Hey everyone. I see us Illinoisans are slacking on keeping this group active so I am stepping up to try to help.
I propose that since it is the beginning of the new year that we try to keep each other motivated with our weight goals and exercising. We are all trying to battle very similar culprits and lets face it, there is strength in numbers. We'll need strength to get through these battles. I'll start...
I've had some success with my weight loss but with the holidays behind us and my brave self - I stepped on that scale for the first time in weeks and I was met again with reality. I have gained some weight over the holidays. I hadn't even met my overall goal yet and here I am gaining back already. Go figure. Why dwell on it when I can change it? I'm back on my bandwagon and will be logging in my CC food journal religiously. I will be logging my exercises/cals burned and I will be drinking my water.
Whoever wants to help keep yourself accountable please join me. My hope with this thread is for everyone who joins to come on here at least once a day and tell us of your accomplishment for the day. Remember, an accomplishment is something you did today to help you toward your goals. All it takes is one accomplishment at a time!!!
Hey, where is everyone??
Yesterday I went over my calorie goal by 41 calories. I can live with that. I also got some exercises done soooo....so far so good.
Well I'm still doing ok but I ran into a stomach thing last night. I'm hoping it doesn't slow me down too much.
How is everyone else doing with their weight commitments?
Hi Val.
I just popped into the group to see if anything was happening. Seems there's been very little activity here, but it's great to see that there's still some spirit around even with this nasty Chicago weather.
I'm with you -- a BIG accomplishment was stepping on the scale this morning. It took all of this week to summon the courage, and a couple trips to the gym to try trim a few ounces of fat before taking the big hop...
Suprise! My weight is pretty good - I'm trying to maintain at 175, and I'm just under at 174. However, my body fat% is trending upward. Doesn't suprise me though since I blew-up a calf muscle playing volleyball in mid-November. At the same time my chronic sore shoulder flare-up has limited my upper-body workouts. I'm now doing phys-therapy to rehab leg and shoulder since mid-Dec. All that kinda limits what I can do in the gym.
I started on cc in April-08; my weight journey started back in Dec-07 and I've been able to lose about 20 lbs and maintain (so far).
It is soooo easy to gain weight over the holidays, but it sounds like you've got a great attitude. Slow and sure progress overall seems to be best.
I think the Chicago forum could be a great resource for us part-time penguins here in the midwest... Any ideas on to make it more vital???
I had a couple of thoughts:
- Chicago restaraunt informal reviews
- Gym and Health Club advice and reviews (my membership is up for renewal this month)
- Info on Local sport and fitness activities (eg- I play in local volleyball leagues and play a ton of golf in the summer)
Nice to meet you,
Bill
Hey Dreams, thanks for poppin' in!! You sound like you're doing pretty good for yourself with your weight. Now to get the BF% down, eh? Do you have plans on how to accomplish that?
As far as making the group a bit more vital...I don't have a lot of ideas. I tried keeping a couple threads in here alive but that didn't work. There was a thread about cyclists I popped into a couple months back. I'm not an avid cyclist but do like to ride my bike and love (when I get a chance) to ride around the bike trails. Not many bites on that thread though and it sort of died away. I tried my own thread (this one) and so far you're my only visitor. That's ok. Maybe if everyone sees how persistent I am they'll come around.
I don't really share your love of golf. I never played. I also rely a lot on myself for my workouts instead of a gym...ie, my treadmill, my bike, me feet, and plain old calisthenics and videos. Pretty lame huh? Lol I have participated in quite a few 5k's last year and plan on doing more this year...upping the anty to a possible 10k. 
Hi again. I guess I missed the cycling thread. I don't see a way on cc to view the older threads for this group. I only see recent ones. That kind of negates the usefulness of some threads here.
It's great that you have your own equipment. None of that stuff is lame. All good. I've learned that anything works, as long as you DO IT. I had a decent home-gym in the past, but left it with my ex - not enough room in my current place. I spent the whole winter of '06-07 running outside and got into 5k territory, but opted to go back indoors last winter. Do you run outside in the winter, or stick to treadmill? I also used to like Cathe Frederic's vids alot. I wish I could workout at home -- for me, though, the gym membership eliminates most excuses about weather, space and equipment. The best part of my gym is that it's only 10 minutes away.
