Need motivation to lose 30 pounds - for my own sake and that of my marriage

[Anonymous]

I am struggling too although I weigh even more than you. I just purchased the 21 day fix, and I am starting on Monday. Another thing I have done is sign up for an exercise class at the community center that meets on Wed and Friday mornings at 6:15 am. Dh gets the kids off to school on those two days. Just get started on the journey and don't stop even if you have bad days or cheat on vacation. Also don't consider one weight loss program as the one and only. I like variety, so I change it up. I did my fitness pal, then the dash diet, and now the 21 day fix. At the end of June, I signed up for a program at the community center to lose weight. Just keep going one pound at a time. Focus on losing your first 5 pounds, then 5% of your starting weight, then 10% of your starting weight. Don't think about 30 pounds all at once. I need to lose 60 pounds, and that is just too daunting to focus on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am your height, and I used to be your size (14), but I weighed 185. It's so bizarre how people can be the same size but weigh such different amounts. I'm now 130 and a size 4.

I lost my weight primarily by getting my butt in shape. Rowing, hiking, taking classes at the gym, swimming, even running. I was at a pretty stable starting weight so didn't touch my diet much - because of that, the exercise made a huge dent. It was slow but steady, while I made sure not to overdo it. In fact, I now can eat a little more than I used to, because my body is so used to using fuel due to the increased activity.

Take it slow, if you're new to exercising. 3 days a week. Then after a month or two, add 1 more day. Then after another month or 2, add yet another so you're up to exercising 5x a week. Find what you like, and do it.

The thing with exercise is that not only will it help you lose weight and over time, even raise your metabolism - exercise boost confidence, and confidence is sexy. It gets your blood moving, it helps hormones, and even though it's a pain in the ass (especially in the beginning), it makes you feel really, really good after a while. That confidence (in addition to losing weight) will help your relationship, and likely make your husband more attractive to you. Work out together!

You can't have kids. That amount of working out is just not realistic with small kids and a full time job. If it's even in the realm of possibility DH has to step up and do child care so she can exercise a couple of days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am your height, and I used to be your size (14), but I weighed 185. It's so bizarre how people can be the same size but weigh such different amounts. I'm now 130 and a size 4.

I lost my weight primarily by getting my butt in shape. Rowing, hiking, taking classes at the gym, swimming, even running. I was at a pretty stable starting weight so didn't touch my diet much - because of that, the exercise made a huge dent. It was slow but steady, while I made sure not to overdo it. In fact, I now can eat a little more than I used to, because my body is so used to using fuel due to the increased activity.

Take it slow, if you're new to exercising. 3 days a week. Then after a month or two, add 1 more day. Then after another month or 2, add yet another so you're up to exercising 5x a week. Find what you like, and do it.

The thing with exercise is that not only will it help you lose weight and over time, even raise your metabolism - exercise boost confidence, and confidence is sexy. It gets your blood moving, it helps hormones, and even though it's a pain in the ass (especially in the beginning), it makes you feel really, really good after a while. That confidence (in addition to losing weight) will help your relationship, and likely make your husband more attractive to you. Work out together!

You can't have kids. That amount of working out is just not realistic with small kids and a full time job. If it's even in the realm of possibility DH has to step up and do child care so she can exercise a couple of days a week.

New poster here. What? I'm the COO of my company. I have 2 children, ages 4&7 and work out 6 days a week. I do not have a live in nanny and both DH and I take turns juggling tue kids in the morning while the other works out. My DH stepping up is not referred to by him as "child care" it is him being a father and husband. It is very doable.

I'm inside of the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday lifting weights. On Tuesday/ Thursday I do the morning routine with the kids, but wake before them to run on the treadmill for 45min or do insanity. Friday I typically don't exercise. Every sunday morning our neighbor babysits the kids for an hour and a half and DH and I either run, bike, or go to the gym together.

