Help! Exercise Rut!

[christinew]

Anyone who can tell me how they've achieved their desired weight and fitness level please post how you did it and any tips you may have. I do well for 2 weeks and then I fall off the wagon. Should I cut out all beer...even though only 5-7 per week. Low carbs? No dairy?? HELP.
Thanks! Christine

[Natasha]

Hi Christine!
I seem to recall a lengthy thread on how people have successfully lost weight. Okay, the link to the thread is below. It is in the Popular Threads Archive, so it is read-only, but you might find it interesting!
Good luck, BTW, and keep us posted.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Archives/Archive-000002/HTML/20000721-1-000108.html


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 07-23-2000).]

[danadmd]

Hi Christine! The only way I have been sucessful in losing weight is stearing away from the starches (bread, potatoes) and making a commitment with TWO different groups of friends to exercise daily (5 X a week) at the beginning of the day. Beyond the morning cup of tea and the bathrobe, the first meeting of the day is with those friends. This achieves two good purposes.. cross training (swimming one day, walking the other) and if one friend can't make it, the others can. As for drinks, it's water, water,water. Beer is a waste of calories for me ( would rather eat brownies) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif good luck!

[christinew]

Thanks very much! I need to drink tons of water and start the exercise program soon!

Christine

[CATHIEA]

Christine-
How about tackling the weight loss issue and the exercise issue separately? To me, weight loss and weight maintenance start with healthy, balanced meals, eaten in moderation. I'm a WW lifemember and leader and let me tell you, I NEVER gave up beer, but I do plan for those calories. I also fit activity into my life. It's important for weight loss and for weight maintenance, but if it's not pleasurable, it doesn't get done. Choose an activity that's right for you. Are you a social critter? Join a gym with regularly scheduled aerobics, spin or exercise classes. Maybe a running club? If you are self-motivated, but easily bored, try running or walking tapes to keep you on pace. Don't attempt too much- if you ache, the activity won't be fun. Take a tip from runners and ease into an activity, going further/faster in measured increments. When would you benefit most from exercise? I walk for 20 minutes at lunch- it clears my mind for the afternoon. I have a friend that works out before showering in the morning because she swears she needs to sneak in exercise before her body knows what she's doing to it. Well, I'll get off the soapbox now.
CathieA

[Christine]

I've heard "beer weight" is relatively easy to lose, compared to other causes.

[christinew]

CathieA: That is great advice. We (chubby hubby http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif and I) will start walking this week! We will ease into it.

Christine: I think you are right. Thanks for reinforcing that with me, however I do like a beer in the evening after the rush hour drive! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

[MrsReber]

I lost a lot of weight over the past 8 years. Went from a size 14/16 (170 pounds) to a 6/8 (between 125-130 pounds) and I'm very happy. I have slumps, too. I used to go to the gym 3x a week and count all my calories. Since I "let go" so to speak, last year, I have gained 5 pounds- no more. I can live with the extra 5 and not having to drive myself crazy by counting calories. I get into the exercise slump, which is why I joined a gym. It's 5 minutes from my house. Any more than that and I'd find an excuse not to go! I just recently started to sign up for the group exercise classes- spinning and trekking- since I was getting bored with the cardio portion of my workout. I do 1/2 hour to 40 mins of weights, too- that is very important when trying to lose fat because you want to "exchange" fat for muscle. Especially since muscle will burn more calories than fat. Anyway, I like the group exercises because the time goes by quickly, I meet some new folks, and I learn a thing or two from the instructor each time- proper form, better ways to burn fat, etc. Sometimes you can overdo the exercise and you are actually burning muscle (big no no!) I can totally relate to the exercise slump, though. I feel great after I exercise, but sometimes it's very hard to drag myself out to the gym after work!

As far as eating, I LOVE to eat good food! Moderation is the key here. Easier said than done, I drink beer, too, but, as Cathie said, you include those calories in your daily intake. It's hard at first, but after a while, I found that if I ate high fat foods one day, I'd feel it the next day! Now I don't want to eat those foods and I don't drink half as much alcohol as I used to- mostly because I don't want it. Especially after I started drinking alot of water. I found a happy medium in there. We still go to the bar for wings and beer every so often, but overall, I eat better and consequently feel better. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 07-31-2000).]

[christinew]

Thanks for your words! They do help. I know it is possible and that like you said I will feel better too http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif.