A thread similar to this was on the old site, though I think it focused on weight loss. I'd like this to be more general, referring to whatever health goals you may have, whether pounds, muscle mass, blood sugar or cholesterol levels, distance, speed. Declare the change you want to make, share your progress and ask questions of others.
The reason I restarted this thread is because my health has been critically slipping. I need to get back to exercising, both aerobic and strength, and I need to pay closer attention to my diet, specifically carb intake.
I hate going to the gym, though I have a gym membership, and I've never been good about devoting significant amounts of time developing my fitness, yet it appears it's going to be critical to my overall health from here on out. As I'm sure you all know, it's really hard to coordinate workout schedules with a partner, so finding the support of others as I make this change has been a struggle. I've realized I have no friends who engage in anything other than casual exercise--not a fitness freak among them (probably because I'm so low energy there's no way I could keep up). I've known naturally hardy types but no one devoted to fitness. They're more likely to look at the level of exercise I want to engage in (engaging in 1-1.5hrs of aerobic exercise 5x a week--and not sure what for muscle building/toning) as grueling. The sort of thing they'd prefer to cringe and look away from than call you up to talk about your improvement/plateaus, give rahrahs, groan over setbacks, etc.
So in my attempt to develop some healthy habits, I'm going to check in here every now and then, perhaps daily at times, to give reports on what I've done or not done as a way of being accountable.
Sooo, I made the 1-1/5 hrs of aerobic exercise 5 or more times a week on Wed of this past week. On Thursday and Friday I surprised myself with how well I did. I did an hour each day of alternating walking and jogging with my 3 dogs (I take them out in succession--total time out each day was an hour). However, I've been fighting a stomach problem and today felt like crap. I feel like I've barely gotten started and my body is throwing me a curve. :( Really, I started back to serious exercising because my body was throwing me unhappy curves, so I shouldn't be surprised that I'm not miraculously feeling well enough to leap out the door for a jog every night. Still, I found it discouraging.
I've also decided to cut back on carbs--no sugary sweets, no bread, less fruit. More celery. ;D I have blood sugar problems and have gotten too off track with my diet.
I promise subsequent accounts won't be so chatty ;)
Great idea Tremayne. Eye of the tiger lass.
I understand completely the trouble with having exercise buddies at the low exercise levels you're speaking of, Tremayne. My "routine" consists of much less than what you're getting even. Every weekday morning, there's a fifteen minute walk. Speed varies, depending on whether the knee likes me or has decided that it's going to be a PITA. Either way, I get the walk done.
On alternating days, I either use the Bowflex (we picked it up practically new for $400 on CraigsList) or do floor stretching exercises for another 15-30 minutes.
I know it's not a lot but I figure at this point anything is better than nothing. Maybe I'll pick up the pace ... maybe not. A lot depends on the knee, I refuse to move to the point that I have pain in it. The old adage of "no pain ... no gain" just doesn't get it for me.
I read something interesting the other day about adults and their eating habits:
- Dieters can eat the same breakfast each day for six weeks or longer without tiring of it.
- Dieters can eat the same lunch each day for six weeks without tiring of it. After six weeks they like a second choice for lunch
- Dieters like variety, at least three selections, for dinner each day
The Bowflex Body Plan - The power is yours by Ellington Darden, PHD, pg 139While I've not ever restricted myself enough to see if those statements are all true, I can tell you that I am completely satisfied eating the same breakfast every day. I've got my apple/oatmeal and cinnamon latte down to a science, so much so that I can do it even on those days that I wake up fuzzy from allergies or migraine residuals.
I wish you luck Tremayne!..
I certainly understand what's going on! I use to be a gym rat for the better part of 10 years. I use to work out for 3 to 3.5 hours a day (once in the morning, then once in the afternoon) 6 days a week. I watched what I put in my body like a hawk. I pretty much ate only a hand full of foods. Rice, tuna, chicken and veggies was pretty much my entire diet. I pretty much lived on stir fry! I had that at least 3 to 4 times a week.
Then I met my wife and the diet went out the window. A couple of years later the exercising pretty much went out the window too. I really don't do much anymore, and have been meaning to get back into it myself. But, I really don't have that "want to" anymore. As I always told people, exercising is all about will power. You have to have that will power and that want to to get started and to stick with it. I just don't have it like I use to. Luckily, I have a job where I am on my feet, moving around all day, so at least that counts for something. I do have an Olympic free weight set and exercise bike here at home and do use them from time to time. Not nearly as often as I should!
As for the club thing and work out buddies. I never really had work out buddies per say. The only time I ever did was when I 1st started working out. I kinda needed a friend to get the whole thing jump started and to teach me the ropes. After a few months I pretty much knew what I was doing and had my routines set and from then on out I always went to the gym at my leisure and did my own thing when I was there. But, over the course of time I always got know the "regulars" who worked out at the same time I did so if I ever needed a spot or something it was easy to find someone. I've always found working out easier that way since then you don't have to worry about matching schedules with someone, etc. I have been a member of several gyms over the years and have always found it easy to get to know the regulars. All gyms have them, and for the most part, once they know you are serious about working out, they'll be happy to help you out whenever you need a spot or something. They are also a great source of advice. In all honesty, these club regulars often know a heck of a lot more then the trainers who work at the gym. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent trainers who really know what they are doing and can help you out a lot, but for every one of them there's about 4 or 5 that really don't know chit and are just preaching the company line and getting most of their knowledge from the company manuals so to speak. To many club trainers don't practice what they preach so really don't know what they are selling. One thing I always hated was when you 1st joined a club they always seemed to want to have you do a session with a trainer before you started working out there. It always seemed I knew more about fitness and dieting then they did. A few pointed questions was all it really took to figure out if they knew what they were talking about or not. Working out is really an individual thing. What works well for one persons body may not for another. Over the years I found that my dieting and routines were all bits and pieces of things I had learned from other regulars that worked well for me.
Sounds like you have the aerobic part of your workout figured out pretty well. As for the toning part, I'm guessing you're probably not really interested in building mass, but just toning and firming up what you already have. For that, if you are still going to a gym, exercise machines are the way to go. If not, using a Bo-flex, or something similar, works just fine. A half an hour to an hour of that 3 times a week, along with the cardio, is all you need.
On to the low energy levels. Carbs are a good thing when you are working out. They are your primary source of energy. One thing I always did (as did a number of people I knew at the gym) was to eat a banana or an orange right before working out. Both give you a sort of natural energy kick that will help carry you through your workout. And, always remember to keep drinking water while you are working out too! Nothing will ruin a good workout faster then getting dehydrated.
Any ways. Good luck. Maybe one day I will manage to get back into some sort of work out routine too!
No pain, no gain doesn't work for me either--too much potential to hurt oneself and end up in worse shape. I believe paying attention to body signals is important--at least at the level of (non)fitness I'm at. Perhaps those who are attempting peak fitness can do the npng with less risk.
I tend to be a habitual eater too but I've gotten into a negative version of it--eating the same thing even though it isn't all that satisfying. I guess I need to experiment more with what the right food combo for every meal is.
I've also read that healthy eaters know what they want well in advance of their meals. So again, tuning into body messages seems important.
When I was younger I was good about stretching and enjoyed it. These days, seems like I never have a good area in which to do it (except the gym). I MUST do it though if I'm going to be jogging. From past experience, I know I'm going to develop back problems if I don't.
Thanks for the helpful advice, Storm! Hopefully you'll continue to pop in here and help out those of us without your experience.
You know, I've noticed at the clubs I've been too that there's a lot more camaraderie among the men than the women. The women may have friends that they work out with but they usually don't make friends at the gym. I've kind of wondered about that phenomenon. Someone needs to do a do a study on gender differences in fitness psychology :D Maybe women don't feel like they know enough to share or help others? What acquaintances I have made at gyms, of the helpful sort you mention, have been men.
