The getting back in shape thread

[NotSoInnocent]

I had a(nother) BABY...

...now what?

Ok. I really need to lose some weight. I packed on a bit more than I expected with this last heathen child. (I went from 145/150 pounds to 193 pounds) I've always done really well at getting back to pre-pregnancy weight (usually, within 6 months, I actually weigh LESS than I had) but this one looks like it's going to be different.

With 4 heathens in the house I just don't have the time or money to go anywhere to work out (Forget going to the park or playground. Closest one's a 20 minute drive away... and with temps over 100F there's no way I'm, literally, dragging the kids around outside.), and I don't have the space (or free time) in this place to do any sort of work out at all.

I'm eating healthy portions, but my money is being squeezed tighter than a hippo being put into spandex to feed the screaming horde that makes up this family, so meals are usually "Hamburger Helper", spaghetti, hot dogs, or mac & cheese. Not exactly healthy. And forget buying fruits and veggies... after buying enough for the meals there's just nothing left over for those things. (And, boy are they expensive!)

I try to buy a single fruit (usually on sale) every other week... and carrots are usually cheap enough to grab a 2lb bag... But that's hardly enough to cover the servings that I'm supposed to be getting, much less enough for the heathens as well.

My darling Fiance insists that he loves the way I look... but I DON'T! I like it when I look good to myself... and being unable to fit into anything less than a size 16 (when all my clothes, besides sweats and sleep pants, are size 10's) is disheartening, to say the least!

Wish me luck, folks... I'm going to need it! I'll keep everyone updated as the weight comes off (I hope).

[Broomjockey]

For those of you knocking slim-fast, I'd like to say that not only do I like the taste, but since the start of March I've lost more than 6 inches off my waist and who knows how much weight (because I could never find a scale that would measure above 350 lbs.) And I'm going to pick up a scale soon so I can do regular weighings to track better, but with my infrequent checks, I'm averaging about 2 lbs. lost a week. Plus my food budget is down too.

[PuckishOne]

What is better? An elliptical trainer or a treadmill? To me, an elliptical looks more "fun" to train on, whereas a treadmill is just walking and running.

If you have any issues with hip/knee/ankle pain I would recommend the elliptical trainer. The theory behind these is that it is a low-impact, high-intensity cardio workout (like cross-country skiing), but you definitely get out of it what you put into it. I can easily dink around for 20 minutes or so on an elliptical and barely break a sweat, but when I work (using my arms and setting the resistance a bit higher) it is an incredible calorie-burner.

That said, any machine will get boring if you do the same thing day after day. The better machines of any sort will have a number of programs you can use for variety, and if you want a challenge, you can do your elliptical workout backwards...difficult as all get-out, but you will feel it in your legs the next day.

[NightWolf]

That said, any machine will get boring if you do the same thing day after day

Good point Puck!

Also as a side note, it's a good idea to switch up routines from time to time to cause muscle confusion. This way your body doesn't go into a rut and Plateau.

[Seshat]

Well, I'm chiming in.

I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia - and finally, I've got a diagnosis where the treatment for the diagnosis actually HELPS ME!

My 'physiotherapy' is to take my dog for a walk. The goal is to go as far as I can where I get back 'pleasantly tired' and not in excessive pain. 'Excessive pain' is, of course, extremely subjective - but when I go too far, I come back in too much pain to do anything other than curl up and whimper. So ....

Anyway, we're up to 'one block away from the roundabout'. (suitably vague for the 'net, but it'll let me show off my own progress. I'll stick to using landmarks like that.)

My goal is to make it all the way to the park. Once we can do that, A will come with us and we'll include playing frisbee and flying kites in my physiotherapy. The doctor thinks that's a great technique.

My success will be a combination of finding the right drugs to make the pain go 'way properly* and correcting the atrophy that people in chronic pain often develop. And, of course, correcting the atrophy will improve my all-round fitness - thus me chiming in on a fitness thread.

* they've discovered that anti-epileptic drugs help some fibro patients: our neurochemistry and neural junctions are screwed up in a similar way.

As for eating: I've discovered that button squash, zucchini and related things are yummy if you steam them in the microwave and crumble fetta cheese with them. And my local bakery makes nice multigrain rolls. That and a bit of lean meat was yesterday's dinner. Another of my goals is to be able to walk down to the local shops and come back with a hand-cart of in-season fruit and veggies from the grocer, a bit of meat from the butcher, and a couple of rolls from the bakery. Exercise and nutrition all in one!

[Bella_Vixen]

I'm actually drinking a Slim Fast every day...after I add peppermint flavoring to it.

[Rapscallion]

I've started to cut down the amount of food I eat and get more exercise. It's something to do with having to buy even larger jeans. Over 270 pounds and feeling it.

