I am a 28-year-old woman with 3 kids aged 9, 7 and 2. Since I’ve been in my early teens I have struggled with my weight. I have tried several different methods for weight loss including Topps, strict dieting, prescription weight loss pills and working out at the gym.
The gym that I started with felt that 20-30 minutes of cardio and 20-30 minutes of doing weights per day would be the most beneficial. After a couple of months, I could not maintain or lose weight. The gym rep stated to give it time and recommended that I continue with the training plan provided, but again nothing changed. My weight would go down and then right back up. So needless to say after years of struggling, I eventually gave up.
After going through a difficult pregnancy, losing my father to liver and heart problems and then giving birth to my 3rd child, I realized that a little more effort now can only benefit me in the future. I decided to try Florida Fitness Aylmer. They provided me with a consultation on weight loss and reviewed my eating habits. A cardio training plan of 40-60 minutes per day, 5 days a week was recommended. They stated that doing only cardio, would increase my ability to loss weight in weight in conjunction with healthy eating but not strict dieting.
My top weight I estimated it to be 265-275. Pant size 26. After my 3rd child was born in January 02 my weight was around 255-265. I started working out at Florida Fitness in March of 2002. I took 2 months off in July and August 02 to spend time at my moms. As of October 03 my weight is 162 and a pant size of 10. My overall goal is between 145-155.
When I started at the gym, I set small goals of 10-15 pounds and attempted to reach them. I found that this made it easier to reach my overall goal, as I was not thinking "I still have 85 pounds to lose". I looked at it as 5 pounds to my current goal. The first several months I found it difficult to go to the gym because of energy and will power and feeling that I was going to fail again. With lots of encouragement from my family and the gym members, I was able to continue working out and over a short period of time it got easier and easier.
My work out is 45 minutes of cardio with a verity of floor exercises including sit ups push-ups and leg-ups. I currently go 5 days a week however when I started at a total work out of 45 minutes 3 days a week and worked it up to my current 60 minutes 5 days a week. I also watch what I eat and try to reduce the amount that I eat and minimize the amount of fatty food that least and I don't eat after 6 pm. At one time it was no eating after 8 pm. This personal rule is not set in stone as I will eat 6 pm on certain occasions and will eat fatty foods as not to starve myself when out with friend but general I don't.
Since my father passed away of some weight related health problems at the age of 62 it scared me which help me personally. I hear stories of people stating that they have no time to go to the gym I decided I would make the time. Therefore, I usually go first thing in the morning at 6 pm. I also go during my daughter’s dance class or my son's hockey practice. Since I have lost the weight I have more energy during the day and sleep better at night. I feel happy about myself and my weight. With a little effort and lots of family support my personal longterm goal has almost been realized over a period of 18 months and with a little more effort I WILL reach 145-150.
Catherine Goulet Blight,
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