My name is Rajiv, a 40 year old from Mumbai, India. Despite my busy work-life and travel(i’m a CEO), i have managed to stay healthy and fit primarily through free-hand exercises, running and staying active.. I have been listening to MTM podcasts now for over a year and learnt several simple yet effective tips, techniques to get better, fitter. So Thank you!

I am reasonably healthy and fit - 5 9” and 75 Kg (162lb). But, I started measuring my body fat % through a simple hand-held device and noticed that i am at 26% body fat..in fact a few months back I was 78kg and 29% body fat%..

I run at least 2 half marathons a year - and that means running practice for almost 8 months of the year. I run to enjoy as well so i run easy not hard. And then it really gets hot in summer this part of the world so i ease off the exercise a bit.

I was never bothered about my diet and pretty much ate everything in moderation. But now i’ve got more conscious and try to follow Scott’s 400*4 daily plan..I know i can do better..Every once a while (constant travel is a challenge and i like my beer!)

I would like everyone in this forum to give me suggestions and encouragement to take my weight to maybe 72kg and body fat under 20%..as a milestone. When can i hope to get there?

Any ideas?  Cheers, Rajiv

Hope.. i will get all the motivation i am looking for!!!

I mentioned that I’m a musician. Actually I’ve been teaching band & orchestra for about 30 years in public schools. I’m also a professional trumpet player and I’m convinced that getting healthier would help my playing. The scales haven’t moved during these first 2 weeks but I figure my body is trying to figure out what just happened.

My family medical history on my mother’s side is not a good one in terms of heart health and diabetes. That doesn’t mean that I must follow suit. Actually my father is a real inspiration as he heads toward his 81st birthday next month. He swims 3 to 4 times per week.

Anyhow, I’m very motivated to feel better and look better in my clothes. Thanks for reading.

Doug

Most of my adult life I’ve been pretty good about asking for help when I need it (unlike the proverbial “typical male,” I even ask for directions when I’m lost while driving). But lately, I know I need to change, and bad, but at the same time am very skeptical—not so much about methods, but more because I feel like I’ve done it all before. Read all the books. Been through therapy for years. And on and on.

But I feel that I’m at a crucial point (who isn’t, right?), and that I have to some big changes soon (within the next few years). I’d been on a real “high” in my professional and personal life for five or ten years or so, then, two years ago, lost my job and began a downward spiral. I’m glad to say I’m spiraling back up, out of the worst depression, but am stuck in many ways --

-eating poorly
-very low self-confidence/self esteem
-unmotivated
-lack of direction
-have been thinking “goal-setting” for a few months now, and can’t think of any goals beyond the basics—being a good father and husband, trying to earn some money.

That’s a way-long introduction, I know. Thanks for reading. I’m glad to be a part of this, and have been moving (for sure), and I hope that by contributing to these forums and listening to the podcasts and by occasionally asking for help, maybe I’ll find out what direction I really want to move in.

Jeff

To kick that off I have done two things, one being that I joined a gym here in the Seattle area.  The second and I think what might be the coolest thing is created a MTM group on Gyminee.

What is Gyminee?  It’s a workout and nutritional tracker, which allows you to track your goals, food intake, and workouts, and share that with your Gym Buddies (Friends), and groups.  Now I am in no way affiliated with Gyminee, I think it’s just a great tracking tool! 

So the reason I am writing about this is that everyone that joins the MTM group over there will contribute to the total number of pounds and calories burned off for the group as a whole and we can track what kind of a difference we are making here while providing a little friendly competition between members.

There is a screen shot below, hope to see everyone there soon!

Motivation to Move Group on Gyminee

It’s June of 2008. Seems the last few years have flown by and now it’s seven years (!) since I felt good about my physical self. How does that happen? I suppose is different for each person. For me it has been a journey of the mind with too little focus on the body that carries it around. First it was applying to law school then it was working full time during the day while attending law school full time in the evenings for four years. Eating became the break, the pleasure in each day. Far too many nights of studying ended with a pint of ice cream. Then when law school was done it was study for the bar exam and then the great new job opportunity that called for working late nights and weekends. And the hard work led to a plum job assignment that had me living in a hotel for three weeks at a time in a foreign country and still working the crazy hours. I was away from home three months in 2007 and every night of that three months was full of rich foods and cocktails with co-workers. Now I’m in a different role and don’t have to travel anymore. Still long nights and weekends now and then but not all the time. And I realize that the years fly by and no one is going to fix this for me - the only way to improve my health and well being is to prioritize time for healthful activities and eating. No great job is going to compensate for a body that breaks down from poor care.

