Is this realistic?

[StayCool]

Well this morning was disappointing. I "gained" 0.8 lbs which happens to be exactly what I lost last week. I was really upset at first but I stopped and thought about what exactly I did that could have caused the gain. I added 2 cardio workouts (Zumba and 30 Day Shred) plus the 3rd day of running. My eating habits were pretty good except for Saturday. I drank more wine than I should have since we had a family get together, but I didn't overeat that day like I normally would have. I'm thinking that this will be temporary due to all the additional activity that I did (and plan to continue). It did mess with my head this morning which killed my motivation to run. Sooo, I only did 20 minutes on the treadmill.

The positive out of all this is that normally I would have been depressed and upset. For days. I'm not saying I wasn't for a few minutes but I've already let it go. Also before now I would have indulged myself with some kind of food because "who cares? I'm already gaining anyway." Instead my first thought was screw this, I will just work out harder/more often.

So why am I sharing all my personal thoughts about the path I am travelling? Because I have been motivated to think that I *can* do this by reading about other people's journeys. Heavy people that had never moved off the couch make it through this. Skinny people have the same thoughts and feelings about the struggles of sticking to an exercise routine. I didn't understand that before. Sounds silly but I thought that it came easier to them. I know better now. I just hope that I can motivate at least one person to believe in themselves like I have been motivated. Thanks to everyone that is sticking with me.

 

[zanzibar138]

Skinny people have the same thoughts and feelings about the struggles of sticking to an exercise routine. I didn't understand that before. Sounds silly but I thought that it came easier to them. I know better now.

I'm not 'skinny' but I'm not overweight either (right on the larger end of my healthy BMI range). And I can assure you that it is definitely not easy for me to eat well and exercise! It's a daily struggle! In fact, I overslept this morning and missed my Zumba class

I'm so glad to hear that you haven't let your disappointment get you down. It's hard when the scales don't reflect the amount of work you've put in. But the thing is, even if you don't lose weight, eating right and exercising is still doing great things for your health and fitness Keep up the good work and the weight WILL follow.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Well this morning was disappointing. I "gained" 0.8 lbs which happens to be exactly what I lost last week. I was really upset at first but I stopped and thought about what exactly I did that could have caused the gain. I added 2 cardio workouts (Zumba and 30 Day Shred) plus the 3rd day of running. My eating habits were pretty good except for Saturday. I drank more wine than I should have since we had a family get together, but I didn't overeat that day like I normally would have. I'm thinking that this will be temporary due to all the additional activity that I did (and plan to continue). It did mess with my head this morning which killed my motivation to run. Sooo, I only did 20 minutes on the treadmill.

The positive out of all this is that normally I would have been depressed and upset. For days. I'm not saying I wasn't for a few minutes but I've already let it go. Also before now I would have indulged myself with some kind of food because "who cares? I'm already gaining anyway." Instead my first thought was screw this, I will just work out harder/more often.

So why am I sharing all my personal thoughts about the path I am travelling? Because I have been motivated to think that I *can* do this by reading about other people's journeys. Heavy people that had never moved off the couch make it through this. Skinny people have the same thoughts and feelings about the struggles of sticking to an exercise routine. I didn't understand that before. Sounds silly but I thought that it came easier to them. I know better now. I just hope that I can motivate at least one person to believe in themselves like I have been motivated. Thanks to everyone that is sticking with me.

First, I am glad you seem to like the Runner Academy podcasts. I think some of it is way ahead of where we are but some of the info is very helpful. I am not sure which one/s you have listened to but I am up to #16 I think. Good info and some good inspiration.

Second, sorry about your weight gain. But, I am glad to hear you ran anyway. According to you it was only 20 minutes but those are 20 HUGE minutes because when you are discouraged it is EASY to do nothing. You didn't. You chose to do something.

One thing I want to point out is, .8 lbs really isn't much when you think about it. It is probably all water weight. And, I may be a guy but I also like to remind women that their bodies do different things throughtout a month than a guy's does and this can impact weight. Now, if you gained 5 lbs it might be concerning but I think you're good.