Yummy apples...

Rapscallion

[MystyGlyttyr]

I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia - and finally, I've got a diagnosis where the treatment for the diagnosis actually HELPS ME!

*snip*
My success will be a combination of finding the right drugs to make the pain go 'way properly* and correcting the atrophy that people in chronic pain often develop. And, of course, correcting the atrophy will improve my all-round fitness - thus me chiming in on a fitness thread.

* they've discovered that anti-epileptic drugs help some fibro patients: our neurochemistry and neural junctions are screwed up in a similar way.

My mom has that, and her doctor actually prescribed a cough medicine, robitessun or robitussen or however it's spelled, and that really did wonders for her. Of course, she also has kidney issues and other stuff, so for some reason, she's not supposed to take it anymore.

Something you might ask the doc about.

[Seshat]

My mom has that, and her doctor actually prescribed a cough medicine, robitessun or robitussen or however it's spelled, and that really did wonders for her.

Thanks, Mysty.

And I'm up to the roundabout!

[BookstoreEscapee]

Seshat, my mom has fibromyalgia, too. She swears by ben-gay (she's had back problems since I was a kid, and since she had back surgery when I was 9 her pillow has smelled like mint!). Though I would suggest the vanishing scent variety if you don't want to smell like a roll of Life Savers. She also swims at the YMCA most days and uses the hot tub there, too. If you have access to a pool it's a lot easier on her muscles.

Nothing has changed for me since I last posted in this thread (god, was that really April?!). I haven't weighed myself in a while and frankly, I don't think I want to know. I don't think I've gained anything since then but I'm fairly certain I haven't lost anything either. I told myself I would lose weight before my friend's wedding, and it is this Saturday and here I am....

On the upside, I have stopped getting chicken strips for lunch at work because the last time I did they were not cooked all the way so now I have gone off them. I'm trying to keep that image in my head .

If you can't stand the taste of Slim Fast and you want a quick liquid meal, try Carnation instant breakfast. Just mix with a cup of milk and go. I don't mink the chocolate Slim Fast but I can't take any of the other flavors.

[BookstoreEscapee]

(Sorry I'm posting twice...I didn't mean to post yet. The "mouse" pad on my laptop is a little sensitive sometimes and I hit it while I'm typing. Oops.)

If you can't stand the taste of Slim Fast and you want a quick liquid meal, try Carnation instant breakfast. Just mix with a cup of milk and go. I don't mind the chocolate Slim Fast but I can't take any of the other flavors. I like instant breakfast better, though. Plus it costs less.

So, I am on vacation next week. My goal is to go to a running store and have them help me find shoes, because my sneakers are getting worn down and I have not been able to find new ones that feel right. (My other goals are to open a new checking account and get my eyes checked and new glasses, but they are not relevant to this thread .) I am also determined to work out at least 4 days during the week, to NOT sleep past 10 am at the absolute latest, and to actually eat breakfast every day. I also intend to fill out the paperwork for the gym at work, because if it takes them a few weeks to program my badge to open the door (as it apparently did for one of the guys in my office) then they should get it done before it starts getting cold outside.

[NightWolf]

Over 270 pounds and feeling it. Yummy apples...

Raps.....I totally know how you feel. When you start to look at buying jeans and the store only goes to the size you're currently in, it's time to worry. I freaked and thats when I starting making changes. Yeah, I'm not where I want to be, but parts of me are getting there. It's just hardest areas to lose that are getting me frustrated.

And I just finished one of my two apples a lil bit ago.

Granny Smith Apples...mmmmmm. Usually I have my first right when I get into work, and the second right before I leave work.

[Seshat]

When you start to look at buying jeans and the store only goes to the size you're currently in, it's time to worry.

That depends on the store. A lot of women's clothing stores, at least around here, max out at 'just below average healthy build'.

BookstoreEscapee:
I find none of those things seem to help me, but thanks for mentioning it. As for the pool, the only pools close to me would need me to use the car to get to them, and I'm not comfortable driving right now (adjusting to new meds that are supposed to help me). Walking to them would be a lot further than I'm currently comfortable walking.

Once I manage to walk my goal distance, I'll be at the pool!
(Or, I suppose, I could drive once I'm adjusted to the meds...)

[Misanthropical]

When I was a size 7 (way back when dinosaurs ruled the earth) I had a hell of a time finding a dress that fit. It seems that designers thought that all small women also had small breasts.

I have put on some weight since then and am trying to lose it, but it seems like nothing I'm doing is working. I walk two miles a day, watch what I eat and still nothing.

[NightWolf]

Tried any sort of resistance training Misanth? If all else fails try using some light weights to do some toning. That might just give you a little bit more muscle, (Not talking Chyna style here) to get that fat burning kicked back in gear.

Just a thought.