Daily Workout Thead Friday 1/20

[MissAva]

Morning Ladies!
We walked for 1hr45mins this morning and went only five miles. We had to stop for numerous puppy potty breaks and the like, but I think we will be able to go farther once Martini is a bit older.
I am a little worried about taking her this far, but her vet said it was fine so.

My diet goal for next week is to stick with the eating plan EVERY DAY.
I have little goals for every week, and then monthly and so on, and a little reward system based on pounds going for Jaime and I. Hopefull this will help keep us motivated.
How is everyone feeling this morning?

 

[Lorelei]

Hey Mat, not too bad thanks. Well done with your routine, the reward system is a good idea, when I do well I treat myself to some perfume rather than chocolates ( Chanel are doing well out of me as I need rewarding frequently!) My exercise bike is set up in the garage ready but it is so cold here that I can''t bring myself to use it yet

Food stays the same, I need to start eating more fruit and vegetables, but I don''t really like many veg

, I like raw carrots but can''t bear them cooked, I DESPISE tomatoes, don''t like apples or oranges so I will have to figure out something.

 

[fountainfairfax]

Way to go Miss Matatora!!!!!

Still no exercise to report this week but yesterday the engine blew up in my car, leaving me stranded in the Bronx for 4 hours (I did meet the nicest people in the world, though) and I stuck to my WW plan (yes I had my food in my car

) despite being next to a Papa John''s Pizza, a deli and a Boston Market!!!!

 

[rainbowtrout]

morning campers

Did 30 mins on the elliptical today and will do some situps and pushups later today. the new bra worked out pretty well although I still despair of ever being able to run in my life.

Had a cookie for breakfast, but should have some oatmeal in a bit and maybe an apple. My goal is not to eat too many of the cookies the boy made. His triple choco chip things are EVILLLLLL.

 

[ammayernyc]

Great job everyone!
I love that New Year motivation... I''m hoping I can continue it on.

I had my trainer this morning and did 20 minutes of cardio before she came. I feel great with the working out, but the eating is always a problem.

I haven''t been really writing in my WW journal this week -- and it''s only my second week! I think what threw me off is that I went away last weekend so I just didn''t write anything down. I have been mentally keeping track of my points though.

I used my George Foreman grill for the first time last night. I marinated some chicken in yummy terriaki sauce and then popped in on. Very yummy. I''m not sure about the cooking times though... it wasn''t raw inside, but if I took it off any second earlier it would have been. I think this will be my new cooking tool of choice! Maybe I''ll even venture to make more fish!

I''m going to dinner at my family''s tonight so I know it will be a healthy meal with limited amounts of alchohol. Tomorrow, however, I have dinner plans and a party afterwards... going to be very tough!

I have my weigh-in tomorrow morning. I''m terrified that I gained weight. I don''t see any difference with my body yet, which is terribly discouraging. I know that''s unrealistic, but it''s hard to lose only one pound at a time...

 

[Mara]

I feel pretty happy about things, after slipping at holiday the way I had figured (and been okay with), I really renewed efforts in Jan along with more walking and stronger workouts, sometimes I feel like I will DIE during my classes. But the class trainer says that''s a good thing and that I won''t die. So far I haven''t so....

But I have been seeing some changese finally in areas that I have been waiting for. aka my little love bumps (instead of handles) are finally almost flat...YES. I have heard those are the last things to go. Also, I have been doing more things at home aka before I shower I do about 5 minutes of arm exercises and then about 70 crunches in 3 various positions. If I do this on days I walk and not workout hard, it seems to be helping things along in the ab area too.

So I''m very pleased so far but sometimes progress can seem fleeting so we''ll see. I have been walking ~2m on my off workout days 3 out 5 and then going to class 2ce a week still as well as adding in the new home exercises 3 days a week. I''ve also been doing well on my food which is good, but I also kind of made a conscious decision that I''ll continue the way I have been with food which is healthy much of the time and then not really minding if we go out 2-3 nights a week. As long as I stick with the additional exercise, I think it will balance out.

Stick with it girls, it IS hard but you will see progress if you do both the exercise and the food thing. Unfortunately it''s never seemingly JUST one or other taking care of the problem.

