Walking With Pedometers

Peschuntz

Good evening, walking buddies. Today was relatively nice outside (61 degrees), so I walked on an outdoor track for 5 miles. This evening I completed Leslie Sansone's "Walk Your Belly Flat (3 miles). Despite the fact that I was drenched in sweat after the DVD, my pedometer read 7.4 not 8 miles. Ended up taking my dog for a walk and just got back from the supermarket. Therefore, today's total was 18,685 steps or 8.2 miles.

Barb, days like that where you don't eat or exercise much are likely very good for you. While I might be walking a decent distance daily, I am also eating too many calories. I'm eating healthy, but too much. I never go to bed with a negative calorie deficit but last week at Weight Watchers, I only lost .6 of a lb. Such a small amount didn't even move my ticker. I think I may be insulin resistant and should drink less diet soda and less carbs. I'll see how that goes.

SusyC

Good evening, walking buddies. Today was relatively nice outside (61 degrees), so I walked on an outdoor track for 5 miles. This evening I completed Leslie Sansone's "Walk Your Belly Flat (3 miles). Despite the fact that I was drenched in sweat after the DVD, my pedometer read 7.4 not 8 miles. Ended up taking my dog for a walk and just got back from the supermarket. Therefore, today's total was 18,685 steps or 8.2 miles.

Barb, days like that where you don't eat or exercise much are likely very good for you. While I might be walking a decent distance daily, I am also eating too many calories. I'm eating healthy, but too much. I never go to bed with a negative calorie deficit but last week at Weight Watchers, I only lost .6 of a lb. Such a small amount didn't even move my ticker. I think I may be insulin resistant and should drink less diet soda and less carbs. I'll see how that goes.

Holy smokes! You walk so much! I've been maintaining 3-5 miles a day on my treadmill. I just don't have time for more. I haven't worn my pedometer because it's going crazy, cheap piece of junk. But, I also walk around at work a lot. But, I'm guessing, I'm still around 8-10,000 steps a day. I'm still having trouble getting to the 1200 calorie mark. I am not hungry and I eat plenty. I've got to be doing something wrong, because I am not losing weight. I did lose 4 last week, the most ever ! But, gained 2 back this weekend because I ate ... you know, food. But, I still didn't eat a ton. On Saturday, I went over my calories by about 190, and on Sunday I was slightly under my 1200 calories, although the food was mostly junk food from the mall eatery. What the heck am I doing wrong????

Pes, you said something about being insulin resistant. Tell me more about that. I have always wondered about it myself. I have so many diabetic symptoms, but, my sugar levels are always around 80, so I'm way far off from being diabetic. But, every doc I see always tests me, certain that I'm diabetic. They see 80 and stop investigating. Tell me more about what you're thinking.

Peschuntz

Holy smokes! You walk so much! I've been maintaining 3-5 miles a day on my treadmill. I just don't have time for more. I haven't worn my pedometer because it's going crazy, cheap piece of junk. But, I also walk around at work a lot. But, I'm guessing, I'm still around 8-10,000 steps a day. I'm still having trouble getting to the 1200 calorie mark. I am not hungry and I eat plenty. I've got to be doing something wrong, because I am not losing weight. I did lose 4 last week, the most ever ! But, gained 2 back this weekend because I ate ... you know, food. But, I still didn't eat a ton. On Saturday, I went over my calories by about 190, and on Sunday I was slightly under my 1200 calories, although the food was mostly junk food from the mall eatery. What the heck am I doing wrong????

Pes, you said something about being insulin resistant. Tell me more about that. I have always wondered about it myself. I have so many diabetic symptoms, but, my sugar levels are always around 80, so I'm way far off from being diabetic. But, every doc I see always tests me, certain that I'm diabetic. They see 80 and stop investigating. Tell me more about what you're thinking.
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Hi Susy,

Here is my understanding . . . some people are overly reactive to the effects of insulin. For instance, those who have normal reactions can consume sugar, and their bodies will secrete enough insulin to burn up the excess insulin and stabilize blood sugar levels. Hence, blood sugar remains on a relatively even keel. For those of us who may be overly reactive to the effects of insulin . . . we consume sugar, there is a delayed reaction in the secretion of insulin leaving us in an initial diabetic state (blood sugar too high). When insulin is finally secreted, too much floods the system, causing blood sugar to plummet. When this happens, certain symptoms such as shakiness, irritability, confusion (blood is starved of nutrients) and extreme hunger ensue. Due to the overreaction to sweets, artificial sweeteners and carbs, people with this condition fare better with diets high in protein that don"t wreak havoc with insulin levels. When carbs and sweets are consumed, they should be paired with protein in the same meal to offset the negative effects. I hope this helps.:flowerforyou:

In response to your question regarding what you are doing wrong, the only thing I see is that there is not enough precision in your record-keeping. You don't say in your post whether you are maintaining a food diary. For instance, "eating junk at the mall" could mean anything from eating a couple of hundred calories over your allowance or consuming a Cinnabon smothered in sugar. Without keeping records, you are at the mercy of your judgment and memory, which could be very tricky. Also - and I can't stress this enough - without a decent pedometer you are left to guess how many steps you take daily. You would do better to keep an accurate food diary and invest in an accurate and dependable pedometer: I recommend the Omron HJ-303. Your health and weight are too important to be left to chance. Also, keep posting here and discuss your progress. Good luck.

leshawnturner

Hey guys!!!

Its funny that you guys are talking about insulin resistence because I just did blood work for that today. My job is offering a health screening and wellness program and I signed up. I'll get my results back in about 1 week. I'm usually well within the normal range on my blood sugar but I would be interested in learning about if I'm insulin resistant. I'd also like to have my thyroid checked but I have to find a new doctor first. I'm still walking and moving around. I did the 30 day shred agian today (day 2, level 1).

Keep moving folks!!! :flowerforyou:

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: Susy, Keeping accurate records of what you are eating and how much exercise you are doing is the first step to success. Next, try to keep your eating clean (avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners, processed food, fast food, caffeine, alcohol, and various other empty calorie foods). Next try to be consistent with your eating and exercising

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do healthy stuff every day. Take baby steps toward a new healthy lifestyle. And never, never, never give up :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
Barbie

SusyC

You ladies are so filled with information! I'm so grateful!

I have been keeping a food diary. It's actually the initial reason I joined the site. I figured I must be eating calories that I'm not thinking about because I've always felt I don't eat enough to "diet" and cut back on food, yet I'm 182 pounds. There have to be some hidden calories somewhere that I'm just not counting. So, I've kept the food diary for almost 2 weeks now. I've been down to the nitty gritty with it, counting everything. Well, except the skim milk I drink with dinner. I had been forgetting that the first few days. But, each day I am almost always under my 1200 calorie limit. After so many people suggested I was in starvation mode, I've upped my intake to eat my exercise calories, but I'm always below that.

I've been logging all my treadmill work into the exercise diary. Without a pedometer, I don't count anything else but the distance, time, and calories that my treadmill gives. I usually walk 3 miles in the morning, and if I'm up to it, 2 miles in the evening. I do that 5 times a week, sometimes 6 if I'm willing to do it on the weekend. I DO have to get a decent pedometer.

About the insulin resistance, I don't know if that's my problem, because I don't usually get hungry. I do get exhausted mid afternoon. I have to pee a lot, and I'm always thirsty. That's why docs have always just assumed diabetes and given me a blood test. But they're always baffled when my sugar comes out very normal. (the only normal thing about me!) But, I HAVE noticed that if my calories come from sugars like candy, breads, and pasta, (and I eat whole grains) I tend to gain weight pretty quickly. If my calories come from fats and proteins, I tend to lose weight. However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE pasta! I can give up sweets pretty easily, and breads if I have to. But, pasta? EEK!:noway: So, I go with the wheat pasta and still gain. Rats.

I just thought that the way my body gains with sugars, maybe it had something to do with that insulin resistance you were talking about. How does that get tested? I know it's not a regular glucose test like for diabetes.

barbiecat

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But, I HAVE noticed that if my calories come from sugars like candy, breads, and pasta, (and I eat whole grains) I tend to gain weight pretty quickly. If my calories come from fats and proteins, I tend to lose weight. However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE pasta! I can give up sweets pretty easily, and breads if I have to. But, pasta? EEK!:noway: So, I go with the wheat pasta and still gain. Rats.

It looks like you found your answer already. :laugh: I don't eat pasta, bread, sugar or anything made with flour.. I eat brown rice sometimes and oatmeal with applesauce or kashi cereal with almond milk as a bedtime snack and occasional Wasa oat crackers. Otherwise I stick to lean meat, veggies, and fruit. What you eat makes a difference, it's not all about calories.:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Peschuntz

Believe it or not, I just finished my final mile - and it's almost 1:30 in the morning! Here's the breakdown: 2.5 miles walking leisurely in mall, 3.5 miles at 4% incline on treadmill, 1 mile at slower pace several hours later on treadmill, a final mile Leslie Sansone's "Fast Start - 1 Mile Walk." Total steps = 18, 506 today or 8 miles even. Good night all.:grumble:

SusyC

Barbiecat, I think you're right, I just don't want to face reality! I love spaghetti with sauce from the tomatoes from my garden. Hard to believe that it could be considered a bad food for me, but, yep, the pasta does me in! Sure, I can compromise with more sauce, less pasta, but, really ... that's what spaghetti's all about! LOL But, gotta get down to business and face the facts. Protein is probably the way I need to go. Rats.

