First I am wondering how soon should you eat breakfast after getting up in the morning?  I get up at 4 am for work and I don't eat breakfast until 9:30, when I get my 10 minute break.  There are times I wake up hungry,  and dont have enough time in the morning so I wait until my break.  Any suggestions on this?  And last  I live in Hernando County Florida, near the Tampa area and was wondering if there is anyone out there that lives in my area that can help me become more active in exercing?  I find myself lacking in motivation for exercising, I find myself getting bored.  I do have 2 dogs and once a week I try  take them on a one hour walk on the trail walks. but I would like to have a walking companion for support that can help me get more active and moving.  I do have a treadmill and I tried everything putting it in front of the Tv, listening to cd's, but I find myself getting board after about 10 minutes.  Any suggestions?  I sure could use any help I can get, cause I am tired of being overweight, tired of being alone, especially at my age (44).  I have never been married and have no children, when I do go on some meet dates through online dating sites, they seem not to be impressed because of my weight and I never hear from them again.   Please help!

 Hello,

From what I have learned, you should have something small within an hour of getting up to get your metabolism going, if not, your body may go into "starvation mode" to conserve calories and your weight loss will plateau. *The moderator (who is an RN) will want to confirm that. Eat something with protein & whole grain carbs, like a slice of whole grain toast w/ a small amount of peanut butter, a non-fat yogurt with a handful of almonds, a hard boiled egg and piece of fruit or high-protein shake that you can grab on your way out the door.

I hope you find a walking buddy, that will help you from getting bored. (I'm in Utah or I would love to join you.) As far as motivation, an exercise class setting helps me since I like the social aspect. If you can just work out long enough to get your endorphins to kick in, you will be hooked. With 2 pups, you should walk them everyday. I'm wondering if you are close to a beach (that sounds like Heaven to me -- the snow is waist deep in my yard!) to take them for a walk. Or a dog park, maybe you'll meet new friends with pets.

Anyway, I am writing you to also boost myself. I was doing great until Christmas interrupted my exercise ritual, then I got sick. I too have trouble getting motivated, but once I get to the gym and get involved, I can get back on track. I have trouble when life stuff interrupts my schedule and I fall off the wagon again.

Good luck, jgnascar! 

Hi,

I understand how you feel, it is not easy but don't give up. Only you can fix this, just imagine how nice will be to have kids, a family ,and a lot more. I live in New Jersey so very far from you but try to look into feature. Especialy you work from 4 AM you can come home and take a rest after that start 10 minutes on treadmil, go out for a walk with your dogs , come back and go for another 10 minutes .... after you see the results. I go to the gym by myself and sometimes is not easy because you don't have nobody to talk to, but you know what? is better because I stay for 30 minutes and I work out only on treadmill. After that I'm going home where I have to help my son with homework and trust me is not easy. So you see that you have an advantage to be alone and work hard to prove yourself how strong you are. Later when the result will apear you will be surprise how your life is going to take a turn.

Good luck and let me know how you doing,

Laurica

Hi jgnascar,

I can't give you any advice on the breakfast thing, because I'm the same way!!  I can't even think about food til I've been up for at least 2 hours!

But, the exercise thing, I may be able to help with.  Unfortunatly I live in Michigan so were not very close, But, on the 30 somthings forum we have weekly challenges.  like this week it's an ab and glute challenge.  every day you record how many squats and crunches you did.  blah blah blah...  I know, your not a 30 something, your a 40 something, who cares?????  Not me!  But, if you're not comfortable hanging out with a bunch of 30 somethings, that's fine.... Check out the 40 somethings forum,  thay may do something similar. 

The challenges help to get me motivated.  Yesterday I did 200 crunches, 200 torso twists and 150 squats!  I never would have done that on my own.  It's great, I love it.

I really do hope you find someone in your area to be a workout buddy.

Sarah