Lose Weight (and get fit) Before Roo Thread

Interesting. Like I said the only time I dumped weight that fast was when I did low/no carb. I have been advised not to do that again as I've had cancer/chemotherapy and ketosis would be too much stress for my kidneys after that.

Off to the gym right now ;D

Fixed that for ya! You'll get there, just keep at it!

^ YAAAAAY, KK!!! Sooo proud of you, Ms. "I Can Tackle Anything"! You're already a SURVIVOR; now you're proving that you're a LOSER (in the best way, obviously!) too! You are an amazing inspiration & I applaud your stick-to-it-ness...sorry, but can't come up with a better synonym at the moment!

KEEP IT UP! Then whattya say this Fall - maybe when a bunch of us do the Color Run (assuming Nashville goes thru w/theirs!) - we all get together for another Clothing Swap? These quickly shrinking bodies need new threads! And nothing beats FREE, right?

well done KK!!!

I have not been in here bc I have MISSED workout the past 3 days. I managed to get a run in today, but my work schedule has been off bc i've been waiting to be called in to court to be an expert witness. UGH. but finally got that done, so im back to the working out. food hasnt been bad. but I could be better. Nightly Oreos = winning AND losing.

<3

Ok. Ready. Set. Go. I am getting back in gear. Weighed in for the first time in 4 weeks and I am down 1.4.. It's not a lot, with how badly I have been eating the past few weeks and the lack of exercise the last week or two.. I'll take it. And I officially am lower than the last time I stopped trying to lose (and crossed into a new decade). I almost quit trying to lose, but I am back!

My insanity:

Thursday, 6 pm: 195 lbs.
Sunday, 8 pm: 200 lbs.
Thursday, 6 pm: 195 lbs.


That's about normal for me... go down 5 during the week, go up 5 on the weekend.

Ok, I am back. I have not been doing my exercise or dieting the last few weeks due to a variety of personal issues and stress at home. (Baby, new business, family issues, brother in Afghaniland, etc) However, looking at my P90x schedule, I have 5 weeks left in the program before roo. My commitment to all of you is to do the full workout every day for all 35 days, and see if I can hit my goal weight.

Despite doing nothing, apparently, the time spent changing my lifestyle did improve my habits, since I maintained the weight I was when I stopped. (234) My goal is 9 lbs over the next 5 weeks to hit my initial goal of 225. No trainers, just all of you as a support group. Wish me luck!

I would LOVE to wish you luck...but I'm a realist, and THAT PLAN IS CRAZINESS*! Unless you have the steel resolve of a superhero, I'm afraid you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Your body needs a recovery day!

(*Sorry, my friend...I'm playing devil's advocate on behalf of your muscles. I've been sternly lecturing my students all week about the hazards of pulling all-nighters during Finals. You're getting some of that residual preaching!)

Having said that... GO FOR IT! I will support you for six of the seven days a week. You can do it!!!

I made it to workout thursday and friday! After those 3 days of nothing (but the wednesday eve run) I fully expected to get ROCKED on thursday morning. But I didnt! I mean, it was hard, and we were definitely worked, but I wasn't as slow or sluggish as I thought I would be. Just another testament to how its OKAY to fall off the wagon. Just have to get back on

Trainer Cam also told me that he'd like me to be doing the 2x/day thing - so yesterday I got on the treadmill after work with the 3 lb. weights in hand, incline to 10.0, and speed at 3.5 for the full 20. And I didnt even turn into a red-faced lobster. That, in itself, is a real miracle. I finally dont turn red when I work out anymore!!! WOOOOOOO!

tonight Im headed to the ATL Food Truck Park (ATL FTP) and gonna nom on delightful goodies. So no extra workout. But tomorrow morning, I'm running around and potentially UP Stone Mountain with a friend. So that totally forgives the chicken and waffles Im eating tonight. ;D

Hey guys, I love this thread and everyone who is brave enough to post in it. I’ve been lurking this corner of Inforoo for quite a while and figured it’s my time to chime in. I haven’t really seen anyone else here talk about it from this perspective, but I come at my physical wellness from a point of helping me with my mental health. What it does for me physically is great too, and probably half of why I do it, but I know that the mental part is a crucial aspect for me.

About a year and a half ago I went through a really bad breakup and became comatose depressed. Like literally laying in bed for days at a time, unable to eat, bouts of sobbing, all that ugly stuff.

I was lucky enough to be living right next to a beautiful park and that changed my lire dramatically during those depressive times. If I could manage to step out the door and take a walk in that park, my day was exponentially better, my mind temporarily given reprieve from my troubles. Being healthy with what I ate and how I exercised helped alleviate a lot of that pain and gave me something to work toward every day. I had to work on a lot of other things about myself too, but in times where I felt helpless, exercise was one thing I knew I always had control over .It brought me comfort.

My mental health is much, much better now, but I maintain the same lifestyle and routines I established because it still improves me mentally and physically. I always experience a tangible energy and sense of well being after a big run, a swim in the pool, an hour on the elliptical. It helps in feeling comfortable enough to reward yourself with treats, a day of movies, whatever, without feeling guilty. Exercise gives me a lot more energy for the day and helps prevent me from being lazy, eating garbage on my mattress in an HBO coma.

Okay, with the mental stuff out of the way, here's some of my weight struggle history:

I’m 26 years old, 6’0” and currently weigh about 170 pounds. A couple years ago I got to the point that I was regularly weighing 225, with my top weight ever being 232. In high school I weighed about 190. My weight had been fluctuating for years, but since 2006 if was almost always above 210. This was from moving out and not having anyone controlling what I ate/lack of knowledge with what I should be eating, laziness, tiredness from school, stress, etc. But mostly I just didn't even realize it was happening as I slowly gained weight over the years. I knew I was a bit chubby but it was from looking at photos of myself that caused the real awakening, as I somehow didn't see it in the mirror. I didn't appear healthy or feel attractive despite having some very cute girlfriends. I wasn’t happy at all with the way my body looked and every time I tried working out for a few months I’d end up quitting because I got out of my routine. I never got consistently serious about my health until I hit that depression and knew a lot of things needed to be different about me.

My mom helped a lot over the years with encouragement and accountability. I really need someone to help keep me in check, though I’ve gotten to be pretty good at not letting myself slide. Most of my family is pretty focused on fitness and healthy eating so I’m always checking in with them about how a 5k went, how I was excited with what I saw on the scale, new activity or food ideas, etc.

Here’s photo references of me. It’s also a chronicle of my questionable fashion and personal aesthetic choices haha. I don’t even have any of me at my heaviest since I tended to avoid being photographed when I was 230. Just imagine me being puffier, slathered in peanut butter, swimming in a pool of goopy burrito filling:

This video really depicts me at my worst (early 2010):


Then:

2006 (maybe 210 or so):



For a brief moment that summer I dropped to a net weight of 19 ounces:


2010 (about 215 pounds):



Now:

End of March (170 and dangerously afraid this dog is going to steal my favorite toothbrush):


Soon I will regress to my fetal weight.

When I moved from Portland to Minneapolis I didn’t have a gym anymore and my schedule is so all over the place that it’s not really worth it for me to join one, though I need to find a place I can drop in at. I’m a test subject for NO NO WORD!!! companies which takes me away for up to a month at a time, so between that and the travel I do, I’m gone from home a lot.

I’ve really taken to running and walks since they’re things I can do anywhere. I take a walk every single day, even in the winter. It’s worth it, even on the bad days. Other than being locked up for a NO NO WORD!!! study, I can’t remember the last day where I didn’t spend a nice chunk of time outside. I walk at least an hour, sometimes up to two or more. I listen to a ton of podcasts, music, and try to always find new routes and things to see, so the walks aren’t monotonous. They’re often the most relaxing part of my day, and I live a very easy life to begin with.

About four times a week I run for anywhere from 30-45 minutes. I try to do these in the morning or early afternoon so that I have my exercise out of the way for the day. Anything I do after that is pure bonus. Sometimes I’ll be up late reading and decide to do a spontaneous run, which is always pretty cool. I live really close to the Mississippi River and downtown Minneapolis so I have a gorgeous view when I go out. Running over the Mississippi never ceases to be incredible. There’s also some lakes here I like to jog around. I maintain a slower-medium pace and keep in mind I’m only competing with myself when I see pros out there tearing it up.

