Alligatorob's Diary

[aiminglow]

Interesting about the weights training seeming to have a perceptible effect on your bike-riding. I wouldn't have guessed that - I was imagining weights using mostly arms - you're not doing the clean-and-jerk style, are you, which hits the thighs? I find that sort of weight-lifting ... wow! pretty scary to watch. (bbrrrr...!) Impressive, but scary.

But maintenance - yes, I guess for a good long while it would be fits and spurts, until one had really re-trained oneself into healthy eating as best befitted the person in question (because it's definitely not one-size-fits-all!).

 

[Llama]

But maintenance - yes, I guess for a good long while it would be fits and spurts, until one had really re-trained oneself into healthy eating as best befitted the person in question (because it's definitely not one-size-fits-all!).

You must not have absorbed The Great Bally's wisdom...

Also: 100 pages! Not quite a page per pound.

 

[Cate]

You are going great, Rob!

 

[alligatorob]

214 this morning, no loss this week. I am fine with that, I have lost a lot of weight and as LaMa and others have said the first week of weight lifting can actually cause a gain. At least I didn't gain. I am also trying to eat a little more, for a long time my target was at least 1,000 calories, I have upped that to 1,100.

Sounds good to me.

Me too, losing weight has me feeling pretty good.

Rob I just saw on Maria’s diary that you said you’ve been off chocolate for 10 months!!??

Yes, when I went on this diet I gave up chocolate and most all sweets. Since starting I have had a few bites of cake, cakes people had made for me, one small hard candy, but no chocolate. I did miss it at first but have come to be fine without. Before this diet I ate way too much of such stuff, chocolate was a big problem. You can do it too, if you have been off for 2 weeks, just stay off. Not eating chocolate won't hurt you a bit. On the other hand I know some people can manage eating a little, you just have to decide what's best for you. But for now I suggest you stay off it, you can decide later if you want to return. Your choice and with time you'll know what's best.

Interesting about the weights training seeming to have a perceptible effect on your bike-riding. I wouldn't have guessed that - I was imagining weights using mostly arms - you're not doing the clean-and-jerk style, are you, which hits the thighs? I find that sort of weight-lifting ... wow! pretty scary to watch. (bbrrrr...!) Impressive, but scary.

I understand, the last time I did weight lifting that was how it worked, but that was when I was in high school. Today they have machines that are safer and allow you to exercise lots of different muscles, as many for the legs and lower body as for the upper body. You should check it out, weight training can be done by anyone these days, its a lot safer and better rounded exercise. And most folks are not trying for the Arnold Schwarzenegger look. Just improved strength and fitness. In my pre interview the trainer asked me my goals, hadn't really thought about it so I told her a few vague things about getting into better shape, and then added that I wanted to look like Arnold. She laughed and said "no problem", so I have a commitment, lol.

You must not have absorbed The Great Bally's wisdom...

I think we have all gained things from his brief appearance here.

You are going great

Thanks Cate, I appreciate your kind words.

 

[overlandflyer]

.... On the other hand I know some people can manage eating a little, ....

one of my favorite restaurants (which unfortunately closed a few weeks ago... ) used to have a dessert buffet with really small, ... maybe 1" cube size ... tarts, cakes, etc. it was the only place i enjoyed having just that tiny bit of sweet. the size of desserts in most restaurants is obscene.

re: chocolate... not all chocolate is created equal... i will pass on a Hershey bar nearly every time, but a little bit of hand crafted, almond, dark chocolate... i don't have a problem limiting to a bite or two when i stumble upon some.

 

[alligatorob]

one of my favorite restaurants (which unfortunately closed a few weeks ago... ) used to have a dessert buffet with really small, ... maybe 1" cube size ... tarts, cakes, etc. it was the only place i enjoyed having just that tiny bit of sweet. the size of desserts in most restaurants is obscene.

re: chocolate... not all chocolate is created equal... i will pass on a Hershey bar nearly every time, but a little bit of hand crafted, almond, dark chocolate... i don't have a problem limiting to a bite or two when i stumble upon some.

Case on point, we are all different! Maybe one day I will get to where you are Flyer, it sounds like a pretty good place to be.

 

[Petal001]

Flyer toblerone comes to mind .
Rob a maintain is great as you have had some big losses recently and as you say eating more and in the gym . Well done .
I do like to see you eat a little more . It’s good for you .

 

[Llama]

I have no problem eating and enjoying small portions of sweets when in public - the struggle begins when the stuff enters my apartment...

 

[Emilyrose]

I am also trying to eat a little more, for a long time my target was at least 1,000 calories, I have upped that to 1,100.

Lol at that.

I can understand the chocolate thing - it's making that decision in your head and sticking to it, no matter what, isn't it? Something just clicks.

I've done that with the alcohol at home this year, over 2 months now. And I've had a crappy day and I really want some wine now, but I'm just not allowing it anymore. It's a better feeling to resist it than give in for sure.

 

[Petal001]

I have no problem eating and enjoying small portions of sweets when in public - the struggle begins when the stuff enters my apartment...

completely agree with this

 

[aiminglow]

Also: 100 pages! Not quite a page per pound.

