Posts by mellisaann

I appreciate everyone's comments.  Some days are just more difficult than others.

My trainer is actually pretty great - I need the push occasionally.  He wants me to weigh myself 2x a day to get an idea of my water retention and hydration levels.  Apparently I retain a lot of water.  It's only for the first week - then every saturday I'll weigh in and get measurements.

I've only been to him once - so I'll give this a shot for a few weeks and see where I am.  I know nothing happens overnight.

It's just for some reason today trying to reach in and pull out motivation is next to impossible - could be weather related (raining outside).

And I'm tired - overly tired.

Thanks everyone - I'm glad we can lean on one another when we are feeling weak.

I'm in!!

CW: 181 (oh god)

GW: 160 (oh plz plz)

START     April 16-18:
Week 1.   April 23-25:
Week 2.   Apr30/May2:
Week 3.   May 7 - 9:
Week 4.   May 14-16:
Week 5.   May 21-23:
Week 6.   May 28-30: 
Week 7.   June 4- 6:
Week 8.   June 11-13:
Week 9.   June 18-20:
Week 10. June 25-27:

My alarm goes off at 4 AM - after a few snoozes I'm usually up at 4:30 AM.  I have to be out of the house by 6:30 to make it to work on time.

The idea is to do 30 mins of cardio before I leave for work - that's only happened a couple of times.  I find it extremely difficult to motivate myself into dressing to run before anything else.  (especially coffee or breakfast!)

After work is sometimes hard because after 12 hour days, 40 mins commute, crowded gym - who feels like it then? - but I usually press past all that and go after work and before dinner.

I'd rather get it all out of the way in the morning - but I can't seem to find that divine motivation.

Getting up any earlier is out of the question - I might as well stay up all night if I had to do that.

wow!  That's encouraging!  Did you lose weight (if so, how many lbs?)  in addition to these awesome changes?

My legs are burning from yesterday's workout - after her DVD I did go to the gym to do some strength training on my legs, so hopefully I didn't over due it. It's not painful as in the kind of pain you feel from something wrong - but absolutely a burn like I did something so right!

Oh man do I know what you mean.  Working out like crazy - obsessing about what I'm eating etc etc.....feeling like something is happening and get on the scale and BAM! - all the motivation goes in the toilet.  Sucks.

What I can say is - time - it's going to take time.  You just started running which is wonderful for weight loss.  In the beginning - we retain a lot of water - ALOT apparently...lol, but in time if you are consistent you will begin to see the changes and results you desire.

When I get on the scale I feel like a failure if it doesn't move in the right direction.  So - I weigh myself every 2 weeks or so (haven't lately for this very reason)......I KNOW with all the changes I've made that it has to show up somewhere!

Just make sure you are getting enough of the good calories -and keep working out - the scale will catch up.

I'm banking on it.

Oh - and take measurements.  This is the most accurate way to see changes even if the scale doesn't move at first.  Measure you hips, waist etc - I do this and have decided at the end of every month I'll do it again and see if I've lost inches.

THAT's what I want to hear! - I spend a great deal of time on the elliptical - roughly an hour 4-5 x week.  

I'm not doing this just to lose weight - although that is #1 reason.  But, I want to run a half marathon eventually.  I'm starting basically from scratch here - need to build endurance and train like an athlete.  I'm not looking for a quick fit to weight loss but I'm looking to re-shape everything about my physical and increase performance/endurance.

I think I pushed it to hard the first few times - I pulled a muscle (slightly) in my left leg and it's been nagging me.  But - I'll remain faithful to the training even if I have to repeat week 1 all over again.

Thanks for the great responses!  Been really helpful!

Original Post by kortlynmoore:

I'm a fan of bryers no sugar added slow churned vanilla w/ 2 tbsp of s/f chocolate syrup and a tbsp of better n butter it's so good and = 145 cal. Also I take 2 chocolate crunch rice cakes and a chocolate vanilla swirl s/f jell-o pudding cup and make a sandwich type thing out of it and freeze it for like 10 mins it is good and satisfies completely and = 180 calories. I also make a milkshake using 1/2 c bryers no sugar added vanilla, 2 to 3 oz of 8th continent light original soy milk( 2 oz makes your shake thicker, 3 a little less thick), 2 tbsp s/f chocolate syrup and a tbsp of better n butter and blend it for a wonderful shake that = 158 calories. Also for wonderful low cal ideas check out www.hungry-girl.comand I highly recommend the cook book!

 

 

 I love this ice cream too - but the serving is 1/2 cup for 180 calories -  how do you get 145?

Original Post by littleshellys:

Use more free weights. Heavy lifting. If you can do more than 10 reps without a rest the weight is not heavy enough. Machines are fine but free weights are superior in my opinion. I lift heavy, fast and hard.

Girls do not get bulky. We do not produce enough testosterone to look like the hulk.

Fat loss happens mostly in the kitchen. The kind of foods you are eating is just as important as the calories you intake.

HIIT and lifting are two of the only types of training that naturally increase HGH levels in your body (Human growth hormone) As you age that hormone declines and leads to weight gain, fatigue, fat accumulation and so on. If you naturally increase your HGH levels it aids in fat loss strength and stamina and an over all feeling off well being.

HIIT and lifting also burn calories while you are doing the activity but also keep burning calories for days after. If you alternate your HIIT days and your lifting days you can keep your metabolism constantly reved and you will be burning calories pretty much all of the time. More calories than you would with steady state cardio which burn calories while you are doing that activity but not long after. HIIT also burns more fat than steady state cardio. It is good however to add 10-20 minutes of steady state after an HIIT session for maximum results. For example. I sprint three days a week. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the sprint routine. When I am finished sprinting I follow that with 20 minutes of fast paced walking.

Also the more muscle you have the more calories you burn just living. Muscle burns more calories than fat. Your leg muscles are the largest muscles in your body so the more muscle you have in your legs the more calories you burn.

Eating clean/balanced is also key. If your diet is made up of mostly simple carbs, fried foods, trans-fats, processed foods, sugary drinks, artificial sweeteners and other chemicals you will not see good fat loss results. Even if you calories are at a deficit.

You need complex carbs, fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean meats and fish, whole grains, brown rice, pasta, bread. Healthy fats.

Don't fall for "diet" foods. Sugar free, fat free crap. They are highly processed chemically filled foods, usually loaded with sodium. Go for fresh, whole, unprocessed foods when you can. Artificial sweeteners should be avoided. They have been shown to actually lead to weight gain, not loss. If you must have something sweet eat real sugar in moderation.

Don't drink your calories. Drink plenty of water. Before, during and after your meals.

 This is awesome! - Thanks!~

Ok ladies - I weighed in on saturday morning and I've lost 2 lbs :)  I was so afraid of weighing in - but once I saw that number - it was pure motivation to work out even more.  Very happy about that.

*sighs*.....I worked out really hard on saturday but managed to eat far more than I had planned - but still ended with a decent deficit.

Geez this is hard!  :)

Well I guess we just do it and see what happens.  If we keep working out hard we are going to need the fuel.

I'm not generally hungry directly after working out - but the next day - Good God! I'm ready to consume anything - thus planning ahead has been a lifesaver! Even if the food scale is a pain.  :)

I've committed to weighing in on Saturday morning - but I'm absolutely afraid.

1600-1800 calories it is.

Hi again everybody -

Wow, everyone is doing so well!  Meggo rocks!!  Completely motivating.

I haven't weighed myself in some time.  I don't want to get discouraged..lol. I think I will on saturday morning and see where I am.  I'm almost afraid of a gain - I don't know that I could stomach that.

I bought a food scale and I am amazed at how I was completely UNDER-estimating some things I ate routinely!  could be the culprit to my efforts. BUT - now I am informed and moving forward.

Working out like a mad woman - being careful of the occasional "treat" this week. Over the weekend the ex brought me cookies (double chocolate peanut butter chip) AND a peanut butter pie - it's a conspiracy!  I drove that pie right over to my parents house and ate some of the cookies :)

I did up my calories to 1600 - a little more if I'm working out hard.  I'm still struggling with the eat more and lose concept - my mind can't seem to wrap around MORE calories - it's nuts.

Say a prayer for me?

I eat oatmeal everyday - I use the Old Fashioned quick oats kind - I use 1/2 cup and mix in 6 oz of skim milk - heat it in the microwave for 1 mins 30 secs and when it's finished I sprinkle some splenda - YUM!  One of my favs!

I normally pair this with a cup of blackberries or a banana. 

I greatly appreciate the feedback - that all makes sense.  I'm logging everything I eat - but my sodium is way to high - so I'm taking note of that with all the processed foods.

I'm increasing the intensity of my workouts beginning today - I do expect to retain water.  I usually weigh in every saturday - but I think I'll skip a few and do this on a monthly basis to maintain my sanity.

Thanks so much!

Hey Bluedevil - I think you may be my twin.  I'm 6 ft @ 180 and want to be 160 by May - impossible?  I don't think so! 

I don't believe any movement is a waste of time - every little bit helps in my opnion.  I go up and down the stairs at work - 1 flight several times a day - doesn't feel like much, but it has to be something.

How many calories are you eating a day? Just curious - I'm zig zagging and haven't really found the ideal number yet.

Good luck!

Original Post by miasmommy20:

Hot Krispy Cream donuts.  I'm just glad I don't live anywhere near the place. But if someone brings them into the office, it's all over.  I could probably eat half the box in 20 minutes.  They're just so tasty and warm.  MMMMMMM!

 oohh yeah - krispy cream with a cup of coffee - delish!!  How many calories in a glazed Krispy cream? - 1200??  lol - YUM.