From these runs and living mostly off of Cheerios and vegetables + hummus I’ve managed to lose about ten pounds in the past 75 days. I realize that diet doesn't sound too appealing to many, but I generally feel very satisfied from it and think it's tasty. The pounds are staying off, which is great and makes any food sacrifice worth it. When weighing yourself, keep in mind that your weight can fluctuate so much in a day. I try to weigh myself right away in the morning after I’ve gone to the bathroom so that I can see the most encouraging number possible.

Other things that are important for me are keeping my water bottle on hand at all times to help with hunger. I can survive off of about 1000 calories a day and feel fine, so long as I have enough liquid in me and choose the right foods. I used to mindlessly eat whenever I wanted, but now I’m very conscious every time I bring my hand to my mouth. Even if I am taking it easy with that particular meal, at least I’m aware of it. I also ingest sickly amounts of caffeine which curbs a lot of my appetite and gets me off my lazy ass. I’m sure this isn’t the healthiest thing, but it works for me. One big drawback to being health conscious is I’ve had to give up my favorite foods for the most part: peanut butter, cheese, bread. But the rewards always taste so good. I’m not into sweets, but do love greasy, salty, cheesy stuff. My weekly treat to myself is the veggie sub at Jimmy John’s. It is my holy sacrament.

Keep consistent. Build routine into your schedule. Once you’re in the routine it becomes so much easier. You’ll accrue memories of how good you feel after a workout. Draw upon these in times of laziness. If that doesn’t work, think about how much more attention you’ll get from whatever gender you want to be attracted to you. How good you’ll feel about yourself and all the extra energy you’ll have. The small sacrifices really help build up a stronger, more kickass you.

As long as I can stand up out of bed and get my shoes on, I know I can get myself outside for a run. I’ve lost sixty pounds and I don’t even push it that hard. I just work at it every day in small increments. I still have weight and toning goals, and even when I hit them, I know this will be a lifelong process.

I’ve changed much of my lifestyle and have maintained the new ways without much difficulty. When it is hard, I just make sure I don’t get too far off track. I’m happier for it, even if it’s not as easy as laying around feeling sorry for myself, getting lost in sex and food and entertainment. I love hearing about all of you guys who are doing so good. If you’re having trouble, just put your shoes on and start with a walk. It’s pretty awesome.

I wouldn’t be able to exercise without my ipod. It’s probably been the most important factor in my weight loss because I’d never have the energy or displacement of mind I need during monotonous moments if not for it. I always try to make exercise enjoyable and the iPod helps a ton with that. Here’s my current running playlist:


I wrote about my weight struggles if anyone is interested:

Part 1:
gabfrab.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/tales-of-a-fat-fuck-nothing-part-1-of-2/

Part 2:
gabfrab.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/tales-of-a-fat-fuck-nothing-part-2-of-2/


I also wrote about some of that stuff but from more of a mental health perspective here:

gabfrab.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/choosy-toads-choose-jif-2/

Keep at it, all you wonderful folks!

Okay, so I weighed in and I'm down 7 pounds. No way I'm gonna make the 20 I had hoped for before Roo but still losing is losing. Exercise schedule is still a mess because of family commitments.

Now for the advice portion of our program. This weekend I'm going with 7 daisy scouts (kindergarten and 1st graders) camping from Friday to Sunday. I figure I should be okay with exercise chasing them around but I'm not in control of what I'll be eating so I'm not exactly thrilled by that. Uncrustables are not really my idea of lunch. Anyway, keep a good thought and I don't care how good the diet is going I WILL EAT A S'MORE!

Gabfrab! Thank you for sharing your story! Reading about all the time that you put into walking and running is motivational! I LOVE walks, but don't often have the time for them. Or so I say. I think I need to FIND the time!

Since my recommit post on Friday, I have been to the gym three times (yay!), but my food isn't really on track. I even ate Indian last night. You can't get much worse than vindaloo, basmati rice and garlic naan (and a half bottle of wine). And I keep munching on the bread at work, even if I bring my own food! Stupid Bonnie. Oh well, I will get there! I ate well for 5 months or so... I can get back!

Hi all! Sorry if it's been mentioned on here but I was wondering if any of you have ever tried the Insanity workout? I've been thinking of getting it but wanted to hear what your thoughts were.

Thanks!

If you go 100% and follow a good diet it'll work really well.