Aggressive - right & wrong way? (Ms. Impatient)

Options
2»

Replies

  • nolachick
    nolachick Posts: 3,278 Member
    Options
    Awesome! I love your attitude and I'm glad you have decided to try something that will work for you. Can't wait to see ur results
  • muth3rluvx2
    muth3rluvx2 Posts: 1,156 Member
    Options
    I'm impatient too! I so hear yah on how frustrating it is to feel like progress must be slow. I just keep reminding myself it didn't take a month to put my extra weight and fat on AND it won't take a month to get it back off. I've been terribly out of shape for years and am really working hard on getting back into things. While I may not be losing the pounds as fast as i have in the past when on 'plan' I see other results very quickly, a few inches off my waist almost immediately were gone, my skin cleared up and looks so much healither, i swear my hair is shinier, i feel better and have tons more energy and a brighter outlook AND my immunity is doing awesome so far this season. Just a few things you can look out for as you make changes that may help you feel better til the scale starts moving.

    An aside, as someone getting back into exercise into the winter (normally an outside kinda gal too) I have seen great results with the Jillian Micheals 30 day shred. There are tons of posts on it, or feel free to pm me for more info ... I have seen tone and definition in places my body hasn't seen in a decade. Its only 20 minutes a day too.

    Thanks, Mel for the encouragement, tips and solidarity! :-) It did, unfortunately, take about a month for me to put this weight on... replaced smoking with chocolate there for a while. But - this is going to kick-start me into REAL health, long term. So, the present isn't so pleasant .... eh... sh** happens, right? We pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and do what we gotta' do next. That's the important part. Sit and wallow or keep on keepin' on? I'm not much of a wallower. I might for a minute, but that's about all. :-)
  • muth3rluvx2
    muth3rluvx2 Posts: 1,156 Member
    Options
    BTW - does anyone have any suggestions for what the RIGHT kind of workout might be for someone in my particular situation? I don't want to guess - and I want both tone and flexibility. I have tendon issues so getting those things elongated and strenghtened will be very helpful, I think.
    (elbows, wrists, IT band, shoulders... )
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Options
    I noted you signature. If you're already at 22% bodyfat there is no way you can lose 2lbs per week especially since you say you are used to starvation diets. I think that is a unrealistic expectation.

    Banks/Boss posted a thread called called Guide to calorie deficits. You may want to consult that one.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits?hl=guide+to+calorie+deficits

    Thank you so much for the specific link, Ivy. That was very helpful. And, could you clarify why 2lbs/week is unrealistic at 22% body fat? So, what I'm getting - either way - is I don't get to lose the amount I want and its going to take me longer than apparently alot of people. * sniffles* no fair.

    Like others have surely noted (haven't read every single post in detail), 2 lbs/wk is a realistic goal for someone with 100 lbs to lose. Not for someone with 23 lbs to lose. Your body needs something to function.

    Moreover, do you want to lose it FAST or do you want to lose it FOR GOOD? The faster it goes, the more likely it will come back.
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Options
    BTW - does anyone have any suggestions for what the RIGHT kind of workout might be for someone in my particular situation? I don't want to guess - and I want both tone and flexibility. I have tendon issues so getting those things elongated and strenghtened will be very helpful, I think.
    (elbows, wrists, IT band, shoulders... )

    I'm a BIG fan of yoga for strength, balance and flexibility. I also do interval training with bodyweight exercises to really maintain the muscle mass that I have (I use workouts based on the ones here: http://www.bodyrock.tv ).

    "Tone" will come from keeping and strengthening the muscle mass you have but also losing the layer of fat that is currently covering the muscles.
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    Options
    I'm a fan of yoga as part of a good exercise program, not so much for strength training (Yoga is isometric, not the best way to increase strength), but great for stretching.

    If you incorporate yoga with other types of functional training like plyometrics and circuit training you will do quite well. And the fact that yoga can be performed before and/or after the other training in order to recover and warm up is an added bonus (I.E. 10 minutes of yoga, 30 minutes of plyometrics, and 10 more minutes of yoga is a great way to have both).
  • muth3rluvx2
    muth3rluvx2 Posts: 1,156 Member
    Options
    I'm a fan of yoga as part of a good exercise program, not so much for strength training (Yoga is isometric, not the best way to increase strength), but great for stretching.

