I'd Like Your Opinions/Advice! MFP Newbie

nikki_hayter

Hey all! I'm female, 31, 5'5". HW 280 CW 214.4 GW 150. I lost the first 65 since last February doing Weight Watchers, eating whatever I wanted as long as it fit into my "points". I'm realizing that MFP is basically the same thing, just a way more user friendly site/app/community.

My main issue is that I don't feel that my body is looking as smooth/flat/shapely as I remember it looking 10 years ago when I was at the same weight. That might have to do with the fact that I am 10 years older and/or that I had stretched my body out to near 300 pounds and/or had a child since then but I have also done absolutely no exercise up to this point which I'm sure hasn't helped my case.

In your opinion, what would be the smartest path for me to take as I lose these next 65 pounds? I am currently set at a 1.5 pound/week loss goal. Is that too aggressive? Where do I start with the exercise? This is a tough one for me...I think I'm still traumatized from running the mile in elementary school! I'm ready to become the sexy, confident woman I know is inside me.

Thanks in advance for your help!

MadTownD

Congrats on losing what you've lost already!!! It sounds like you were losing about a pound a week on WW, so that may be a good place to start.

As far as exercise, I started on the treadmill for twenty minutes, three days a week at 2.0 mph, and did that for a week. I now do 3.0 mph for thirty minutes five times a week.

Another thing that I find really helpful is finding friends on here to encourage us along the way. ????

Play_outside

Walking is low impact and easy to do anytime anywhere so it's a good place to start. If you want to start running you can try the Couch to 5k program. Other than that, I would suggest you try lots of different things to see what you enjoy! What were you doing 10 years ago when you felt like you were more shapely?

nikki_hayter

Walking is low impact and easy to do anytime anywhere so it's a good place to start. If you want to start running you can try the Couch to 5k program. Other than that, I would suggest you try lots of different things to see what you enjoy! What were you doing 10 years ago when you felt like you were more shapely?

I have been thinking about starting C25K. Even doing each week for 2 weeks to take it slow. I think I probably had a little more muscle back then, it was not too long after playing sports in high school and dabbling in kickboxing classes. The only bummer about my situation now is that I live in a rural area and don't have any gyms/classes close by. Gotta get creative now. I do have a treadmill and Bowflex and am building my collection of free weights.

David_AUS

I know where you are coming from! I successfully used weight watchers to get from hmm let me convert to lbs 255 lbs to 165 lbs (I have never calculated it lbs before). WW is great but as with all programs has it's short comings. I would recommend introducing some resistance training - (Tai Chi / Pilates / weights / body weight exercise) - you want to encourage some muscle growth and toning and cardio alone is not the most efficient to deliver this. I would suggest 20 - 25 mins heavy cardio (heart rate is more important than speed - indicatively at least 120 bpm but unless you have medical heart issues you should be able to push 150 but listen to your body you may not be comfortable running higher than 135 for awhile for eg. this is fine you have to work in your limits) do this as often as you can the 5 days a week looks good. Look at introducing some kind resistance work out at least 3 times per week (probably max 5). Before you take on any heavier exercise it pays to get a general check-up, don't panic if there is "bad news" just factor it in for consideration for eg. I have pre-hypertensive BP which I am monitoring and looking to improve - it is something I am aware of and may compensate for but is not stopping me from doing what I want to do.

nikki_hayter

I know where you are coming from! I successfully used weight watchers to get from hmm let me convert to lbs 255 lbs to 165 lbs (I have never calculated it lbs before). WW is great but as with all programs has it's short comings. I would recommend introducing some resistance training - (Tai Chi / Pilates / weights / body weight exercise) - you want to encourage some muscle growth and toning and cardio alone is not the most efficient to deliver this. I would suggest 20 - 25 mins heavy cardio (heart rate is more important than speed - indicatively at least 120 bpm but unless you have medical heart issues you should be able to push 150 but listen to your body you may not be comfortable running higher than 135 for awhile for eg. this is fine you have to work in your limits) do this as often as you can the 5 days a week looks good. Look at introducing some kind resistance work out at least 3 times per week (probably max 5). Before you take on any heavier exercise it pays to get a general check-up, don't panic if there is "bad news" just factor it in for consideration for eg. I have pre-hypertensive BP which I am monitoring and looking to improve - it is something I am aware of and may compensate for but is not stopping me from doing what I want to do.

Wow, congratulations on your loss! Very inspirational. I agree that my plan should include strength training of some kind and some cardio. Thanks!

Play_outside

Sounds like you have some great ways to get started! Nothing wrong with repeating weeks of Couch to 5k-they recommend you go at your own pace and repeat as you have to. When you're ready to progress to the next step it is really rewarding!

Walking is low impact and easy to do anytime anywhere so it's a good place to start. If you want to start running you can try the Couch to 5k program. Other than that, I would suggest you try lots of different things to see what you enjoy! What were you doing 10 years ago when you felt like you were more shapely?

I have been thinking about starting C25K. Even doing each week for 2 weeks to take it slow. I think I probably had a little more muscle back then, it was not too long after playing sports in high school and dabbling in kickboxing classes. The only bummer about my situation now is that I live in a rural area and don't have any gyms/classes close by. Gotta get creative now. I do have a treadmill and Bowflex and am building my collection of free weights.