So yes. Demanding job. 2 small kids. Team player spouse. Exercise 6 days a week. Very doable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am your height, and I used to be your size (14), but I weighed 185. It's so bizarre how people can be the same size but weigh such different amounts. I'm now 130 and a size 4.

I lost my weight primarily by getting my butt in shape. Rowing, hiking, taking classes at the gym, swimming, even running. I was at a pretty stable starting weight so didn't touch my diet much - because of that, the exercise made a huge dent. It was slow but steady, while I made sure not to overdo it. In fact, I now can eat a little more than I used to, because my body is so used to using fuel due to the increased activity.

Take it slow, if you're new to exercising. 3 days a week. Then after a month or two, add 1 more day. Then after another month or 2, add yet another so you're up to exercising 5x a week. Find what you like, and do it.

The thing with exercise is that not only will it help you lose weight and over time, even raise your metabolism - exercise boost confidence, and confidence is sexy. It gets your blood moving, it helps hormones, and even though it's a pain in the ass (especially in the beginning), it makes you feel really, really good after a while. That confidence (in addition to losing weight) will help your relationship, and likely make your husband more attractive to you. Work out together!

You can't have kids. That amount of working out is just not realistic with small kids and a full time job. If it's even in the realm of possibility DH has to step up and do child care so she can exercise a couple of days a week.

New poster here. What? I'm the COO of my company. I have 2 children, ages 4&7 and work out 6 days a week. I do not have a live in nanny and both DH and I take turns juggling tue kids in the morning while the other works out. My DH stepping up is not referred to by him as "child care" it is him being a father and husband. It is very doable.

I'm inside of the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday lifting weights. On Tuesday/ Thursday I do the morning routine with the kids, but wake before them to run on the treadmill for 45min or do insanity. Friday I typically don't exercise. Every sunday morning our neighbor babysits the kids for an hour and a half and DH and I either run, bike, or go to the gym together.

So yes. Demanding job. 2 small kids. Team player spouse. Exercise 6 days a week. Very doable

+2, totally doable, once you get into the routine of making it a regular thing. Exercise doesn't have to mean driving to the gym (although one with childcare helps a lot) - but it can mean a jog around the neighborhood. Or equipment/video at home, or on your lunch break. It can take some getting used to working it in, but if you start with a couple days a week, it's easier to find your rhythm and then slowly add 1-2 more days over time.

[Anonymous]

Your DH sounds like mine. My husband is superfit and lean, he is in shape and views it as a self control thing. People can't help how smart or athletic or good looking they are, but absent a medical condition, they can control their weight. I feel the same way.

That said, I am 5'7 and used to weigh 225. When I met dh, I had dropped down to 180. My lowest weight ever was 150 and to be honest, he didn't like me at 150 (too skinny for me - deflated boobs, no curves). He and I like me best at around 155 or so. After I had my son, I stayed at 185 for a long time. Depression, anxiety, etc. Running helped a lot. So did going primal -- cutting out the carbs really did wonders for me. I am currently pregnant with #2 and trying to wath what I eat. After this baby, I will marathon train and go primal again. Weight watchers also helps in terms of portion control and accountability. That's how I got down to 150 back in the day! Finally, I am not above doing a eating program like nutrisystem. I know someone who lost 50 lbs on their program in about four months.

For those who husband bash, well, I'm not sure what to say because even though my dh is very conscientious about weight, he has never said anything about my weight. Then again, we met and fell in love when I was 180 so that's his baseline, I suppose? He also likes his women curvy. I wear a size 12 when not pregnant and I hate it-- prefer to be in 8's. But DH truly doesn't seem to care about my weight... Granted he has snickered at my 225 lb photos!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am your height, and I used to be your size (14), but I weighed 185. It's so bizarre how people can be the same size but weigh such different amounts. I'm now 130 and a size 4.

