Exercise tips! Snack tips and dessert tips

DisturbedOne1715

I'm back! Sorry for returning to the message boards with stupid questions but here we go!

1. So every other day I exercise using this app on my phone. I do 10 minutes of cardio, 10 minutes of exercises for my arms and 10 minutes focusing on my stomach, 30 minutes in all. But I feel like I'm not burning enough calories. Is there maybe any extra exercises I can do? I thought maybe I could start jogging but I feel so weird running down my street. I'm weird that way. Is there a way to get rid of that awkward feeling? Haha!

2. Snack tips. So when I get hungry after I have lunch I'll usually pop some popcorn because I don't really have any other snacks. Any suggestions on healthier snacks?

3. I know that ice cream and cake and generally everything delicious is a big no-no haha. But after dinner I either eat a weight watcher's ice cream bar or a skinny cow ice cream. Any suggestions on that?

MelissaDoc

I'm not a pro, but this is what has been working for me.

1. You could up your cardio, but continue what ever you are doing, i.e. treadmill, elliptical, ect. I would probably bump your 10 minutes to 30 minutes, and/or increase the incline or resistance for more of a burn. Also you may want to look into more strength training.

2. Your diary isn't open so I'm not sure what else you are eating besides the popcorn, but handheld fruits are good for on the go, like clementines, oranges, pears, apples, etc. Also portioned out nuts, granola bars, string cheese, yogurt.

3. As for dessert... If it fits in your cals, then eat it. I wouldn't suggest eating the whole carton of ice cream just because it fits but the 140ish cals in the WW ice creams is fine. I plan for my nightly ice cream. I can't get a pint because I know I will eat too much, but I really enjoy the WW or any kind of pre portioned dessert, bc I can have one and be done. Right now I have 100 cal Klondike bars in my freezer.

If you are trying to get away from the ice cream, the new Chobani Bites are AMAZING! and come in some great flavors. they are sweeter than the regular Chobani yogurts so they feel more like a dessert.

herblackwings39

1. Does walking make you feel awkward? If not, you might consider doing that. Maybe find a dvd you enjoy or sign up for a class if there's something offered near you.

2. Hummus and veggie sticks or pita triangles is good. Peanut butter on sliced apples is nice too.

3. No food is a no-no as long as it fits into your calorie goal. Life would be miserable without ever having a favorite dessert. If you enjoy the skinny cow or WW stuff eat it.

dessertlover27

Not a pro, too. But just things I learnt along the way.

1) Definitely try strength training. Brings amazing results. As for the jogging part, once you're used to it, the awkwardness will go away. I was very self-conscious when I started, too. Then I thought, "Meh, at least I am doing something". And they're strangers after all, who cares what they think? Most probably they think that a) you're awesome b) that they should be doing their running, too.

2) I think air-popped popcorn is pretty low calorie. It's usually the stuff that you add to it that raises the caloric count. But as the above poster mentioned, fruits are great snacks. Also nuts, peanut (/almond/cashew/etc) butter, eggs, greek yogurt.

3) Best part? Nothing is off limit. Moderation is the key. Whatever you want, as long as you can fit it in, go for it! Heck, tackle it to the ground (or table), eat it and enjoy every bite/lick of it. My biggest love when it comes to desserts is ice cream. I have it at least 6/week. Sometimes twice/thrice in a day, if I can fit it in.

DisturbedOne1715

I'm not a pro, but this is what has been working for me.

1. You could up your cardio, but continue what ever you are doing, i.e. treadmill, elliptical, ect. I would probably bump your 10 minutes to 30 minutes, and/or increase the incline or resistance for more of a burn. Also you may want to look into more strength training.

2. Your diary isn't open so I'm not sure what else you are eating besides the popcorn, but handheld fruits are good for on the go, like clementines, oranges, pears, apples, etc. Also portioned out nuts, granola bars, string cheese, yogurt.

