Posts by kristen_in_2009

i'm doing a half marathon in september, and i've done a few seasons of cross country in the past- give yourself at least 18 weeks to train.  i'm starting my training now.  you probably want to eat at maintenance, and the reason for this is that during training, your metabolism goes ridiculous.  you'll actually be eating for weight loss if you try to figure for maintenance, in all likelihood.  and if you do decide to still figure for weight loss, please please please eat right!  lol i'm sure you know that fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and nuts and legumes are way more valuable as calories than the refined stuff.

good luck!

Up the cal intake to maintenance for a week, then drop the calories again.  It'll be like you just started your diet all over again, and the pounds'll drop again.  You're probably not taking in enough calories, yadda yadda, and when are you exercising?  Best to exercise in the morning, before you go to work.  Boosts metabolism for the whole day.

Good luck, don't feel down, you're doing great.

SW 237.5

EW 222

Lost- 15.5

This was my first month.  I HATE the biggest loser, it really reinforces the unhealthy ways Americans view and treat their body.  Losing that much weight that fast is very confusing to your body, and the last things Americans need is to see a rat race about it.  Everyone is more than a number on the scale, and I HATE shows that will tell you otherwise!  Plus I think most of the Biggest Losers really need a healthier self-esteem, because going into that, they have none and then they build it up by their success in losing weight.. then they're back at rock bottom when it goes back on again.  It's pretty cruel if you ask me. 

Weight training every day is a no.. that kind of program is designed for competitors with short-term goals, not long-term. I agree that you should probably alternate your cardio with weight training (with a short warm-up before).

Also, you're not eating enough to make up for exercise, you don't want to have more than 1000 calories deficit for the day- that includes exercise.  Your metabolism is adjusting to lower cal intake as we speak.

I do I do!  3.5 miles each way, 5 days a week.  I use a backpack.. also, I bike in my work clothes.  Even in dresses.  I just make sure to be careful skirts and dresses are tucked beneath me.  And do you use headlights?  The bell headlight I used just fell off 3 different times, I think I need a different brand.

No, you were right the first time.

If you are lightly active, you'll burn more calories throughout the day because your metabolism is higher than a sedentary person.  Amounts of calories burned through working out are additional amounts that should be logged.  That said, I find that caloriesperhour.com has a better, more individualistic approach to determining how many calories an activity burns. 

Also, I don't log in simple activites like brushing teeth and putting on makeup, because I assume those were included in the calorie-count estimate of calories burned per day.  I may be wrong there, but I do like to stay on the safe side.

Ummmm BMI is kinda known for being an inaccurate way to find body fat %.  Yep.  Not ALMOST accurate.

Hmm.. I had a feeling this was the case.  This site seems to be more believable though.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calcul ator/

For hunger, I focus on getting more fiber.  It's filling and has great effects on your digestive system.  Foods with fiber are whole-grain bread products, legumes, and some fruits.  Also, try fruits with high water content, like melons and oranges.  Watermelon is a grrrreat all-around diet food.  Finally, for your before-bed snack (I need one too, since I don't eat meals after 5) try mixing some nut butter in with apples.  A tablespoon of sunflower seed or almond butter goes a long way, and tastes great. 

Original Post by floggingsully:

Original Post by kristen_in_2009:

I can't believe no one has said this already- running!!

 

maybe because running is seriously lacking in the 'total body' part

What muscles do you not use when running?  Oh yeah.. your nose muscles!  Whoops.

If you like oatmeal, I'd say throw some nuts/ nut butter in there.  Every morning I either have half a cup dry whole oatmeal, cooked, with sunflower seed butter or half a cup walnuts.  I add honey, too.  One tbsp definitely does the trick.. and then I'm full!

What?!  I would certainly not agree with christiecomp.  You can definitely be serious about losing weight and still lose to the urges every now and then.  It's not just sheer willpower that gets people through weight loss, it's finding the right way to do it that meshes with their personalities.  If you eat when you're bored, you have the habit that's going to be hard to break.  So wean yourself off of that habit, or turn it into a good habit, like someone else already suggested.  Keep raw fruits and veggies around, and the act of eating something should keep you satisfied.  Maybe you can also write down a check list of things to do when you're bored that don't consist of eating, and when you find yourself fighting the boredom cravings, consult the list.  It's a common habit people have, and it's commonly kicked through all sorts of ways, you just have to find the best way for you- something you *want* to do.

I can't believe no one has said this already- running!!

It can get a little boring, but if you're the type that needs structure to stick to, running is great.  Mostly it takes from you center, but you pump your shoulders/arms and obviously your legs get it too.  The cardio factor burns away fat and the strength factor helps build muscle.

Good luck to you :)

Original Post by freshbakedpi:

^I wouldn't call cutting 500 calories/day or losing 1lb/week slow & your advice is not one size fits all. If I cut 500 calories from my calories burned that would leave me with 1100 calories.

OP: I would try to keep within your maintenance calories for a while. Use this time to try out new nutritious food choices & experiment with healthy recipes. When you get used to that, or whenever you feel you're ready, try cutting out 100 calories.

You can go back & forth, one day eating maintenance, and on another day when you don't feel as hungry, cut out whatever makes you feel comfortable. Most importantly, don't feel guilty about eating or like you're "cheating" if you eat when you're hungry. Your body is doing it's job of keeping itself fed. If you cut out 500 calories, your body is going to notice & try to get you to eat it back. It wont freak out that much if you cut closer to your calories burned.

Weight loss doesn't have to be a strict regimen, in fact it's better if it's not. You want a healthy life, not a diet. Focus on making healthy choices, walking, whatever exercise is comfortable to you & not depriving yourself of the things you enjoy.

Actually, she did provide her weight.  Her BMR is going to be above 2000 at that weight, and the first recommendation was fair.  A pound a week is totally reasonable at that weight.  In fact, that's close to my starting weight and I'm going to admit that losing a pound a week is easy peasy.  I eat 2000 calories a day, exercise moderately about 40 minutes a day five days a week, and more than a pound a week comes off.

Sigh, snippety sigh.

Whoa, PMS mama.

This post didn't include that the girl is in recovery from an ED.  The response shouldn't have been offensive.  Frankly, I was confused too.  I would have said the same thing.. if you feel like you get more nutrition elsewhere, go for it.  Or you can put something even more nutritious ON the bread, like some almond or sunflower seed butter, on maybe half a slice of the bread to make you feel better about it.  That's still doing good.