    If you incorporate yoga with other types of functional training like plyometrics and circuit training you will do quite well. And the fact that yoga can be performed before and/or after the other training in order to recover and warm up is an added bonus (I.E. 10 minutes of yoga, 30 minutes of plyometrics, and 10 more minutes of yoga is a great way to have both).

    What do you think would be best for heart/lung health/capacity? Any aerobic workout or something in particular? I can't keep my breath long enough to work out sufficiently! Or will any workout do its magic in a given amount of time, no matter what it is? I really don't want to make any assumptions here. I did that at the beginning and it's been a frustrating 2.5 weeks.
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Options
    I'm a fan of yoga as part of a good exercise program, not so much for strength training (Yoga is isometric, not the best way to increase strength), but great for stretching.

    I think it will definitely increase strength. Not all of yoga is just stretching. It also depends upon the type of strength being sought. My stabilizing muscles are a lot stronger after practicing regularly for a year. I can do headstands and arm balances, things I wasn't able to do after years of regular weight training.

    I'm certainly not claiming that only yoga is enough (at least not for me), but I think yoga is good for more than stretching. Most styles have a significant strength component, though it may not be the type to build the glamour muscles.
  • kiffypooh
    kiffypooh Posts: 1,045 Member
    Options
    I know this issue has kind of been settled, but I found this quick little article really helpful in explaining some things to me, short and sweet: http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness-specialist/fixing-ruined-metabolism.aspx?xid=SendToAFriend

    I really like 30 Day Shred, it's 20 minutes and it's intense, but it got me into shape. There are two women who do the workout at different levels. I started with no weights, following the "beginner" girl and standing through most of it, and now I do it with 5 lbs weights, following the "advanced" girl and although still out of breath I do ever move. I also got my start exercising about a year and a half ago walking a half mile. Walking is great!
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    Options

    I think it will definitely increase strength. Not all of yoga is just stretching. It also depends upon the type of strength being sought. My stabilizing muscles are a lot stronger after practicing regularly for a year. I can do headstands and arm balances, things I wasn't able to do after years of regular weight training.

    I'm certainly not claiming that only yoga is enough (at least not for me), but I think yoga is good for more than stretching. Most styles have a significant strength component, though it may not be the type to build the glamour muscles.