Pes ... you walkin' crazy woman! You are an inspiration! Holy cow!

leshawnturner

Hey folks!! Today's my off day and yesterday was a slow day for my steps (I had a lot of work to do at my desk). I got in about 5,000 steps yesterday. I have meetings tonight so I'm going to try to get in my steps before then. I start my Christmas shopping this weekend so I'll likely be getting in all my step for the next couple of weeks!! You guys keep up the good work!!!

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Thanks to my wonderful friend, Faith , I have a Leslie Sansone videotape which means I can walk with Leslie in the guest room away from the center of the house so if hubby wants to make a phone call or ride the exercise bike and watch a movie, i can go into the guest room and walk. :bigsmile: It's a huge boost to my winter workout possibilities.

It feels like winter here with a lot of wind. The lights dimmed a few minutes ago and I was afraid we would lose power. Hubby is out of town for five days and it feels a little lonely here. :sad: :sad: I lived alone most of my 20's and 30's so it's not like I don't know how to live alone, it's just that I'm spoiled rotten now :laugh:

Today I heard Leslie say that a toned body burns calories more efficiently so that's another good reason for walking.

:flowerforyou: Susy, in the years before MFP we used to have two huge bowls of spaghetti and tons of bread for dinner every Friday night. no wonder we stayed chubby :laugh:
hugs Barbie

SusyC

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Thanks to my wonderful friend, Faith , I have a Leslie Sansone videotape which means I can walk with Leslie in the guest room away from the center of the house so if hubby wants to make a phone call or ride the exercise bike and watch a movie, i can go into the guest room and walk. :bigsmile: It's a huge boost to my winter workout possibilities.

It feels like winter here with a lot of wind. The lights dimmed a few minutes ago and I was afraid we would lose power. Hubby is out of town for five days and it feels a little lonely here. :sad: :sad: I lived alone most of my 20's and 30's so it's not like I don't know how to live alone, it's just that I'm spoiled rotten now :laugh:

Today I heard Leslie say that a toned body burns calories more efficiently so that's another good reason for walking.

:flowerforyou: Susy, in the years before MFP we used to have two huge bowls of spaghetti and tons of bread for dinner every Friday night. no wonder we stayed chubby :laugh:
hugs Barbie

My hubby's out of town, too. I was single through my 20's and 30's, too! And, I find the current alone time refreshing! When he's out of town, I can work out in the mornings and in the evenings. When he's not out of town, it's usually just the mornings after he goes to work, and before I go to work. When he comes home in the evening, it's all about him ... :blushing: ... so no workout in the evening ... or, at least no treadmill.:smooched:

I ate a bunch of protein today for dinner, but had to skip lunch, or what I usually call lunch. My job goes right through lunchtime, so I usually eat a snack on the way to and from work and call that lunch. It's usually an apple or a mix of fruit and nuts. So, today, I brought an apple and when I bit into it, it was mostly bruised, brown, and mushy! :frown: So, I didn't eat it. I'm wondering how that'll effect my weight this week ... skipping mid day food and having a lot of protein for dinner. We'll see.

On the bright side ... I drank 2 extra bottles of water today, and drank one less can of Diet Coke! woo hoo!

PatB52

I dug out an inexpensive pedometer that I'd purchased a couple of years ago. I had never gotten it set up because the instructions were obviously translated from another language (probably Chinese since it was made in China) and were hard to follow. It also required my having to convert my weight to Kg's and my stride to cm. It seems to work pretty well and from what I can tell, is pretty accurate. I had figured the other day how many steps I walk in a minute and multiplied that by the time I walk. The pedometer said I walked 6007 miles in 56 minutes today which was pretty close to what I had figured out mathematically. It also told me how far I walked (2.7 miles) and how long.

I noticed that there is an audible click with every step, so I don't know if I'll wear it all day long. I'll probably just wear it when I go on walks.

Peschuntz

Hi Guys,

I enjoy reading these posts so much, and it looks like everyone is moving in the right direction. Good for you, Susy, increasing protein while decreasing diet soda. Barb, I see that ticker of yours moving - continuously towards your well-earned goal (which is almost here!). leshawnturner, stick with your steps and stick with us. I know how difficult meeting your exercise quota is when you're busy at work and have all sorts of meetings to attend, but we are here for you - always!

