Getting into shape/losing weight

[ashbeeigh]

Stretching properly, before and after walking/running/working out, will help with shin splints.

Oh no, I am well aware of the stretching.

I do stretch. I have mild (I mean so mild unless I tell you you wouldn't know) cerebral palsy. When I was younger I went through extensive PT and OT to stretch and to streghten the muscles in my legs because they were so wobbly and well, I did walk like I had CP. And now this is where I'm at. I could stretch as much as as hard as Kobe Bryant and it would still hurt. There's no healing the muscle like a regular shin splint. It's as healed as it's going to get. I just need something to support it as I exercise.

[bus driver]

...


I've just about had it with me arms and legs. I saw a picture of myself on facebook from Easter in a sleeveless shirt and it was just plain ole gross (don't go trying to find it..I untagged that sucker).

I know I'm never going to be a perfect 110 lbs 5'3 girl without getting some type of Heidi Montag style surgery. That was shortly after I started the new job and now that I'm all settled I know I have some time to fit in some type if fitness routine in there.

I know a lot of you guys go to the gym and work out a ton (so maybe the same stuff you do isn't what I'm looking for). What type of stuff do you all do just to get started? How long did it take you to finally get into the "I have to go to the gym every X amount of times a week" mentality? I'm looking for something light to moderate and preferably no running involved (I'm a bad runner and crap out at like 1/2 a mile) to get toned and to lose some weight (thinking like 20-30 eventually).

I haven't taken the plunge into getting a gym membership yet....but maybe soon (I was actually thinking Planet Fitness since there are two close to my office and 1 close to home and it's only $20 a month). I was thinking like yoga/pilates, dance like tapes and stuff to see if I'll stick it out because knowing me I'll be all "workout work out work!" for a few weeks and then by mid June give up...

What do you think?

update? you back to game shape?

[ashbeeigh]

update? you back to game shape?

Not even. I've finally gotten to the point where I think I can work up to a healthy losing weight sweat.

[Kamala]

Try some of that Gregory.

[txallstar]

ashbeeigh, you have to find what's your motivation? why do you want to do it? to lose wt, better figure, hope to be body builder, marathon runner, want to improve nutrition to lower blood pressure, chol, looks, etc

then you must have a plan or a schedule and stick to it and understand it's for life, you can't go back and forth, you won't be successful. yes, a lot of it is mental/discipline. i tell people to schedule your exercise, plan it as you would plan any thing else like work, school, appts, etc.

then focus on activities you like if you hate running, you won't ever exercise if that's what people tell you or keep telling yourself. it won't work. if you like running but suck at it, well the only way to get better is by running more, body will adapt and adjust, but running or exercising here and there won't get you results, consistent is key.

last, be patient. it does not happen over night, i also tell every one, you didn't gain weight or become out of shape over night either, results won't happen over night

exrx.net one of the best websites out there for exercises, video demos, all kinds of routines with wts, own body, running, etc, all science based information

[thispego]

Ashbeighs problem is she researches everything to death before even considering actually do these things. Get your ass out there and do it! You're wasting time. Good post above me^

[ashbeeigh]

Ashbeighs problem is she researches everything to death before even considering actually do these things. Get your ass out there and do it! You're wasting time. Good post above me^

This is true.

I am going to do some boot camp thing starting on July 5th. I have no idea what I'm getting into. No research other than the clicking on the cheesy website before buying the package. Hopefully my fat butt can keep up.

[marini martini]

You can do it, Ash!!!

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

One piece of advice.....never say ' i can't do this '. Get rid of that out of your vocabulary. Anyone could run a marathon if they wanted to. It is all in the head. Become strong and disciplined mentally and the rest will follow easy

[boutons_deux]

Exercising to lose weight is a scam.

Eat right to lose/maintain weight.

Exercise to be fit.

You can't always burn 1000 calories exercising (very hard to do), but you can eat right every day.

"There was a study" recently that showed overweight/obese women didn't lose any significant weight from exercising, but normal women did, maintaing their weight and even losing.

Exercising is a cop out, because it's much easier than eating right.

[Shelly]

Exercising to lose weight is a scam.

Eat right to lose/maintain weight.

Exercise to be fit.

You can't always burn 1000 calories exercising (very hard to do), but you can eat right every day.

"There was a study" recently that showed overweight/obese women didn't lose any significant weight from exercising, but normal women did, maintaing their weight and even losing.

Exercising is a cop out, because it's much easier than eating right.

Seriously--like I said earlier in this thread, you cannot out exercise a bad diet.

Part 1 of 4 examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQbuzsY_34Q

[ashbeeigh]

So anyway. Yes, I am dieting. I was never a 4x a day fast food eater but, like I said cookies and cakes and sweets are my downfall. I've gotten to the point where I can say, "No, I brought something for lunch" when my co-workers are going to Wendy's or Taco Bell (why, why why would you go to Taco Bell to start with is beyond me).

I have been bringing some of my own homemade lunches on wheat tortillas and some baked chicken. And if anyone is looking for a sweet snack try mixing greek yogurt, some lemon juice and vanillas extract together...it is super yummy. I love it.

I know my motivation. It's always been weight loss and health. I think I outlined that pretty well in my first post. I'm sick of being the fat friend, even if it isn't the obese friend, it's the fat one when everyone else is like 125-140.

I'm trying to stick to a "Boost your metabolism diet" type of thing since (and guys if it creeps you out excuse me..I know there are women that have been responding to the thread as well) I was diagnosed with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome a few weeks ago. A side effect of PCOS is high glucose levels so I've been trying the higher protein lower sugar route. We'll see how that goes. My blood work didn't show high glucose (actually it was very low) but to air on the side of caution since it is a chronic condition and things could change I'm sticking to this diet.

[boutons_deux]

"Boost your metabolism diet"

that's bull . You __CAN'T__ change basic stuff like metabolism.

Cut the carbs, esp the fast carbs, don't sweat vegetable oils. The more Americans obsess on "low fat" and "protein", the fatter they get.

The whole frickin country is so confused, misled, and neurotic they can't even feed themselves.

[Skywalker]

ashbeeigh, just keep your diet simple and you will have success.

There are no healthy benefits to the fast food drive through.

Other than a couple of mornings a week to get my family a couple of tacos at mama margies, I no longer goto any fastfood places.

The thought of my former self munching of greasy fries as I drive away from any given fast food place makes me sick to think about.

So you are on the right track.

The less processed foods the better. Learn to enjoy cooking for yourself more if you haven't already. The key too good food is to take your time.

I like what you are doing with your lunches. Keep it up.

As for exercise, boutons and s y are exactly right.

Exercise is fantastic to keep your body healthy and in shape, but for sustained weight loss, any exercise that one doesn't truly enjoy doing will be discontinued and the weight loss efforts will be doomed to failure.

I would like to take up playing basketball again, but right now I am not making the time as I have many other things to do. Until then, chores around the house, that back yard which I have to mow as soon as the skies clear up, and just choosing to not be lazy as a frame of mind are what can help greatly.

Granted, there is a time for relaxing, even in front of a television with friends or family at the end of the day. But it should be a well deserved relax time.

If you do your work during the day, you will find relax time much more enjoyable.

I do not resist all temptations, I must note. I enjoy eating a spoonful or two of the vanilla ice cream out of the carton that we buy from costco now and again. Sometimes while cooking to keep me from rushing.

Goodluck to you, and last words to leave you by...there is no try. When one truly decides to do something, or not to do something, so shall it be. If you are doing this for good reasons, you will not fail. Believe.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Wrong thread!

[The_Worlds_finest]

P90x

[Man Sauce]

You know what me and wife did? We bought bikes so now we started cycling and started eating at home instead of take out. We live right by the mission trails and our bike rides usually include going downtown about a 20 mile round trip. It really has made a difference and very enjoyable. P I must warn you it can get pretty expensive.

[jimo2305]

for the record.. if losin' weight / gettin fit was a walk in the park..t here'd be almost no out of shape people out there..

imo.. running / aerobic activity will do the trick.. dunno how else i can sugarcoat it

