Gym/diet woes

[TOY]

I've gone back to being a chubby, Grimace-shaped teenager again (but with an old lady face). To combat the weight gain, decided it time to go to the gym. So why is it that after having replaced cookies with fruit/veggies and 'Dew with water, I'm STILL gaining weight? (No - not pregnant.) I also poop everyday, on the clock, at 11am.

:mad:

[Bob]

stop eating baseballs, for a start

[TOY]

:p

[RobMoney$]

You should totally Tan & then do your laundry after, Bro!

GTL BABY!

[TOY]

Ayo bitch!

[Caribou]

How long have you been doing all this gym/healthy eating business?
Maybe it's your flab turning into superstrong muscle, which is why you don't lose weight or something.
Anyhoo, well done on actually going there and trying to be healthy.

I totally need to lose weight too. I've never ever been slim in my entire life and I'm done with it. But I'm afraid to go to the gym, because there are only huge-ass beefcake jock types there and I'm a flabby and sweaty mass of wobblyness.
Trying to quit smoking also isn't helping, because everytime I crave a cigarette I stuff my face. meh. :(

[Bob]

How long have you been doing all this gym/healthy eating business?
Maybe it's your flab turning into superstrong muscle, which is why you don't lose weight or something.

nah, it doesn't work that way, you can't turn fat into muscle. you just lose fat and gain muscle.

what kind of stuff do you do at the gym? how often do you go? what's your diet like in general?

be forewarned that i have no advice to give you based on the answers to these questions but i do know that they are important!

[TOY]

How long have you been doing all this gym/healthy eating business?
Maybe it's your flab turning into superstrong muscle, which is why you don't lose weight or something.
Anyhoo, well done on actually going there and trying to be healthy.

I totally need to lose weight too. I've never ever been slim in my entire life and I'm done with it. But I'm afraid to go to the gym, because there are only huge-ass beefcake jock types there and I'm a flabby and sweaty mass of wobblyness.
Trying to quit smoking also isn't helping, because everytime I crave a cigarette I stuff my face. meh. :(

I'm hoping that the case. I've only been going for a few weeks. I'm starting to see definition in my calves for sure, but my stomach and ass are still.. There. I smoke too, and my boss' wife who is a fitness instructor claims you won't see the weight drop/much definition in certain areas because of the lack of oxygen from smoking. As far as that goes, the "healthy" part of me says I need to quit, but I'm not quite there yet. I hope to replace one addiction with another (gym).

I go to a place called Planet Fitness. Think it's a chain. Their slogan-thing is "Judgement-free Zone". Sure there are a few beefcakes, but won't allow that grunting shit. And if you drop a weight, an alarm goes off (very embarrassing). If you drop a second time, you're kicked out. All shapes and sizes of people. At first I was very nervous (had a panic attack on the bike the first night and nearly passed out - lol), but pop in your earphones and pretend like nobody's there. I actually have a lot of fun.

[DIGI]

I hear ya. I've always been in good shape with little to no effort. Ive noticed myself getting soft the past year and bought P90X. I was hesitant at first because I've never wanted to be an infomercial buyer. I'm only a few days in, but it's seriously kicking my ass thus far.

[TOY]

nah, it doesn't work that way, you can't turn fat into muscle. you just lose fat and gain muscle.

what kind of stuff do you do at the gym? how often do you go? what's your diet like in general?

be forewarned that i have no advice to give you based on the answers to these questions but i do know that they are important!

Mornings, my usual coffee and smoke. Afternoon, 1 yogurt. Smoke. Late afternoon, either carrots or fruit. Smoke. Hour before I go to the gym, a protein/energy bar (which could be the problem - dunno). If I drink anything caffeinated when I come home, it's usually a cup of hot tea. Otherwise, just water.

I cycle for 20 to warm up, 'kinda' jog for 20 (the treadmill makes me dizzy and I walk more than jog, but it's subsided some), elliptical for 15 and however many crunches. (I don't keep count because I have this complex that counting will make me tired.) Go 5x a week.

[TOY]

I hear ya. I've always been in good shape with little to no effort. Ive noticed myself getting soft the past year and bought P90X. I was hesitant at first because I've never wanted to be an infomercial buyer. I'm only a few days in, but it's seriously kicking my ass thus far.

A friend of mine had to stop because he was loosing too much weight. Whatever it is, people are going f'ing crazy about it.

[NicRN77]

Mornings, my usual coffee and smoke. Afternoon, 1 yogurt. Smoke. Late afternoon, either carrots or fruit. Smoke. Hour before I go to the gym, a protein/energy bar (which could be the problem - dunno). If I drink anything caffeinated when I come home, it's usually a cup of hot tea. Otherwise, just water.

I cycle for 20 to warm up, 'kinda' jog for 20 (the treadmill makes me dizzy and I walk more than jog, but it's subsided some), elliptical for 15 and however many crunches. (I don't keep count because I have this complex that counting will make me tired.) Go 5x a week.


sounds like you need to eat more...more protein.