I lost my weight primarily by getting my butt in shape. Rowing, hiking, taking classes at the gym, swimming, even running. I was at a pretty stable starting weight so didn't touch my diet much - because of that, the exercise made a huge dent. It was slow but steady, while I made sure not to overdo it. In fact, I now can eat a little more than I used to, because my body is so used to using fuel due to the increased activity.

Take it slow, if you're new to exercising. 3 days a week. Then after a month or two, add 1 more day. Then after another month or 2, add yet another so you're up to exercising 5x a week. Find what you like, and do it.

The thing with exercise is that not only will it help you lose weight and over time, even raise your metabolism - exercise boost confidence, and confidence is sexy. It gets your blood moving, it helps hormones, and even though it's a pain in the ass (especially in the beginning), it makes you feel really, really good after a while. That confidence (in addition to losing weight) will help your relationship, and likely make your husband more attractive to you. Work out together!

You can't have kids. That amount of working out is just not realistic with small kids and a full time job. If it's even in the realm of possibility DH has to step up and do child care so she can exercise a couple of days a week.

New poster here. What? I'm the COO of my company. I have 2 children, ages 4&7 and work out 6 days a week. I do not have a live in nanny and both DH and I take turns juggling tue kids in the morning while the other works out. My DH stepping up is not referred to by him as "child care" it is him being a father and husband. It is very doable.

I'm inside of the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday lifting weights. On Tuesday/ Thursday I do the morning routine with the kids, but wake before them to run on the treadmill for 45min or do insanity. Friday I typically don't exercise. Every sunday morning our neighbor babysits the kids for an hour and a half and DH and I either run, bike, or go to the gym together.

So yes. Demanding job. 2 small kids. Team player spouse. Exercise 6 days a week. Very doable

+2, totally doable, once you get into the routine of making it a regular thing. Exercise doesn't have to mean driving to the gym (although one with childcare helps a lot) - but it can mean a jog around the neighborhood. Or equipment/video at home, or on your lunch break. It can take some getting used to working it in, but if you start with a couple days a week, it's easier to find your rhythm and then slowly add 1-2 more days over time.

+3. I put my toddler in a jogging stroller six days a week, and we run between three and ten miles. We go to the park on the longer runs, and take breaks to play on the swings, or look at the horses. We practice counting mommy's pushups, squats, lunges, and crunches. We started this at a year (I was concerned with his head jostling around before that, although both the manufacturer and the pediatrician said it was safe at eight months). Before that, I would put him in the ergo, first on my front, then on my back, and walk three to five miles, and then run on my own when I could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am your height, and I used to be your size (14), but I weighed 185. It's so bizarre how people can be the same size but weigh such different amounts. I'm now 130 and a size 4.

I lost my weight primarily by getting my butt in shape. Rowing, hiking, taking classes at the gym, swimming, even running. I was at a pretty stable starting weight so didn't touch my diet much - because of that, the exercise made a huge dent. It was slow but steady, while I made sure not to overdo it. In fact, I now can eat a little more than I used to, because my body is so used to using fuel due to the increased activity.

Take it slow, if you're new to exercising. 3 days a week. Then after a month or two, add 1 more day. Then after another month or 2, add yet another so you're up to exercising 5x a week. Find what you like, and do it.

The thing with exercise is that not only will it help you lose weight and over time, even raise your metabolism - exercise boost confidence, and confidence is sexy. It gets your blood moving, it helps hormones, and even though it's a pain in the ass (especially in the beginning), it makes you feel really, really good after a while. That confidence (in addition to losing weight) will help your relationship, and likely make your husband more attractive to you. Work out together!

You can't have kids. That amount of working out is just not realistic with small kids and a full time job. If it's even in the realm of possibility DH has to step up and do child care so she can exercise a couple of days a week.

New poster here. What? I'm the COO of my company. I have 2 children, ages 4&7 and work out 6 days a week. I do not have a live in nanny and both DH and I take turns juggling tue kids in the morning while the other works out. My DH stepping up is not referred to by him as "child care" it is him being a father and husband. It is very doable.