The fruit before workout suggestion sounds good to me--fruit lover that I am :)
And I think I can do half hour to an hour of machine work 3x/week at the gym during my lunch period (an intolerably hot time of the day here--do my outdoor jogging in the evening). I see a sustainable routine forming! ;D
I love being at the gym because one I physically feel better after going and two to see my friends.
I prefer the free weights, if I ever take a class it's yoga (when they offer it which is never lately :'( - oy vay Pilates is NOT yoga). I enjoy the camaraderie of seeing certain regulars there and have nicknames for many of them. Currently I am having to readjust working out at different times therefore with different people and that's been a bit of a challenge. Granted most of my friends there are guys however the girls I am friends with work out in the free weight area too. It could be a lot of the classes don't really allow for interaction and in my observation they are normally full of ladies.
You are right about the guy/gal thing Tremayne.
I think that's because you always find more guys over in the free weight part of the gym then you do women. Free weights are primarily used by people looking to put on mass as well as sculpt. You need a lot more help with free weights. You need spotters there! Exercise machines are pretty simple to use and you really don't need help with them. I think there has always been more camaraderie among the free weight people in the gym and most of them are guys. The people I always got to know the best were the ones who worked out with free weights. A lot of those people are the ones who really know their stuff and are serious about things. I worked out for a few years at a gym where there we're some serious body builders. Guys (and a couple of gals too!) that competed in amateur competitions. A couple of them even won Mr. Minnesota titles, and one of the gals won a Ms. Fitness title too. I became pretty good friends with them and I learned most of what I know from them. They really knew their stuff, especially when it came to dieting and nutrition. You won't find anyone more serious about diet and nutrition then a body builder. They are really good people to talk to about that.
It's good to split your weight work and cardio up like you are going to do too. Doing them at different times of the day is great if you can do that. It's a good thing.
If I ever start working out again I am going to focus on the cardio. When you boil it down to brass tacks cardio (and diet) is way more important when you get older then weights are. I'd probably do cardio 5 times a week and light free weights 2-3 times a week. I am not really interested in building mass any more. I'd just do enough work with the weights to keep things firm and toned.
When you do start with the exercise machines one thing to remember is to not work a muscle group that is sore. Generally speaking, when you do a good weight work out you will be a little sore the next day (It's a good sore though!). That is why you see so many people who are serious about working with weights split up their weight work outs by muscle group. Generally speaking they will do chest, shoulders and triceps the 1st day, back and biceps the 2nd day, legs on the 3rd day, rest on the 4th day, then start the routine over again. Abs are the one muscle group you can pretty much work every day, and most people I knew usually did some ab work every day at the end of their workout.
Of course, you don't need to be that serious about things when you are just using exercise machines for the toning/firmness thing. For that it is just usually the best to work with the machines every other day. It's just important to remember not to work a sore muscle group. That is when you get hurt.
Speaking of getting hurt, stretching is really important too. I can not stress that enough. The older you get, the more time you have to spend stretching to. I had to spend a lot more time stretching in my 30's then I did in my 20's! Stretching was always the thing I hated to do the most. I always seemed to want to get right to the work out. It only took me a couple of times of not doing enough stretching, and pulling something to learn my lesson about that! Pull something and you can usually forget about working out that muscle for a couple of weeks! Not good!
Quote from: Storm on June 29, 2008, 12:05:21 PM
Speaking of getting hurt, stretching is really important too. I can not stress that enough. The older you get, the more time you have to spend stretching to. I had to spend a lot more time stretching in my 30's then I did in my 20's!
Wait till yer 50's Lad ;)
I was a gym rat from high school till the mid 1990's. Found that when workin out hard an regularl like, I needed the "See And Grab" diet. It be bloody expensive to maintain extra muscle mass. After bein' out of it fer a decade+ I be findin' a decline in strength @20%, a large decline in endurance @75% an flexibility gone all to hades. Damage ta joints keeps me out of a gym nowadays. Stretching and flexibility trainin' is an upcommin' necessity.
Yay! More support for fitness/weight-loss goals! One can never have too much of that. :)
I'm trying to lose weight/get in shape before my wedding in October. Not having as much success as I'd like, but results are starting to show a little bit (~8 lbs at present). I need to get more exercise in. 2 hour gymnastics class once a week, while an awesome work out, is not enough by itself. I AM going to start swimming regulary this week. Going to take the finace to get new swimsuits when I get home today, and make him be my fitness buddy. *evil grin*
I've been using sparkpeople.com to keep track of what I've been eating, and it definately helps. I have been eating much healthier since I started using it.
People who can go to the gym regulary amaze me. More power too you if you can do it, but it's just not for me. I like to get my exercise from other activites (like gymnastics class, or swimming, or soccer, or...).
As for the "no pain, no gain" thing...taken at face value, it's stupid and a good way to get hurt. If an exercise is actually causing you *pain* then stop! But what it actually means is working a muscle to fatigue (feeling it burn/shake). Which, from what I hear, is the best/fastest way to get improvement.
Tremayne and Escarlotta, grats for working out regulary! Keep it up. Lady Mikayla, good luck getting your schedule re-arranged. :)
I've been dieting since January and have lots 31 pounds so far. I still have a little more to go to reach a healthy weight. What I have done is keep track of my food. I gave myself a calorie limit and I write down everything I eat. I stick to my amount really well most days, and even if I eat a little extra every once in a while I still don't go overboard. I love dieting that way because I still get to eat what I want, as long as it is in moderation. Even after I reach my goal, I'll still continue to stick to a certain amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight.
I am not able to exercise much because of back problems that I have. I used to love pilates, but my doctor took me off it now. Adding to exercise difficulties is that I hate going to the gym. Instead, I walk in place while watching a tv show or two. It makes the time go by much faster than in a gym. I also lift some light free weights to work on muscles.
Congrats, Cat! That's an impressive loss and it sounds like you've been doing it sensibly. I'm sorry to hear about your back problems but kudos to you for being determined to remain healthy regardless of that limitation.
I would like to lose about 20 lbs figure it will come off in some measure as I exercise more regularly.
I see I'm not alone in my distaste for exercising at the gym. I have yet to take up my new plan in earnest because of feeling ill. I'm hoping to see a dr to speed along this bug's exit. The delay is all the more reason to have this thread though. I need to remember to get on track when this is resolved. For me, various glitches in routine really throw me off if I'm not careful. This latest bout of generally feeling run down has come on the heels of inviting 3 dogs into my life. I found that though I was taking them for short walks 2x/per day, they were very slow potty walks--a low grade of exercise that tended to tire me out instead of giving me any benefit. Now they've got a kennel area to do their business and our time away from the house can be more rigorous. I've also figured out each one's heat/exercise tolerance and the time of evening that's best for getting them out. So once this latest illness is out of the way we can all enjoy life more.
I really heard Elennare when she acknowledged that her gymnastics, though it sounds like good exercise, isn't enough. I had to sort of overcome this notion that 20 minutes of aerobics 3x/week is enough. This body I've got, with its health quirks, needs more.
People on a diet should have a salad dressing called '250 islands'
-George Carlin
Having a three steps forward, one step back problem.
I loose, then panic as my body image changes, gain a bit back and
then press on loosing more weight.
I think this is the example of yo-yo dieting, but, I prefer hula-hoops.
Seriously though, am working on this.
I am working out and tracking my eating. So far it isn't that hard.
as long as I have access to a computer.
*Hug*
I wish everyone out there, luck in their ventures.
Goodness knows I am there.
Have to do this for my health.
Cat have you tried Tai Chi? Its a good system for those that have back, legs, or knee problems.
I haven't tried it, nor have I heard it was good for that. Thanks for the tip.
