Exercise buddies keep on moving!

[speedymama]

New threads ladies!

Hi everyone

This morning I did Taebo Advance from Everybody Get Ripped followed by 2 hours of gardening and then vacuumed my house from top to bottom. It was then I realised I had not eaten anything yet! Doh!

Anyway, feeling a bit jaded now so planning to start cooking a nice roast meal because DH departs for the USA tomorrow which means that I can only go running if I go to the gym.

Sweetheart, please don't go. That is what this thread is for - to provide support when we are feeling high or low.

Hope everyone is feeling OK too.

Wouldn't life be so much easier if we could eat and drink what we like without ever putting on weight? Oh well, c'est la vie.

Ok, Thank you so much for your messages - they have really been great. I don't want to go on and on but I'm gonna try and list out some stuff which

1. might make me feel better and
2. might mean you can help with some more excellent advice

Sorry, this will probably be really long........

So, I had a look on a few sites and it seems for my height (about 5ft 4.5 Inches - I think!) a healthy weight range is between 8.5 Stone (54Kg) and 10 Stone (63Kgs). Now I am currently about 10St 2Ibs so I'm at the very top of a healthy weight range. My BMI is about 24.

I have been dieting for years. I stopped when I had ds 18 mths ago and since having him I've lost about 3.5 stone (again - I think, I've lost count a bit!)

I follow the old weight watchers diet really. I haven't been to a meeting since before I fell pregnant. I allow myself about 18-20 points a day (sorry but I have no idea what that is in calories!)

My evening meals are all planned out - mostly to stop wastage in my house. They are usually something with rice or pasta. We do eat veg but it's normally cut up and made into some kind of sauce.

I started eating breakfast a few months ago on the advice of some of you on this thread. I usually eat weetabix or toast.

Drinking extra water doesn't seem to help with the weight loss - it just makes me pee ALOT!!

I'd really like to get down to 9.5 Stone. I managed 9 Stone 10Ibs before holiday and I felt great, if I could get back there quickly I'm sure it would solve alot of my negativity!

I feel like I'm going to be dieting forever and I know full well that weekends are my worst downfall - too many rushed meals, takeaways and booze! BUT I don't think I'd be able to be good all week if I didn't allow myself some time off at the weekends. Being at home is also a problem. I work 4 days a week and have no problem being good - it's just when I'm home.

The excercise thing - well it's just a chore at the moment. I think I might be bored but I have to squeeze my excercise into my lunch hour so not much I can do about that.

I wouldn't say I'm overly stressed.

I have been bouncing between just under 10 Stone and just over it for months and I'm finding it really frustrating.

OK, well I think thats everything. Dispite being pissed off I've stuck to my ww points over the last couple of days and haven't missed any exercise. I need to snap out of this before Friday when I'm off work - otherwise I'll curl up with biscuits and that will be the end!

Sorry to go on and on but thanks for listening. You lot are great

Sweetheart, have got my thinking cap on for you and here's a few ideas for you to maybe consider....
What about trying the 80/20 approach? here So that you can be good during the week but treat yourself at the weekends.

Or... if you're still keen to count WW points then the Wendie Plan is meant to be good for those who have hit a plateau. You could try to set a higher point day to fall on a Saturday if that's the day you like to relax and eat or drink a bit more.
the Wendie Plan

Or... Quit dieting as such and look at something like the Paul Mckenna system which addresses our behavioural patterns around food and uses "exercises" to reprogramme our approach to eating/dieting. His book is quite interesting here.

We're away this weekend so won't be online. I'm planning to go for a 2 mile run tomorrow morning and out for a cycle on Sunday, followed by a big roast dinner . Hope you all have a nice weekend, catch up with you all during the week.

hi just a quick questin really about my eercise do youse think what i am doin will be enough??? i am currently at the minute sort of doing sliiming world...weel really truefully not 100% sticking to it...have just found out i have an UNDER active thyroid...:im doin 6/7 miles on my cross trainers which takes me arounr 32 mins and then doing ten mins of weights and bout 5 mins of sit up...doing this mainly 5 days a week mybe 6 if i can be bothered but is this enough????
as last week had put on half a pound then found out but my thyroid so was bit gutted as just the cross trainer kills me to do haha then find out i have put on xx any ideas if this is a good exercise regime to do??

