<p>Snowflake,
"MiamiDAP, this is my first all-inclusive and first Mexico trip … My resort is very clean and nice and service is excellent. I did see some hotels that make me glad I am here (Iberostar). "
-I am glad you choose Iberostar. that is where we go every year. We have stayed at different places in Cozumel, including more expansive “El Presidente” However, we stick to Iberostar. The main reason (it might be just a specific location) is because they have off-shore snorkeling under pier. I cannot take a boat trips. Our main entertainment during vacatiion is snorkeling. Having it under pier allow us not to go on a boat trips and not to go thru the rock, but rather get in a water by using pier stairs. However, Iberostar has absolutely every attraction for us, except evening entertainment, there is no great shows like in other hotels, which might be different in Cancun. The grounds at Cozumel Iberostar is like some tropical Botanical Gardens, we love to walk there as well as on a beach all the way to the third hotel.
There is NO WAY that you would not gain there. I am telling you that so that you are easy on yourself. Food is soooo great, there is no reason to deprive yourself. They have freshly squized juices every morning and salmon at absolutely all lunches and dinners. Deserts are way beyond anything that you have ever tasted, guarantee!!! Make sure to have this coconut ice cream, yummm! I do not even like pina colada, way to sweat for me, I believe they have another drink similar to it, but it is also very heavy but not as sweat. We stick to the one with mint leaves (I can never remember the names), but we do not drink much there, just very busy having fun. At least 7 lbs on me after each trip. And I exercise for more than 2 hours every day, for sure, I swim, we walk, we played lots of ping pong and I was told that I am good (I am not, but my H. is pretty good), all of it is just pure fun there, all on a beach.
I hope you will also have fun at your Iberostar!
Have a great trip!</p>
<p>I am reading Wheat Belly. Not sure what to make of it. But eating less bread does help in the weight loss, I know. Can’t go without carbs, though. I need some or my brain ceases to function. Had some einkorn spaghetti last night (ancient form of wheat) just to try it out. It was fine. And it does have some vitamins, apparently, unlike most forms of pasta. I am off to try some zumba now. I am not good at it, at all. It is a challenge. But challenge is good, right?</p>
<p>Calorie intake daily : 1200
1200 x 7 days a week (bl4ke says they took NO days off!) = 8400 calories a week</p>
<p>Running 3 hours per day @4mph (very moderate) for 150 pound person = 1700 calories burned per day
1700 x 7 days a week = 11900 calories burned</p>
<p>Lifting weights 1 hour a day for 150 lb person = 235 calories burned
235 calories x 7 days a week = 1645 calories a week</p>
<p>Intake calories: 8400
Calories burned thru exercise: 13545
Deficit 5145 calories
And that’s not even moving another step beyond exercise!</p>
<p>(numbers used moderate numbers provided on calorie calculating tools)</p>
<p>Yes, I decided bl4ke was a ■■■■■.</p>
<p>Re Wheat Belly & wheat in general: Someone told me the other day that the rise in gluten sensitivity is linked to the development of a pest-resistant strain of wheat in the 1950s. Insects avoid it but apparently it’s not good for humans either. (some humans.)</p>
<p>Interesting idea.</p>
<p>Phooey. Just found out the zumba morning class will be cancelled as of next week. And I was just starting to feel like I was kinda sorta getting the hang of it. :(</p>
<p>MiamiDAP, yes, Iberostar Cancun has very good evening entertainment. I did spend one day at Iberostar COzumel while my family did diving there. Too many smokers by the pool but I loved the peacocks walking around freely. </p>
<p>For exercise this week I learned to salsa, merenge and tango … Too bad I didn’t bring dancing clothes to go out and practice more! I don’t think the water aerobics lasted long enough to count as exercise, but I did that. Water polo was the most intense, but I only did that one day as I think I pulled a muscle competing against all the tall Latino 20-something’s. next time I come I vow to be leaner and meaner … Look out Latin chickas!</p>
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<p>I am a student, and my story is 100% true. I even have before/after pictures to prove it. I don’t see what’s hard to believe about it, it’s simple math. Calories out - calories in = losing weight. The more you burn calories the more weight you lose. If everyone realized this, there wouldn’t be a point to this thread.</p>
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<p>No I’m not being sarcastic. How did I run 3 hours a day when I was 50 pounds overweight? How do some NFL players that weigh 400 pounds run all day for that matter? This goes back to what I said about making excuses. You have the ability to run 3 hours a day, you’re just convincing yourself that you can’t because you don’t really want to.</p>
<p>Are you a male or female bl4ke???</p>
<p>Are you an average of 50 years +like most of us are??</p>
<p>Have you been an athlete of any sport in recent years? Most of us never were or have not been for decades.</p>
<p>I’m guessing that most of us would not be foolish enough to risk our health and gain 50 pounds VERY quickly and on purpose - how dangerous to your health! Some of us may have 50 pounds to lose that has been gained over decades - some us actually look pretty darn good but would like to lose a FEW pounds, maintain our already lost weight, or just get in better shape - and one more thing - this is the MOST IMPORTANT - we are here on this thread to learn, try and hopefully succeed, with the non-judgmental SUPPORT of each other. </p>
