So I’m watching Mariah Carey on tv, and thinking back to the time when I was her size. I used to exercise every day and feel really energetic all the time. Now I’m in my fifth year of university and steadily using the excuse of ‘no time to exercise’. I used to get up at 7am every morning to go swimming, but I was knocked off my bicycle a few weeks ago and broke my hand. I’m scared to cycle now, which means it will take me over half an hour to walk to the pool when I can swim again, and an hour to walk to where my dance class is. I need some motivation and a new iPod, help!

On the positive side, I’ve come a long way since September! MTM has helped me through panic attacks, and I’ve even managed to stop one recently. Whenever I’m a bit down, the MTM show will always cheer me up. Tomorrow it will be 6 weeks since my last panic attack, which is really great, and I know I can stay positive as long as I keep doing my homework and stay on track! Every now and then I just need a nudge

And I haven’t even introduced myself! I’m Nienke, 22, from Holland, but I’m living in England at the moment.
I have the greatest respect for everyone on MTM, and I’m looking forward to reading about other people’s stories.

Hi and welcome Nienke!

Sounds like you have the desire, and their are plenty of motivating people on here to keep you going!

tell us some of your goals....

I guess my goals are:

- To lose 5 pounds and get back to my perfect weight.
- To reduce my bodyfat.
- To exercise at least 3 times a week (but preferably more)

My overall goal is to make more out of life, experience more and be happier, and I think the three goals above will help me achieve that in the end.

Welcome, Nienke! Great goals! Life is definitely more enjoyable when we’re moving.

Bree

Thanks Bree,
Hey I think I’ve heard Scott mention you in one of the podcasts!

Yep, that’s me. It’s almost surreal hearing my name on a show listened to by thousands all over the world. But that just proves that anyone can accomplish they’re weight loss and fitness goals. (though I’m still a work in progress) I look forward to watching you reach yours!

Bree

That’s so cool, well done on doing so well that you’re named as an example to all the listeners! I think we’re always ‘works in progress’ because there’s always something to change or improve on, but imagine how boring life would be if there wasn’t! Starting tonight (because waiting until Monday is always the wrong thing to do ) I’m doing 30 sit ups every evening. I don’t have much experience with those, but I think I’ll add 5 to that every week, or every 2 weeks if it’s too ambitious And I’m doing them.... now

Love the signature!

I have a question…
My goals for me have to very specific (even though they continue to change as I reach them!)

You said to reduce body fat.... is there a goal there?

and swimming....
I’m a late bloomer at ‘learning’ to swim, but it’s sooo much fun ..... almost like Yoga, where you get into a very cool space.... I’m loving learning to move fast through the water, still working on my breathing, stroke technique etc....
Just love it!

Looking forward to see your continually changing goals!

Thanks

I do have very specific goals which I write down for my ‘Homework’ every Sunday, the three general ones are the ones I keep in mind all the time. The reason why the bodyfat goal is not specific yet is because I don’t know what my bodyfat is at the moment and I’m not sure how to measure it. But I know it has to be reduced, so it’s like a starter goal until I can make it more specific.

Swimming is great, I think I might try yoga next week, since so many people on this site are raving about it

Hello Nienke!

Good luck with your goals, it seems you are doing excellently so far!

Where in Holland are you from?  I am going to a conference in Rotterdam next week - I better plan how to avoid too much of the great cheese you have there !

Yeah, i love Yoga.... Ive put it on the back burner for a bit, training for my tri, but it’s gong back into my routine soon.

The one thing with Yoga, (and any program you start) is to give yourself time to get into it..... It’s sooo worth it!

You can go to a gym and they have fat analyzers ..... (or ‘win’ one on MTM like I did! - Thanks again Scott and Carlyn!)

Hi James,

4 posts, I guess you’re new too? I’m from Leeuwarden, in the North of Holland. Rotterdam is great, so much better than Amsterdam! Make sure you check whether there are any festivals or shows on when you’re there. I always eat lots of cheese and drink lots of milk when I’m in Holland, it makes a healthier snack than chocolate (my weakness), it fills you up in no time, and it’s got lots of calcium!

Hope you have a good time!

Tom - are the fat analysers those machines that look a bit like scales? Or maybe they are scales but they analyse bodyfat percentage too? I’ll try it next time I go to the gym.

Yeah I’m new too I think it was November that I started listening, and just two weeks ago that I started posting!

I just looked at where Leeuwarden is (I have a map of Europe in my room) - is that in Friesland? I have a friend who comes from that area too, but now lives in Hoorn

Anyway thanks for your good wishes, I’ll only be there for 2 nights, but I am sure I will return to see the rest of the country in the near future!

Yea it is, it’s really nice there, but I only get to go for Christmas and Easter unfortunately.
I’ve heard of Hoorn but have never been there.

Hope you have a good time!

Nienke,
The BF analizers are either scales or the type your grip with your hands....

I hear the best way is in the pool, but the other ones are pretty close