[Bob]

my utterly unprofessional opinion is that your workouts probably need to be more intense; i'm trying to think of a more sugarcoated way of saying this but i can't think of one so i promise i'm not trying to be a dick but i think you need to push it a lot harder to lose weight with cardio; 5 times a week is good but it sounds like you do 40 minutes of fairly light cardio on the bike and treadmill, and then 15 minutes of elliptical which i don't think is very much (i've never really used the elliptical but if it's anything like the treadmill 15 minutes isn't very much for weight loss purposes). crunches are also kind of overrated as an exercise, but i don't remember why

how tired/sweaty are you at the end? tired and sweaty is good, shoot for that. lifting weights is also a great way to lose weight, but from what i've heard planet fitness isn't great for free weights (that "lunk alarm" thing sounds stupid as hell) so i don't know if that's really an option.

i mean it's better than nothing obviously but from how you described it it sounds like a pretty light workout. i do not have any specific advice for you other than "push harder" which is pretty useless actually so sorry about that

edit: OH, i just noticed that you've only been going for a few weeks. it takes way longer than that to see results, don't get discouraged if you don't notice anything. and you probably do need to eat more (especially if you do make your workouts more intense), that doesn't sound like a ton of food to me (but the "eating" part was always the foggiest part of fitness to me, i'd defer to someone who knows more)

[TOY]

my utterly unprofessional opinion is that your workouts probably need to be more intense; i'm trying to think of a more sugarcoated way of saying this but i can't think of one so i promise i'm not trying to be a dick but i think you need to push it a lot harder to lose weight with cardio; 5 times a week is good but it sounds like you do 40 minutes of fairly light cardio on the bike and treadmill, and then 15 minutes of elliptical which i don't think is very much (i've never really used the elliptical but if it's anything like the treadmill 15 minutes isn't very much for weight loss purposes). crunches are also kind of overrated as an exercise, but i don't remember why

how tired/sweaty are you at the end? tired and sweaty is good, shoot for that. lifting weights is also a great way to lose weight, but from what i've heard planet fitness isn't great for free weights (that "lunk alarm" thing sounds stupid as hell) so i don't know if that's really an option.

i mean it's better than nothing obviously but from how you described it it sounds like a pretty light workout. i do not have any specific advice for you other than "push harder" which is pretty useless actually so sorry about that

edit: OH, i just noticed that you've only been going for a few weeks. it takes way longer than that to see results, don't get discouraged if you don't notice anything. and you probably do need to eat more (especially if you do make your workouts more intense), that doesn't sound like a ton of food to me (but the "eating" part was always the foggiest part of fitness to me, i'd defer to someone who knows more)

I definitely feel I need to work harder, but I'm scared tbh. Last spring/summer, I tried riding my bike every day around town. And every day same thing - as soon as I'd get off, I'd have this horrible fade-to-black feeling, have to get totally nude and jump in the bathtub with cold water running, splash around in there and would either gag or puke. Then I'd feel great! I went to the doctor about it, they sent me off for a shit-ton of bloodwork and... Nothing except for a vitamin d defiency (which was "severe", but everybody has a vitamin d deficiency I've come to find out). I also made sure to drink a lot of water and eat either something carby or protein beforehand.

Lately I've been sweating a lot more and the machines will automatically bump me up a level or two (when I first started out, they'd beep at me and drop).

I'm tired at the end. A good tired - as if I just had sex (lol). But when I wake up, I don't feel that "burn" either except for in my stomach. GRR!

[saz]

yeah, bob is right, you have to work a lot harder, make your cardio much more intense, and free weights absolutely. squats and lunges are great for your legs and ass. consume protein after your workout, no later than twenty minutes after your workout. and don't be afraid to ask for advice from the gym staff. tell them what results you're after and they should be able to give you sound advice. if there are personal trainers there, they should be able to help out as well.

[cosmo105]

First of all, WAY TO GO! Getting into the gym is sooo hard, especially when you're new to it or haven't been in a long time. It can be very intimidating, but once you realize that everyone else there is so concerned with their OWN insecurities about their bodies you can just forget yourself and enjoy the workouts. And making the first step toward a healthier lifestyle is the hardest part, so pat yourself on the back for getting past that initial hurdle.


Your diet is pretty unhealthy :( you need to start eating more regularly, small meals at a time. Protein/energy bars should be seen as a last resort for nutrients. It's great that you have fresh fruit and veggies and yogurt, but variety is key to getting the nutrients your body needs to be strong.

