Not-that-heavy girls

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Non-Scale Victories!

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  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    edited August 2017
    @glassofroses - I didn't follow any program (probably should have). It's taken me over 1.5 years just to get where I am and I still have a long ways to go. I did work on other hand balancing in the meantime as well such as headstands, forearms stands, crow/crane, etc. I watched a bunch of youtube tutorials, started going to PT to get better range of motion in my shoulders and upper back. Honestly, that's what has been holding me back the most. I can't get full shoulder flexion. So my handstands are very banana back. The best piece of advice I got was to practice with your hands diagonal, like they were in the opposite top and bottom corners of an imaginary box. It gives you much more stability.

    Oh, and btw - anytime I run any length of distance I feel like if I didn't die it's a NSV. LOL
  • WallyAmadeus
    WallyAmadeus Posts: 119 Member
    edited August 2017
    Thanks for asking! I like work outs where I can focus on progressive goals. For me, that is weight training and HITs. I do free weights and the elliptical trainer. It suits my personality that I track my progress by reps/weight and by caloric burn. Once a year, I get my body fat measured at our gym (there is some very fancy piece of equipment which gives me bodyfat/lean muscle/water by part of body) and I also do a "tower run", where I run up 54 flights of stairs as quickly as I can. Those of part of what I think of as my annual physical (which I also get)...they give me indicators of how much muscle I'm building and my cardio vascular health. Last year, my BF was 18% and last tower run, I did 54 flights in 11 minutes. I'm happy with those numbers, and I just want to sustain them. My big challenge is that my bodyfat with menopause has shifted and now I look like like an hourglass and more like a refrigerator!

    I always say that I'm going to do Pilates, yoga or spinning, but the fact that I always say I'm going to do them, and I never do probably means that I'll probably always being saying that, and never doing it. I find that the solitary way I work out works especially well for me because they are like moving meditations--whatever is chattering around in mine is worked out of my system by the time I'm done.
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    @mom23mangos Thanks for the insight. I was just thinking about what you said about shoulder flexion and I should ask my physio because I definitely don't want to pop a shoulder. :lol:

    @WallyAmadeus It's nice to have that drive to keep pushing to get those higher/weighted reps but not be blinded by it. The BF% thing, it's like a BodPod? I've never had mine measured professionally but I keep track from my initial weigh in on my home scale to now so I know the change in % even if I don't know exactly what I am. And congrats on a strong tower run. That sounds impressive. I'm sure your hourglass is just waiting for you to open the fridge door. :wink:

    Pilates has never interested me because I don't find that I have a particularly strong core, definitely not now that I've had holes poked in it. I did yoga for awhile but it wasn't particularly challenging as it was an all abilities class and I'm hypermobile so I was always at the most advanced variation. That being said, yoga is really good for mood as well as your body and it's something you can YouTube if you ever really get the urge. And I hated spinning. Way too complicated for not very much pay off imo. I know people who love it so it's like all things for all sorts.

    I always say I'm going to join the gym but it has never happened in two years so we can assume that ship has sailed. :lol: I honestly find treadmills terrifying. Martial arts suits me great as it's learning, so my brain is constantly engaged, and putting to use my freakishly bendy long limbs. The goal is, assuming I don't mess up, to be starting my advanced belts in mid-2018 (Red, Brown, Brown 2 and Black) regardless. The joke? I never wanted to grade for my belts. I have been dragged to every single one of my gradings because at my core, I'm just happy to learn. The same with actual fighting/sparring. I don't have a single inclination to punch anyone once let alone multiple times but my friends drag me into it every time. There is only so many nos you can say before you just cave.

    I did my first sit ups since my surgery today! It was a pyramid style warm up and I thought I was going to have to crunch it out but I did all of them. I started off with strict push ups but to protect my stomach I went down to my knees just to prevent excess pressure.

    Oh and a silly one. I started doing a roundhouse kick when we were supposed to be doing a sidekick, and while shouting abort repeatedly, I managed to save it and rotate my leg/hold my core strong enough to support the change.
  • WallyAmadeus
    WallyAmadeus Posts: 119 Member
    Yes, I hear you...though in a vastly different context. Our son was born via an emergency c-section (it was a foreshadowing of his personality that he refused to emerge via the traditional route.) I remember went back to the gym and resumed ab work outs way earlier than had been recommended, and while I powered though it, it prolonged my recovery. Not to mention, that the first time I did a sit up, I almost smothered myself in my post partum belly!

    I think you hit on something: Find the routine that works for you and which you can sustain.
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    @WallyAmadeus I was born 6 weeks early...just because I could I suppose. It's funny actually, my mum's due date for me was March 17th and to this day I get this wrinkle of disgust go through me at the thought of that being my birthday. It's like it was written into my DNA that I'm not a fan of the month of March at all, which is why I decided that I was going to come out in February.