Here it is 1:51 in the morning and I just finished my walking. (Now make it 1:52 a.m.!) How do you spell compulsive? I went to Weight Watchers tonight and discovered I lost 1.5 lbs. this week. Slow and steady wins this race. When I returned from tonight's WW meeting, I had exactly 5 miles completed. I pulled out Leslie Sansone's "4 Mile Super Challenge" thinking that will enable me to complete a total of 9 miles today. When I was finished and glanced down at my pedometer, I was so disappointed to see it had only measured 2.95 miles completed, so I jumped on the treadmill for a couple minutes to bring the reading up to an even 3 miles. So I am reporting I completed an 8 mile total or 18,501 steps. (I told you I was compulsive!) Have a great night and an even better day tomorrow.

SusyC

Holy cow, Pes! That's incredible! Congrats on your weight loss! And keep up the walking! But, hey, get some sleep, too! I know part of the reason for my big sudden weight gain 4 years ago was stress and no sleep. (I had just gotten married to a man with 2 of his own children who live with us, and sold my house, bought a house together ... you get the idea ... stress, stress, stress!) So, be sure to get some sleep!

Thanks for the encouragement. I couldn't help myself, and I weighed myself this morning. I was sure I gained or at least didn't lose because I ate so much protein last night at dinner. But, I lost a pound! Go figure! I know a pound can be justified by just about anything ... I could weigh myself tomorrow and get a totally differnt reading, but, listen, a pound is a pound is a pound. And, at this stage of the game, I am encouraged by losing a pound.

So, I'm back to the 4 pounds I had lost last week, before gaining 2 over the weekend at the wedding and a trip to the mall eatery. :grumble: So, it's like I'm back to ground zero, and now I have to lose my 2 pounds or so for this week. And it's already Thursday! :sad: But, I'm going with what I've learned this week: more protein. For breakfast, I had scrambled eggs with leftover baked ham, and some cheese sprinkled over it. And, a little bit of cottage cheese on the side.

Come to think of it, when I've lost weight, I've eaten a lot of cottage cheese. Hmmm .... I think I'm off to the store later today to get more low fat cottage cheese!

leshawnturner

Susy - congrats on your weight loss!!! A pound is a pound no matter how you lose it!! :bigsmile:

Pes - thanks for the encouragement!! Today my goal is to get up and move around for at least 5 min every hour. I think I can make that work.

Ladies everyone is doing a great job!!! Keep up the good walk :laugh: !! Hey, where's Caliecat??

Peschuntz

So, I'm back to the 4 pounds I had lost last week, before gaining 2 over the weekend at the wedding and a trip to the mall eatery. :grumble: So, it's like I'm back to ground zero, and now I have to lose my 2 pounds or so for this week. And it's already Thursday! :sad: But, I'm going with what I've learned this week: more protein. For breakfast, I had scrambled eggs with leftover baked ham, and some cheese sprinkled over it. And, a little bit of cottage cheese on the side.

Come to think of it, when I've lost weight, I've eaten a lot of cottage cheese. Hmmm .... I think I'm off to the store later today to get more low fat cottage cheese!

It's all but impossible to gain 2 pounds in the course of a weekend, much more likely it's water weight. Protein does make you lose. I remember years ago, a physician told me I was hypoglycemic and directed me to lay off sweets and eat lotsof protein. The weight just fell off (also think about Atkins Diet which is predicated upon eating massive amounts of protein). For your own sanity, Susy, try not to weigh yourself more than once weekly since your weight will fluctuate from day to day. Sounds like you're doing fine!.

barbiecat

........or, if you're going to weigh yourself more often, do it regularly (same time, same clothes (or no clothes) and keep track of the results so you can see how your weight fluctuates as it gradually goes down.......and don't record any new weight on your ticker until it's been gone for a week


:flowerforyou: someone at line dance wondered how may steps we take in a class so I kept track and shared the information pointing out what I learned from all of you that a pedometer doesn't always record lateral steps so the number is probably much higher.

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2 hour line dance class today 4762 steps

we have rain again today so there will be walking with Leslie and dance with Richard in the house today.:bigsmile:

Peschuntz

Good morning. Tied up all day and walked about 2.2 miles of leisurely walking. Finally got on mytreadmill at 1:30 a.m. and walked very briskly for 3 miles., leaving me a total of 5.2 miles today.

