Daily Workout Thead Friday 1/20

I feel pretty happy about things, after slipping at holiday the way I had figured (and been okay with), I really renewed efforts in Jan along with more walking and stronger workouts, sometimes I feel like I will DIE during my classes. But the class trainer says that's a good thing and that I won't die. So far I haven't so.... But I have been seeing some changese finally in areas that I have been waiting for. aka my little love bumps (instead of handles) are finally almost flat...YES. I have heard those are the last things to go. Also, I have been doing more things at home aka before I shower I do about 5 minutes of arm exercises and then about 70 crunches in 3 various positions. If I do this on days I walk and not workout hard, it seems to be helping things along in the ab area too.

So I'm very pleased so far but sometimes progress can seem fleeting so we'll see. I have been walking ~2m on my off workout days 3 out 5 and then going to class 2ce a week still as well as adding in the new home exercises 3 days a week. I've also been doing well on my food which is good, but I also kind of made a conscious decision that I'll continue the way I have been with food which is healthy much of the time and then not really minding if we go out 2-3 nights a week. As long as I stick with the additional exercise, I think it will balance out.
 
Stick with it girls, it IS hard but you will see progress if you do both the exercise and the food thing. Unfortunately it's never seemingly JUST one or other taking care of the problem. 

Here's a question just in general for those who may be waffling or not sure if they can stick with it. If you are happy the way you are, then by all means, don't lose weight, don't change anything. No one is saying everyone has to be thin to be happy. So are you unhappy with your weight? If so, YOU do have the power to change it. That may sound trite but it's so true. No one can make you do anything that you aren't ready or willing to do. You put food in your mouth, you drink alcohol, you either go workout or sit on the couch, you do it. No one else. Having a buddy is great IMO but in reality, you have to be able to motivate yourself as well. We all know about sitting on the couch staring at the TV thinking, gosh I really should go workout but it's so (insert excuse here, aka 'cold outside'; 'warm inside on the couch). One of the gals in my class the other night even said she sat in her CAR for 10 minutes at the studio thinking, do I really want to go in? But in the end it makes you feel that much better to do it.

Amanda, you never addressed my message from yesterday in the other workout thread so not sure if you saw it or if maybe it upset you, anyway, that was not the intent, but I hoped maybe it would help you see there are others out there who are in a similar boat and that the alcohol is probably sabotaging you, but I AM determined to get my friend back on track very soon (she's finishing out a bad cold so we are going to talk about it after she is 100% better) because I know she can do it and I know she wants to, I think she just needs a jump start.

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

Date: 1/20/2006 12:02:40 PM
Author: AmandaPanda

Date: 1/20/2006 11:43:08 AM
Author: Mara
I feel pretty happy about things, after slipping at holiday the way I had figured (and been okay with), I really renewed efforts in Jan along with more walking and stronger workouts, sometimes I feel like I will DIE during my classes. But the class trainer says that's a good thing and that I won't die. So far I haven't so.... But I have been seeing some changese finally in areas that I have been waiting for. aka my little love bumps (instead of handles) are finally almost flat...YES. I have heard those are the last things to go. Also, I have been doing more things at home aka before I shower I do about 5 minutes of arm exercises and then about 70 crunches in 3 various positions. If I do this on days I walk and not workout hard, it seems to be helping things along in the ab area too.

So I'm very pleased so far but sometimes progress can seem fleeting so we'll see. I have been walking ~2m on my off workout days 3 out 5 and then going to class 2ce a week still as well as adding in the new home exercises 3 days a week. I've also been doing well on my food which is good, but I also kind of made a conscious decision that I'll continue the way I have been with food which is healthy much of the time and then not really minding if we go out 2-3 nights a week. As long as I stick with the additional exercise, I think it will balance out.

Stick with it girls, it IS hard but you will see progress if you do both the exercise and the food thing. Unfortunately it's never seemingly JUST one or other taking care of the problem.

Here's a question just in general for those who may be waffling or not sure if they can stick with it. If you are happy the way you are, then by all means, don't lose weight, don't change anything. No one is saying everyone has to be thin to be happy. So are you unhappy with your weight? If so, YOU do have the power to change it. That may sound trite but it's so true. No one can make you do anything that you aren't ready or willing to do. You put food in your mouth, you drink alcohol, you either go workout or sit on the couch, you do it. No one else. Having a buddy is great IMO but in reality, you have to be able to motivate yourself as well. We all know about sitting on the couch staring at the TV thinking, gosh I really should go workout but it's so (insert excuse here, aka 'cold outside'; 'warm inside on the couch). One of the gals in my class the other night even said she sat in her CAR for 10 minutes at the studio thinking, do I really want to go in? But in the end it makes you feel that much better to do it.

Amanda, you never addressed my message from yesterday in the other workout thread so not sure if you saw it or if maybe it upset you, anyway, that was not the intent, but I hoped maybe it would help you see there are others out there who are in a similar boat and that the alcohol is probably sabotaging you, but I AM determined to get my friend back on track very soon (she's finishing out a bad cold so we are going to talk about it after she is 100% better) because I know she can do it and I know she wants to, I think she just needs a jump start.

I acutally didn't see your message from yesterday. I'm pretty vocal when things offend me, which is not that often.