I do know how you feel though. I started my journey on 12/29/13. I lost 20 lbs those first two months. Then I GAINED 4 the 3rd month. I lost 2 and then 3 the next two months for a total of 21 lbs. So, it took my 3 months just to get back down to where I was after the first 2 months. But, my body fat % went down even in the months I gained weight. I was adding muscle. Also, as I mentioned a couple weeks ago (I think) when I had my tooth pulled my blood pressure was WAY down and this is without medicine.

My point is, it is important to look at all of the factors and information to get an accurate picture of how your doing and not just weight. I am still frustrated that when I look down I still have a belly. I just does not seem to be shrinking at the pace consistent with the amount of work I am putting in. But, I intend to make this a lifestyle now so who really cares if it takes me a couple more months longer than I wanted. I'll have to wait until next summer to be completely comfortable with my shirt off. But, I will get there and so will you.

 

[StayCool]

I'm not 'skinny' but I'm not overweight either (right on the larger end of my healthy BMI range). And I can assure you that it is definitely not easy for me to eat well and exercise! It's a daily struggle! In fact, I overslept this morning and missed my Zumba class

I'm so glad to hear that you haven't let your disappointment get you down. It's hard when the scales don't reflect the amount of work you've put in. But the thing is, even if you don't lose weight, eating right and exercising is still doing great things for your health and fitness Keep up the good work and the weight WILL follow.

Thanks for replying. It took me a long time to realize that I'm not different than anyone else that watches their weight. I guess I thought I was special or something.

First, I am glad you seem to like the Runner Academy podcasts. Good info and some good inspiration.

Second, sorry about your weight gain. But, I am glad to hear you ran anyway. According to you it was only 20 minutes but those are 20 HUGE minutes because when you are discouraged it is EASY to do nothing. You didn't. You chose to do something.

One thing I want to point out is, .8 lbs really isn't much when you think about it. It is probably all water weight. And, I may be a guy but I also like to remind women that their bodies do different things throughtout a month than a guy's does and this can impact weight. Now, if you gained 5 lbs it might be concerning but I think you're good.

I do know how you feel though. I started my journey on 12/29/13. I lost 20 lbs those first two months. Then I GAINED 4 the 3rd month. I lost 2 and then 3 the next two months for a total of 21 lbs. So, it took my 3 months just to get back down to where I was after the first 2 months. But, my body fat % went down even in the months I gained weight. I was adding muscle. Also, as I mentioned a couple weeks ago (I think) when I had my tooth pulled my blood pressure was WAY down and this is without medicine.

My point is, it is important to look at all of the factors and information to get an accurate picture of how your doing and not just weight. I am still frustrated that when I look down I still have a belly. I just does not seem to be shrinking at the pace consistent with the amount of work I am putting in. But, I intend to make this a lifestyle now so who really cares if it takes me a couple more months longer than I wanted. I'll have to wait until next summer to be completely comfortable with my shirt off. But, I will get there and so will you.

I know, logically, that 0.8 lbs is not much. It is the emotional impact when I had been working so hard. I've made my peace with it though and will just keep moving. Actually this morning (because I'm a glutton for punishment, or crazy) I got back on the scale and guess what? That 0.8 lbs is gone. It's not like I did anything different yesterday. I'm good with it. I think I may need to only weigh myself every other week or maybe monthly if it continues to mess with my head. I will have to see. To combat this feeling I did have my husband do my measurements. This way even if I am not losing weight I can look at those numbers and hopefully see progress. Either way is positive reinforcement.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I say do a once in a month weigh-in. That's what I do. Now, I get on the bathroom scale occassionally but I have a scale that measures body fat, BMI, and a few other things. I do that once a month. On my weigh in day I do it right when I wake up after going to the bathroom. This way I am always doing it at the same time, before any food or fluids is in me to cause fluctuations.

