Posts by hafarrell620

I would take those readings with a grain of salt.  I use a heart rate monitor and notice that the machine's calories burned are 1.5-2 times as much as the more accurate heart rate monitor.  My experience is that unless the machine has heart rate sensors on the handles, ellipticals grossly overestimate calories burned.  Using a heart rate monitor is the only way to get an accurate read.

I agree with Jane... CC is lacking in some areas.  When I can't find it on here (which is often) or if the nutritional info is incorrect I always google the food and CalorieKing always comes up with everything... it seems like a WAY better site data wise.  I'm hooked on CC and can't be converted though ;)

I'm 5'6" and after losing 12lbs or so I was upset b/c I thought all of my clothes still fitted too (I was a size 10-12 pants) but after trying on a new pair of pants that fit that were a size 6(!!), I realized that I did drop down in size without knowing it.  I guess I slowly got used to how my clothes fit as I slowly lost weight.  Have you been keeping track of your measurements? If not try on something that's smaller than the size of your current clothes.  I don't want to get your hopes up on actually being smaller, but it try something new on... it could be you perception of "fit"

I love the LUNA bars.  They're really good for you full of vitamins, protein, and they say that they're low glycemic.  They're also 70% organic and not heavly processed like a lot of bars out there like PowerBars and Balance Bars.  LUNA bars are made by Cliff bars and I've had both, though the Cliff bars are much more filling but have more calories.  The LUNA bars typically have 180 cals and are perfect for quick pick me ups.  I think the Cliff bars have +200 cals.  I have a LUNA before or after some of my exercises and runs.

• BBQ Soy Chips
• Quaker Chocolate Mini Cakes
• Baby carrots
• Mixed Veggies with Light Ranch to go Packets
• Apples, Pears, Oranges etc
• Hard boiled eggs (whole or egg white)
• Almonds and 1/2 box of raisins (~250cals, high in cals but will keep you full)
• 100 calorie packs
• Popcorn in zip-lock bags

The list could go on and on!  Enjoy your vaca!!

Definitly do weights first then cardio.  After I lift weights and start cardio I'm already warmed up and my muscles aren't sore or tired, which they'd probably be if I tried to do cardio 1st.

From my experience I would completely ignore the calories burned the machine gives.  Once I got a heart rate monitor I found out that the elliptical was telling me that I was burning well over 300 cals than I really was, since the heart rate monitor is so much more accurate.  Also a heart rate monitor takes into account your age, height, and weight and gives you the most accurate calories burned.  Even if you used the sensors on the elliptical to get your heart rate, it's unlikely it's monitoring your heart rate the entire time (I've always found the sensors to be very finicky).  After pushing myself for an hour on the elliptical I burn about 400-500 cals.  Your heart rate should give you an idea as to how intense your workout is, whether your doing it too light or too hard.  You should find your target heart rate.  I base my exercises off my heart rate and not what speed I'm at.  I would suggest getting a heart rate monitor to help you in determining cals burned as well as gauging your exercise intensity.

The last time I went to olive garden they had a healthy option menu (which was basically a small piece of paper that looked like a pamphlet) that was available near the hostess's area.  I was so happy when I found it! It actually had a list of meals and items with their calories next to them.  I would ask for that menu.  I ended up getting a minestrone soup and 1/2 an order of a red sauce pasta dish for ~600 cals.  I'd forget about the bread and dessert... that's where your cals will sky rocket!!

A 6' 44 y/o man needs waaaay more cals then just 1000.  You're BMR is 2278 and you should never go below that.  Are those stats for more than one day becuase the grams of each are huge.  Regardless your sodium and sugar intake look great, but you defnitely need more fiber, I'd say at least 20g.  Are you fiting any dairy into your diet (yogurt, milk, cheese, etc)?  If those stats are for one day, your cholesterol is way too high, 2x the max recommeded amount.  I'm not a dietician, this is just my opinion.  Anyone else?

I wouldn't go by "cups" especially with cereal.  The most accurate way to get the correct serving is to use a scale.  I've noticed that the "cup" serving tends to be off, especially with cereal since cereal flakes can break apart in the box and there's probably more than a serving in that measured cup.

The calories differ on CC versus on the box b/c CC probably doesn't have the most update nutrition info.  You can contact CC with the correct info. and they'll update the database.  Yeah, it's a hassel and it's a crap shoot whether or not you're inputting the correct calories.

I have noticed DailyPlate.com has a lot more accurate food info., but unfortunately I've already gotten into the groove of CC.

First off, congrats on your amazing weight loss achievement! You should be so proud of yourself! 

But, I can totally relate to where your coming from.  Plateaus are awful when you're not too far from your goal weight.  My BMI is currently 22.8 at 141 lbs and I want to get down to 130-135 lbs.  Some people just want to have a smaller BMI than 23 .  It sounds like your body might be used to your workout routine.  An hour of cardio (or even a little less) is a great idea to do 5x a week, but it doesn't have to be intense cardio.  Along with a bunch of other cardio, I do a varying incline walk on the treadmill 2x a week for an hour for cardio.  Even doing some cross training like bike riding would likely help.

Running's very good for you but what it does is decrease your muscle mass, which in turn decreases your fat burning so I would really, really suggest upping your weight training to at least 2-3x week with heavy weights.  I have noticed such a difference since upping my weight training; a lot more definition and increased energy.  Strength training really is the key, I can't stress that enough.  You also should be eating at least your BMR (never under eat!) and no more than 1000 cal deficit.

Lastly drink tons and tons of water!  With doing all of this I think I'm starting to break through my plateau (the scale's been dropping) and on my way to my goal.  Hang in there!

TTOM and overinduldged ridiculously for the past week b/c I thought I might be preggers and was upset/scared/nervous/PETRIFIED... thankfully aunt flow finally came although my "diet" has gone to shambles... I will do better this week.

Start weight (June 23) 142.5

GOAL: 135 (by Labor Day)

• WEEK 1 (June 23): 142.5
• WEEK 2 (June 30): 142.5
• WEEK 3 (July 7): 142.5
• WEEK 4 (July 14): 143.0
• WEEK 5 (July 21):
• WEEK 6 (July 28):
• WEEK 7 (Aug 4):
• WEEK 8 (Aug 11):
• WEEK 9 (Aug 18):
• WEEK 10 (Aug 25):
• LAST weigh-in (Sept1):

• Total Weight Loss: +0.5lbs

I've been in a plateau for almost a month now.  I let myself eat lots of food this weekend to give myself a break and suprisingly the scale didn't move up!  Today is the first day of my zig-zag diet.  This week is going to be tough with all of the 4th of July BBQs though!!  Good luck everyone!!

Goal: 135 (by Labor Day)

• WEEK 1 (June 24): 142.5
• WEEK 2 (June 30): 142.5
• WEEK 3 (July 7):
• WEEK 4 (July 14):
• WEEK 5 (July 21):
• WEEK 6 (July 28):
• WEEK 7 (Aug 4):
• WEEK 8 (Aug 11):
• WEEK 9 (Aug 18):
• WEEK 10 (Aug 25):
• LAST weigh-in (Sept1):

At 115 you're already within or slightly under the ideal weight for your stats.  You should incorporate strength training to tone up any areas, although I don't think you should lose anymore weight.  Also, I've noticed that since using a heart rate monitor those elliptical machines grossly give inaccurate calories burned (heart rate monitor gave 300 whereas the machine said 500).  I also think progress for you would likely be to maintain the weight your at now.  It seems like losing weight after your recover is setting yourself up again. best of luck