I don't think I have a problem with alcohol itself. I have a problem with emotions and moderation. I do the same thing with food. If it's there, I'll eat it. If it's there, I'll drink it. It litterally makes me anxious if I have one piece of rice (or 10) left on my plate. Same thing with a bottle of wine in the fridge. It's like a compultion that I have to finish. Not sure where that came from. I had a very normal and happy upbringing. I'm working on controlling the urges, and am doing okay so far. I am definitely doing less of everything, but it's still a struggle.

Also, alcohol helps me fall asleep very quickly. I've been an insomiac for a long time so anything that helps is good.

I know my weight issues have to do with me and that I have to get up off the couch and exercise and put down my fork when I'm full or not order that yummy, fatty thing that's on the menu. It's just hard when I don't see results right away... New Yorkers are known for their impatience, and I'm no different!

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

Mara,

I saw your message from yesterday and I really liked  what you said.  I even started responding but got interrupted.  Here are my thoughts,  since this seems pertinent... 

These are general and directed at everyone, not any particular person.

I have, at some point, developed a certain way of looking at fitness and my body which has been quite helpful and I think also healthy, so let me share a couple of points.

When I exercise regularly (at least 3-4 times a week) I see my body as "normal".  There are actions (my workouts) and  very predictable reactions (the results).  By results, I don't mean shed inches or lost pounds, I mean aches, pains and sore muscles and then following a day or two, increased strength, endurance and resistance.  In a world where it often seems like we control nothing, it is unbelievably comforting to see just how much control we have over ourselves in this way. 

 I  don't weigh myself often (usually once a month), and when I do what I'm supposed to do, that number doesn't matter to me that much.  One of the problems that lies in being overweight is the self-judgement and criticism, the feeling that our bodies are somehow different and worse than those we see in magazines, for example.  The key, in my humble opinion, is to push ourselves, to learn to like a little bit of pain - it will become a reminder that you ARE in control. 

Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, you'll realize that your body "works", that it behaves like every other - gaining weight when the calories you consume exceed the calories you expand and losing weight when the opposite is true.  I like to look at my body like I would at a machine - it needs fuel to perform a task, it can become more efficient with practice, etc.   Above all, seeing yourself this way isn't as critical and therefore not detrimental to our confidence and  self-esteem.  The key lies in breaking the negative thinking and developing a positive (or at least neutral) way of seeing ourselves.

For example: I am 26 years old, 5'5'' and  weigh 155lbs at present.  Two years ago, I was 130 (very close to the ideal for my body type) but 2005 was not a very active year for me.  This is what happens.  It's no big deal.  I know what I have to do to get back on the horse and I'm doing it. 

A month ago, I signed up for a 10k run in May.  I have been a jogger for some time but have never really run for more than 3 miles (around 5k).  Having a few months to prepare, however, I have started a training program and am really enjoying the progress.  Mind you, I don't yet see any outward changes in my body, but I can feel myself getting stronger - this is very empowering.  I highly encourage you all to focus on THOSE results (increased strength, cardiovascular endurance, etc) because those can be seen from week to week!  When you focus on that, you lose sight of your other goals and once you do ...  you suddenly realize WOW, I'VE LOST 20 POUNDS!  TRUST ME  - it's happened to me before, so I'm speaking from experience.

As far as food...  well...  gosh, my personal opinion is that diets offer no long term solution.  Finding a balance, rewarding ourselves with an occasional indulgence while maintaining sensible eating habits is key. 

There is nothing wrong with ANY of you, whether you're 10lbs or 100lbs overweight!  Our bodies, all bodies, have been designed to move, so move them...  as much as you can, and you will love it...  (eventually )  And remember, pain is just weakness leaving your body.  :)

On a final note, to all well endowed ladies who believe running is not a possibility - I beg to differ.  I am a 32GG!!!!!  Yes, you read correctly!  If you cannot run YOU NEED A BETTER BRA!   I encourage you to visit a running store and talk to someone there (preferably a woman who knows). 

Thank you for listening :)

stern what a great post!!

it's so funny what you say is true about the pain and how it makes you feel like you are doing something. also it really does affect your mental state so that you start to think in terms of 'well, i may not be model thin but i am at least IN SHAPE'. even if i have bad days where i feel like whatever i am doing is not working, at least i know that i make the effort and i push myself and that i'm HEALTHY....aka how i eat and how i work out and am active is good for me regardless of whether or not i drop any weight.

and actually i do relish the pain in a funny way too. this week i worked out on monday at kbox with a grueling workout, the next day i was SO SORE but i went for a 2m brisk walk and did stretching and situps etc, then did 2m the next day again with same exercises and was JUST starting to feel less sore from MONDAY and then went to workout at kbox last nite for another grueling workout (i seriously think that our trainer takes pleasure in the grimaces across our faces) and i knew i would be SERIOUSLY sore today..and I am! but it feels GOOD to move a bit and go OW because i know that i did something good...i worked out to my limits so that my muscles are complaining. i love that feeling.

i was going to take today off entirely, but i think i am going to go out and do another 1-2m walk tonite too, why not?

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

+x* positivity, patience & quiet persistence

+x* positivity, patience & quiet persistence

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein