<p>I lost 20 or 30 pounds a few years back on the lo-carb diet combined with no exercise. Of course, I was also smoking and nicotine has some physiological effects on metabolism and the way the body processes sugars. The weight came off fast, but left me craving carbs, and came right back on.</p>
<p>This time, I’m really focused on improving my level of fitness. I figure that by adding exercise and subtracting cans of Pringles and sour gummy worms, the weight should come off. I figure I was probably at 250 calories a day over weight equilibrium. I’m not really where I want to be on cutting out snack grazing, but I’m made some progress. When my wife made brownies for a work function, I had one brownie during the day, one third at a time. Before, I just would have scarfed down three brownies.</p>
<p>Congrats, idad. I also think that one can get used to considering an apple a real snack. It’s just a matter of becoming accustomed to it, and also a matter of brainwashing yourself to think that it’s tasty. </p>
<p>(As a teenager, with a few pounds to lose and lots of acne, I was persuaded that potato chips made my acne worse. After a while, I couldn’t bear the thought of ingesting all that grease. They really disgusted me, so I stopped eating potato chips for years. I think one can pretty much do the same sort of brainwashing with many sweets.)</p>
<p>(Although, truth be told, I do now eat chips occasionally. Maybe once every eight weeks or so.)</p>
<p>I have posted this on this thread before, but I have had good results with my food/exercise journal re cutting back on snacking. I write down every bite I eat. Each meal or snack has a separate entry. If I eat something that is fattening or not healthy, I circle it. I am trying not to snack after dinner, so if I make that goal, I note it in a special way. This writing down all the food really keeps me accountable. (I also note exercise and amount of sleep.)</p>
<p>Potato chips…sigh…I get those once a year for my birthday. I absolutely love them, but they are like a drug to me.</p>
<p>interesteddad- Great progress! That is solid weight loss and it’s neat that you can really feel the improvement in your fitness level.</p>
<p>I ran today. I didn’t run on March 20, 2009. Today marks what we call a “Streak” of 1 year. It’s sort of stupid, but I did it. I had no thoughts of the streak actually lasting a year, but I didn’t get sick or injured, and I just kept it up. The minimum run was a mile, and I only had a few days of only 1 mile (the day after marathons, etc). The hardest was running after my bad fall(s) in my October marathon when I severely bruised my ribs, but I knew it wasn’t making anything worse to run- it just hurt. So- 365 day streak in the bag. Maybe I’ll take tomorrow off. (or not)</p>
<p>missypie- be thankful you got a whole cake. My H would decide we don’t “need” cake and buy one piece by the slice for the 3 of us living at home to share. Or one cupcake. It is hard living with someone who just doesn’t get that sometimes we just need or want to eat something that tastes good but might not be good for us.</p>
<p>Mom60 - I told you this before, but I think our DH’s were separated at birth. </p>
<p>MoWC - wow!!! That is impressive. You are just one determined gal, aren’t you? What I admire most is your commitment to getting your stuff on and getting out the door, those are the “steps” that stop most of us.</p>
<p>Had a great day today. Here in the northeast, another sparkling day. Went for a 5K walk at moderate pace 4.8 mph with DH actually racewalking beside me. The last time he was out for a run in this neighborhood, he had another incident and the defib kicked in - so after a consultation with cardiologist, monitor specialist, and change in medication, we took to the road. The walk was uneventful - which in our household is reason to celebrate.</p>
<p>Is this abnormal? As I have posted before my H eats well,exercises and wears the same size as he did at age 18. He does not eat much considering his level of activity. His build is small but he is muscular and not skinny though he is a 28 waist. Usually cereal for breakfast, lunch is 3 days a week almonds, some form of protein bar or granola type of bar (mainly nuts and fruit, not chocolate for him) and a apple and a banana. He does eat out 2 days a week. Eats a good amount of dinner. Will occasionally eat a few spoons of ice cream or couple of small cookies. But this is rare. He does like Mexican food and will eat chips. He is also willing to drink alcohol so is not totally extreme.
Now for the odd part. He can engage in physical activity for hours without getting out of breath. This morning he played 4 hours straight of beach volleyball. 2 on 2. His first 8 games were with players 15 yrs younger. They stopped because the younger guys were winded. He switched partners and played another 4 games without getting winded. He can play 2 hours of singles tennis and head down to the beach for 2 hours of volleyball and not be out of breath. He usually quits because his playmates are tired. His body does get sore. He can also ride 50 miles on a bike without having been on a bike in years without a problem. His level of play in volleyball and tennis is high. We are not talking games that are slow paced.
How can this be? Is he in such good shape that he doesn’t get out of breath? Or does his body and lungs just not work like most of us. Does he get the cardio benefit if he isn’t getting out of breath?</p>
<p>Great job, everyone! MOfWC, your sponsor Brooks made some money off of us today - H got new running shoes from the outlet. The store was BUSY.</p>
<p>wnp - I dunno, I dunno… They might not not need viagra, but “busy themselves outdoors” does not seem to wear them out… At least some of them :)</p>
<p>H and I went for our Saturday “beer & wine walk” instead of a regular run. The trail was packed with all sorts of walkers and runners and bicyclists of all abilities, from “lances” to “biking for dummies” types. Next weekend is going to be lifting time - we need to spread some beauty bark and mulch.</p>
<p>I found an article in a magazine about how to train from being able to do an easy two miles (that’s me) to running a half marathon in eight weeks. Dare I dream? </p>
<p>I might just follow some of the training schedule and see how much progress I can make. There’s no urgency; there’s no half marathon I’m looking at; I’d just like to increase my distance somewhat. </p>
<p>MOWC, do you listen to music while you run?</p>
<p>mom60. Your H is probably blessed with good genes for maximum oxygen uptake or VO2 max. I saw a show on this a while back. Here’s an excerpt I read from an online article:
"Genetics plays a major role in a persons VO2 max and heredity can account for up to 25-50% of the variance seen between individuals. The highest ever recorded VO2 max is 94 ml/kg/min in men and 77 ml/kg/min in women. Both were cross-country skiers. " </p>
<p>Me? I’m always trying to keep up with my H - who is several years older but has exercised vigorously all of his life. He was a runner, but a bad knee forced him to take up biking and he’s out there almost every day…on hills. Lately, we’ve been biking together on weekends in the warm weather. Long rides…20 to 30 miles. The first few tries for this activity were not pretty. Lots of yelling and screaming (from me mostly) about him not waiting for me :)</p>
<p>But I got my legs, increased my stamina and I keep up just fine now. In fact we are REALLY fast. Went out TWICE this past weekend. Gorgeous weather. LOTS of miles. Fun. I"M SO HAPPY TO WELCOME SPRING!!</p>
<p>Twenty-four pounds GONE! One more pound and then I will be half-way to my goal of 50 lbs. I am assigned to my first Red Cross Disaster Team in May. And I will be so much healthier because of taking care of myself and will be better able to care for others in my county if there is a fire/tornado/flood, etc.</p>
<p>Dear All,
Have lost 35 pounds in the past year through portion control and journaling (writing it down!!Doesn’t matter what it is (including low-cal beer) but add it up). Am a former 5 time marathoner and serious tennis player but none of that did it. Had knee surgery, then still couldn’t play tennis, porked up a bit and then got serious about weight control. It DOES feel better…and it looks better too. Have a daughter, sophomore @ Hopkins and a son senior in high school who’s waiting to see where he can play football in college (we’ll know any day now!!) and where he can have a great education. Also have a supportive husband. Lucky me. Today also my 24th anniversary. Yay! This stuff (waiting for college news for son) makes me edgy, but am still keeping things under control. No overeating or overdrinking from nervousness. All personal improvement enthusiasts, throw away fat clothes! Then, there’s no turning back no matter what. All the best and happy spring!</p>
<p>Fantastistic stuff! 25 and 35 pounds is serious weight. That’s like a whole giant bag of charcoal briguettes (that’s hard to lift out of the car) that you are no longer carrying with you every where you go!</p>
<p>Eddieoddessa: I’m a newcomer. When did you start losing the 25 pounds?</p>
<p>Eddieoddessa, that is fantasic!! I’m about 3.5 lbs from my half way mark. My weight is coming off every week, even if only 1/2 lb. so I’m so happy! It would be amazing if I could win the office biggest loser contest. There are 17 or so of us in it & I’ve won the weekly weigh in for lbs about 5 times (some were ties.) The official end is Apr. 9 and goes by % lost not weight lost, so it’s anybody’s game. However the true goal is to look & feel fabu by May 22 or so for Mel’s graduation. Keep up the good work you LOSERS! :)</p>
<p>Thanks Toneranger.
Another weekend of house guests. I am holding my weight loss but have not lost any weight in two weeks. I also haven’t exercised in almost 4 days. I need to get back into my routine.
Way to go EddiesOdessa and Melsmom.</p>