    How did those workouts feel, do you remember? I'm just curious as I don't really know anyone who has had to rehab their abs, and it's really hard to know what's okay and what's too much, tbh. From what I can tell my abs are in relatively good shape but I might have a bit of scar tissue that needs stretching (length wise) on my left side as I've been getting a bit of aching after training. I had what I would liken to a stitch while running in the warm up yesterday, I took 10 seconds and I was fine but other than that I don't get any pain/aching/twinges but I'm not trying to fully rotate and at speed yet. I'm taking the rest of the week off as I've got a cold now and I don't want to possibly tear something if there is something going on. So we'll see what happens next week and what my doctor says at my 8 week check up.

    But yes, you're right about being able to sustain your exercise. In the long run, you'll be so much happier just from the endorphins. But even from watching the people I know, you can see them sort of just give up on eating well when the exercise goes to the wayside. A bit like, why bother? The point of exercise is to be healthy, regardless of what you eat. Obviously the two go hand in hand and you can't outrun a bad diet, but you can minimise some of the issues by not having so much internal fat. So even if your diet is maybe lacking one week, you're not completely shooting yourself in the foot if you're still working out. And there is so much going on in the fitness world now that it should be something fun and isn't just a treadmill or a weights rack if that's not what you're into. There's pole fitness, acroyoga, barre classes; people need to just get out there and try things. I mean, I just picked my dojo out of a Google search because I was interested in KB, showed up and never left.

    I feel like that exercise point veered off but I just mean that sustainable exercise will always be a good thing and people need to embrace doing what they love rather than what they think they have to.
  • WallyAmadeus
    WallyAmadeus Posts: 119 Member
    It has been quite a few years...but I just remember feeling winded and "twingey", also as if that part of my body was very vulnerable. What helped: Physical therapy so I learned how to work my core without the traditional crunches/bicycles (lot of planks, e.g.) and just, frankly, following doctors' orders. I really wanted to get back my pre-pregnancy shape as quickly as possible that I pushed my body and my body pushed back with continual back pain.
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    @2tall4thisworld That is some rocking endurance! :star:

    @WallyAmadeus My doctor's orders regarding my training were 6 weeks, ease back into it, no contact, which I followed so in theory it should all be fine. He even said that some aching would be normal. Still going to get checked out though as I had originally booked the appointment to talk about sparring but yeah, that's not happening for another 6 weeks at least. I worry about hernias and things like that (there's no history in my family so that helps) because like I said, I don't know anyone who has had lap surgery or even abdominal surgery so my information is sorely limited. Googling on the internet just gives me anxiety.

    If anything I think I probably went back to it a bit too cold, not really working the bodyweight exercises beforehand, and I had very little resistance from my body when I did go. I wasn't out of breath/my endurance was fine, my flexibility was unchanged so everything just felt fine. Like normal. Doesn't mean things are normal though. I'll start working on my plank/side planks from now then. It'll be good for my arms too. :lol: Thankfully so far my back is fine. Honestly everything is fine apart from this bit of aching. I wouldn't even waste painkillers on it. However, that being said, I am taking this as a sign that I need to be careful. I am highly considering waiting till after the break (21st-29th) and try to start again then just in case I've pulled a muscle. Use the time in between to strengthen what I can.
  • WallyAmadeus
    WallyAmadeus Posts: 119 Member
    Upon reflection, in my case not only was I postpartum, but I had been on bedrest (which was kind of nice with a newborn cause I was waited on and I didn't have to feel guilty.). I'm wondering if you are on bedrest, or something close to it, if you actually lose some muscle. Or, if not on total bedrest, then mostly prone.

    I've just found that my body is a very efficent feedback loop..if I'm pushing myself too much, my body will let me know...first whispering softly with an ache or two, and then thumping me on the head with something I've pulled.
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    @WallyAmadeus Your cardiac function begins to decrease rapidly at two weeks but I think it's 4 weeks for muscle, I'm not too sure. I didn't find that I felt any different till about 5 1/2 weeks and I just felt a bit squisher around my obliques but I kept my protein pretty high considering I wasn't working out (80-100g). But yes, I wasn't on bed rest but I had dislodged scar tissue from behind my belly button at 3 weeks and I was very hesitant to push it. I can and do push ups/sit ups just fine. Apparently running is my issue as it must elongate my torso. For boxing you naturally roll the shoulders inwards and hunch a bit to protect your body.

    I think being in tune with your body is a great gift. I don't always get it right personally which is why I really want to try and err on the side of caution this time round. I've had a not properly rehabbed ankle (I was 9, I don't think I really understood how important it was) come back to bite me in the *kitten* many times and I am definitely not looking to play that ball game again.
  • RMC1995
    RMC1995 Posts: 67 Member
    Still not that impressive to actual runners BUT.... I was able to finish a mile in 10 minutes 58 seconds today! That is down from my other personal best of 11 minutes and 30 seconds. I am getting closer and closer to a 10 minute mile, which is my end goal for speed. After that, I want to work on endurance :)
  • 2tall4thisworld
    2tall4thisworld Posts: 123 Member
    @RMC1995 that is super impressive! Decreasing your mile time is not easy. Congrats on getting closer to your goal!!

