Uuuuugggghhhhh!!!!!

[stroutman81]

Not downing anyone's post. I believe I am the one who brought up the gym membership anyway.

However, I think we are straying from the questions being asked. Most of us know if we can afford a gym membership or not. Or, if a gym membership is the right choice considering our time constraints. If we don't know, it is easily decided after looking at the costs compared to one's budget or going to a week or 2 week trial run at your local gym.

I am biased since I am a personal trainer who trains mostly in a gym. However, I do understand that there are numerous, and justifiable reasons why you can and should train at home personally.

The bottom line is you need to work in a proper weight training regiment into your health and fitness program. In order to do this, you need heavier weights so you can progressively overload your muscles.

We determined that you do not have sufficient equipment currently at home. So you either make the choice to go out and get a gym membership or purchase more stuff for your home workouts. Either way, working out with weights is important because muscle is a metabolically active tissue. By using the weights, you will either increase lean muscle, leading to a faster metabolism or, you will maintain muscle while you are in a caloric deficit.

For long term health or permanent fat loss, PROPER weight training is a needed variable in the equation along with rest/recovery, nutrition, hydration, aerobic conditioning, and goal setting.

 

[wendy]

Thanks guys for ur input.

I know it's late at night, but I just weighed myself. Boy, was that the wrong thing to do!!!! 135!!!! I can't even remember when I weighed that much! WHAT AM I DOING??? It seems that since I have increased my eating, cutting out fast food, chocolate and soda and changing my workouts, I have GREATLY gained weight. WTF??? I know I need to add protein, but honestly. 5 pounds in what, 4 days???? Un-freakin-believable! I'm royally pissed and completely stressed about this.

I decided today that Iw as going to run each morning for 30 mins (about 3 miles) and then in the afternoon, use my weights. I'm wondering now if I should run in the moring and then again in the afternoon. And REALLY cut down on my food intake. I know you guys say, "eat more" and that I have to do so much cal counting and all that....it just seems that I am getting the opposite results here! It's days like this that I wish I were anorexic. At least then I wouldn't be fat.

 

[stroutman81]

Well you can't make judgments from one fluke weigh in on the scale. Our body weight fluctuates greatly depending on the time we weigh in at and numerous other circumstances!

Also, I think I remember you mentioning, just today, that you do not know how many calories you are consuming. That is like shooting in the dark at a moving target when it comes to fat loss! First, you really need to get your nutrition under wraps. Use the calculator previously posted in this thread and find your maintenance level of caloric intake. From there, reduce the caloric intake by 15-20%. That way, you know you are in a calorie deficit and that it is not too large where you can end up starving yourself.

Once you know how many calories you are going to shoot for each day, divide that number by the number of meals you are going to eat, hopefully 5-6!!!! Then, you will know how many calories to shoot for in each sitting.

Then, decide what you are going to fill each of those meals with. You need to get your lean protein in at each meal, since our bodies do not store amino acids the same way it does carbs. It seems that you are lacking in your protein intake which is vital. You should also be eating some good carbs at each meal, as well as healthy fats.

For your proteins, eat things such as grilled chicken, turkey, lean beef (sirloin or top round is best), eggs, and fish. I know you don't like fish, but maybe you can try some recipes that really are tastey. My fiancé never ate fish until she started dating a bodybuilder, LOL. I kind of forced her into it, but she finally woke up and realized that you can make fish taste very good. And not all fish tastes fishy!

For your carbs, eat things such as whole wheat pastas and breads, potatoes, old fashioned oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat wraps and pitas, and this list goes on and on.

Don't leave out dairy, and try to stick with fat free if you can. I love fat free dairy products.

And def. eat your fruits and veggies!

You can find your good fats in things such as olive oil, nuts, natural peanut butter, and various supplemental oils such as flax, sunflower, safflower, Udo's Choice, etc.

Stop panicking! Take a step back and ask yourself if you are being logical in your approach. More and more exercise is not the answer if your nutrition is not on point. I, personally, feel that nutrition is the MOST important variable in the equation. I also find that it is what most people have the most trouble with. Exercise is easy. People understand exercising, so they usually add more and more of it....just like you want to....yet see no results....which, in turn, simply leads to more frustration.

You can do this. It seems hard and overwhelming only if you let it. Take control of it one step at a time, and I think your first step should be figuring out your calories.

You are fortunate because you have a lot of great people on this forum to motivate and educate you. Take advantage, listen to what they say, and never take failure as a reason for stopping. If you fail to lose weight this week, it only means that you succeeded in ruling out what you were doing wrong and knowing you must try something new or tweak a few things.

Stay positive!

 

[wendy]

First off, I want to apologize for last night's rant. I was really frustrated and literally panicked at the number on the scale. When I get to 125, I start to panic, so you can imagine how I felt seeing 135.

Second, I know you all on here give GREAT advice and I appreciate that. I have learned a great deal since I started and I have all of you to thank.

Third, I printed out a food calorie table yesterday and plan on using it to help determine what to eat and when. And ur right, I have to figure out caloric needs before anything. Which, I think I did and it was a little more than 2000 if I remember correctly - I'll have to go back.

Again, thank you all for ur help and for putting up with me. I'm not the easiest person to get along with when it comes to weight. I've always had weight issues and it seems taht the second I hit 30 it started this massive uphill battle.

Anyway, thank you!!

 

[stroutman81]

No need to apologize, and I am glad you calmed down. Fat loss is not a walk in the park. Everyone hits bumps. However, it also is not rocket science, and very doable.

So just learn these basic fundamentals and practice it.

Look forward to hearing of your success!

G' luck.

 

[Lillian]

first of all, i don't even think you look as bad as you think you look by looking at your pics. you just need to be patient. it takes time. it definitely won't happen over night. a little work and you'll be on the road to success. hang in there and don't get so frustrated with yourself. as long as you are doing the right things, in time, changes will happen.

 

[Moonbeam3]

.. if you have children you most likely need to add child care to the cost of the membership. This can make a membership quickly double or tripple the monthly cost.

I hear ya my gym charges $2 a work out (2 hour max), I *assumed* that her husband could watch the kids for an hour. For me working out at home is just not possible. I need to be in a gym environment, having said that however, there is nothing in the gym (other than some cardio machines) that I can't do at home. I just choose not to.

Wendy, all you need is some heavier weights and a little time aside for an uninterrupted routine. Maybe you need a more intense cardio routine, what are you currently doing again?

 

[wendy]

first of all, i don't even think you look as bad as you think you look by looking at your pics. you just need to be patient. it takes time. it definitely won't happen over night. a little work and you'll be on the road to success. hang in there and don't get so frustrated with yourself. as long as you are doing the right things, in time, changes will happen.

LOL I think that's part of my problem....I'm an immediate gratification kind of girl. LOL which certainly doesnt' help when trying to lose weight.

However, I am counting calories like crazy and have done a good job so far today. I ran 3+ miles this morning as a start to my day and will do some strength training in the afternoon. I'm feeling really good about my day today. Haven't sat down hardly at all so far. Trying to keep myself busy.

 

[Lillian]

LOL I think that's part of my problem....I'm an immediate gratification kind of girl. LOL which certainly doesnt' help when trying to lose weight.

However, I am counting calories like crazy and have done a good job so far today. I ran 3+ miles this morning as a start to my day and will do some strength training in the afternoon. I'm feeling really good about my day today. Haven't sat down hardly at all so far. Trying to keep myself busy.

Good for you! Sounds like you're on the right track. You'll be fine, patience is key girlie.

 

[slickzchik]

Wendy,

I know it's hard not to be discouraged- everyone wants to see instant gratification so they can stay motivated to continue. Try weighing yourself less often. I only weigh myself about once a month. I find that this helps me stay motivated because when I'm not weighing myself and I'm sticking to my plan, I can assume its working. And when weigh in time runs around, it feels so good to see that lower number and know its not just fluctuation. (Plus visually its a bigger loss than if i weighed myself every week, so it seems more signifigant).

About buying equipment, I'd definetly say check out buying stuff second hand. Look through classifieds, garage sales, thrift shops, online sites. . .it's a great thing to buy because so many people buy this stuff and never use it. So you can end up getting things practically new and way below retail!

Also, there are other ways to build lean muscle mass than weight lifting (not that I'm saying you shouldn't, just recommending some other options). Try visiting your local playground! Especially if you have kids, this can be a great option. When was the last time you played grounders? You can get a killer work out on a jungle gym. Even if your not playing a specific game, swinging around, clambering over things and hanging off bars causes use to use your body as resistance, gives you a core workout and works on your balance. (Just play hard!) And its really fun hehe.

You can join sports teams, take dance classes, or other classes(boxing, yoga etc.) Although mostly seen as cardio, I can say from personal experience with myself and others that you definetly build muscle and tone from these exercises. Most of these can be found moderately inexpensive at a local rec centre.

Take your kids or a friend for a climb on a rock wall. Think of all that upper body development. Visit a water park- all those stairs and swimming around and balancing in tubes- and its sooo much fun!

I think that the more you vary your workouts and try new things the more successful you will be, and the easier to stay on track. Maybe try lifting weights a couple days a week and than having one day set aside for a fun exercise activity.

Good Luck with whatever you decide, and have fun!

 

[wendy]

Wendy,

I know it's hard not to be discouraged- everyone wants to see instant gratification so they can stay motivated to continue. Try weighing yourself less often. I only weigh myself about once a month. I find that this helps me stay motivated because when I'm not weighing myself and I'm sticking to my plan, I can assume its working. And when weigh in time runs around, it feels so good to see that lower number and know its not just fluctuation. (Plus visually its a bigger loss than if i weighed myself every week, so it seems more signifigant).

About buying equipment, I'd definetly say check out buying stuff second hand. Look through classifieds, garage sales, thrift shops, online sites. . .it's a great thing to buy because so many people buy this stuff and never use it. So you can end up getting things practically new and way below retail!

Also, there are other ways to build lean muscle mass than weight lifting (not that I'm saying you shouldn't, just recommending some other options). Try visiting your local playground! Especially if you have kids, this can be a great option. When was the last time you played grounders? You can get a killer work out on a jungle gym. Even if your not playing a specific game, swinging around, clambering over things and hanging off bars causes use to use your body as resistance, gives you a core workout and works on your balance. (Just play hard!) And its really fun hehe.

You can join sports teams, take dance classes, or other classes(boxing, yoga etc.) Although mostly seen as cardio, I can say from personal experience with myself and others that you definetly build muscle and tone from these exercises. Most of these can be found moderately inexpensive at a local rec centre.

Take your kids or a friend for a climb on a rock wall. Think of all that upper body development. Visit a water park- all those stairs and swimming around and balancing in tubes- and its sooo much fun!

I think that the more you vary your workouts and try new things the more successful you will be, and the easier to stay on track. Maybe try lifting weights a couple days a week and than having one day set aside for a fun exercise activity.

Good Luck with whatever you decide, and have fun!

Those are all great ideas! I will check them out!!! Thanks! (BTW, I didn't weigh in today....yay for me! lol)