Lilaney, I know just what you're saying about how loosing weight can jar one's sense of self if you're used to seeing something in particular in the mirror. When I was ill for a couple of years and had a very carb-restricted diet because of taking antibiotics, I lost 50 lbs. Most of my adult life, I rarely weighed less than 185 lbs and at the time my illness started was at 200, maybe a little over. As I continued to loose weight, I started to feel sort of withered and insubstantial (this may also have to do with not being active and thus loosing muscle as well). Even though I was getting closer to what should be my normal weight for my height, it made me nervous to begin seeing and feeling bones I hadn't since I was in my early teens (and then didn't even notice). :D Not only that, I began to see how I resembled an aunt on my mother's side of the family, which similarity was completely invisible at a greater weight, when I strongly resemble my Dad's side of the family. It was weird and something I wouldn't have anticipated. I worried that getting any leaner (bottomed at 150-155) would be unhealthy when there was probably no cause for concern. I'm now back up to 170 and would like to get back down to 155 but am more concerned about feeling healthy (because I don't for reasons that probably have little to do with my weight) than achieving a specific weight right now. Forge on and keep your sense of humor!
Anyone out there ever tried taking amino acids to improve their health? I'm reading a book called The Diet Cure that makes it sound as though they could be beneficial for me but am not sure whether to make the leap/spend the money.
I have had good success with supplements. I recall you mentioning in another post you are near a health food store. Visit their vitamin area and speak with someone from that section, they are usually very helpful. BTW thanks for your post on the real ginger ale, I picked up some ginger root and have been grating it on my Brie cheese and salads, quite tasty and helps with the heartburn! ;D
Never thought to put ginger on a salad. I'll try it. Picked up a root when I picked up more ale. I've put "coins" of it in water to boil and sip on it while at my desk. Does seem to result in a more settled stomach. I intend to put some of this "tea" near my bed at night so when I awaken nauseated I can take a swig.
Alas, I did check the health food store. They're long on good food but short on supplements. I think there's a GNC around here somewhere. If not, there's certainly something in Huntsville.
You might try www.iHerb.com. I order most of my supplements from them and at a substantial savings!
It's been a slow couple of weeks for me, doing really well, then having a set back as some touch up work was done. Don't feel much like exercising when all the exercise clothes press in all the wrong places for the incisions. Better today, though, and I forced myself to at least take my walk. Will perservere and get there eventually.
Heck, my motto has always been that the getting there should be at least as much fun as the ultimate destination.
Thank you, Tremayne.
I have only ever been at my correct weight when I was a young teenager.
As my gym/FFA/Band/Interior Design teacher said.
"yo just built from lumberjack stock, girl. T'aint no wind what will blow you over."
I know that I am a large frame and when I gain, you cannot tell.
When they learn my true weight (185) they sorta freak and think I am exagerating.
Today's morning did not help. I did really well all week.
I write down what I eat and my exercise. Woke up this morning with a mule's attitude.
Stubborn and resentful of everything.
So, I did not get my morning workout in. Which means I was craving sugar like a fiend.
Therefore, I caved.
Tremayne, I know what I look like when I get to the 168's. Due too illness I was there for about a month and the constant asking if I was Okay sent me racing back up into the unhealthy range, so they would stop.
I am slightly afraid of what people will say when I get back down (the healthy stairs, not the illness slide) to my proper weight range (158-165) as per my doc's instructions.
A lot of my friends like to see 'healthy' women. There terminology for those of thin stature is not evil, just not flattering.
Am I afraid of what they will say? A bit. But, I would like to be able to run really fast again.
Will keep tabs here again, think it is good to vent sometimes. Maybe other people out there are feeling the same.
Lilaney, I know what you mean about how hard it is to stay on track because of things people say. Some of the people I am around will say things that are less than positive and try to get me off track, but I have to believe that it is because they take my weight loss as a threat to themselves. It helps me remember that I do this above all things because of my health, and not to make anybody else happy except for me. Remember, your friends should want you to be healthy, and you'll be a better friend with more energy to devote to your friendships while healthy too.
Very True, Cat.
The ones in my life that really and truly matter, want me to succeed.
"Girl, I don't care if you want to get a master's in Underwater Basket Weaving. If you want to do it, then do it."
It is that handful of people that keeps my spirits up when I am faced with difficulties.
Today, food wise is mildly shot, exercise will only exist in my mind.
But, I can jump back in the game tomorrow.
*Hug*
Thank you for the positive words, it is good to hear them.
I'm training for a marathon in October and I have to start getting really serious now. Problem is I'm not motivated. I've lost thirty pound since I auditioned for MIRF and taken in one piece of garb twice. I have to maintain now and do long runs and the faire soon. I'm really into the faire, but the long runs. I just have to get out and do it, I love it, but the thought of being the last one to get their fat butt over the finish line is depressing. I used to be 320lbs, am now 163, so I'm still no lightweight. I love to run. Just not this summer, but I need to, cause it's my Ironman next summer (yes, like on TV) and I at least need to have my running sped up.
Why does a forty four year old woman do this? Why does a forty four year old woman join the cast of a ren faire, she's freaking nuts.
Someone motivate me. A sharp stick would work just fine, thank you.
*sharpens stick* ;D
When I was a firefighter, we used to have days where we didn't want to run.
Thankfully/regretfully we had a chief who was a tread-head and ran everwhere.
he got it in his head one day to set a tire on fire 3 miles from the starting line.
we were all at that smoldering heap of rubber in about 20 minutes, running flat out.
Once we put out the fire, it dawned on us, we were all victims of an Aesop's Fable.
When one is motivated, even excuses cannot stop them.
Why does a forty four year old women do that voo-doo that you do so well?
I would think that it would be simply because you can!
How many people do you know around your age, or younger that cannot do what you do?
Motivation, escalation, relocation, tire-rotation, it is all part of life and you, hon, are living proof of that!
I am part of the Scarby cast down south and i truly believe the 'renn diet' works, but, only seasonally.
your determination to go from 320 to 163 motivates me!
SO... get runnin'!!!
Thar's a Tire A-FIRE!
*Hug*
um... I feel a little out of place here, but... Is it wrong to admit to having a goal of -gaining- five pounds?
I'm not happy with the way I look. Slender is good, flat skinny is not. And it doesn't help that people tell me I'm beautiful, but nothing ever comes of it. Actions are very rarely made to make it feel as if they mean it.
I've been toying with the idea of taking up belly dancing again, because it helps to build muscle mass in the core area (muscle weighs more than fat and all that), and the physical aspect of work has helped build up a couple of pounds of muscle in my shoulders and arms, but it's still not quite enough.
NOT AT ALL!
Girl, if you feel underweight (and that is going by the scientific guru scales, not just the mirror) I say go for it!
Go the healthy way, though.
Build up your muscle mass (I love belly dancing!)
Also, if you can, check in with a nutritionist about your height/weight ratio;
and ask how much protein,carbs, and fiber you need to be taking in as well as your caloric intake.
From there you can figure if you can add a protein shake to your meal plan and/or add weight training to your lifestyle to add that healthy five pounds.
Look at Shape, Self, or Fitness Mag for some simple ideas (go to their websites, it's free and they have videos you can follow) on how to safely work your arms into Madonna-worthy Guns.
Oh, gonna break a myth.
Muscle and Fat weigh exactly the same ammount.
Muscle takes up less space and is more dense, than its counterpart in your body shape.
(Example, Five pounds of muscle is about the size of a rolled up Cosmopolitan Magazine, where five pounds of fat is the size of a ten pound bag of flour. DISCLAIMER: everyone wears their muscles and fat content differently, this comparision is for a tangible idea on size difference.)
hope this helps!
Nothing wrong with wanting to gain weight, if it's health gain you're after! I know several people who are trying to gain weight because they're too skinny. My little brother is one of them. It's hard to play soccer at the college level (and up!) when you have half the mass of the other guys. :)
That sucks that people are giving you a hard time about losing weight. They're probably jealous, and seeing you succeed makes them feel bad about themselves, so they make fun of you/say nasty things because it's easier to get you to stop your hard work then it is for them to start working themselves. Don't listen to people like that.
