Posts by turnertower

Hear hear Amayou82 !

the 'real women' quote was the headline on that website, not my ideal choice of words.

...but that said...I shall ignore the skinny comment because I don't want to descend into a skinny related body image thread.

Healthy glowing curvy girls rock - that was my point. 

The whole being sedentary for 8-9 hours a day can be a real killer. 

I try to run on lunch breaks couple of times a week, but I still hate the feeling that my butt goes numb in my work chair if I'm sat down for couple of hours in a row...

I wish I could have an outdoor job, but needs must and my desk job pays the bills.

I'm already doing no carbs in evening meals and found it might be helping with other things like PMT cramps.

Angela - you look amazing! well done!

Laura - I am 30, but I've thought my metabolism was slower than most since about 21. About 2 years ago I lost a heck of a lot of weight through healthy eating and running (2-3 times a week), but this time around I've been exercising like mad now and seeing little change, whereas before I've lost through healthy eating alone...so there was definitely something up there.

hopefully my enthusiasm for work will pick up if I start treatment, I had been dreading applying for new jobs (my contract ends in a month) with really low motivation and lethargy, but now I hope if I can start treatment, that might pick up and be back to my normal self!

Thanks again ladies :)

I've literally just been diagnosed, so I have to return to my surgery to see my GP.

We dont automatically get referred to specialists in the UK, but I've heard from others that seeing an Endocrinologist would be good so I will ask if that would be possible (no doubt I will have to wait a while for that).

I have ALWAYS felt the cold, and experienced hypothermia twice, which in retrospect now makes sense.  

I actually went because I thought I might have anaemia as I've been feeling so drained and exhausted but it might also explain the lack of concentration at work and feeling a bit ugh in general.

I suspect my condition has been related to the contraceptive pill and I have most likely exacerbated it through restricting my diet and over exercising.

I always hated being on The Pill.  Now I am a bit annoyed that taking medication may well have now led to me needing to go on more medication, and I really hope does not lead to further conditions or complications.

I stopped The Pill about 6 months ago I noticed weight piled on (some girls notice a weight loss after coming off) and it just hasnt been shifting as quick as I'd hoped, despite running 3-5 miles a day plus circuits and reduced cal intake. 

See here for a better breakdown of my diet over the last 3 months.

Now, please I hope no one finds this frivolous, but I am really aware that I dont want to become one of those people who uses such a condition as an excuse, but I think there is definitely something to it.

However I am going to see what the medical advice says and go from there.  

Angelaimes - did you research anything dietary that you could include to help with the condition?  Are there any food types which can help?  

Thanks for your reply :)

Gym bunnies. Full stop.

I work at a University, so the gym I frequent, is generally full of 18 year old darhlings.

Their usual drill:

Waltz in.

Stand in front of weights mirror, adjust pony tail, pout.

Get on the elliptical for 10 minutes.

Prop a girly magazine up on the console.

Take a gnats worth sip of water from ridiculously expensive mineral water bottle.

Half heartedly move to and fro on elliptical whilst pouting at themselves in the window reflection, flicking pages of magazine, adjusting their pony tail/ill fitting tiny tank top.

Then after 10 minute (at a push) they get off, look around for hot male 18 year olds (their habitat and occupation is, generally sat doing nothing or texting whilst sat on the weights machines).

And me, well I'm dripping in sweat in a baggy faded t shirt from 1986, red as beetroot in the face and about to die on the treadmill.

Jealous. Never

Hope you dont all mind me chipping in here

As of last night (row with bf PAH) - my bags are packed and ready to catch the space shuttle to Venus...all aboard wooo wooo haha

Another voice from the UK just to confuse us with number conversions haha.

Not sure about the US but UK stores have most definitely adjusted their clothing size labels in the last 5-10 years. 

It's an absolute minefield, getting a nice fitting pair of jeans is a nightmare and not necessarily the case that if you find one store/brand/type of jeans that works with your body shape, that it will when you next come to need jeans! grrrr

Havent weighed myself recently, but around 150lb 5'3 and generally UK size 10 (US 6) top, size 12 (US 8) bottom. 34 chest, 28 waist, 39 hips.  So yeah, try as I might, those hips and ass just wont get into a 10 trouser.

Is it vain to restrict your shopping to stores where you know you will be a 10-12 and avoid the ones where even the 14s give you a muffin top and unsightly bulges? haha

I generally stick to Topshop baggy boyfriend fit jeans size 30" and or loose linen trousers. I dont have the calves or the thighs for skinny fit and I wouldnt want to inflict the look of over stuffed sausage meat on the general public haha

One thing I've always found odd is that US brands like North Face are always so small?!? Anyone else find that.  I guess the outdoor styles assume you are gonna be smaller if you're active right?