<p>Most of us are not hard core enthusiasts , but dang, we have a desire to better ourself - and as a health care worker, I can tell you that is BEST done slowly and steadily over time.</p>
<p>So can you relate? Can you offer advice but mostly support? Can you leave your tough love in another place???</p>
<p>bl4ke360 is ready for the OTHER thread, I think…</p>
<p>Also good point , ellenpope - this thread was started as a alternative to the diet/exercise thread for more hard core enthusiasts. There is a place ere for us too - as is evidenced by the many pages of the thread!!</p>
<p>I think I would be pretty good at the “putting on 50 pounds” part…</p>
<p>ellen, hope your cold gets better soonest!</p>
<p>I’m back to my pre-holiday weight and just in time. I’ve offered to accompany my mom on a cruise (she really isn’t able to travel alone anymore and has missed cruising). So we’re going on a 10 day Holland America cruise to the southern Caribbean at the beginning of March. I’m going to be like a Victorian companion, fetching her fan and shawl, ordering tea from the footman, riding backwards in the carriage, etc.</p>
<p>I think the drinks will be my biggest challenge since I seem to be pretty good at portion control during meals. I’ll try to do a lot of walking on the ship and use the stairs rather than the elevator when I’m not with Mom. But just in case I’m hoping take it down a few pounds before we embark. And - another excuse to wear my new summer clothes!</p>
<p>Marilyn, enjoy your cruise with your mama, that is so sweet. I do regret that I didn’t get a pedicure and cute resort clothes before this vacation, but next time, I will make it part of my 2-month prep (with the exercise,of course).</p>
<p>I imagine Bl4ke is younger than me, and has better knees, and a better back. Almost certain that is the case, LOL. But even when I was younger, with the good knees and back, 4 hour a day workouts were not in the picture. Hope to lose weight even though workouts vary from 30 min. to maybe 2 hours max. With the occasional 3-4 hour hike in there. </p>
<p>Ellemenope – I know I could put on 50, since I was able to put on 25 in a few months of stress. It’s scary how easy it is to do!</p>
<p>So, okay, not going to lose 50 in three months. 15-20 maybe? That’s what I’m hoping for. Down 13 since Thanksgiving. Woohoo!</p>
<p>mstee- you go girl! Losing through the holidays is a great achievement!</p>
<p>Congrats, mstee!
You obviously skipped by all the Christmas cookies that I didn’t.</p>
<p>I agree 100% that all calories are not created equal. By limiting my carb intake and raising my protein intake along with more veggies and fruit (in moderation) I have been able to finally succeed. What I meant by simple math was in response to Bl4ke.</p>
<p>snowflake
“Too many smokers by the pool but I loved the peacocks walking around freely.”
-I am swimming in the pool when there is no single person there, in a water or around. So, I do not even know how many smokers by the pool, we do not use it at all. We snorkel in the ocean many times / day. Pool is way too busy area.
Peacocks were the worst thing last year, we are hoping that they got rid of them, they scream during nights, nobody likes them. We have few pictures, but I would exchange them for the quiet nights. I hope you do not have them in Cancun.</p>
<p>Is it possible to eat too much fruit? I am eating fruit that I don 't even have a name for but it is delicious. And can you eat too much pico de gallo? </p>
<p>I hope I will have the fortitude to cut up half as many fresh fruits and vegetables at home as I have had on vacation.</p>
<p>I am frustrated beyond belief with my weight loss efforts. </p>
<p>Background info- In 2009, I lost 65 pounds over about 7 months by eating a high protein, low carb diet (one carb serving per meal, as much protein as I wanted), doing cardio (exercise bike interval programs) 3x/week and weight training (Have a Weider machine at home) 4 x/week. I also drank 96 oz. of water a day. Then, I hit a plateau. I’ve maintained this weight loss for 3-4 years now… awesome. I still have 40-50 pounds to lose though and I am STUCK. During the maintenance phase, I would gain 10 or 15, then get myself in check and lose it again relatively easily. We had a weight loss contest at work from Sept-Nov. and I decided to enter it and follow my really strict program again to break this plateau. I was very careful, cut all junk food out, etc. but only lost 3-4 pounds and still did not break this plateau number. </p>
<p>To complicate things, I have Crohn’s Disease and cannot eat any insoluble fiber without being sick. That eliminates vegetables, fruits with peels or seeds, lettuce (really sends me over the edge when I eat lettuce), nuts and whole grains of any kind. I can eat squash but really only like spaghetti squash. I can eat melons, bananas, canned fruits, and fruits like apples if I peel them. </p>
<p>I’m starting to think that without being able to eat vegetables, I simply cannot eat few enough calories without being very hungry, to get past this plateau. I also know that my metabolism, at times, has been so low that I gained weight being on IVs while consuming nothing by mouth. That’s why the exercise part was so important for me. The only time in my adult life that I’ve been below 200 pounds was when I was living on popsicles, jello and broth for 6 months until they diagnosed the Crohn’s. </p>
<p>I would really like to lose 40 more pounds and I’m out of ideas.</p>