I miss the fitness threads and the fitness Doms!

[Sidney_1]

For the first time in my adult life, I've gained 10 lbs over the course of the year. Mind you, I'm only 5'2" and used to be a size 0-2. So, 10 lbs. is significant. I've never felt so unattractive, and for the first time, self-conscious about my appearance.

So, I'm at the health club, the same joint I've been going to for years, and most of the usual people I see are there, including this one woman, who is like a sub-zero. I finish my workout, and she approaches me in the locker room, and in her sweet, sincere southern accent asks me if I'm PREGNANT.

I replied, "No. I've just become fat."

HUMILIATING. It just confirms that I need to get this 10 lbs. off so I can feel like "myself". I know the woman meant no harm, as she has seen me for 10 years looking like "me".

I hope I can lose the 10 lbs. in 2 months if I run/walk my 3 miles and do the machines 3 x/ week. (and try to leave out the late-night snacks)

On a lighter note, Lizzie, I'm glad to hear you have a plan.

 

[Lizzie_Borden]

Well, I've walked. It wasn't much more than a casual stroll, then a sit, then some more strolling, but it was fresh air, and sun, and I was moving.

I also did a wad of cooking today, made a casserole and a curry, both with 4 different veg in them.

So that's step 1 completed.

And so's step 2. My plating skills need some work, but eh, I'm a desk jockey, not a gourmet chef.

 

[Starr1]

I belong in this thread. I'm so much of a gym junkie that it's my chosen profession. . . just glad to know that there are others around here that also indulge in the sickness of working out.


Lizzie, that looks delicious!

 

[brioche]

Well, it's finally happened. After noting that my face looked thinner, my father, who was instrumental in having my mini fridge moved into the basement for all my "diet" stuff, has now informed me that in the new, smaller cube freezer (we're changing) that I will get two out of the four drawers for my Jenny Craig frozen stuff, and frozen veggies, and everything. Half the freezer space will be mine (we have a big fridge and freezer upstairs that they'll mostly use). This is because most of my meals are based around their frozen entrees (I don't really like the idea of the shelf stable ones, I think they have a lot of preservatives. Still, I have a few.).
So I guess I'm being supported. Indirectly. He hasn't stopped cooking food so tempting that I have to stay upstairs and come down after they eat to have mine, though.
And my metabolic thingie is in! They call it Metabolic Max, but it's basically like the Body Bugg in the Biggest Loser. It sits on my arm and monitors my metabolism and sleep quality and all sorts of stuff. I'm just hoping I don't react to the nickel in the sensors. It's a 50-50 thing.
Apparently even having it on your arm and logging in your food makes you feel more accountable, so I'm actually looking forward to it. I get it tomorrow.

 

[Cattypuss]

Been going easy on the gym the last 10 days because of my shafted ankle and it IS getting better. Maybe another week.

Meantime I went for a mountainous walk at the weekend and even though I've put on some weight I am clearly fitter - the inclines were easier on the legs, heart and lungs than they were when I was lighter but less fit a couple of months ago.

 

[Keroin]

Was just nibbling away at a small bowl of sunflowers seeds while working and realized that this is probably a good tip to share.

For those trying to make dietary changes, one of the best ways to stave of hunger? Seeds, nuts and beans. These are all low GI foods and make awesome, healthy snacks.

I always keep roasted sunflower seeds (shelled and unshelled) and raw almonds in my cupboard. When I get those "munchie" moments, that's where I go. And yes, sure, my body may be crying for something bad, like potato chips, but I find if I just buck up and eat my seeds or nuts, that shuts the complaining down in a hurry.

Also, hummus is easy to make and good for those moments when you want to snack on something more substantial. I use rice crackers or spelt pita to dip, (again, low GI). I like to make a huge batch and just keep it on standby in the fridge.

 

[seela]

I went swimming again, this time with a good friend and it was a lot more enjoyable this time! I think I'll just try to make this a routine, the enjoyment will hopefully come later. Although I still hate my rubber band exercises, and I've been doing those for 10 years now... But I will try to swim at least once a week, preferably two. Baby steps.

 

[Homburg]

*shakes the magic eight ball*

"Signs point to a slipped disk."

*sigh*

 

[Keroin]

*shakes the magic eight ball*

"Signs point to a slipped disk."

*sigh*

Is anything going your way these days H?

Hang in there buddy.

 

[Homburg]

Is anything going your way these days H?