I have this crazy idea in my head that I want to start running. A bunch of people from work decided to have a "mini olympics" yesterday and go have both a mile race and a 4x400 race. I got talked into doing both. So, very non-runner me ran (well, attempted to run anyway) 1.25 miles yesterday, without having done any running in like 5 years. I actually did better than I thought I would. I successfully ran (very slowly) for about 1/2 of the distance, and finished the mile in 12:40. I was dead last, and the girl who won finished before I was done with my second lap (she also finished 3rd of all women in the Seattle Marathon, so I dont' feel bad about that one). BUT! I finished, and I actually had fun. :o That last part shocks me, because I am NOT a runner. Maybe that is going to change?
The part that sucked was going to gymnastics class later in the evening. It was a very good class though, and I am starting to see noticable improvements in my skill. The conditioning exercises at the end were what really sucked, and I am sore today. :) But it's a good sore, and I know that if I can keep doing stuff like that (running, swimming laps) I will be able to reach my goal.
Gah! It's not a myth that muscle weighs less than fat, it a matter of semantics. Yes, a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat. But as you said, muscle is much more dense than fat, so given the same volume the muscle will weigh more. And when people say muscle weighs more than fat, they are talking about a per volume basis (i.e. I lost 2 inches off my hips, but I gained 2 lbs. What gives? (the same volume of) Muscle weighs more than fat.).
Oh, honey, I've been the nutritionist route. A few times. They all say the same thing: You're underweight! Do X, Y, and Z to see if that helps!
It ALWAYS melts the pounds OFF, not the other way round. ::)
My average caloric intake for a day is well over the 'recommended' 2000 - probably close to double that now - but my metabolic rate is so high that everything gets burned off very quickly. Plus, being a massage therapist and doing six hour-long sessions in a working day, it takes an addition of nutritional shakes just to keep the energy level up to be able to finish a full shift at work. The only thing I can think to do is add even more protein, though that's a little tough with one of the people in the house trying to head us all toward vegetarianism. Which is part of what made me drop three sizes in the first place.
This is not something I want to do just to LOOK better, either. I want to do this because it's smeggin' embarrassing to have to shop in the children's department to find clothes that will fit. It's bad to have to sit down halfway through doing something because there is no energy reserve (usually carried in the fatty parts of the body) and food energy is burned off too quickly. I just want to feel healthy and adult again.
Spin I would try more pasta/carbs in your situation.
Quote from: Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia on July 11, 2008, 06:22:37 PM
Spin I would try more pasta/carbs in your situation.
I eat either pasta or bread with/in almost every meal, along with several snack-sized portions of bread, crackers, chips, etc. throughout the day. I think if I ate any more I would turn into a potato. ;D
Quote from: Spinster on July 11, 2008, 03:23:23 PM
It's bad to have to sit down halfway through doing something because there is no energy reserve (usually carried in the fatty parts of the body) and food energy is burned off too quickly.
Well , yes an no. The energy reserve ya wants ta be usin' is stored in the muscles as glycogen. Those wi' lesser amounts 'o muscle have less glycogen to expend. Therefore their workouts need be intense and of short duration. That way the muscles get stressed enough to grow without exausting the supply of easily available energy.
The energy stored in fat cells is not available till the body reaches starvation mode. Generally yer body hoardes that energy as a survival instinct. Bodybuilders tread a fyne line findin the balance between those two extremes. Yes you can starve on 8K calories per day :o*
2-3 hours before a workout polish off a baked potato or 3. Complex carbs is the secret to a productive workout. Your lucky, food is yer friend.
* Don't ask how I knows that ::)
Quote from: Morgan Dreadlocke on July 11, 2008, 07:36:12 PM
Well , yes an no. The energy reserve ya wants ta be usin' is stored in the muscles as glycogen. Those wi' lesser amounts 'o muscle have less glycogen to expend. Therefore their workouts need be intense and of short duration. That way the muscles get stressed enough to grow without exausting the supply of easily available energy.
The energy stored in fat cells is not available till the body reaches starvation mode. Generally yer body hoardes that energy as a survival instinct. Bodybuilders tread a fyne line findin the balance between those two extremes. Yes you can starve on 8K calories per day :o*
2-3 hours before a workout polish off a baked potato or 3. Complex carbs is the secret to a productive workout. Your lucky, food is yer friend.
* Don't ask how I knows that ::)
Believe it or not, I know all of that. ;) I was talking about feeling the need to sit down halfway through grocery shopping, or partway through mopping the floor, or similar 'everyday' activities. Not workouts. Those are an entirely different monkey, and a rare breed at that. For obvious reasons.
And yes, I have had my thyroid tested, and came up within the 'normal' range of excretions. Should probably get it done again, though...
Two years ago, they brought Weight Watchers in at work and two of my coworkers badgered me into joining with them. At that point, I had resigned myself to never getting back to a healthy weight. So imagine my surprise when, at the end of the 13 week session, I'd lost 20 lbs! I guess I was finally ready to do something about the problem and just needed to give someone a lot of hard-earned money in order to realize it. ;D
I've stuck with it and my total weight loss to date is 38 lbs. (Well, it was 43, but 5 lbs managed to come back and find me when I wasn't looking.) Only 10 lbs from my goal, but it's still a daily struggle. I have to avoid the cafeteria at work entirely, to avoid temptation. The bacon on the breakfast bar calls my name every time I walk in there. It helps that we have a gym at work and coaches on staff to help motivate you (and if you use the main entrance, you have to pass the gym on the way in and out of the building.) But, you know, even though I feel great afterward, exercise is still a chore and not something I really want to do.
I've learned that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
What strategies have worked for you all when you hit a diet plateau? I haven't reached a healthy weight yet, so I'm not willing to give up now. I've been sticking to my diet and exercise but the scale wont budge and hasn't for weeks.
Cat, this may sound like a silly comment, but make sure you're getting enough water.
I have the hardest time with water and have been having the same plateau issue. I've now put a 10oz glass on the kitchen counter that is always full (ie as soon as I drain it, I refill it immediately). Every time I come out of the bathroom, I drain the glass. That's in addition to whatever else I'm drinking that day. This morning the scale is down.
Just a thought.
Something else to try is changing your exercise up a bit. Add something new, change the intensity or length of one of the exercises you're doing now, add more weight, stuff like that. If we do exactly the same thing for long enough, our bodies get "used" to it and figure out the most efficient way to do whatever it is, which results in less results. Changing the routine can "shock" your body out of the rut.
I really need to start exercising more. My office moved, and there is a gym a couple of blocks from the new location. I think I'm going to go check it out and see if they have any classes I want to take at a time I can get to.
I have lost 10 lbs, though! :D
Quote from: CatAshtrophy on July 23, 2008, 10:04:56 AM
What strategies have worked for you all when you hit a diet plateau? I haven't reached a healthy weight yet, so I'm not willing to give up now. I've been sticking to my diet and exercise but the scale wont budge and hasn't for weeks.
Hey Cat,
There are a couple of things that you could try if you already haven't. Being that I don't know what your deit & exercise routine is, I am just going to list what most people generally do when they hit a plateau.
Changing your workout/exercise routine. Sometimes when you do the same exercises for too long, your body gets accustomed to them and they quit having the same effect as they did in the beginning. You can either try upping the intensity of your workout, or changing it entirely.
Increasing how many meals you have per day. Smaller quantities of food at each meal. If you eat 3 meals per day, make it five or six. Eating about every 3-4 hours. Also, have your last meal about 3-4 hours before you go to sleep.
Cut out any food that has High Fructose Corn Syrup, Glucose, Fructose. These "fake" sugars are something that your body doesn't process directly into energy like real sugar. It processes it into fat storage first, then you have to work extra hard to burn off that fat.
