Hey, all!!!
I am 23 years old, studying in medical school in New York.
I have been listening to Scott from the first day of his podcasts, but for some reason the “click” just happened now (took me a long time). About a week ago I signed up to be a premium member and have been following the “Start moving, keep moving” program since. I am really hoping to continue doing it this time, and not stop half-way like many times before.
My weight issues started when I was about 14 years old. Now I realize that I was in the perfect weight back then, but for some reason I had a distorted body image. So I kept yo-yo dieting for years, and as time passed the weight has accumulated. Right now I am 153 lbs at 5.5” height. It’s the heaviest I have ever been and I really feel uncomfortable with my body.
I started medical school 6 month ago, and the constant sitting and studying has not helped. I’ve gained 10 lbs since last May!
About 5 years ago I got a personal trainer certification as an incentive for myself to stay in good shape. During the first summer that I worked in the gym I was in the best shape of my life, I weight about 130 lbs, worked out 5 times/week, but this came with a price: all the dieting that I’ve been doing took me over the line and I’ve developed an eating disorder. So in the next year I got all my weight back plus much more…
For the next few years I just tried to heal myself and keep myself away from any diets and gym....it worked, I no longer thought about food every single minute, which was great! But now I feel like I need to start taking care of my body in a healthy way.

It’s been a week, and I’ve exercised 4 times. I’m trying not to be too strict on myself when it comes to my diet, even though I know that nutrition accounts for 70% of the weight loss success.
Hopefully with MTM programs, Scott’s wisdom and your support I will be able to do it differently this time and get to my goal of becoming a fit doctor some day! (that’s where my user name comes from)
Thank you

Regards,
Anna

Welcome Anna,

It sounds like you know what to do.... now for getting it done!

Each and everyday, we make choices, and are rewarded with the decisions we make, good or bad.  It sounds like you know the decisions to make, and you’re making peace with your body image.

To be happy with who you are, and creating a lifestyle to support being fit and healthy, keeps you happy, healthy and fit.

For me, I still track what I eat (you said it well...70% of weight loss is your diet).  I don’t consider myself on a diet, per say, (actually, what you consume in a day is your ‘diet’-good or bad). I choose to be ‘more gooder than badder’ as Scott says, and even out my eating, even if I don’t eat as healthy each and every time.

Welcome again....
A great group of supportive people here!

Welcome, Anna! How terrific that you are making the effort to do this while you are just starting med school.  Feeling well will help you deal with the stresses and long hours you will face, and being committed will help you maintain a balance!

Peace and joy,

Ann

Welcome, Anna!! For you, I wouldn’t recommend perfection (could be a slippery slope), but instead around 80% good. Take the 20% as permission to relax and enjoy life. Med school has got to be stressful enough.

Bree

Thanks so much Tom, Ann and Bree!!!
Everything you said is so true.
Actually after having such a great start last week I found myself back in reality. Yesterday I realized that because of the upcoming exam I probably won’t be able to make it to gym until Monday. It’s such a bummer!
I might even find an hour or so to make it to gym, but this is not the real problem.
Because I’m just starting out I find myself really sore, tired and sleepy after workouts… And in order to study I need to be very alert.
I know that with time the energy lever will kick in, but for now I guess I have myself a very slow start.
Plus the eating part is pretty hard too. I usually study until the late hours of the night and just can’t keep myself from snacking.
I was so excited last week, but now I feel that it is going to be much more difficult than I though....

Anna, no worries. Mark out 3 times this coming week that you take 20 minutes to do something. Maybe a yoga study break (all those hours hunched over books can’t be good for your spine), a brisk walk to get some coffee, or some floor exercises. Say Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. If you happen to park a bit further and get bonus moving in Yay! Ease it into your life and your schedule. You can do this, just make it fit you.

Bree

hey you...you know what? you sound like me...when i was younger i looked fine now that i look back in pictures...i also had a distorted image of myself...i eventually ballooned up to 220 lbs and then realized...i was way off...after i droped about 60 lbs i still had the “fat girl” mind set...i felt like a fat girl in a thin body...crazy right...? anyway take care and keep up the great work....i know you will do it this time...so will i… =) yes..i’m fat again...lol

Hi Anna, welcome to the forum.

Don’t worry too much about your diet, concentrate on moving a certain number of times a week.  Try and eat more “Gooder” than “Badder”.

You will be Fit Doctor before you know it!