Posts by pam632

First of all, you should just banish the 'D' word right from your vocabulary.  You're NOT on a diet... you're adapting a healthy lifestyle through making better, healthier food choices and exercising.  When you look at it that way, you don't need a cheat day.  You don't eliminate anything from your food repitoire.  If you want chocolate, eat it.  Just eat a portion of it.  If you want pasta, eat it.  Just eat a single portion.  As you mention, you're already craving what you're missing!  That's going to cause you to binge.  Don't think of any food as banished or 'naughty'.  You'll only want them more.  Adapt a total healthy lifestyle instead! 

I make a fabulous mediterranean style tuna salad that I eat in a whole wheat pita pocket.  I use 1/2 a can of albacore tuna, 28g of feta cheese, 16g of black olives, green onion, roasted red pepper, and 2 tbsp of this low fat greek dressing.  It's delicious!

If you've been working out for months and you're seriously sore EVERY time you go to the gym, you might consider speaking with your doctor.  You might have some health issue that needs to be addressed.  Don't ignore what your body is telling you

Soreness every time you go to the gym is NOT a good gauge of positive results from a work out. 

I agree with Pumpkin.  You should put the word out to your coworkers that you're really trying to eat healthier and hope that they'll support you in your efforts.  There's really no shame in that.  Maybe people will join you for a healthy lifestyle!

Original Post by behanna:

You will not get any biking clothes worth having from any place like Wal-Mart.  A good pair of shorts that will actually last a long time is going to be an expensive purchase, but it will last a long time.  Cheap shorts will start coming apart in the wash after just a couple of uses, and they're already nearly threadbare fresh out of the store.

I got a pair of padded shorts from Dick's Sporting Goods for $30 and I've had them for over 2 years now.  I wash them after every use and they're just fine.  Totally inexpensive and totally not falling apart!  I'm sure you could order them on their website.   

I actually prefer to spin without the padded shorts.  I only wear the shorts when I bike outdoors.  Your butt will get used to it.  Trust me.  It's part of the conditioning.  Anyway, you might want to try a few classes before you invest in them.  Besides, you're going to want to save your money for a good pair of bike shoes!  IMO, those are more essential than the shorts. 

Congrats!!  Keep up the great work!

Cardio matters to your overall health and fitness.  Don't banish it completely. 

Wow.  Those are certainly extremes. 

I agree with Maha that there's no way those results were achieved without the help of something pharmaceutical!  A woman will NEVER get that bulky.  EVER. 

Anyway, I believe the goal for any woman with a weight training program should be to add muscle mass to her frame to promote health and wellness.  By doing so, you will effectively burn more fat and look leaner.   It's truly a win-win situation.  Don't fear lifting!

I recently read the following in the book The Body Sculpting Bible For Women:

"We recommend working out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach because you will burn 300% more body fat this way.  In the morning your body doesn't have any carbohydrates to burn.  In the absence of carbohydrates, your body goes straight to the fat stores (triglycerides) in order to get the energy necessary to do the work.  Another good reason to work out in the morning is the fact that at this time growth hormone levels are at their hightest levels.  Working out in the morning will allow you to expedite the fat loss process for dramatic results."

Now, I'm not sure just how true this is, especially the 300% part... 

Anyway, I think it's a personal preference.  If you work out in the morning and feel fine, then go for it.  Personally, I work out in the afternoon when I don't have anything in my stomach.  I cannot work out shortly after I've eaten.  I perform better on an 'empty' stomach at the gym.   

It could have been.  However, I would suggest before taking another class, you may want to consult with your physician, since you've had chronic pain in the past.  If he clears you, make sure you get the instructor to help you set your bike up properly before you ride!  There's a seat adjustment that slides it back and forth, that might not have been set correctly for you.   Enjoy. 

I agree with Jen_577.  A lifestyle change is a lifelong committment to health and well-being.  Quitting after a month isn't much of a committment.   Stick with your program.  You are woth it.

Your weight will fluctuate.  That's completely natural.  As the other's have suggested, take measurements and gauge your success by how your clothes fit. 

I don't think the caloric figures on those machines are very accurate.  You're better off getting a heart rate monitor for a more accurate read.

To really torch calories, try interval training.  Here's a quote from Wikipedia:

"It is believed by many in the fitness industry that this method of training is more effective at inducing fat loss than simply training at a moderate intensity level for the same duration. This has been confirmed in at least two studies"

I'd also suggest adding strength training to your regime.  It's essential!

It's Sunday!  Who exercises or tracks what they eat on the 7th day?  :)

Honestly, I don't over analyze what I eat.  I make healty choices and watch portion size.  I don't ever deprive myself.  If I want it, I eat it... just not the whole bag.  Know what I mean?  I did try, for the first time, a Buffalo burger for dinner.  It was actually really good.  They say there's less cholesterol and fat than beef.  AND, my whole motivation for choosing it was because of the portion size!  The regular beef burgers were 12 oz!  The Buffalo burger was 5 oz.  I chose the healthy option twice over! Yeah me.

Oh, and I did 45 minutes at the gym of arms/ shoulder work.   Like I said, it's Sunday!

Hey...  Congrats on all your fine efforts!  Keep up the great work.  However, you don't mention your diet at all.  You're not going to see any results if your nutrition is not in check. 

I would also suggest, as the other's have, diversifying your workout.  You might better serve yourself working one particular area each day, rather than a full body workout.  My routine is legs one day, chest/ back day, and arms/ shoulders day.  

Best Wishes!

Sometimes a walk helps loosen up the muscles and helps with the soreness.  Don't overdo it... Just walk.