I am tired of being fat. Rockit and I are joining a gym today.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

please send me some determination vibes.

i would really like to not waddle around anymore.

sigh!



:nopity:

[MissMillie]

1. sweetie, you are not fat

not by any stretch of the definition.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. have you seen my recent pics? i am a little round ball..

:cry:

[SammyWinstonJack]

51. You have curves and are quite beautiful. Why do think you are fat?

:shrug:

[Phillycat]

3. Good vibes!

I feel the same right now. I am at 128 and less than 6 months ago, I was at 120. What the hell happened? All my pants are too tight, it's irritating. I know I need to step up my cardio, but I've just been lazy.

Just think! Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels. :)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. thing is i cant diet at all. so i have to just work out.

sitting on my ass makes my ass unpleasant looking

:(

thanks for the good vibes

[Maine-ah]

25. it's called winter

happens to me every year. This year a bit more from having a baby, but I'm just gonna wait till it's warm enough to go walking outside.

[AllegroRondo]

5. judging by your last photo thread, you are NOT fat

but if you would like to lose a few pounds, some aerobic activity for 30 minutes 3-5 days a week will really do the trick.
find an activity you like, it makes it easier. I signed up for a volleyball league last year, and hardly noticed I was getting a workout (until after the games!)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. the gym offers dance and yoga classes.

[AllegroRondo]

9. nice! a regular class is a big incentive to not skip it.

because of the social aspects, and the feeling you'll be letting down the friends there.

[unpossibles]

7. on the one hand, you are not fat

on the other hand, if you feel that way, GOOD FOR YOU for wanting to change it.

I grew up pretty chunky and made an effort to change that. I still yo-yo a little, and would like to lose a few pounds right now. I still have occasional issues with it, but I understand not feeling comfortable with yourself, and respect your drive to change.

That said, it really, really bothers me how much emphasis our culture puts on women to be skinny. Not just healthy, but skinny. My wife gets really upset with herself, and while I encourage her to exercise if she wants to feel better and have more energy, etc., I also think she is extremely beautiful and wish she could see herself the way I do, and not get so down. But like I said, I also understand wanting to change something.

So, Good Luck and stay strong, and remember to be good to yourself and don't get discouraged.

[Beer Snob-50]

8. excuse me, i saw your recent picture

i see no fat from those pictures.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

13. thanks. but you are just being kind.

[Beer Snob-50]

16. I am just being honest.

[derby378]

10. Hey, I don't wanna hear it

I've seen recent photos of you, and you're a cutie. I don't think women have to be so skinny that their ribs show just to be considered attractive.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. i am also short so i get round looking really fast. i dont mind being curvy

and dont aim to be skinny, but toned muscles would be nice

[terrya]

11. Well, good luck.

I've decided to go for the sumo look. Those big boys don't have to worry about eating and working out and cardio and all.

I'll tell my partner that there will be "more of me to love". That will do it, I think. :-)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

14. You're not fat -- you're "phat."

;)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

17. thank you dear.

:P

even people on the unmentionable website have noticed i have gotten bigger

[Starbucks Anarchist]

20. What the hell do they know?

:P

[Rockit]

37. Word.

[eyepaddle]

15. Plus, exercising feels GOOD.

Its always hard to start a new pursuit, but exercising always feels good to me--I'm not sure if it's the endorphins, or just the sense of accomplishment (about getting off my lazy arse and doing something) but I always feel happy after getting a workout. Paddling makes me the happiest but the gym does in a pinch.

Pick something fun that doesn't cause undue stress and do that. For me, running or cycling makes my legs stiff as hell--but the rowing machine doesn't, so I go with that.

[bigwillq]

18. Good Luck!

Sending my good vibes although you are not fat.

I like you're very pretty and I like you just the way you are. However, if you feel you need to lose a few, I say go for it.

:hi: :hug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. thanks babe!

:hug:

:loveya:

[BarenakedLady]

21. I'll hop in on the "you are not fat" train

But I do know how you feel. I recently gained 10 lbs. and am fighting the urge to stop eating. :(

[edbermac]

22. Just saw your pic thread...you are NOT fat!

Pleasantly plump; I am not into the anorexic look on women. ;)

[Left Is Write]

23. You can do it! Especially if you're joining together.

Going to the gym together will be fun.

