I miss the fitness threads and the fitness Doms!

[Lizzie_Borden]

This part should not be underestimated. It was only recently, at the age of 44, after decades of yoyo dieting and conscious DESPERATION to be thin permanently, that I realised that all these years I have subconsciously been scared of unwanted sexual attention from men I wasn't attracted to (I was abused as a child) and that my fat made me unconsciously) feel safe. Hence regaining the weight instantly, every time I lost it.

For me, it was a fear of people getting close. I hid behind the 'funny, fat girl' thing for a long time, while still keeping people at arms length. But really, I was unhappy, and I'd eat to fill emotional voids.

I got so used to being that size, it was hard to imagine being thinner, normal looking. And losing weight slowly has allowed me to get used to the changes in my body.

 

[intothewoods]

I don't - the gym is very focussed "me time" for me and my exercise. If I see someone I know there my heart sinks cos I know that at some point they're going to notice me and come up and want to chat for ten mins

Still, a chacun son gout.

I don't even talk to people. It's just the time going from machine to machine, or from the weights to a bench, getting to the gym, etc. And also doing boot camp type exercises tends to be more efficient for me. Part of it for me might be that I've been working out for a long time, and I need to do different things to take it up to the next level.

 

[FurryFury]

It's been four days since I worked out. I quit at 20 minutes because I was starting to feel weak and dizzy but I am feeling better overall or I wouldn't have worked out at all. I've lost 6+ pounds which means nothing considering how inaccurate the wii fit is. I'd skip that if I could. I was wii fit age 32. When I did the spinal twist which was the main thing I wanted to do, I felt something pop. Hopefully this will help my spine!

 

[Bandit58]

Sounds pretty good to me Furry.

Just adding a few of my own...

- As above, drink water!!!!!
- Less red meat (very little now) and more fish resulted in a definite drop for me. I now eat a lot more veges, less red meat.
- Brown pastas/rice rather than white
- If possible, i.e. if you go to a gym as part of your training, incorporate strength (weights) training. Every study I've seen shows that strength training as well as cardio greatly increases fat loss, in fact very very significantly. Women, you will not build massive big muscles - there is a lot of nonsense spouted in "you too can have this physique in 30 days" type ads... it is extremely difficult for anyone to add significant amounts of true lean muscle mass, and even more difficult for women. When you see those really weird female body builders... steroids or similar, and they're lying if they denied it. Same with men actually.
- Many people including myself found boxing (fitness, not contact) to be the form of exercise that really accelerated both getting truly fit and losing weight. It's horrible, but you grow to love it.

And regarding that last comment "horrible but you grow to love it"... there is a weird paradox in exercising. When you really learn to do what you think is physically impossible (most people even when training hard actually have 20-30% still in the tank but don't know it) it is absolutely horrible in one sense but you start to crave it. I do 1 hour boxing sessions of non-stop push-ups, boxing, crunches.. lots of stuff and you can see the pain on everyone's faces, but next week they dare not miss it and are all smiling, a reak camaraderie grows in the group. And don't go by my av as an example of what I can achieve in those classes. That is after 2 months of being away pigging out at some of Aussie's finest restaraunts and then Xmas... exercise and diet right and you CAN get results quite quickly, anyone can (relative to their own physiology and genetic make-up I guess).

My New Year's resolution was to drink more water. I have a 750ml bottle on the coffee table or beside the computer and I try to drink the whole lot every day as well as the usual cups of coffee etc. I also make sure and take regular breaks in my gym classes to rehydrate.

I eat a lot less red meat than I used to years ago but I love my lamb chops too much to give it up completely Switching to grilled fish as a takeout has cut out quite a bit of fat too.

Don't eat a lot of pasta or rice but switched years ago to multi grain bread instead of white.

I try and make 3 classes a week at the gym, sometimes up to 4. I do bodycombat, bodypump, boxing and spin. I loved boxing from the first time I did it with a trainer and now go to a class where at 53 I give some of the younger ones (including guys) a run for their money!

Regarding the weights issue - I've been doing pump for 3 years now and I'm nowhere looking like a female bodybuilder. Women are meant to have some fat on their bodies; look at Madonna (who is my age) she's scrawny and sinewy and it doesn't look attractive. All that's happened to me is I've toned up, got a waist and lost a couple of sizes there, and have some definition in my arms and NO batwings swinging in the breeze

 

[Bellatrixie]

So I weighed in today and I am at 163.6 which means I am .6 away from my 40 pound goal (and the tattoo that I promised to reward myself with when I got there ...I am so damned excited. It just seems so significant to me somehow. After this I am back to 10 pound increments because I am not sure if I want to go down 30 or 40 after this. Somewhere in that ballbark but I will see how I feel when I get closer.

But in the meantime I have my tattoo to look forward to and that is a very good feeling indeed.

 

[wicked woman]

So I weighed in today and I am at 163.6 which means I am .6 away from my 40 pound goal (and the tattoo that I promised to reward myself with when I got there ...I am so damned excited. It just seems so significant to me somehow. After this I am back to 10 pound increments because I am not sure if I want to go down 30 or 40 after this. Somewhere in that ballbark but I will see how I feel when I get closer.

But in the meantime I have my tattoo to look forward to and that is a very good feeling indeed.

Congrats! That's a major accomplishment.

 

[FurryFury]

Since Jan 3rd I've worked out nearly every day. Yes, I've skipped a few due to illness and even cut short my workout when I've felt dizzy BUT and see what a big but that was? BUT I've kept at it. I've not let being too sick to work out stop me entirely. And baybee, I feel good!

 

[Bandit58]

I don't work out when I'm ill, I feel it defeats the purpose and that rest and recovery will work better for me in the long run.

Even if I lose a bit of my fitness (which has happened lately due to my NZ trip and then getting a summer cold 2 days after I returned ) it won't take long for me to get back to where I was. I did a spin class this morning which was a bit of an effort - my chest tightened up on me a bit and I got a bit breathless - but I made it through the class and next time will be better

 

[bhndblueyes88]

*Sigh* I've fallen almost entirely off the bandwagon again. The stress of trying to find someone to rent my room in my apartment, get packed up, etc...etc... has driven me into a bad place...again......

I feel deep shame for my lack of willpower -_-

 

[FurryFury]

I forgive you. Here is a wafer and some beads. See what you can find to do with them.

*wink*

Anyway, forgive yourself and make today or tomorrow a new day a new beginning!

*HUGS*

Alternatively I could make you count the threads in a certain section of the library like R.J. did to me back in the day.

FF

*Sigh* I've fallen almost entirely off the bandwagon again. The stress of trying to find someone to rent my room in my apartment, get packed up, etc...etc... has driven me into a bad place...again......

I feel deep shame for my lack of willpower -_-

 

[FurryFury]

I totally agree with you except if I skip one day I tend to skip a LOT more days. So as soon as I can do anything, it's a good idea for me to do something for some period of time.

FF

I don't work out when I'm ill, I feel it defeats the purpose and that rest and recovery will work better for me in the long run.

Even if I lose a bit of my fitness (which has happened lately due to my NZ trip and then getting a summer cold 2 days after I returned ) it won't take long for me to get back to where I was. I did a spin class this morning which was a bit of an effort - my chest tightened up on me a bit and I got a bit breathless - but I made it through the class and next time will be better

 

[bhndblueyes88]

I forgive you. Here is a wafer and some beads. See what you can find to do with them.

*wink*

Anyway, forgive yourself and make today or tomorrow a new day a new beginning!

*HUGS*

Alternatively I could make you count the threads in a certain section of the library like R.J. did to me back in the day.

FF

How many calories does counting threads burn?

 

[FurryFury]

Sooooo many!

Or is that brain cells?

How many calories does counting threads burn?

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Sooooo many!

Or is that brain cells?

hah!!! probably the latter.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

So I weighed in today and I am at 163.6 which means I am .6 away from my 40 pound goal (and the tattoo that I promised to reward myself with when I got there ...I am so damned excited. It just seems so significant to me somehow. After this I am back to 10 pound increments because I am not sure if I want to go down 30 or 40 after this. Somewhere in that ballbark but I will see how I feel when I get closer.

But in the meantime I have my tattoo to look forward to and that is a very good feeling indeed.

Damn. That's pretty fucking terrific, Bellatrixie.

But here's the question: what does one tattoo on one's flesh to celebrate this kind of success???

Since Jan 3rd I've worked out nearly every day. Yes, I've skipped a few due to illness and even cut short my workout when I've felt dizzy BUT and see what a big but that was? BUT I've kept at it. I've not let being too sick to work out stop me entirely. And baybee, I feel good!

I don't work out when I'm ill, I feel it defeats the purpose and that rest and recovery will work better for me in the long run.

Even if I lose a bit of my fitness (which has happened lately due to my NZ trip and then getting a summer cold 2 days after I returned ) it won't take long for me to get back to where I was. I did a spin class this morning which was a bit of an effort - my chest tightened up on me a bit and I got a bit breathless - but I made it through the class and next time will be better

I'm really of two minds on this. There's a book on improv that I love called "Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up," and the author talks about how important being somewhere is. Just showing up, even if you don't feel like it, and how that brings results in all areas of life. And then there's Woody Allen's "Eighty percent of success is showing up."

It's an interesting idea. There is something about momentum. Habit. An object in motion stays in motion.

On the other hand, I have been trying to get by for far too long on far too little sleep, and I think it limits the effectiveness of even a very hard workout routine. I think showing up on my pillow woulda helped more. I had a nasty cold a few months ago, and pushed through and went to the gym almost every day, and it wasn't smart. I felt good for going, but probably would've done better to take a week or two off.

I hate doing that, though, because I really feel it when I take a break, and I become a rabid squirrel, and eat human flesh while talking in a voice like Gollum after a night at a hookah bar.

*Sigh* I've fallen almost entirely off the bandwagon again. The stress of trying to find someone to rent my room in my apartment, get packed up, etc...etc... has driven me into a bad place...again......

I feel deep shame for my lack of willpower -_-

It's okay. Back away from the Breyer's. Just get up tomorrow and do better than you did today.

 

[intothewoods]

Setting goals

When I'm feeling a bit self-indulgent, I allow myself to feel annoyed that I'm not skinnier and more toned. I am working out six days a week - strength training every day -- and I'm counting calories. I don't eat processed foods, sugar or white flour/rice/pasta. I limit grains, eat plenty of fruits and veggies and lean meats. I'm working out harder than I ever have in the past. And I am toned and I am losing weight, but I want to look more defined and I want to be at my goal weight NOW. And my goal weight is just to get to normal BMI (like six or seven pounds from where I'm at now)!

Ok, that was really pathetic, huh? I haven't been at this level of commitment for all that long. I'm sure I'll get there.

But my real question is what are realistic goals for a "normal person" (i.e., someone who's not a professional athlete)? Should I shoot for normal weight? Or try for less? Should I continue to count calories once I'm in the normal range? Or just focus on fitness levels? Can I get super defined arms? A six pack? I can see some definition for sure, but I want people to be like, damn, that bitch is skinny and cut, I hate her!

 

[midwestyankee]

Setting goals

When I'm feeling a bit self-indulgent, I allow myself to feel annoyed that I'm not skinnier and more toned. I am working out six days a week - strength training every day -- and I'm counting calories. I don't eat processed foods, sugar or white flour/rice/pasta. I limit grains, eat plenty of fruits and veggies and lean meats. I'm working out harder than I ever have in the past. And I am toned and I am losing weight, but I want to look more defined and I want to be at my goal weight NOW. And my goal weight is just to get to normal BMI (like six or seven pounds from where I'm at now)!

Ok, that was really pathetic, huh? I haven't been at this level of commitment for all that long. I'm sure I'll get there.

But my real question is what are realistic goals for a "normal person" (i.e., someone who's not a professional athlete)? Should I shoot for normal weight? Or try for less? Should I continue to count calories once I'm in the normal range? Or just focus on fitness levels? Can I get super defined arms? A six pack? I can see some definition for sure, but I want people to be like, damn, that bitch is skinny and cut, I hate her!

Maybe you just need to go to a gym where there is a higher percentage of vastly-out-of-shape members.

Or find a similar place in your head.

Maybe you're at a place in your life where it will make sense to be thinking not so much about what you'll look like - and what people will think of you - by July 4 but what you want to look like and feel like as you approach retirement (and I know that this is a few decades away for you). Having long-term goals that you believe in deeply will usually make it easier to keep on keeping on, or keep on showing up, as DGE would say. And while it's no doubt quite an awesome feeling to be admired for your fitness now, imagine what it could be like to be finishing a marathon the day after you retire - or something equally grand.

 

[YourCaptor]

Setting goals

When I'm feeling a bit self-indulgent, I allow myself to feel annoyed that I'm not skinnier and more toned. I am working out six days a week - strength training every day -- and I'm counting calories. I don't eat processed foods, sugar or white flour/rice/pasta. I limit grains, eat plenty of fruits and veggies and lean meats. I'm working out harder than I ever have in the past. And I am toned and I am losing weight, but I want to look more defined and I want to be at my goal weight NOW. And my goal weight is just to get to normal BMI (like six or seven pounds from where I'm at now)!

Ok, that was really pathetic, huh? I haven't been at this level of commitment for all that long. I'm sure I'll get there.

But my real question is what are realistic goals for a "normal person" (i.e., someone who's not a professional athlete)? Should I shoot for normal weight? Or try for less? Should I continue to count calories once I'm in the normal range? Or just focus on fitness levels? Can I get super defined arms? A six pack? I can see some definition for sure, but I want people to be like, damn, that bitch is skinny and cut, I hate her!

Depends what do you look like?

Two healthy in shape people won't look alike. Just depends on your skeletal structure, your muscle thickness, how your body places fat, limb proportions, etc.

For example Arnold can never look like Phelps, and vice versa.

So I'd say figure out what your best attributes are, and work on making those pop. Easier said than done though, cause usually we don't see them looking in the mirror. Because we have a preexisting mental image of ourselves we can never see ourselves like a stranger would. Same is true for friends, but a bit less so .

So what have you got? Boobs, ass, legs, hourglass waist, or a pretty face? Inquiring minds want to perv.

 

[Keroin]

Setting goals

When I'm feeling a bit self-indulgent, I allow myself to feel annoyed that I'm not skinnier and more toned. I am working out six days a week - strength training every day -- and I'm counting calories. I don't eat processed foods, sugar or white flour/rice/pasta. I limit grains, eat plenty of fruits and veggies and lean meats. I'm working out harder than I ever have in the past. And I am toned and I am losing weight, but I want to look more defined and I want to be at my goal weight NOW. And my goal weight is just to get to normal BMI (like six or seven pounds from where I'm at now)!

Ok, that was really pathetic, huh? I haven't been at this level of commitment for all that long. I'm sure I'll get there.

But my real question is what are realistic goals for a "normal person" (i.e., someone who's not a professional athlete)? Should I shoot for normal weight? Or try for less? Should I continue to count calories once I'm in the normal range? Or just focus on fitness levels? Can I get super defined arms? A six pack? I can see some definition for sure, but I want people to be like, damn, that bitch is skinny and cut, I hate her!

From a motivation stand point, I know where you're coming from. And my feeling is that whatever keeps you going, use it.

From a healthy, happy life standpoint, I say be realistic. There are so many factors that are needed to have a "skinny & toned" body - genetics, diet, training, age, etc. But generally, it takes far, far more time and effort (and suffering) to reach that state than is realistic for a "normal" person. Back when I had the body that made other women hate me? I spent 2-6 hours training, six days a week, often with a trainer, I was half starved and I was on a bunch of pills to help me keep fat off. It was a full time job and I was actually not that healthy.

MWY has good advice and it is basically the same advice I spout over and over and over. Focus on the activity and enjoy it. Enjoy being healthy and fit. Do fun things you love, play sports that make you want to keep playing. Screw what other people think about your body. Seriously.

 

[intothewoods]

Maybe you just need to go to a gym where there is a higher percentage of vastly-out-of-shape members.

Or find a similar place in your head.

Maybe you're at a place in your life where it will make sense to be thinking not so much about what you'll look like - and what people will think of you - by July 4 but what you want to look like and feel like as you approach retirement (and I know that this is a few decades away for you). Having long-term goals that you believe in deeply will usually make it easier to keep on keeping on, or keep on showing up, as DGE would say. And while it's no doubt quite an awesome feeling to be admired for your fitness now, imagine what it could be like to be finishing a marathon the day after you retire - or something equally grand.

I actually do think about getting older and it's definitely a motivating factor. I have seen the differences in quality of life between older folks who are in shape and those who aren't. My self esteem about myself physically is ok, I think. I'm just competitive and need to be striving towards something.

Depends what do you look like?

Two healthy in shape people won't look alike. Just depends on your skeletal structure, your muscle thickness, how your body places fat, limb proportions, etc.

For example Arnold can never look like Phelps, and vice versa.

So I'd say figure out what your best attributes are, and work on making those pop. Easier said than done though, cause usually we don't see them looking in the mirror. Because we have a preexisting mental image of ourselves we can never see ourselves like a stranger would. Same is true for friends, but a bit less so .

So what have you got? Boobs, ass, legs, hourglass waist, or a pretty face? Inquiring minds want to perv.

