|
No weigh in this morning, although I did keep my calories 1,000 below what I burned for the day. Feeling bloated and don't want to step on my own high :) I ate some of my snacks late last night and that always seems to make me feel bloated and heavier in the morning. Still pumped, still feeling energized and positive. Oh, side note. I'm doing the Insanity workout (intense) and the Slim in 6 workout (moderate, but great sculpting) and I'd found another Beach Body workout dvd called Thin Thighs Guaranteed! It's an 8 min. routine, 10 or 12 if you do the "bonus" moves. Hokey name, to be sure, but it did the job for me- I bought it! I've struggled with "fat" legs all my life, so the title really caught my eye. Couldn't find it cheap anywhere, so ordered it through Amazon (love me my Amazon!) and think it was like $20. Not free shipping as it was used and thru the Marketplace. Anyway, I was so excited to get it and needed to burn a few more calories before going to bed last night (trying hard to get that 1,000 cal. deficit!) so I popped it in and did the workout. I've gotta say, I'm disappointed! Not that the moves won't/don't work. Just that they're the same moves I'm currently doing already with the Slim in 6! Ugh...I hate it when I blow money needlessly! I mean, all is not lost, I can still pop it in when I have a few calories to burn (low calorie burner, but great sculpting) or just feel I didn't work my legs enough that day. Or just have a few minutes and know I NEED to do something. But still...oh well, live and learn. So if anyone out there is interested in getting thinner thighs, just stick with the Slim in 6 and you'll get that PLUS a full body workout.
I'm still really hoping that all this exercise and muscle building will help tighten up some skin. I don't know if it works that way, or if it just takes some time for the skin to find it's way back to the muscle, or if it's something I'll have to live with, or hope something like Thermage treatments may work for, or a tummy tuck for the other troublesome area, but I'm going to keep plugging away. I guess what bugs me about it is that if my skin wasn't "loose" or saggy, or whatever the terminology is, I'd be at the point where I'm starting to like my legs. The shape is getting decent, the muscles are getting impressive :)...but all that work and I don't like the way they look. I will say that in jeans, it's another story and I'm liking that a lot. Oh my...it's just another case of "if only I knew then what I know now". One of my best buddies on this site is a young woman in her 20's (who is VERY close to her goal :) and I think I'm trying to use my experiences to try to help her avoid all this unnecessary bullshit in her future. Which, in my random kind of thought process this morning makes me think then of the Biggest Loser contestants and wonder if they have this much of an issue. The contestants over the last couple of seasons most likely do, as the contestants have gotten bigger and bigger. But those at the start of the program - that had 50 or 60 lbs to lose...did THEY end up with baggy, excess skin? I KNOW age plays a big part in it and I guess as much as I try to deny I am 50 years old (!), I guess I am. When my husband and I were hiking a few months ago, we passed a small group of hikers going in the opposite direction. There was a woman around my age, maybe a couple of years older, who was wearing shorts, looked really good - strong and healthy and in great shape, and had some of that over-the-knee wrinkling. It didn't look bad, necessarily, but I guess it was one of those areas where aging shows, like a woman's décolletage. Or maybe she was a former fatty, too? I don't know. But I do sort of think of that woman's legs and HOPE that's where I'll end up, with nice legs that just happen to have a bit of wrinkling above the skin. Hmmm....I don't sound nearly as upbeat as yesterday. Well, I am, I guess...just a bit of frustration creeping in. I shouldn't let it, though. I'm really thinking this new workout routine will really make a difference. I've only finished the first week of nine for Insanity, and not even a week of the Slim in 6. And both claim to get amazing results...so that brings me to another thing. I SO WISH I'D TAKEN BEFORE PICTURES!!! I was so embarrassed and so ashamed and disgusted with the shape my body was in that I couldn't make myself take any pictures. BIG mistake. I think had I done so, and just updated them weekly, made a little calendar or something of the pictures, a timeline, so to speak - I'd probably never have a completely unmotivated day. Or a day when I was disappointed in my progress, because I'd be able to look on the wall or wherever I put them and get an honest, visual diary of this journey. To be honest, even knowing this right now....I still don't know that I'd have been able to deal with that. Weird, weird rambling journal entry today....
Okay, so I can't count, apparently, either! :) Today will be Day 9 for Insanity. I had to reprint the schedule and figure out what I was doing since I messed it up a few times. It's all good now, though. I did just abs one day when I was supposed to do plyometric cardio circuit, so I did that one on the following day, which was supposed to be the day of rest. Then the last two workouts I just switched - did Day 7's workout on Day 8 and Day 8's workout on Day 7. Geez. Oh well, I'm back on track, today is Day 9 and I'm going to do Cardio Circuit. Then do the Slim in 6
Diet Calendar Entries for 06 August 2010:
|
1215 kcal
|
Fat: 35.14g | Prot: 73.58g | Carb: 157.01g.