Well spotted LaMa! And cheers for both centuries, Rob!

Thanks for the clarification re: the weights training. That's something to ponder taking on sometime - or even a try-out session.

 

[alligatorob]

It was a good day, I ate well, got another weight training session in at the gym, and feel good.

Rob a maintain is great as you have had some big losses recently and as you say eating more and in the gym .

Thanks Petal, I know that intellectually, but it feels good to be reminded.

I can understand the chocolate thing - it's making that decision in your head and sticking to it, no matter what, isn't it?

So far, not saying I will do it forever, but for now its working and probably for the best. With chocolate it is getting easier, I rarely think of it anymore.

100 pages! Not quite a page per pound

Thanks LaMa, that could be a new metric, lbs lost per page of diary.

Thanks for the clarification re: the weights training. That's something to ponder taking on sometime - or even a try-out session.

It is different from what we remember of weight lifters, safer and a more complete workout. And not just for young men wanting to build huge muscles. Truslver is our resident expert, me I am just a 3 day beginning novice.



A better than average Angel Number thing:

 

[liza]

used to have a dessert buffet with really small, ... maybe 1" cube size ... tarts, cakes, etc. it was the only place i enjoyed having just that tiny bit of sweet. the size of desserts in most restaurants is obscene.

Yes I often wish places would sell smaller treats, something nice to go with a coffee but not so giant always. I know i could in theory eat half and have the rest later but it never works out like that for me.

Rob I'm impressed that you could give up sweets. I do hope to keep them in my diet but in a moderate amount. So far its working ok while I'm consciously counting calories, but I do wonder if I'll be able to stay at it once I stop counting.

So glad you are enjoying the gym. Maintaining and gaining some strength is an important goal for me too. I want to be fit, not just thin.

Nice Angel saying!

 

[Petal001]

Lovely angel saying

 

[alligatorob]

Just did my 40 laps and 2 lagniappe on my bike. Back to the old routine. I was fine despite doing lots of leg weight exercising yesterday at the gym. I may have been too worried about the conflict.

Rob I'm impressed that you could give up sweets. I do hope to keep them in my diet but in a moderate amount.

Liza, for me it has been easier to give them up completely than to try and eat in moderation. I find too much temptation and push the limits of moderation too hard. One day I am hopeful that I will be able to find a way to eat treats moderately, but for not I am staying away.

Maintaining and gaining some strength is an important goal for me too. I want to be fit, not just thin.

I agree on the gaining strength, but doubt I will ever be thin! That's ok with me, I'll settle for healthy.

Hey Petal, just saw you message pop up, thanks. We must be on at the same time.

 

[Llama]

I agree on the gaining strength, but doubt I will ever be thin! That's ok with me, I'll settle for healthy.

This! So much!

 

[Cate]

I think for most of us healthy is our aim & that is definitely a good thing!

 

[Trusylver]

Interesting about the weights training seeming to have a perceptible effect on your bike-riding.

Although the leg muscles used for the strength training and bike riding are the same there are differences in the energy system used to power those muscle along with the primary type of muscle fibres used. Despite these differences, they crossover and fatigue will always hinder performance, this is why full recovery is important, if too much of either is done then over training becomes a risk.

On the up side, strength training with good recovery will improve muscle efficiency for aerobic based sports, If the muscles do not need to work as hard to do the same job then you can continue for longer or faster.

 

[alligatorob]

It was a good day, I ate well, exercised, and feel pretty good. Can't beat that!

My protein special K came from Amazon today, had some for my evening snack. For a while I will be eating it for breakfast to help keep my protein up. I have been pretty successful at increasing protein, eating more meat, and the high protein yogurt has helped. It's funny, I have upped my calories by about 100 per day, now I try to stay above 1,100 and so far it is making me feel very full. Who would have thought that I would ever feel stuffed on 1,100 calories! Lots of veggies really helps.

Liza and Petal, I have found a new source for Angel Numbers, much more positive than Joanne and her scribes. And hopefully more accurate.

LaMa, Liza, and Cate, yes yes yes! Healthy is a great goal, and for a lot of us here slim just ain't ever going to happen. It is good that healthy comes before slim.

Thanks for the good info Trusylver, I need it.

Although the leg muscles used for the strength training and bike riding are the same there are differences in the energy system used to power those muscle along with the primary type of muscle fibres used. Despite these differences, they crossover and fatigue will always hinder performance, this is why full recovery is important, if too much of either is done then over training becomes a risk.

Do you think its best not to do leg strength training back to back with biking? I did that yesterday and today, I feel fine, but it could be effecting my performance, I don't know. My objective is not to be Charles Atlas, but just to get into better shape than I have been in.



Not quite as good as yesterday, but not bad.

 

[liza]

Casting aside fear and doubt sounds good to me!

Who would have thought that I would ever feel stuffed on 1,100 calories! Lots of veggies really helps.

Yes it is amazing the difference the quality of food can make in helping us feel full, satisfied and energized. I'm sure not where you're at for feeling stuffed at 1100, but I do see what a difference food quality makes in helping me to feel more satisfied.