I mentioned in my last post I was walking one mile 5 days a week now. Well, I've discovered something which shouldn't have been a surprise, but was. It's how inflexible my body has become. Tight muscles (not the good kind of tight either), not to mention rolls of fat left me unable to touch my toes without bending my knees. And my left hip and upper leg was sore, like there was a pinched nerve or something.
I have a hard time getting into my husband's truck. Granted, it's fairly high off the ground and I have short legs, but there have been a few too many times lately where I've not been able to lift my foot high enough to get in.
So, I decided I needed some flexibility exercises, and looked around for something on DVD that looked interesting, that would keep my attention. Guess what I found? Some belly dance DVDs.
I got three that were said to be for beginners. The first one that came in really wasn't, although I didn't know it. Oh boy was I ever in pain that night!
Then the next DVD came in and it was much more tame, and gave stretching to do before starting (the other one hadn't). I was able to get most of the way through the DVD before I had to sit down. I was a little achy, but not in pain (like I had been for the other one).
The third DVD came in and I've watched it. Haven't done it yet, but it does look do-able.
So my plan is to do at least two sessions a week, both for the flexibility and the fun. Belly dance is something I've always wanted to try, even if I never dance in public ( a classroom situation or other). It burns calories and loosens my body and is interesting. So I'll give it a go.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Exercise Experience - Walking
For the past week I've been trying to get some exercise in almost every day. Mostly it's walking, at least a mile.
I went and picked up a DVD by Leslie Sansone, of "Walk Away the Pounds". It has a one mile walk and a 2 mile walk on it, which can of course be combined for a 3 mile walk.
I picked this because walking outside in Florida at this time of year...I'd melt before I got two blocks away, even in the early morning. When it's 75 and humid at 5:00 AM...ick!
Anyway, the first time I did the one mile walk on DVD, I just about keeled over. I huffed and puffed and wheezed for the next half hour -- and that was indoors in the air conditioning!
The next morning I didn't want to do it, but I told myself I could quit at the half mile mark, which is called out when you reach it. The important thing would be to do it.
Surprise, surprise, I wasn't wheezing when I finished. Sweaty and tired, yes, but not wheezing. And I did manage to finish the entire mile.
So I've done it most days this past week, and I'd highly recommend it to any couch potato who wants to get moving at least a little. Hey, even if you do just a half mile to start (about 8 minutes), it's better than nothing.
Now Leslie is chatty on the DVD, and if you don't like chatty...well, turn off the sound after the first couple of times. I personally like it because I find it motivating. She talks like she wants you to succeed, and not to go beyond the limits of your body...but try just a little more each time.
You will need a resistance band or some sort of light hand weights -- even two 16-ounce bottles of water are fine. There is a little upper-body toning in the last 5 minutes. I happened to have all three (resistance band, hand weights and water bottles) but prefer to use the resistance band. What do you like best? It's up to you to decide.
And I think it was in her book that she said something that makes sense if you think about it. After a light to medium exercise, don't drink anything but water (no sodas, diet or otherwise, or juices) or eat anything for about an hour. The reason being that your body is trying to find energy to burn, so it turns to your fat for it. If you eat or drink anything but water, your body will try to use the incoming calories for fuel instead of your body fat.
Now if you are doing strenuous exercise in the heat, well, you may need some Gatorade or something in addition to the water. But let's face it -- how many of us couch potatoes are going to be running or biking marathons, at least for the time being?
So, I am finding the walking relatively painless. It takes less than 20 minutes for the mile. I try to do it 5 times a week, mainly because I want to make my goal of 30 pounds list by September 18 -- I'm half-way there, but only have 7 more weeks to go.
I went and picked up a DVD by Leslie Sansone, of "Walk Away the Pounds". It has a one mile walk and a 2 mile walk on it, which can of course be combined for a 3 mile walk.
I picked this because walking outside in Florida at this time of year...I'd melt before I got two blocks away, even in the early morning. When it's 75 and humid at 5:00 AM...ick!
Anyway, the first time I did the one mile walk on DVD, I just about keeled over. I huffed and puffed and wheezed for the next half hour -- and that was indoors in the air conditioning!
The next morning I didn't want to do it, but I told myself I could quit at the half mile mark, which is called out when you reach it. The important thing would be to do it.
Surprise, surprise, I wasn't wheezing when I finished. Sweaty and tired, yes, but not wheezing. And I did manage to finish the entire mile.
So I've done it most days this past week, and I'd highly recommend it to any couch potato who wants to get moving at least a little. Hey, even if you do just a half mile to start (about 8 minutes), it's better than nothing.