3. As for dessert... If it fits in your cals, then eat it. I wouldn't suggest eating the whole carton of ice cream just because it fits but the 140ish cals in the WW ice creams is fine. I plan for my nightly ice cream. I can't get a pint because I know I will eat too much, but I really enjoy the WW or any kind of pre portioned dessert, bc I can have one and be done. Right now I have 100 cal Klondike bars in my freezer.

If you are trying to get away from the ice cream, the new Chobani Bites are AMAZING! and come in some great flavors. they are sweeter than the regular Chobani yogurts so they feel more like a dessert.

Well as far as snacks go, I rarely eat more than the popcorn. But for breakfast I've started eating Chex cereal and for lunch a sandwich and ocean spray fruit snacks. For dinner it depends on what my mom cooks.

And when I do the exercises that focus on my arms, I use little five pound weights. What other types of strength exercises should I do? Thank you! I will definitely look for Chobani Bites!

DisturbedOne1715

1. Does walking make you feel awkward? If not, you might consider doing that. Maybe find a dvd you enjoy or sign up for a class if there's something offered near you.

2. Hummus and veggie sticks or pita triangles is good. Peanut butter on sliced apples is nice too.

3. No food is a no-no as long as it fits into your calorie goal. Life would be miserable without ever having a favorite dessert. If you enjoy the skinny cow or WW stuff eat it.

Walking I do sometimes. I'm gonna do that more often. I'm gonna try running pretty soon if I can get my hands on some good running shoes haha. Thank you! I'm just trying to stick with desserts that are around 100-130 calories. Thanks for the tips! I've never had hummus before! Always wanted to try it!

DisturbedOne1715

Not a pro, too. But just things I learnt along the way.

1) Definitely try strength training. Brings amazing results. As for the jogging part, once you're used to it, the awkwardness will go away. I was very self-conscious when I started, too. Then I thought, "Meh, at least I am doing something". And they're strangers after all, who cares what they think? Most probably they think that a) you're awesome b) that they should be doing their running, too.

2) I think air-popped popcorn is pretty low calorie. It's usually the stuff that you add to it that raises the caloric count. But as the above poster mentioned, fruits are great snacks. Also nuts, peanut (/almond/cashew/etc) butter, eggs, greek yogurt.

3) Best part? Nothing is off limit. Moderation is the key. Whatever you want, as long as you can fit it in, go for it! Heck, tackle it to the ground (or table), eat it and enjoy every bite/lick of it. My biggest love when it comes to desserts is ice cream. I have it at least 6/week. Sometimes twice/thrice in a day, if I can fit it in.

What strength training should I do? When I do the exercises for my arms, I use 5 pound weights but I'm not sure that counts. I wanna start strength training but I'm not sure what to do or where to start, since I'm not strong at all. I can't even do one push up (awkward.) thank you for the suggestions! I know I should just forget what strangers think and hopefully I can get past that. Maybe I can start walking first and then jog after that?

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

1. Just lift
2. IIFYM
3. IIFYM

dessertlover27

Not a pro, too. But just things I learnt along the way.

1) Definitely try strength training. Brings amazing results. As for the jogging part, once you're used to it, the awkwardness will go away. I was very self-conscious when I started, too. Then I thought, "Meh, at least I am doing something". And they're strangers after all, who cares what they think? Most probably they think that a) you're awesome b) that they should be doing their running, too.

2) I think air-popped popcorn is pretty low calorie. It's usually the stuff that you add to it that raises the caloric count. But as the above poster mentioned, fruits are great snacks. Also nuts, peanut (/almond/cashew/etc) butter, eggs, greek yogurt.

3) Best part? Nothing is off limit. Moderation is the key. Whatever you want, as long as you can fit it in, go for it! Heck, tackle it to the ground (or table), eat it and enjoy every bite/lick of it. My biggest love when it comes to desserts is ice cream. I have it at least 6/week. Sometimes twice/thrice in a day, if I can fit it in.