Hi everyone!

Sweetheart - I think - considering I have been able to keep this weight off eating dessert every day - that I have figured out the key - at least, what has been working with my body. I have never been this thin & I could not figure out how this was happening - my keeping it off - until yesterday. The one-word answer, I think, is MUSCLE. Everything is the same about my diet, but I have never had this much muscle tissue, i.e. been able to work out at the intensity level I am now at the gym. I think my muscle tissue is eating through many of the empty calories I consume. And I think as long as I keep it up - don't lose any of the muscle, i.e. work out intensely (when I do work out), then I may be able to hold this weight!!!

Consider lifting weights as well as doing cardio. It will NOT bulk you up. (I am a US size0 now ... that's down 2 sizes from pre-pg(but I'm short), and the weight that had built up in my lower stomach was - I thought - very stubborn. But now it's (nearly) flat!) The muscle tissue built seems to be chasing off some of the fat that's on top of it.

AND you'll be strengthening your bones while you're at it - for later years without osteoporosis.

PLUS the wonderful and life-altering thing about lifting weights (for me) is that you will be able to lift your heavy carry-on into the plane - 30-lb garbage bag to the curb? No problem. Opening jars? No need to ask DH. I'm telling you, it's been like having a super power.

Okay ... have I convinced you? Sorry so long. I just didn't "get" it before now.

Hi Marls. I concur with what you say about muscle. When at rest, muscle burns far more calories than fat so the more muscle your have, the more calories you will expend when you are not exercising. Women always worry about bulking out if they weight train but that is a fallacy because women lack the important ingredient that bulks muscle out - lots of testosterone. We only have a small amount of this naturally so we cannot bulk up like men. When we work our muscles, they become more refine, they replace fatty layers and therefore we immediately look slimmer because muscle occupies less volume than fat. Muscle is great for women.

Mandaxmx, you are doig 30 minutes CV work so that is excellent for fat burning. You could try varying it by doing other forms of CV exercise such as running or rowing. Also, try to do more with the weight training - use a weight that is challenging but that allows you to do about 15 repitions. That way you challenge your muscles to grow so that they become more toned plus they will burn more calories when you are resting. If you have an under-active thyroid gland then you really need to watch what you are eating very carefully because you will be more prone to putting on weight. Good luck!

hi
thanx for replyin to my last message
im really not looking to bulk out or to do much more than tone up i have recently gone from 11st 7lb to 9s 10lb (im 5f7) so im pretty happy with that but with that thyroid thing im worrying as i would like to stay around as i am mybe bit lower and i know it dosnt help with weight...
my cross trainer really takes it ut of me sweating and tiresum...and the weight i do mainly as an extra just to try tone my arms and found one for the side of my stomach..as i have had a baby this is the main area im not happy with seems to have stuck the weight on my hips but then cant be happy with everything xxxx

Good morning everyone

No exercise for me over the weekend I'm afraid. DH flew out to LA on Friday so it is just me and the twins plus I started my period - boo-hoo.

After putting them to bed tonight, I will work out to Urban workout DVD because I fancy dancing and it is less strenuous than working out with Billy or Nell or even Davina!

Hope you all have a good day.

Hello all.

Been keeping up with the running but I've decided to reduce the distance a little as my ankle has twinged a tad after the longer runs. But I'm finding it easier and easier.

But can someone tell me why young lads in cars feel the need to wind down the windows and shout things like 'go on, keep it up!' and other moronic things. What is soooo fascinating about someone running along a pavement? Why can't they just ignore me? Or are they trying to be helpful I'm passed the stage of letting it put my off - there was a time when I never ran anywhere busy in daylight because I was so self-conscious - but why do they do it?

I know the feeling Ormrian. That's why I run early in the morning when I know they are still in bed(lol).

I often see other early morning runners and the men always acknowledge you with a nod of the head, a wave or a cheery "hello"! For some reason, the women seem to scowl.

Glad the ankle is improving and you are right not to do too much too soon. DH is going to have to forego his half marathon for this year because of a recurring injury with his calf tendon. TBH, he has not rested it enough and as soon as he starts running again, he injures it again.

