CLCinNOLA Member

I am LOL (with you, and at myself) after reading this. I have lived a very sedentary life, until the past few years when I started weight lifting and really really REALLY love it. Since everyone says running, bicycling, and so on is so good for us, I keep trying to work these activities into my routine but nothing ever…

Thanks a LOT! That is great - - I'll try it again. :)

I use the same weight lifting machines every time I work out, and do the same number of sets and reps on each machine. In the notepad app that came with my iPhone, I list all the machines in the order in which I do them. After each machine I list my highest in parentheses, and then what I did that day. So, if I do the same…

I can't think of specific examples, but I think my flexibility improved to a very noticeable level after a month or two of stretching at the stretching station at my gym (10 minutes, 3 times a week). I am a female, age 64 so due to my age, tissues tend to tighten up and even a little stretching is almost miraculously…

I have the FT7, and I absolutely love it. Still, to be honest, I do not really use those extra features. I probably should have got the FT4. :).

Like froeschli above, I wonder if it has something to do with blood sugar swings. Other possibilities are that maybe you resent that you have to work out, when some people can stay skinny without working out at all. That's just one of those things that is hard to accept but we have to. Or, maybe you don't feel successful…

I love my FT7 and wear it for every workout. It is very motivational for me. I don't think it is a necessity but it makes working out a lot more interesting and fun for me. As far as calories go, it gives me about 50%-55% of the values given here on MFP and I think the HRM calories are more realistic for me. YMMV

Yes, I have a Polar FT7. I absolutely LOVE it. It is very motivational, and definitely worth the $76 dollars that it cost me on Amazon. It works more reliablly than I had thought it would. It never seems to lose my heartbeat signal. Get a Polar brand HRM. Look into the Polar FT7 and FT4. There are more expensive Polar…

1. I have been lifting weights for 10 years now and then in a haphazard way, which doesn't really work out very well. However, 2 years ago I started going to the gym regularly and I have hardly missed a gym day at all in the past 2 years because I have a "gym buddy". That really helps me to progress. 2. After reading a lot…

At age 64 I am doing 2 sets of 10 reps on each weight machine and increasing the weights when it starts to seem easier. I think you should read about it as much as you can online, and then do what makes sense to you. Some trainers are better than others IMO.

I just got mine recently too. My workout is on the weight machines, and I do them pretty briskly. After I finish working out, my heart is still beating at around 120-125 and I am drenched (sorry if TMI). Anyway, I cool down, walk at a leisurely pace back to the dressing rooms, sit down and then I stop my HRM and look at…

When I exercise (weight lifting machines), I focus on perfecting my form, on my speed (not too fast, not too slow), on how my body is responding to that particular weight, and most of all on my breathing. It's almost zen-like. LOL I'm too busy with all this to think about the things the rest of you think about! (grin)

Walk in place for a while as you watch the Olympics! Moving around sort of goes along with the spirit of the show, and you'll earn some calories for your snack.

I have the Polar FT7 too, and love it. Lots of people have the FT4 which is a few dollars less and it sounds good, too.

I always use the stretching station at the gym, which has about 15 stretches or so (that cover most of the body generally speaking) illustrated on the apparatus. I have been lifting weights for years and have never been as sore as you are now. Sorry to hear that you are hurting!

I live in New Orleans so I know what you mean about heat and humidity in the South, in July. Ugh! I have a heart rate monitor that measures calories, and unfortunately I have found that I don't earn any more calories for the same workout when it is hot and humid than I do on a cooler day, even though it seems like it takes…

For those of us with a lot to lose, something like a gym membership and exercise equipment for the home is really a health expense, in my opinion. So, I prioritize it like that in my budget. If the bootcamp is what works for you, my suggestion is to cut corners elsewhere in your budget and pay for it. On the other hand, I…

For both weight lifting and stationary bike riding (my two favorite exercise activities), my Polar FT7 HRM gives me about 54%-55% of the calories MFP would give me. I think the HRM is probably more nearly correct. Not only does it calculate this based on my data, but also the calories feel closer to the right amount. I…

Another happy FT7 owner. Either one would be great. My FT7 is easy to operate, the chest strap is comfortable, and the results are very consistent.

Oddly, I don't think my weight training results suck (despite the title of this thread). :laugh: I love lifting and have been doing it regularly for years. It's a wonderful way to exercise, in my opinion, and very rewarding in so many ways. The results do not suck as far as I can tell. The results of my lifting are that I…

From what I have read, heart rate is not a perfect indicator of calories expended. It is just something that is easy to measure, and that will give us some idea. I am on a beta blocker for my blood pressure, and it also slowed my heart rate. My doctor OK'd my workouts. I have no idea what happens to my heart rate when I…

After reading about it on this thread, I tried the Jefit app. It looks really super, but just isn't for me because I am so set in my ways. My weight lifting workout is a little weird, but it works for me and I have been doing it for years and love the results so please don't criticize! LOL I do not want to change it at…

Right now my favorite form of cardio is my stationary bike.

Wow! EdDavenport, I didn't notice that you have lost over 300 pounds until reading the post above by tryinghard71 that quoted it. That's fabulous and a great testament to your persistence and the fact that your method works for you. I just ordered a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor and when I get it, I think I will try doing…

I recently ordered a Polar FT7 from Amazon, which will be delivered next week. Polar has the best reputation, in my opinion. I think that what model of Polar HRM you order probably depends mostly on what you want out of an HRM. The FT60 has better reviews than the FT7, but the FT60 looks too complex and expensive for me. I…

I ordered a Polar FT7 this morning from Amazon before seeing this thread. It is supposed to provide calories used in my workouts so I am hoping that will help me. I like weight lifting. The calories used in weight lifting can vary so much from person to person (according to the MFP help files) that I felt like I need some…

Riding an exercycle is easy on your knees and can be great exercise. So, this was my go-to exercise when I was over 300. Not all exercycles allow someone over 300 lbs, but some do so just check before you buy one.

I was so discouraged a few days ago...for no reason at all, my weight was going UP instead of down, from 6 lost to 4 lost. And I was being so good! LOL. Anyway, this morning I was down again and lost even more, down 8 pounds total by now. This despite being put on a beta blocker last Thursday, which is supposed to make…

I was just coming back to edit my above post to explain why I am not getting Lasik, before someone brought that up. Too slow! LOL Anyway, I realize that Lasik works for most people, but nobody is doing surgery on my eyes. :) Not only that, like some others previously in this thread I am not especially eligible for it…

I love contacts, although I have never been able to wear anything but soft contacts for a long time successfully. I have some astigmatism but I do just fine with regular soft contacts (although I guess I am basically borderline on that). The last time I got contacts, five years ago, the optometrist said I had "overwearing…