Yeah, my plans... Get back to normal life after the holiday excess. That means back to 3-4x+/week workouts and normal nutrition. I was finally able to get back on an eliptical this week - first time since early Dec because of my calf injury. The enthusiasm is there, but not the stamina. I'm going to be building that up over time, and I just got the okay to wean in some treadmill in small doses. But now I can work core and lower-body strength, so I have a fighting chance to progress until my shoulder gets better and all my body-parts are working again. Tough winter. I hate snow too - and we've had way to much already this year. I'm not a winter person - I'll take sweat over shivers anytime.
On the bright-side (there's always a silver-lining) there are fewer distractions in the winter, so it's easier for me to fit in workouts.
How about you Val? How's your stomach thing? Okay I hope. Best advice I've read on cc is that whenever you have to skip workouts due to sickness or injury, the silver lining is you're rested with execess energy when you're better. Sooo, your workouts benefit from the rest and healing.
Enjoy the ride.
I can see the older threads but they're hard to get to. I seem to stumble on them by mistake and then forget what I did to get there. Oh well.
That's great that you made it on the elliptical. I've never worked out on one but did try them out a couple times at the sports stores. I wish I can have one of those but an incumbent bike is actually next on my wish list. I don't run outside in the winter. I stopped running outside around October-ish...too many mosquitoes! I was getting bit something awful. Spray wasn't helping me much because I'd sweat it all off and lo and behold, that's exactly what attracts them buggers. So, my winters are spent in my cave of a basement unless I have the house to myself...then I get to use the living room. Ooohhhhh!!! 
I like snow when I feel like playing in it. I got into the mood for that this weekend. I needed some outside time before the big freeze comes this week. Dh and I shoveled and shoveled and then I built a hill with my daughter and a makeshift slide. I haven't had that much fun in the snow since I was a kid myself...and did something similar with my siblings.
So, in summary, my exercises last week have been the treadmill, trying out yoga twice last week (for the first time), some Wii Fit workouts, and shoveling. Besides the shoveling I'm missing strength training. I'm going to try and get in a Body Sculpt by Gilad tonight. Is Cathe Frederic strength or cardio?
Hey you two! I just popped into the Chicago board. I am STRUGGLING to stay motivated because I HATE COLD. I hate going out if at all possible. Which means, going to the gym - not happening. I know what I need to do... put the gym bag in the car and go straight there after work. I just hate doing it when I get off work and it is dark already, I just want to go home.
How do you guys stay motivated to go to the gym in this weather?
Hey Diva! Thanks for poppin' in!! I hear ya on it being hard to get to the gym after work with it being so dark out. My one girlfriend goes in the morning but I am not enough of a morning person to do something like that. Besides, it's still dark out in the morning too!
I work out at home on my treadmill, or workout ball, my WiiFit, a video or just plain old calisthenics. I can't workout after I've eaten (it'll come up on me) so dinner is my incentive. I think the hardest part is actually getting started though. Once I've started I'm good to go but getting my rear in gear and in my workout clothes...that's where it can get if-fy.
Do you go to the gym with a workout buddy? Have you considered joining some kind of team (volleyball, handball, or something like that) instead of a workout class?
Alright! There are more Chicago people out there.
Hi Diva!
Val - Cathe Frederich's vids cover a wide spectrum of strength and cardio (checkout cathe.com, I've seen her stuff on amazon too). What I liked about them when I was working out at home was that many combined cardio with dumbell workouts. She seemed to have a knack for maximizing the equipment on hand. As I recall, some were strength specific too. I haven't done any vids in a few years - but she's always putting out new ones, but can't compare what she's doing against jillian, et al.
Diva - you've got the right idea, put the bag in the car and go straight to the gym after work. My bag has enough workout clothes for the week, and it stays in the car. I just roll-up what I use each time and bring it in to the laundry bin when I get home after the workout, and I reload the bag each week after the laundry is done.
Val, I'm with you - once I eat dinner I'm like a beached whale. So I try to grab a snack (protein bar, etc) and get to the gym asap in the early evening. I also try to stay hydrated and snacked-up (healthy of course) at work all day, so I don't get too low on energy in the late afternoon.
Another thing is, once your in your nice warm home, it's hard to want to go back out in the cold and dark. So I tell myself that once I stop I'm cooked. So I try to keep moving until I get into the gym locker room and wire-up the mp3.
