Weight Loss/Exercise Updates? Post Yours Here!

[My Peanuts]

Christa, I was going to ask you since you seem like you know a lot about this stuff (but anyone can chime in) As far as cardio goes I'm a champ. I can go for a long time, but when I walk on the treadmill I get a lot of pain in the shin area. Sometimes I use the incline, sometimes I walk faster or slower, but it seems to always happen. I stretch and I drink water. I can't tell if it's cramping up or what. Is there anything I'm doing wrong? Or should I work through the pain and eventually it will get better?

[MomToThree]

I guess it is my turn to come in here and join the party. I am 24 years old, I thought I was at my biggest when I got married. I swore to never get that big again. Well 3 years later I was that big again plus some.

I have been trying to battle my depression with medication. It has worked wonders on me. My doctor told me that I will probably gain a few pounds with the pill I am on, but once I get use to them I will shed it off. I weighed 209 at that appointment.

So I started taking my pills. I have so much more energy, I found that I wasn't making time to eat anymore. Which really isn't good for a diabetic. So after a co worker of mine shoved gloucose tablets down my mouth I told her I would make time to eat. So every morning I go into work (I work at BK) we open up the kitchen, then I make a sandwhich. I eat maybe half, and drink a bottle of water. For lunch I eat a salad with a small cup of coke. I know that is the wrong thing to do, but it has worked for me. I figured it was something to keep my sugar up, and to keep it stable since I was eating a salad. Trust me I know how stupid that sounds. I have been yelled at by my mom for doing this already. I would go home and start doing house work. Laundry, sweeping, mopping, you name it I was doing it. I figured it was something light and easy and always needed to be done. My husband would get home and get the grill going. We would have chicken, and potatoes baked mashed or what ever.

Now I go to work eat 1/2 my sandwhich in the morning with a bottle of water, for lunch, I eat a salad and something small more like a snack. For dinner we are still having chicken most night.

So far I have lost almost 30 pounds.

I am one of those people that refuse to give up the good stuff. I was raised with all the full fat foods and I was still between 115 and 134 until I was 16. So I know I can lose the weight doing what I was raised doing. It will just take me a lot longer to do it.

[christa]

My Peanuts: You don't have to always be *sore* to be making a difference. Once you get used to doing something, you won't get sore, or as sore. How long have you been doing the same routine? You should have a set routine. Lift for one muscle group on a set day . . . anyway, if that's the case, change it up. If you don't have a set routine, make one! If you're noticing that you are at a standstill though, you may need to change. Your body does become resistant when it gets used to what you're doing. I change my routine every few months and I always notice a BIG difference right away!

Secondly, you ask about the shin thing . . . you're experiencing shin splints & it could simply be your shoes. Do you only get them on the treadmill? I get them when I run in a certain pair of shoes. You have to have REALLY supportive shoes when you run - and to be honest, some people just can't run! Hubby & I went to a "walk/run shop" and they actually looked at our feet, how we walked & took steps and put us in the best shoes for us. That might be your problem. Another thing I wonder is if you're getting enough protein? I know you lift and do legs a lot . . . you need to replenish the protein in your body after such a heavy workout, especially a heavy leg workout . . . it rebuilds the cells that have been torn in your muscles!

mruffruff: Breakfast . . . how about some nice whole grain cereal? LOL Or oatmeal??? I have been guilty of having peanut butter crackers for breakfast, but it's ones I make with natural PB on whole wheat crackers . . .

MomtoThree: So glad you joined us!!!

[buckner]

I didn't post yesterday because I thought I was getting on people's nerves.

But anywho, still not on a regular schedule. I don't have a "time" to exercise, so blegh. I've got shin splints (so does My Peanuts!) due to always being on my feet, and they won't go away. I've done the Ibuprofen like mad, along with ice, and blah. They won't heal because I won't get off my feet. So shall I blame my lack of exercise on that? Sure will! :P

I haven't done a ton of "cooking".. I just don't have the time. Unless you count popping things in the toaster or in the microwave. But, I do have a ton of recipes for people who DO have time! A lot of good for you, low-calorie recipes, too. Though, most are vegetarian, or use seafood, but I'm sure you could sub in chicken for most. So if anyone wants them, let me know, and I'll dig 'em up!

Glad to see everyone else is doing so good! Especially those who are working out.. *cough cough* LOL

Megan, how've you been doing? Switching to eating several times a day, yet? If you need meal ideas, just ask! We're all here for ya!

[My Peanuts]

Do you only get them on the treadmill?

Yes, only on the treadmill. I wear regular sketcher gym shoes. Nothing fancy. Any suggestions for shoes? What's good? Thanks for the help-Diana.

[buckner]

Yes, only on the treadmill. I wear regular sketcher gym shoes. Nothing fancy. Any suggestions for shoes? What's good? Thanks for the help-Diana.

I'd suggest getting something made for running. Either that, or go to a sports store (Dick's, maybe) and see if they can help you by fitting you properly, or giving a suggestion.

[RobiLee]

I haven't posted because I feel like I haven't been doing good. I haven't walked since this past Friday. I did take a short walk this morning. I don't even know how long we were gone because I didn't check the clock when I left. My eating hasn't been too bad though. I've been sticking with low fat meals. I am feeling completely stressed and blue and I'm wanting to go buy a couple bags of chocolate and just sit and eat that. How do you stop yourself from doing that? The only good thing about having the blues is that it has left me physically and emotionally drained and I feel like I don't have the energy to go out and buy the chocolate. I'm just too tired.

Sounds like the rest of you are doing pretty good. Keep it up.

[buckner]

I haven't posted because I feel like I haven't been doing good. I haven't walked since this past Friday. I did take a short walk this morning. I don't even know how long we were gone because I didn't check the clock when I left. My eating hasn't been too bad though. I've been sticking with low fat meals. I am feeling completely stressed and blue and I'm wanting to go buy a couple bags of chocolate and just sit and eat that. How do you stop yourself from doing that? The only good thing about having the blues is that it has left me physically and emotionally drained and I feel like I don't have the energy to go out and buy the chocolate. I'm just too tired.

Sounds like the rest of you are doing pretty good. Keep it up.

How do I stop myself from eating away my worries and woes? I can't say that I don't. Somedays, I just have those days where I can't stop eating because I'm depressed or whatever. You just can't punish yourself the next day. But, if I'm just eating to eat, I think about how many calories are in every little bit I eat. Do I really want to sacrifice that 1/3 of my daily calories for that when it really won't fill me up? Or, do I really want to spend the money in gas to go spend more money on [insert food of choice]? It's all psychological - usually, I can talk myself out of certain things. But if I HAVE to have something, I let myself, and I will NOT beat myself up over it later. What's done is done, and all I can do is look forward.

Trust me Robin, you're still on the right track. Everything you've done up to this point is not going to go down the drain just because you're having food thoughts, and such. You've cut back immensely, and you've exercised more than you ever have. That's SO much improvement, even if you haven't exercised in the last couple of days. I lost 91lbs without ever exercising or working out - if I can, anyone can. Though, it's not recommended, but it still can happen. So, just whenever you're feeling up to it, take the pooches out for a lonnnnggg walk. And take a bottle of ice water with you!

[My Peanuts]

I am feeling completely stressed and blue and I'm wanting to go buy a couple bags of chocolate and just sit and eat that. How do you stop yourself from doing that? .

You're not going to want to hear this, but when I feel depressed and I feel like eating, I exercise. Exercise helps mood. Plus, if you're like me, you eat when you're bored. You're not bored if you are exercising.
I'm proud that you are walking. Even short walks are so much better than doing nothing. It will get easier. I promise.

[My Peanuts]

Thanks so much Sara and Christa. I think it might be shoe shopping time.

[christa]

Yes, only on the treadmill. I wear regular sketcher gym shoes. Nothing fancy. Any suggestions for shoes? What's good? Thanks for the help-Diana.

OUCH! Yeah, Sketchers are definitely not for running. They are more lifting/casual type shoes.

I highly suggest New Balance . . . These are the shoes that I have and they are super comfy:

My Running Shoes

But like Sara said, just go to a sporting goods store, go to the running shoes and start trying some on. Someone will help you. But I would definitely say it's your shoes, especially after hearing that you try to run/walk in Sketchers. I should also add that if you get a good pair of running shoes, only run in your running shoes. Don't lift in your running shoes (especially if you pay big bucks for them) because lifting will wear them quicker and different. You'll wear them out quick enough on the treadmill!

[jazzcat]

I can go for a long time, but when I walk on the treadmill I get a lot of pain in the shin area. Sometimes I use the incline, sometimes I walk faster or slower, but it seems to always happen.

I'm a little late getting in on this but you sound like me except the pain starts in my knee and goes down my shin. It would only happen on the treadmill, when I'd walk the hills in my neighborhood or when I stood or walked on concrete too long. I was in so much pain about 2 months ago I went to the dr. and he said it was tendonitis. He gave me anti-inflammatory meds and told me to rest my leg for a couple of weeks, wrap it and when I did start back to avoid incline and the hard impact of the treadmill. I stuck with elliptical only and it got better but a week ago Monday I re-injured it and I'm back to a lot of pain and limping. This is so frustrating!

I agree with the others, the right kind of shoes are very important.

[mruffruff]

Christa, I appreciate the suggestion of cereal for breakfast. However, I added the 100 calories for oatmeal with the sugar and milk and came up to 190 calories. I'll try a Quaker Chewy Wholesome Favorite bar today (110 calories) and a hard boiled egg (70 calories) tomorrow. And I don't have to worry about spilling the milk on my desk.

If I had my way, I'd have a bigger breakfast and less for dinner. But work dictates when I have time to cook or eat.

Walked for 45 minutes last night. I took my 10 year old grandaughter with me for some one-on-one time. She's getting a little chunky too so we plan on continuing as long as the weather permits.

[christa]

Christa, I appreciate the suggestion of cereal for breakfast. However, I added the 100 calories for oatmeal with the sugar and milk and came up to 190 calories. I'll try a Quaker Chewy Wholesome Favorite bar today (110 calories) and a hard boiled egg (70 calories) tomorrow. And I don't have to worry about spilling the milk on my desk.

Well, I have to say that I've never put sugar in my oatmeal . . . try adding some fruit instead (my fav is bananas). Or HONEY . . . yummy! Cinammon is also yummy in oatmeal.

What kind of milk are you drinking? If you're not drinking skim, you should be. I always drank full fat 2% . . . we drank 1% for a few months and eventually dropped down to skim. I love skim now . . . actually I was at my parents the other day and ate a bowl of Kashi with 2% milk and thought I was going to vomit, because it was so thick tasting! I couldn't believe it!

BTW, you're not going a healthier route by eating a breakfast bar. You can't look at JUST calories alone. You have to look at the whole picture, everything on the label.

I can understand not having time to eat breakfast in the morning . . . I just *wish* that peeps had more time for it . . . it IS the most important meal of the day . . . LOL, okay, my lecture is over.

[christa]

What do you all think of this???

Instead of letting this thread go on and on and on . . .

You know how they have "Thursdays" in the Doghouse??? What if we had something like that??? A new thread that started fresh every week? It could have a name like Thursdays does . . . some kind of fitness or healthy lifestyle name and then we'll keep them numbered . . .

What do you all think?

Give me some ideas . . . What do you think it should be called . . . do you think it's a good idea or a bad idea?

I just think that this thread is getting a little long and if you all want to keep this up, I think we need to figure something out.

And also, do you want to keep this in General or put it somewhere else? I think more people would see it here in General.

Okay . . . so what do you think???