July 2010 exercise/failing to lose weight thread

[helen098]

Went to the gym last night after work, walked both ways in the heat and did my whole
cardio/strength thing. Feeling pretty proud of myself for keeping it up so long (since oct)
and now consider the gym just another thing to do but one I do kind of enjoy

I was dreading the summer as I can feel every extra pound I am dragging around and
It’s even worst than I thought/feared.

even though no weight loss (a gain of 10 pound since oct) I have toned up a lot and my legs
do look good (still need to work harder on the thighs but I have hated how they look since 7th grade
so it will take time) people think I lost weight (which is nice to hear even if it’s not true)

going tomorrow after noon and next week will be back to three times.

Am waiting for the results of my blood work to see if my thyroid is still normal
And am looking into going to a weight loss center at NYU (if my insurance will pay)

[BrownBagger]

You go, girl. Exercise is its own reward.

[Jon Olis]

I think it really can come down to diet. I ride 3-4 times a week on the mountain bike. Burn crazy calories but find if I don't watch what I eat it is difficult to lose weight and I don't have a colon. My real problem is when I do a 3000 foot climb, the next day I'm starving and over eat because I feel like my body needs it. I'm happy with my weight, but at times I want to loose 5 lbs to get faster for a race and I find that difficult. I'm 6'3", 210 lbs, 42 years old. If I eat sensible I seem to be able to loose a few pounds without a problem.

[NWgirl]

I've always believed that a sensible diet and exercise are the only real way to lose weight and keep it off. I exercised my entire adult life until I got cancer. Going through chemo, I was waaaaaay to sick. I could barely perform the basic tasks of taking care of me and my 2 young kiddos. Then after ileo reversal (and since), my bowels have been so problematic, it's been futile. BUT - I do what I can when I can. Whether that's a short walk, working in the yard/garden (I do a lot of that as I can run to the bathroom quickly - and just stop if/when I need to), whatever. But I have put on the pounds. In my never ending attempt to "fix" my problems, one of the changes I have made recently (under a doctors supervision) was to give up dairy and to not eat fruit/sugar within 4 hours of each other. The fruit/sugar thing is really hard logistically - so I've pretty much decided to just not eat sugar if I can possibly avoid it. I find when I don't eat sugar, I feel a lot better.

At first giving up dairy was hard. But its been a couple of months now and I can honestly say I don't miss it all that much. I still can eat eggs, bacon (I know - bad, bad, bad), mayo (more bad, bad, bad), avocado, honey and real maple syrup. These things make me feel like I'm not having to sacrifice. On a burger, instead of cheese I just use mayo/ketchup. On cold cuts, mayo and/or avocado - yummmm. Oatmeal with honey. Pancakes made w/soy milk, blueberries and real maple syrup. My point being - I've had to switch things around a bit - but I don't feel like I'm being deprived. And crazy as this sounds, food tastes better. Not a night and day difference, but my taste buds are much more sensitive. Processed foods taste worse - fresh foods taste better.

But the surprising change is that I've lost weight - almost 10 lbs. And that's JUST from diet - my exercise hasn't changed at all. I also find that I'm not as hungry as I used to be.

My doctor did a blood test on me that determined I was "intolerant" to dairy (not allergic - but intolerant) and evidently my body just doesn't process it well. I don't eat ANY dairy now - not even as an ingredient in something else. It requires a little more work and planning on my part, but it does seem to be helping my body and yeah, I've lost weight. Amazing.

Just a thought - you might want to discuss any possible food intolerances and/or allergies with your doctor. Maybe something similar might help you. It does sound like you have made tremendous progress though - kudos to you!!!!!! Keep up the good work - don't be frustrated just because it's not visible on the scale. Keep what works - let go of the rest. It sounds like you're headed in the right direction. I'm really happy for you - you go girl!!!!

[SkiFletch]

Helen, I hesitate to ask this, but any chance you've been monitoring other physical parameters like leg/arm/waist size? I remember when I first started exercising, I gained about 5lbs but lost close to an inch off the waist while gaining an inch in the chest and 1/2 in the arms/legs. Muscle does weigh more than fat and would make sense if people are saying you "look" better, despite the weigth difference you're seeing.