[txallstar]

you can also lower blood sugar by exercising - the glucose is fuel for the muscles, you boost metabolism, hdl chol, improve blood pressure through exercise, also is a very powerful stress reliever

exercise to lose wt is not a scam that's lazy talk

you can reduce carbs but eliminating a entire food group is crap and a scam, over the long term it's damaging to your kidneys they will work over time plus your entire nervous system functions only on carbs especially the brain - your body can make carbs from protein and it's a lot of work but your protein intake has to be through the roof and it's still brutal on the kidneys

focus on complex carbs - like fiber rich foods: whole grains, oats, vegetables,
go from white rice to brown rice - limit the starchy carbs - higher in kcals and harder to burn off - most of us eat corn, potatoes, white bread, pasta, white rice - most of us double up on these by having all of them at one meal - either don't have them or limit to 1 serving - mix in greens

i alway tell people if 3 meals work for you then you're good, if not think about having a mid morning/afternoon snack - so won't over eat at the next meal or eat random junk

but protein and fiber are ultimate fillers (keep you full) divide your wt in 1/2 amt of protein you need for now if you can't get that much naturally - consider adding protein supplement and lastly down water it fills you up and of course stay hydrated, your body will have the same signals for hunger and thirst (hunger pains) thats why drinking water will help and if when you get that signal you're already dehydrated

[LnGrrrR]

I'd love to be able to run. I'd love to do 5ks and half marathons and all that. And maybe I will work my way up to running/jogging....I tried it in college. It was the worst work out I've ever done. There was one time during my internship in Dallas when I was able to run more than half a mile and it was only because it was either go to the gym or punch all the co-workers in the face.

All the other times I ended up almost unable to walk with horrible shin splints even after half a mile and then there's the fatty exercised induced asthma. That's why I'm looking for something other than running to start out with. Maybe the end goal will be running, but right now..not so much.

If you're getting shin splints, you're probably either running on too hard a surface, running with too short a stride, or running with improper shoes.

[BruceBowenFan]

Actually I started watching what I was eating, replaced soda with water and in the past month I have lost 10 pounds.

[ashbeeigh]

So when did I start this? Like May? Officially I think I've lost like 10 pounds so far. I think that's healthy. Sure, it could be more but I'm not doing p90x or anything.

I don't think I've had more than 8 ounces of soda in a sitting since July which is good. Lots of flavored water is the way to go.
I've been trying to eat natural and organic foods. It's not as hard as it seems, but it is pricey. I'm not a food freak, but I'll try my hardest. I've been eating a lot of shrimp, tilipia, organic spaghetti and polenta.

I did break down and buy some new shoes and added an ankle brace. They both have helped tremendously when I do workout. I also did breakdown and bought a gym membership. I've had a hard time recently finding time to go, just with a busy work schedule, but I'm not giving up on at it by any means.

I'm also on the 4th week of the couch to 5k (someone mentioned that right?) but I think I'm going to back up to the 3rd week. Running for 5 minutes is ridiculous.

Anyway. I think I've found a groove and if I stick to it I'll continue to lose and get in more shape. I'm in no hurry to lose it, but just to be healthy.

[easjer]

Hey, Ash, if you have PCOS, you should talk further with your OB or RE about your metabolism. If you are insulin-resistant on PCOS (many are, but not everyone), you may really need Metformin to help regulate and really lose weight.

Avoiding refined sugar and carbs is a diet that helps a number of PCOS women w/ insulin resistance, but keeping weight/struggling to lose weight is one of the more common features of the disorder (remembering that PCOS is a very broad-based disorder and not all women will be affected the same way).

If you haven't already found it, I suggest soulcysters.com as an excellent, excellent resource for you. You'll find the most current research, support and help in navigating the disorder.

It can really, really throw off your metabolism and ability to lose weight. I've been tested because of my weight (but exhibit 0 symptoms outside late ovulation, which is likely due to my weight period - fat stores estrogen, the higher the levels of estrogen, the slower the follicles mature, because the hormone feedback is artificially disrupted). I have a couple of friend with PCOS - one of them has had a really hard struggle with weight because of the disorder. She works out harder and eats better than anyone I know, but until her doc put her on Met, she simply didn't lose weight, no matter how much she tried. Once her insulin resistance was dealt with, she was able to begin losing weight in a normal, healthy manner.

Don't discount that as a potential issue in weight-loss.

[Ignignokt]

Dip wad? What is this neanderthal gibberish? I am super proud of you for mastering a keyboard despite your disability of having gator hands, but while this is a great accomplishment, I suggest you at least attempt to be learned in the english language, you bag of fossils.

Oh mannn!!!! Dude broski Dirk just crominated this hag with alligator purses for ties to a whole new level.

POTY!!

[BadOdor]

Fat people make me sick.

There's no rocket science to it - wanna lose weight? close your goddamn mouth and go play a sport.














































































































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