I'm inside of the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday lifting weights. On Tuesday/ Thursday I do the morning routine with the kids, but wake before them to run on the treadmill for 45min or do insanity. Friday I typically don't exercise. Every sunday morning our neighbor babysits the kids for an hour and a half and DH and I either run, bike, or go to the gym together.

So yes. Demanding job. 2 small kids. Team player spouse. Exercise 6 days a week. Very doable

+2, totally doable, once you get into the routine of making it a regular thing. Exercise doesn't have to mean driving to the gym (although one with childcare helps a lot) - but it can mean a jog around the neighborhood. Or equipment/video at home, or on your lunch break. It can take some getting used to working it in, but if you start with a couple days a week, it's easier to find your rhythm and then slowly add 1-2 more days over time.

+3. I put my toddler in a jogging stroller six days a week, and we run between three and ten miles. We go to the park on the longer runs, and take breaks to play on the swings, or look at the horses. We practice counting mommy's pushups, squats, lunges, and crunches. We started this at a year (I was concerned with his head jostling around before that, although both the manufacturer and the pediatrician said it was safe at eight months). Before that, I would put him in the ergo, first on my front, then on my back, and walk three to five miles, and then run on my own when I could.

You work full-time and run three to ten miles six days a week with stops at the park?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sucks to hear the truth. I still cringe when my family confronted me about the 20Lb weight gain I had Sophomore year in college. I was in total denial (deep down I knew) but i also was hiding horrible self-esteem about it. That comment--mean from my older brother (brothers!) and exasperation from my mom and sister was a major motivation to getting things under control. I dropped the weight and now 24 years later I weigh the exact same amount (even after gaining 45 lbs with each pregnancy).

I learned:
1) I can't do scales. I get obsessed. Depressed with any fluctuations and stagnations.
2) Love of exercise is my strength. Variety is key. And just showing up---make yourself go even when you don't feel like it--start with 10 min--you'll find once you pass that mark it is easy to keep going.
3) I have never been on a 'diet'. I substitute junk for healthier things. No bagels, no mayo, cook with olive oil- no butter, no heavy sauces, light on pasta. I eat very healthy Mon-Thursday (no red meat--fish, white meat, salads at lunch). Weekends I allow myself a steak or a burger, some wine, etc. I found once I cut back on sweets--my sweet tooth just about disappeared.

Good luck.

Ew, what? Your family confronted you about a 20 lb. weight gain? That's just...sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sucks to hear the truth. I still cringe when my family confronted me about the 20Lb weight gain I had Sophomore year in college. I was in total denial (deep down I knew) but i also was hiding horrible self-esteem about it. That comment--mean from my older brother (brothers!) and exasperation from my mom and sister was a major motivation to getting things under control. I dropped the weight and now 24 years later I weigh the exact same amount (even after gaining 45 lbs with each pregnancy).

I learned:
1) I can't do scales. I get obsessed. Depressed with any fluctuations and stagnations.
2) Love of exercise is my strength. Variety is key. And just showing up---make yourself go even when you don't feel like it--start with 10 min--you'll find once you pass that mark it is easy to keep going.
3) I have never been on a 'diet'. I substitute junk for healthier things. No bagels, no mayo, cook with olive oil- no butter, no heavy sauces, light on pasta. I eat very healthy Mon-Thursday (no red meat--fish, white meat, salads at lunch). Weekends I allow myself a steak or a burger, some wine, etc. I found once I cut back on sweets--my sweet tooth just about disappeared.

Good luck.

Ew, what? Your family confronted you about a 20 lb. weight gain? That's just...sick.

