How to make time when there is none to make?

Well in a few weeks it has been a year since my hysterectomy. I have to admit that after the intial 4-6 weeks of post op healing I haven't felt this good in almost 4 years.

In a lot of ways the surgery was the best thing for me. I could start walking again, I took up golf, started back to the gym and let me tell you the lack of activity and all the drugs, hormones, etc. before surgery killed my body. I gained 60 lbs from the drug therapy alone and now I am struggling to loose it.

I admit that after the surgery and when I stopped the meds the first 15 lbs came off quickly. I also thought that going back to work was going to be good because my brain was feeling a little lethargic after the time off.

Unfortunately, the past couple of months I am working long hours and although I walk to and from work, by the time I get the stuff at home done I'm wiped or just not motivated because I can't shut off my brain.

So my question is how do I get a kick start? I'm starting to look at diet aids and that would be a no no as I have had an eating disorder since I was 9. I have been very vigilant not to fall into those old habits but it is getting hard.

Winter is coming and the sun isn't shining that much anymore. Does anyone have any ideas about how I can turn the lights on again and get motivated?

Thank you all,

Hi Schatzi --

I don't think diet aids are the answer, if you're talking about pills. My doc said these are NOT a good idea.

I wish I had a magic answer for you, but I don't. There are lots of hints and tips all over the internet about finding the motivation to diet........I went to a search engine and typed in "diet & exercise motivation" and many websites came up. Unfortunately many of them are trying to sell you their product, but some of them are just listing different excuses we make not to follow thru on our goals and some tips as to how to avoid those pitfalls. You might want to do a search like that.

I've often thought that if someone could bottle and sell motivation to stick to a diet and exercise program they'd make a fortune!!!

I know how hard it is to stick to a healthy diet, and to find the time to exercise. I don't have much to offer in the way of advice other than the only way I know how to go about it is to make it a #1 priority in my life........make up my mind, and stick to it. I'm wondering if you could find some time to exercise before you go to work..........I'm willing to bet you'd find that after a couple of weeks you find yourself with more energy and that it would become a habit.

Also, you might want to join us on the daily BEST threads........lots of gals there struggling with the same issues you are.......lots of support and helpful advice there!


Good luck to you!

's

Ann
TAH/BSO 1/5/01

Hiya Schatzi - I don't know that there is any magic way that will suddenly fit time into your schedule, as Ann mentions, you really have to want to make YOU a priority.

The best kick start for me has always been to simply get dressed for exercise. Sometimes that means waking up 30 minutes to an hour earlier, or changing into workout gear as soon as I set foot in the house. I find once I am dressed for exercise, I don't put it off. If I hesitate changing into my exercise gear, well I can find a million other things to do.

eating healthy, for me, is a similar route. If I buy healthy choices at the market then that's all I can choose from at home.

ou may find that when you do make that time for exercise, you feel so much better for having done so! In the morning it's a great way to get you rarin to go for the day to come, and at the end of the day it's a great de-stressor.

good luck to you!

BSQ

Y

Hi Schatzi

Please, if you ever find the trick to remain motivated with an exercise program or a diet plan, let me know: I'll buy it, sight unseen, and will invest in the company, to boot

However, since it's not there yet, we just have to find the right programs for us. It has to be one that fits our likes and dislikes and our lifestyle: easier said than done

I know that, for me, what works best is a diet plan that is not too restrictive and allows me to eat what I like. Of course, it usually also involves portion control and eating lots of vegetables... but I can live with that. It also has to be something I can live with for the rest of my life. Therefore, a good maintenance plan is the key. As they say: It's easy to loose weight, it's a whole lot harder to keep it off.

As far as finding time for exercise, that certainly is not easy, especially when you have to balance hectic work weeks, family life and various committees. But, much to my amazement, I found out that it is possible to do it.

For me, the PACE system has been a life savor. It's much like the Curves program: it involves a 30 minute work-out. It's just enough for results, and I can work it in my busy schedule: I go at noon, and only sacrifice 30 minutes in the evening. That's worth it!!! And, when you like your exercise program as much as I do, that is motivation enough to keep going: it can even be addictive.

I'm also one who really loves the outdoors and walking is such a relaxing hobby. So I walk everywhere!! And I've found out that every step works!!!

I would also like to invite you to join us in BEST (Better Eater Support Team) where you'll find others who, like you, are striving to succeed in their choice for a healthy life style. Just join in on the daily threads

Hi there,

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you so much for your real but encouraging words. I say real because in my mind I know that it is really only a matter of me making myself and my life a priority.

Perhaps I'm not there yet and that is why I find so many excuses or perhaps reading the "best" messages I'll feel more confident.

Thanks again for your responses.

I think BBQ has the plan. I like to surprise myself by getting up, getting dressed, and getting out the door for exercise. By the time I'm awake enough to notice, I'm doing my morning walk.

As for time, I also like to remind myself of a silly poem I learned when i was a kid. It came with a little sketch. The poem was written on a tombstone--


Here lies, extinguished in his prime,
a victim of modernity:
but yesterday he hadn't the time --
and now he has eternity.