What strength training should I do? When I do the exercises for my arms, I use 5 pound weights but I'm not sure that counts. I wanna start strength training but I'm not sure what to do or where to start, since I'm not strong at all. I can't even do one push up (awkward.) thank you for the suggestions! I know I should just forget what strangers think and hopefully I can get past that. Maybe I can start walking first and then jog after that?

If you're more comfortable with walking, then do that. Any type of exercises that get you moving and that you would do consistently, go for it. But if you really want to start running, maybe try c25k. It's a great program for beginners.

As for lifting, do you have access to a gym? If you do, try heavy lifting. Most people here follow StrongLifts and NROLFW. If you don't and you have got some dumbbells at home, use that. Or if no dumbbells, use your own bodyweight. You Are Your Own Gym has got some great bodyweight exercises.

If you can't do a 'real' push up yet, do it on your knees first. That's usually how most of us start. Or if you can't, try against a wall. Eventually you will be able to do it, so don't worry about that.

DisturbedOne1715

Not a pro, too. But just things I learnt along the way.

1) Definitely try strength training. Brings amazing results. As for the jogging part, once you're used to it, the awkwardness will go away. I was very self-conscious when I started, too. Then I thought, "Meh, at least I am doing something". And they're strangers after all, who cares what they think? Most probably they think that a) you're awesome b) that they should be doing their running, too.

2) I think air-popped popcorn is pretty low calorie. It's usually the stuff that you add to it that raises the caloric count. But as the above poster mentioned, fruits are great snacks. Also nuts, peanut (/almond/cashew/etc) butter, eggs, greek yogurt.

3) Best part? Nothing is off limit. Moderation is the key. Whatever you want, as long as you can fit it in, go for it! Heck, tackle it to the ground (or table), eat it and enjoy every bite/lick of it. My biggest love when it comes to desserts is ice cream. I have it at least 6/week. Sometimes twice/thrice in a day, if I can fit it in.

What strength training should I do? When I do the exercises for my arms, I use 5 pound weights but I'm not sure that counts. I wanna start strength training but I'm not sure what to do or where to start, since I'm not strong at all. I can't even do one push up (awkward.) thank you for the suggestions! I know I should just forget what strangers think and hopefully I can get past that. Maybe I can start walking first and then jog after that?

If you're more comfortable with walking, then do that. Any type of exercises that get you moving and that you would do consistently, go for it. But if you really want to start running, maybe try c25k. It's a great program for beginners.

As for lifting, do you have access to a gym? If you do, try heavy lifting. Most people here follow StrongLifts and NROLFW. If you don't and you have got some dumbbells at home, use that. Or if no dumbbells, use your own bodyweight. You Are Your Own Gym has got some great bodyweight exercises.

If you can't do a 'real' push up yet, do it on your knees first. That's usually how most of us start. Or if you can't, try against a wall. Eventually you will be able to do it, so don't worry about that.

I do have access to a gym but I can't really afford it yet. Here at home I have 5 pound weights and I think 10 pounds. Would those work? I also have one of those shake weight things. Are those as good as they say on TV? I thought since maybe I'm not a strong runner it would make sense to ease into it? I'm no pro haha! I'm gonna try and get some running shoes and one of those things you put your iPod into and attach to your arm.

dessertlover27

I guess any weights are better than no weights at all Just know that you will outgrow those weights rather fast. I can't afford a gym either, so I do it at home with dumbbells and bodyweight exercises. The bodyweight exercises, though, have varieties and modifications to make them more difficult once you graduate pass the generic ones. Nerdfitness.com is another great site for info.

I am not sure what the shake weight thingy is but if it's one of those expensive gimmicks, you don't need it. Might as well spend your money on a gym membership or some dumbbells.

Running: Yes, definitely ease into it. You don't want to push yourself too far too soon. Been there done that. Thought I hate running, turns out I was just doing it wrong. The c25k is more accurately a walk/jog type of program. It starts you of with alternates between jog and walk. You will feel amazing after reaching a running NSV. When I reached mine, I wanted to be like Jack from Titanic and shout "I am the king of the world" even though I am a novice compared to the seasoned runners here.