breathing :P

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Originally Posted by Aziara

Ok, just so you know I'm not doing this without research. These opinions are both from MDs. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pregnan...th/show/655987 https://www.healthtap.com/topics/is-...-when-pregnant No offense, but why the heck is everyone suddenly an expert when you get pregnant? "Eat this, not that. Do this, not that" I'm drowning in advice :anger explode: Take it easy, y'all. I do tons of research before I do ANYTHING. This is my first, and I don't want him to be screwed up.

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First off congratulations on your baby! (Do you think he'll be a land child or you think we got a new merman about to join the fold?) I'd just smile and do what you've been doing, clearly you care about your baby and consider their well being which is more than a lot of people do. There's always new research out there to pull from and I think most of the time everyone is eager to share cause babies are so exciting and everyone wants the best for all the newcomers to this world :) . You know your body best and from all my aunties and friends with babies said they just say stuff to the effect of "go with your gut, and when in doubt just shower your baby with some extra love."

What kind of workout plans were you thinking during pregnancy? I've had some friends who were pregnant during their first trimester that said their babies sucked all their energy and creativity up, all their kinds ended up being artistic fire crackers. Maybe you have a future olympian on your hands?

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Originally Posted by Fablecat

Coradion, it's ironic as a coach I would tell my students all the time "there is no such thing as I can't, only "I will try harder". I feel a bit better today, physically...and I slept better last night which is helping the depression and body aches. I wish they could figure out what is wrong with me so I can try and fix it. I will try harder though! The rubber band is a really good idea.

Arion. Holy...Crap.....:eyepop:

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A trick I learned for people who are scatter brained "like me" to remind myself to do something is to intentionally place an ordinary object in a weird place. Like leave your car keys on the floor or something, it reminds me when I see them that I have to workout. Don't just wait for your doctors, take what power you've got and use it! You can do it, you've been a coach. What is the honest advice you'd give yourself? If you absolutely can't do anything then oh well, but if you can make a small gain even if it's uncomfortable to reach your goal you owe it to yourself to do it! Those little uncomfortable places are the tiny battles where we make real progress. Like just ten minutes every day of some kind of elevated heart rate cardio will do the trick. We all have an extra ten minutes, you just have to start right away and get your "CAN do, will try" attitude powered up.

I just have one thing to say in regards to Arion's butt.

I LIKE BIG BUTTS AND I CANNOT LIE. YOU OTHER FELLAS CAN'T DENY!


PERSONAL UPDATE: I AM CHEATING :P i'm taking arbonne pills in increase my metabolism to burn food faster and help "weight management". tbh i weigh the same but body shape looks completely different.

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Originally Posted by Coradion

First off congratulations on your baby! (Do you think he'll be a land child or you think we got a new merman about to join the fold?) I'd just smile and do what you've been doing, clearly you care about your baby and consider their well being which is more than a lot of people do. There's always new research out there to pull from and I think most of the time everyone is eager to share cause babies are so exciting and everyone wants the best for all the newcomers to this world :) . You know your body best and from all my aunties and friends with babies said they just say stuff to the effect of "go with your gut, and when in doubt just shower your baby with some extra love."

What kind of workout plans were you thinking during pregnancy? I've had some friends who were pregnant during their first trimester that said their babies sucked all their energy and creativity up, all their kinds ended up being artistic fire crackers. Maybe you have a future olympian on your hands?

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Thanks, Coradion. Sorry I got a little combative before, it was simply the latest in a long line of advice, and it was wearing on me more than it should have. I surely hope my little guy is a water baby, though my husband is very tied up with gender roles (boys gotta be pirates); if the little guy asks me for a tail, he's getting one for sure! I keep saying he, as that's my suspicion, though there's no sure way of knowing yet; I'm only 6 weeks in at the moment. I'm mostly trying to do the same workouts from before (squats, pushups against the wall instead of on the floor, moving planks) though I can't seem to keep going for more than 10 minutes before my heart rate starts to spike and I have to start cooling down. I've actually put on some inches in the legs and butt, which is what prompted me to make the resolution to keep up with fitness. (I outgrew the legs of my brand new maternity pants and I don't even have the belly to fill it out yet :cry:)

Suggestions on pool/monofin routines? I'm still building up my endurance but was curious if anyone had any aquatic routines they like.