Personally, "formal" exercising has taken a back seat now that I bought a house. Although home repairs are actually pretty trying core work. Especially all the ripping down of stuff we did tearing the kitchen to the studs. And hauling all that crap out down a flight of stairs and out the long driveway to the dumpster is not exactly easy. Think I'll get the chance to workout formally once more either mon or tues before the hike on Friday. Can't wait to climb that mountain after today's good news. Going to be an even more special accomplishment

[BrownBagger]

You bought a house? As in mortgage?

Now you can be miserable like the rest of us.

I do enjoy doing renovations. I'm not much of a carpenter, but am a fair hand at plumbing, painting and plaster restoration. My approach to wiring is: "If it trips the breaker, it's probably not wired up right."

[SkiFletch]

Now you can be miserable like the rest of us

Yeah, I already am . My father owns a maintenance company that services a few condo complexes covering close to 500 units in total so the two of us are doing most of the "tricky" stuff and leaving the painting to the friends/relatives who offered to help . Doesn't mean there's not a MOUNTAIN of work to be done on a house that's over the century mark. Funny Eric, I primarily do electricity and electronics for a living and I sometimes apply your exact approach to wiring

[helen098]

I have lost 3 inches on my waist, 2 on my hips but gained 2 on my chest
don't know whats happening to my fat it seems to be moving around

went on sat walked a lot than day to, so today is a relax in the AC kind of day

am going to the gym tomorrow after work, plan to start the week strong

[PGLGreg]

people think I lost weight (which is nice to hear even if it’s not true)

Maybe it's true, in the sense you've lost some fat-weight, even though you might not have lost any total weight.

[Jon Olis]

I have lost 3 inches on my waist, 2 on my hips but gained 2 on my chest

Weight off the waist and hips and onto the chest? Doesn't sound like a bad thing to me.

[wwroam]

Gyms and weight loss don't necessarily go hand in hand.
Just over 8 years ago my partner was diagnosed with Wegener's Granulomatosis. The first line treatment was Cycloblastin ( now replaced by Imuran) and Prednisone. The steroid caused immediate and continuing weight gain. After about 2 years she started going to gym, and even by reducing calorific intake, there was no weight loss. In the meantime she has had one knee replacement, and the second knee may ultimately require replacement. The clincher though came in February when her specialist told her she must start losing weight immediately, or she would ultimately be facing dialysis or even organ replacement. This focuses the mind more than weight loss for cosmetic reasons. She rejoined weightwatchers, exercises only lightly ( has to be with one crook knee), and has followed the program to the letter. The result is a loss of 17 kg. As she has now been retired for 16 months, she does have the time to devote to exercise and meals. The other consequence is that I have also lost weight, even though that wasn't on the agenda. There are a lot of similarities between diet for cancer survivors and a balanced weight loss program diet.
As much as I wish you success in weight loss, I suspect that gym exercise may not be appropriate.

[helen098]

Its just difficult when you are trying and no one believes you.
At first it was well you need to work out diet alone doesn’t help
Now I am doing both and still no difference on the scale

Maybe it’s muscle but it’s hiding under a layer of fat I think
The toning is great though I really don’t need anymore on my chest
Though if I have to gain it somewhere it’s better than on my thighs

[helen098]

Went after work was early so I had time to walk both ways, cardio, strength and the sauna.
Felt good but my feet hurt.

Today the neuropathy is real bad, have been getting the shocks all last night and this morning
Took ½ a vicoden last night, feel hung over and in pain today
Very grumpy – medium size bear today may be a very large angry bear by tonight

On a positive note my blood work is all normal, the thyroid is still normal they say.
Made an appointment to go to NYU weight loss center next tue to see what they can do for me
I am very excited for a doc to finally believe I am trying and hopefully find out why I can’t lose any weight

One work out done and it’s only Tuesday

[Phuong]

A friend of mine is a chef and has catered for celebrity events. Recently she has been posting healthy versions of her various recipes and they always great. She also posts things on not only what works for her, but why. Check out her blog and I hope you find recipes you like.
http://mailihealthyrecipes.blogspot.com/

[SkiFletch]

Well, it's on. After work tomorrow, Kelly and I leave for Lake Placid to tackle Giant Mountain and Saddleback Ridge. I've been yammering on about it for months now and it's finally here. Can't wait to get to the summit, gonna be really cool