Breakfast: organic flax pumpkin granola, greek style yogurt, Sugar Free French Vanilla Coffee Creamer, celsius, English Walnuts, Almonds, Strawberries, Blueberries. Lunch: kraft creamy fat free caesar salad dressing, grape tomatoes, romaine lettuce, Cheese Wedges, wasa. Dinner: bison burger, Low Fat Mayonnaise, sweet baby ray's barbeque sauce, multi-grain sandwich thin, Green Snap Beans (Frozen). Snacks/Other: Grape Tomatoes, Sweet Red Peppers, plum. more...
|
|
2674 kcal
|
Activities & Exercise:
Sitting - 6 hours and 45 minutes, Standing - 2 hours, Housework - 3 hours, Conditioning exercise (health club) - 50 minutes, Calisthenics (heavy, e.g. pushups) - 41 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours and 15 minutes, Resting - 2 hours and 29 minutes. more...
|
|
 Comments
Hey....I HEAR you loud and clear!!! I too have few pictures....I feel sad in some way about this. When I am all done....I guess I will only have a few rare shots of me "sneaking out of the camera" shots to look at!! But oh well.....I think I should NOW even....with 30 pounds possibly to go...take a picture or two. But...probably won't!!! Big kudos to those who take a FULL body before picture... Eh???
As for the skin.....I hear you there too. Which has very recently ( really ONLY yesterday) got me thinking. Things that make you go HMMMMMM. Then I think "stop at 22 pounds" maybe I don't wanna see what will happen at 50?!?!? OMG!!! And like you said...INSIDE of clothes....different story!!! Maybe I will convince my family to move to Alaska...where clothes will be required ALL the time?!?!?
I guess ALL a learning process....and sure each person is totally different. So here's to hoping NEITHER of us end up with elephant OR grandma legs at the end.....he he!!! ;)
06 Aug 10 by member: Klannoye
|
Klannoye - I urge you to take some pictures...really. Especially if you do continue on to lose 30 more pounds. The skin IS an issue, at least for some of us with crappy genetics/thin skin and aging skin. I keep vacillating between - look good in clothes - that's how I am 90% of my time...look not so great naked, but the trade-off for skin is fat and lumps. God! What a choice! I think if you get there now, at 41 (?), and DON'T see Grandma legs, then the skin won't magically drop at 50, you know? I think it's that at this age, with my genetics, that I was a bit late doing this to avoid the skin issue altogether. I mean, my God, at my absolute highest weight I was 185. Very heavy, to be sure! Obese, by most standards. But not morbidly obese and I never got stares like, wow, look at that fat woman. In truth, I looked more like the "typical" middle age mom, I guess. (I love being a mom, just didn't like looking like one!) And yeah, I live in AZ - so damn hot here it should be a "clothing optional" state! lol...
06 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
The second paragraph contains the point I was referring to yesterday. Loose skin (eminently searchable keyword) around the abdominal area is very common after losing large amounts of weight. Many sources say that it can be repaired through exercise, but how really "doable" is it. I've *briefly* researched this area in the past and there seem to be so many factors involved that I'm getting the impression that we lack concrete studies based on empirical evidence. "Doable" needs to be elaborated upon and I suppose one of the most popular answers is that "it depends." There is quite a bit written on the subject, but I haven't found it very useful at all. Let me know if you find something convincing or inspiring. Have a great weekend redwinelover! :-)
06 Aug 10 by member: information
|
Hi Info! Well, the sad truth probably is that it DOES depend. On a number of factors - the elasticity of one's skin, age, exercise, oxygen flow or circulation. But other than that, I think it's a matter of good, whole foods, stay away from processed foods as much as possible, exercise like crazy and keep the skin super hydrated, and probably give it time. I'm thinking that whatever skin decides to "shrink" back will do so in the first year after reaching that point where you don't lose more in that area. After that...the knife! :) Who would have thought 35 - 50 pounds was a large amount of weight - at least when it's spread out over an entire body. It's not as if I carried an abnormal amount of my excess weight in my abdomen...But it is what it is, I guess...*sigh* In the meantime, I'll exercise, diet, and cocoa butter the hell out of abdomen! :) (and knees!)
06 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
I had one other weird thought and have actually thought about it for sometime. When they do an abdominoplasty one wears a compression garment for six or eight weeks following surgery. I read it's to help reduce swelling, improve circulation which accelerates the healing process AND it helps the skin fit its new contours. So I've thought about it for months and wondered about it, and actually own a couple of pairs of Spanx ...but it's just too hot here in AZ to wear those suckers! :) I hope I don't regret trying it, of course, it's not too late necessarily. Of course, it's 106 degrees right now, so even the idea of a compression garment (and hot flashes!) just makes me really uncomfortable!