Here''s a question just in general for those who may be waffling or not sure if they can stick with it. If you are happy the way you are, then by all means, don''t lose weight, don''t change anything. No one is saying everyone has to be thin to be happy. So are you unhappy with your weight? If so, YOU do have the power to change it. That may sound trite but it''s so true. No one can make you do anything that you aren''t ready or willing to do. You put food in your mouth, you drink alcohol, you either go workout or sit on the couch, you do it. No one else. Having a buddy is great IMO but in reality, you have to be able to motivate yourself as well. We all know about sitting on the couch staring at the TV thinking, gosh I really should go workout but it''s so (insert excuse here, aka ''cold outside''; ''warm inside on the couch). One of the gals in my class the other night even said she sat in her CAR for 10 minutes at the studio thinking, do I really want to go in? But in the end it makes you feel that much better to do it.

Amanda, you never addressed my message from yesterday in the other workout thread so not sure if you saw it or if maybe it upset you, anyway, that was not the intent, but I hoped maybe it would help you see there are others out there who are in a similar boat and that the alcohol is probably sabotaging you, but I AM determined to get my friend back on track very soon (she''s finishing out a bad cold so we are going to talk about it after she is 100% better) because I know she can do it and I know she wants to, I think she just needs a jump start.

 

[ammayernyc]

Date: 1/20/2006 11:43:08 AM
Author: Mara
I feel pretty happy about things, after slipping at holiday the way I had figured (and been okay with), I really renewed efforts in Jan along with more walking and stronger workouts, sometimes I feel like I will DIE during my classes. But the class trainer says that''s a good thing and that I won''t die. So far I haven''t so....

But I have been seeing some changese finally in areas that I have been waiting for. aka my little love bumps (instead of handles) are finally almost flat...YES. I have heard those are the last things to go. Also, I have been doing more things at home aka before I shower I do about 5 minutes of arm exercises and then about 70 crunches in 3 various positions. If I do this on days I walk and not workout hard, it seems to be helping things along in the ab area too.

So I''m very pleased so far but sometimes progress can seem fleeting so we''ll see. I have been walking ~2m on my off workout days 3 out 5 and then going to class 2ce a week still as well as adding in the new home exercises 3 days a week. I''ve also been doing well on my food which is good, but I also kind of made a conscious decision that I''ll continue the way I have been with food which is healthy much of the time and then not really minding if we go out 2-3 nights a week. As long as I stick with the additional exercise, I think it will balance out.

Stick with it girls, it IS hard but you will see progress if you do both the exercise and the food thing. Unfortunately it''s never seemingly JUST one or other taking care of the problem.

Here''s a question just in general for those who may be waffling or not sure if they can stick with it. If you are happy the way you are, then by all means, don''t lose weight, don''t change anything. No one is saying everyone has to be thin to be happy. So are you unhappy with your weight? If so, YOU do have the power to change it. That may sound trite but it''s so true. No one can make you do anything that you aren''t ready or willing to do. You put food in your mouth, you drink alcohol, you either go workout or sit on the couch, you do it. No one else. Having a buddy is great IMO but in reality, you have to be able to motivate yourself as well. We all know about sitting on the couch staring at the TV thinking, gosh I really should go workout but it''s so (insert excuse here, aka ''cold outside''; ''warm inside on the couch). One of the gals in my class the other night even said she sat in her CAR for 10 minutes at the studio thinking, do I really want to go in? But in the end it makes you feel that much better to do it.

Amanda, you never addressed my message from yesterday in the other workout thread so not sure if you saw it or if maybe it upset you, anyway, that was not the intent, but I hoped maybe it would help you see there are others out there who are in a similar boat and that the alcohol is probably sabotaging you, but I AM determined to get my friend back on track very soon (she''s finishing out a bad cold so we are going to talk about it after she is 100% better) because I know she can do it and I know she wants to, I think she just needs a jump start.

I acutally didn''t see your message from yesterday. I''m pretty vocal when things offend me, which is not that often.

I don''t think I have a problem with alcohol itself. I have a problem with emotions and moderation. I do the same thing with food. If it''s there, I''ll eat it. If it''s there, I''ll drink it. It litterally makes me anxious if I have one piece of rice (or 10) left on my plate. Same thing with a bottle of wine in the fridge. It''s like a compultion that I have to finish. Not sure where that came from. I had a very normal and happy upbringing. I''m working on controlling the urges, and am doing okay so far. I am definitely doing less of everything, but it''s still a struggle.

Also, alcohol helps me fall asleep very quickly. I''ve been an insomiac for a long time so anything that helps is good.

I know my weight issues have to do with me and that I have to get up off the couch and exercise and put down my fork when I''m full or not order that yummy, fatty thing that''s on the menu. It''s just hard when I don''t see results right away... New Yorkers are known for their impatience, and I''m no different!

