Fit by 60! - TomO's Pledge

Hi Tom, hope you are out of the plateau - don't want to jinx you but it sounds promising! You sound like you are learning a lot. I feel the same way now about junk food. I really have to balance up how long it'll take to eat and how long I'll feel happy for compared to how long it'll take to work it off! Keep up the good work and you'll be beating that plateau into submisson!
 
Rachie said:
Hi Tom, hope you are out of the plateau - don't want to jinx you but it sounds promising!
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Yeah, I don't want to jinx it either, so I'm sort of hedging my bets psychologically speaking. I still have faith if I keep doing the right thing, eventually the pounds will come off, and so far, I've been right.

But I'm glad I gave myself until the end of 2008 to reach my target. I'd be thoroughly frustrated otherwise.

Thanks for dropping by.
 
I prefer the long term goals also, it gives you wiggle room if you have a bad week here and there. Keep it up Tom, you'll break out of it soon.
 
Iwan naloseit said:
I prefer the long term goals also, it gives you wiggle room if you have a bad week here and there. Keep it up Tom, you'll break out of it soon.
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Thanks, Iwan. I sure hope so! Today was the first day in the last week I started feeling optimistic again.
 
Exercise Log - Wed., March 14, 2007

Today was SS cardio day - BBBOOOORRRRIIIINNNNGGGG!
But I got through it.

75 min., 1,050 calories, avg. hr = 131, high hr = 140

no DOMS from yesterday. ;)

And here's today's nutrition log:

View attachment 2828

Ended up with a 950 calorie deficit today. I was shooting for less, but I just couldn't stuff myself any more at dinner.
 
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TomO

Your diary is really great. I am soooo glad I found it at last.

I just read it from the beginning and I wanted to give rep on so many posts. (I could only rep one until I spread my reps elsewhere.)

I have just started trying to use some kind of interval training to help with my weight loss and fitness but with very little information and no science. Your post #34 was NOT more than I wanted to know!

You seem to have been distinguishing between 2 types of interval training. Are you distinguishing workouts where you push to the max and less intense workouts? How can you tell what your heartrate is if you are still in the middle of a program? Are you using a machine?

Your sense of a plateau must be hard to take. However, I can't believe your level of care and determination will not pay off - especially as you've been listening to your on-line trainer. :)
 
felici said:
TomO

Your diary is really great. I am soooo glad I found it at last.

I just read it from the beginning and I wanted to give rep on so many posts. (I could only rep one until I spread my reps elsewhere.)

I have just started trying to use some kind of interval training to help with my weight loss and fitness but with very little information and no science. Your post #34 was NOT more than I wanted to know!

You seem to have been distinguishing between 2 types of interval training. Are you distinguishing workouts where you push to the max and less intense workouts? How can you tell what your heartrate is if you are still in the middle of a program? Are you using a machine?

Your sense of a plateau must be hard to take. However, I can't believe your level of care and determination will not pay off - especially as you've been listening to your on-line trainer. :)
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Thanks, felici, I'm always very flattered when people are willing to wade through my ramblings!

To answer your question [I hope!] about my cardio, I've actually settled on 3 types of cardio training. On day 1, I'm doing pure HIIT. This is a much shorter workout, only about a half hour or so. But it is the most grueling. It consists of 10 to 15 all-out pedal to the metal sprints (usually on the elliptical) for 30 seconds, followed by 1 minute of "rest". I use a Polar HR monitor that also shows my HR on the machine, so it's easy to follow. During the sprints, my HR generally gets to 158, which is 95% of my max.

On Day 3 and Day 7, as well as after my weight routines on Day 2 and Day 6, I do steady state cardio. I dislike this form the most, but I can't manage HIIT on the same day as weights, and even the day after weights, it's a bit much.

On Day 5, I do the intense interval training. This is about a 65 minute program that is extremely intense [but enjoyable], but is not actually HIIT. There are HIIT-like sprints where I actually exceed 95% of max HR (even up to 98% of max), but they are fewer in number. Most of the intervals result in 80% to 90% of max HR.

