17 replies to this topic

[Pool Boy]

I started today to refocus on a better diet and some more activity in my life as well (today in fact). Planning on trying to lose 33-43 lbs, but will be happy with 23. Sensible portion sizes as weall as sugar and carb control is what helped me drop 45 lbs in 2008. 2009 sucked because of a variety of reasons, one of which was me falling off the 'eating better and exercising more' wagon for most of the year.

[Scott Johnston]

Alright! Great to have you with us!

I started today to refocus on a better diet and some more activity in my life as well (today in fact). Planning on trying to lose 33-43 lbs, but will be happy with 23. Sensible portion sizes as weall as sugar and carb control is what helped me drop 45 lbs in 2008. 2009 sucked because of a variety of reasons, one of which was me falling off the 'eating better and exercising more' wagon for most of the year.

[Pool Boy]

Exercise is my big albatross. I hate it with a passion, so, when I asked my doc two years ago what could I do, he said....'Walk.' So that is what I plan on doing, coupled with some gardening when it gets to be the right time and maybe some elliptical work when it is cold. Except yesterday I'd call my exercise a big old FAIL.

That said, Weight Watchers point system is my crutch for keeping it real. 35 points is what I am allowed per day and I only hit 28. What their site does is give me a sanity check on portion size, and a ruler to measure myself by.

My goal is not necessarily, too, to drop all 23 to 43 lbs by Memorial Day, but rather make steady progress to this goal to hit it by the end of 2010.

[bettyjoan]

I used to be the same way about exercise. Frankly, it's still not my favorite thing to do (I'd rather watch a movie or go shopping or read a book or any number of other things), but I finally figured out a way to incorporate it into my life. Walking and gardening sound like great ways for you to do the same. Are there any sports that you particularly enjoy? I know for some people, the whole hamster wheel feeling of the treadmill/elliptical/stairmaster is enough to ruin all motivation--so maybe there's something else that doesn't FEEL like exercise that could actually BE exercise?

[KMango]

A couple of years ago when I was getting back into cardio exercising, I found that I hated it as well. It was just too damn hard, and I felt awful afterwards.

One tool that completely turned that around for me was a heart rate monitor. I learned that what I had been doing was, in fact, too damn hard. I was working out far more strenuously than I needed to in order to achieve my target heart rate zone.

Once I backed off the exertion with a little biofeedback help from my device, I was soon on a more sustainable path to making exercise a regular part of my life. Polar was the brand I went with before, but there are lots of other models available now.

Now if only there were such a magic bullet for weight training…at least my kettlebells are kind of fun.

(or something)

[leleboo]

Now if only there were such a magic bullet for weight training…at least my kettlebells are kind of fun.

(or something)

That's what I miss about dancing--it made me do strength/stretch (yoga, Pilates) that I sadly let fall by the wayside now. Alas.

But to piggyback on what KMango said ... pay attention to your body. And don't knock the health benefits of strength training, stretching, and/or "exercise that doesn't feel like exercise"... bowling, dancing lessons, Wii ping-pong, anyone?

[LauraB]

Wii ping-pong, anyone?

Actually, wii is a great idea! I don't have a wii, but several of my friends do and they all say they've lost weight 'playing sports' (tennis seems to be a favorite) on their wiis.

[leleboo]

Actually, wii is a great idea! I don't have a wii, but several of my friends do and they all say they've lost weight 'playing sports' (tennis seems to be a favorite) on their wiis.

Yeah, I was serious. You don't even need to buy the games that are specifically "for" fitness (like WiiFit). Bowling, ping-pong, boxing (on WiiSports), and even more games from WiiSports Resort can really get you working. (And not just for beginner exercisers. I do 30-60 minutes of moderate to intense cardio 6-7 days a week*, but the boxing in particular will get my heart rate up some, and because I don't strength train as much as I should, leave my arms sore the next day.)

*don't think you have to do this, anyone. If I'm honest with myself, I probably overtrain...not setting a good example.

[Pool Boy]

I used to be the same way about exercise. Frankly, it's still not my favorite thing to do (I'd rather watch a movie or go shopping or read a book or any number of other things), but I finally figured out a way to incorporate it into my life. Walking and gardening sound like great ways for you to do the same. Are there any sports that you particularly enjoy? I know for some people, the whole hamster wheel feeling of the treadmill/elliptical/stairmaster is enough to ruin all motivation--so maybe there's something else that doesn't FEEL like exercise that could actually BE exercise?

Yes, exercise is -- feh. I will never like it. I feel better when I do get some regularly though, and it certainly keeps you active. I don't really enjoy sports, and the same goes for lifting weights. I'm a slug at heart, so walking and gardening are going to likely be my best options. Walking is good, it helps break up the day at work. Now, since I haven't actually done any walking yet, I'll start tomorrow or Monday latest. Gotta get the impetus somehow.

[Pool Boy]

End of Week #1 (well, it was abbreviated, but so what) -- dropped 4+ lbs. Probably a weird anomaly but I am not complaining. I even walked for a bit today.

[Pool Boy]

Dropped only a fraction of a pound this week, despite increased walking. Looking back at what I ate, my weekdays have been using up more of my (allowed) daily points from WW than last week, but also still very sensible. This happened, though, the last time I did this. I'll pick up again next week I think.

[Pool Boy]

Down HUGE this week after obviously sticking to the diet and also walking. Down over 10lbs now in 3 weeks. Clearly, I will be up next week, but I'm not complaining!

[Pool Boy]

Still down about 9lbs after falling off the wagon by heading to NYC last weekend and eating until I almost exploded. Getting back on the wagon on Monday.

[Pool Boy]

Struggling a bit of late, even though exercise has improved. It's too hard at times to avoid good food. Oy.

[porcupine]

Struggling a bit of late, even though exercise has improved. It's too hard at times to avoid good food. Oy.

Don't avoid good food - eat less of it. Really.

[Pool Boy]

Don't avoid good food - eat less of it. Really.

Oh I am not avoiding it. But one thing that is helpin gof late is making sure I get out and walk (and mulch) regularly.

[Pool Boy]

It's getting harder. Managed to drop a total of 13 lbs to date, but it is not easy. 9 hours per weekend gardening, walking 45 minutes every day and generally eating with an eye towards losing weight during the week is making me successfully lose weight, but it's not as easy this go around. Perhaps because I am allowing myself to veer slightly on certain things. But it is a long, slow and gradual process. And I'm OK with that.

[Pool Boy]

Down about 18lbs. Not my ultimate target, but my doctor says I no longer *need* to lose weight -- though he's happy and fine with me doing so. I take that as pretty good. ;-)