 

[Mara]

Date: 1/20/2006 12:02:40 PM
Author: AmandaPanda

Date: 1/20/2006 11:43:08 AM
Author: Mara
I feel pretty happy about things, after slipping at holiday the way I had figured (and been okay with), I really renewed efforts in Jan along with more walking and stronger workouts, sometimes I feel like I will DIE during my classes. But the class trainer says that''s a good thing and that I won''t die. So far I haven''t so....

But I have been seeing some changese finally in areas that I have been waiting for. aka my little love bumps (instead of handles) are finally almost flat...YES. I have heard those are the last things to go. Also, I have been doing more things at home aka before I shower I do about 5 minutes of arm exercises and then about 70 crunches in 3 various positions. If I do this on days I walk and not workout hard, it seems to be helping things along in the ab area too.

So I''m very pleased so far but sometimes progress can seem fleeting so we''ll see. I have been walking ~2m on my off workout days 3 out 5 and then going to class 2ce a week still as well as adding in the new home exercises 3 days a week. I''ve also been doing well on my food which is good, but I also kind of made a conscious decision that I''ll continue the way I have been with food which is healthy much of the time and then not really minding if we go out 2-3 nights a week. As long as I stick with the additional exercise, I think it will balance out.

Stick with it girls, it IS hard but you will see progress if you do both the exercise and the food thing. Unfortunately it''s never seemingly JUST one or other taking care of the problem.

Here''s a question just in general for those who may be waffling or not sure if they can stick with it. If you are happy the way you are, then by all means, don''t lose weight, don''t change anything. No one is saying everyone has to be thin to be happy. So are you unhappy with your weight? If so, YOU do have the power to change it. That may sound trite but it''s so true. No one can make you do anything that you aren''t ready or willing to do. You put food in your mouth, you drink alcohol, you either go workout or sit on the couch, you do it. No one else. Having a buddy is great IMO but in reality, you have to be able to motivate yourself as well. We all know about sitting on the couch staring at the TV thinking, gosh I really should go workout but it''s so (insert excuse here, aka ''cold outside''; ''warm inside on the couch). One of the gals in my class the other night even said she sat in her CAR for 10 minutes at the studio thinking, do I really want to go in? But in the end it makes you feel that much better to do it.

Amanda, you never addressed my message from yesterday in the other workout thread so not sure if you saw it or if maybe it upset you, anyway, that was not the intent, but I hoped maybe it would help you see there are others out there who are in a similar boat and that the alcohol is probably sabotaging you, but I AM determined to get my friend back on track very soon (she''s finishing out a bad cold so we are going to talk about it after she is 100% better) because I know she can do it and I know she wants to, I think she just needs a jump start.

I acutally didn''t see your message from yesterday. I''m pretty vocal when things offend me, which is not that often.

I don''t think I have a problem with alcohol itself. I have a problem with emotions and moderation. I do the same thing with food. If it''s there, I''ll eat it. If it''s there, I''ll drink it. It litterally makes me anxious if I have one piece of rice (or 10) left on my plate. Same thing with a bottle of wine in the fridge. It''s like a compultion that I have to finish. Not sure where that came from. I had a very normal and happy upbringing. I''m working on controlling the urges, and am doing okay so far. I am definitely doing less of everything, but it''s still a struggle.

Also, alcohol helps me fall asleep very quickly. I''ve been an insomiac for a long time so anything that helps is good.

I know my weight issues have to do with me and that I have to get up off the couch and exercise and put down my fork when I''m full or not order that yummy, fatty thing that''s on the menu. It''s just hard when I don''t see results right away... New Yorkers are known for their impatience, and I''m no different!

It''s hard to be patient for sure! About the finishing the food on your plate, give yourself less food? It''s so funny how oriented we are to eat until we get full. I caught myself the other night splitting up our stuffed chicken and was going to halve it because I thought well what if I''m hungry after I eat a smaller piece? Then I thought come on lets be realistic. Are you going to eat the same amount of meat that your 200lb husband does? Not a smart thing! So I cut myself a slightly smaller piece and I was filled up just right when it was all said and done. Perfect. But I totally fall into that same ''more food on plate'' trap sometimes too. Good luck!

 

[stermag]

Mara,

I saw your message from yesterday and I really liked what you said. I even started responding but got interrupted. Here are my thoughts, since this seems pertinent...

These are general and directed at everyone, not any particular person.

I have, at some point, developed a certain way of looking at fitness and my body which has been quite helpful and I think also healthy, so let me share a couple of points.

