After work workouts

Hiya  :)

I just have a question, which may be addressed somewhere else but anyways. 

Here's the scoop: I have been exercising, eating right, and obsessing over calories for over a year now.  I've lost 115 pounds (yikes), then gained to losing 90 pounds.  I'm now 143, and while I know I'm healthy, I'm also bored. To tears!!  I have been a lover of running but not only am I bored with it,  but it hurts me now, my legs hurt, my knees hurt, and my heart just isnt in it anymore.  I used to run 5 miles every. single. day.   Which isnt okay, but I did it.  Now that I'm working full time with super energenic kids, my energy level is not the same at the end of the day as when i worked in an office. 

So, my question is multi-fold:

*I'm thinking of taking classes in the evenings at the gym I go to...some nights yoga, some nights cardio, some nights body pump, some nights cycling.  Does anyone do this....is it effective?  I need SOMETHING to get me going and having fun, my nights are too short to stress over exercise.

*I am so worn out by the time the kids leave, is there anything you eat during the day (big breakfast, etc.) that really keeps you moving?  I have limited options to eat once at 7 and once at 12, but I always feel like im eating the wrong things....and i've tried it all.........egg/yogurt/cereal for breakfast and tuna/veggies for lunch, yogurt/banana for breakfast and chicken for lunch.  I JUST CANT FIGURE IT OUT.  Then I get so hungry that i overeat at dinner...I just dont have the time to eat more during the day. Should I be doing a certain amount set for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

And yes, I've had an eatting disorder and I promised myself I would get through this and get back to a happy weight (130-125).  But everytime I try something new, I gain and gain and gain.  I need help and advice. 

Thanks for your advice  :)  Have a great night  :)

I work full-time and go to school after work (almost full-time), so I don't have a lotof time either, but I find it helpful if there's something to look forward to, some variety, in my workout. So hopefully, the classes should work for you.

As for the food, you might wanna try eating more fiber, it will keep you full for a longer period. Try Fiber one cereal, a boiled egg, and a piece of fruit/fruit juice for breakfast. Then for lunch, maybe you can make a tuna sandwich with whole wheat bread, and have a piece of fruit, may be a pear (lots of fiber).

Trying nibbling on some cheese or carrot sticks between lunch and dinner, so you're not starving by dinnertime.

Good luck:)

Hi there.  All you mention is cardio work?  Where's your weight training??  If you're bored with your running workouts, try lifting weights!!  It's fun and you'll definitely reap the benefits - You can build muscle and burn fat more effectively!  You can fit a great lifting session in less than 60 minutes.  You'll be surprised how much more energy you'll have. 

As far as your overeating at dinner, it's probably because you're not eating enough during the day!  Where are your snacks?  I'm not talking M&Ms or chips!  You have to make time!  Your body needs fuel.  Try a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit.  Both are effortless, travel well, and super effective for staving off hunger! 

There's a book out called "The New Rules Of Lifting For Women."  It would be very helpful for you if you decide to start a weight training program.  It also addresses nutrition.  It's regimented and easy to follow with step by step workouts and meal plans. 

Oh, on a side note, I find that when I lift weights, I'm less likely to overeat at dinner time!  Something to consider.

If the running has gotten to the point that its more work than fun and painful stop it!!  I love cardio and I like weight lifting so do some of those classes you mentioned and you'll find something you'll enjoy.  Besides you should shake up your routines every once in a while to keep your body guessing and losing weight.

As far as food try protein shakes or a peanut butter and an aple or banana.  One of my favorites are teh snickers marathon  protein bars

The OP says she does body pump, which is a one hour long lifting class for every muscle group. Although the class does utilize many reps for only one set, many report feeling their muscles the next day, and the first couple times I did it, I felt muscle soreness more so than doing my hardcore lifting. not sure if that means it is actually doing anything or not, if I do take it again (usually for when my own motivation is low and I need pushing, I will increase my weights a lot).

Not intending to offend, just wanted to point it out. Perhaps she is asking how many nights she should do said class? My advice - 2-3x a week with a rest day in etween. Good luck!dbackerfan: I know you know a lot on lifting - any suggestions regarding this for hte OP?

Thanks gettinghealthy but I am totally a novice on lifting- I've done it for a few years but just recently really working at it hard.  It was mostly just for fun.  The way I read the OP was she was only running and was now in pain and bored from overdoing it and now interested in classes. 

I take my classes at the local community college- I do a weight lifting class and a cardio class and love em.  I highly recommend them to others.  I really want to stress to the OP that if the running is painful it really needs to be stopped.  I made the mistake a few years ago by overwalking and developed plantar fasicitis and shinsplints to the point it took 2 years to recover and the shinsplints still act up so I have to be careful with some workout routines.

I do weights 3x a week and cardio 3 times a week the cardio class is 2 days and the 3rd day I'll use the home elliptical.  On the weight lifting I do upper body one day cardio  next lower body next upper body next then the next week I'll do lower body 2 days and upper one.

Recently I started reading "the Schwarzbein Principle" and she points out a lot of our fatigue and eating cravings and such are because we don't consume enough healthy fats and are overdoing our carbs.  I've been trying to incorporate this into my lifestyle and have found eating healthy fats and more protein does keep me fuller longer - not to mention not getting the carb crash and cravings. 

I think the most important thing for exercise is it needs to be enjoyable and like Joe Garagiola says in his book "Just Play Ball"  if its sore your play if its pain you rest