    I guess my non scale victory this week would have to be just overall portion control, and making smart eating choices. We had a large banquet at work, and I only had potato salad and regular salad and one miniature cupcake. I thought about what the me 3 months ago would have put on my plate.... I would have grabbed at least two cupcakes, one roll of bread, a generous helping of mac n cheese, beans, more potato salad, no regular salad, and probably one more mini cupcake to go back to my desk.

    I've been cutting back quite a bit on cheese as well. If i can avoid having it, I do. I notice my stomach doesn't hate me as much and I feel much lighter without it. Even though I miss the taste!
  • DananaNanas
    DananaNanas Posts: 665 Member
    A pair of white skinny jeans I bought "for summer" a few months ago that never actually fit zipped up last night! I wore them once a month ago but I could barely sit down and my fat spilled over the top of them. Now they fit and are even comfortable!
  • RMC1995
    RMC1995 Posts: 67 Member
    @2tall4thisworld Thank you, I love the support! I'm super happy for you as well, managing your portion control and making more modest choices at your banquet. I am always such a sucker for sweets and carbs at things like that as well - have to double up on mac n cheese and cupcakes! It is great to see a fellow MFP'er successfully navigate the table and remind me that I can make those small steps too!
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    I bought a vintage silk skirt sometime last year and it fit, but I wasn't comfortable in it but I'm wearing it to go out to dinner tonight and I feel like the flamenco dancer/red dress lady emoji. :lol:
  • LauraInTheWater
    LauraInTheWater Posts: 477 Member
    Trying out a new workout tomorrow. I've never done ice skating for exercise...we will see if it works!
  • bringbackthejoy
    bringbackthejoy Posts: 255 Member
    Hey ladies. Congrats on all the success's this month. My success was enjoying vacation without crazy-braining and still coming home and starting back up day 1. 1st time ever.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Love the victories of consistency and habit @bringbackthejoy and @WallyAmadeus ! Wally, I try to think like you. I don't weigh or measure often. Just want to make exercise and healthy eating a habit that I don't even have to think about. But I like what you said about enjoying it too.
  • RMC1995
    RMC1995 Posts: 67 Member
    I was able to wear a semi-crop top today, in public, without being embarrassed or ashamed. I haven't been able to wear this outfit in almost two years! I'm so happy.
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    Trained two hours tonight! I probably won't do it again for awhile just because I'm dealing with some scar tissue/muscle pulling on the left side but before surgery I did two hours three times a week (+ 1hr sparring) and I'm hoping to get back to that by the end of the year. I have to be able to do at least 2hrs to grade in November so this is a really good sign for me.

    Also didn't completely embarrass myself during the light sparring portion of the class which was amazing. It's one of those things where in I should be good at it in theory but I'm always reluctant to punch people I like in the face.

    I definitely agree about shifting focus, @WallyAmadeus. The focus is often far too much on the aesthetic and not so much on how we feel within our bodies. I suppose it's different for me as I live with chronic pain in my joints so my focus has always resided there, but when we really focus on our bodies that's when we learn the most.
  • bribucks
    bribucks Posts: 431 Member
    I went to my lady doctor today and she asked me (after looking at the charts), Have you been trying to lose weight?

    Of course I panicked and was like, Uhh not really, just been working out more lately ... For some reason I am so terrified to admit to people that I am trying to lose a few more pounds. I guess because I'm still pretty small and I don't want people to jump to the eating-disorder conclusion.

    But anyways, it still felt really good to have an "outside" person acknowledge my loss!

  • RMC1995
    RMC1995 Posts: 67 Member
    I was able to get my office on board to order me a standing desk - now I don't have to sit for sooooo long a time. (My commute is an hour, and I take grad school classes where I have no choice but to sit). It's only been one day but already I feel healthier being on my feet while I check emails and do reports.
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    @RMC1995 A standing desk is the dream! Is it really amazing? I'd still need one that adjusts to being seated because I can't stand for very long periods but I want one. :heart:
  • rianneonamission
    rianneonamission Posts: 854 Member
    @glassofroses, I have two colleagues with a convertible one. So it's a unit which sits on the desk and can be used as both. Certainly the guy nearest to me will have it up for part of the day, down for other parts.
  • glassofroses
    glassofroses Posts: 653 Member
    @rianneonamission Oh, is it a particular make/brand? I need to check this out.
  • bringbackthejoy
    bringbackthejoy Posts: 255 Member
    I ran 8 miles yesterday. Longest ever.
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