I went from a size 6 to a size 14 very quickly. It's not sick at all. I was not healthy and depressed by it. PArt of the reason people are so large in this country because it can never be addressed properly. For my size--5'3"-- a size 14 in 1990 (not even today's vanity sizing yet) was huge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sucks to hear the truth. I still cringe when my family confronted me about the 20Lb weight gain I had Sophomore year in college. I was in total denial (deep down I knew) but i also was hiding horrible self-esteem about it. That comment--mean from my older brother (brothers!) and exasperation from my mom and sister was a major motivation to getting things under control. I dropped the weight and now 24 years later I weigh the exact same amount (even after gaining 45 lbs with each pregnancy).

I learned:
1) I can't do scales. I get obsessed. Depressed with any fluctuations and stagnations.
2) Love of exercise is my strength. Variety is key. And just showing up---make yourself go even when you don't feel like it--start with 10 min--you'll find once you pass that mark it is easy to keep going.
3) I have never been on a 'diet'. I substitute junk for healthier things. No bagels, no mayo, cook with olive oil- no butter, no heavy sauces, light on pasta. I eat very healthy Mon-Thursday (no red meat--fish, white meat, salads at lunch). Weekends I allow myself a steak or a burger, some wine, etc. I found once I cut back on sweets--my sweet tooth just about disappeared.

Good luck.

Ew, what? Your family confronted you about a 20 lb. weight gain? That's just...sick.

I went from a size 6 to a size 14 very quickly. It's not sick at all. I was not healthy and depressed by it. PArt of the reason people are so large in this country because it can never be addressed properly. For my size--5'3"-- a size 14 in 1990 (not even today's vanity sizing yet) was huge.

20 lbs would not take you from a 6 to a 14.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sucks to hear the truth. I still cringe when my family confronted me about the 20Lb weight gain I had Sophomore year in college. I was in total denial (deep down I knew) but i also was hiding horrible self-esteem about it. That comment--mean from my older brother (brothers!) and exasperation from my mom and sister was a major motivation to getting things under control. I dropped the weight and now 24 years later I weigh the exact same amount (even after gaining 45 lbs with each pregnancy).

I learned:
1) I can't do scales. I get obsessed. Depressed with any fluctuations and stagnations.
2) Love of exercise is my strength. Variety is key. And just showing up---make yourself go even when you don't feel like it--start with 10 min--you'll find once you pass that mark it is easy to keep going.
3) I have never been on a 'diet'. I substitute junk for healthier things. No bagels, no mayo, cook with olive oil- no butter, no heavy sauces, light on pasta. I eat very healthy Mon-Thursday (no red meat--fish, white meat, salads at lunch). Weekends I allow myself a steak or a burger, some wine, etc. I found once I cut back on sweets--my sweet tooth just about disappeared.

Good luck.

Ew, what? Your family confronted you about a 20 lb. weight gain? That's just...sick.

I went from a size 6 to a size 14 very quickly. It's not sick at all. I was not healthy and depressed by it. PArt of the reason people are so large in this country because it can never be addressed properly. For my size--5'3"-- a size 14 in 1990 (not even today's vanity sizing yet) was huge.

20 lbs would not take you from a 6 to a 14.

This.

[Anonymous]

I went from a size 6 to a size 14 very quickly. It's not sick at all. I was not healthy and depressed by it. PArt of the reason people are so large in this country because it can never be addressed properly. For my size--5'3"-- a size 14 in 1990 (not even today's vanity sizing yet) was huge.


20 lbs would not take you from a 6 to a 14.


This.

I"m 5'2" and when I was in college I put on a lot of weight too--at my highest was around 138. At the time I was wearing at least a size 10, maybe 12. I lost 20 lbs, am the same weight now and wear a 4 or 6. When I was 112 (eg 6 lbs thinner) I was a 2. When you're this short, 5 to 7 lbs is an entire dress size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I went from a size 6 to a size 14 very quickly. It's not sick at all. I was not healthy and depressed by it. PArt of the reason people are so large in this country because it can never be addressed properly. For my size--5'3"-- a size 14 in 1990 (not even today's vanity sizing yet) was huge.