Cheers,
Sean
I'm still waiting waiting waiting for this stomach problem to resolve itself :P It is sloooooowly improving now with additional aids from a dr.
Nliedel, I think you're doing what you're doing to give the rest of us hope. :-* Ok, so it may not be a conscious reason but serves the purpose nonetheless.
Many people's weight loss and fitness achievements expressed here give me hope that I can improve my own situation. Here is my goal to start--get back to the gym over one of my lunch periods some time in the next week! Maybe tomorrow even! I really need to get the muscle work back in my life (and it doesn't involve jostling my gut).
I'm pleased to report an entire week of walks and bowflex. Hopefully next week, the incisions will be healed enough to allow my floor stretches again. Yea, I know, that sounds kind of backward, but I'm not doing any oblique work on the bowflex yet but my stretches include the obliques. That's where I don't need pulling just yet.
I did make it to the gym yesterday and today and have decided to try for 20 min to half hour every day--just working the machines. In and out quickly seems to make it more bearable for me while still giving my body a boost. Happily, my stomach issue seems to have turned the corner yesterday and I'm hopeful I can get back to jogging in a couple of weeks.
Tremayne, thanks for starting this thread.
I just joined the new gym that opened down the street from me. This is just the next step in a now 3 year battle to take off extra wait from 3 kids and a decreased activity level. I'm only 5' 4" tall and after the third child I weighed in at 270. I hated my self for being so fat, and was very depressed about it for over a year. Now three years later I have only managed to loose 35 pounds. why is it that it takes a week to loose 3 pounds, but in a weekend you can gain 5 or 6. It is just not right. any way I digress.
Back in September I rejoined the Karate class I went to in high school. (graduated in 1990) Started back with the rank I had then, Green belt. I still remembered most of the basics, but had to relearn all of the katas up to that level 6 of them. Once I had mastered those again, I moved on to learning the qualifications and 5 katas for my purple belt test. Happy to say that after holding a green belt 17 years I got the purple belt in January. Next is the brown belt. The 3rd degree brown belt requires 3 different flying kicks, one of which has to be done 4 different ways. I still need to loose about 75 more pounds to get to the weight I want to reach. Right now the goal is just to drop another at least 30 pounds and build some muscle to help get me off the ground. (any suggestions anyone?) I also hate my tricept flab and the fat on my back these are the only really soft fat areas on me everything else is pretty solid, I've got pretty broad shoulders and a large frame for a girl. What are the best exercises or machines for these areas?
I've been doing the elliptical for 10 minutes each time I go to the gym and then doing a trip around the gym on the various machines to help tone everything up. I can only make it to the gym 3 or 4 times a week (have to get up at 4 am to do it on work days) Some days it is a real battle to get up and go so early, but I always feel better when I'm done, and am actually less tired than if I had slept the extra hour. Right now I'm using lower weights and higher reps to tone up. I have lost 3 inches on my hips 2 around the waist, 1 on each calf, and 1 on each arm in the first 5 trips. I also gained 5 pounds (had lost 40 >:() I know the inch loss is a better measure than the scale, but it is still discourageing to see the numbers go back up.
I'd love any advice from anyone with more experience in this stuff than I have. (this would be almost anybody. I only ever used the weight machines in highscool gym class.)
Rahne, sounds like you're doing tons to have lost so little weight. Have you talked to your doctor about the possibility that you have blood sugar problems? There's a "pre-diabetic" condition, which I have, called metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance. Even when I weighed less than I do now, when I went on medication to control it I lost 15 lbs in 6 weeks. THAT certainly hadn't ever happened before! So you might talk to a dr (or 2 or 3--not all drs are equally knowlegeable).
As far as which machines to use for what, ask gym staff. They should give you a tour of the equipment and some instruction on how to use it.
I had a former coach who was working at a gym tell me that aerobics are good for fitness and burns more calories than working with weights BUT it only burns calories when you're doing it. Working with weights increases your metabolism overall for a couple of days beyond the workout. I found this worth knowing in terms of creating a balance between the two.
I'm with you in tricep flab sisterhood ;D But alas have never found a cure. Even at my lowest adult weight--with tamed thighs and behind--that flab hung on :(
The way I deal with tricep flab is that I work out my triceps to build muscle there. For me, my arm looks very flabby there, but in reality, the muscle is just loose. I use hand weights to work this muscle because for me it's very hard to get that muscle engaged. Usually my biceps take over.
Here is my tricep exercise. I work one arm at a time so that I can focus on good form. I start with my arm raised straight above my head, but keep it alined with my shoulder properly. Make sure not to lock your arms. Then I bend my elbow until my arm makes about a 90 angle behind my head. I watch my shadow on th wall to make sure I don't cheat. Then I raise my arm to the straight (but not locked) upright position again. I use really light weights, just 2 or 3 pounds. I do about 25 reps several times a day. I keep the handweight around my house where I walk by it frequently. So I just stop and do a set when I go by and remember. It's super speedy. Then I do regular bicep curls at the same time to make sure that my arms stay balanced. The exercise isn't a miracle worker, but it helps me some.
Because of some issues I had in high school (for three months, I consumed somewhere around a 1/2 cup of rice per day...in essence, I stopped eating), I do not weigh myself. In fact, I won't even look at the scale or allow them to tell me the number at the doctor's office. For the same reason, I don't traditionally "diet," or, rather...I don't call it dieting. xD
What I've started to do is eat more intelligently. Lots of salad. The more I eat salad, the more I crave it. It's a little weird, but I've always been really weird about food. O.o I also started out doing Pilates and a good bit of cardio 4-5 times a week. Now, I've slacked off for the better part of two weeks, due to pain issues. If it were anywhere but my mouth, I'd be fine. I can't get into see the dentist until the 7th. I'm thinking it's my wisdom teeth (again). Either way, I can only eat when I can manage the pain enough to chew (yes, it's that bad), so I find that, after putting in an 8 hour day at work and an hour or two of studying...there is absolutely no energy left to try to exercise.
Once I get my teeth taken care of, I'll get right back on track. I hate thinking that I stopped, but it really couldn't be helped. Oh, and as for tracking my progress, the plan is to measure myself every 2-3 weeks. I know, it's very nearly the same thing as weighing, but it doesn't putz with my head for some reason. O.o
Not being able to get to the gym has really been about economics (I live more than 20 minutes from one of the cities that has a gym, and it's even more than 30 to the one I've comfortable at). Here in three weeks though, once I get moved into my dorm room, I'm more than determined to start going to the gym every morning, even if I get the job over at the Gateway Center or not. It's going to be hard, because I've never really done anything like this before and there's going to be a lot of tempting things around, c'mon, I'm starting college, I've already heard of the Freshman Fifteen but I'm more than determined to drop a few pounds before TRF. It'd be kind of nice to do the reverse Freshman Fifteen, yeah? ;D
I know that I naturally have a large frame, but I'd like to get down where I can fit into some clothes a bit more comfortably, where I feel better. I know the reason that I'm easily tired now is because I don't get out and exercise much. I've been watching what I've been eating lately, and lessening the portion size and drinking A LOT more water (I don't drink pop but maybe once a week, if that, if I go into town/see friends).
It's really motivating to hear other people having good luck, and are maintaining it. I hope that here in a few months, I'll be able to report back the same.
I hear ya onethe financial end of things. As gyms go, I like the one I'm currently a member of--but at $350 I see now way I'm going to be able to renew. :-\ But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. For now, I want to establish a habit of going more regularly.
Aye, I'll have free access to the gym on campus so I'm going to take full advantage of that while I still have it.
I find that I have to establish a very set routine based on some other activity. Right now, I've tied exercise to part of my general wake up routine. I get up, recycle, weigh, get dressed in pre-selected clothes and hit the door for my walk. If I do anything else, get distracted by anything or have to change my morning routine for any reason, it's a good chance I won't get my exercise done.