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Originally Posted by Blaze

Suggestions on pool/monofin routines? I'm still building up my endurance but was curious if anyone had any aquatic routines they like.

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My lazy day workout goes like this:


200 yard under/over. Underwater swim down, freestyle back.

400 yard easy freestyle to warm up.

10 x 100yd descending interval free I usually start at 1:30 min intervals when I'm being lazy and drop five seconds from the rest every 2 to hit 1:10ish.

8 x 75yd swim a kick a length, drill a length, swim a length of whatever stroke you feel like on the 1:15.

5x200 negative split on whatever interval you like as long as you get faster each 50.

Cool down with an easy 500.

Yesterday's three hour workout was rough.


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Originally Posted by Coradion

My lazy day workout goes like this:

200 yard under/over. Underwater swim down, freestyle back.
400 yard easy freestyle to warm up.
10 x 100yd descending interval free I usually start at 1:30 min intervals when I'm being lazy and drop five seconds from the rest every 2 to hit 1:10ish.

8 x 75yd swim a kick a length, drill a length, swim a length of whatever stroke you feel like on the 1:15.
5x200 negative split on whatever interval you like as long as you get faster each 50.
Cool down with an easy 500.

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:jawdrop:

Yeah... I'll work up to that. ;D

SeaGlass siren if you find out ways to get of stretch marks let me know!

I'm slowly stating to get back into exercising. I feel like I've been sick forever and only now have any energy to do things. So for now my goal is to build up my endurance and muscle strength.

Most of my routine is usually sit-ups, push-ups, squats, lots of leg work and some arm work. Though I'm trying not to push my body too hard and gradually build things up.

I kind of feel like this gradual workout has paid off; when I went to the pool today I got in a good hour of swimming. Man it felt good to be back in the water. Just gotta plan better, too many noisy kids who have rude and unsafe water manners.

Just swim over the kids like they're little speed bumps.

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Originally Posted by Coradion

Just swim over the kids like they're little speed bumps.

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You don't know how tempting that is.
I don't think it would go over that well with the lifeguards or their parents, though.

But I would have thought the lifeguard would have given them a warning for jumping into the water over/almost on top of people. *shrug*
I did go to the pool when the outdoor wave pool was closed due to weather, so the indoor one was crowded. But $1 swim day, who could resist?

I'm trying to find the right lifestyle of changes to make to get healthier

I've started working out again. Doing sit ups and going to be starting squats and yoga soon.

So... I've been in this program for those with eating disorders.... I'm right now trying to understand when I'm really hungry v. wanting to eat for various psychological anxieties.

The weird thing is: I've been at the same weight for almost half a year at this point... so it's proven that I know how to maintain weight. So I guess it's all a matter of trying to get my body to work with me to lose weight.

I know how it goes. I struggled with my weight for years. I think what helped me most was finding a team or group of workout people outside of my friend circle. That made a huge difference for me. It's easy to flake in workouts with a friend. Finding a class or group where the relationship is based around fitness makes it loads easier.

For everyone , make sure your fitness goals are based on you and your journey. Comparing yourself to others is an exercise in frustration. If your body is getting better and your fitness is improving that's what counts. We're all at different levels and should appreciate each others personal successes and struggles.

Aziara, I have PTSD and when I have an attack I tend to hyperventilate or hold my breath. I have learned to breath through it as part of my therapy, but at times I still catch myself holding my breath.

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Originally Posted by Grey Gambit

You don't know how tempting that is.
I don't think it would go over that well with the lifeguards or their parents, though.