20 lbs would not take you from a 6 to a 14.


This.

I"m 5'2" and when I was in college I put on a lot of weight too--at my highest was around 138. At the time I was wearing at least a size 10, maybe 12. I lost 20 lbs, am the same weight now and wear a 4 or 6. When I was 112 (eg 6 lbs thinner) I was a 2. When you're this short, 5 to 7 lbs is an entire dress size.

You can drop a dress size with 5-7 lbs, but that's the smaller you get - ie, from a 4 to a 2. There is no way there is 5-7 lb between a 12-14 or something. I'm the pp who went from 185 to 130, and 14 to a 4 at 5'2" (for the most part, comparing my usual size at most stores)

Yes, the shorter you are the difference between sized might be less. But there is no way 20lbs will take you from a 14 to a 6, unless you gain competitive body-builder levels of muscle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am your height, and I used to be your size (14), but I weighed 185. It's so bizarre how people can be the same size but weigh such different amounts. I'm now 130 and a size 4.

I lost my weight primarily by getting my butt in shape. Rowing, hiking, taking classes at the gym, swimming, even running. I was at a pretty stable starting weight so didn't touch my diet much - because of that, the exercise made a huge dent. It was slow but steady, while I made sure not to overdo it. In fact, I now can eat a little more than I used to, because my body is so used to using fuel due to the increased activity.

Take it slow, if you're new to exercising. 3 days a week. Then after a month or two, add 1 more day. Then after another month or 2, add yet another so you're up to exercising 5x a week. Find what you like, and do it.

The thing with exercise is that not only will it help you lose weight and over time, even raise your metabolism - exercise boost confidence, and confidence is sexy. It gets your blood moving, it helps hormones, and even though it's a pain in the ass (especially in the beginning), it makes you feel really, really good after a while. That confidence (in addition to losing weight) will help your relationship, and likely make your husband more attractive to you. Work out together!

You can't have kids. That amount of working out is just not realistic with small kids and a full time job. If it's even in the realm of possibility DH has to step up and do child care so she can exercise a couple of days a week.

New poster here. What? I'm the COO of my company. I have 2 children, ages 4&7 and work out 6 days a week. I do not have a live in nanny and both DH and I take turns juggling tue kids in the morning while the other works out. My DH stepping up is not referred to by him as "child care" it is him being a father and husband. It is very doable.

I'm inside of the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday lifting weights. On Tuesday/ Thursday I do the morning routine with the kids, but wake before them to run on the treadmill for 45min or do insanity. Friday I typically don't exercise. Every sunday morning our neighbor babysits the kids for an hour and a half and DH and I either run, bike, or go to the gym together.

So yes. Demanding job. 2 small kids. Team player spouse. Exercise 6 days a week. Very doable

+2, totally doable, once you get into the routine of making it a regular thing. Exercise doesn't have to mean driving to the gym (although one with childcare helps a lot) - but it can mean a jog around the neighborhood. Or equipment/video at home, or on your lunch break. It can take some getting used to working it in, but if you start with a couple days a week, it's easier to find your rhythm and then slowly add 1-2 more days over time.

+3. I put my toddler in a jogging stroller six days a week, and we run between three and ten miles. We go to the park on the longer runs, and take breaks to play on the swings, or look at the horses. We practice counting mommy's pushups, squats, lunges, and crunches. We started this at a year (I was concerned with his head jostling around before that, although both the manufacturer and the pediatrician said it was safe at eight months). Before that, I would put him in the ergo, first on my front, then on my back, and walk three to five miles, and then run on my own when I could.

You work full-time and run three to ten miles six days a week with stops at the park?

Yep. Three-five on weekdays (~30 minutes to an hour), ten on Saturdays or Sundays (~2 hours with park time). I work 8-4:30, daycare is across the street, and I don't go home before I go running (or else I will get distracted by something at home). Dinner is something simple, take-out, or leftovers during the week. DH usually gets home around the time we do, and he will feed our son while I take a quick shower.

