HLSG week of 18 June

[BevP]

I won't even discuss how I did last week except to say I was on a cruise and all the clothes had elastic waistbands. I plan to get back into the smart eating immediately. Exercise routine will return on Wednesday. Maybe next week I'll step on the scale to see if there was much damage. Maybe tomorrow, I'll try on my jeans that I just started fitting into.

How about ya'll?

[mandarin2j]

Rough week last week due to giving blood and multiple flat tires on my bike. But today, the sun is shining, and I rode to work. At home, there's a new Denise Austin yoga video waiting for me. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a great week! (yeah, that's the ticket...) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

-Amanda

[funnybone]

Last week was not too bad for exercising - I did step aerobics 4 times. However, PMS struck and I was binging. My clothes are feeling tighter now too - I hope it's just bloating.

[lindrusso]

Well, last week was better than the week that I chose not to discuss http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif , but my weekend workout plans got foiled by a sinus cold (or whatever), that knocked me out for Sat. and Sun. What is it about sinus infections that makes you sooooo tired??? I feel like such a wimp!

My youngest slept until 8:30 this morning. I usually wake up at the regular time (7:00), but this time I really needed the sleep and slept till 8:30 too - yeah! That doesn't happen very often and it felt soooo good. So, I was refreshed and ready to work out again. Today I finally ran a mile! Yeah! It was hard toward the end, but I did it. I'll go back to intervals for the rest of the week (like the program has you do), but I can't wait to try again. I think I'll wait and not increase it again until 1 mile feels a bit easier.

Anyway, I'm off for a girls weekend (with kids) on Thursday, so I hope I don't get too far off track. I won't have access to weights, but maybe I can slip away for a quick run or something. Hard to do without hubby - I'll be at my SIL's and she has 2 of her own. Oh well, I'll try to get in as much as I can before I go.

Have a great week everyone!

[jd]

I hope you don't mind me joining you on this thread. I was one of the original posters about setting goals last fall and then never participated - mostly because I wasn't exercising. Lindrusso provided me with some motivation, but I still didn't do too much. I guess I am just slow getting started as I've lost my goal weight on WW and the day I hit lifetime in May, I started exercising. I didn't even plan that! I have enjoyed reading the posts every week and have taken in the encouragement that you have all given and hope to give some back now.

Sounds like I am on a similar but less formal run/walk program that lindrusso is using. I alternate running and walking each morning and switch when I hit the fire hydrants - seems strange but it has split the walking runing times evenly. Last week was good, I got 4 run/walks, and started an upper body weight program to tone, and did it twice last week. My plan is 4-5 run/walks and 2 weights. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

lindrusso, congratulations on your 1 mile. I can't even imaging keeping going that long at one stretch! You give me something to strive for, once again.

Weight has maintained so far, and I am (somewhat obsessive/compulsively) counting points every day and averaging consumption for my weekly WW weigh in (which I continue to do as I don't have a scale and am somewhat paranoid).

BevP - hope you had a great vacation. That is the time to unwind and relax. Worry about all the other stuff when you get home.

mandarin2j and funnybone, keep up the good work!

[lindrusso]

jd - Sounds like you're off to a great start! Are you doing the Runner's World program? I don't follow it step by step, but the main thing I take away from that program is to ease into it gradually and slowly.

I was very excited to hit 1 mile. If I can do it, anyone can! It wasn't easy, but that was the point for me - I have not been challenging myself enough in the cardio department. Running provides you with such easy ways to set new goals - go for longer intervals, go for increased distance, go for speed, etc. I've said it before - I don't know if I'll ever reach the point where I feel I've earned the title "runner", but at least I know I'm challenging myself and getting more fit!

Anyway, I'm glad you joined us and continued success to you!

[MelissaAS]

lindrusso- Congrats on the mile! What a great feeling that must be- be sure to take the time to enjoy it! I've started the Runner's World walk/run program several times in the past but never finished. Maybe later this year...?

As for my week, I've been doing fairly well controlling my calorie intake (though still struggling more on the weekends), and really getting used to feeling good on the number of calories on my program. As for exercise, I got in about 255 of the 300 minutes I planned so not too bad. Really, really going to try to hit 300 this week!! I'm loving mixing up my workouts (I added step classes and tennis to my usual walking) and it makes it easier to get the time in.

And as for the dreaded scale, I'm down another 1/2 lb. so officially at -20! Hurray! It took a while (22 weeks), but I feel good about it- even better when I think that I lost almost 15% of my body weight. That was a lot to carry around!!

BTW, for those interested, I did confirm that no studies have shown that weight training and increasing muscle mass increases metabolism but it is GREAT for you in other ways. The positive results may be from the extra calories burned by adding that to your routine? Anyway, apparently it's a contentious issue even in the exercise/fitness field. I say, go with what works for you http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Have a great week everyone!
Melissa

[BevP]

JD welcome back. Of course you can post here. The more the merrier.

