Mind if I join in on the "shape up" fun. I started on my own early this month and have a goal of losing 15 pounds by Christmas. Our family will be going from the Cold PNW to the south for the holiday.
I lost a bunch last spring and started to really feel a lot better about myself. I got back to what I weighed in high school and could see my abs. However over the summer I got out of the routine and gained some back. Now that I know how to lose it it's just the decision to do it that I needed to make. I'm back on track at the gym and working out 3-4 times a week.
I weigh 190 now and my goal is really a low % of body fat (10ish) and not really a hard weight goal, so I'll end up somewhere around 180ish.
My plan is to use Interval running / weight lifting. Diet: low carbs high protein. limiting carbs while eating veggies and protein.
5 things that really helped me to lose weight last time was: 1. cut out all soft drinks. 2. bring my lunch to work. Grilled chicken breast and eat 1 package frozen veggies 3. 3 larger meals and eat 2-3 snacks a day. Essentially stoking my metabolisim every 2-3 hours. 4. Eat as many of my daily carbs as possible in the AM. Read oatmeal. 5. Drink Smoothies. They can really make you feel full for a long time and are super quick to make.
Todays workout was 20 mins interval running and then medicine ball workout.