That really paid off this morning when I realized after I was already out the door that I really didn't feel like walking today. At that point I just said, "Hey, you're already out here, just do it."
*shrugs* It may not apply to anyone else, but it works for me.
No, thats actually what I was planning on doing- making it a set routine so I automatically get up and pull on clothes and walk over to the Rec center, so that I do the same thing, that by the time I'm out the door, I won't be able to talk myself out of it.
Thanks for the tip, Esc!
Routine is totally the way to go. Your gym might be open late too, which might be a good option if you aren't a morning person. It's awfully tempting to sleep as late as you can in college. At A&M they would sometimes have some free exercise classes that were offered. Maybe your school will have some of those too.
wow, thanks for all the responses. Diabetes does run in the family. My grandmother, mother, 3 of her sisters and one brother all have type 2 diabetes. As far as I go not sure that it's an issue of medical stuff yet. I am due for my yearly physical soon and will ask about it though. It can't hurt. I did have some cholesterol and Triglyceride issues 2 years ago, and couldn't take any of the meds because they caused terrible muscle spasms in my back and calves. I started taking fish oil and exercising more and my numbers in that area are great, and so far my fasting blood work for sugar has been OK. I think my problem may be more one of consistency and getting discouraged and giving up. I only got really serious again at the end of May knowing I have the brown belt test coming up, and at the doctor's office I work in (I'm an RN in a community mental health clinic.) we started a biggest looser competition. We have had 8 weigh ins (8 weeks) and I've lost 10 pounds that have stayed off so far. was 15 but that 5 pound gain last week after starting at the gym put me back to only 10 lost. Still for 8 weeks that is not bad. I think it has started going down again now. I'll know on Friday when we do the official weigh in. The competition has been great to keep me on track, and I actually won on week 7. The prize is $70. I'm putting it in my stash so I can buy a Chinese broad sword I've been looking at all season at the GLMF. Maybe I'll get lucky and win again this week that would give me 2/3 of the cost of the sword without dipping into the household budget money.
Alas, one can not spot-reduce. :(
Best we can do is burn calories, which gets rid of fat. The body decides where to burn it from, and in which order, though. :/ Resistance exercise (apparently not always weight lifting, or so I was told on Monday), will help add muscle definition, which might help w/a problem spot as well. And if nothing else, like was mentioned earlier, it ups the calorie-burning of your muscles all the time, which also helps w/getting rid of fat.
I hope that makes sense. I'm really tired right now, so I may have just typed something incoherent and not have realized it.
yes that makes sense. I have noticed some major inch loss with just 2 weeks of the weight training verses a whole month of walking 2 miles every morning before work. Between the 10 min on the elliptical 3-4 days a week and then 30 min of weight lifting. It seems to be a good combo for now. I need to lose weight all over, but I was hoping for some specific things that relay help tone my specific problem areas. I've gotten a few suggestions and I'll give those a try.
OK, so I made it to the gym this morning at 4:30 in the morning, thank goodness it is a go any time place or I would never get there.
I ate a banana on my way out the door before working out, and some toast around 6:30 before I left for work. All morning I was starving. I ate a cheese stick about 9 still hungry. One of the drug reps brought in fruit and doughnuts. I ate about 2 cups of mixed fruit, still hungry ate a granola bar still hungry. Finally had a roast beef sandwich with some cheese on it and a yogurt for lunch at noon and finally wasn't hungry any more. Can't say I felt full, but at least not starving. I don't really like eggs or oat meal. any suggestions on something to eat in the morning that will stick around after a work out, and not undo what I'm trying to do.
First, make sure you drink lots of water. Many people mistake the feeling of thirst for the feeling of hunger.
I like to start my day by making sure I eat something with alot of fiber. I eat a properly measured out bowl of shredded wheat cereal every morning. Frosted Mini Wheats cereal is nice because it has a pretty big serving size and it's actually tasty too. The fiber helps keep me fuller longer. Also look lower calorie foods with lots of volume. So if you can stand to eat a low calorie soup in the morning, go for it. A soup with meat will help give you some protein too which might stick to you better than fruit. Think of of the box and don't just go for traditional breakfast food in the morning.
I also don't really eat full meals ever except for my cereal breakfast. Instead, I eat small portions of something every two or three hours. You could eat something before your workout, and exercise and munch on something afterwards too. This way it never seems like I will never make it until I eat again, so I don't feel the need to cheat. I don't get full, but I don't get starved either. For the first week or two that I did that, it was hard because I felt more hungry. But I kept it up, and don't feel hungry anymore. Just not full. To make sure I don't eat too much (or too little, cause that's important too!) I record everything I eat and strive for a preset calorie amount every day. Even if I go over, I never consider it a disaster.
Rahne, did you short yourself on sleep to make this early morning workout? If so, that could be the source of the excessive hunger. When your body doesn't get enough sleep it fails to release an appetite suppression hormone (it's assuming you need to eat more because you're going to be active longer, I'm guessing). I have interrupted sleep and so am plagued with an out-of-control appetite myself. Just as you mentioned, it usually doesn't let up until the afternoon. It's EXTREMELY annoying. Unfortunately, no sleep aids have ever eliminated the problem (even prescription) and a sleep study costs about $2000 because I don't have insurance. :(
I like Cat's suggestion of a bulky cereal before your workout. Also, how about pancakes--just use a light coat of jelly or honey instead of pouring on the syrup.
I'm managing to get to the gym every other day instead of every day because my lunch hour is filled with the business of trying to start a business. I avoid going in the evening because it tends to wake me up--which doesn't help the sleep issue mentioned above. I also can't do morning workouts because it creates a fade-out throughout the rest of the day (seems to be a residual effect of my bout of lyme disease) and general health back-sliding. Don't know what my body is doing the first 2 hrs after I wake up but it doesn't like to be interfered with. So sometime midday is really the best.
I drink a ton of water, a thing I picked up at weight watchers a few years back. I did that when my middle daughter was 3 and lost abut 45 pounds in 3 months. kept it off for a while then like a crazy woman decided I wanted just 1 more. Gained it all back plus more. Tried to go again last September for about 6 months, but it is so expensive and didn't seem to be working as well the second go round. I lost the weight the first time with very little exercise or effort, and even with exercise the second time I only lost 20 pounds in 6 months. Getting older sucks. The metabolism slow down is terrible. Oh well. She is cute most of the time. I usually drink propel during and after my work out and water the rest of the day. Even if we go out to eat it is usually water with lemon.
I probably did not get enough sleep that night didn't make it to bed until around 11pm, usually shoot for around 9, no later than 10. I like about 6 hours of sleep. My husband works a screwy rotating schedule so my work outs have to happen when he is home. don't want to drag the kids to the gym if I don't have to. They do have a room with a TV and VCR and some books and toys there, but they would have to entertain themselves and not fight for a whole hour. I think that only happens when they are sleeping.
I picked up some of the Kashi go lean cereal last night by suggestion of a coworker. It has a decent amount of protein in it, and is high in fiber, so maybe it will stick better.
I did lose 3.5 pounds this week though so it was all worth it. So far I am in the lead for the biggest looser. another $70 toward that sword would sure be nice.
Thanks for all the suggestions and information. It's nice to have somewhere to go for support and encouragement.
Best of luck with Biggest Loser, Rahne! I think it's so cool that you're getting an additional reward for losing weight--and a sword (cutting calories ;) ) seems wonderfully symbolic.
Which brings up the whole idea of rewards. I do like to reward myself with sweets and wish I could come up with a good cheap replacement that "feels" right. Rewarding myself with sweet food while trying to generally improve my health is obviously counterproductive. I don't do it chronically or excessively but it's still an erosive element that I'd like to eliminate.
