Any Resolutioners out there?

[halconero]

Just wanted to see who here on the board has fitness goals for the New Year.  You can do it! It's all about consistency and discipline over any form of temporary motivation.

This past year after a severe illness I was around 140lbs which was extremely low for someone like me at 5'10 and a normally broad shouldered male. Around July I started a bulk, where I ate above my caloric limit, consumed lots of protein, and worked out. By December I was sitting around 195lbs, feeling a lot healthier, but also with poorer fitting clothes. Starting just after Christmas I began a healthy cut, where you eat below your daily caloric limit, but keep up a high protein intake to maintain muscle mass while shedding fat. Currently I'm sitting around 177-180 and feeling the healthiest I've ever been.

I didn't share this brag, but to hopefully encourage you to keep at it. The change is coming slow, over the course of 8 months already, but it's happening and it's showing. It's also worth it. Your mindset is clearer, and I feel as though my ability to commune with deity has improved as I've strive to create a body adapted to any physical circumstances I'm put in.

[Calm]

Good for you.  My goal is to walk on the treadmill every day but Sunday and sometimes then.  The goal is to both feel stronger and have more endurance and to drop the level of medications I have to take (studies show it can lower need as much as half...it may not happen for me, I am not usually that lucky but it is a major part of the motivation).  I have never been controlled enough that exercising actually made me feel better and often I would end up sick afterwards so have not had the habit for over 25 years.  Finally it has almost all come together so I can commit to doing it without fear my body is going to sabotage me again.

Come March, I am adding stretching exercise I hope.  They usually set off my rls badly, I need to find something that works for flexibility but is active enough it doesn't trigger rls.  Any suggestions from anyone would be welcome.

It has a bit frustrating given I haven't been able to manage much else, but it is winter time and hopefully as the sun comes out more, energy level will get back to slowly rising like it was last year.

Did miss several days due to food poisoning, but back on track now.

Am also losing weight, but that is coming off without effort probably due to the thyroid medication I am taking.  I am hoping once exercise is up to what I want (at least an hour a day) that energy levels will rise enough that I will have enough oomph to prepare decent meals for myself and my husband and then I can dump all the quick and dirty stuff hanging around and then maybe I can speed things up a bit or at least avoid any plateauing.  This is to help with pain and just not wanting to move as much.  Over the years my weight has climbed due to becoming a compulsive eater from some medications, I am always able to stay at a weight once I get off these meds, but haven't been able to lose anything for about a decade until this last year.  Last time I lost weight it was from a low carb diet right before my daughter was diagnosed as diabetic.  As I am a anxiety eater, life has been too emotional of a roller coaster for will power to do it for me, especially since sleeping aids have the nice little side effect of removing it completely.  As I had reached the point that there was nothing I could point to that might help me lose weight save for my husband becoming filthy rich so we could hire a live in housekeeper/personal trainer, this change is really exicting for me.

Now if I can just figure out what to do about my tailbone (busted with first kid, recently causing enough pain I can't sit).

Hope others can find what works for them.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Calm

[Tacenda]

1 hour ago, Calm said:

Good for you.  My goal is to walk on the treadmill every day but Sunday and sometimes then.  The goal is to both feel stronger and have more endurance and to drop the level of medications I have to take (studies show it can lower need as much as half...it may not happen for me, I am not usually that lucky but it is a major part of the motivation).  I have never been controlled enough that exercising actually made me feel better and often I would end up sick afterwards so have not had the habit for over 25 years.  Finally it has almost all come together so I can commit to doing it without fear my body is going to sabotage me again.

Come March, I am adding stretching exercise I hope.  They usually set off my rls badly, I need to find something that works for flexibility but is active enough it doesn't trigger rls.  Any suggestions from anyone would be welcome.

It has a bit frustrating given I haven't been able to manage much else, but it is winter time and hopefully as the sun comes out more, energy level will get back to slowly rising like it was last year.

Did miss several days due to food poisoning, but back on track now.

Am also losing weight, but that is coming off without effort probably due to the thyroid medication I am taking.  I am hoping once exercise is up to what I want (at least an hour a day) that energy levels will rise enough that I will have enough oomph to prepare decent meals for myself and my husband and then I can dump all the quick and dirty stuff hanging around and then maybe I can speed things up a bit or at least avoid any plateauing.  This is to help with pain and just not wanting to move as much.  Over the years my weight has climbed due to becoming a compulsive eater from some medications, I am always able to stay at a weight once I get off these meds, but haven't been able to lose anything for about a decade until this last year.  Last time I lost weight it was from a low carb diet right before my daughter was diagnosed as diabetic.  As I am a anxiety eater, life has been too emotional of a roller coaster for will power to do it for me, especially since sleeping aids have the nice little side effect of removing it completely.  As I had reached the point that there was nothing I could point to that might help me lose weight save for my husband becoming filthy rich so we could hire a live in housekeeper/personal trainer, this change is really exicting for me.

