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Theoretically, I have arrived.
I have, of course, noticed a difference in my shape, having lost 22 lbs. My clothes are looser ( I am down at least one pant size- from wearing a tight size 14 to a loose 12 or even 10) and my face has lost that "full" look and my skin is a bit looser around my shoulders and my thighs must have shrunk some since my bike shorts are loose and no longer hug my leg.
But my gut, my dear, dear gut, remains.
I wish I could blame menopause. Menopause has done some unkind things to me (super hot flashes, periods of deep despair and great highs, (thanks to fluctuating hormones), and - the worst- a profound thinning of what was already a thin head of hair.) But I don't think that the round belly is a menopause-thing, since I've had it all my life. Three pregnancies that left a battlefield of stretch marks hasn't helped, either. My stomach, in the mirror, looks alien compared to women/girls that I see in bikinis.
But, here it is, friends. It is what it is.
I have started ( revived) a weight lifting program at the gym since my knees can't support my old love of running. ( 5 marathons under my belt and years and years of training.) Now I am spinning twice a week, yoga once a week and lifting weights three times a week (with a 20 minute elliptical warm up) I guess I COULD ( should) add lots of crunches to my routine if I ever want to change my stomach but... I can't seem to do that.
Not motivated at all.
So, that's it.
I'm going to continue on my "reducing" plan ( 1500 calories ) through 1 May and see where I am then.
And then, it will be the great MAINTENANCE trick.
I have lost the same 20,30, 40 lbs. about 7 or 8 times, now, and I am so tired of that. (look at my weight history if you don't believe me)
Help.
Any MAINTENANCE DIVAS or KINGS out there?
Blessings on the first full day of spring!
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149.2 lb
Lost so far: 33.6 lb.
Still to go: 0 lb.
Diet followed reasonably well.
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Diet Calendar Entries for 21 March 2014:
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1325 kcal
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Fat: 40.15g | Prot: 82.35g | Carb: 161.51g.
Breakfast: Chobani Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt, 365 Organic Steel Cut Oats. Lunch: Go Raw Chocolate Super Cookies, Celery, Euro Fresh Farms Campari Tomatoes, Dole Broccoli Slaw, Earthbound Farm Romaine, World Catch Wild Salmon, Bolthouse Farms Thousand Island Yogurt Dressing. Dinner: Cooked Pigeon Peas (from Canned, Fat Not Added in Cooking), White Rice, Cos or Romaine Lettuce, Ripe Plantain, Ham (Whole, Cured, Roasted). more...
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1915 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Weight Training (moderate) - 17 minutes, Exercise machine (moderate) - 20 minutes, Resting - 15 hours and 23 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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losing 1.8 lb a week
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 Comments
plenty of ways to build a strong core without doing crunches (they really arent all that effective, its like riding a bike to build leg muscles)
21 Mar 14 by member: chadlius88
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Congrats, Revaudrey. That's an awesome accomplishment. And don't worry about the gut. When I got to the size I want to be, I still had (have) ridiculous thighs. Big shrug. And I have to contend with the extra skin. So I'm not any more beautiful but I am a whole lot more energetic and healthy. Yay us!
21 Mar 14 by member: dcwalker
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thanks for the support, dcwalker. Chadlius88: what do you recommend, if not crunches?
21 Mar 14 by member: Revaudrey
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do all of your weight lifting while standing or sitting on a balance ball. Almost all compound lifts engage your core. Some examples: standing military press, clean and press, standing barbell curls, squats, deadlifts, chin-ups, anything you do that takes some balance while under load. My favorite core exercise by far is a $10 Gold's Gym abs wheel that you can find at wal-mart, not only does it work your abs, it works your back, shoulders, chest, and triceps as well! Once you can do 100 with proper form and no breaks, you can change the starting position to standing rather than being on your knees. cable crunches are a close second.
21 Mar 14 by member: chadlius88
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Congrats! As a 44 year old mom of four I get the skin and gut issue. I have maintained overall for 3 years in a healthy range but recently went vegan and my gut issue has nearly disappeared. Add 1 lb. of raw vegetables a day and you would be AMAZED at how much the swelling decreases! Just a thought :)
21 Mar 14 by member: melodypahlow
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Try to find Northernmusician here in FS (too bad that the site doesn't allow tagging people!) he has been doing so well and might be able to give you some tips. Congrats on your loss and keep going!
21 Mar 14 by member: Chickturu
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As Chadlius88 said, lots of other exercise (including yoga) activates your "core" muscles. That said, I have had loose skin since my 2nd pregnancy (out of three) and even at my thinnest and fittest, I had the "v" shaped junk sticking out of my underwear. Some underwear help mask it, but I have toyed with the idea of a tummy tuck multiple times. Working as a nurse in the hospital and watching post-operative tummy tuck patients cured me of that, lol. Liposuction is useless. Crunches don't make it go away. I won't speak for the vegan diet, but it isn't really swelling we're talking about, it's SKIN. In fact, I feel like my belly looks better with a little fat to smooth out those folds, lol. When I lose weight, I am just reminded of how much I hate the extra skin! I say accept it as a badge of motherhood and move on. Wear clothes that mask it and OWN your fitness, knowing you are healthier and happier.
21 Mar 14 by member: gilliansings
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Oops, forgot to say congratulations on reaching your goal and keeping it off! You sound like a peppy, happy, motivated woman that I can look up to. I want to stay active for my entire life and it's wonderful to meet other women that feel the same!
21 Mar 14 by member: gilliansings
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