Hang in there buddy.

/shrug

It's not that bad, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

...

 

[Keroin]

/shrug

It's not that bad, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

...

You are allotted six complaints per year.

That's one.

 

[Homburg]

I was laying in bed yesterday morning, aching and playing around with range of movement to see what direction it was slipped in. It appeared, in previous rounds of painful experimentation, to be slipped towards the left side of my spine. This was supported both by a lessened ROM towards the left and pain down the sciatic nerve.

After trying a few different motions, I landed on windshield wipers as a way to test rotation. I did a few, felt/heard a grinding ka-shunk, and my ROM improved greatly. Pain utterly changed from hard tissue and nerves to pulled muscles, so whee, but my ROM seems to have been made happier. I either de-slipped it or moved it in a direction that is less hampering.

There is a little voice in the back of my mind questioning my sanity in playing around with what may be a spinal injury. Oh well. Going to test movement with some kettlebell swings and such today. Wish me luck.

 

[Keroin]

The difference between GRRRRR and Stoopid

I'm not afraid to push myself. I live for those moments when I'm balls to the wall and giving everything in me. I do occasionally over-train, which I then pay for with a few days of exhaustion, but I consider that a reasonable price to pay for enthusiasm. When it comes to fitness, I am very GRRRRR.

I am not, however, stoopid.

During last night's spin class, with 15 min left on the clock, my left knee started to twinge. I shifted position on the bike a few times but the twinge remained. There was only one more round of hard cardio left before cool down, and it pissed me off that I couldn't do it. But I didn't do it. I took all the tension off and when the instructor looked up at me I pointed to my knee - he nodded knowingly.

Knee pain = bad.

There is acceptable pain (pain you can push through) and unacceptable pain (pain you should not push through). Joint pain, for example, is unacceptable.

Anyway, as I was pedaling out my last 15 min last night I was thinking that I often post on here about the joys of GRRRRR, which may give some kind of false impression that anyone who doesn't work through pain is a wimp or something. And that's a bit irresponsible of me. You have to know your own body, you have know what your limits are. And you have to recognize that not all pain should be pushed through.

 

[Keroin]

I was laying in bed yesterday morning, aching and playing around with range of movement to see what direction it was slipped in. It appeared, in previous rounds of painful experimentation, to be slipped towards the left side of my spine. This was supported both by a lessened ROM towards the left and pain down the sciatic nerve.

After trying a few different motions, I landed on windshield wipers as a way to test rotation. I did a few, felt/heard a grinding ka-shunk, and my ROM improved greatly. Pain utterly changed from hard tissue and nerves to pulled muscles, so whee, but my ROM seems to have been made happier. I either de-slipped it or moved it in a direction that is less hampering.

There is a little voice in the back of my mind questioning my sanity in playing around with what may be a spinal injury. Oh well. Going to test movement with some kettlebell swings and such today. Wish me luck.

Good luck H! But do be careful with the spine.

Speaking of injuries, etc. I am back with Dr G, my ART girl. (Who I am madly in love with). Mr. Bad Right Side has flared up again, despite the fact that I have been very good with stretching and whatnot. I am so thankful to have such a talented practitioner within walking distance of my house.

 

[midwestyankee]

This

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/mwy_photos/Nautilus-StairMaster-StepMill-SM916---1.jpg

kicked my ass this afternoon, just as I told it to.

So maybe it's time to report in. Started going to the gym regularly just before New Years Eve and have managed to get there at least four days a week since. For the first couple of weeks I used the rowing machine, gradually working up to the point where I can now row a 5K in about 25 minutes. Last week I began alternating between the rowing machine and the Stairmonster shown above. Am now doing 30 minutes of cardio about as hard as I can go, with a commitment to go 6 days every week. Have lost a few pounds but more importantly can now fit into one more pair of dress slacks than before. That leaves a couple more pairs that are still just too snug. For now.

 

[Sidney_1]

This

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/mwy_photos/Nautilus-StairMaster-StepMill-SM916---1.jpg

kicked my ass this afternoon, just as I told it to.

So maybe it's time to report in. Started going to the gym regularly just before New Years Eve and have managed to get there at least four days a week since. For the first couple of weeks I used the rowing machine, gradually working up to the point where I can now row a 5K in about 25 minutes. Last week I began alternating between the rowing machine and the Stairmonster shown above. Am now doing 30 minutes of cardio about as hard as I can go, with a commitment to go 6 days every week. Have lost a few pounds but more importantly can now fit into one more pair of dress slacks than before. That leaves a couple more pairs that are still just too snug. For now.