But I would have thought the lifeguard would have given them a warning for jumping into the water over/almost on top of people. *shrug*
I did go to the pool when the outdoor wave pool was closed due to weather, so the indoor one was crowded. But $1 swim day, who could resist?

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I just run them over. If parents get mad just tell them that you were swimming laps and concentrated on your workout and their child's lack of swimming etiquette was ultimately what got them run over.

I'm covered in bruises, I got a day off from practice today and I needed it. Photoshoots are the worst. The pole team had one on Sunday and we were all pretty beaten up from holding poses for so long.

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Finally getting muscle definition!

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Ok, so I'm not gonna lie I am kinda embarrassed to post this. Since I have been a little girl I have been extremely self conscious of my body ( I even used to wear shorts anytime I went swimming anywhere). So, this is a little hard for me to do. I know I am not over weight or a big person but I have been picked on by people closest to me so that's what is making this so hard (I have been called thunder thighs and that's amongst other names) . But, anyways....

My Goal:

My goal is to be 115 and tone again like how I used to be when I was in the military. Last Feb. I had to have knee surgery, so I had to stop working out which began the beginning of my laziness (I guess you can say). I mostly stopped working out because it still bothers my knee because it wasn't fixed properly come to find out; so I still have problems with it. Which also sucks because I was into kick boxing, but I can't do it anymore until I have surgery again (and I am trying so hard to hold off on that) I got of the military 6 months ago and so I started eating way more unhealthy (which didn't help my cause). What made come to realize and just open my eyes to how much I gained, was when I went to the doctor about 2 months ago for my knee and I weighed 152 pounds ( the heaviest I have ever been). I wanted so bad to cry after I seen that.

So, how I have been trying to accomplish my goal is.....
1. I run every other day 2 miles which I can still do so that makes me feel better.
I am doing cardio to start burning my body fat that I don't want.

2. I am doing light strength training
I am doing light because since I am trying to be smaller and 115 again I want to burn fat faster than I gain muscle, because for some people if you start to gain muscle
under the fat and it will give that appearance that you are bigger than what you are. I also can gain pretty big muscle, and fast; so I am trying to keep the lean look more.

3. I am eating way more healthier (all natural stuff mostly and caffeine free)
I drink tons of water and hardly have any sodas (if I do it's mostly once a week)
I drink all natural green tea (it has natural chemicals the body needs to help boast your metabolism) and it helps with the cravings to drink other crappy drinks that are
bad for you

4. I eat constantly, 3 meals and snacks in between, (should equal up to 6) my snacks mostly entail a banana with a little bit of all natural peanut butter on it.

I haven't weighed myself since then, and honestly I don't know if I am loosing my weight or not, because to me I cant see it. I kinda just see whats wrong I guess every time I look in the mirror. I have pictures of when I was 152 lbs but I am afraid to look at them, because of the fear I have that I haven't changed. But, I do know that I just seen that squat challenge that the french merman posted and I am ready to tackle that too. Oh, I forgot I did try Insanity.... I only did up to the rest week; which I think thats a month. I kinda up just not wanting to do that after while, because it was the same thing over and over again so it got boring. So this is my goal and how I am trying to accomplish them. Tell me what you think.

~Ashley~

I think you've got a pretty good system going there. I've recently started working out again and I'm on day six of the squat challenge and dautwo of my ab challenge. I've also been doing weights that work out my chest so I'll be perkier lol? I'm doing the abs at least two times a day,and have also started yoga as well.

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Originally Posted by Ashley

Ok, so I'm not gonna lie I am kinda embarrassed to post this. Since I have been a little girl I have been extremely self conscious of my body ( I even used to wear shorts anytime I went swimming anywhere). So, this is a little hard for me to do. I know I am not over weight or a big person but I have been picked on by people closest to me so that's what is making this so hard (I have been called thunder thighs and that's amongst other names) . But, anyways....

