Try Again

claraoswold

So a few years ago I lost about 60 lbs, going from 213 to 153. I now think that that is a bit too low for me, but that is beside the point. But I then transferred to a different college, and got into professional school for Civil Engineering and have been sorta stress eating and not exercising as much as I should be. As such I went up to 235.

Now in itself my weight doesn't matter that much to me as much as body composition. I'm not as strong as I want to be. I have a bit more body fat than I would like. I have about 40% body fat, and I would like a bit less, maybe 20-25%. I don't have the physical endurance I would like, I can't chop wood as long as I want and the maul is a bit heavy for me. I can't climb as high as I want. I can't jog very far.

I'm a 5'8" woman and I currently weigh around 230. I need to weigh myself more consistently, my scale is not optimal. I want to eat cleaner.

On monday classes start and I get access to the university gym again. Looking forward to trying again.

claraoswold

So update after two and a half weeks.

I went to the gym four days the first week, two or three last week, and am finishing up my second time this week. I've also started tracking my weight lifting specifically.

What have I learned?

I probably overdid it the first week trying to do it all at once. And I haven't been eating as well as I would wish. I get tired, and my husband won't help cook, and I suck at cooking anyway.

On the plus side I think I am losing weight. It's gone down from the end of summer weight of 235 to around 227 (it was 226 after my workout today). I'm also getting stronger. I know the increase in strength and endurance I've been seein can't continue, but it is fun to watch. I know, for example, over the summer my leg curls went to 65 lbs and my bench dropped to 40-ish. Today it was 110 and 75 pounds. Yay!

Side note, it also makes me FEEL better. I'm not as depressed, and while I may be tired it is physical exhaustion from the exercise. The jury is out on focus and cognitive ability, but it sure hasn't decreased those things. I find I am more able to think and organize my thoughts.

Alishia6606

I've always been told to start slow. Just track everything you do and don't be too hard on yourself.

BTW. It's great to see a fellow whovian. My kids tease me about loving Doctor Who.

Cahgetsfit

I clicked on here for two reasons - clara - it's my daughter's name - and the TARDIS.

And was pleasantly surprised to see a nice post and no stupid typical MFP forum thread about "ooh im on 1000 calories am i eating enough?" or "oooh are bananas bad for you?"



thank you! and good luck with your journey!!!

Re the cooking - cook easy things and enough for three days. Like rice for example. then the only thing you need to cook every day is the fresh veggie type stuff.

Keep it up!