Measurements are a great idea too. Even those can be deceiving though. My arms are the same size as they were when I started and so are my legs. but, I can see the definition in them. So, I lost the fat in those areas and put on muscle but the tape measure says the same thing.

When I first did P90X a few years ago they suggest taking pics of yourself. Reluctantly I did. After the first month I was convinced it wasn't working. Then I compared the original pics and the 30 day pics. Huge difference.

Put on a bathing suit and take your pics and then compare them to your pics in 30 and 60 days and watch the changes happen. It's really cool. Really gets you motivated when you SEE the changes yourself.

 

[StayCool]

I say do a once in a month weigh-in. That's what I do. Now, I get on the bathroom scale occassionally but I have a scale that measures body fat, BMI, and a few other things. I do that once a month. On my weigh in day I do it right when I wake up after going to the bathroom. This way I am always doing it at the same time, before any food or fluids is in me to cause fluctuations.

Measurements are a great idea too. Even those can be deceiving though. My arms are the same size as they were when I started and so are my legs. but, I can see the definition in them. So, I lost the fat in those areas and put on muscle but the tape measure says the same thing.

When I first did P90X a few years ago they suggest taking pics of yourself. Reluctantly I did. After the first month I was convinced it wasn't working. Then I compared the original pics and the 30 day pics. Huge difference.

Put on a bathing suit and take your pics and then compare them to your pics in 30 and 60 days and watch the changes happen. It's really cool. Really gets you motivated when you SEE the changes yourself.

I don't think that I can give up the scale, at least not yet. I'm a big girl so the numbers should move fairly consistently downward, at least for a while. Once I get closer to my ideal weight it won't. For me, positive reinforcement is important. Yes, I feel better and I know that should be enough. I think the picture thing is a good idea. It makes me nervous though. I don't want to see the pictures! lol

Tonight is a 30 minute run and tomorrow is Zumba! Then tomorrow night my husband is taking me to a Japanese steakhouse and hibachi. Hopefully all the calories I burn during Zumba will be enough to offset whatever I eat tomorrow night!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I don't think that I can give up the scale, at least not yet. I'm a big girl so the numbers should move fairly consistently downward, at least for a while. Once I get closer to my ideal weight it won't. For me, positive reinforcement is important. Yes, I feel better and I know that should be enough. I think the picture thing is a good idea. It makes me nervous though. I don't want to see the pictures! lol

You have to do what you are most comfortable with. Believe me, I understand what you mean with the picture thing, that's why I was reluctant when I took mine. I still have them saved on a cd somewhere. I come across them occassionlly and it bums me out that I let myself get that out of shape but gets me motivated even this many years later to work to keep it from happening again.

Enjoy dinner with your husband.

 

[StayCool]

Friday was Zumba and it was great again. I think it may be my favorite type of exercise right now. We didn't end up going to dinner because my hubby is not feeling well so all those calories burned were not replaced. This morning was supposed to be a 3 miler per the TOT program. I say supposed to be because I miscalculated the distance and only did 2.55 miles. I could have made up the rest but I didn't. Some things I noticed today; when I first started today I was focused on oh my foot hurts, geez I hope no one sees me, blah blah blah. But after the first mile or so all that just kind of fell away and I listened to my music and looked around and pretty much just enjoyed my time. It was nice.

I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday. Time to get things around for tomorrow.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Glad you are enjoying Zumba! It's good you are finding something that works. I have never got into that but its because the classes are so overly crowded.

As far as the weight loss, have you look at your body fat % instead? I was kinda hating myself this month as I've actually gain a couple pounds but I did the body fat and actually discovered I've lost about 3% body fat this month so I'm probably in a muscle gain cycle before I drop more weight. (I tend to drop weight, gain some back, drop more weight, gain some back, etc)

 

[StayCool]

Glad you are enjoying Zumba! It's good you are finding something that works. I have never got into that but its because the classes are so overly crowded.

As far as the weight loss, have you look at your body fat % instead? I was kinda hating myself this month as I've actually gain a couple pounds but I did the body fat and actually discovered I've lost about 3% body fat this month so I'm probably in a muscle gain cycle before I drop more weight. (I tend to drop weight, gain some back, drop more weight, gain some back, etc)

I don't know how to do that. That sounds like a good idea too. Do I have to have a special scale or something?

I forgot to add earlier that I bought a sundress and a pair of swim shorts and actually had to return them for a smaller size. So my weight might not be moving quickly, but I am losing inches!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I don't know how to do that. That sounds like a good idea too. Do I have to have a special scale or something?

I forgot to add earlier that I bought a sundress and a pair of swim shorts and actually had to return them for a smaller size. So my weight might not be moving quickly, but I am losing inches!!

I have access to one of those electronic fat monitors that are handheld. Its free @ work.

You could also just measure your waist, thighs, hips and keep measurements. I do that & keep a log of it in my planner so I can see the progress from month to month when I do the measuring.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I don't know how to do that. That sounds like a good idea too. Do I have to have a special scale or something?

I forgot to add earlier that I bought a sundress and a pair of swim shorts and actually had to return them for a smaller size. So my weight might not be moving quickly, but I am losing inches!!

They do have scales. I have one. Its made by Omoron. I think it was somewhere between $50-$75. I got it a couple years ago so I can't remember exactly but I know it was reasonable. It wasn't over $100, for sure, although I am sure they have really expensive ones. They also have calipers to take measurements of certain areas of your body. I think there is too much chance for human error with those because you need to take the measurements in the same spots each time, etc... They can be as cheap as $15ish but you get what you pay for, right.

Awesome news on the returning the dress for a different size. I have to buy two sizes smaller for my clothes this year and I am now 3 holes tighter on my belt. It's an awesome feeling to see the progress.

 

[StayCool]

I have access to one of those electronic fat monitors that are handheld. Its free @ work.

You could also just measure your waist, thighs, hips and keep measurements. I do that & keep a log of it in my planner so I can see the progress from month to month when I do the measuring.

I did measurements about 1 1/2 weeks ago and plan to continue them on the first (or so) of each month. I had measurements from 2 years ago and my waist is currently 1 1/2 inches smaller. lol

They do have scales. I have one. Its made by Omoron. I think it was somewhere between $50-$75. I got it a couple years ago so I can't remember exactly but I know it was reasonable. It wasn't over $100, for sure, although I am sure they have really expensive ones. They also have calipers to take measurements of certain areas of your body. I think there is too much chance for human error with those because you need to take the measurements in the same spots each time, etc... They can be as cheap as $15ish but you get what you pay for, right.

Awesome news on the returning the dress for a different size. I have to buy two sizes smaller for my clothes this year and I am now 3 holes tighter on my belt. It's an awesome feeling to see the progress.

Yeah, for now I will probably just stick with the scale, measurements and how my clothes fit. I just spent something like $50 on the scale I have now. My work clothes are starting to sag some too.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I did measurements about 1 1/2 weeks ago and plan to continue them on the first (or so) of each month. I had measurements from 2 years ago and my waist is currently 1 1/2 inches smaller. lol



Yeah, for now I will probably just stick with the scale, measurements and how my clothes fit. I just spent something like $50 on the scale I have now. My work clothes are starting to sag some too.

I don't blame you for not buying the new scale, I was just offering the info in case you wanted it.

1 1/2 inches is not a small amount. That is something to be proud of.

That's great that your work clothes are starting to sag. While it will be a huge expense to buy new clothes eventually it is an expense that is worth it. Better than spending the money to get bigger clothes, by a mile.

 

[StayCool]

1 1/2 inches is not a small amount. That is something to be proud of.

That's great that your work clothes are starting to sag. While it will be a huge expense to buy new clothes eventually it is an expense that is worth it. Better than spending the money to get bigger clothes, by a mile.

Thanks!

