I started working out again...very recently due to the fact that on a recent trip to buy new pants I was discouraged after I could not fit into the size I normally do (a 13 or below depending on the cut). I took before pics which I never do and joined here in hopes I will obtain some motivation to keep going. Here are some before pics taken today and some a few days ago. I would basically like to know what do you think I should do to lose weight...I am very impatient, but started eating right again and started a new program...But once I start something I get real obsessed with it for two weeks and then that's it....Any opinions, comments or helpful tips to stick with it will help dearly and are greatly appreciated.

I am currently 165 lbs Chest 35 Waist 29, Hips 44
I want to be at 135lbs or at least look like I weigh 135 lol



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Soo.....tell me what you think from the questions above.....

Updating with pics- I haven't really been watching what I eat or working out much, however I am posting pics to see if anyone sees a difference along with measurements. I will be starting to workout more and eat better in the next few weeks but here are the pics for right now.
Height: 5'5'' or 5'6'' on a good day
Weight: 167.5
Chest: 36.5
Waist above belly button: 28.25
Waist below belly button: 32
Hips-largest part of buttocks: 41.25
Thighs: R: 23.5 L: 23.5

Don't know if anything looks different...but here they go...

Hello Ashnicmar

I remember why I am doing it.
What I want to accomplish from doing so.
I try to keep the excitement up with mini goals,
and ALWAYS remember to reward myself each time. (this is tricky for me) A spray, lotion, Pedicure, Mani, Hair, Something for your home, apartment, what ever you WANT as long as it's not food.
I have to remember how I felt when I initially started.
I also would say from my experience and reading a lot of posts on the Forum, not to over do it, nothing too unrealistic, don't try for full blown, cold turkey, TOO HARD, and giving up is usually the result.
Plus I really don't like to think of it as "Starting Over" Just try to think of it as every minute is a new opportunity to keep going!!!
YOU CAN DO THIS!!
Use daily Positive Self-Affirmations, no matter how silly it sounds.
Sometimes starting a Daily/weekly Diary helps too! I really like using the one on here in the sub-forums. There is A LOT of Supportive Ppl here, and Great Tips!!
LEARN LEARN LEARN!!!
I could go on but I talk too much..LOL

Take Care I know you can do it too!!!

Welcome to the forum! I like to come to these forums every night because I get really inspired looking at the amazing success others have had.

Also, as someone who has tried & failed before, let me assure you that whatever discomfort you go through while trying to get healthy/lose weight is nothing compared to the feeling of knowing you've let yourself down and will have to work up the nerve to try again.

Keep with it! Good luck!

Thanks so much....It is very helpful to read all the tips and ways to motivate!!

Very well said Ms. Hodge. I will have to give you rep points for that.

Ashnicmar, you look pretty good already so I will be cheering for you.
I think a lot of us have that same problem of getting really obsessed about losing weight for 2 to 4 weeks and then for some reason we lose the drive and just quit. Before my current success, the longest I had ever been able to stick with a healthy diet and exercise routine was 4 months. Back in 2000 I had lost 22 lbs in four months when I got in a car wreck and sprained my ankle and wrist. Since I couldn't lift weights for a while I just quit exercising altogether. Then I quit eating healthy. Eight years later I was 60 lbs heavier. For the longest time I blamed it on the car accident but deep down I knew that was BS. Last year when I decided to give this a go one more time I knew that quitting was a very real temptation I would face. Rather than tell you my whole story I will sum it up with one piece of advice I got from my personal trainer last November. I was telling him how frustrated I was with my jogging progress. I told him I couldn't run for more than 3 minutes at 7.5 to 8.0 mph on the treadmill. He simply said, "then slow down."

The reason that moment is so embedded in my memory is it has so much meaning for people like you and me who want results so fast and don't have the patience to just let it happen over time. For me, it was an epiphany because I realized, "oh yeah, this is a marathon I'm running, not a quarter mile."

So that very day I slowed down to 5.5 mph and jogged 10 minutes without stopping. A few months later I was jogging 6.1 mph for 31 minutes without stopping. Next thing I knew I was training for a sprint triathlon.