Tremayne, An occasional treat is not a bad thing. It can actually help you to maintain control. I know if I am really wanting something I am better off to eat a little of it and be done. Otherwise I keep trying to fill that spot with other things and nothing else works. then I've eaten everything else, plus in the end usually the thing I was trying to avoid in the first place. All things in moderation.
On a low cal note though the kudos 100 calorie snickers granola bars, an the M-n-M ones are great and sometimes enough to get the fix I need.
another great treat is seedless grapes. take 1 cup of seedless grapes and 1 TBS of sugar free jello powder any flavor you like. put them in a baggier and mix it up good then freeze them. It is a sweet treat, and great in the hot weather. I really like the green grapes with the kiwi strawberry jello
My mother in law also makes a great pie
use 1 tub of cool whip, or lite cool whip
1pack of sugar free jello any flavor
whip it togeather in a bowl with an electric mixer then fill a Gram cracker crust and freeze it. Its a nice light desert for the summer
HUZZAH!!!! I won. thats $140 total money won towards a sword that costs $210.
I'm a fruit lover and have no qualms about chowing down on grapes, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, etc--it's the junkier food (usually some cakish thing filled with cream) that I'd rather eat less of. If it were a physiological thing (true sweets craving) I was responding to, it wouldn't bother me much--that being the body communicating a need. But when I'm using sweets as a psychological balm or reward, I think there's something amiss that needs addressing. Perhaps a bigger lifestyle issue. I'll let you know if I ever get it figured out. That said, the coolwhip/jello pie sounds interesting and pretty cheap. I may give it a try.
I should say that back when I was ill with lyme disease and was on antibiotics all the time, I had no problem eliminating almost all carbohydrates from my diet--to the point of being dangerous--because I was essentially fighting for my life. However, now that I'm able to eat a more normal diet, I find old negative habits creeping in--like a sweets as reward mentality--that I would like to permanently alter.
Could you try rewarding yourself in a different way instead of using sweet treats? Like getting yourself a used book or something? I don't know what would be motivating to you, but it is something to think about. It doesn't even matter if it is silly. If giving yourself a sticker for a job well done will help reward you, go for it instead of reaching for a sweet to munch on.
Yes, that's the sort of thing I need to come up with. Just at a loss. Can't afford to buy myself flowers on a regular basis. Goodness knows I'd love to have a massage any time I feel deprived or needing a "treat" :D But you can be sure I can't afford that either. Used books are not a bad idea except that I've got too many at the moment--shelves overflowing. I agree that the trick is finding he right thing and I'm at a loss for what it is. Maybe I need an "I resisted temptation" board for those stickers you suggested (like a true future teacher ;D). Every time I resist temptation I put a sticker on the board and when I've got so many stickers I can buy myself an ??. Something to mull anyway.
I like your idea for a board to keep track of your sticker progress. They actually tell us to not give kids stickers anymore because it lessens their internal motivation. (I however still like stickers cause they are fun to give :)) They recommend that instead we do something more social like draw a smiley face on the students paper instead of giving them something. So maybe you could make yourself an "I'm awesome" notebook or something and you could give yourself happy faces or silly drawings or something. I have no idea if it would be helpful or not, but I figured another idea couldn't hurt.
Brainstorming never hurts--I'll let y'all know when I come up with something successful.
I'd earlier gotten some advice from a staff member at the gym that I'm finding useful. I was having a hard time making much progress strength-wise, especially with my biceps. He recommended that instead of always going through the full range of motion that I stop and hold for 10 seconds at the most difficult (and thus muscle tense) point of that motion, then finish out. I've embraced that notion both with my biceps and when working on the leg machines and really prefer it to lots of repetitive movement. I feel like it warms up my muscles faster. Too early to say whether it will result in a quicker or smoother gain in strength but I simply like it better--and anything that makes me like my gym time better is a good thing ;)
Tremayne
You could try keeping a jug or a jar and as a reward put a dollar, or a quarter, what ever you can afford into it and when you get enough money in the jar go get that massage, or what ever it is you want as a treat. Keep it so mewher you can see it so it is a visual motivator. That way you can get what you want without having to come up with a big chunk of money all at once.
How's everyone doing? ??? This thread has been quiet for a bit.
I'm managing to stay right about the 10lb loss mark. Haven't been able to go lower than that yet.
Haven't been able to add more exercise to my schedule yet, either. In fact, I've actually been getting less exercise last week and this week than normal, because I have play rehearsal during my gymnastics class. It's going to be a horrible play, too. :(
I'm just too busy for the rest of this month. Have a bunch of wedding planning stuff I need to get done NOW, have the stupid play that opens in a week, I need to either find a bra or sew a corset by Saturday because I have the fitting for my wedding dress, and I have to get my entire apartment cleaned and packed up because I'm moving at the end of the month. eep!
Guess I'll just have to watch what I eat much more carefully for the rest of the month.
Um, you sound kind of busy Elennare ;)
I've sort of stagnated myself. My intention to go to the gym every day has resulted in my going about 3 times a week :D I'm headed in the right direction anyway.
My stomach problem is slowly fading away but I am taking it very easy in that regard. I'm waiting til my body says "hey, let's jog!" before I do that. And then I'm going to be very conscious of how much water I drink afterward. I think I haven't been drinking enough even after my walks. Even when I walk after dark, I sweat quite a bit because of heat and humidity. My thirst mechanism doesn't seem to work right so I have to think about drinking instead of relying on my body to cue me. Or it cues my by creating a bladder infection post haste :(. Seems more like revenge than a cue.
I'm still being too snacky. I had this brilliant idea that I'd sing something uplifting (to quell feelings of deprivation and keeps my mouth busy) whenever I was feeling an attack of the munchies. Can't say it's worked well for anti-snacking but I'm not giving up on it yet. I haven't properly memorized a set of songs to distract myself. What singing and humming I have done makes me feel generally better about life so I might as well continue whether it helps with the munchies or not :D
I'm still doing good even though I'm not loosing anything. I'm maintaining by eating more than my weight loss diet. I've also just started work, so I'm more stressed, but I've been really good about not going too overboard. During training, they have all sorts of free snacks available like chips, cookies, and muffins and it's so temping. I only let myself eat them when I account for it and can justify it. It seems to take all of my will power for the day though, and I'm not as good when I get home as usual. But I know I'll revert to my good habits now that I have them.
I've been doing pretty good myself. Very busy with all that I have been doing to get ready for the run, so actually going into the workout room at work has only happened about once a week. But I have supplemented that with at least 2-3 at home workouts. Weight has stayed about the same, but becoming more defined in certain areas.
Getting back to it this week after having been sick with a summer cold last week. Since I basically slept straight through four days, I missed my exercise routine completely. Have worked back in to it this week and been able to add my floor stretches back in finally. Weight is remaining essentially the same, down a bit then leveling off. I want the extra off NOW, but my lesson in this life is patience and I guess this is one way to test the learning *heavy sigh*
Got out and jogged a bit this afternoon--second time for the summer. Good to be able to go faster than a walk in the running shoes I bought at the beginning of summer. :-\ I jogged a hundred paces then walked, jog then walk. It's the way I've slooowly built up fitness before. While hurricane weather is destructive in some parts, it created a couple of cloudy, breezy, temperate afternoons here that made getting out during my lunch hour tolerable. I'm currently drinking a glass of cold water (my innards seem to go into dehydration more easily than in the past) and hoping this bit of jiggly exercise has not enraged my ulcerous stomach. The last time I was feeling spirited and jogged, I had a resurgence of ulcer symptoms.
Hi All,
I skimmed this topic and thought some of you may be interested in this FREE, your tax dollars hard, at work site http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/. This is a program designed to help you track your food intake and exercise.
I saw someone was interested in doing an Ironman...PM me if you have questions, I'm gearing up for IM number 2 and hubby's on number 4, but I won't bore everyone with that on this thread.