Now if I can just figure out what to do about my tailbone (busted with first kid, recently causing enough pain I can't sit).

Hope others can find what works for them.

My sis in law had to have her tail bone broke for all of her eight kids.  Hope you feel better soon.  

How do you conquer boredom on the treadmill?  Now that I don't have my dog to walk every day, I'm trying the treadmill, it's so boring!  But know I need it.   

[Calm]

Huge TV in front of it.  

I used to walk to music, but we inherited this one when Dad died (Mom only needed one TV, Dad had gotten them one for each of their bedrooms because they didn't like each other's shows.  Don't know why he wanted it as big as it was, probably just because it was a good deal at the time.

I used to go for hours long bike rides as a kid, but then was unable to balance with some medications so lost the habit and muscles for bike riding.  I am hoping that I will be able to get back into it, but half the year is still not good bike weather around here.  In San Francisco, you could go out all year round pretty much.

In Canada I switched to hours long walks, but then developed a pinched nerve in my feet.

My body just didn't like me.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Calm

[halconero]

Hmmmmm....I have some dynamic stretches I could post! And I think it's awesome doing what you are!! It's no comparison between people.

[Calm]

Yeah, I've gotten way past the need to compare myself to anyone else.  I know I am relatively unique (in the sense I will probably never meet and recognize someone who responds like I do, they are probably out there) when it comes to health stuff, lol.  It is one thing that I will be dancing to the beat of a different drummer to my death bed.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Calm

[Calm]

Tac, if you have a treadmill at home, try and make sure it is in a nice place.  The room we had it originally had this great window with a mountain view, but to get to that you had to walk through the leftovers (so nothing matched) from the rest of the house, including a bed with all the laundry needing to be sorted on it,  and then one end is blocked off by an air conditioner that is too big to take out during winter with insulation covering the rest of the window, so as soon as the morning light is gone, it gets depressing.  Curtains were just white blackout fabric too (for the summer's heat).

We just switched it with my husband's office so his clutter isn't the first thing you see when you walk into the house (yay!, did a little renovating to make it nice for him) and now we are surrounded by two huge windows on the east and south side so bright all day long.  Green plants on a table in front of the south window (so we remember to water them) and the massive TV.  Have to finish off the walls with some nice cheerful art, but the change of rooms is making a huge difference for me.  We are hoping our daughter will start using it now it is closer to her, but she is being hit with major SAD so we will have to wait and see.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Calm

[Tacenda]

It's in our storage room.  It's made the rounds, from my bedroom (laundry catch ), to our family room, to the storage room. I'm thinking of moving it to another bedroom, then putting an older TV, huge one too, in.  So far just listening to podcasts helps.  But always lose my fanny pack or cell phone holder.  

I've wondered about doing yoga, I've tried doing those aerobic videos, but hurt my knee.  

Sorry about your daughter.  Today was one of the worst days I've seen with the inversion.  I'm sure she can't wait for some sunshine.  

[Calm]

I came across an old Anastasia cd, nice variety of speeds, too slow I can raise the incline, sing alone if I don't want to walk to fast for a bit more exercise.  The movies themselves don't interest me that much anymore, too simplistic, more likely that not a pet peeve will be lit up on who they treat girls/women/modesty, the plot, history, mythology when it comes to that kind of stuff.  I am a purist at heart, they must work hard to come up with a new version I like.

I am hoping this will cheer her up and she can sit on the reclining bike and I walk and we can sing it together.

High as a kite...well, in a small breeze.  Time for bed.  Have daughterry things to do for Mom tomorrow.  She is hooked on Einstein bagels, we need to get there early for the full menu.  Are their sandwiches good?

[Calm]

Quote

Today was one of the worst days I've seen with the inversion

I get worried about pregnant women...don't go out today I hope; do they do alarums for pollution so that less chance of being exposed to one of the triggers of autism?

[Calm]

18 hours ago, Tacenda said:

 

I've wondered about doing yoga, I've tried doing those aerobic videos, but hurt my knee.  \

There are a number of yoga stuff on hulu and probably netflix or even on demand or youtube, something that could work for you.  I need really low impact, barely moving, maybe look for the ones you can do in bed, lol.  Let me know if you find any you like.