Vary your routine - don't do the same thing every time. Mix up cardio machines, take a class, vary weight routines, try yoga. If your gym offers personal training, consider buying a few sessions to help you get started.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

24. thanks liw

[Madspirit]

26. You can do it!

Good luck to you guys. ..and doing it together will be inspiring and comforting. I read once that it takes 21 days to turn any new behavior...flossing, exercising, whatever...into a habit. You can do it! Yay you guys!
Lee

[La Lioness Priyanka]

27. thanks. i dont know why rockit is doing it. i think she feels sympathetically fat.

[bullwinkle428]

28. Priyanka, here's a pretty good site for some fitness inspiration

for women - I found it a few years back when looking around for any kind of weightlifting information. Her stuff really could benefit anyone, but I can see women enjoying her approach more so than the average male musclehead's typical site.

http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php

Another thing about her - she's EXTREMELY liberal/progressive in her views...she's a Women's Studies professor at McGill University in Toronto. Good luck with it all!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

30. wow thank you!!!!!

[Oeditpus Rex]

29. I would STRONGly disagree

I think you look FABulous. Always have.

But then, it isn't about what I think, nor anyone else. Stuff like this, you've gotta do it for you because it's important to like yourself as much as possible.

So get on after it. :spank:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

31. thank you.

[BreweryYardRat]

32. Don't just do cardio, lift weights too.

Muscle mass requires more calories than fat, so once you build up some muscle you'll be able to eat more without gaining weight. Leg press and squats are good for this. Put a lower-back machine to good use as well, just for general health reasons. Work on that until you can at least move 3/4 of your body mass around.

When doing squats, go as far beyond parallel as you can. Also, any competent gym will have foam padding available so the bar doesn't press down on your neck (which is a total pain in the ass and the reason I haven't done squats in a long time-my college gym just got some padding recently, so I'm going to start again.)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

33. i love weights. and stretching stuff. its cardio i hate.

[BreweryYardRat]

34. I hate cardio too-so boring. I'm trying to find something fun I can do.

No luck so far. Racquetball might work, though.

[Left Is Write]

59. I do squats with a barbell or dumbbells. I hated doing them with the squat machine.

[NewWaveChick1981]

35. Great vibes coming your way, Lioness!

:hi: :hug: I did the same thing and am very glad I did. Do cardio and strength training as a total part of your workout and you can't go wrong. :) Get the folks at the gym to get you started, 'cause that's what they're there for!

You'll do great! :D

[Shine]

36. You've already heard it: You are NOT fat, gf.

but hey, I can totally relate to feeling a bit heftier than usual and wanting to shed a few pounds. That's my reality, too.

It's all about LOVING YOURSELF and being commited to Health and Well-Being on ALL levels, right?

It's also about recognizing the natural ebb and flow of our lives. Sometimes we're more in shape than others. For me, a lot of it depends on the season and the weather. I'm heftier in the winter months. As a dear friend of mine, who happens to be a therapist, said the other night, "Sometimes we just need a bigger body."

:hug: I think you're beautiful, inside AND outside. Best of luck to you and sweetie pie Rockit. :hi:

:yourock:

[Rockit]

38. I shall join in the resounding Chorus of...

You are NOT Fat!!

You are the hottest, most beautiful person I have ever seen... So there.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

39. i cant be, because you are.

[ThomCat]

40. I hope you have fun at the gym.

Some people seem to actually enjoy it. :)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

41. i can get into it after a while

[izzybeans]

42. I've seen your picture bopping around here today and have to say you are a beautiful person.

Whatever makes you feel confident...do that and do it well.

[NewJeffCT]

43. good luck - I need to do the same, soon

I haven't done much exercise this century.