Keep up the great work and remember some exercise is better than none at all so don't get down if you miss a work out here or there...the important thing is to just keep at it.
Thanks, JMK, and feel free to "bore" us. We're here to cheer you on too.
IM Tip #1:
A Lord of the Rings movie marathon is great way to spend 4+ hours on the bike trainer in the winter on a Saturday afternoon.
IM Tip #2:
If I'm stuck on that bike trainer for a few hours on a Friday night, I'm drinking beer at the same time....carbo loading.
Love tip #1. Wonder if I could talk the gym into doing that :D
Yikes!!!...Fest is playing havoc with my diet (well that and all the birthday celebrations in the past two weeks) (oh and the everything-deep-fried-on-a-stick Fair, too). Too much rich bad-for-me food and drink, not enough sleep, too tired to exercise, losing motivation and willpower...spiraling out of control here. ( :o >:( :-[ :( :'(---take your pick :-\)
I'll have to re-read this entire thread from the beginning to get some motivation back methinks.
Since my last post my workouts have come to a crashing halt. For the past two weekends I have been having issues with my lower back and have avoided exercise in order to allow it to heal. It was feeling great on Friday and Saturday. Then sunday night it became sore, and monday was not so great. Just taking it easy and stretching the muscles 2-3 times a day.
Otherwise my diet hasn't really changed. My fiance and I bring a lot of food out to fest for the weekend that we usually eat and have kept our regular eating habits. So no change in weight...up or down for that matter.
Sean
First 12 weeks of biggest loser is done. ended up with a weight loss of 13.5 pounds and lost 13 inches over all thanks to the trips to the gym. We elected to start another 12 week run, it helps me keep my motivation if I know I'm accountable on the scale each week. sometimes gives me just that little bit of extra will power to say no to the tempting treats that sometimes float around the office.
I did end up getting a sword at GLMF. Not the one I originally was looking at because it was sold. They got a new one that I liked much better though, but of course it was more expensive.
School is back in and that poses a new challenge for my work outs. I'll have to be up by 4 any morning I'm going to the gym during the week so I can be home and through the shower to get my kids going by 6 so we can all leave home by 7. May try to switch some of my work outs to the evening. They have a Play room there for the kids so I can take them along if I have to. Getting up so early gets a little tuff when I don't make it to bed before 10 pm a lot of nights.
Quote from: Rafe on September 03, 2008, 10:31:18 AM
Since my last post my workouts have come to a crashing halt. For the past two weekends I have been having issues with my lower back and have avoided exercise in order to allow it to heal. It was feeling great on Friday and Saturday. Then sunday night it became sore, and monday was not so great. Just taking it easy and stretching the muscles 2-3 times a day.
Otherwise my diet hasn't really changed. My fiance and I bring a lot of food out to fest for the weekend that we usually eat and have kept our regular eating habits. So no change in weight...up or down for that matter.
Sean
Sean, did I read that you are running? Be sure to stretch your hips, quads, and hams....they will get tight from running and pull on the lower back. Also be sure to do sit-ups and "bird dogs" to keep the core strong. Bird dogs are getting on your hands and knees and putting one arm parallel to the floor with the opposite leg parallel to the floor and hold for 10-15 seconds, relax and repeat. This will strengthen those lower muscles in the back.
Noooo! LOL! No runnin' for me. I hate running! I stretch regularily as well as work my core muscles (including lower back... too many people neglect that). Mostly it is due to an injury a couple of years ago. Every once-in-a-while it just decides that it doesn't like me.
Was a good reminder for me, though, JMK. I've never heard of the bird dog posture. I love exercises that are easy to incorporate.
My bit of jogging did irritate my stomach issue, though I did a fine job of consuming enough h2o to avoid dehydration. So I'm going to wait a week before trying again. It's strange to me that this happens. Maybe the jogging pulls apart barely healed ulcers? I'm thankful I'm not back to square one anyway.
A friend gave me a tip that licorice helps with ulcers and is a mild laxative (looked it up on wikipedia for confirmation). Beware the common candies--they have little to no real licorice in them. She said she had been eating kookaburra licorice that she got at a candy store. I'm going to try the local natural food place to see what they've got.
Has your doc put you on antibiotics for the ulcers? Not to tread into HIPPA issues, but you brought them up.
I'm not concerned about talking about my health issues--in fact, I consider it healthy to do so. :)
No, I was not put on put on the antibiotics most effective for the pilori bug because I tested negatively for it. So despite having classic symptoms, two doctors declined to put me on antibiotics. I suggested to each that if science has identified one bug that causes ulcers that there could be others we have yet to identify so why not give me a run of the antibiotics. And there's always the possibility the test was giving a false negative. But neither would go for it. I did try some antibiotics I had left over from when I had lyme disease but did not feel they were having a positive effect. So I've been taking prescription antacids and drinking ginger tea. I'm now able to hold acid and nausea at bay mostly with over-the-counter antacids. Happily, I feel like I'm already recovering from whatever stress on my stomach the jog caused. I'll do the once a week belly-jiggling exercise for a month and when I no longer suffer any ill effects will do it more regularly. Really, I'm just very happy to be feeling well enough to even want to jog. :)
I'm almost done moving! Hauling boxes and such up to a 3rd story apartment sure is good exercise. :)
Wedding planning is coming along, though much slower than it should be. But it's getting there.
I have plans to start going to the gym regularly. My little brother is going to help me figure out a couple sets of weight lifting exercises to do on different days, and then I've got some cardio stuff I'm going to do at home on non-gym days.
My current goal is to lose 10 lbs by mid-October (before my wedding). If I work really hard, I think I can do it. 2 lbs a week will get me there.
Blargh. After seeing gains in the weight-loss department, I gained 3.5 lbs back this week. I am not too happy about that, especially since I have about a month left before my wedding, +3.5 lbs a week is NOT the direction to be heading. >:(
So, I'm going to do something a bit stupid. Crash diet. But I'm going to try to be healthy about it (as much of an oxymoron as that is). And, yes, I am VERY well aware of the fact that this is a very bad way to see any sort of permanent weight loss, but right now I just want to look good for my wedding. I'm very tired and stressed right now because of all the crap I've got going on, and I am just getting really frustrated with my weight loss attempts thus far. (For the record, my current plan is for slow, permanent weight loss, and in the long run it's working, I just need an extra little push right now, even if it all comes back as soon as we get back from the honeymoon. But I'm kinda hoping it won't, because I'll still be keeping up my healthy eating and exercise.)
I am planning to have an energy bar for breakfast, energy bar + soy yogurt with granola and/or fruit for lunch, and a big salad with lots of veggies and shrimp/tuna/other lean protein for dinner. Lots of water/green tea to drink In addition to the exercise plan I'm gettin in place this weekend. So, trying to eat healthy, filling foods that don't have tons of calories in them, and hopefully get all the nutrients I need. Thus "healthy" crash diet. ;)
Can any of you fitness gurus recommend a good energy bar? I was thinking about using Clif Nectar bars, because they're very filling, have 2 servings of fruit in them, are only around 160 calories, and taste great. But, I haven't had many energy bars, so there may be better ones I don't know about. One other stipulation in my request is that any recommendations be dairy-free, as I'm allergic to it.
Thanks for listening to my rant.
Elennare, how is your crash diet going?
I've been walking my 3 dogs 3-4 times a week. I expect that's 1-2 miles of exercise depending on which route I take with each dog. My stomach problem still has not completely resolved itself so I may end up going back to the dr about it. It's not intolerable during the normal course of the day but it does keep me from jogging.
It's not. Turns out I didn't have the right food in my house and I didn't have time or money to go pick them up. I have been eating right around 1200 calories, though, and drinking lots of water and so far (about a week and a half) I've lost around 4 lbs. Now if I could just start making it to the gym, I'm sure I'd lose even faster.