Now Leslie is chatty on the DVD, and if you don't like chatty...well, turn off the sound after the first couple of times. I personally like it because I find it motivating. She talks like she wants you to succeed, and not to go beyond the limits of your body...but try just a little more each time.
You will need a resistance band or some sort of light hand weights -- even two 16-ounce bottles of water are fine. There is a little upper-body toning in the last 5 minutes. I happened to have all three (resistance band, hand weights and water bottles) but prefer to use the resistance band. What do you like best? It's up to you to decide.
And I think it was in her book that she said something that makes sense if you think about it. After a light to medium exercise, don't drink anything but water (no sodas, diet or otherwise, or juices) or eat anything for about an hour. The reason being that your body is trying to find energy to burn, so it turns to your fat for it. If you eat or drink anything but water, your body will try to use the incoming calories for fuel instead of your body fat.
Now if you are doing strenuous exercise in the heat, well, you may need some Gatorade or something in addition to the water. But let's face it -- how many of us couch potatoes are going to be running or biking marathons, at least for the time being?
So, I am finding the walking relatively painless. It takes less than 20 minutes for the mile. I try to do it 5 times a week, mainly because I want to make my goal of 30 pounds list by September 18 -- I'm half-way there, but only have 7 more weeks to go.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Next Step -- Exercise Fit for a Couch Potato
I've been losing weight all this time, but the loss has started slowing to 1 pound a week. So as much as I dread it, I know that I will have to add some exercise to my routine, if I want to reach my first goal of at least 30 pounds lost by September 18th. Although I've lost 14 pounds so far, I don't have enough weeks between now and September 18th to lose 16 more pounds. I only have 8 weeks, and at my slowdown to 1 pound a week, I'll be missing my goal by at least 8 pounds.
I'm concerned that my metabolism has slowed down some, since the 3 day diets are only about 1,200 calories a day. To me at my current weight, that's almost a crash diet -- like less than 1,000 calories a day to a more normal person. So what's a girl to do?
The dreaded (to a confirmed couch potato like me) word exercise.
Now I know that exercise is good for me. And when I was younger and of normal weight, I enjoyed it, did it all the time. Walking, biking, dancing, skating, horseback riding -- even karate.
But since I've gained all this weight, I've grown more and more of a couch potato. And it's getting to the point where grocery shopping leaves me winded. Gotta do something. Anything.
It's so hot and humid here that I don't want to exercise outside. And the temperature/humidity won't be going down into an acceptable range until November. Don't want to wait that long -- my weight loss might have stopped by then. Or worse yet, I may start gaining it back.
OK, that leaves exercising in a gym or in my home.
Gym is out of the question. Not only are there none near me, but I've gone that route in the past and it's not for me. Not to mention that I would be way too self-conscious at the moment to even set foot in one.
That leaves in my home. OK, can do that. But what? So I browsed my collection of exercise tapes and dvds.
Some I bought close to 14 years ago -- dance aerobics. Couldn't do them then, sure can't do them now. Put them back on the shelf.
Pilates? I'm sure it's excellent for toning one's core, but I have 2 dvds that I've watched, 1 that I have actually tried. They went back on the shelf, for further consideration after I have lost at least 50 pounds.
Fitness ball? A possibility for core work, and pretty much do-able except for the lunges. Set that aside for now, for more consideration.
Light weight training? Another possibility except for the lower-body work. I can do 1 or 2 reps of some one them, none of more of them. Will consider that again after 30 pounds gone.
Resistance bands? Like the light weight training, a possibility, except for the lower body work. Set that aside for additional consideration.
OK, in all that, no aerobics. 2 dvds that I can consider for upper body work and core. Having done them, they are fine for the occasional workout, but not on a daily basis -- I would get way too bored way too fast with just these two. And like I said, neither are aerobic.
What now?
Well, I did start something this morning. The workout only lasted 15 minutes and left me in a sweat, got my heart rate up. But it was rather enjoyable. And while I can't see doing the one dvd more than a couple times a week before I would get bored, I found additional dvds in the series that were also do-able, and would help break up the monotony.
What is it? Next post...
I'm concerned that my metabolism has slowed down some, since the 3 day diets are only about 1,200 calories a day. To me at my current weight, that's almost a crash diet -- like less than 1,000 calories a day to a more normal person. So what's a girl to do?
The dreaded (to a confirmed couch potato like me) word exercise.
Now I know that exercise is good for me. And when I was younger and of normal weight, I enjoyed it, did it all the time. Walking, biking, dancing, skating, horseback riding -- even karate.
