The getting back in shape thread

[Bella_Vixen]

A group of people that my Mom works with all joined Weight Watchers, and they let me join their group, so I'm gonna give it a try.

[Shangri-laschild]

A group of people that my Mom works with all joined Weight Watchers, and they let me join their group, so I'm gonna give it a try.

Something that helps with that (don't know if it's been mentioned yet or not) but writing points on your food containers makes it quicker and easier.

[Bella_Vixen]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!!

[Plaidman]

Anyone have tips on lowering my Cholesterol? I really have no idea what it is, though the doctor did give me a five page thing, but it seems to have ruled out just about everything I do eat when I do.

I never understood how the darn thing worked! I rarely eat, and yet it's very very high it says. I get another test in three months. So far I've stop drink as much soda. But thats my bane of life. Its so hard to not drink it, and I cannot stand the taste of water at ALL.

[Gothicsmurf]

I joined a gym to quit smoking but didn't do a good job. Last week was my quit date, but then we had the fires then I was broken into so that went out the window.

HOWEVER, I have noticed that my lunch-lady arms are starting to tone up and disappear and my arms are becoming more toned.

I'm not as concered with losing weight or I'd freak out. I did stop drinking soda and brought in nuts and carrots to munch on here at work instead of cookies and candy.

I'm also drinking at least a liter of water here at work and one liter at home.

Another trick I learned. Eat slowly. Put your fork down between each bite and chew. I usually eat here at my desk (which is a no-no) but I leave my food at such an angle that I have to put the fork down to go back to work.

Good luck everyone!

[crazylegs]

Another trick I learned. Eat slowly. Put your fork down between each bite and chew.

Thats so important, if you bolt your food you don't recognise 'full' signals until its far too late, well chewed food will also be digested better.

[PuckishOne]

Anyone have tips on lowering my Cholesterol?

Cholesterol comes in 2 forms: "good" and "bad." The bad cholesterol is what ends up blocking your blood vessels over time, making it more likely you'll have some sort of bad medical happening down the road. The good cholesterol, though, works against the bad...when you hear people talk about "healthy fats" this is what they mean. A basic rule of thumb is that fat from animal sources (like meat) is worse than fat from plant sources (nuts, olive oil, avocadoes, things like that) is better - but that's not a sure thing, since some plant-based oils can ne uber-nasty.

Try eating food that's got a lot of fiber in it, like apples, whole-grain breads and oatmeal. Heck, Cheerios says it can lower your cholesterol, so maybe try that, too. Cut back on fried foods and fatty meats and go for stuff that's baked or broiled instead. And if you don't already, try to get some exercise in from time to time.

If none of this works - or if your diet is already healthy - you've probably just hit the genetic lottery and inherited a tendency towards high cholesterol. In that case your doctor will probably want to keep an eye on it, and if dietary changes don't help, he'll give you some medicines that will.

Good luck.

[Plaidman]

Try eating food that's got a lot of fiber in it, like apples, whole-grain breads and oatmeal. Heck, Cheerios says it can lower your cholesterol, so maybe try that, too. you've probably just hit the genetic lottery and inherited a tendency towards high cholesterol.

I've started that a few days ago, but I miss fatty foods already. Also, my mom has gotten a heart stint, and has the bad high cholesterol, so did my grandma, and my sister. So yeah, runs in the family. So I gotta start do the healthy thing much more, least I regret it down the road in life.

Also doing a bit more excersise then I ever did, though it leaves me winded after only a few minutes.

[PuckishOne]

Also doing a bit more excersise then I ever did, though it leaves me winded after only a few minutes.

I have a friend who's training for the Ironman this summer, and she assures me that your cardiovascular system gets the hang of exercise first, and then your body catches up. I try to remember this when I'm not breathing hard after a brisk walk but my legs feel like Jell-O.

Just keep at it - do a little at a time if you need to, but be consistent. Drink lots of water and eat a banana or something small and nutritious before working out. One great side effect of regular exercise is that you sleep better - at least I think it's great, as sleeping is my #3 favorite thing to do.

[LadyMage]

Also reviving an old thread. I've been doing a moderate exercise regimen that I kicked into much higher gear recently.

One tip from experience, and this was brought up earlier - elliptical is better than a treadmill. I earned a back injury moving - the elliptical cushions a LOT of knee and hip impact, which in turn destresses the back. Also, while on the elliptical, going longer times at lower resistance does a lot more good than upping the resistance and going the regular route.

Also - note the heart rate. Ideally, it should not exceed 140 for burning purposes, 170 for cardiovacular workout.

I lost several inches since last posting in this thread. My eating habits adjusted very gradually with time, but are much better.

One question I have is - how much benefit is there to Feta cheese? I love a Greek salad (minus olives, way too salty) and adore Feta, but am slightly worried as far as fat/cholesterol content.

[Rapscallion]

We've now got a social group set up for getting in shape as well. I've even joined in as of a week back.

No idea about feta, though. I sell enough of it, mind, so it can't be that bad.

Rapscallion

[LadyMage]

I keep reading about the fat/cholesterol content. I generally have a small handful of cubes (or crumbles) either as a snack or on top of a salad. And trust me when I say, NOTHING fills you up more than Feta.

However, the cholesterol content makes me leery. I used to have 220 cholesterol that I got down to 176. I can't let it go back up. Early heart attack = bad idea.

[BookstoreEscapee]

It's good to mix a little fat/protein with your veggies...some nutrients need a little fat to be absorbed properly, and the fat and protein make the whole meal last longer. So I wouldn't worry too much, as long as you're not eating a ton of it.

[AdminAssistant]

I got a Wii Fit a while back. I fell off the bandwagon a few weeks ago, but I'm determined to get back into it now. I've been gaining about 10 lbs a year for the past...7 years or so. I started in January at 201 lbs (I'm 5'4"). I did the Best Life Diet for a while and got it down to 195 lbs. Lately I've been bouncing between 190-195.

One of my biggest weaknesses is soda...I just can't give it up. I've tried to switch to diet..but then I remember how syurpy and delicious regular Dr. Pepper is and I just have to go get one. *sigh*

The WiiFit...if you're a serious exercise junkie, it would be a fun way to mix things up. If you're a total couch potato it's a non-threatening way to get active. Because right now I'm so unhappy with my body that exercising in a public place (like a gym) would be way too intimidating.

[BookstoreEscapee]

One of my biggest weaknesses is soda...I just can't give it up. I've tried to switch to diet..but then I remember how syurpy and delicious regular Dr. Pepper is and I just have to go get one. *sigh*

I've started mixing Diet Coke with a little bit of regular root beer, or Dr. Pepper, or whatever I'm in the mood for. I fill the cup with diet, then the last inch or 2 with regular whatever. It really does taste like the regular stuff, with a lot less calories and sugar (of course, if you count calories it's hard to determine how many are actually in there, but then again, I don't count calories). Not perfect, but better than drinking a whole regular soda. I drink soda often in the morning for my caffeine fix. I try to keep it to one a day, and I'm trying to switch to tea, but some days I just really want the soda...