My Goal:

My goal is to be 115 and tone again like how I used to be when I was in the military. Last Feb. I had to have knee surgery, so I had to stop working out which began the beginning of my laziness (I guess you can say). I mostly stopped working out because it still bothers my knee because it wasn't fixed properly come to find out; so I still have problems with it. Which also sucks because I was into kick boxing, but I can't do it anymore until I have surgery again (and I am trying so hard to hold off on that) I got of the military 6 months ago and so I started eating way more unhealthy (which didn't help my cause). What made come to realize and just open my eyes to how much I gained, was when I went to the doctor about 2 months ago for my knee and I weighed 152 pounds ( the heaviest I have ever been). I wanted so bad to cry after I seen that.

So, how I have been trying to accomplish my goal is.....
1. I run every other day 2 miles which I can still do so that makes me feel better.
I am doing cardio to start burning my body fat that I don't want.

2. I am doing light strength training
I am doing light because since I am trying to be smaller and 115 again I want to burn fat faster than I gain muscle, because for some people if you start to gain muscle
under the fat and it will give that appearance that you are bigger than what you are. I also can gain pretty big muscle, and fast; so I am trying to keep the lean look more.

3. I am eating way more healthier (all natural stuff mostly and caffeine free)
I drink tons of water and hardly have any sodas (if I do it's mostly once a week)
I drink all natural green tea (it has natural chemicals the body needs to help boast your metabolism) and it helps with the cravings to drink other crappy drinks that are
bad for you

4. I eat constantly, 3 meals and snacks in between, (should equal up to 6) my snacks mostly entail a banana with a little bit of all natural peanut butter on it.

I haven't weighed myself since then, and honestly I don't know if I am loosing my weight or not, because to me I cant see it. I kinda just see whats wrong I guess every time I look in the mirror. I have pictures of when I was 152 lbs but I am afraid to look at them, because of the fear I have that I haven't changed. But, I do know that I just seen that squat challenge that the french merman posted and I am ready to tackle that too. Oh, I forgot I did try Insanity.... I only did up to the rest week; which I think thats a month. I kinda up just not wanting to do that after while, because it was the same thing over and over again so it got boring. So this is my goal and how I am trying to accomplish them. Tell me what you think.

~Ashley~

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We all start in different places, if it helps you take your measurements like hips, waist, thighs, etc and record them in a journal. Don't check every day, but maybe every week remeasure yourself and take a picture. That way you can put together a journal of your real progress and see the numbers and proof of your work. What matters is that you're making the effort and doing something to change yourself. If you do ten minutes of cardio every day you prevent new fat build up barring excessive over eating. If you do just that each day you'll know the changes you see are most likely toning and muscle and not weight gain. It might help if you want to put your mind at ease about it.

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Originally Posted by Coradion

We all start in different places, if it helps you take your measurements like hips, waist, thighs, etc and record them in a journal. Don't check every day, but maybe every week remeasure yourself and take a picture. That way you can put together a journal of your real progress and see the numbers and proof of your work. What matters is that you're making the effort and doing something to change yourself. If you do ten minutes of cardio every day you prevent new fat build up barring excessive over eating. If you do just that each day you'll know the changes you see are most likely toning and muscle and not weight gain. It might help if you want to put your mind at ease about it.

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Thank you so much. You are such a motivator. It was such a good Idea to start this thread because I appreciate the help, and motivation that you just gave me to keep doing what I am doing. Your amazing and you will be seeing more updates. Today is a run day, so I'll be going to our KOA here and running my two miles.

Do rowboat exercise give your whole body a workout too? Its the middle of winter now, even just the thought of going to the indoor heated pool is too much. So I am looking at other easy alternatives.

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Originally Posted by ireneho

Do rowboat exercise give your whole body a workout too? Its the middle of winter now, even just the thought of going to the indoor heated pool is too much. So I am looking at other easy alternatives.

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They are mostly done for your upper body. But here is a picture of everything the work.
http://mernetwork.com/index/webkit-f...216831/url.jpghttp://mernetwork.com/index/webkit-f...B9B025/url.jpg