06 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
Omg spanx....have them....wore them EVERYDAY to work. Did you ever see the comedian Wanda Sykes ???? Omg she has a WHOLE skit on spanx....and how she calls her (stomach) rolls "Esther".....which also was my grandmothers name...and the whole skit IS BEYOND funny!!! If you ever see it, you have to watch it.
Okay then my other "mmmm" thought.....on this site they have those "challenges". Anyway tummy has always been an issue with me. And one of the challenges was suck in your tummy for a month. I REALLY have to say it DID show improvement in my tummy...granted I've been working out.....but no real tummy focus at the gym!!!
Either way.....I continue to try sucking in...when I remember...supposedly it does help tighten tummy muscles. I knew having kids would damage my tummy and take time to repair.....but 16 years later....REALLY??? ;)
By the way Redwine.....yes I totally agree love BEING a mom....don't want to look like one!!! Ewwwww. And thanks for kind words!!!! :)
06 Aug 10 by member: Klannoye
|
Ps....no plans to SKIP gym today......just gonna hafta be a later work out!!! :(
06 Aug 10 by member: Klannoye
|
Knife!? Heck, I don't even dye my hair, lol. What I am hearing is at least a year and probably more. I've seen changes and I'm fairly convinced that it can be done quite thoroughly. It may be best to target all around the area, in all sorts of ways as all muscles are connected in one way or another.
06 Aug 10 by member: information
|
Absolutely, Info! I agree - you have to work 'em all (the thigh bone's connected to the knee bone...the knee bone's connected to the ankle bone...) Knife? Well...maybe. Yep, I guess I'm THAT vain. And good thing you're a man! Hair dye is considered to be the quickest and one of the most effective age erasers for women! :) I actually don't dye my hair (yet), but I put "stripes" in it! lol...that's what my kids used to say - my mom has striped hair! (highlights...being a man, hard to say what you're familiar with! But when the "blond" (hard to say what color it is anymore...was blond, now darker... dirty blond? I hate that term :) starts looking more gray or white than blond, that's when I start getting it dyed. If I live long enough, I'll have PLENTY of time to LOOK old! LOL....
06 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
Klannoye - I've gotta Google that skit and see if I can find it. Probably on youtube... hilarious that she uses your grandma's name, too! :) Especially after our conversation on grandma knees! As for holding in the tummy...I can't remember a time when I didn't. Seriously. When I check myself in the mirror sideways to see if it's looking better, I don't even know when I'm holding it in! Is not holding it in just totally relaxed, like almost pushing it out? I'm serious. It's like I've always felt short, being the shortest one in my family and then marrying a 6'6" man and having two kids taller than myself, so a lifetime of feeling short (5' 4 1/2" - the half! can you TELL I still feel short? I hang on to that half inch!) had made me have very good posture, to this day. I just can't really slump over. Same kind of thing with the tummy...I think. Very strange journal going on here today :) And GREAT to hear you're not skipping your workout. I think it was on your's that you mentioned not really knowing what sort of routine to do? That's one of the reasons I love doing the DVD's. No thought involved, other than the muscles being used. Just follow along and try to keep up with the best form I can. Left to my own devices, I'm sure I wouldn't be pushing it as hard or as quickly and consistently. But differences make the world go 'round! :) And the woman at the gym? Great point as far as doing some cardio first (though I'd do 20 min. instead of 10 - gets that heart rate up and the fat burning started and revs up the metabolism which seems to me to make the strength part of the workout burn more calories, then to finish off with another 15 or 20 min. of cardio ), sounds like she knows what she's doing. The Insanity workout I'm doing is reverse intervals (hence the name!) Lots and lots of full on, maximum effort for a sustained amount of time, followed by a few minutes of stretching and recovery and then full on again...over and over. It really is insane, but I feel great once I've finished for the day!
