Qjay's thread
- Thread starter Qjay
- Start date
Yeah, I am aiming in the general direction of Calorie Counting plus Exercise. Speaking of which, I went and worked out agian tonight, ALONE this time. I took my phone with me in case of emergency, but my workout partners both bailed on me twice this week, and I was getting antsy.
I feel a lot better now, though. I worked up a good sweat, walked for about 20 minutes (just shy of a mile), worked my triceps until they got a little sore, spent more time on my legs, doing light hamstring presses for about 10 minutes, and heavy leg presses for about 5 minutes.
I also fooled around a bit on the machines, and rested a few minutes here and there.
Calories are close to my limit for the day, but my nephew was over and I had to make food for the growing young boy several times during the day. In addition to that, my usual morning routine was shot, and my convenience foods were sorely lacking, but I had a good time hanging out with him.
Further up and further in!
I feel a lot better now, though. I worked up a good sweat, walked for about 20 minutes (just shy of a mile), worked my triceps until they got a little sore, spent more time on my legs, doing light hamstring presses for about 10 minutes, and heavy leg presses for about 5 minutes.
I also fooled around a bit on the machines, and rested a few minutes here and there.
Calories are close to my limit for the day, but my nephew was over and I had to make food for the growing young boy several times during the day. In addition to that, my usual morning routine was shot, and my convenience foods were sorely lacking, but I had a good time hanging out with him.
Further up and further in!
txturtlegirl
New member
I don't know about you, but I find I work harder and get more done at the gym if I go alone. I have a friend that signed up with me at the gym, but when she goes with me she wants to talk, and it's hard to count reps when she's talking! LOL. Also, she doesn't push herself quite as hard as I am, and so she's doing less cardio and less reps and she gets frustrated when she's ready to move on to the weight machines and I'm still on the eliptical or bike.
My nephew is 13, and he's a great kid. Pretty quiet, but he has a devilish sense of glee when he's found a neat trick to pull in a video game. He's a little bit on the chunky side, and his mom has decided "he's going to grow out of it in his next growth spurt", but you don't grow out of 40 or 50 pounds. *sigh*
I've turned him on to looking at portion sizes, and learning how to keep track of calories or to find what is least bad for you when you're snacking or stuck eating junk food.
I wish it was as easy to keep on top of my food as I make it sound, though.
Well, I've been eating all afternoon, and downed about 1200 calories; but I'm not sure if that's good or bad. It's been relatively heathy stuff, give or take the 3 servings of pork rinds (300 calories), 1 serving of deliciously buttery popcorn (200 cal), a pair of sausages (300 cal) and a chicken breast (300 cal), along with some assorted grazing (assuming about 100 calories).
The good news: I'm STUFFED, and feeling really relaxed! I've got some energy, and I'm all cooped up today, so I am fidgeting with my smartbells (I have some 5 lb weights I pick up and use for rhythm exercises when I'm bored or watching TV) and I've been doing a lot of stretches.
The cold is really making my joints hurt (it snowed in the wee hours of the morning, I enjoyed sitting on my balcony and watching it come down, though), but my blood sugar is pretty normal and I'm getting stuff done around the house. I've been on a "chores" kick for the past couple of months, but my roomy apparently believes that he doesn't actually MAKE any messes, so it's all on me to clean it up. I just want my place to be presentable, I'm almost through school and will have a lot going on in the months to come.
Anyhoo, that's what it's like in QJ-land
Antsy, bored, slightly annoyed, extremely well fed, and a little bit sore from the workout last night; overall, better than usual.
I've turned him on to looking at portion sizes, and learning how to keep track of calories or to find what is least bad for you when you're snacking or stuck eating junk food.
I wish it was as easy to keep on top of my food as I make it sound, though.
Well, I've been eating all afternoon, and downed about 1200 calories; but I'm not sure if that's good or bad. It's been relatively heathy stuff, give or take the 3 servings of pork rinds (300 calories), 1 serving of deliciously buttery popcorn (200 cal), a pair of sausages (300 cal) and a chicken breast (300 cal), along with some assorted grazing (assuming about 100 calories).