 

Got to get to sleep so that I can wake up bright and shiny to take my mom to her hip doctor for images, her last one she was unhappy with as he was...well, responding to what she was saying and not what she was really asking for which was attention and not confirmation of flaky ideas that other medical people had shared with her or the ideas she thinks they shared with her.  The other doctors seem to pick up on the style that works for her, but this guy made a major misstep because he seems private about his work and she was probing.  She wanted to hear how excited he was about it and he committed the horrible sin of saying it was just a  job.

add-on:  turns out he didn't know what he was talking about either.  I think hip surgery is a go and thank goodness, the idea of her having another ten years at the level of pain she is at right now is horrible.  Saw the X-ray, bone on bone and all bumpy so just grinds together and probably wearing off in places when she moves.

Edited February 12, 2016 by Calm

[Rain]

I highly recommend yoga. I have found there are a lot of different ways you can do it. I have a DVD of relaxation yoga that may work. I'll  try to remember and post about it in the morning. 

No new years resolutions for me. I don't make them, but I have been working on fitness since fall. Very slow going, but I'm feeling much better.

[Jeanne]

14 hours ago, Tacenda said:

My sis in law had to have her tail bone broke for all of her eight kids.  Hope you feel better soon.  

How do you conquer boredom on the treadmill?  Now that I don't have my dog to walk every day, I'm trying the treadmill, it's so boring!  But know I need it.   

I go to the gym everyday and the treadmill is my go to...I have a good magazine or something and go into a sort of trance..before you know it, 3 miles have gone by at level 15 on hill...I solve a lot of problems or think things out that way...hope it works for everyone.  I love running on good days..but that has to be a day off.

[Tacenda]

37 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

I go to the gym everyday and the treadmill is my go to...I have a good magazine or something and go into a sort of trance..before you know it, 3 miles have gone by at level 15 on hill...I solve a lot of problems or think things out that way...hope it works for everyone.  I love running on good days..but that has to be a day off.

That is awesome.  Your gym must have something to hold the magazine in place.  And 3 miles, ain't too shabby!

 

[Jeanne]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

That is awesome.  Your gym must have something to hold the magazine in place.  And 3 miles, ain't too shabby!

 

Thanks..yeah they have something to hold books/mags..plus there are plugins for music and about 10 TV's.  Planet Fitness!

[bluebell]

I have a goal to get stronger and in better cardio shape so I can climb mt. Timpanogas in August without dying. Plus I was 30 lbs heavier than I feel best at so want to lose some weight as well. 

A friend who is a coach for Beach Body talked me into trying shakeology and doing the BB 21 day fix in January. I mostly did it to be supportive of her but thought it might help get me motivated as well. 

So since January 4th I've been getting up at 6:10 4-5 days a week and doing cardio and weights for 30 minutes. Then at night I usually walk a half an hour on our treadmill (the only way I can do it and not give up out of boredom is by watching Netflix). I didn't change too much with my eating, just cut back on portions and ice cream. 

So far I'm down about 10 lbs and a handful of inches from my stomach and hips.  But I feel so much stronger and better just knowing that I'm still doing it. 

Nothing makes you feel better than being stronger than the voices in your head trying to get you to give up. 

A note about shakeology for anyone thinking of trying it-not very tasty. Chocolate is edible and vanilla is not the worst thing I've ever been forced to drink, but strawberry is disgusting. It's also very expensive(about 100$ a month for one shakeology a day) and I didn't feel any different on it.  

I was only doing the one month trial so thankfully I'm done with that now at least. 

[halconero]

I would definitely recommend yoga, Tac. With weights it helps me get everything loose and stretched. It has some great benefits.

[halconero]

What's shakeology? I probably drop around $100 on protein powder which lasts about 2 months, and just mix it with a banana or yogurt or something.

[bluebell]

24 minutes ago, halconero said:

What's shakeology? I probably drop around $100 on protein powder which lasts about 2 months, and just mix it with a banana or yogurt or something.

http://www.shakeology.com/en_US/

[Rain]

OK, Yoga For Stress Relief was the one I was thinking about because Calm mentioned low impact, barely moving.  It really isn't one I think of when I think about exercise, but is great for neck and shoulder pain and trying to sleep better.  It also has some other areas it it focuses on in different sections, but the should one is one I have done quite a bit.   Listed are "Relaxation and rejuvenation  for day to day anxiety and worry, Neck/shoulder/headaches, lower back pain, stomach and digestive, troubled sleep, mild depression and serenity.