But since I've gained all this weight, I've grown more and more of a couch potato. And it's getting to the point where grocery shopping leaves me winded. Gotta do something. Anything.
It's so hot and humid here that I don't want to exercise outside. And the temperature/humidity won't be going down into an acceptable range until November. Don't want to wait that long -- my weight loss might have stopped by then. Or worse yet, I may start gaining it back.
OK, that leaves exercising in a gym or in my home.
Gym is out of the question. Not only are there none near me, but I've gone that route in the past and it's not for me. Not to mention that I would be way too self-conscious at the moment to even set foot in one.
That leaves in my home. OK, can do that. But what? So I browsed my collection of exercise tapes and dvds.
Some I bought close to 14 years ago -- dance aerobics. Couldn't do them then, sure can't do them now. Put them back on the shelf.
Pilates? I'm sure it's excellent for toning one's core, but I have 2 dvds that I've watched, 1 that I have actually tried. They went back on the shelf, for further consideration after I have lost at least 50 pounds.
Fitness ball? A possibility for core work, and pretty much do-able except for the lunges. Set that aside for now, for more consideration.
Light weight training? Another possibility except for the lower-body work. I can do 1 or 2 reps of some one them, none of more of them. Will consider that again after 30 pounds gone.
Resistance bands? Like the light weight training, a possibility, except for the lower body work. Set that aside for additional consideration.
OK, in all that, no aerobics. 2 dvds that I can consider for upper body work and core. Having done them, they are fine for the occasional workout, but not on a daily basis -- I would get way too bored way too fast with just these two. And like I said, neither are aerobic.
What now?
Well, I did start something this morning. The workout only lasted 15 minutes and left me in a sweat, got my heart rate up. But it was rather enjoyable. And while I can't see doing the one dvd more than a couple times a week before I would get bored, I found additional dvds in the series that were also do-able, and would help break up the monotony.
What is it? Next post...
Monday, July 09, 2007
And the Total Weight Loss for the Apple Diet Was...
...four pounds for the week. Not too bad, considering that one day was the 4th of July which was definitely a "food holiday", what with bar-b-ques and all.
So, I went and did the real third day of the 3 day apple diet on Thursday. Then did my usual for the rest of the week -- watching my portions and trying to eat sensibly.
I don't consider four pounds to be too shabby. Especially since I have so much to lose.
The one thing about the 3 day apple diet was that it left me a little hungrier than the 3 day smoothie diet. Nothing I couldn't manage, but after the smoothie diet it was a bit of a surprise.
This week's plan is the 3 day green tea diet. So far I almost feel that I am going to be floating away, with all the green tea, but I am also drinking a bit more than the diet calls for. One thing for sure, I notice more energy. Likely due to the caffeine in the green tea. But then again, more energy isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Stay tuned for how it works.
Oh, am considering testing out a hoodia product, to see how it works in fighting hunger. When I get it and try it, I'll let you know how that works as well.
So, I went and did the real third day of the 3 day apple diet on Thursday. Then did my usual for the rest of the week -- watching my portions and trying to eat sensibly.
I don't consider four pounds to be too shabby. Especially since I have so much to lose.
The one thing about the 3 day apple diet was that it left me a little hungrier than the 3 day smoothie diet. Nothing I couldn't manage, but after the smoothie diet it was a bit of a surprise.
This week's plan is the 3 day green tea diet. So far I almost feel that I am going to be floating away, with all the green tea, but I am also drinking a bit more than the diet calls for. One thing for sure, I notice more energy. Likely due to the caffeine in the green tea. But then again, more energy isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Stay tuned for how it works.
Oh, am considering testing out a hoodia product, to see how it works in fighting hunger. When I get it and try it, I'll let you know how that works as well.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
The 3 Day Apple Diet -- Worth it or Not?
Well, I wasn't all that bright in doing a 3-day diet when there was an "eating holiday" smack dab in the middle of the week. So I decided to weigh myself this morning, in case I went totally downhill later today.
I was pleasantly surprised to see I was 2.5 pounds lighter. And a milestone -- I'm at a weight I haven't been at for at least a year. Granted, 12 pounds isn't a lot for 2 and a half weeks -- not when I have as much to lose as I do. But it is encouraging for me.
So, I doubt that I will weigh in tomorrow, but just keep on my regular eating for the rest of the week. Oh, and eat all those remaining apples -- I bought way too many. So, 1 apple before each meal until they are gone.
And maybe that will lead to more pounds gone, too!
I was pleasantly surprised to see I was 2.5 pounds lighter. And a milestone -- I'm at a weight I haven't been at for at least a year. Granted, 12 pounds isn't a lot for 2 and a half weeks -- not when I have as much to lose as I do. But it is encouraging for me.