Just one month ago I jogged 3.1 miles in 29 minutes immediately after biking 15 miles in 52 minutes, immediately after swimming 400 meters in 6 minutes. Not fast by any means but compared to one year ago, an outstanding achievement for myself.

The best part is the journey itself so make it last a long time!

Hey there,

I'm kinda impatient the same way. Which is why everyday is a struggle to keep going for me. Every time I feel like I want to give up I just think about the quote in my signature. "You may delay, but time will not." Which basically means that July, August, September, etc WILL come... and whether you are using those months to exercise and diet are up to you. You can give up and just let time pass again or get on with it. I have to remember this every single day.

Also, if you're looking for support you should make a journal here and tell us more about yourself. This forum is very supportive.

Hi from Canada! I see from your pics that we have a similar body style, with a smallish waste and somewhat larger bottom half. It is the bane of my existence!

Anyway, you've received some solid and thoughtful advice already. Hope you can put it to good use. Spend time on this forum; it is so helpful and inspirational!

Best wishes on your journey,
ABBA

Hello Ashnicmar,

First I would like to comment about your current appearance... WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Now with that out of the way. I completely understand your frustration. My whole life i have always been the husky kid. Never to jiggly to be fat, and never small enough to be skinny. And having this title has taken me on millions of impatient roller coaster diets. But I think now I have finally found the trick, which is to take it one day at a time. I know that it's not a million dollar solution... but it is a life changing one none the less. If you can make a commitment to reach your goals by doing exercise and making healthier choices day by day, it ultimately takes the pressure off and you most likely will not burn yourself out by obsessing for just two weeks =)... Well I wish you all the best on your journey to a better you. And seeing as though your already HOT, I can't wait to see the new you.

Well thank you very much! I hope to be posting some progress pics soon!

And thanks to everyone for the tips..I have been trying not to stress over it and achieve what I can so it can last for longer than just two weeks!!

Much Luv!
Ash

You have already conquered this big hurdle of admitting you have to do something. Now the next thing I'm going to tell you might not be to your liking but what I have found from my own experience is that the longer it takes you to take the weight off the longer it will stay off.
I do not drink diet colas of any kind I stick with the water. Try eating more protein for breakfast, especially if your working out. And bulk up on your fiber intake.
One more thing when you you do see yourself starting to lose some weight go buy yourself a new article of clothing it will make you feel great and incentive to keep going.

good luck! We are here for you!

A little update...

Weight 167.2 ( ) No weight loss...
Chest 36.5 1.5 inches lost gain
Waist 28 1 inch lost
Hips 41.5 2.5 inches lost

Ummm...I haven't really been dieting or watching what I eat or exercising until 2 weeks ago...I posted back in June and I just slacked horribly-I will focus more though-I will hopefully be posting pictures soon when I get around to it..till then...Happy weight loss everyone

Hi, Continue You are achieving a best result. Thanks for sharing most useful information. That's picture is most impressive. If you have more information about it then please share with us.

Added Updated pics...no real progress but new pics and measurements.

So...Like I said in the update with the new pictures I started a new work out, mainly because of my job I have to keep in a certain standard of shape which I surpass the min, but still want to go farther and feel that weight loss will be the ultimate way for me to do it. I am helping one of the guys under me to prep for their upcoming test so I am helping him motivate himself while motivating me at the same time and going for runs at 530 in the morn...Not my normal thing since I despise running, but I guess I need a bit more cardio to get where I want to go. Hope everyone is doing great!!

Hey Ashnicmar,

I have to agree with everyone else here... you already have a great shape! You and I are the same height, same weight, but we carry it VERY differently... I am thick-waisted and suffer from no-ass-atall, lol. I would love to look as good as you do at this weight. That said, I definitely understand your desire to lose weight, and your lack of motivation, and your two-week obsession that inevitably fizzles out.

I think dreamingblue has offered the piece of advice that most hits home, for me, anyway. October, November, December, etc, are going to pass whether you're doing something to improve yourself or not... would you rather look exactly the same as you do now, or look BETTER, come January? That approach (beat into my head by my mother) always seemed to work best for me.

Anyway, sorry to have rambled on, just wanted to offer my support and let you know that everyone is rooting for you! Can't wait to see how your progress unfolds!