Today was weigh in day and I am down 2.6 lbs for a total of 7.4 lbs. I've been feeling like I was starving lately so I have been eating more than usual so I was a little surprised.

Today is my daughter's 13th birthday so instead of getting my run in this morning I spent it decorating her cake. I had the bright idea of making her a zebra cake since she is really into zebra pattern everything. Um, well I will just say that my heart was in the right place. It looks ok but at least it will taste good! We also got her some zebra luggage to use for Disney so she will be excited. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will try to put one up of the cake. lol

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[StayCool]

Ok, here's my first attempt at posting pictures. If it works, maybe I can make this thread a little more interesting!

Erika's cupcakes:



My attempt at a zebra cake for her birthday. For some reason she is absolutely fascinated with zebras!



I hope this works!

It worked. I just need to learn how to make them smaller!

 

[Waiting2goback]

Thanks!

Today was weigh in day and I am down 2.6 lbs for a total of 7.4 lbs. I've been feeling like I was starving lately so I have been eating more than usual so I was a little surprised.

Today is my daughter's 13th birthday so instead of getting my run in this morning I spent it decorating her cake. I had the bright idea of making her a zebra cake since she is really into zebra pattern everything. Um, well I will just say that my heart was in the right place. It looks ok but at least it will taste good! We also got her some zebra luggage to use for Disney so she will be excited. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will try to put one up of the cake. lol

Hope everyone has a great day!

7.4 lbs is AWESOME. Just keep doing what your doing and you'll be 1/2 way to your 100 lb weight loss goal by the race.

Great job on the cake. Isn't funny how kids get in these phases. Next year she'll love something else altogether.

 

[StayCool]

7.4 lbs is AWESOME. Just keep doing what your doing and you'll be 1/2 way to your 100 lb weight loss goal by the race.

Great job on the cake. Isn't funny how kids get in these phases. Next year she'll love something else altogether.

Thanks! It is good to see the work pay off. I'm hoping to drop another 20- 30 pounds by the time I get to Disney.

She has been obsessed with everything zebra for about 3-4 years now. Lol Makes it easy to buy her gifts.

 

[StayCool]

Today was the first time I worked out since last Sunday. My husband still isn't feeling well and I thought it was allergies and not contagious. Ha. I started having a little bit of a sniffle and scratchy throat and decided it would be best to lay low for a couple of days and be sure I had enough sleep. But as the week went on I became more and more jittery because I hadn't worked out at all. I decided I was going to Zumba no matter what today. It was a great workout. I still not feeling 100% but it hasn't gotten worse so I'm just going to follow my exercise routine anyway. Sunday is a 4 mile walk/run and I am looking forward to it.

Since I am getting into the longer weekend run/walks, I have a question. At what point do I need to worry about using fuel/electrolytes? I subscribed to StrideBox for 3 months and I have the first box of stuff just sitting on my desk waiting for me to actually need it. But I'm not sure when that should be. Since I am trying to lose weight I do not want to take in calories that I don't need. But I don't want to short change myself. Any recommendations?

 

[Waiting2goback]

Isn't it funny how you get grumpy now because you haven't been able to workout? Same thing happens to me now. I claim I dread the idea of going out for a run but when I miss my runs I get upset. I have only exercised twice this whole week. Hoping to make tomorrow the 3rd. Having trouble getting a new schedule going now that the kids are all home. During the school year things run like clockwork.

But, I'll get it figured out. I have 3 months til our race and I want to lose at least 10 more pounds. I have to get refocused.

As far as the question about the electrolytes. Based on everything I have heard/read, you only need to worry about them if you are weating A LOT or if you are doing really intense activity for 45+ minutes. So, if the things you are looking at have added calories I would say you could hold off for now because on run/walking. But, you know your body better. If you are done with your workouts and you are drenched you could make a judgement call. My long run on Sunday was 7.5 miles. I was pretty drenched as it took me over an hour. I didn't do anything different. I just drank some water and had my normal snack. Haven't had any issues yet. Someone else might have a different opinion.