Jillian sure is a popular lady on the fitness forums and I love all her vids!

See this thread for more reviews:

http://caloriecount.about.com/shred-reviews-f t148656

I've been doing '30 Day Shred' 5-6 days a week since June combined with balanced diet and running.

Not sure how much is down to individual physiology, but I have seen noticeable changes to my obliques, upper arms and thighs.

It is a great work out and I love that there are 3 different work outs.

One thing I would say is don't just aim to get to Level 3.

There are parts of Level 1 that I still find challenging and parts of Level 3 that don't really feel enough...but generally I am always drenched in sweat and panting after Level 2 and 3!

So I mix levels up as they are ALL a really good workout.

Also, you can try using slightly heavier weights if you want more of a challenge.

There's lots of flexibility with 30 day shred and I love it!

No More Trouble Zones is also great but mainly strength and resistance, less cardio. Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism has more cardio.

On a somewhat crude note, I have gone from generally being perceived as a gianormous pair of walking tits to...less up top but a nice curvy round peachy butt!

My boyfriend is most definitely an 'ass man', so it's kinda nice to be appreciated for a different body part for a change and he sure does like to tell me how good it looks, and I love him for that he he

I can only speak personally as I run more outdoors, but I'm less inclined to run around the streets after 6pm in winter as a personal safety precaution.

Also when it gets icy (November-Feb here and this last year gone was REALLY bad), I dont want to break my neck running unless it's a warmer day.

Unfortunately we arent all blessed with a wage packet that means we can afford regular gym membership, so yeah, my personal winter regime does generally suffer, but then I seem to eat less crap and more wholesome warm filling stews, bean casseroles etc, so it balances out over the year.

 As much as I love living in Northern Scotland, and the long hours of light in the summer, you've reminded me that yes, in the not too distant future we will indeed be back to DARKNESS for 6 months solid. 

Oh man 

I must admit I kinda hit hibernation mode when it comes to November-December here as it's just so grim out...and my gym membership probably gets a disproportionate use in the winter, of course.

But all the way up into autumn I switch my running habits to lunchtime, instead of after work etc. Depending on the weather.

Oh I'm sad now, try and make the most of the daylight while we still have it! haha

Running, running, running, this is how I cope.

Crappy day at work...I am lucky enough to have flexi time and to work on the outskirts of town, near a country park, so if I cant concentrate, stuff on my mind I take myself for a run at lunch.

And when I run, it's almost like you focus so hard on just breathing or your times etc, that everything else is GONE for that 30 minutes or whatever. 

Yeah, everything is still there when I get back to my desk, but for those 30 minutes, I own it! Just me and no one else :)

Amen on the Led Zep front there!

All my Life - Foo Fighters is INSPIRATIONAL for HIIT sprint bursts, especially the last minute or so, gets me SO fired up! 

Amen Sarahbluebelle and I hear you COMPLETELY themassivetribulation!!!

I am also feeling a bit bummed out by the whole exercise your ass off, cut your cals and seeing little results.  

June and July, I went at it like mad - busting my ass 2-3 hours a day, watching everything that goes in my mouth...

And now, I'm kinda wondering why bother.  I've seen slight changes, but nothing I'm amazed with.

It is particularly hard to deal with if you, like me, are *blessed* with a metabolism and figure via genetics, that we hate!!!

One of my best friends pretty much eats cheese and crisps all day, does NO exercise and drives everywhere, can eat a burger and chocolate cake, barely has to pick up a pen let alone a dumb bell, she's down 2 stone and her jeans fall off her.

I feel bad for getting jealous of her or for sounding like a dreadful attention seeking girly, but some days it IS just like - wtf!?! 

All I hear is how hot "X" looks, or how 'X" has such an amazing body.  

Yeah, I'm fit, but no one notices FIT, they notice FAT and judge us on it.

I guess I'm just ranting now too, and that's not much help...

So I would say,

On the good days, be grateful for things you have and things you have achieved. I bet you HAVE made changes, exercising THAT much must have made some difference.

Maybe try and take a step away from the self-critical looking glass for a few moments every day ;) (I know it's hard!)

It's also as cheesy as hell - but dont do it for other people, for their comments or praise, because yeah, let's be honest, a lot of people dont give a damn or truly WONT notice.  

Everyone has their own issues and lives to lead...so think about why it is you want to see your body change?  Some of the threads on the motivation forum can be great for inspiration.  Good luck and take it easy on yourself ;)