[xchrom]

44. you can do it.

you're young and healthy -- and gorgeous -- a little discipline and determination will go a long way. it will take less time than you think -- the advantage of youth.

re: the cardio -- if your gym has a cross trainer -- a funny looking machine with handles that resemble ski poles and reminds you of a stair master -- will burn calories very efficiently. and i agree cardio is dull -- if they have a step aerobics class -- that could go a long way to alleviating some of that boredom.

i love going to the gym -- but few share that enthusiam -- even among those who go regularly.

you're gonna look terrific.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

45. thanks xchrom

[EFerrari]

46. I just lost a bunch of weight and want to tell you, it feels so good

to be FREE of that again.

You go! :hug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

47. thanks

[graywarrior]

48. Excellent! I'll think of you two while I'm at the gym.

Clean thoughts. Pumping iron thoughts. Go half on a trainer....it really helps.

:thumbsup:

[soleft]

49. NYC Rec Ctrs are only $75 a year

and a lot of them have pools.

[Jimbo S]

50. Neither of you are fat.

Instead, join the gym for health reason!

What interests you? Stairmaster, aerobics, yoga??

[Burma Jones]

52. Whether you think you're Fat or not, it's good to exercise

So, have at it....

P.S. If you consider yourself fat, then I say "Bring on the Fat Chicks"

[crim son]

53. Jeepers, you aren't fat.

Crazy woman.

[pdx_prog]

54. Pri....

You are by no means fat...

It is important however to feel good about yourself so GO FOR IT!

My SO goes to a fitness bootcamp every weekday morning at 5:30. I don't see how she does it but it makes her feel great!

[Poiuyt]

55. Healthy tips

I don't think you're fat either. Not many people here do. However, a healthy lifestyle is in everyone's interest. You're still young, but a healthy lifestyle becomes more important as you age.

As far as weight loss is concerned, remember that diet is at least 50% of the weight loss equation. That doesn't mean starving yourself. In fact, if you cut your calories too much, your body will sense the starvation and your metabolism will slow down in an act of self-preservation. That's not good. What you want to do is figure out your caloric needs for the day (there are web sites that can help) and eat just under that (by maybe 500 calories). Second, you want to eat "clean." Eat good foods, lots of vegetables and lean meat, whole grains. I'm not a big fan of fad diets, but look into a diet with foods that are low on the glycemic index scale. In other words, pretend you're a diabetic. Instead of three big meals a day, eat 5-6 smaller ones, etc.

The next most important part of the equation is resistance training. Weight lifting, weight bearing calisthenics, etc. A body with more muscle will have a faster metabolism than an equal weight body with less muscle. If you build muscle, your metabolism will speed up and you will burn more calories at rest then you are now. That's a good thing. You don't need to spend hours in the gym. I like to concentrate on exercises that work more than one muscle group at a time. These are called "compound exercises." Push-ups and pull-ups would be two examples. This would be more efficient than doing an exercise that just works one tiny muscle in your eyelid, for instance. From a purely ego standpoint, lifting will give you a better shape (I like your shape now, but that's another story). If you just diet, you will shrink down, but may not develop into the shape that you want.

Lastly, you should do some kind of cardio workout a few times a week. It doesn't matter what, so find something you enjoy. As far as how long to go, that is a topic for debate. Some theories say to go long and slow, some say that shorter, more intense workouts are better. I guess a combination would be the best, long and slow one day, short and intense the next. I would definitely NOT recommend doing anything with any intensity at first. Work into it.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions or complaints feel free to ask. I'm not an expert, but I used to be a track and cross country coach, so I may be able to answer questions about fitness.

Good luck

[Skittles]

56. my advice is start light, don't get too ambitious right away

allow yourself time to get into a routine

[alfredo]

57. Good for you. Stop soda, diet and otherwise, watch portion size

too. Walking is good. Cheaper than gyms, but gyms do give you a routine and advice on diet and exercise.

[Shell Beau]

58. Toning up is a good thing! I wouldn't say you are fat, but

exercise is a great thing for all of us! I need to do more of it myself! Good luck!! :)

[Ava]

60. first of all, you are not fat

second of all good luck. whenever i first started working out everday last year i found that i had a LOT more energy. I still may not be a stick thin barbie, but it feels good to know that i'm healthy and in shape. good luck! :hi: