I am Jester. Hear me whimper.

[Sapphire Silk]

I know, I know. It's not supposed to be about the numbers for me. I am only 160, and not fat, just trying to deal with a growing belly. And perhaps I have done some good there, as my belt seems looser. Maybe I am gaining muscle and losing fat, I don't know. But I was trying to cut down on weight and then build up muscle. In reality, 160 would be a good weight for me to be at. I just want to change what that 160 is made of, and where. So, right now, I have no idea if what I am doing is working or not. There is no blatant mirror evidence, and the belt thing may only be the normal fluctuation of the body day to day, or may just be my imagination.

The real question is, can I go another week without beer. And really, is it having that much difference if I continue to ignore other carbs?

My suggestion would be to get a tape measure and start measuring your waist once a week, preferably the same day you weigh yourself. To measure your waist, measure at the umbilicus, which is where the tire tends to develop. Don't pull it tight, just enough to see the true size of your waist. You can keep track of chest, neck, and hip measurements the same way.

Since you are essentially a normal weight, that may be a better reflection for you than your actual weight. You probably did build up some muscle and burn off some fat. If you can get a total body fat evaluation that would be best, but I'm not sure how to do one of those. Someone at the gym could probably tell you.

As for the beer . . . well, I'm sure cutting back is making a difference. I can't say how much. I wouldn't say you need to give up beer completely, just cut way back like you already have.

I found I couldn't completely give up soda. I still drink it several times a week. Just not several times a day

[Jester]

As for the beer . . . well, I'm sure cutting back is making a difference. I can't say how much. I wouldn't say you need to give up beer completely, just cut way back like you already have.

Okay, I am willing to give up/cut back on beer for short periods. But to "cut way back" on it on a longterm basis?

(grabs Panacea by the lapels) Are you out of your mind?

Seriously, that is Not Going To Happen. I will do what I have to do, work harder, sweat more, kick some more ass. But I will not give up beer, I will not cut way back on beer, and I sure as fuck am not going to start drinking that low carb ultra light swill that calls itself beer. Hell, I'd rather give up beer altogether than pretend that drinking that crap is the same as drinking real, honest, good beer.

Regarding soda: I have essentially given it up. It wasn't tough, as I was already done with caffeine for years, and over the last year or so, had started drinking mostly Gatorade at work, bringing it in myself so I wouldn't be drinking soda, as well as no longer buying it for home use. The other day, when I had a Monster Hangover, I knew without question I was going to snake one of my roommate's Cokes, as caffeine really does help with hangovers. But when I went to the fridge, he had only two Cokes left. I would hate to leave him with just one cold one, and as I looked around to where his next 12 pack was, I realized it was too much effort for my lazy ass to move a bunch of stuff and put the new 12 pack in the fridge just so I could have one Coke. So I had juice instead. Crisis averted. And with that behind me, I can honestly say it's been weeks since I had any soda at all. I'm kinda proud of myself for that--as well as amused that laziness is what kept me on that path!

[Rapscallion]

Okay, I am willing to give up/cut back on beer for short periods. But to "cut way back" on it on a longterm basis?

About 200 calories for a UK pint (20 fluid ounces), if memory serves. It's quite a chunk of waistline.

If you work it off, fine. Same as food.

Rapscallion

[Lady Legira]

I've been swimming twice so far this week, once on Sunday and once today (Wednesday) and I'm going again on Saturday. It helps the pool is five minutes walk away. Went for about 1 hour each time and did quite a few lengths considering I haven't been for a while.

Today my Boyfriend went with me since he hasn't been for ages and he used to be a pretty hot swimmer in his day (used to do like 2-3 miles a night). We had a lot of fun and he pushed me to go harder then I usually do, freaked the pool attendants out a bit by doing the side stroke (Rescue style stroke) to keep an eye on me while I did a hard lap in case I had trouble with my knee. Handy having your own personal life guard (Yes he is trained up to gold standard just not recently).

[Cat]

Did the gym for about 20 mins....but I think I'm coming down with a cold....grr.....figures, right when I am all about hitting the gym, I get whacked with a cold.

Oh, and I think there about 200 cals in a pint of Guinness....it's one of the "lighter" beers

[Sapphire Silk]

Okay, I am willing to give up/cut back on beer for short periods. But to "cut way back" on it on a longterm basis?

(grabs Panacea by the lapels) Are you out of your mind?

*staggers back holding her head* "SoterriblysorrysirIdon'tknowwhatIwasthinking! "

Sorry. Bit of an Asberger's moment there.

Weigh in day today. Gained 1 lb. Total weight loss since mid January: 23 lbs. Waist steady. BP 115/84, much better but I need to get the diastolic down some more.

Haven't really worked out much this week. Ankle is still fairly sore, and a bit of a distraction.

[Jester]

Good (though short) workout in the gym today. 15 minutes on that little rowing machine, then 25 minutes on the elliptical.

Oh, and I think there about 200 cals in a pint of Guinness....it's one of the "lighter" beers

170 calories in a pint of Guinness. But calories have never been my issue--CARBS have. Big difference. (For the record, there are 20 grams of carbs in a pint of Guinness.)

[Cat]

170 calories in a pint of Guinness. But calories have never been my issue--CARBS have. Big difference. (For the record, there are 20 grams of carbs in a pint of Guinness.)

I am so having Guinness w/o guilt tonight! I can't count carbs...I'm far too Italian for that (I'd never be able to eat at family events again)

Panacea....don't sweat the 1 lb, and take care of that ankle!

Todays Plan:
Lunchwalk at 1pm, maybe pick up the work gym membership ($10 for life....why not?)
Gym after work
Kick around the soccer ball around 7
Beer+veggie burger after soccer

This is all subject to change, alas, I am getting a Spring cold

[Cat]

Gained 2 lbs....since I've been a bit sick I haven't been working out as much and I've been feeding my cold (hey, I'm Italian...we feed everything ) Fun to put on, and it'll be easy to lose.

Was gonna work out at the gym today, but the bf and I decided to head up to Gillette stadium to see the Rev's new player

Monday....I'm back in the game!

[raw456]

I have been slack over the Easter break. My gym has been closed and it has been raining heavily most days, so I have pretty much stayed inside catching up on my reading.

However, I will be at the gym when it opens tomorrow morning in an attempt to shift the chocolatey goodnes I have consumed over the weekend.

[Sapphire Silk]

I've been slacking the past week as well. I don't have the cash to get a gym membership right now, and my ankle is not up to the bicycle or the elliptial, or even long walks yet.

It is feeling a lot better today, and I had planned to take a stroll around the neighborhood this evening until tragedy struck (see my other post). Instead, EE took me out for ice cream.

However, the ankle has very little swelling now, and is only slightly sore. I'm barely using the cane. I'm going to take another week off TKD, and try taking some walks in the neighborhood as well this week to start building up some strength in it.

I'll probably have gained some weight this week since I've not been good about my diet this past week (it was my birthday last Thursday, and my niece's and we had a nice dinner party).

So I'll have to be extra good the rest of this week, and work out hard once I'm all healed up to make up the lost time

[Cat]

Joined the gym at work, so now I can work out during lunch break and after work (and if I skip the after work one, no worries, 'cuz I worked out at work!)

My shins started to hurt using the treadmill, so I actually used the elliptical...and I didn't hate it as much as I used to.

[trailerparkmedic]

I was doing great with the running and eating well, and then I got a GI bug this week. Yesterday was the first day I was able to eat something. I ate some cheesecake to make up for my lack of food for 3 days. Yum.

[Sapphire Silk]

I'm finally getting around without the cane. Ankle is still sore, but very little swelling left. Don't have full range of motion back yet, probably some residual swelling internally.

I've been doing range of motion exercises on it several times a day, and stretches. I'm hoping to go back to TKD next week.

In spite of the decreased activity, I still managed . . . to my surprise . . . to lose 3 pounds this week, and 1/2 in from my waist in the past two weeks. Blood pressure is down to 122/80, much improved though could still go down a bit more.

[firecat88]

The time now is 5:22 PM. When I went into the garage, it was about 3:45 PM. In the time I was in there, I did roughly a dozen pushups, lifted some weights, and spent a full hour on this thing giving my legs a workout.

My legs feel like pudding, and I forgot to stretch before doing the pushups so my arm is kinda killing me right now, but...I feel good overall. And I know it'll only get better in the coming weeks.