When I exercise regularly (at least 3-4 times a week) I see my body as "normal". There are actions (my workouts) and very predictable reactions (the results). By results, I don''t mean shed inches or lost pounds, I mean aches, pains and sore muscles and then following a day or two, increased strength, endurance and resistance. In a world where it often seems like we control nothing, it is unbelievably comforting to see just how much control we have over ourselves in this way.

I don''t weigh myself often (usually once a month), and when I do what I''m supposed to do, that number doesn''t matter to me that much. One of the problems that lies in being overweight is the self-judgement and criticism, the feeling that our bodies are somehow different and worse than those we see in magazines, for example. The key, in my humble opinion, is to push ourselves, to learn to like a little bit of pain - it will become a reminder that you ARE in control.

Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, you''ll realize that your body "works", that it behaves like every other - gaining weight when the calories you consume exceed the calories you expand and losing weight when the opposite is true. I like to look at my body like I would at a machine - it needs fuel to perform a task, it can become more efficient with practice, etc. Above all, seeing yourself this way isn''t as critical and therefore not detrimental to our confidence and self-esteem. The key lies in breaking the negative thinking and developing a positive (or at least neutral) way of seeing ourselves.

For example: I am 26 years old, 5''5'''' and weigh 155lbs at present. Two years ago, I was 130 (very close to the ideal for my body type) but 2005 was not a very active year for me. This is what happens. It''s no big deal. I know what I have to do to get back on the horse and I''m doing it.

A month ago, I signed up for a 10k run in May. I have been a jogger for some time but have never really run for more than 3 miles (around 5k). Having a few months to prepare, however, I have started a training program and am really enjoying the progress. Mind you, I don''t yet see any outward changes in my body, but I can feel myself getting stronger - this is very empowering. I highly encourage you all to focus on THOSE results (increased strength, cardiovascular endurance, etc) because those can be seen from week to week! When you focus on that, you lose sight of your other goals and once you do ... you suddenly realize WOW, I''VE LOST 20 POUNDS! TRUST ME - it''s happened to me before, so I''m speaking from experience.

As far as food... well... gosh, my personal opinion is that diets offer no long term solution. Finding a balance, rewarding ourselves with an occasional indulgence while maintaining sensible eating habits is key.

There is nothing wrong with ANY of you, whether you''re 10lbs or 100lbs overweight! Our bodies, all bodies, have been designed to move, so move them... as much as you can, and you will love it... (eventually

) And remember, pain is just weakness leaving your body.

On a final note, to all well endowed ladies who believe running is not a possibility - I beg to differ. I am a 32GG!!!!! Yes, you read correctly! If you cannot run YOU NEED A BETTER BRA! I encourage you to visit a running store and talk to someone there (preferably a woman who knows).

Thank you for listening

 

[Mara]

stern what a great post!!

it''s so funny what you say is true about the pain and how it makes you feel like you are doing something. also it really does affect your mental state so that you start to think in terms of ''well, i may not be model thin but i am at least IN SHAPE''. even if i have bad days where i feel like whatever i am doing is not working, at least i know that i make the effort and i push myself and that i''m HEALTHY....aka how i eat and how i work out and am active is good for me regardless of whether or not i drop any weight.

and actually i do relish the pain in a funny way too. this week i worked out on monday at kbox with a grueling workout, the next day i was SO SORE but i went for a 2m brisk walk and did stretching and situps etc, then did 2m the next day again with same exercises and was JUST starting to feel less sore from MONDAY and then went to workout at kbox last nite for another grueling workout (i seriously think that our trainer takes pleasure in the grimaces across our faces) and i knew i would be SERIOUSLY sore today..and I am! but it feels GOOD to move a bit and go OW because i know that i did something good...i worked out to my limits so that my muscles are complaining. i love that feeling.

i was going to take today off entirely, but i think i am going to go out and do another 1-2m walk tonite too, why not?

 

[rainbowtrout]

Date: 1/20/2006 6:45:01 PM
Author: stermag


On a final note, to all well endowed ladies who believe running is not a possibility - I beg to differ. I am a 32GG!!!!! Yes, you read correctly! If you cannot run YOU NEED A BETTER BRA! I encourage you to visit a running store and talk to someone there (preferably a woman who knows).


Thank you for listening

OK..so. I''ve been through every sports bra I can think of, and it just is not comfortable for me. I CAN run, but it''s hard to breathe if the bra fits, plus I have severe sinus trouble which makes it hard to breathe anyway.
I''m about 5''8, 135, and a 32DDD. I like my body but it has *always* been hard for me to run, even in high school when I weighed 115-125 and still had 32DD boobs.