Peschuntz

I completed another 1.75 miles for a grand total of 7 miles.

leshawnturner

Hey folks!! So my getting up and moving around every hour yesterday didn't go as well as I planned because I had a lot of reading to do. I didn't get up and walk around, I spent a lot of time getting up and stretching because I was getting stiff. Today is about the same, but I will try to at least walk around the office for about 5 min (hopefully I won't drive my co-workers crazy while doing so :laugh: ). Have a great weekend ladies!!

SusyC

Hey folks!! So my getting up and moving around every hour yesterday didn't go as well as I planned because I had a lot of reading to do. I didn't get up and walk around, I spent a lot of time getting up and stretching because I was getting stiff. Today is about the same, but I will try to at least walk around the office for about 5 min (hopefully I won't drive my co-workers crazy while doing so :laugh: ). Have a great weekend ladies!!

This is going to be a tough weekend and following week to walk for me because I have out of town guests coming tomorrow, and leaving NEXT Saturday. I'll be cooking and preparing Thanksgiving dinner next week. I don't know how much walking I'll get in. BUT I'm starting to really feel like I'm steadily losing weight and sooooo much don't want to stop!

So, listen, Leshawn, ... you and me ... let's get it going this weekend, OK? Let's get up and move, no matter what, OK? Reading or no reading, guests or no guests, let's walk at least a little this weekend. :flowerforyou: Saturday AND Sunday. I don't know if I'll get much time to check back here, but, at least by Monday, I'm going to check in and read your post about how much you walked, and I'm going to post how much I was able to get in. The goal is, just walk. Get in however much we can manage, but, let's get in some walking this weekend! :flowerforyou:

Pes .... I'll challenge YOU one of these days, too! But, it's going to be a long time from now when I've worked up to having the energy of the energizer bunny .... like you! :laugh:

Peschuntz

;!

So, listen, Leshawn, ... you and me ... let's get it going this weekend, OK? Let's get up and move, no matter what, OK? Reading or no reading, guests or no guests, let's walk at least a little this weekend. :flowerforyou:

Pes .... I'll challenge YOU one of these days, too! But, it's going to be a long time from now when I've worked up to having the energy of the energizer bunny .... like you! :laugh:

First, let me say Susy, you have a great attitude. Maybe it's a challenging time coming up, but at least you're not throwing in the towel. It's not always possible to do what we'd like, after all, life has a way of intruding sometimes. Let me also say that I will be returning to work on Monday. (I was on leave to take care of elderly parents.) I have a full-time postion with an hour's ride in each direction. Yipes! Believe it or not, I am not the one to beat - look at the earlier posts and you will see that Barb was putting in an impressive 23,000+ steps daily!

(Today I walked 9 miles; 5 mile walk with my trusty terrier, 2 miles on the treadmill at 4% incline and a little over 2 miles walked leisurely (supermarket shopping, etc.) Enjoy your weekend everyone, but if you get the opportunity, check-in at the soda shop and let us know how you're doing. :flowerforyou:

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: The biggest challenge should be to continue to "beat" ourselves.......In the great weather I was taking long walks, now that I'm more housebound, the numbers are dropping.....I set a goal for myself and sometimes have to walk up and down the hall at bedtime to meet the goal....having a goal for myself gets me out of the chair when I'd like to sit and goof off.:laugh:

I don't have a job to go to so I have more chances to be active.

Let's all keep on keeping on and never, never, never give up
:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Peschuntz

Hi Guys,

Let me get this out of the way, yesterday I actually ate about 200 more calories than I walked - and I only walked 4 miles. Tonight I walked 8 miles (or slightly more). 3.6 miles walking leisurely, 3 miles from Leslie Sansone's "Start Walking at Home Advanced," and 1.5 miles on the treadmill. I am concerned about getting in enough steps since I am returning to work tomorrow. I'm setting my alarm early and will take a 45 minute walk with my dog before work. Have a great week!:flowerforyou: :drinker:

barbiecat

Pes, Have a great day at work......it will be a huge shock to your system after all your wonderful days full of walking.:sad:

I've had a couple of active days since hubby has been out of town...I had to do all the dog walking and with no one home to talk to, I had more time to ride the exercise bike and walk with Leslie.:bigsmile:

Peschuntz

I am struggling to stay on track. Since returning to work, I come home very tired and although I am able to adhere during the day to my diet, I consume too many calories in the evening. I am not even achieving 10,000 steps daily and have gone to bed two times this week with a negative calorie deficit - something I swore I would never do.

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Pes, Tomorrow is a new day.......you'll get back into your old routine soon and have your energy back......never, never, never give up, hugs Barbie

leshawnturner

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! :flowerforyou: :smooched: :drinker:

Peschuntz

A Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving to all!!!