06 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
RAWR D. What a long journal and so many comments but I'm really excited by your workouts. I'm so jealous of your 1000 calorie deficit! WOW! I have been snacking worse lately, I've still been feeling so "off". I missed a workout last night, doing it tonight probably... but I guess I really need to workout MORE. I don't know what to do, the step aerobics on the Wii is really good for calorie burn. It's about 25-28 minutes when I do it and I burn like 350 calories. I've been thinking about trying to do it twice, back to back. Maybe I can set aside enough time tonight to open with the aerobics, do the Challenege workout, and then do aerobics again. I dunno. BLAH. But I'm SO HAPPY to hear you're feeling good and doing good. I know what you mean about the tummy area too. I can "feel" like I'm stronger in my abs, but I still also "feel" like it looks exactly the same. I don't have definition, and I know my abs aren't that strong, but I try, lol. Hope you have a great weekend :D <3
06 Aug 10 by member: SturgeonQueen
|
Hi sweetie :) Yeah, I've been really long-winded the past couple of days. Maybe it's all the cardio! :D It just looks like a lot of comments because I've been replying to comments as they came in. I'm actually excited by my workouts, too. I thought I needed to really mix things up and this Insanity workout is killin' me! But in a good way. I feel so pumped up and so thrilled that I can mostly keep up. Okay...maybe not mostly, but a damn site more than I thought I could. I don't know that you need to do more workouts as much as change them around some? And add a couple of glasses of milk to your daily intake - I don't think you're getting enough calories. :) (spoken like a mom, huh?) I took a look at your diet journal and if your exercise numbers are correct, you've got WAY more than a 1,000 calorie deficit. Like over 1,500! That's amazing, girl! That said, I wonder though how accurate the calorie count is for the Wii step aerobics. I only ask because this Insanity workout that kicks my ass like you wouldn't believe - it's about 40 min. and I burn around 300 calories. I mean, this workout makes Jillian's workouts look like stretching! Check it out on youtube. I watched some guy doing the fit test (nice to be on this side of it!) and that, alone, just about kills you. I don't know how much of the Insanity workouts they actually show on there, but the fit tests gives you a good taste of what the workouts are like. You go maximum effort for ...I don't know, maybe 8 or 10 min. at a time, then do a stretch type workout for a couple of minutes, then back to the full-on effort again and do this I think three or four times during that 40 min. I'd just be surprised if the step aerobics burns more calories per hour (like 750+ vs. 450 for the Insanity workout) I'm sure it's possible, but it would just be surprising. I've never put this much effort into a workout before :)
06 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
I was just watching a show tonight about several people who lost over 100 lbs. and most of them complained about the loose skin and needing plastic surgery. It was depressing and I don't know how I would be able to afford it unless I win the lottery. After losing 50 lbs. I have lots of loose skin on my abdomen and my thighs. I have been walking nearly every day but I just started working out a couple of days ago to DVD's. I made it through 20 min today including working out with small weights. I have made the food plan and the walking part of my daily routine but now I need to make those DVD's a regular part. But I doubt I'll ever be able to tighten up all that loose skin with exercise. But at least I'll look better in clothes and be healthy.
07 Aug 10 by member: Multiplicity1
|
Well, I don't even know what spanx are, thank God, as I would probably look quite strange in them ;-) (ah yes, I see them now). I like the natural look all around, but you have to look like dynamite insofar as being healthy is concerned. That's what's attractive to me anyway. Of course, I'm completely non-judgmental when it comes to people trying to look good any way they can. After all, you only live once.
07 Aug 10 by member: information
|
Andrea, you have the right idea. I realize I'm too vain sometimes :) It IS about health, looking good it the added bonus. It can be depressing, but all we can do is what we can do, right? So we'll all just keep eating right, exercising and using lotion/oil/cream/cocoa butter or a combination of all! I'm proud of you for getting through the 20 min. and adding light weights. You'll be amazed at the benefits of those little weights! Just add 5 min. each day until you're making it through, if you can. More important, make sure you're doing the moves correctly so you reap the maximum benefit and not get hurt :) And yeah, we look better in clothes and that IS the way we are most of the time!
07 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
I pass on the cocoa butter. ;-)
07 Aug 10 by member: information
|
LOL! I just had a mental picture of you in Spanx, Info! Which is funny since we don't have a clue what you look like, only your avatar :) Picture THAT guy in Spanx! Natural is great, and I think "naturally" we are supposed to be long, lean and supple - but life gets in the way! And don't discount cocoa butter so quickly, my friend! Other than the fact that you may slip off the toilet seat, I think it's a good (and cheap) product to use to keep that skin supple :) ...course....the jury's out on that one. I'm not sure much helps keep the skin smooth and soft here in the center of the Sun. I mean, the valley of the Sun!
07 Aug 10 by member: redwinelover
|
:-) "Many surgeons recommend waiting two years from the day you reach your weight loss target before even considering surgery. This allows you to exhaust all options available naturally before entering into a costly and potential dangerous operation." From: http://tinyurl.com/6nlfhl
07 Aug 10 by member: information
|
Although the advice is questionable, I tried to sneak the link above on with a url generator and it works for me, but I don't know if anyone else can see it.
07 Aug 10 by member: information
|
| |
|
|
| |
Submit a Comment
You must sign in to submit a comment
|
|
|
Other Related Links
Members
|
redwinelover's weight history
|