HLSG: Week of June 4

[mandarin2j]

I should probably get in the habit of posting when I need encouragement, and not just when I have something to crow about, but this week, I just gotta crow!

Food-wise, I'm not dieting, but I'm not pigging out either. I'm just not worrying about it either way, because I had to get back on track with exercise during the past week. Exercise has been super. We've had such mild weather that I cycled to/from work 3 days last week, did my walk, practiced yoga/Pilates twice, and even finally worked in some weight-lifting, after 5 months of saying I needed to but not doing it. My goal is to cycle every day, indefinitely, to do an at-home weights/yoga/Pilates practice 3 xs/week, and my yoga class 1 x/week. I'd like to begin doing a brutal hike on a weekend day every week again, too. But right now the yard work doesn't permit that.

The other thing is, I think I need to quit doing my walk with my walking buddy 2xs a week. It takes 2 hours each time, and I'm able to breathe through my nose the entire time, so I don't see that it's doing me much good muscularly or aerobically. It's not hurting me, of course, but I think there are better exercises I can do more intensely in half the time. I'm really conflicted about this, though. My friend is getting good quality exercise from this, even if it's not enough exertion for me. If I stop walking with her 2 xs/week, she may stop altogether. Not sure what to do about this…

-Amanda

[BevP]

Amanda, great week you had!! I understand your dilemma with your walking partner; it's so hard to find the right partner in attitude and fitness and timing and enthusiasm. I remember when I walked with a friend it was also a social get together for the two of us. Granted we DID both get a workout, but I really enjoyed the hour + of talking as much or more. You may want to factor that into your decision. But, remember, it's not your responsibility to make your friend exercise. Maybe she'd be willing to try something else with you?

My week was good though I did pig out on the weekend despite my best intentions. I don't care though as long as the scale and my clothes are happy. One last week before vacation and major pig fest (a cruise). I plan to pack my shoes and the ship has a gym.

Tomorrow I'm trying yoga for the first time in a class. I've tried videos before but never stuck with them. Should be fun and different.

If it's getting warmer in your neighborhood, drink even more water than before. Stock up on a couple glasses before you exercise just to get a head start on hydration.

[funnybone]

I vowed to start exercising on Tuesday, and I did just that. I did 3 step workouts last weak - and really worked hard. However, I am not PMS-ing, but I am binging. I know it has to do with not drinking enough water - one day I will succeed in that department!

[lindrusso]

Well, I thought for a moment that things were really going downhill! I put on a pair of jeans that were getting too big and was disappointed that they seemed rather snug. It took me a few hours to realize that these were my smaller jeans and that my looser jeans were still hanging in the closet!! Phew!

Last week was okay. Eating definitely was not good. It wasn't even a case of eating too much of good food, it was a case of eating too much of yucky junk food - stuff that's not even worth the extra fat and calories. That kind of overeating I DON'T like. I did manage to exercise 3 days, but fell short of my cardio goals.

My in-laws are coming to stay for a week, which means I'll be eating and drinking too much, but I've got a lot of Cooking Light recipes on the menu and my MIL likes to work out, so it shouldn't be too bad. And at least I'll be overdoing it with homemade, good food, not junk!

Great job Amanda and funnybone! Feel free to crow all you want! Bev - hope you enjoy the yoga class. I just found out that the Y is still offering a 4:30 class on Wednesdays, so I may get to do my yoga after all.

Have a great week all!!

[aggie94]

My week was not so great. Hopefully, once we are truly done with everything related to moving by Thursday, things will start to settle back into place.

Eating was pretty bad -- lots of take-out and going out to eat. And I didn't even try to keep it light. Working out was slightly better. I managed to make it to kickboxing three times, but no walks as per my PT. I've had to postpone my PT follow-up for two more weeks because I didn't do anything he told me to do last week. I did join a new gym (now that DH is graduating, we're being evicted from the cheap gym on campus), and am determined to start going swimming before work in addition to keeping up my evening walk/weights, cycling, or kickboxing routine.

I did good on drinking water, though!

[Peggy]

Is it too late to join this group???? I woke up about three weeks ago with the resolution to lose 10 pounds and firm up my increasingly flabbing body. I am pretty good about cardiovascular exercise but need weight training big-time. I hired a Personal Trainer and she has me set up on a complete program to meet my goals. This is my first week on the entire program and I am having trouble disciplining myself to do the weights and exercises. I would love to give and get support from this group. May I join?

Peggy

[HARRYET]

I haven't posted in awhile, because I haven't been very good, in the exercise department or the eating department. I guess the only consolation is the scale hasn't really moved one way or the other! but I really need to get back on track.

This week will be hard, my DD dances and her recital is this week. We will be out every evening from 4:30 to about 10:00, so I need to be very aware of the food I'm eating, (since most will be fast food).

I did go for a brisk walk last night w/DH and hope to go again tonight after my DS baseball game, (unfortunatly the game won't get over until 10:00, so hopefully I still will be motivated). Tomorrow I'm off to the gym, may be the only time I get there this week, but 1x is better then none, and I will continue to walk though, and continue to get motivation from all of YOU!

Thanks Ann

[This message has been edited by HARRYET (edited 06-04-2001).]

[Kristine]

I had a pretty good week. I was out of town from Thursday until late Sunday, so I didn't get too much exercise in (I only made it to the hotel fitness center on Friday morning---we were just too busy the other days). But eating was good...no munching http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif.
I also ran 2 miles (!!!) last Tuesday, which is the farthest I've ever gone. I went to the track, so it was easy to keep track. Hopefully this week since I will be at home more, I can make it to the track at least 3 times. I've just got so much catching up to do since I was gone. At least school is done next week. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[BevP]

Welcome Peggy, it's never too late to join. This is a great place to get help and motivation.

