I started this weekend with the best intentions, but we ate at friend’s houses Saturday, Sunday & Monday night and I was too busy socializing those 3 days to do any exercise. So, I figured I’d just start on Tuesday, which I had every intention of doing, but…
…The people I ate dinner with on Monday night had two kittens. Cute as buttons they were, unfortunately I am very, very allergic to cats. It’s Thursday night, and I’m just now starting to breathe properly again.
I have had a lot of time to think, what with being immobile and all, and I have come up with these resolutions:
I will cut back on coffee (which I drink all morning instead of eating) and start eating a balanced breakfast every morning. My little boy starts school on Monday, so this seems to be an ideal time to get both of us into the healthy breakfast habit.
I will walk Nicholas to and from school every day, unless the weather is really, really bad. This is about 1 1/2 miles of extra walking every day, very good for both of us.
I will serve and eat more vegetables and less convience foods. I will plan ahead so that we aren’t stuck at 5 pm with nothing to eat, a cranky child and nowhere to turn except McDonalds or Popeyes.
I will sign up for a personal trainer even though it costs money. One, I think I am more likely to stick to it if I have money invested; two, I think that looking out for my own well being is just as important as using the money to buy the child another cute outfit or toy.
I will no longer keep any soda in the house, it’s too tempting and empty calories. I will also not buy any more chips, snacky cakes or pastries. If I want something sweet, I will have to make it myself (theory being if I have to make an effort to have it, I will not want it so badly)
I hope that by posting my list on this message board, I will feel an obligation to make good and stick with my plans. Keep up the good work everybody, and keep those good ideas coming!
Got a new workout tape today, Kathy Smith’s Lift Weight to Lose Weight. It has 2 20 minute weight routines, one for upper one for lower. Do one or do both. Movements are very easy to follow and all you need at home are hand weights and a chair. My arms feel like wet noodles right now. Alternate that with her cardio (also easy to follow) tape, or her step tapes, and you’ve got a good workout for the week.
One big problem I am having is obsession right now. I get on the scale every single day, and I know I shouldn’t. I’m obsessed with that damn number. I also suffer from guilt. Every time I eat something, even if it is something healthy. I want to be 115 so damn bad! I feel guilty when I don’t exercise.
On a more positive note, I have noticed that after a while, cravings for bad stuff go away. Last week I sat in the kitchen with several of my coworkers and watched them eat Checkers hamburgers and fries, and drink milkshakes, while I ate my celery sticks and baked chicken and drank a diet soda. Yeah, I snuck about 5 fries, but that’s OK. And last week at the grocery store, I spotted a new dessert–Hazelnut Gelato from Haagen-Dazs. I made a single serving cup of the stuff last me 4 days. One or two tablespoons and I feel as if I have treated myself and I stop right there.
Dont feel obligated to exercise, do it because you want to. As I said earlier, now it’s becoming more of a challenge that I look forward to meeting. I got antsy and bored today, so instead of hopping on the computer I hopped on my bike. It’s actually interesting to ride around and see other people either running or walking, and see all the places I pass them at (one guy was annoying me…he kept jogging on the side of the rode against traffic, so I had to go around him, avoiding cars). I was riding with traffic on the road (i think i’m the only bike rider who actually stops at the stop signs like I should).
Also, that big hill I climb at the end of each lap, i can make it up it without standing up on the pedals to make the bike go. It’s still quite an effort, and I get all hot, sweaty, and tired, but It’s a great feeling when I make it (not to mention I get a nice, fast, short cruise down the other side of it). Good news is, I think my legs are getting used to this now. They dont stay sore for as long as they were, and while they do burn while i’m riding the bike, it’s only during the exercise that they burn.
Today I will be doing the “ridding my house of fleas” workout. (If I’m not totally pooped at hte end of the whole thing, I’ll doing my strength training–Sweatin’ and Tonin’ workout.) Its a rigorous, high impact, limited time program that involves leaving your cats at the vet and vacuuming, washing everything in your house, and laundering all clothing and linens, then moving all the furniture around and vacuuming again. I figure it’ll be a good four to six-hour workout with interruptions for getting more quarters for the washer and dryer.
I found an interesting link for anyone interested at About.com, its an Activity Calorie Counter. You plug in your weight and the amount of time you’ll spend doing activities and it calculates the calories you’ll burn in several pre-determined activities.
On the subject of working out to lose weight, I don’t think its ABSOLUTELY necessary for weight loss for every single person, BUT (and that’s a huge BUT) from EVERYTHING I’ve read about weight loss, fitness and maintaining good health, I think that some form of moderate activity/exercise is important at least 3 to 5 times a week to maintain and healthy, fit body.
Debate if you want, I trust the scientists, doctors, nutritionists and fitness experts I’ve read who stand by these claims and the people I’ve heard testify to this fact. No quick fixes to good health even if there are faster ways to lose weight. I also believe/think that a lot of fit people work these activities into their daily lives as (I believe–yes, I’m too lazy at the moment to check) Silo said little things like parking further from the office or grocery store door, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, etc.
Well, I’d love to share longer but my WORKOUT is waiting to begin… <sigh>
Folks, please ask him to tell you the story which may or may not involve the following elements:
A dog;
McDonalds pickles;
Cynical’s wife;
Drool.
Don’t ask me. I’m too shy to type it out loud.
As for me, I started working out at the company gym last Friday, and am returning there this afternoon at 5. 40 minutes of cardio -which burns fat- and twenty minutes of muscle excersises. Repeat twice a week.
Plus, I’m gonna play an hour of squash wednesday night. I used to play it before, and it’s the most excrutiating game there is. Just what I need.
Even bought new Asics indoor shoes and a snazzy Prince squash racket this weekend.
Plus, I am watching my food intake, unlike some others
Good for you, coldy! I’m glad to see you working on this, unlike that bastard Mr.C who is only in here to try and be funny! :).
As for me, i took a break over the weekend (i cant exercise EVERY day!), mostly because of Sue Duhnym’s party, but also, i just wanted to. I was reading some stuff online and it said to maximize fat burning to workout in the mornings, and also to not eat anything three hours til you exercise, and an hour after (the hour after your body is burning the fat. The 3 hours prior makes sure you dont have anything in your stomach, I guess). However, for me this means getting up at 7 am, and not eating til about 2 pm (I have a solid block of classes between 9 and 2 four days of the week). So i guess i’ll stick to my regular shedule of exercising around 3:30 pm each day.
I said I was going to work out 5 days a week, and last week I only managed 2 days. Oh well.
Today, I walked on the treadmill for 1 hour. I’m going to skip the strength training this week and stick to walking since I’m going on a 2-week hiking vacation on Saturday. I figure walking is what I need to do.
I thought I was eating badly, until I read Mr. C’s posts. It makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it.
Well, I spent Thursday and Friday doing too much other stuff so I didn’t get around to walking either day.
I have kept to my eating plan though and on Sunday while up in Glenwood Springs I split from the family and got in some good walking though. I guess I went at least 3 miles.
I learned that even while out – restaurants and such – I can stick to my meals and feel satisfied.
Saturday on the train I ordered a hamburger, ripped off the bun smoothered it with mustard, mayo and ketchup, piled on the lettuce, onion (red onion yum) and tomato.
Saturday night was a little harder, they had nice looking refined flour rolls and a cheesy potato (kind of a scalloped potato) but I resisted eating both although I did sample a small bite of the potatoes. After the dinner I realized I didn’t miss either because I enjoyed my salad, the vegies and the large steak.
Sunday morning consisted of scrambled eggs (not my favorite though but it was a brunch) and bacon. I realized that a served meal might be better for this camper as I like my eggs sunny side up and my bacon without a bunch of course pepper on it.
Sunday lunch I had a huge ham and turkey salad with cheese and various other things topped with ranch dressing. I ended up eating at Denny’s (most of the rest of the family ate a late breakfast so I was on my own) but it was pretty good.
Well, it just goes to show that you can change your eating habits and follow them on a vacation without feeling deprived (well on my plan anyhow.) Oh and the more people realized what I was doing it made for good conversation as well.
Anyhow, keep up the good work folks.
Cynical – you can have all my junk food if you want, but remember what your doc told you…
I spent another hour on the treadmill this morning, trying to do hills (I got to a 4% grade). I’m starting to worry about whether I’m going to be able to hike this vacation or if I’m going to suffer. Probably a little of both.
Do you think that maybe some weight lifting for your thighs might help? It would give you some strength in your legs and might ease things a little while you’re hiking.
Mr. Cynical, how in the world can you eat so much? It’s amazing! Have you ever won a pie-eating contest?
Well, I’m proud of myself. I biked for at least 30 minutes five days last week. I also did some arm work three days. This week I’m going to alternate arm work and sit ups and try to bike five days again.
As for eating, I’m trying to do well. I only eat carbs during the day. I take vitamens. I drink lots of water. And I don’t eat between meals and no dessert. Sigh.
Um, anyone mind if I join late? I’ve lost 25 pounds so far, and need to lose about another 100. I’m back on track after a couple of (okay, more like 4 weeks of) slipping here and there. I’m tired of being this weight, so I really want to get out and do it this time. I’m on a VERY strict diet (1200 calories a day, baby!), so now I just need to start exercising. Which I hate.
Just remember our deal . . . maybe that will help a bit:)
I haven’t weighed myself recently, but I’m pretty sure I’m still at 155 lbs. Damn annoying, but I got tired of forcefully feeding myself to try to gain weight, so I’ll just stick around for moral support (and an “after” picture for anyone who likes).
Hanging in there at 121. Did a 30 minute weight tape today, and I’ll prolly do 30 of aerobics later. Fit into a smaller pair of shorts today…still a little too tight to be comfy, but a few weeks ago I couldn’t even get them on. And all my scurbs are fitting looser.
Well, according to the scale in our bathroom, I’ve lost 3-4 pounds. I just hope it isn’t, like, not zeroed or something.
I’m on my third week of going to the gym, now, and I’ve only missed one day. I’ve met with the trainer twice now and put together a complete upper- and lower-body program that I can use on alternate days. That plus 20 minutes on the treadmill for cardio work (I’m getting my heart rate into a good zone) will do for the time being.
Whew! This is a long thread! Keep up the good work everybody. I just thought I’d give you an update of what I’m doing:
Got my new exercise bike last Monday. It is the kind with the moving arms (I hope you know what I mean) I rode it Monday and Tuesday - 3 miles each day. Again on Thursday for 3.5. Saturday morning for 3.5 and Sunday morning for 4. Took Monday off and rode last night for 3.5.
I’m also doing the Slim Fast breakfast and lunch with 2 fruits during work hours. For dinner, I usually have a gardenburger on a 98% fat free tortilla. I put salsa and low fat sour cream as the condiments.
I have been bad once or twice during dinner, but NO FAST FOOD!! I had lobster Ravioli for dinner on Monday. That’s about the worst of it.
My problem is too much beer drinking. But I have tried to drink light beer in place of my beloved Sam Adams. And if I have a Jack and Coke, I use Diet Coke (something I SWORE I’d never drink, but with Jack, it’s OK)
So, I’m open to any suggestions here. Again, my goal is to lose 10 lbs and get in better general shape. I normally eat pretty healthy foods, so I’m just doing the Slim Fast now to drop some pounds.
Sheesh Cynical stop rubbing your horrible eating habits in the face of those of us that are wanting our typical:
Pintos and Cheese
2 taco supremes
Burrito Supreme with guacamole
< been craving this for a month now! as I started better eating habits before Vegas >
Or a Big Mac with large fries topped with loads of ketchup.
Well, I had my refried bean soup thing today for lunch, I like it.
Tonight is ham with mustard (lots of ham) and huge salad with full fat Ranch dressing with bacon on it (the real thing not those awful fake bacon bit things.)
I started this weekend with the best intentions, but we ate at friend’s houses Saturday, Sunday & Monday night and I was too busy socializing those 3 days to do any exercise. So, I figured I’d just start on Tuesday, which I had every intention of doing, but…