So, I don''t know. I''m going to try actual jogging with this new bra tommorrow. I''m hopeful, but we''ll see.

 

[stermag]

God forbid this should turn into a bra discussion but here goes...

I was in England recently, as my boyfriend is British and we were spending Christmas with his family. While there, his brother''s girlfriend encouraged me to go to a bra shop called Bravissimo which is "a store for big boobed women". Now, I must admit, my thinking has always been that past a certain point, your bra size is no longer something to brag about, which is why I insisted on wearing "DD" bras even though they weren''t comfortable or supportive. While there, I was set straight. First of all, my assumption has always been that anything above a DD cup (unless you have implants) simply implies that you are fat! This isn''t necessarily the case, of course, and I''m learning to accept this. I don''t know if 32GG is a size I have ever seen at a bra shop before, but Bravissimo had it and it fit perfectly. I have finally realized what I''ve been missing.

Keep searching girlfriend, you will find the right one (bra, that is).

Which reminds me of a saying I once heard: Men are like bras- the pretty ones don''t offer a lot of support!

 

[lucious librarian]

Date: 1/20/2006 6:45:01 PM
Author: stermag

Mara,

For example: I am 26 years old, 5'5'' and weigh 155lbs at present. Two years ago, I was 130 (very close to the ideal for my body type) but 2005 was not a very active year for me. This is what happens. It's no big deal. I know what I have to do to get back on the horse and I'm doing it.


"I have started a training program and am really enjoying the progress. Mind you, I don't yet see any outward changes in my body, but I can feel myself getting stronger - this is very empowering."

On a final note, to all well endowed ladies who believe running is not a possibility - I beg to differ. I am a 32GG!!!!! Yes, you read correctly! If you cannot run YOU NEED A BETTER BRA! I encourage you to visit a running store and talk to someone there (preferably a woman who knows).

Thank you for listening

You sound like a great lady Stermag...would be nice to have you as a training partner. I could not agree with you more when it comes to self empowerment. I started weight training last March...had one of those epiphanies and just started moving my body. I love that I am stronger now at 37 years than I was at 27...and yes as time goes by it is harder and harder to maintain...

I too am well endowed...36DDD...and love to run...the solution for me has not been one bra but to wear two...a good underwire support underneath a good sports bra...to minimize impact, bounce, and rubbing.

So I send angels and encouragement to you all to stick with it...I listened to an NPR show not to long ago that talked about the making of a habit...they said it takes about 3 weeks to establish a habit (whether bad or good). Wow! 3 weeks, that's it? So if you start something healthy, it can become a habit in 3 weeks. Then after that you are making a lifestyle change...very cool.

Peace

 

[lucious librarian]

I tried to revise my post with this link to a great weight training site for women...coz it is cool and sexy for women to "pump iron!" There is a ton of information and encouragement to be found. So check it out!
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php

Peace

 

[Mandarine]

Well here we can even talk about exercise!...I''m telling you, I love this forum!!!

The best advice I can give is "get a dog!"...

Now seriously...I got my dog about 2 years ago and since then I''ve lost about 15 pounds...just from walking. I usually eat pretty healthy and I haven''t really altered the way I eat, but walking everyday is a great benefit!. With a dog you just don''t have excuses! (I have had many gym memberships that I never use...) Bue when I get home, I see him excited to see me and then jumping up ready for his walk, I just can''t say "no, I''m too tired today"! so even if it is for 20 minutes, we walk everyday!

This year one of my resolutions was to increase my exercise...do some toning after walking (I''m just doing this at home with videos, after the walk). I committed myself to keep walking everyday and do at least three days of toning. I got a free wall calendar from the grocery store and decided to "track" my progress. I think it''s a great idea!. Each day I write what I did (walk, toning, strech, biking, etc) and I weigh myself every Monday and write it down as well. I guess it''s helping me keep motivated!..

Anyway, good luck

and here is to a beautiful 2006...hopefully full of engagements and good stories!!

M~

 

[Mara]

Mandarine, I agree re: the dog, she loves to get out so much that I feel much more joy watching her run around as I walk than if I was alone.

Also great suggestion re: writing down what you do on the calendar, for me thinking about what I did the day before or similar definitely inspires me to keep it up.

Also today I was talking with my dad who does triathalons and is a serious runner and cyclist (aka 100 mile rides anyone?!!) and he said this fitness mag his gym puts out said something like your body starts to weaken as soon as 2 days after you last worked out, so if you do not do SOMETHING every other day, you aren''t getting the continued body benefits you could be getting apparently. He''s going to show me the article at some point but I found that interesting.