We are in the sweet spot right now where my son will sit in a stroller for an hour, and once that's over, I'll have to adjust my routine. I'm saving up to buy a treadmill for the basement. Once my son gets old enough, I will encourage him to ride his bike with me while I run. My dad's been a marathoner my whole life, and I rode my bike during his runs starting around age seven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am your height, and I used to be your size (14), but I weighed 185. It's so bizarre how people can be the same size but weigh such different amounts. I'm now 130 and a size 4.

I lost my weight primarily by getting my butt in shape. Rowing, hiking, taking classes at the gym, swimming, even running. I was at a pretty stable starting weight so didn't touch my diet much - because of that, the exercise made a huge dent. It was slow but steady, while I made sure not to overdo it. In fact, I now can eat a little more than I used to, because my body is so used to using fuel due to the increased activity.

Take it slow, if you're new to exercising. 3 days a week. Then after a month or two, add 1 more day. Then after another month or 2, add yet another so you're up to exercising 5x a week. Find what you like, and do it.

The thing with exercise is that not only will it help you lose weight and over time, even raise your metabolism - exercise boost confidence, and confidence is sexy. It gets your blood moving, it helps hormones, and even though it's a pain in the ass (especially in the beginning), it makes you feel really, really good after a while. That confidence (in addition to losing weight) will help your relationship, and likely make your husband more attractive to you. Work out together!

You can't have kids. That amount of working out is just not realistic with small kids and a full time job. If it's even in the realm of possibility DH has to step up and do child care so she can exercise a couple of days a week.

New poster here. What? I'm the COO of my company. I have 2 children, ages 4&7 and work out 6 days a week. I do not have a live in nanny and both DH and I take turns juggling tue kids in the morning while the other works out. My DH stepping up is not referred to by him as "child care" it is him being a father and husband. It is very doable.

I'm inside of the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday lifting weights. On Tuesday/ Thursday I do the morning routine with the kids, but wake before them to run on the treadmill for 45min or do insanity. Friday I typically don't exercise. Every sunday morning our neighbor babysits the kids for an hour and a half and DH and I either run, bike, or go to the gym together.

So yes. Demanding job. 2 small kids. Team player spouse. Exercise 6 days a week. Very doable

+2, totally doable, once you get into the routine of making it a regular thing. Exercise doesn't have to mean driving to the gym (although one with childcare helps a lot) - but it can mean a jog around the neighborhood. Or equipment/video at home, or on your lunch break. It can take some getting used to working it in, but if you start with a couple days a week, it's easier to find your rhythm and then slowly add 1-2 more days over time.

+3. I put my toddler in a jogging stroller six days a week, and we run between three and ten miles. We go to the park on the longer runs, and take breaks to play on the swings, or look at the horses. We practice counting mommy's pushups, squats, lunges, and crunches. We started this at a year (I was concerned with his head jostling around before that, although both the manufacturer and the pediatrician said it was safe at eight months). Before that, I would put him in the ergo, first on my front, then on my back, and walk three to five miles, and then run on my own when I could.

You work full-time and run three to ten miles six days a week with stops at the park?

Yep. Three-five on weekdays (~30 minutes to an hour), ten on Saturdays or Sundays (~2 hours with park time). I work 8-4:30, daycare is across the street, and I don't go home before I go running (or else I will get distracted by something at home). Dinner is something simple, take-out, or leftovers during the week. DH usually gets home around the time we do, and he will feed our son while I take a quick shower.

We are in the sweet spot right now where my son will sit in a stroller for an hour, and once that's over, I'll have to adjust my routine. I'm saving up to buy a treadmill for the basement. Once my son gets old enough, I will encourage him to ride his bike with me while I run. My dad's been a marathoner my whole life, and I rode my bike during his runs starting around age seven.

wow! that is awesome.