Jennifer’s Journey to lose 200 pounds (comments welcomed and appreciated)

[Amy&Dan]

Jennifer, awesome doing another March of Dimes walk! And that time is incredible, you are really working hard to walk that fast, no wonder you were sweating! Your food looks good, you will see a big loss next time, remember you are building up a lot of muscle, as that settles down the fat loss will be more than the muscle gain and that scale will go south very quickly!

 

[tbstein]

Jennifer, with weight training, is it working on reducing fat cells? I really don't much about weight training, other than it creates muscle, which takes up less space than fat and weighs more. We do have a BowFlex, but I haven't taken to it yet. I guess I am a bit intimidated. I have just walked and rode bikes. I would love some info/advice about this.

Thanks Jennifer.


Wendy

 

[dabute]

I had an awful day yesterday day all around.

My husband called me on his way to work. Apparently the car had completely overheated and was smoking. We now have a big repair bill we were not expecting.

I didn’t exercise today. I talked to my trainer again and she wants me to only do 5 days of cardio. I was bummed. I thought if I used the incline on the treadmill I could go six days. She is worried about an over use injury down the line. She also wants me to do something besides the treadmill one day a week. I hope I find something I like.

I didn’t get all my water in only about 80 ounces. I did get 40 grams of fiber, but also 2400 calories. I just didn’t feel like eating right yesterday. I did enter my food in fitday. I really don’t feel all that great today either. I’m really going to try to make it to the gym. I know that will help my bad mood. PMS kills my motivation every month. The car problems don’t help either.

Sorry about complaining so much. Thanks for reading.

 

[jjk]

Sorry to hear you had a bad day I knpow what you mean about PMs I looose all motivation the too.Hope your car gets sorted

 

[dabute]

Jennifer, with weight training, is it working on reducing fat cells? I really don't much about weight training, other than it creates muscle, which takes up less space than fat and weighs more. We do have a BowFlex, but I haven't taken to it yet. I guess I am a bit intimidated. I have just walked and rode bikes. I would love some info/advice about this.

Thanks Jennifer.


Wendy

Hi Wendy,

I'm no expert, but the basic concept is building new muscle will help you burn fat. A pound of muscle burns 3x as many calories as a pound of fat.

I looked up some information for you.

Weight training:

-Prevents loss of lean body mass that happens from dieting and/or aging

-Weight training workouts burn calories

-Helps change your body composition, which helps shape your body and keep you healthy

-Strenghtens bones and connective tissue along with muscles

-Helps keep you strong and active as you get older

Basic Guidelines for Successful Strength Training:

-Strength train no more than three times per week!

-Perform 1-2 sets per exercise!

-Choose 1-2 exercises for small muscle groups and 2-3 for large muscle groups. (ex. 2-3 exercises for legs, back, chest, and 1-2 for arms, shoulders, etc).

-Choose no more than 8-10 exercises and work hard on them! . Always keep a record of all workouts! . Take each set to failure or fatigue!

-Perform each exercise SLOWL V! Force the muscle to do the work -- NOT momentum!

-As soon as you see a slow down in progress it's time to make a change to your program!

I hope this helps you. I was also intimated by weight training. That's why I hired a personal trainer to teach me.

 

[toystoryduo]

Those are some great weight lifting tips! Thanks for sharing them!

I'm sorry to hear about your bad day yesterday. I hope today is a much better day for you!

Have a great weekend!

 

[dabute]

I’m back to my old self today. Thanks for stopping by Rachel and Tracy.

Yesterday: I didn’t exercise. I was so unmotivated. I did manage to mostly stay on track food wise. I ate 1750 calories with 18 grams of fiber. I drank 80 ounces of water.

Today: I ate 1724 calories with 36 grams of fiber. I drank one gallon of water. I walked outside for ten minutes and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I burned 370 calories and climbed 450 feet.

I also used the elliptical for 30 minutes and I burned 360 calories. I think I can get used to it. Its kind of fun.

That's a total 70 minutes of exercise for me!

 

[bekkiz]

Nice going, bouncing back after a rough spot! You are TOTALLY kicking butt on the exercise challenge. I'm so impressed

Best wishes for another awesome tommorw

 

[keenercam]

Jen -- I am so impressed with your discipline and determination! I hope you are enjoying the benefits of all your hard work. Keep it up! You are doing so awesome!

 

[dabute]

Thanks everyone for reading. Your support means a lot.


I did pretty well today. I ate 1820 calories with 37 grams of fiber. I drank about 90 ounces of water.

Exercise was good. I took a ten minute walk outside and did 15 minutes of weight training. I also did 45 minutes on the elliptical. That’s a tough one. I’m sore in places I didn’t even know I had. It was exhilarating to finish the full 45 minutes. I burned 560 calories and went 3 miles.

Tomorrow my husband and I are planning a four mile walk. We are going to practice for the walks we are doing next weekend. One of them is 5 miles.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[jjk]

Enjoy your walking with DH this weekend ,way to go on the excercise.hope you have a good wekend

 

[tbstein]

You are really doing great with your calories. Are you doing an online log, or something else?

Have a great walk!

Wendy

 

[toystoryduo]

You are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Jennifer,

I hear ya on the 45 minutes with the ellipitcal. I have done that only a few times and each time I remember the pain! I want to get to the point where I can do it and not hurt. One day I will!!

You are doing a great job, keep up the good work!

Have a great day

 

[dabute]

You are really doing great with your calories. Are you doing an online log, or something else?

I use fitday. You can use the free version at fitday.com. I bought the software they advertise on their website. It's awesome and worth every penny.

 

[dabute]

The last four days have been good. I’ve gotten in all my water and fiber. My calories were good all but one day. Exercise has been good. I’m planning on doing a 35 minute walk today to get to 800 minutes this month. That will put me at the 50% mark. I'm waiting until May 26th to weigh in.

I met with my personal trainer yesterday. I have a new weight training routine. I am now in the strength building stage. The last four weeks I was doing conditioning. This is tougher. My abs are so sore today.

 

[jjk]

Hi Jennifer,just catching up with journals good luck with your new weight training regime

 

[dabute]

I have not been doing well these last couple of days. I’m letting my $ problems interfere with my food plan. I’m just upset and don’t care. I feel like I’m hanging on from my fingernails. I’ve done my weight training this week and a little cardio. Tomorrow I’m doing a 3 mile walk for the arthritis foundation. Sunday I’m doing a 5 mile walk for cancer research. I’m trying to get back on track.

I just got done reading The Fat Smash Diet. Although it’s not really a diet, it’s a lifestyle change. It’s not to different then what I’m doing now, except the food guidelines are a lot stricter. Oh, and you don’t count calories. I’m going to start the 9 day detox on Monday and continue for 11 days until June 1st. I will report my weight then.

It’s very hard for me to admit I’m not doing my best. And to publicly ask for support. Thanks for reading.

 

[tbstein]

Jennifer, sending lots of good vibes out to you! I know finances can really bring out the worse of a good life. You still are in the right mind frame, with making the decision on doing a detox. Once you finish that, you will feel better. And the scale will certainly show a loss. Please keep up the happy thoughts, know we are here for you, and to listen when you need someone!

Sending hugs to you!

Enjoy the weekend relaxing and getting ready for your detox!

Wendy

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Jennifer,

I know that the past couple of days have been hard, but please don't give up! You have been doing such a wonderful job! I know how financial worries can cause a disruption in your healthy living journey. (I've been there and done that.) The key is to remember that this a journey and that there will be bumps in the road. This new plan sounds like it will help you get past the bump in the road. You CAN do this, Jennifer!

Keep on keeping on! You are doing great!

Have a good weekend!