Val, you're right again - once you get to the gym and get moving, the rest is easy. Sometimes I even tell myself that I'm just going to do a little bit of a workout, but I end up finishing. When you're done, it feels good. Then dinner goes to feeding new muscles, instead of...
Good luck Diva, don't give up. There is a lot of good that comes when you can get the gym.
Have fun and stay warm!
-Bill-
Dream, that's exactly what I'm aiming for...a strength video combined with some cardio. I get easily bored with regular strength training and will jog miles and miles to avoid counting out reps. I know I need to build up my muscle mass to get me past my current plateau. Just like you were saying for you about body fat...yep, same boat over here.
Are you two ready for this next snow?? I hope I'm home before it gets too bad out there. Ok...it's almost 5pm...go workout!! 
Bill - that is a GREAT idea... I surely have enough gym clothes to leave in my bag to swap out! For a while my form of exercise was hunting for bargains in the sports mart! :)
As for leagues or group exercise I am normally on my own. There is a raquetball court at my gym, but I am clueless as to how to play. There aren't any beginners leagues or instruction times - so I always figured it was for the seasoned player. I guess I could see if the park district has any league of that type.
I am trying to do better about doing SOMETHING when I am not going to the gym - OnDemand on Comcast has great stuff to do - I like their TaeBo and they have the 30 day Shred on it... I need to 'Just Do It'
Diva
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! I am sooooooooooo tired of SNOW!!! I totally missed my dr. appt. today because people don't drive well in snow. 294 and the bishop ford were NOT moving at all... The bright side in all this - I did make it to work early for a change...
I met a friend at the gym last night so I was not able to blow off going - even though I had to go home and grab my bag. It is much easier going if you know someone is there waiting on you. I guess that is why I miss my personal trainer so much... I always knew at least 3x per week I was gonna be at the gym. No excuses! :)
Hope you all made it through the snowy commute to your various destinations! :)
Hey everyone!
This weather tests everything -- our cars, our patience and our resolve. That's why Chicagoans are a tough breed - right??? That's why we have bars on every corner, but Starbucks only every other block.
Val - do go the strength route whatever way works for you. It may not be the same for everyone, but my results were dramatic once I started to include significant strength training as opposed to when I did cario-only. Also, check out the cc Fitness forum. The is a ton of great info in past posts. There's been a lot of chatter about a book called "The new rules of lifting for women".
Good work Diva. Glad you made it to the gym. Now, pick your gym days, pack that bag, don't stop and just go. Soon, it will become a habit that's hard to break. Keep in mind that relying on someone else for motivation is a double-edged sword - some days a motivator / some days an excuse if they leave you hanging.
Me - I'm pumped 'cause I was able to do 20 minutes on the treadmill for the first time since I hurt my leg back in November. It feels great to move and get my body fat shakin'. I've worked-up a strength routine around my leg and shoulder rehab exercises, and will be trying to re-build my strength and stamina for the rest of January.
A guy in the gym had a great t-shirt: "That pain you feel is the weakness leaving your body."
Be careful out in this weather and crazy traffic. Stay motivated -- it keeps you warm!
-b-
Hi fellow Chicagoans,
I'm glad there are people that can understand how difficult it is to stay motivated with this weather- absolutely ridiculous. I've lived here all my life and it's still a pain in my butt.
A little background: I ran my very first marathon in October. I gained some weight while training which was not a concern, the main goal was to finish. But post-marathon I gained even more! I had no motivation, inspiration, or desire to even move. So now I'm working on losing the 10 lbs I gained since training and hopefully an additional 10 lbs before the wedding I'm standing up in this summer. The good news is that I didn't GAIN any weight over the holidays, but I didn't lose any either.
I actually prefer running in the cold. Once you start running you warm up :) But the snow and ice is another story. So I'm trying to get to the gym as often as possible. I even went and bought 2 new workout DVDs for those extra blizzard-y days. The Biggest Loser Workout Cardio Max and the Dirty Dancing Workout!! I tried the first one and liked it, broke a sweat and got my heart rate up. Haven't tried the Dirty Dancing one, but I'm super excited about it. Even if it's not that much of a workout, at least it will give me something to look forward to.
Dream, that was a fantastic idea you had about packing for the week.