So, I doubt that I will weigh in tomorrow, but just keep on my regular eating for the rest of the week. Oh, and eat all those remaining apples -- I bought way too many. So, 1 apple before each meal until they are gone.
And maybe that will lead to more pounds gone, too!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Another Week, Another 3 Day Diet
This week's diet is the 3 Day Apple Diet (also known as the 3 apples a day diet). As you might guess, apples figure prominently on the menu -- breakfast, lunch and dinner.
This one is a bit lower in fat than the 3-day smoothie diet, so as a result, I am a bit more hungry between meals. Nothing I couldn't fight off today, but I hope tomorrow is better.
And of course I made the mistake of doing this on the week of July 4, so that means my Wednesday dinner will probably blow the diet out of the water -- hubby said he'd cook me some fish, and for him, cook = fry.
Guess I will weigh myself Wednesday morning and then again Thursday morning and see what happens. I was psyched after the 3 pounds lost on the 3 day smoothie diet, and was hoping to get a similar result on this one. Whoops!
( For the information on both the 3 day smoothie diet and the 3 day apple diet, see http://www.3-day-diets-central.com )
This one is a bit lower in fat than the 3-day smoothie diet, so as a result, I am a bit more hungry between meals. Nothing I couldn't fight off today, but I hope tomorrow is better.
And of course I made the mistake of doing this on the week of July 4, so that means my Wednesday dinner will probably blow the diet out of the water -- hubby said he'd cook me some fish, and for him, cook = fry.
Guess I will weigh myself Wednesday morning and then again Thursday morning and see what happens. I was psyched after the 3 pounds lost on the 3 day smoothie diet, and was hoping to get a similar result on this one. Whoops!
( For the information on both the 3 day smoothie diet and the 3 day apple diet, see http://www.3-day-diets-central.com )
Sunday, July 01, 2007
I'm Back With 3 Day Diets
OK, I am the first to admit that I didn't exctly do well with my weight loss efforts since the last time I posted. I got de-motivated and slowly but surely gained the weight back. The diet and exercise were just to much for me. Too restrictive for the diet. Not enough time for the exercise. Argh!
But after a doctor appointment where I had to face the fact that I really, really needed to lose weight. I had never seen the weight go so high! Not just fat, but truly obese.
So, I decided to get motivated first by starting on a 3 day diet. Wow! I've lost about 8 pounds in 2 weeks. What I do is one 3 day diet at the beginning of the week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). The for the rest of the week, I just eat sensibly. If I go out to eat, I pick reasonable dishes (not stuff swimming in fats). I try to eat just half and ask that the rest be packed up, and I eat it for lunch the next day.
So except for the 3 day diet menu, I'm not restricted. And although I really need to start getting up off the couch and moving some, I do feel compelled to exercise 45 minutes a day, every day.
I was so excited that I started a new website, http://www.3-day-diets-central.com which lists different 3 day diets. Including the infamous 3 day tuna diet that I was beginning to think was an urban legend!
Plus health and diet supplements. There sure are some interesting new ones out there!
You can also see my new blog with other stuff. There's diet stuff on there, too, but not just diet. Also about Florida and Disney vacations and miscellaneous. That blog is at http://www.gailnettles.info
Anyway, come visit at http://3-day-diets-central.com and maybe there's some good information for you, too!
But after a doctor appointment where I had to face the fact that I really, really needed to lose weight. I had never seen the weight go so high! Not just fat, but truly obese.
So, I decided to get motivated first by starting on a 3 day diet. Wow! I've lost about 8 pounds in 2 weeks. What I do is one 3 day diet at the beginning of the week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). The for the rest of the week, I just eat sensibly. If I go out to eat, I pick reasonable dishes (not stuff swimming in fats). I try to eat just half and ask that the rest be packed up, and I eat it for lunch the next day.
So except for the 3 day diet menu, I'm not restricted. And although I really need to start getting up off the couch and moving some, I do feel compelled to exercise 45 minutes a day, every day.
I was so excited that I started a new website, http://www.3-day-diets-central.com which lists different 3 day diets. Including the infamous 3 day tuna diet that I was beginning to think was an urban legend!
Plus health and diet supplements. There sure are some interesting new ones out there!
You can also see my new blog with other stuff. There's diet stuff on there, too, but not just diet. Also about Florida and Disney vacations and miscellaneous. That blog is at http://www.gailnettles.info
Anyway, come visit at http://3-day-diets-central.com and maybe there's some good information for you, too!
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