For a basic yoga I like Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss.  I take the weight loss with a grain of salt as what I've read (not extensively) is that yoga actually slows your metabolism, but it does help you to feel better so you can do other things to lose weight).  Anyway, I would never use it for weight loss, but I like how it has 4 different modifications of the exercises. I started with beginning and then I started the one where you can watch off levels and chose which level depending on what you can do.

The other one I like is actually Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga.  Again I don't really think of it as weight loss.  I like this because it is a little different.  It combines some strength train with yoga. I haven't done it in awhile as I am in the gym lifting weights, but before I had a membership I really liked it.

I liked all of these over other yoga videos I have tried because it makes it easier for me.  The moves are not complicated.  The tone is not too mistic for me. My body was becoming more limber.  They are also slower moving than a lot of the yoga styles that are popular today.    

Yoga journal every once in awhile  has a series that comes to your email.  It might be worth it to sign up through them.  

Oh, and I can't forget my walking challenge, which combines walking with reading the 4 gospels of the New Testament. To join the challenge you need the free endomondo app, but I can send you the ready /mileage info if you can't get it from that link and don't want to use endomondo.

[halconero]

The walking challenge sounds fun. I have the myfitnesspal app which has been incrdibly handy for tracking both walks/runs and calories consumed. I have a goal to walk around 10,000 steps a day (aside from weight lifting) to get some sun and get moving. The New Testament and/or some podcasts sounds like something good to throw in there.

Also, if anyone wants to build upper body strength I recently bought a pull-up bar that you can put in a doorway. Throw it in an area you pass through semi-frequently and make a commitment to do 1 pull-up or chin-up every time you pass through. Or just hang there for 10 seconds. It's probably one of the best for strengthening the upper body and getting your back stretched out.

[bluebell]

I used a Fitbit for a while to track my steps and then I discovered that it wasn't tracking them correctly (it was missing about 25% of my steps on average). Now I don't trust it enough to want to use it anymore. 

[Tacenda]

21 hours ago, bluebell said:

I have a goal to get stronger and in better cardio shape so I can climb mt. Timpanogas in August without dying. Plus I was 30 lbs heavier than I feel best at so want to lose some weight as well. 

A friend who is a coach for Beach Body talked me into trying shakeology and doing the BB 21 day fix in January. I mostly did it to be supportive of her but thought it might help get me motivated as well. 

So since January 4th I've been getting up at 6:10 4-5 days a week and doing cardio and weights for 30 minutes. Then at night I usually walk a half an hour on our treadmill (the only way I can do it and not give up out of boredom is by watching Netflix). I didn't change too much with my eating, just cut back on portions and ice cream. 

So far I'm down about 10 lbs and a handful of inches from my stomach and hips.  But I feel so much stronger and better just knowing that I'm still doing it. 

Nothing makes you feel better than being stronger than the voices in your head trying to get you to give up. 

A note about shakeology for anyone thinking of trying it-not very tasty. Chocolate is edible and vanilla is not the worst thing I've ever been forced to drink, but strawberry is disgusting. It's also very expensive(about 100$ a month for one shakeology a day) and I didn't feel any different on it.  

I was only doing the one month trial so thankfully I'm done with that now at least. 

I got the Beach Body dvd's and hurt my knee on first try.  My fault not theirs, it sits on the shelf now. I'm so lame, I did buy a mini version of a stair stepper for around $50 on Amazon.  It works out the arms too.  But once again, lame, I just don't get to it enough.  

Last summer I hiked up Timpanogus and it went fairly well, don't go if it's real hot though.  Loved the cave too.  It had been years since I last went.

BTW, how do you like this lovely inversion?  Did you experience any of this in Montana?

[bluebell]

22 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

BTW, how do you like this lovely inversion?  Did you experience any of this in Montana?

This is my third winter in Utah and i agree the inversion is gross.  Thankfully we don't get it hardly at all up here in Layton (we are on the bench close to the mountains and south weber).  We didn't ever get this in Montana, but that makes sense since i lived about an hour from the mountains so no valleys to gather everything.  

I know they do have inversion in Missoula and i think Butte too but i don't know how bad it gets.  Those are the only places near mountains with enough people to cause it i think.

[halconero]

33 minutes ago, bluebell said:

I used a Fitbit for a while to track my steps and then I discovered that it wasn't tracking them correctly (it was missing about 25% of my steps on average). Now I don't trust it enough to want to use it anymore. 

If you have a smart phone they're usually fracked automatically if you carry it in your pocket. It's not the most accurate thing in the world but it helps me somewhat.