And Diva, you had me lmao saying your form of exercise was hunting for bargains in the sportmart. That was me at Target. In fact I was just tellin' my dh last night that I need longer sleeve workout shirts because of how cold it gets in our basement. I only have sleeveless right now...got em on clearance. Lol And until I start sweating I'm freezing!!!
Welcome to the group Cplatt!! Were you in the Chicago Marathon in October? If it weren't for the mosquitoes and other flying bugs I wouldn't have minded running in the autumn/spring. Definitely not the winter with the snow though.
I'm contemplating doing the Wacky 5k this March. I did it last year. That was my first experience with running outside, and running in the cold. I LOVED it! And it being wacky made it all that more fun.
I did get my exercise in last night too. I did the treadmill for a couple miles and then I did the Body Sculpt thing. I'm not sore enough from the video though so it looks like I'll have to up the weights soon.
Hey cplatt. Glad you could join us.
I ran outside 3x/week two winters ago. It was great but the winter was pretty mild. I freak about running on ice, but the cold is manageable as long as its not like this week. brrrrrrrrrrr. Seemed like a temp below 20 was my limit. Early snows last winter forced me into the gym because I didn't want my workouts to have to wait for the weather. I've been there since.
btw - I'm a guy, but I usually find decent deals on gym clothes at marshalls or tj's or filene's. Lot's cheaper than sticker price at sa. What they charge for name-brand stuff should be a crime.
What's so wacky about the March 5k?
Just came from the gym -- it's getting colder outside.
bfn - bill.
It's so true! Marshall's and stores of the like have GREAT deals on name brand workout gear. I saw a sweet Nike zip-up for under $20 recently.
How's everyone doing? I've been really good with my diet this week but got lazy yesterday... I'm allowing yesterday and today to be my rest days and I'm getting back to business the all weekend.
2 questions: 1) how often does everyone weight themselves? 2) what are the things driving you to lose weight?
Hi.
Good questions cplatt.
I weigh myself every friday morning. I figure it gives me a chance to work-off any 'indulgences' from the previous weekend. I also think that it's important to get a consistent reading. So for me that's Friday morning after hopefully being 'good' all week.
Reasons: a) health - I'm borderline high blood pressure so I'm trying to stay off meds for that - controlling weight and fitness is supposed to be key to that; b) it helps with my golf game and other physical activities c) it just feels good to feel strong and fit.
How about anyone else.
Hey Dream, the Wacky 5k in March...that's its name. They encourage people dressing up for it. Last year a guy dressed up as a slice of pizza. That's all he wore; the costume, his undies and shoes! There were more people dressed in funky costumes but the pizza guy stood out for me, hilarious!
CPlatt, I'm with you...I didn't exercise yesterday either. I shoveled Wednesday but that was it for exercise. The plow plowed snow in front of my garage. That was nice of them...NOT! I do plan on a video tonight and since tomorrow it'll be a little warmer I'll be able to brave my basement cold. I wasn't brave enough for that last night.
I originally started losing because I had had it with being heavy and everyone telling me stuff like "You're probably supposed to be that weight" or "You're just naturally fat". Yeah, there's nothing natural about it, right?? Other, very important factors were my health issues. I developed cardio myopathy during my pregnancy and being heavy wasn't helping that heal. My blood was also showing signs of moving toward the onset of diabetes...which runs in my family. I'm now way away from diabetes (THANK GOD!) as of my last checkup and my heart is almost back to normal, again as of my last checkup. I want it strong enough to get off of or at least lower my heart meds.
There's a Marshall's very near me, I never thought to look at them for sports gear. I'll definitely have to check that out this weekend...since we'll be experiencing a warm front....YAY!!!
Hello! Aren't you all glad the deep freeze is behind us (for now)??
I had planned on doing a video Friday night but didn't. Pooh on me!! I did do a 3 mile run Saturday night. I was very happy with that. It's been a few weeks since I was able to get to 3 miles without dragging it out. You know...lack of motivation....shhh!!! It felt great when I was done though. Tonight I want to do the same but I want to add in a video as well. My weekend food leaves a LOT to be desired as far as overconsumption. That's a baby step I need to rework. I should look at my food log from 1 and 2 years ago to remember what was working for me.
How did you all fare over the weekend?
