Daily Workout Thread 9th Feb

[Lorelei]

Good morning to all

How are we doing today? Coda do you feel rested?

Mara I hope your arms are feeling better. I am having another fat day, still plodding on though. There is a new show on in England called Celebrity Fit Club where B listers are challenged to lose weight alongside ordinary mortals from what I understand. I was horrified to learn in my grocery store that my fave low fat yogurts are actually very high in sugar, a cashier told me that the experts on this show were bashing this brand.

I rely on these yogurts to keep me on track but as I can easily eat 4 a day I will have to seriously consider cutting back

Have a great day everyone

 

[coda72]

I do feel rested today, so I will try to do a workout tonight. I''ll do the arms, legs, and stomach, and then run a couple of miles. Probably no interval training tonight, but I may try to bump my speed up to 7 mph.

Lorelei, isn''t that bad when you find out the foods you like the best aren''t good for you? I think the key thing to remember is the calorie intake is what''s most important. If your low-fat yogurts aren''t that high in calories, they''re still better for you than yogurts that have more calories but less sugar. So, I wouldn''t stop eating them completely unless you can find a better substitute. I found a great snack this week. It''s no sugar, low fat pudding that has only 60 calories per serving. It''s probably the same size as the yogurts you eat, so if you can find something like this in England, it may be better for you. I don''t know what it''s sweetened with, probably splenda or something like that.

 

[ammayernyc]

Yogurt is very high in sugar. It''s harder for some people to digest sugar so it makes it harder for them to lose weight. This happened to a friend of mine who was doing Weight Watchers and following the program really closely but didn''t lose any weight. She went to a nutritionist who told her to cut out the sugar and she started losing immediately. You can try to substitiute low-fat cottage cheese (not non-fat, high in sugar too) and put in some fresh berries or mellon. Totally yummy, much less sugar than yogurt and much less sugar.

As for me, I did about 50 minutes on the treadmill, walking but at a high incline. I don''t know exactly how much time I did because the stupid machine would just stop suddenly so I had to start again twice and I wasn''t keeping track of the time.

I was shocked last night when I actually stopped eating when I was full. I ordered too much sushi (so low in points that I always feel like I should eat a lot) and as I was about half-way through I realized if I ate anymore I would feel sick. So, I stopped. I can''t remember if I''ve ever done that!

 

[Lorelei]

I know, it is such a pain - these are lemon cheesecake flavour and I love them

Is it the sugar free Jello puddings you found Coda? I I will have to look round to see what else is available, this is such a pain for me but like you say I will have to cut them back slightly and then try to find another pudding. These yogurts have less than 0.4% fat and 115 calories per pot, another good thing with them is that the tub size is good, you get about 175g so you feel as if you have had something, some yogurts after a couple of spoonsful they have gone!

ETA - great job ladies! I have never tried sushi and I don't think I could eat it being raw fish - but I am a Brit and we don't have the choice of these foods here. Is sushi really good? Maybe it is an acquired taste

 

[ammayernyc]

I love sushi! I think it is an acquired taste... I''ve been eating it for years. However, every once in a while I get a little grossed out by it.

I try to eat a lot of fish in general. So much better for you than red meat and you can eat much more of it for the calorie content. Anything I can have more of is good in my book!

 

[stermag]

Lorelei,

In the States, there''s really one major brand that''s offering low sugar yogurt and it''s Dannon. You have to specifically look for the Light&Fit Sugar&Carb control ones...

I, too, went into shock when learning how much sugar was in my favorite organic yogurt. When I first switched to the low sugar alternatives, it was very similar to going from Coke to Diet Coke - at first it tasted pretty artificial and just "not right"... but now the opposite is true. Regular Coke and sugary yogurts don''t taste right to me... they actually are too sweet.

This morning, my workout buddy (henceforth WB) and I did interval training for 1 mile and ran another 2. As a cool down, we got on the bike for 10 minutes to catch our breaths and talk a little. I am pooped and my legs are pulsating.

Phew...

Happy Thursday!

 

[Lorelei]

I can''t eat much fish, well I can eat fish sticks occasionally but that''s about it! Pilchards and sardines really gross me out, most fish does but it is a shame as it is so good for you.

 

[Jelly]

Stermag, you are my inspiration!

Lorelei, sorry to hear about your yogurt. At least it''s healthier than full fat/sugar ice cream, right?

Sounds like everyone is back on track again today! Way to go.

Jelly and I just got back from our walk. He loves barking at other walkers.

 

[stermag]

Thank you, Jelly, that''s very sweet.

Though I must say, I''m not having an easy time lately. My weight has been hovering around the same figure for the last month. And while it''s easy to tell someone else not to pay attention to the scale, when you weigh yourself once a month and realize you''ve dropped half a pound, it''s a little discouraging. I keep pounding it into my head that I must be gaining muscle and losing fat because it isn''t humanly possible to live the way I''m living and not lose body fat... but it''s mind over matter and mind is losing right now.

I monitor my caloric intake every day, simple carbs have been practically eliminated, fat is kept down to ~50g a day, protein up to about 1g per pound of body weight, I work out five times a week, alternating cardio and strength training... and lose HALF A POUND IN A MONTH?!



Okay, so I don''t take my multi-vits EVERY day, and I don''t drink enough water but... HALF A POUND?

Alright, I''m done venting... Thank you for listening.

 

[Lorelei]

Sternag if that''s your picture in your avatar, you look tiny to me as if you don''t need to lose any weight! But remember it is always harder if you only have a pound or two to lose, it comes off far more slowly - but half a pound is still great! Well done - think of half a pound of sugar or a lump of butter, and you will see it is significant

 

[ammayernyc]

Date: 2/9/2006 11:22:21 AM
Author: stermag
Thank you, Jelly, that''s very sweet.

Though I must say, I''m not having an easy time lately. My weight has been hovering around the same figure for the last month. And while it''s easy to tell someone else not to pay attention to the scale, when you weigh yourself once a month and realize you''ve dropped half a pound, it''s a little discouraging. I keep pounding it into my head that I must be gaining muscle and losing fat because it isn''t humanly possible to live the way I''m living and not lose body fat... but it''s mind over matter and mind is losing right now.

I monitor my caloric intake every day, simple carbs have been practically eliminated, fat is kept down to ~50g a day, protein up to about 1g per pound of body weight, I work out five times a week, alternating cardio and strength training... and lose HALF A POUND IN A MONTH?!



Okay, so I don''t take my multi-vits EVERY day, and I don''t drink enough water but... HALF A POUND?

Alright, I''m done venting... Thank you for listening.

I feel your pain. Maybe you''re not eating enough. Your body may be in starvation mode... conserving the weight to make sure it doesn''t fall apart. Also, maybe get a scale that measures body fat percentage as well. That way you can measure how much body fat you''re actually losing and can stop focusing on the number. Staying the same is almost as frustrating as gaining sometimes. Eventually it will come off!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/9/2006 11:32:23 AM
Author: AmandaPanda

Date: 2/9/2006 11:22:21 AM
Author: stermag

I feel your pain. Maybe you''re not eating enough.

That could also be a possibility Stermag, the body can go into starvation mode as Amanda says, especially as you are working out so hard too you may need more calories to jump start things.

 

[lovelylulu]

hello ladies. i had started a thread over in the bride section and i was told I should definately come and check out this thread

here''s what i had previously posted:

"I am excited because yesterday i realized that since two months of watching what i eat and starting to regularly exercise, i''ve dropped seven pounds (and that includes a whole lot of indiscretions, particularly around the holidays!!!) for the past three years, i had been going to law school in new orleans and for some reason (perhaps all the work

, unbelievable food

, and ever flowing alcohol

) i got pretty out of shape. i was sort of ignoring it, because it''s the kind of change that gradually creeps up on you over time -- plus, i''ve never been on a diet, always been pretty sporty so the whole diet/exersice/weight thing just balanced itself out. but, now i''m in a new city, i have my first real job and the motivation of looking good in a somewhat figure conscious wedding gown. so, i started to watch the diet (mostly cutting out all the unnecessary, refined sugar i was eating in bulk) and started up a decent cardio routine. nothing crazy, but i go regularly! it''s sort of a reinforcing cycle. i feel better, my clothes fit better, and i feel/see myself getting back into shape, so i keep wanting to do it -- not just for the wedding anymore. i guess i finally realized that only i can make that little belly disappear..."

now it''s eight pounds. and i''m feeling good! although, after working out fairly intensely the past three days i am ready for a REST!!! my legs are tired and sore! normally, i either run about 2.5 to build to 3+ miles or I do around 3.5 miles on the elliptical. i''m noticing not only are my clothes fitting better, but my endurance is up considerably from when i first started.

you ladies are all doing a great job. I''m impressed.

 

[stermag]

Amanda and Lorelei, you may be on to something with not eating enough, as I have been wondering that myself... but I thought that the reasoning behind my calculations was pretty sound... So, here''s the deal, and maybe you can sound off...

Firstly, I wish I had only one or two pounds to lose, but in fact, I am packing 20-30lbs extra (maybe it just doesn''t show on my pic). I am 5''5" and currently oscillating between 153 and 155lbs. So, assuming that my ideal weight would be 125 (which I nearly reached 3 years ago so this is really a realistic expectation) do I consume enough calories for my current 155lb body or do I consume as if I were 125lb?

My understanding was that cutting back calories to lose weight was essentially based on figuring out what your healthy weight should be and giving your body enough nutrients to maintain that weight.

Now, I realize that I''m also working out quite a bit, but that''s factored into my math. In other words, I am eating as much as a 125lb active woman should... since I thought that eating enough calories for a 155lb active woman would result in my simply maintaining my current weight, no?

Argh... I''m all mixed up

 

[stermag]

Oh and Amanda, I do actually have a scale that measures body fat and I have dropped down a couple percent but... I''m reluctant to rely on those numbers as I have heard these aren''t very accurate and numerous factors can cause those numbers to oscillate (hydration levels, etc).

I do want to thank you both for the words of encouragement though... As long as I stay on the horse, things should work out in the end. Still, as you know the first few pounds are quick to go, it''s the last few that are always the most difficult to lose... which is why I expected more initial change... but I might be scrutinizing a little too much. In my own defense, when you feel that you''re working your butt off... the thought that you might be doing something wrong and your effort might be in vain make you obsess a little. I guess I just want to make sure that all this energy is directed into the right place... and I''m not counting calories and limiting the intake of certain macronutrients just to find out I got it all wrong, you know?

Alright, now I''m really done.

But while I''m here, WELCOME to lovelylulu! As you can see, there''s great support to be found here... both on your good days and on the bad...

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome also to Lovelylulu

Hope you find the DWT helps you, but it sounds like you are doing great! Keep up the good work

The seven pound loss is INCREDIBLE - well done! It just makes you feel so much better when you get a handle on things and this keeps up the motivation.

Stermag, Mara seems to be good with calorie advice so lets see what she says when she checks in here. How many calories are you having a day? My take is that if you are having a thousand or a little less this can slow progress as it''s a little too low initially. They say a woman who is at a healthy weight needs if I remember rightly about 2,200 calories a day to maintain her weight. I think this is calculated on about 130 pounds average weight. It could be that you are not eating enough and your body has gone into slow fat burning mode.

Maybe increase to around 1300 a day and keep on with the current exercise and make sure you eat breakfast if you can as this will help start your metabolism working. Also try to eat more often but smaller meals as this way you get the benefits of a metabolism boost to help shift it out of slow burn. Try and drink 4 pints of water a day as this will help you to lose any excess liquid and stop you snacking. Also concentrate on the cardio/ aerobic stuff in your workouts as this will help burn fat too. You also are probably losing inches and could be increasing muscle mass, but I know what you mean that nothing beats a good drop on the scales and it is so disappointing if you have worked hard for no result. Lets see what everyone else thinks that might help and see if we can help to get the scales moving downwards a little more quickly for you. Another thing is that I tend to lose pounds in larger increments, maybe nothing much for a week or two then a large drop of 3 or 4 pounds so maybe try again next week.

 

[stermag]

Let''s see if I remember correctly (I did the math a few days ago).

I am currently consuming around 1700 calories daily (+/- 100). If I simply wanted to maintain my current weight, I would have to consume around 2200 calories, so this is really only a deficit of 500 calories daily. This doesn''t seem excessive to me... but maybe I''m wrong.

Again I say, we should find a fitness expert to join us in this forum.

 

[ammayernyc]

You also have to take into account that you are exercising, so your body burns those calories.

 

[stermag]

Duly noted. I think I factored that in.

 

[Mara]

I don't have too much to say re calories unfortunately since I don't count them (tee hee) but I do recommend checking in with a nutritionist or your gym nutrition person to find out how many you should be eating or what you should be eating to put you in that fat burning positive area rather than consuming too little and having your body 'store' fat for future. Also I know some of the online sites seem to have that stuff, maybe one of the government health places...I could have sworn I saw it recently on like american cancer org or something re: how many calories you should be consuming.

I can't count calories or fat grams really, I get obsessed with it and then I am not eating 'healthily' anymore but rather just by numbers. It's kind of like the scale, can't do it.

Here's what I figure. If your yogurt has sugar in it, how much? Is it natural vs processed? Can you burn it off or will you burn it off before it turns into carbs or fat? Not all sugars are bad. I drink coffee every morning with both processed sugar and milk. Milk has natural sugars too. But I don't have a trough of coffee or drink it all day. It's just one big cup in the morning basically, guilty pleasure. So if you like it, do it, just don't be excessive. That's my motto anyway!!

I have been trying to eat more fruits and vegetables too. On one hand I could be like wow those have more carbs. But on the other hand they are natural and good for you and I'd rather eat that than a cookie or something like that and have you guys realized just how sweet a navel orange can be? It's tart and cold (when in the fridge) and really hits the spot sometimes in the afternoon. They are great as a quick snack. I try to carry an orange or something with me in my purse..hehee.

Well enough of my limited knowledge for the day. I will say I'm disappointed because my arms still hurt, esp my right arm when I use it for anything, even to roll over in bed, and I doubt I will be able to go workout tonite at kbox because I don't want to re-injure the arm and not be able to work out again for a week. I may have strained a muscle or something. So I may just do another 2miles in walking tonite and then some abs and leg exercises and hope that by Monday my arm will be fit and in tip top shape again. But what a bummer!! I still have no idea what I did to really irritate them this much, as we didn't even DO arm exercises in class on Tuesday. I have a feeling they are just protesting the chronic workouts I have been giving them nonstop for the last 2 weeks.

Last nite we had an interesting hodgepodge for dinner, some leftover mac n'cheese, salad and some buffalo coated chicken strips (the fresh healthy kind!) from whole foods. It was yummy and I ate just a tiny bit of mnc so I didn't feel badly. Tonite we are having porcini mushrooms ravioli and broccolini in some sort of sauce I haven't figured out yet. Maybe more salad. When I don't work out I try to eat a little better esp at night because walking doesn't burn off as much calories or get my heart rate as high as my grueling boxing class does.

I wanted to end with my experience working on getting the ~10-15 lbs I gained a year and a half ago off...I am almost where I want to be and I may even have passed that goal but I go solely by clothes fitting...but it is hard and it does take time. Supposedly the more weight you have to lose the 'faster' it comes off but it may not be as visible...but those who want to get the last 10 lbs off...it can be very hard! I have been at this for a year and not always as disciplined but in general it takes a while when you don't have much to lose and it can be frustrating. Just stick with it and know that even if you don't see pounds peeling off that you ARE healthier and your body is happier.

Have a great day gals.

 

[AsscherGirl]

Hi Ladies,

I used to post in this thread sporatically - I''m back since everyone is so dedicated these days!

I had a pretty good workout routine around October, but unfortunately I fell off the wagon per say in the last couple of months due to moving, getting engaged (and having too many celebratory dinners!), the holidays and work all out being too stressful. I finally feel motivated again to get back to the gym, and I joined my old college gym which is right by my new house

.

Last night, Fi & I went to the gym very late. I was on the elliptical for about 30 minutes, then worked on my core. I have been feeling extremely weak in my stomach/back area lately. I slouch so much & sometimes it hard to even stand up straight. So my goal is to really work on strengthening that area (even if it doesn''t show 100%, I''ll be happy just to be stronger).

Unfortunately, I won''t be able to make it to the gym tonight as we have dinner plans with the ''rents, but Friday is another day.

Keep up the good work everyone!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome back Danielle

Rest those arms Mara!

Stermag I think you need to use 3500 calories to lose a pound. So try cutting back to 1500 a day, that should help. Sometimes a plan needs a little tweaking to work. Keep going!

 

[XChick03]

Last night I went to a Staind concert and drank a little bit too much, and surprisingly I woke up with a lot of energy today. Before noon today, I cleaned everything in our apartment, studied for and aced my history test, and went to the gym! I''m so proud of myself.