I’ve always been curvy and probably a bit overweight since college but now my 5’4” frame is carrying 200 pounds. I miss feeling energetic. I miss feeling attractive. I’ve had some health issues that I am sure are aggravated by the extra weight.

Last September I bought an iPhone with a bonus from work. With it I discovered podcasts and one of the first was The Daily Boost. At first Scott’s voice annoyed me - seemed to ‘sales-y’. Being a contracts lawyer I have to work with Salespeople all the time and their smooth tone usually means they are trying to slip something by me, sell me on doing what they want, for their benefit.

But I noticed that when I listened I felt better. Sure there were times the tone seemed patronizing or a bit sexist to my ears, but still it was a nice bite-size message of encouragement and I found myself downloading more of the free iTunes posts. I started taking walks at lunch and listening. Then in December I started going back to the gym and working out, doing an hour of cardio every day for 40 days and the weight circuit twice a week. I’ve been a fairly healthy eater for some time but started really working on portion size and more raw vegetables. And what happened? nothing. Mentally I was in a better place, but I did not lose a pound. This of course was discouraging.

So I went looking for more information. And that is when I decided to become a premium member. I have a lot of work to do and I’ll need lots of podcasts to listen to as I embark on a renewed effort (this time with a lot more weight training and an eye to keeping my heart rate in the right zone.) Although carrying too many pounds I have lots of stamina and I was pushing myself too hard during the cardio. I’ve got a heart rate monitor now and a few good guides for weight training and the next two months should be less busy at work so it’s a great time to set new patterns, develop new habits and complete the 28 day program. I am hopeful and so glad to have the resources here at Motivation to Move to keep me going and remind me that I can do this. I don’t need to feel old at 37. Scott is an inspiration and I’ve come to find that there is method in his presentation. It is great to have a voice in my ear that is positive, upbeat and unfailingly optimistic.

Here’s to a great rest of the year!

I lost 40lbs 4 years ago after joining football and here lately it seems to be coming back rapidly so I’m hoping this site gives me the motivation to help shed the pounds again.

Just introducing myself

Any other quilters out there??

I’m taking the plunge and introducing myself.

My name is Cleda. I have been on the forum since January.  I am a premium member. I listen to MTM when/as much as I can. I read the forums for motivation.  I purchased the Vault programs. (Wasn’t around the first time they were available).

I have not gotten the click yet. 
I know it has to come. I know I have to keep at it.
My goal has been to tread water and hope that I don’t drown in the process.
I’ve had many more badder than gooder days.

I would like to say I’m hearing the click and that’s why I’m posting. It’s not. It’s sort of cuz I said I would in the other thread. (Deb - this one’s for you!)

I have a tremendous amount of weight to lose (probably close to 125 lbs.) ... but I really, REALLY can’t look at it that way or I will become paralyzed with “can’t do” fear.

Unfortunately, I’ve done it before (3x?) and each time it’s come back.  I can’t honestly say that I"ve ever maintained for longer than a couple of months. 

I am an emotional eater, I have a bottomless pit (can eat forever), am a carb/sugar/salt junkie and tie them all together with the love of food ... and ... well. . . here I am! I am a graduate of many diet programs.  I am a walking book of calorie counts, fat grams, points, etc, etc. 

I am a cyclist. (long distance is my love).  I enjoy exercise. I have everything from an elliptical, treadmill, rebounder, BOSU, weights, barbells, dvds, vhs tapes, kettlebells, bikes, Ipod coaching sessions, etc, etc.  I am still at it.  So, the weight has not stopped me from doing that. But heck - the hills have GOT to get easier if I get rid of a few pounds. And to be brutally honest, I am quite embarrassed to be seen out cycling. I always get the, “You gotta be kidding me” look from people. I always tell myself, “Ok, stop it self! at least you’re out here doing it.”

I also am making excuses to only work out a few times a week now instead of what I should be doing. I need to dig out my heart rate monitor and do some LSB.

So that’s my story.
And now I have to go post to the 100 days of exercise and stick to it.
Cleda