Yes, the plateaus are truly a drag. I know Steve doesn't believe this, but I think they are my body's way of punishing me for mistreating it for so many years. :eek: My first plateau lasted 31 days, and this one looks like it will be almost as long -- but the last few days have had some hopeful signs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! So far in March, I've racked up a 7,500 calorie deficit, so you'd think that would be good for at least one lousy pound! :eek:

Coach Steve has been a real godsend to many of us, I think. I can't believe how much patience and understanding he has. We're lucky to have him, that's for sure!

Thanks so much for dropping by!
 
You're right about that Tom, we're lucky to have him - but we're lucky to have you too :)

You're not giving up - you keep working at this day by day and that is HUGE!
 
Curvie Girlie said:
Hmmmm, I need to read this whole thing...
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UH OH! Aren't you supposed to be eating a chocolate bar instead? :D

My wife Marlene always referred to chocolate as her "medicine" during that time. She did it so often that our daughter actually believed it was real medicine. Of course, now it turns out that chocolate really is good for you.
 
M2M said:
You're right about that Tom, we're lucky to have him - but we're lucky to have you too :)

You're not giving up - you keep working at this day by day and that is HUGE!
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Thanks m, I really appreciate that. It's good to have someone knowledgeable like Steve and someone ignorant like me. Gives everyone a good basis of comparison!

But I am determined! And hey, if I can do it, almost anyone can!
 
TomO said:
UH OH! Aren't you supposed to be eating a chocolate bar instead? :D

My wife Marlene always referred to chocolate as her "medicine" during that time. She did it so often that our daughter actually believed it was real medicine. Of course, now it turns out that chocolate really is good for you.
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Well, as a matter of fact, I have not eaten any chocolate today--except chocolate soymilk :(
 
Thanks for answering my questions TomO. That was a really helpful response.

You are obviously not ignorant. :) I agree with M2M. We're lucky to have both you and Steve here.

I'm like you in never having belonged to a weight loss community of any kind before and really noticing the difference its made to how much I can achieve. I do feel shored up by it and really grateful for all those whose strong committment to weight loss helps provide strength to us all.
 
Thursday, March 15, 2007

Weight: 243.0 - Plateau #2, Day #28

Last night I had a feeling that somehow the plateau would be over with. But no such luck. Rather than rant, though, I thought I'd take stock this morning of some things I'm thankful for.

  • The ability to tie my shoes without wheezing
  • The feeling that I can walk anywhere without getting a heart attack
  • Not hearing my heart beat at night when I'm trying to go to sleep
  • Not feeling guilty when I have a "cheat"
  • Looking at all indentations on my belt from where I used to be
  • Feeling healthy, even if I still look fat
  • Being able to do a harder workout than most people in the gym
  • Feeling like I'll be around my wife and kids for many more years
  • Having more knowledge about how my body works, even though I still feel like a total ignoramus a lot of the time.
  • Getting control over food, instead of vice versa
  • Looking forward to seeing myself in a picture one day
  • Being able to play a game of racquetball with my kids without keeling over.
  • Getting rid of plantar fasciitis
  • Not dreading getting my blood pressure checked
  • Looking forward to my next blood test
  • Getting healthy through applying knowledge rather than relying on some "magic formula" or "special diet"
  • Having knowledgeable people to go to for help
  • Getting lots of support from people here and friends & family

Just writing that all down made me feel better for today!

And today is an OFF DAY! I need it. I'm physically kind of tired. I'll take a walk with my dog, but that will be about it for today.
 
had to stop by here today for my daily motivation. I missed the gym this morning, and I'm sore all over from moving boxes. So see you be positive despite your plateau is helpful....thanks
 
I love making "thankful" lists. Too many people don't realize how much they have to be thankful for. All it takes is a few minutes each day to think about it.

Have a great day Tom.
 
today was my day off and i finally had a chance to stop in and read your log. very nice i like it, very inspirational.
 
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