A little about myself...being new and all

[Guest guest]

Hi all, I'm new to this whole group thing entirely not to mention

discussing my weight issues with people, especially people I don't

know.

My name is -Marie (I can't figure out how to have my name show

instead of just my e-mail, so if anyone can help with that also, LMK)

and I'm happily married and raising three children. My daughters are

age 17 and age 9, my husband is 38. :-)

About 4 years ago I was able to sucessfully take off 20 pounds

(having started at 180) through diet and excercise that included

cardio and weights during early morning workouts at a local gym. I

was able to keep it off for about two years until my job started to

change and my available time became less available. Eventually I was

redesigned out of a job with several other hundred people and,

although I really tried to not change my eating habits because my

husband is diabetic, the lack of excercise and toning has gradually

started to show.

I'm currently bouncing between 175 and 180 without being able to drop

much below that for any length of time. After becoming jobless I

returned to school full time and for the past 6 months have also been

working full time....so I have no time for going to a gym. I've

tried to work out at the Curves for Women which is right across from

my office but they don't open early enough in the mornings and with

evening classes the lunch hours seem to keep getting taken up with

errands and homework....besides it's just not a motivating workout

for me. I need something a little more intense, but just don't have

the time. The Body Pump program really worked for me before...maybe

when I'm done with school...

Anyway, I know that it sounds like alot of excuses but I can't afford

a more expensive gym membership that has more flexible hours (early

am's and late pm's)on the small amount of money I'm making right

now. And with carrying 13 units in school and working 40 hours a

week on top of being Mom and a Girl Scout leader.....I just don't

have time for a gym.

This is what I have been doing....one of my units is a PE class.

Last semester it was Pilates (which I'm trying to incorporate into a

semi daily routine)and this semester it will be jazz aerobics once a

week. I'd like any other suggestions on what I can do at home to try

and get my excercise levels back up to where they used to be. I've

been walking and using stairs when I can for small cardio benefits,

and when the weather is good I ride my bike about 3 miles (spring

time will be much easier). I really want to tone much more than lose

alot of weight. When I'm tone I feel much better about myself.

Before I worked out with a good friend who's just gung ho on the

entire body fat and workout thing...that was good for me. Like

having a personal trainer...Now I'm all by myself so I was hoping

this group would be a good " buddy " .

My doctor says I have nothing wrong with my thyroid although I seem

to have absolutely no metabolism (my sister got it all) and suffer

from IBS with constipation being my major problem. I take fiber

supplements and try to get natural fiber in my diet as much as I

can. I also take vitamins...most recently starting pre-natals

because I have a thinning hair problem that some mentioned those may

help out. Other than BCP I am taking no other medications.

My goal weight is 160, which is higher than what the charts say I

should be but where I'm very satisfied. But I want to lose just as

many inches as pounds so I can " feel " good about myself. It's what I

see in the mirror more than the scale that can have a major impact on

my psyche...

I apologize for this long post but I really want to get started and

would love to find somebody to help motivate me to stay on track. My

husband is fantastic, but I " look good " to him regardless of my

weight so it's very frustrating.

Thanks for taking the time to read....if you still are...and I look

forward to chatting with all of you as I make this journey.

-Marie