    mmm, I submit that you weren't doing the right weight training. Not that I disagree with the benefits of yoga, and core is definitely one of them, it's just that I've studied a lot of different types of exercise, and while yoga is great for specific types of strength (like core) you can also get similar strength gains from functional training and plyometrics, which are kind of the opposite of yoga in a lot of ways. Again, I find yoga to be a great routine, but just not the only routine someone should be doing.
  • smae1980
    smae1980 Posts: 794 Member
    Options
    try pilates for strength and flexibility. 30 min of cardio a day is ideal for anyone and as far as I know that's the only way to strengthen your lungs etc... I have asthma and it took me a week before I could make it a full 30 min. but now I can and I have significantly less day to day symptoms. You can do it!! I've found that if I don't do my cardio (for me it's elliptical) everyday, I don't feel as well and it's harder to do it the next day
  • smae1980
    smae1980 Posts: 794 Member
    Options
    try pilates for strength and flexibility. 30 min of cardio a day is ideal for anyone and as far as I know that's the only way to strengthen your lungs etc... I have asthma and it took me a week before I could make it a full 30 min. but now I can and I have significantly less day to day symptoms. You can do it!! I've found that if I don't do my cardio (for me it's elliptical) everyday, I don't feel as well and it's harder to do it the next day
  • smae1980
    smae1980 Posts: 794 Member
    Options
    try pilates for strength and flexibility. 30 min of cardio a day is ideal for anyone and as far as I know that's the only way to strengthen your lungs etc... I have asthma and it took me a week before I could make it a full 30 min. but now I can and I have significantly less day to day symptoms. You can do it!! I've found that if I don't do my cardio (for me it's elliptical) everyday, I don't feel as well and it's harder to do it the next day
  • smae1980
    smae1980 Posts: 794 Member
    Options
    try pilates for strength and flexibility. 30 min of cardio a day is ideal for anyone and as far as I know that's the only way to strengthen your lungs etc... I have asthma and it took me a week before I could make it a full 30 min. but now I can and I have significantly less day to day symptoms. You can do it!! I've found that if I don't do my cardio (for me it's elliptical) everyday, I don't feel as well and it's harder to do it the next day
  • smae1980
    smae1980 Posts: 794 Member
    Options
    try pilates for strength and flexibility. 30 min of cardio a day is ideal for anyone and as far as I know that's the only way to strengthen your lungs etc... I have asthma and it took me a week before I could make it a full 30 min. but now I can and I have significantly less day to day symptoms. You can do it!! I've found that if I don't do my cardio (for me it's elliptical) everyday, I don't feel as well and it's harder to do it the next day
  • smae1980
    smae1980 Posts: 794 Member
    Options
    try pilates for strength and flexibility. 30 min of cardio a day is ideal for anyone and as far as I know that's the only way to strengthen your lungs etc... I have asthma and it took me a week before I could make it a full 30 min. but now I can and I have significantly less day to day symptoms. You can do it!! I've found that if I don't do my cardio (for me it's elliptical) everyday, I don't feel as well and it's harder to do it the next day
  • smae1980
    smae1980 Posts: 794 Member
    Options
    wow I am sorry my computer froze and sent that i think 5 times!!!!
  • luciebelle
    luciebelle Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    As someone else mentioned, 22% body fat is within the normal range for a woman. I think you'd be much better off working on overall fitness and endurance, doing a lot of exercise and eating (gasp!) a lot more than 1000 calories of nutritious foods. I know this sounds harsh but, if you've already damaged your lungs by smoking for many years, do not exercise, and have starved yourself for years, being restrictive now in the name of focusing solely on weight and numbers is the worst thing you could possibly do. You're only continuing to harm yourself. Sounds like you need to work on self-acceptance and forget about the numbers. Harsh, I know, but you're headed down a bad path...
  • luciebelle
    luciebelle Posts: 11 Member
    Options
    Rereading my previous post, it came across more aggressive and less encouraging than I had intended. Someone very close to me has long been struggling with an eating disorder, so starvation techniques really provoke a strong reaction from me. That said, it's excellent that you're beginning to make an effort to incorporate exercise, and I'm sure you'll improve your endurance with time. Just keep at it, increasing little by little. As you gain muscle you may see some weight increase, but I'm sure you'll like the definition and shapely results :)
  • muth3rluvx2
    muth3rluvx2 Posts: 1,156 Member
    Options
    Rereading my previous post, it came across more aggressive and less encouraging than I had intended. Someone very close to me has long been struggling with an eating disorder, so starvation techniques really provoke a strong reaction from me. That said, it's excellent that you're beginning to make an effort to incorporate exercise, and I'm sure you'll improve your endurance with time. Just keep at it, increasing little by little. As you gain muscle you may see some weight increase, but I'm sure you'll like the definition and shapely results :)

    Allow me to reiterate - I have not always been inactive and I am not so during the warmer months. I engage in heavy duty landscaping, urban gardening and building ponds (I'll be digging my 2nd this summer - my Koi has outgrown the first). My current condition is due to 1) winter and inactivity due to such 2) quitting smoking which often relates to lower metabolism, lower energy, depression, fatigue and weight gain and 3) my recent re-entry into academics & office work. I ended this past summer at 115, I think. I literally gained 15 lbs in about a 4-6 weeks. I have always stuck to a VERY low calorie intake - not so much intentionally as it was I just didn't want to eat. Period. I can't lie and say I didn't prefer the thin-ness that went with it - loved it! I felt better, i felt I looked better, and I was happier with my appearance. And, because I know the effects of quitting smoking are permanent, that means I have to make a permanent change to counter those effects which can be just as unhealthy as smoking itself.

    So, here I am. :-)

Categories