Posts by joyrae

Aww, thanks. :)

Right now, my trainer has me doing a workout every day, Mon - Fri. The types of workouts alternate between heavy weights, crossfit, or plyometrics.  I am supposed to do cardio 2 - 3 times a week as well, but I don't always have time to do the extra cardio (work, life, errands, holidays, etc).  When I have time, I like running outside, or programs on the exercise bike for my cardio.  I also try to go to yoga on Thursdays.

I don't actually do anything specific for my abs, at least not now.  Back in 2006 I started Pilates and I think that helped give me a stronger core.  Now lifting free weights, I always make sure my abs are engaged during the exercises.  I also sometimes add in crunches on a stability ball. 

When I was over 215 pounds, I never thought I could wear a bikini, be comfortable at a gym working out around people, or have fun shopping for clothes.  Really it just takes time, dedication and realizing that its about health for life! :)

I have some in my gallery too.  My weight loss journey has been kind of two different ones:  from 2006 - 2007 I went from over 215 pounds to about 145.  Then I maintained that (+/- 10 pounds or so) from 2007 till now.  This year I started working with a trainer in May and have seen great changes in my overall body on the programs he creates for me.

In my first weight loss journey, I started with just walking then added in Pilates and a stationary bike.  That and diet/nutrition is how I lost 70 pounds.  I was low on the scale but probably did not have a lot of muscle at that time.

Then I started branching out to all different kinds of exercise once I was at a healthy weight and felt comfortable doing more - I did kick boxing, dragon boat racing, boot camps, TRX resistance training, yoga, hot yoga, bike riding, etc.

Now I am seeing the trainer and he has me on a series of workouts - started with some full body programs with weights and some calisthenics exercises. Then we moved up to full weight routines targeting different muscles on different days.  Now we are doing more of a combined approach - weights, pylometrics, cross fit, etc.  On top of that, I still try to fit in yoga 1x a week, running and some other cardio 2x a week.   I am lifting heavy (for me, maybe not for everyone) and seeing gains in strength, changes in my body and a lot of inches lost overall.

I guess my question on logging exercise on top of the daily general activities is because if I leave my Activity Level at Sedentary, my daily burn without any added exercise is 1750.  If I put Activity Level to Light, its 1990.  So if I have it at Light (1990) and add in say 300 exercise cals, am I "double dipping" on energy expenditure? 

I get the feeling that I am not, that the increase in daily burn without activities is part of that whole speeding up metabolism thing.  Right now I am losing weight even when eating 2000+ calories, when factoring in my daily activity and exercise.  So I will continue to add exercise, leave activity level to Light, and just see what happens.  :) 

Thanks.  I did go to logging - account settings - and set my calorie target to 2033 a few weeks ago.  Since then, I get the same red bar that you do by "going over" too much.  But really I am not going over my burn when you factor in my activity level and I am eating the amount I am supposed to eat.  I guess just seeing a red bar for doing what I am supposed to started to annoy me.

By changing my activity level under Account Settings from sedentary to light, I get rid of this red-bar issue as it shows my daily burn level as 2000 cals (without added exercise).  Now I should only see a red bar if I eat more than the 2000 cals I am supposed to eat.

But my question is when my activity level is set to light, should I still log activities separately?

The analysis graph does not work on my mac at home using Safari.  It does at work on a PC using firefox.  The graph is very confusing and does not make any sense to me.  I noticed today the new dashboard had water log and weight log on it, which is an improvement.  I do think I prefer the old one though.  As for the CC iPhone app, I do not like the changes at all.  It makes logging water, weight and food a lot more complicated as now I need to go to several different screens to add in my information.  I prefer the old CC iPhone app and it seems like this update has made things a lot harder.

I am 5'9" and was (in 2006) over 215 pounds.  I lost about 70 pounds in a year and a bit, and had no issues with loose skin.  I was 28 at the time.  I concentrated mainly on cardio and did pilates for abs - loved that.  Sounds like you are on a good plan, keep going!

If you keep giving in to small things and don't confront him, eventually you will have given in to everything.  And then you run the risk of not knowing who you are anymore or what you like/want/think/feel.  Trust me, I know this firsthand!  If its bothering you now, it's not a good sign.  Your thoughts and opinions and feelings are every bit as important as his!

I know it may seem hard to find someone who is good or who you have a connection with.  But honestly it does not sound like he is someone who has your best interests at heart.  If he is criticizing things now or stating what you should or should not do, its not a good sign.  Only you can decide what to do.  But if it was me (now), I would make the choice to end it. 

So so excited for an iPhone App!!  I can't wait to use it!  I am sure I will be on it every day in addition to the site. :)

My CC friend got me hooked on this cottage cheese dessert: 

I use 500g fat free cottage cheese, 1/2 cup splenda (or white sugar if you want), 1 tbsp cocoa,  1 tsp instant coffee.  Blend it till smooth with hand blender or regular blender.  Chill and serve with fresh berries.  Yum!

I separate it into 4 portions, each have 100 cals, 0.3g fat, 15g protein.

I journal pretty much every day here.  I find its a good way to keep accountable and to get out frustrations or celebrate milestones.  I would like some new journal buddies. :)