The Diamond Challenge - Shining Diamonds (Wk 2: Round 5)

We all know we should work out regularly in order to make a transition to a healthy life. But be honest: Do you enjoy working out? And what is your favorite workout? Can you give any tips/suggest any fun workouts for those who may still struggle with this part of getting healthy and losing weight?

It depends. I have my days where I'm super pumped and can go longer. I also have my days where I hate every second. But the important part is, that I feel great after. I kinda like the sore feeling. I do a bootcamp. It's a small group and i love it because it's always challenging and we always do something diff. Eventually I want to start running, I love the natural high. I would suggest the buddy system would be a good motivator to get anyone going. It makes you accountable.

I actually love working out once I am there...I have a hard time getting motivated to start and the first 10 minutes can be a real pain but you get over that hump and often i feel like i could run for an hour after that..and by run I mean run on my elliptical because of my shin splints and knee injuries. I have always loved sports and being so big has stopped me from participating so losing it for that reason is a big motivator and makes me want to work out more! i would like to join a soccer league next spring!

I really dont love it or hate it. Right now I am powering walking an hour with a friend. I really enjoy that we chat the whole time and it the hour goes by. When we are done my legs are like jello, but up to the next day. Next month or two I plan on joining a gym.

QOTD for Day 2:
We all know we should work out regularly in order to make a transition to a healthy life. But be honest: Do you enjoy working out? And what is your favorite workout? Can you give any tips/suggest any fun workouts for those who may still struggle with this part of getting healthy and losing weight?

I don't enjoy most types of workouts, I never have. I do enjoy walking & hiking. A few years ago I started taking akido and loved it. It motivated me to workout on the days I didn't go to akido so I could do better in class. Unfortunately, I had to stop because of a previous neck injury.

QOTD for Day 3:

Good morning fellow Diamonds. I am responsible for QOTD for today, wed, day#3. Hope everyones day is going well thus far.
My question to you ladies, well its actually several questions. Do you use supplements or vitamins. If so which ones do u use and why. And if you do not why?

I am currently taking a prenatal vitamin. No im not pregnant but i have found for myself that this multivitamin does better for my body then a regular multivitamin. I also take vitamin B12. I take the multivitamin bc it seems to give me more energy for the day and its filled with vitamins that I need that I may not necessarily be getting from the foods I eat. I take the vit B12 for added energy and to help with my metabolism.

QOTD for Day 3:

Good morning fellow Diamonds. I am responsible for QOTD for today, wed, day#3. Hope everyones day is going well thus far.
My question to you ladies, well its actually several questions. Do you use supplements or vitamins. If so which ones do u use and why. And if you do not why?

Excellent question. I've been meaning to blog about this on my weight loss/healthy living blog. I don't take any supplements or vitamins. Why? Why would I? When you eat healthily and keep a balanced diet you should get all the vitamins from what you eat. I think the idea of taking vitamins or supplements is something that is actually a cultural difference between Germany and the States. In Germany, it's not that common to take vitamins nor would doctors recommend it. They would recommend a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veggies. In the States it's really unusual when you don't take any. By the way, tap water doesn't contain fluoride here either.

QOTD for Day 3:

Good morning fellow Diamonds. I am responsible for QOTD for today, wed, day#3. Hope everyones day is going well thus far.
My question to you ladies, well its actually several questions. Do you use supplements or vitamins. If so which ones do u use and why. And if you do not why?

I've taken omega 3-6 and potassium for a few years, since i would get bad muscle cramps. I talked to my doctor, and he recommended it. Since I've been working out a lot and losing weight, I've also started taking iron and a mutli-vitamin. I have a pretty extensive health history, so I've talked to my GP (in the states, who I email, even though he isn't my doctor in germany- he's a family friend as well) and those are the ones he recommends. A lot of homopathic doctors recommend vitamins as preventative and curative health management. Obvious side-effect- I'm not bruising as easilly (I'm super clumsy and my legs usually look like I lost a fight with a 4 year old soccer player).

All I take is a multi-vitamin. Sometimes I cant eat right so I want to get the vitamins I am missing in foods. I've considered taking more except I had my thyroid removed and when my numbers go crazy I can get sick just don't want to push it.

QOTD 3
Do you use supplements or vitamins. If so which ones do u use and why. And if you do not why?

I do not use anything actively. I do have a protien powder. O believe it's called no carb isopure or something. I'll get back to anyone if they are interested. I use it to get my protien. It can double as a meal replacement as well.

QOTD 3
Do you use supplements or vitamins. If so which ones do u use and why. And if you do not why?

No, I have bought a few things and tried them but I can never remember to take them on a consistant basis.

I currently do not but I need to start. I know I do not get enough calcium for one, I'm sure something else is lacking too!

Wow! So I completely forgot that there were QOTD's... so here goes:

QOTD for Day 2:
We all know we should work out regularly in order to make a transition to a healthy life. But be honest: Do you enjoy working out? And what is your favorite workout? Can you give any tips/suggest any fun workouts for those who may still struggle with this part of getting healthy and losing weight?

Yes; I do enjoy working out! But I must admit... I don't get to as often as I would like. My favorite workout would have to be stationary cycling... only because it is so easy for me. However, lately I have been doing C25K on the treadmill, and have been enjoying it~ it has made me like the treadmill a lot more than I used to. As for a tip... I must say, that you should definitely try incorporating weight training into your workouts. In the beginning I was only doing cardio myself... but since I have started doing the weights as well, I definitely feel more muscle building up and helping my body to 'tone' out more... it is all about definition!

QOTD for day 3:
Do you use supplements or vitamins. If so which ones do u use and why. And if you do not why?

Lately I have not been using any supplements/vitamins... however, I have in the past. My favorite brand is One a Day for Women - I have tried their energy supplement, as well as their weight loss one... but I can't find that product anymore. Their energy one kinda made me not feel too good so I stopped taking it, but I really liked thier weight loss one. Also, I tried their pre-natals when I was pregnant, and I liked them too - they didn't give me any of the nasty side effects that the ones my doctor prescribed to me did.

I have good intentions on taking some vitamins, etc...usually like natural stuff--multivatamin, flax seed, vit c, that type of thing. I think in the winter months, when sickness is going around, i actually take vitamins more often.

QOTD 5: Have you ever been depressed? How do you deal with depression...

~Sorry my question isn't very diet/exercise/nutrition related... but this is what is on my mind most at the moment. Recently ended a relationship, and just seeking any advice. Thanks.

I'm sorry about your break-up.
Depressed as in the disorder? No. If you have that, I cannot help you except maybe say it might be a good idea to get help (i.e. see a therapist). Depressed as in sad, sure. I don't think anyone hasn't been. My solution? Well, honestly, it just gets easier with time. Try to distract yourself and not get into a total slump. Work out and treat yourself well. But I do think that being sad and grieving is normal after a break-up.

QOTD 5: Have you ever been depressed? How do you deal with depression?

I'm going to qualify my answer by saying that I'm in my second year of a two-year masters in Marriage and Famiky Therapy. I've really battled with the depression from the beginning because this program made me put all of my stuff out there and boy did it hurt. It helped to have a variety of people that I could talk to - my boyfriend, who tried not to judge or fix, my supervisor, who is like the mother I always wanted, my therapist, who points out the patterns in my life, and my classmates, who were going through the same things I was. Your instincts are right. Reach out. Don't go this alone. Nearly everyone knows what its like to be there.