HLSG: Week of 2/5 - How's everyone doing???

[lindrusso]

Just wanted to get these threads started again. How's everyone doing???

I just started a new work out routine at the Y and have been quite sore. I was happy to wake up and find that I wasn't too sore from the upper body workout yesterday because last week really killed me!! I've never done sets like these - here's an example:

Chest Press with Dumbells:
12 reps, 5 pounds
10 reps, 8 pounds
8 reps, 10 pounds
6 reps 15 pounds
12 reps 10 pounds

The upper body takes the longest - there are two exercises for each muscle group - back, chest, biceps, triceps and shoulders. Lower body is a killer too - you're doing these kinds of sets for lunges, squats, calf raises, leg extensions and hamstring curls. In addition to all this, you are supposed to get in at least 3 aerobic sessions per week.

So, now I just have to work on the nutrition part of it. I don't intend to follow their program exactly - they don't allow any sugar - but I'd like to cut down on sugar and carbs and increase veggies and fruits.

Well, off to my aerobic session. It's nice to have days with no weight routines to worry about!

Have a great week everyone!

[hhcowgirl]

Congrats, Lindrusso! That sounds like a really comprehensive program--good job on accomplishing all that.

That's funny that you mentioned that about soreness--I have been suffering from the same malady of late, too. I have to wear a strapless dress to this ball in a couple weeks, so I decided to positively dive in to an arm-toning program and boy, have I suffered the consequences. I have read in several magazines this month, though, that new studies have shown that Vitamin E really helps with soreness--does anyone know anything about this? Also, I feel sort of ignorant for asking this, but does anyone know exactly what foods are rich in vit. E? I am pretty sure that nuts and flaxseed oil are good sources, but what else? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Meanwhile, happy exercising!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[emilycat]

hhcowgirl,

I don't know a great deal about the sources of vitamin E, except that nuts and seeds are good ones...also, vitamin E is one of the only nutrients its virtually impossible to get solely through food sources -- so you might want to consider taking a supplement.

[Natasha]

Gina,

Just had to take a sec to respond. I'm sorry to hear that you're facing such a set of struggles right now. In your shoes, I would try not to sweat the marathon in October. You have plenty of time for that; take the time to let your knee heal properly. I would definitely keep exercising, as it is so stress-relieving, but would try not to put much pressure on myself to run according to a rigid training schedule. I know - easier said than done. I want to run long distances so badly I sometimes can hardly stand it. But honestly, October is far off and you need to pamper yourself now. Get a good book, take a long bath, and try to cook healthy meals for yourself - that's a way to nurture yourself too.

And best of luck with deciding what to do about Brian. Not knowing the specifics of your relationship and situation, I can't say much about it, but I do know that it's tough on everyone when a relationship is not unfolding/developing the way you'd like it to. I hope all goes well for you.

Sorry - I was going to make this short but rambled away as is my wont. Take care and hang in there.

[ewatkins]

For Gina O. and the stiffness. I just read that Vit. C is supposed to help. Also-- on the Advil, I learned from my Physical Therapist that if you want it to be an anti-inflammatory, as opposed to pain relief (ex:headache), you have to keep it in your bloodstream at all times. So-- you have to be vigilant about taking every 4-6 hours. You can't just wait until you notice the soreness. Hope this helps.

[BevP]

Gina - my sympathy with having so many challenges right now. I know how that goes. Just focus on one day (or one minute) at a time if it gets too much.

Myself - I'm finally getting on track. I signed up and paid for a month of aerobics and I'm so cheap I know I'll go. And I have motivation...

DH and I are going to TIBET!!! in June for our 10th anniversary. I want to work on my lung capacity for that high altitude and my overall fitness so my jeans will be loose and comfy for the trip.

And, I think I've finally found a way to track my eating each day without having to write and weigh and such. Borrowing from Richard Simmons, I printed a paper with the ADA Exchanges that I should aim for each day. I just mark off what I eat. Then I added water to mark off and my vitamin and exercise. DH has decided to do it with me which has improved his liquid intake and decreased his starch intake. We only use 1 piece of paper a day and keep the old ones handy so we can track later if we want.

[Kerri]

Gina-I understand your frustrations and wish you good luck!

BevP-I love that idea! Where did you find that information to print out?

Basically, this whole month I have been pretty good. Weekends I have been eating a little bit more, but I don't think that is a bad thing. I have been running further and further on Saturday mornings (8 miles so far) and the rest of the day I am just starving! Just trying to keep it under control. The last couple days I have been bad and I feel yucky. I think that is period induced so I am trying to remember that it is just a phase and I will feel much better in a few days.

[This message has been edited by Kerri (edited 02-06-2001).]

[Gina O]

Thanks to all for the kind words and advice. Ewatkins, I did not know that about taking Advil as an anti-inflamatory, that helps a great deal. Guess I better start bringing it to the office with me. Gina

[Kelly]

Hello All! It's been a while since I posted as part of the HLSG - I'm glad to see that it's still going. I have kept to my schedule of getting to the gym 4x a week. I've fallen off of "good eating" lately though - too many after dinner snacks and too much not paying attention to what I eat all day. Anyway, I can honestly say that I feel better since we started this (in September?). I have made changes for life - not just another diet. I love going to the gym and I love the way I feel after a great workout. THanks for all the support along the way!

[This message has been edited by Kelly (edited 02-06-2001).]

[kwormann]

Gina

Sorry about your troubles!

As for me, I feel more motivated than I have in months. I am eating more vegetables and have exercised every day this week. I am feeling a special kind of motivation.....


Kim

[Gina O]

HELP!!!! To answer your question, I am doing lousy http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif I am in the middle of seeking medical attention for my knee. I did a 5K on Sunday but had to walk some. I limped across the finish line in 34 minutes. But, I have not really done any running for about 5 weeks or more. I have xrays today and an appointment in the Ortho clinic on the 20th.

In the mean time, I continue to gain a couple pounds here and there and seem to want to eat everything in sight. In thinking about it a lot today, I really think I can commit to losing the weight, and plan to work very hard on that but not running is killing me. I am starting to feel pressured to get running again in order to be able to do the marathon in October.

I have never thought of my self as an emotional eater, but I honestly am starting to believe that is the problem... I can't run, things are not going the way I had hoped with my SO, I am gaining weight.

Okay, so here is the plan:

1) resolve this problem with my knee... I am not feeling like the Dr.'s are going to be much help, but I am going to go to another shoe store and get a "second opinion" on the type of shoe I should be wearing. I am going to stretch, take huge amounts of Advil (Dr.'s order) and rest it for a little while, then start a very easy walking/running program.

2) diet, diet, diet... I have succeeded at this once before and I can do it again!

3) decide what to do about Brian... that I believe will be the hardest.

I am not much on really long posts, and hate to sound like such a total whiner, but really felt the need to say all this "outloud" in hopes that it will inspire me to stick with it. Thanks for listening, and in advance for any advice or support, Gina

[lindrusso]

Gina - sorry to hear that it is such a struggle these days. But, it sounds like you are maintaining a healthy perspective and are headed in the right direction. Better to realize it now and nip it in the bud (eating emotionally, etc.) than to let it escalate into a full-blown depression or something of that nature.

Best of luck and my thoughts are with you!

[lindrusso]

Kelly - just wanted to say that I was wondering about you!!! There's a post buried on the board somewhere asking what happened to you http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif . Glad to see you posting again - you were one of our best cheerleaders.