I suppose I am my own limitation. I mean, who knows what I would look like as a pro athlete. As you say, pro athletes don't all look the same either. And who knows what I'll look like after six months of this much exercise.

Well, I don't want my boobs to pop anymore than they already do. I want the muscles on my arms to pop.

From a motivation stand point, I know where you're coming from. And my feeling is that whatever keeps you going, use it.

From a healthy, happy life standpoint, I say be realistic. There are so many factors that are needed to have a "skinny & toned" body - genetics, diet, training, age, etc. But generally, it takes far, far more time and effort (and suffering) to reach that state than is realistic for a "normal" person. Back when I had the body that made other women hate me? I spent 2-6 hours training, six days a week, often with a trainer, I was half starved and I was on a bunch of pills to help me keep fat off. It was a full time job and I was actually not that healthy.

MWY has good advice and it is basically the same advice I spout over and over and over. Focus on the activity and enjoy it. Enjoy being healthy and fit. Do fun things you love, play sports that make you want to keep playing. Screw what other people think about your body. Seriously.

I think this is about motivation for me. I definitely care about what people think to some degree, but I'm also competitive and need something to strive for. But I also don't want to burn out or set myself up for disappointment, so I guess that's why I'm thinking about this.


I think what I'm going to do is stick with this level of caloric intake until I reach my goal weight -- normal -- and then reassess. Maybe keep tracking for a while, but work in a treat of some sort every week? Something like that. I think making sure I'm not going overkill on the diet is important. I recall the time I was on a carb restrictive diet and broke down at a wedding and ate like six or seven pieces of wedding cake. It wasn't pretty. I'm not that deprived right now at all but tracking every meal is a bit tedious and obsessive.

I think I should reassess my fitness goals at some regular interval to keep it fun and interesting and challenging, as you say, Keroin. I am LOVING how I feel right now, and I love getting better at shit that used to feel impossible.

ETA - thanks you guys, that was very helpful.

 

[Cattypuss]

I think what I'm going to do is stick with this level of caloric intake until I reach my goal weight -- normal -- and then reassess. Maybe keep tracking for a while, but work in a treat of some sort every week? Something like that. .

IMO a normal person at a normal weight who is fairly active should not gain weight if they eat only when hungry. Stop eating for reasons other than hunger, and you can pretty much wave bye bye to calorie counting or any other dietary rules - other than trying to make sure you don't eat a lot of junk and do eat a fair bit of real food.

 

[Bellatrixie]

Damn. That's pretty fucking terrific, Bellatrixie.

But here's the question: what does one tattoo on one's flesh to celebrate this kind of success???

Well I don't know about other people but I have had my tattoo chosen for over six months. I wanted something significant that I wouldn't ever be sorry to have on my body so this is what I chose...

And it will be a tramp stamp on my back because that is an area of my body least likely to be ravaged by time LMAO and I am already 38 so you have to think about such things! So see that blank spot right above my thong in my av...it will be right there.

I weighed in today at 161.8 so I am trying to focus on getting into the 150s. I find my motivation is lacking lately and the crappy weather doesn't help. Ah well! If I don't give up I will get there eventually so I just won't give up.

 

[intothewoods]

IMO a normal person at a normal weight who is fairly active should not gain weight if they eat only when hungry. Stop eating for reasons other than hunger, and you can pretty much wave bye bye to calorie counting or any other dietary rules - other than trying to make sure you don't eat a lot of junk and do eat a fair bit of real food.

There have been times in my life where calorie counting did not work, but this time I've found it very helpful. I wasn't even fully aware of it, but I would overeat at dinner for a variety of reasons. Now I think about how much I'm putting on the plate and just wait instead of eating more, and then I find myself satisfied. I don't think I'll need to do it forever though, just from time to time to check in on how much I'm eating.

 

[YourCaptor]

I suppose I am my own limitation. I mean, who knows what I would look like as a pro athlete. As you say, pro athletes don't all look the same either. And who knows what I'll look like after six months of this much exercise.

Well, I don't want my boobs to pop anymore than they already do. I want the muscles on my arms to pop.

Muscle pop means less fat, which likely means small boobs. Take your pick.

 

[FurryFury]

Dear lord,

Not working out everyday or as intensely as I tend to do or as I'd like to due to getting overheated and dizzy. Yesterday I walked for an hour and a half and got a little disoriented about where I was for a second. It was just a second but that terrifies me. Oh well. At least I'm still doing something.