Lindrusso, CONGRATULATIONS on one mile!!!!! What a milestone that was (groan, sorry had to say it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif).

Melissa, good for you. Another 1/2 pound!!!

For myself, those jeans weren't any tighter! I guess the minimal gym visits and not goarging mindlessly worked. (If you're gonna pig out, be aware of every delicious bite!)

[jd]

Thanks for the encouragement!
lindrusso, I haven't seent the RW program but should check their web site. My morning walk was feeling like it needed a boost, so I broke into running off and on for short distances. I've extended the running distances so that I walk to the first fire hydrant, then run to the next, then walk to the next and so on. Assuming relatively equal spacing of hydrants, I think I have made it up to half the distance, with the exception of the last run interval when I am cooling down. I haven't used a watch to time it but I should try that one day. I think the distance is a little over 2 miles. When I get half way, I think that you ran the whole way!!

Melissa, congratulation on 20 lbs - you must feel wonderful.
BevP - I agree - I remind myself that I better really enjoy the food if I am pigging out. Hate to add all those calories on something that isn't just fabulous!

[LisaL28]

Hi you all,

Can I join this thread? Just found the HLSG and read a few weeks back. This is great!

I've really fallen off the exercise wagon in the last few weeks! Work and misc. other excuses keep getting in the way.

Anyway, I'm going on a trip to Alaska that will include some day hikes at the end of July, and I'm trying to increase my work-outs, particularly walking in my hilly neighborhood and doing some stair-climber work at the gym.

My goal for the rest of this week is to walk or do stair-climber 2-3 times before Sunday night.

[Natasha]

Alysha,

You ROCK!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Keep us posted on your future progress, but by all means, do celebrate your progress to date. Ya deserve it!

Natasha

[lindrusso]

Thanks for all the words of encouragement!

Welcome LisaL28!

And Natasha, I did celebrate by getting my first pair of running shoes yesterday (I was using my cross trainers until I was sure that I would stick with this)! I'll be testing them out today at the Y.

[Tangerine]

Hello! Everyone here is so supportive and motivated. I think it's wonderful and am so happy to be here.

Melissa, congratulations on losing 20 pounds. Slowly but surely is such a great way to do it.

Lindrusso, your new walking shoes are the perfect gift for yourself, now that you're running the mile.

I walk two or three miles every day, and my routes are different all the time. There is such summery beauty all over that I don't want to miss a thing!

I will be having dinner with friends this evening, and I know for a fact that Lady Godiva ice cream is on the dessert menu. So, I think I'll walk past an extra tree or two today!

Tangerine

[browneye]

I started off the week traveling this week, and overindulged a bit in restaurants http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif However, I ran one day and walked the other, which really helped.
Lindrusso- CONGRATS on your mile!!! Isn't running the hardest thing you've ever done? It is for me. I am doing the "couch potato to 5K", very similar to what you are doing. I do enjoy it, however.
Tangerine- Hello! Welcome! I am fairly new to this HLSG as well. What a bunch of really nice people I have found here.
JD-Welcome-good job on your lifetime goal! I am doing WW also. I find when I run, however, I really like to eat those extra points up. I suppose that's okay, we'll see.
Great job everyone! Keep up the good work this week.

[MelissaAS]

Thanks for the congrats and good wishes- I can't tell you all how helpful it is to me to have a group of folks who are in the same boat...I bought myself a sexy halter top last night to celebrate http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Hope the week is going well...

[Tangerine]

Hi Browneye! Thank you for your welcome! Yes, everyone is so nice. I notice that you and JD are doing WW. I did the program a while ago, when portions were "selections" and everything was mapped out for you - three portions of this, two portions of that. How do you like the point system? Is it complicated?

Melissa, way to go to celebrate!

Tangerine

[Tangerine]

Hi Browneye! Thank you for your welcome! Yes, everyone is so nice. I notice that you and JD are doing WW. I did the program a while ago, when portions were "selections" and everything was mapped out for you - three portions of this, two portions of that. How do you like the point system? Is it complicated?

Melissa, way to go to celebrate!

Tangerine

[jd]

Hi Tangerine! I was not involved in WW when the selection system was being used, so I can't compare. The points system is easy though. At first, you have to look everything up, but it goes fairly quickly after that. The slide rule thing that calculates the points based on fat, calories and fibre is easy to use and as long as you have nutrition info, you can accurately figure out the points. I did see a review of the WW program, which was excellent, but noted that with points, you may not be as focused on getting balanced nutrition. A good portion of your points could be junk food, but you are still within points. I would think that the selections program would help stay with a balanced diet a little better. A good example for me yesterday, when I decided I needed M&M's for lunch (5 points), but stayed within total points for the day. There were definitely some fruits and vegetables missing!!

Hope you enjoyed your ice cream - isn't it great that you can indulge sometimes and make up for it during the walk?!

[jd]

Sorry - double post!

[This message has been edited by jd (edited 06-24-2001).]