The official GR Weightloss/Exercise/Work out diary thread.

[djpayload]

In this thread you will post diary entries on your weight loss, dieting, work outs, cardio, etc. You can post your recipes, your plans, personal feelings, etc.

My diary will start next week, once finals are done. So this is basically my last weekend to eat whatever I want to.

[shawgirl74]

I'll probably give weekly updates for myself, but come around to encourage everyone else more often.

[650lex]

ha - this is like my weight watchers meetings!
but this i can come to this daily!

[mpyre]

I'll post my latest Nike+iPod junk. This is the same graphic I have on my myspace:

[650lex]

I'm still offering you money to pimp out my profile page!

[35ft6]

Shaw and I were thinking about starting a thread like this. Sweet.

I'm mixing it up, at the suggestion of a co-worker, I'm trying to avoid starches for breakfast. So for the last few days, and for the upcoming days, I'm sticking to half a banana and a huge salad for breakfast. The salad is a mix of pre-packaged iceberg lettuce crap and spinach. With Asian sesame dressing. I ordered a book called The Body Ecology. This guy is pretty smart, he's not a new age mush head, and he said it did wonders for him, eliminating a lot of his health problems. So I figured I'd read it, try it hardcore for a week or two, and see what happens.

I'm at around 210 right now. I remember the first time I hit 200, I was in shock. It's strange how it's just normal now. Strange and bad. I really should be at around 170. That's my goal. The sad thing is I actually can lose weight really fast. My metabolism is okay. I just eat like a maniac.

to be continued...

[650lex]

i'm about to head to the gym in about 20 minutes
this actually pumped me up!
i'm working my legs w/lots of cardio!

[35ft6]

^ Come on guys, lets push each other! Evidently, self motivation doesn't work for me any more.

Originally posted by shawgirl74
35ft6 and I have been talking about starting a thread like this for weeks, but haven't taken the initiative to. I'm currently in training for soccer season (which sounds more official than it really is) and so I've been training hard and eating only things that will help me not hurt me, with even more serious diet restrictions beginning mid-February. I've had a 15 lbs weight loss in 3 weeks (healthy) and feel wonderful and I'm looking like a real beauty too. By April? I'll be unrecognizable, in a good way.

That's awesome. Don't stop. I know they say 2 pounds a week is the safe way, but I actually think they're erring way on the side of caution. I was watching Biggest Loser last night, and one guy lost 12 pounds in one week and those contestants are constantly being monitored by trainers and doctors. Granted, this dude had a LOT of weight to lose. That show is pretty inspiring because people are always talking about your metabolism slows down around your early thirties, these people are in their 30's and 40's and they lose weight just fine.

My biggest problem is that I "reward" myself for good behavior these days, which negates the good behavior and then some. If I could cut that out and eating in the middle of my sleep, I'd be golden.

My treadmill has turned out to be a good investment. I've been running about 4 times a week, recently upped the time to 35 minutes a session running most of it at 6.2 mph. Fighting boredom and mental restlessness is the biggest problem. My body is actually handling it surprisingly well.

[650lex]

most of the time the initial drop is water weight and it is a lot!
in total - i lost 15 pounds and I'd like to lose another 10!

[35ft6]

^ I guess 12 pound a week guy's been losing double digits every week. He's lost 124 pounds so far, and I think that was over, around, 6 weeks. But he was like 400 or so pounds. So, yeah, he's going to lose weight fast if he starts eating a low calorie diet that would make even a 190 pound man lose weight.

Plus, his daily routine is OPTIMUM. He's doing everything a person possibly could under expert diet and exercise supervision.

The Biggest Loser finale is next Wednesday, 8 to 10, on NBC. They go back home to do it on their own. And from what I saw on the Next On, the results are very dramatic.

What's inspiring about this show is that it debunks the myth that when you're not a teenager or someone in your early twenties, it's nearly impossible to get in shape. They're doing the basics, no gimmicks. Cardio, weight training, and, most importantly, healthy, low fat, low calorie eating. They make the world seem so sensible.

[shawgirl74]

I'm a freak about doing things right and staying healthy, and I know what I'm doing. I think that is why I have waited so long to do this, because I know what it takes and I wasn't willing to do the work. I think people just need to realize that it's NOT EASY and that the process does involve sacrifice-- motivation required!

I'm trying not to lose a lot of muscle mass all the while building up my cardio and endurance. It's a real math game between food and calorie counting. I've decided to go back into personal training so this has really motivated me to make this a lifestyle change because nobody wants a fat trainer.

[35ft6]

Originally posted by shawgirl74
I'm a freak about doing things right and staying healthy, and I know what I'm doing. I think that is why I have waited so long to do this, because I know what it takes and I wasn't willing to do the work. I think people just need to realize that it's NOT EASY and that the process does involve sacrifice-- motivation required!

That's so true. Weight loss is simple, but takes a lot of commitment, the truth is the complete opposite of what infomercials for bogus weight loss products say -- that it's complicated but *pill* makes it easy and simple. Effortless even.

The great thing about legitimate weight loss routines, or living a healthy lifestyle in general, is that they're sustainable (unlike, say, Atkins) and they get easier over time. It becomes a habit, non-intrusive, even an enjoyable part of your life. In the past, I was totally in the swing of things and it took some truly horrendous life events to push me off the path.

[shawgirl74]

Me too, me too. That said, taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do in this world. I think that this plus having grown up will help me handle future horrendous life events better ,to where I don't give up on myself. Stronger, faster, better.

[shawgirl74]

Tough Girls Weight Room Thread

[35ft6]

Originally posted by mpyre


I just did 26 miles last Saturday...To answer a few Qs:

--How do I feel? I feel like I can run even more. I remember the great elation I felt when I first hit 10. Now I can run that distance without batting an eye.

--Is it fun? I have great "life moments" when I run far. It's like I have to tell myself I might never be able to do this again. I'm also please that nobody forced me to do it--it came from myself.

--In terms of feeling like stopping--for me it's usually a physical thing. Mentally I can push myself to keep going since I know how hard it was to get to that point. But physically, my legs have cramped on me forcing me to stop even though I was not tired at all.

--I get antsy after 17 minutes on a treadmill! I used to run at least 20, but I got nuts after 15. I guess I'm used to setting my own pace.

Oh...a lot of my runs depended on my iPod to keep me going.

Ooops...I wrote a book.

Yeah, at first I imagined myself running while watching TV and Movies on my computer, but I'm realizing now that music is much better. It's the beat. I don't get lost inside the video like I hoped I would. But every now and then, when just the right song comes on, I feel energized. I've also created a folder full of inspirational images -- pics of past friends, athletes, and hot girls. Along with the music playing on iTunes, I activate the screensaver so a slideshow of these images start up. I'll try anything at this point.

At this point, because of the money I spent on the treadmill, along with running about 4 days a week, I'm starting to feel like something is missing if I don't run. I'll skip a day, maybe two, but I'm beginning to think even 6 days a week might be possible.

Mpyre, or anybody, how much running is too much? Is it safe to run 30 to 45 minutes a day every day if you really wanted to?