Now please forgive me but I have to crow, jump up and down, and scream with delite. I stepped on the scale this morning and was at 141.5. February saw me at or over 150. Finally the scale is saying the same thing my clothes and body fat measurement are saying.

Ok, it's *extremely* slow weight loss but who cares. I pretty much refuse to restrict my eating any more than I have. This has all been from going to aerobics classes and remembering portion sizes.

[MelissaAS]

Hi folks-
I need a little cheering up this week. I gained 1/2 a pound after a 1 lb. gain last week and I feel like all is lost and things are going in the wrong direction (can you tell I'm a black-and-white thinking queen?). I accepted the 1 lb. gain last week because I knew I'd had a tough holiday weekend. This past week, I was committed to meeting my exercise goals and actually got in all 300 min. of exercise, but still gained. My eating was averaging almost 1300 calories/day (which I do not consider extravagant, but not terribly controlled either).

It just bums me out that I have to restrict more than that to lose weight, but I know it's especially hard at those dreaded "ten last pounds."

Anyway, I'm trying to keep the chin up and am committed to getting in the 300 minutes again and shooting for 1100 calories/day to see if that will help (one day down!). I started a Mon-Wed lunch step class to help me get the exercise time in too. I have my 6 month physical/evaluation for the study next week and I am determined to be at the -20 mark (at -18 right now).

Thanks for being here, everyone! It really helps.

Melissa

[lindrusso]

Kristine - Great job on your 2 mile run!

Bev P - So glad to hear your good news. I, too, am doing it the slow way. It can get frustrating, but it does work.

Melissa - Don't be discouraged! I go up and down CONSTANTLY just due to water weight. If I've had alcohol, I'll retain water. Lots of carbs can do the same thing. And "that time of the month" can wreck havoc on the scale as well. I think that 1 1/2 pounds total shouldn't be to much to worry about (I know, easy for someone else to say). You SURELY are not eating too much! 1300 a day and 300 mins. of exercise should be plenty! Anyway, keep up the good work!

[Kerri]

Melissa! Oh my goodness! I hope you are working with a medical doctor only eating 1300 calories a day. That is not very much food. Please don't get discourage and cut down your calories. You are beginning to get to that danger level. Try eating more and increasing the intensity of your workout. I am not sure what that study is that you are on, but I wouldn't worry about those pounds that you have gained. You cannot be gaining fat eating as little as you are. Keep us posted.

[MelissaAS]

lindarusso-
Thanks for the encouragement. Those small changes can make a girl crazy- I need to try to think more moderately. And you are a model of the "slow and steady wins the race"- looks like I'm joining that club http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kerri-
Not to worry, the study is run by an MD and PhD and is safe. Their "prescription" for me at this point is 1200 calories/day (26 fat grams) and 300 minutes of exercise per week (moderate intensity). Since I was inching up to the 1300 mark (it sure doesn't take much!), my plan is to psych myself closer to the 1200 by aiming a little lower. They do encourage us to consume a minimum of 1000 calories/day (though that has never been my problem!).

I'll keep you posted!

[Kerri]

Whew! Ok, I knew that you were involved with something like that, but I couldn't remember what exactly it was. Good luck and sorry for butting in. I guess I just got a shock.

[GayeC]

Originally posted by MelissaAS:

Kerri-
Not to worry, the study is run by an MD and PhD and is safe. Their "prescription" for me at this point is 1200 calories/day (26 fat grams) and 300 minutes of exercise per week (moderate intensity). Since I was inching up to the 1300 mark (it sure doesn't take much!), my plan is to psych myself closer to the 1200 by aiming a little lower. They do encourage us to consume a minimum of 1000 calories/day (though that has never been my problem!).

Melissa -- I have been curious about this and wonder if your program has addressed it. I have read that you can eat too FEW calories to lose weight, that your body starts to conserve calories when you eat below 1200 or so per day. A recent article in SHAPE said that women who are exercising regularly and want to lose weight should eat no less than 1800 calories per day. The article also said that you cannot build muscle (which seems to be key to weight loss for women) on a very restricted calorie diet. I am not criticizing the program you are on, just wondering if they have addressed this issue, or if what I read is even true. There is SO MUCH information on weight loss these days that it is hard to know what is accurate! Gaye

[MelissaAS]

GayeC,
There is a ton of conflicting evidence out there but the folks running the study are experts in the field of weight loss. As for minimum calories, I will ask the question for you specifically next week, but like I mentioned, all I've heard so far is not to break the 1000 mark.

As for the muscle-building issue, I asked specifically last night at group about whether we should consider weight training to build muscle mass as way to kick up the metabolism. Kara (the PhD) said that there is no good evidence that weight training and building muscle mass increases metabolism. Of course, weight training does have other positive benefits but not the desired metabolism impact. She claims this is a huge myth that is very popular right now, but the scientific evidence doesn't hold up- the studies on this so far have been poor.

I'll let you know about the calorie "floor" issue.

Melissa

[Tiger]

Oh, I hope it's not a hugh myth that weight training and building muscle mass increases your metabolism. I always yo-yoed 10lbs. But I have been able to take it off and keep it off the last 2yrs and I do credit this to adding weight training to my exercise program. I would like to hear others opinions on this subject.
Do you think it's a myth that your metabolism is higher a few hrs after exercise?

[GayeC]

Melissa -- Thanks. I will be interested to hear what they have to say.

I am surprised about what the Ph.D. said about building muscle and weight loss. I know that muscle tissue burns many more calories than fat tissue, just to maintain itself. Maybe the issue is that the amount of weight training that most women are able to do just doesn't add enough muscle tissue. Why does weight loss have to be so confusing???

Thanks. Gaye