Have had experience of that too, Orm and Speedy - normally when I'm out running and coming to a hill... "Go on ye girl ye, just the big hill now!!" (cue sarcastic smile ... Oh really, thanks for reminding me!)

Need your advice please, girls. My lower back is still quite sore. It seemed a bit better for a day or two but feels tender again today. Main problem is with sideways or twisting movements and also picking up anything heavy (DS2 mainly). I didn't run at the weekend because of it but did manage ok on short cycle trips. What do I do now? Should I rest my back for a while or try to keep doing my usual exercise plans? Is there anything I can do to help with the pain/stiffness? It's really starting to annoy me now!! The lack of execise over the last few days (and eating way too much choc because I feel sorry for myself) is making me feel sluggish and tired. HELP!!!

Ow laloop! I sympathise having had back aches in various sites for years. Do you know any yoga? It can help.

Laloop - you may have strained your muscles and rest is the answer. I would also go to a sports massuse and see if that helps. It it's a soft tissue problem then this should help. It might also be benefifical to see an osteopath as you may find that it is referred pain say from your hip area.

Until the problem is resolved I would be very careful doing the Tae bo kind of thing as this is very much rotation.

What about a little more swimming and cycling/cross trainer in the gym. As well as a few weights??!

Mandy - Hi! I agree that your duration is i.k. as long s as during the workout you are still feeling as though you are working. At the end of the 30 minutes you should be feeling very tired!. It is good to vary what you do as the body soon becomes used to set patterns.
I also agree with the weights. Weights increases your metabolic rate as you have to supply more energy to the increased mucles fibres.

Your doctor should be able to give you more advice on underactive thyroids and exercise. Hope this helps

Thanks for sympathy, Orm. Unfortunately I've not done any yoga before so don't know any of the positions/moves that might help!

I won't tell you any then laloop as it might be better to see someone knowledgable first. SOme of the postures that help to ease back pain are a bit extreme and might do more harm than good atm. But long term it really does help as it helps to prevent problems arising in the first place.

Lorns, thanks too
Think it is more likely soft tissue, feels like a muscular strain. Might consult a physio and get some advice. Sports massage would be great as I think my posture in general is suffering because I'm compensating for the lower back pain and tensing up before I have to make a twisting movement or lift something.

Will maybe head out for a swim when dh gets home from work. Which weights do you recommend as I could pop into the gym after the pool?

Right, swimming gear is packed [can't wait to get out of house emoticon!]

Sweetheart, how are you? Hope you had a good weekend Just re-read your post Lorns, thinking now you were maybe joking about the weights !

Orm and Speedy Where are you running? I remember that used to happen to me when I was studying in Spain b/c they had just come out from under Franco within 10 years and weren't yet used to seeing women in shorts but ... even here in podunk Arkansas no one ever says anything. Running trail is shared with a bike trail, teenage boys, families, etc.
That'd really irritate me! I remember how hard it was to just get on with it when exercising in Spain.

Running in my local town. DH use to run with a running club in another area and children as young as 6yo use to spit at them.. Hence why he gave it up.

Speedy that's sooo bad

Laloop - you could do a few weights for the upper body (biceps,shoulders,triceps. Lunges and squats connect into the glutes and so could aggrivate your problem. Just see how your body reacts

Laloop - oh a really good stretch for the lower back is to bend over forward - feet hip distance apart(slight bend in the knees) and grab the back of your lower calves/ankles. The head is down and chin slightly tucked in. As you exhale, gently reach your lower back towards the ceiling and breath normally for 12ish seconds. Repeat if feels good!

OMG! How terrible!

Hi all
My PC is playing up this morning, have typed out a long post twice now and lost each one!

Thanks for info on back stretches, Lorns, have given them a go this morning

Going to try Davina DVD's Upper body section this morning but will take it easy and use lighter weights. Might go out for a walk too, the sun is making a rare appearance here after a couple of weeks of heavy rain.

Catch up with y'all later

How horrible speedymama . I've never had that problem, just stupid comments.

marls - I run round the local streets, footpaths and parks. I know the town really well so I can always think of ways to make my route varied and interesting. I'd hate to feel I can't use certain areas because of moronic idiots.