Great news; congratulations!

Homburg, that's crazy how you healed yourself. I think you must have been a healer in another life.

Keroin, thank you for sharing your message, too.

 

[Homburg]

Great news; congratulations!

Homburg, that's crazy how you healed yourself. I think you must have been a healer in another life.

Keroin, thank you for sharing your message, too.

Can't say that I healed myself, but my back is about 95% better this morning than it was three days ago. No low back pain or stiffness. I have heard a disquieting noise or two, but nothing fierce.

Conceptually, anything that can slip, can pop back in. It is a herniation that cannot gracefully be recovered from. And I don't know about being a healer. I tend to think of it as just being aware of my own body. The big trick now is to avoid the movement patterns and issues that lead to the slip in the first place. As it happened while I slept, I'm not really sure how to do that.

 

[brioche]

I'm really liking this metabolic thing. It keeps me in check. It also shows me what time of day my metabolism is lowest, and what proportions my meals are coming from - carbs, fats, protein,... it's cool.
Also, today, I had a junior cheese sub for dinner that I had been craving. Threw off my calorie count. But when I entered it as dinner and looked at my calorie count, if I skipped my evening snack, I was still in my goal area of calories - only 22 over. Plus, I had some things left over from the morning so I ate those.
If I didn't know that I would have had my snacks anyway, most likely.
And I had been craving that sub for a week and a half. The display beeps me when targets are reached, too.
According to the software I "am on a weight loss trend."
We'll see on Monday. But if I do lose 1.5 pounds a week, I will be on target next May. As in 2012. But I'm okay with that, I think, since it will be a progressive thing. 2pounds to my 5% weight loss goals, and 14 to my 10%!

 

[YourCaptor]

You know how a workout can get kind of sexual at times.

Well this starts out innocent but get's pretty damn pervy towards the end. I laughed so hard when I saw it on TV, best laugh I've had all week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFmRGKRFdG4

too funny

 

[Starr1]

You know how a workout can get kind of sexual at times.

Well this starts out innocent but get's pretty damn pervy towards the end. I laughed so hard when I saw it on TV, best laugh I've had all week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFmRGKRFdG4

too funny

Haha! That's great.

 

[Keroin]

Quiet week. I did 2 spin classes, a bit of swimming and nothing else - which made my ART doc happy. Mr Right Hip and Mr Right Shoulder have been up to their usual shenanigans, so I decided to back off, let the doctor work her painful magic.

Back to about 80% now! Yay. This week I'll go back to the regular schedule.

But I was thinking, whilst soaking in a hot bath and soothing my "crunchy" shoulder, how important it is to listen to your body. As I age, I know that things just don't heal as quickly and the years and years of abuse require extra vigilance. I need to stretch more. I always say that.

This week: STRETCH!!!

Long muscles are strong muscles.

(Also, I need to floss more).

 

[midwestyankee]

6 days of workouts this week, including a long medium-slow 45 minute row yesterday. Down to just under 20 pounds from the goal, too.

 

[Homburg]

I'm not gaining weight, and I'm down a bit from recent months. For now, that's enough.

Oh, and still standing erect. Again, good enough.

 

[Sidney_1]

I learned that I do not like group classes, except for Ashtanga or power yoga.

I also learned that I won't be "bouncing back" to my prior level of fitness- particularly the strength and flexibility aspect. I guess in your 40's. . . well, I just never should have stopped when I was in such a good place, as I may never be that person again.

 

[Bandit58]

I learned that I do not like group classes, except for Ashtanga or power yoga.

I also learned that I won't be "bouncing back" to my prior level of fitness- particularly the strength and flexibility aspect. I guess in your 40's. . . well, I just never should have stopped when I was in such a good place, as I may never be that person again.

I actually prefer group classes I know I have to be there by a certain time, so I'm motivated to get myself there. It's nice to see other people, to say Hi and have a bit of a laugh even if the only time you see them is at the gym. I tend to push myself more in a group situation - I tend to slack off if I'm working out alone.

On another note, it's 35C here today. I can't get myself motivated to go out in that sort of heat, even if the gym is airconditioned. The group fitness room tends to pong with a mixture of B.O. and several different types of deodorant mixed together *phew* I think I will try for a spin class tomorrow - that's if it's a bit cooler!