Posts by dougdebug

Ktcort13, behanna

Thanks for the responses.  I think as I lose weight and gain endurance the calories burned in a 2 - 3 hour ride will lessen.  I will try the Clif bar (never had one!) and snacks during the ride next Saturday to see how that feels.  Currently, I only carry a water bottle which I refill several times during the ride.  Since I take about a 10 minute break about every 10 miles, that will give me the chance to restock my snacks and water.  The course is a 9 mile "loop" so I pass my parked car enough to make it easy to sneak a bite and a drink.

Detritus,

You 'da man!  I would have thought giving up cigarettes would be much harder than coffee but your story on the caffein addiction was an eye opener.  What a great story and thank you being an inspiration for the rest of us coffee hounds!

I too find it hard to stick to the plan.  For me at least, it seems the best way is to split the calorie deficit 50/50.  So in your example of 600 calories you would shave 300 off your food and add 300 to your exercise for a total of 600 deficit calories per day.  You could play around with the split to see what works for you.

It would help us to understand why you are on a plan to lose weight.  Tell us why and that might underscore the reason you find it difficult.  Perhaps you want to be healthy, or just look better.  That's fine unless deep down you feel fine and really don't mind looking in the mirror.  In other words, your fine with your self image and don't see a burning need to change it.  At the end of the day "you got to want it".  So making up your mind that you need the plan versus want the plan can help you stay motivated.

Like the previous posters, there is no simple answer but rather suggestions for what works for others here on CC.  End the end, your path will be what you make it.  Not to sound hard but you own the problem and will be the one to take it on and fix it.  Believe me, it's hard for many of us but don't give up!    

Original Post by melkor:

 To maximize fat loss, do about 3 hours of strength training a week, and then as much cardio at all intensities as you have the time and inclination for. 3 hours of strength training is the useful limit to encourage muscle retention and maximum fat loss, and more than that does not improve your results over and above what the equivalent intense cardio can do for you because then you're doing more than what your body can recover from before the next session and you're limiting your results by limiting training intensity.

Does that 3 hour per week break down to about 3 times per week?  Twice per week at 1.5?  Does that time include the 'rest' between sets?  I'm not sure that I could get to an hour of weights doing just the core muscle groups.  Squats, pushups, and barbells take me about 20 to 30 minutes on the days I do weights.  I'm just starting on the weight training and take it slowly since I have lost so much muscle mass in the last 15 years.   Do you have a link to a routine for core muscle groups that you recommend?

I think I have the cardio plan down so at least that done for now.   Keeping the calories at 2000 is not that hard so I'm good there as well. 

93 lbs.  That is awsome!  You deserve to treat yourself to the tummy tuck at any price.

I always wondered about the ladies bathoom stuff.  TMI but funny.  I would like to add: Please!  All building and resturant bathroom designers: Make the frek'n doors open OUTWARD as you LEAVE the bathroom.  You should be able to get out of any public bathroom using only your hip or butt to push the door.  I hate it when you have to have a "paper towel plan" to make sure you open the handle using a paper towel and one in the other hand to get out the second door.  How hard is it to frame a door so that you use the handle to get in and anything but your hands to get out?  <end rant> 

Keep us posted on the results of your doc visit.  I have had some flashes and white star like spots when standing up too quickly.  I just assumend it was related to a fall in blood pressure.   Congrats on your weight loss and the new family members!

I tried if for about 2 weeks when it first came out.  Back then I was not counting calories or doing cardio/strength.  I failed to stay within the limits of the total number of fat grams and so of course all I got was some 'events' and no results.  I've wavied off any pills, water loss, colon cleaning, whatevers in favor of just doing it right in the first place.  So I guess if you stay in the plan then it can work but I would recommend counting calories and exercise.

Thanks durgy!  That thread was helpful.  I got around to reading the label on the container and it recommends directly after the workout. 

Original Post by durgy:

I've been drinking this abot 45 minutes or an hour before I work out.

Durgy: Is is better to drink the protein before or after a session? 

Original Post by annschmech:

No, I was working, just being good and getting stuff done, reading about XML interfaces.  

 XML interfaces?  What exactly is that?

These are all very funny...now get back to work and I mean all of you.

Original Post by mortalmonkey:

Original Post by goddess9:

I hate men and their ability to build muscle like it's nothing. (I'm half-joking here, but I am seriously jealous of that damned testosterone. ;) )

Seriously though - you look great! Your lats are getting there, I see.

I still can't do a single pull-up. I'm almost there though.  Earlier this week i almost made it all the way up to complete a full pull-up; a couple months ago I couldn't even do that.

I'm gonna focus great attention on lats for sure.

Thanks and good luck to ya!

 Don't feel bad.  I have gained so much weight while at the same time loosing so much muscle that I'm working on my first chin-up.  Perhaps we need to start a First Pull-Up club.

Original Post by corduroyfirekills3:

...There are smart people in Texas, and I feel for them...they must waste a lot of time when everyone they deal with from above the Mason-Dixie assumes they're slow...

HeHe.  I've lived in Texas since dirt was invented.  The funny thing is I really truly don't think I have the Texas Twang.  It's only when I travel that other's will bring it up but I still don't think it's that bad.  I only notice other accents from peeps from Boston, New York, Georgia, South Carolina, etc.  Some parts of Texas have folks with a strong twang from less populated areas like west Texas.  However, here in Big D you really don't hear it that much.

Bug 

I see a slight difference.  It's movement in the direction of goodness so keep it up!