The good news: I'm STUFFED, and feeling really relaxed! I've got some energy, and I'm all cooped up today, so I am fidgeting with my smartbells (I have some 5 lb weights I pick up and use for rhythm exercises when I'm bored or watching TV) and I've been doing a lot of stretches.
The cold is really making my joints hurt (it snowed in the wee hours of the morning, I enjoyed sitting on my balcony and watching it come down, though), but my blood sugar is pretty normal and I'm getting stuff done around the house. I've been on a "chores" kick for the past couple of months, but my roomy apparently believes that he doesn't actually MAKE any messes, so it's all on me to clean it up. I just want my place to be presentable, I'm almost through school and will have a lot going on in the months to come.
Anyhoo, that's what it's like in QJ-land
Antsy, bored, slightly annoyed, extremely well fed, and a little bit sore from the workout last night; overall, better than usual.
My little cousin is 7 and is starting to put on a little weight. She's very aware of it. She already has self-esteem issues. Very sad. My aunt is encouraging her to eat healthier things and she is even doing little exercises with her.
Parents can be so blind to the truth and what needs to be done sometimes.
Sounds like you are moderately content. . and really what more can you ask for.
Parents can be so blind to the truth and what needs to be done sometimes.
Sounds like you are moderately content. . and really what more can you ask for.
felici
Well-known member
I know what you mean about it sounding easier than it feels. It has been such a struggle for me in the past. Now that I am used to them, these diabetes style plans have really helped make it easier for me but it wasn't always like that. Good on you for talking to your nephew about healthy food choices. My son is the same age. He doesn't have a weight problem but does have my sweet tooth. He does try to make some healthy choices, and I am trying to emphasise the need for him to make sure that his current need for more food (he's growing fast), is being filled all by more healthy food, not more junk. I've noticed that it is relatively easy for me to offer better food to my children now that it is easy to do it for myself.
Well, my roomie keeps a ton of crap food around the house and makes sure to offer the kids BAGS of candy whenever he gets it around. It's a real pain in the neck trying to undo the damage he does, when it's HIS son I'm dealing with.
Doing good today, haven't eaten anything, it's just been dang cold. I think I am going to go make some soup and maybe a grilled cheese sandwich, that sounds just about perfect right now.
Doing good today, haven't eaten anything, it's just been dang cold. I think I am going to go make some soup and maybe a grilled cheese sandwich, that sounds just about perfect right now.
It's nice to be back on track, I have my food pattern mostly restored. I am eating my sandwiches for breakfast again, picked up my canned meats, and am trying some new frozen chimichangas (they really do have to be baked to taste right, though). When I was out of my normal stuff, I was eating 800-1000 calories for breakfast some days, and then had other problems throughout the evening. Today I am splurging a little bit and opened a can of condensed milk for coffee (I need the caffeine, it's time to write a few papers), but it's still a lot better for me than a few cans of energy drink.
I think one of the things that has me so addicted to this forum is that I get to see both new people who are just starting to lose weight, and established people that have lost a lot of sizes, and I get to see the what people are trying and what people have accomplished, and more importantly HOW they have done so.
One thing I don't see here very often (in the diaries) is someone who is making an effort, but not getting thinner, and I am kind of curious, is there anyone here who is working to get healthier and not accomplishing it? I mean both in the short term and in the long term. If you feel this way, post up, I'm having that sort of malaise the past week or so, not really losing sizes, and starting to get a case of the "why-bothers".
At least I like my new food plan, but there are a lot of things I miss; it's still hard to not view food as a reward or a punishment, that's just how it feels.
I think one of the things that has me so addicted to this forum is that I get to see both new people who are just starting to lose weight, and established people that have lost a lot of sizes, and I get to see the what people are trying and what people have accomplished, and more importantly HOW they have done so.
One thing I don't see here very often (in the diaries) is someone who is making an effort, but not getting thinner, and I am kind of curious, is there anyone here who is working to get healthier and not accomplishing it? I mean both in the short term and in the long term. If you feel this way, post up, I'm having that sort of malaise the past week or so, not really losing sizes, and starting to get a case of the "why-bothers".
At least I like my new food plan, but there are a lot of things I miss; it's still hard to not view food as a reward or a punishment, that's just how it feels.
M2M
New member
Hi QJ,
I think all of us long term losers (OK, that is meant in the nicest of ways!) have had times where the weight wasn't falling. I really didn't lose anything from the end of October to the beginning of January. However, I had taken a break from exercising, and I was not consistent with counting my calories and recording them. I had been eating too few calories for awhile, then when December hit, and I ate more then regularly, the pounds stayed with me.
I'm now mixing it up and the weight is coming off again.
What I enjoy about being here for a long time is seeing the people who joined around the time I did as they get closer to their goals - it is amazing! I like seeing new people join and go through that break in period where they find their stride and settle into what works for them. I've enjoyed the people coming over from fitness.com because they have a wealth of nutritional and fitness information.
It's a great process really
I think all of us long term losers (OK, that is meant in the nicest of ways!) have had times where the weight wasn't falling. I really didn't lose anything from the end of October to the beginning of January. However, I had taken a break from exercising, and I was not consistent with counting my calories and recording them. I had been eating too few calories for awhile, then when December hit, and I ate more then regularly, the pounds stayed with me.
I'm now mixing it up and the weight is coming off again.
What I enjoy about being here for a long time is seeing the people who joined around the time I did as they get closer to their goals - it is amazing! I like seeing new people join and go through that break in period where they find their stride and settle into what works for them. I've enjoyed the people coming over from fitness.com because they have a wealth of nutritional and fitness information.
It's a great process really
felici
Well-known member
Glad to hear you have made some progress with your food.
Someone said to me that it is good to make a number of measurements because the weight can go from different places.
I think M2M and Be_Gone_Soon both know about having unreasonably slow/flat patches in their weight loss and I'm sure I've heard others talk about plateaus too.
Someone said to me that it is good to make a number of measurements because the weight can go from different places.
I think M2M and Be_Gone_Soon both know about having unreasonably slow/flat patches in their weight loss and I'm sure I've heard others talk about plateaus too.
Gee Felici, I wonder who that could have been... Hmmm...
It's not that I have hit a plateau (I don't think) it's just that I don't FEEL any better than I did before the holidays, and the whole goal of all of this effort is to make ourselves feel and look better than when we started. Sometimes I am happy to be dropping belt notches (still have three down, three to go), but I just worry because I don't feel any better, even though I am exercising, eating right, and taking my vitamins and medication (diabetes sucks). I read about so many people feeling better on here, and I get a little reflected happiness, but the gist of the issue is that I am not feeling the difference.
I think I am going to try a daily food diary on here, and actually measure more accurately what I do. *sigh* I HATE that... I feel like "The man of 1000 excuses" right now. Someone procrastinate for me, it sounds like too much effort.
Food plan: 2000 calories a day, sounds easy, right?
It's not that I have hit a plateau (I don't think) it's just that I don't FEEL any better than I did before the holidays, and the whole goal of all of this effort is to make ourselves feel and look better than when we started. Sometimes I am happy to be dropping belt notches (still have three down, three to go), but I just worry because I don't feel any better, even though I am exercising, eating right, and taking my vitamins and medication (diabetes sucks). I read about so many people feeling better on here, and I get a little reflected happiness, but the gist of the issue is that I am not feeling the difference.
I think I am going to try a daily food diary on here, and actually measure more accurately what I do. *sigh* I HATE that... I feel like "The man of 1000 excuses" right now. Someone procrastinate for me, it sounds like too much effort.
Food plan: 2000 calories a day, sounds easy, right?
felici
Well-known member
Gee Felici, I wonder who that could have been... Hmmm...
Aah... OK.
*Typing very slowly and lightly*
If I track down the name I'll let you know. OK.
(I guess you're not just going by the belt notches then?)
Last edited:
Nope, I'm also going by how my clothes fit right out of the dryer and how I feel when I exercise or walk up my stairs.
I just wish I could feel better more of the time, to be honest.
So today I had:
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich 420 cal
Chimichanga 300 cal
2 small quesadillas 500 cal
Lots of coffee with cream, 500 cal
Smokes: 3 (I might as well track that here too, right?)
Looks like about 1720 calories, which is pretty low for me.
Tomorrow: My grandmother's 80th birthday party at, where else? A fancy restaurant... *sigh*
PS: I know smoking is bad for me, I don't want to discuss it here, I know I could quit easily, but I ENJOY it. Believe it or not, I'm not doing this for my LONG TERM health.
I just wish I could feel better more of the time, to be honest.
So today I had:
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich 420 cal
Chimichanga 300 cal
2 small quesadillas 500 cal
Lots of coffee with cream, 500 cal
Smokes: 3 (I might as well track that here too, right?)
Looks like about 1720 calories, which is pretty low for me.
Tomorrow: My grandmother's 80th birthday party at, where else? A fancy restaurant... *sigh*
PS: I know smoking is bad for me, I don't want to discuss it here, I know I could quit easily, but I ENJOY it. Believe it or not, I'm not doing this for my LONG TERM health.
felici
Well-known member
Being patient is a difficult part of this for me too - not every day but sometimes - weigh days are always hard. I didn't feel too chirpy the week I lost .5 kg, and it was hard to shake off. I do see a lot of comments in other people's diaries about patience.
I think some of us feel so relieved that at last we've managed to eat properly that the knowledge helps us feel happy all by itself. You are persisting, so you do have a heap of "OMG I can do .... now," still coming your way. I don't know how long it will take but they are coming.
Hopefully, in a few more weeks you won't be so much stuck inside too - that's got to help!! If I'm right, you haven't been able to exercise every day lately? It could be that if you got really puffed out every day (without having a coronary), that would help you sleep better, and feel better.
I think some of us feel so relieved that at last we've managed to eat properly that the knowledge helps us feel happy all by itself. You are persisting, so you do have a heap of "OMG I can do .... now," still coming your way. I don't know how long it will take but they are coming.
Hopefully, in a few more weeks you won't be so much stuck inside too - that's got to help!! If I'm right, you haven't been able to exercise every day lately? It could be that if you got really puffed out every day (without having a coronary), that would help you sleep better, and feel better.
I've been exercising, I just haven't been heading down to the gym; walking on ice makes bad things happen to my knees. I mostly just use hand strengtheners or smartbells to fidget for awhile, I try to focus on my underdeveloped triceps and do some core strengthening stretches and twists while I sit upright, and I just do these things regularly throughout the day.
I don't really get "puffed out" when I exercise, I just go until I can tell I'm starting to get sore, then relax. I'll do tricep pull-downs at the gym with 20-40 pounds, and go for several sets of 20-50 reps, then switch to some light leg exercises, some treadmill time (nice and slow, about 130 heart rate) until the tendons in my ankles and calves get sore, and I have really begun to favor those leg presses with around 200 lbs for several sets of 5 or 10 reps.
The problem is, I think I'm not in good enough shape to maintain any intense exercise right now, and all I really want is to burn fat anyhow.
There may be "better" methods of doing so, but for the time being, I am just wanting to get up to some minimum endurance levels and increase my metabolic needs.
It's slow going, but I'm not in a hurry. I am getting very interested in finding out my weight, if I have lost or gained; I'm thinking about heading down to the mall for that bathroom scale that reads your fortune. It goes high enough for me.
Someday, around the time I hit a 40 inch waistline, I will buy a scale for home use, but before then it would just be wasted money since they don't generally go over 300 lbs.
I don't really get "puffed out" when I exercise, I just go until I can tell I'm starting to get sore, then relax. I'll do tricep pull-downs at the gym with 20-40 pounds, and go for several sets of 20-50 reps, then switch to some light leg exercises, some treadmill time (nice and slow, about 130 heart rate) until the tendons in my ankles and calves get sore, and I have really begun to favor those leg presses with around 200 lbs for several sets of 5 or 10 reps.
The problem is, I think I'm not in good enough shape to maintain any intense exercise right now, and all I really want is to burn fat anyhow.
There may be "better" methods of doing so, but for the time being, I am just wanting to get up to some minimum endurance levels and increase my metabolic needs.
It's slow going, but I'm not in a hurry. I am getting very interested in finding out my weight, if I have lost or gained; I'm thinking about heading down to the mall for that bathroom scale that reads your fortune.
It goes high enough for me. Someday, around the time I hit a 40 inch waistline, I will buy a scale for home use, but before then it would just be wasted money since they don't generally go over 300 lbs.