Hey all!
You know I always try to help people out when I can, and this time I’m asking for a little support. Just a “way to go!” or “atta girl” would be sufficiant. Here’s the deal:
I have a bad back problem. (that’s the understatement of the year) I am supposed to work out, blah, blah, blah to keep in shape and keep weight off so it doesn’t get worse. Due to a bad attitude and possible laziness, I had not been doing that. I had been getting heavier and MORE out of shape over the last 5 years or so, and pretty depressed.
Three weeks ago I renewed my commitment to myself. I have been at the gym 3 times a week, three days a week for the last (you guessed it) 3 weeks straight. I am doing 40 minutes of uphill treadmill plus 12 minutes on a bike, and feeling great! I haven’t lost any weight yet, but I think that will happen in good time. I’m making better eating choices, but not really dieting.
I’m really proud of myself for this- it’s a big step for me to consistantly exercise, as I normally feel pretty crappy and don’t want to go to the gym. I’m just making myself do it (for my sake) and I feel great.
As a side note, does anyone think that that amount of exercise will result in weight loss? I could use to shed some, but I want to focus on my back health and not my weight. I’m sort of assuming that the amount of exercise I’m doing is sure to shed some pounds…Opinions?
Congratulations on your healthier lifestyle!!! That’s wonderful!! The fact that you’ve been keeping it up three weeks is a good sign that hopefully you can stick to it!
Don’t worry about dieting. If you’re working out, you need the energy, anyway. Just stay away from too much processed sugars (have some granola instead of a chocolate bar!), and teach your body not to crave it. That is, don’t substitute your Dr. Pepper with Diet Dr. Pepper and trick your mind into drinking sweets. Get into the habit of staying hydrated with plain water. With ice cubes, lemon wedge or mint spring, it’s GREAT! Same with great. Have a baked potato (with just a SMALL pat of butter, or a small spoonful of sour cream) instead of fries.
Don’t worry about weight loss right now, Zette. What matters is that you’re exercising. For a time you might even GAIN some weight, as your body builds more muscle. But not to fret; don’t step on a scale all the time, but let your clothes be your guide. After a while they won’t feel so tight.
As you get in better shape, it will become easier to work out. And as it becomes easier to work out, push yourself a little more each time. Keep challenging yourself that way. In four months, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve gone.
Yes, 3 x week is perfect! Go give 'um Zette!!! Woo hoo!!
– the currently-out-of-shape Baglady, who has jogged her way to two Honolulu Marathons in the past.
Congrats, Zette, on actually having the willpower! Keep it up and the results will be there.
I perosnally, start a diet every morning, swearing to eat right and exercise. It usually lasts until the bag of Lay’s at 10:00am.
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You GO Zette! Go Zette, go Zette, go Zette, go Zette! Give me a Z! Give me an E! Give me two T’s! Give me another E! What’s that spell? Zette! Zette! Goooooooooooo Zette! (high kick, air splits, pompons, etc).
[/encouragement]
Great job! You’ll be amazed at how much better you will feel. You’ll actually start to “crave” exercise and be disappointed when you can’t get to it.
Baglady’s suggestions are great. I’d like to add, though, that I didn’t find three times a week was sufficient. You might try adding in a 30-40 minute walk on a couple of the days you don’t go to the gym. And since you are at the gym, you might look into building in a short stregthening workout with weights. That’s really supposed to help with weight loss.
Cher3 (trying to lose the “baby weight” before the baby goes to college.)
Zette, I think things differ from person to person, but I can tell you that I’ve never lost weight due to exercise alone. I always have to watch what I eat as well. Spring of this year, I did a big ol’ exercise push where I was working out for at least an hour a day, six days a week, for six weeks. Didn’t miss a session. I also didn’t lose a pound. Granted, I was eating all I wanted during that time period, and I would have probably gained had I not been exercising, but I still would have liked to lose a couple pounds.
I think if you watch what you eat on a moderate level and exercise, you’ll probably lose some weight. I’m talking stuff like eating lots of fruits & veggies, cutting the fat out of things, etc. For me the big challenge is alcohol - I love beer & champagne & those little rum drinkies with the umbrellas in 'em. Come to think of it, I think if I stopped drinking I’d probably lose weight…
On the other hand, it depends on your body type as well. My stupid SO can lose weight simply by working out hard. I hate him for it.
I’m actually already craving exercise, which is great! I plan on increasing my exercise routine as my health and physician allow. Right now this is a great workout for me, so I’ll stick with it for a few more weeks. I also bought myself a really cute workout suit. It’s super comfy and sexy and I love working out in it. I may not be skinny, but I am curvacious! Thanks for the encouragement- keep it coming!
Zette
IIRC, 20 minutes of aerobic excercise a day is the minumum to start burning serious calories. So 40+ minutes every other day or so is definately enough. Ditto to what the wise and illustrious Baglady said, water fills you up so you don’t feel the need to snack so much, and you’d be amazed how much energy you have when you are fully hydrated. If you haven’t already, invest in a walkman or 40 second skip-protect Discman, makes working out SOOOO much easier. Go Zette!
Way to go Zette! My suggestion: keep at it - you may get discouraged (I did) if you don’t lose weight fast enough. It’s important to remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so even though you may not be losing weight quickly, you’ll be gaining muscle which may balance out the fat loss. Concern yourself with fat loss, rather that weight loss. Don’t let the scale discourage you!
My fiancee and I started a regular (three times a week at the gym) exercise program in January. I’ve now lost around 15 pounds. Not an incredible amount of weight loss, but I am more muscular now than I’ve ever been in my life and no longer have that soft belly. I think that the best thing we did was to resolve to do something active everyday - a walk, swim, or something else. Doesn’t have to be long, just get out and do it. Of course, this is just my experience, so ignore it if you see fit.
You go girl. Back problems are no fun and proper exercise is the way to go. I strained by back badly over a year ago and it scared me badly because it didn’t just get better on its own. I was fortunate to have been referred to an excellent physical therapist that taught me some low stress back strengthening and stretching routines.
I don’t work out (I used to play sports on weekends, though), so I’m no expert, but I believe that the first few days and weeks are the most difficult. In other words, you’re already over the hump.
Don’t know about the weight loss, and rather than speculate, I think I’ll just defer to those more knowledgeable than myself.
I’m supposed to exercise too…“oh, someday, maybe next week, I’ll get started…”
My mom told me that I’d always be a procrastinater and I’d say: “oh, yeah? Just wait…”
Applying yourself and actually getting out and doing it is probably 90% of the battle and you’ve conquered that…that is so cool!!! I’m just jealous enough that you may have inspired me to do the same. So good luck, keep it up and thanks for the inspiration!
I envy your discipline. A couple of times a year I start an exercise program…I’m faithful to it for about three months. Then, I usually get sick and/or hurt, and I never really get back into the swing of things. I was doing so well with my power walking and jogging when I broke two toes, then got a sinus infection, and then my back went out, all in the space of two months. I’ve pretty much given up.
I hope to start a gym campaign maybe in the fall…something. I’d like to be one size smaller when the wedding comes around–plus, I’d really like to be fit for the honeymoon. No, no, not just for that, but also for snorkeling, hiking, rowing, etc.
Oh, wait, were we talking abour you? :rolleyes:
Congrats, zette, and like others said–don’t expect the weight to come off for a little while. How you feel will change first. Keep it up, girl!
:::a big pat on the back and a hearty *atta girl:::
Wouldn’t it be neat if, when you shed weight, you literally shed weight? I mean, after 20 minutes on the stair climber you hear a splat and there’s a pound of body fat laying on the floor?