You should try and have some sort of breakfast (coffee doesn't count, no calories aside from milk/sugar) within an hour or two of waking. Just be more conscious of the fact that you NEED to eat - I have a very fast metabolism and need to eat every few hours, but it's only a little bit and I get full very quickly. If you go too long without eating your body literally will go into starvation mode and hold onto whatever calories it gets as tightly as it can. And it raises your chances for bingeing when you DO get a meal, and again, you burn it off slowly and your body clings to it. It's not healthy. If you're eating regularly, on the other hand, with whole grains and fiber and all kinds of healthy unprocessed stuff, your blood sugar level stays more constant instead of going UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN and freaking the shit out of your system. Just have a handful of nuts (lolz) here and there, and maybe a string cheese or whole grain product (bread, crackers, cereal, etc.) with you at all times, like a little "emergency kit" for when you need to snack. In fact, you mentioned very few whole grains. You do need some protein but not that much. Most Americans get WAY too much and other, slimmer cultures usually consume a much, MUCH smaller amount of protein. But you're not describing much in your diet. Maybe some beans?

A really great place to start planning a diet and figuring out what you need is mypyramid.gov - I used it with every client I had for peer nutrition counseling. It's very clear and easy to use.

Bob's right - you cannot expect crazy results in such a short period of time. The recommended rate for weight loss is 2 pounds per week, which doesn't sound like much, but it gives your body the time it needs to adjust to your new lifestyle and helps ensure you won't gain the weight back. Getting healthy isn't an overnight thing that you can just expect to gain from a cleanse or a diet or a single workout - it takes commitment. And that's why billions are spent every year on the industry. Do it the smart way. Small steps, small steps. :)

Above all, for the love of everything sane, stop smoking. There is no way you will ever get healthy with it. The fact that it keeps your mouth occupied instead of eating is a bullshit excuse. Stop it.

Signed,

The Woman With a BS in Nutrition

[NicRN77]

AND EAT MORE!!!!!!!

working out is great...but you need to eat more!!! lean proteins! fruits! veggies!

[cosmo105]

DO NOT ASK PERSONAL TRAINERS FOR FITNESS ADVICE. Okay, some of them know what they're talking about, but the majority of them are only up to speed on sports nutrition, which is VERY different from your average everyday person looking to lose weight and be healthy. They'll most likely tell you that you need to eat 4 chicken breasts a day and cut all breads out forever and take a bunch of supplements and protein powders. I've learned from both sides - the medical nutrition community and the supplement/sports nutrition community - and believe me when I say that I have years and years and years of experience backing this up.

But if you can afford it, it's great to get help from them with the machines and building up a workout plan. :)

[cosmo105]

consume protein after your workout, no later than twenty minutes after your workout.

I don't know about that twenty minutes part. If you eat IMMEDIATELY after your stomach could get really upset because all the blood is still not in your GI tract and it needs a little time to recover. I've been told that half an hour or so is good, and it should be a ratio of more carbs than protein. You need to replenish that energy lost. Again, it doesn't have to be much - we're not talking about Olympiads here that need 5,000 Calories a day.

[Bob]

I definitely feel I need to work harder, but I'm scared tbh. Last spring/summer, I tried riding my bike every day around town. And every day same thing - as soon as I'd get off, I'd have this horrible fade-to-black feeling, have to get totally nude and jump in the bathtub with cold water running, splash around in there and would either gag or puke. Then I'd feel great! I went to the doctor about it, they sent me off for a shit-ton of bloodwork and... Nothing except for a vitamin d defiency (which was "severe", but everybody has a vitamin d deficiency I've come to find out). I also made sure to drink a lot of water and eat either something carby or protein beforehand.

Lately I've been sweating a lot more and the machines will automatically bump me up a level or two (when I first started out, they'd beep at me and drop).

I'm tired at the end. A good tired - as if I just had sex (lol). But when I wake up, I don't feel that "burn" either except for in my stomach. GRR!

yeah i'm not sure what to tell you about the dizziness thing, that's unusual. like saz said, make sure you eat something proteiny (or a protein shake) as soon as you can after a workout (i'd always heard within an hour but 20 minutes is obviously safer); maybe it was a hunger thing? i don't really know.

don't worry too much about the lack of a burn the next day - the burn is pretty intense when you're just starting out but after a few weeks it's less and less noticeable, especially with cardio.

like saz said, free weights are great, especially compound lifts like squats and bench. here (http://newbie-fitness.blogspot.com/2006/12/rippetoes-starting-strength.html) is a link to a great workout for beginners - it's very easy to adhere to, it only involves a few lifts per day. i used to do it and i noticed strength gains immediately. then i stopped going because i moved far away from the gym and got lazy. if you do follow it, be careful with lifts like squats and deadlifts; form is incredibly important for those, otherwise you might hurt yourself quite severely. ask a trainer for help to be on the safe side. but like i said, i've heard bad things about planet fitness' free weights, it sounds more like a cardio & machine gym to me. take what you can get i suppose

also re: trainers, i've heard bad things about personal trainers who work for gyms. some of the more profit-oriented gyms will have their trainers teach you workouts that are designed to be easy rather than necessarily effective; the goal is to teach you an easy workout that will keep you coming back (for example, showing you how to use a treadmill or a weight machine rather than teach you how to do squats), lest you get discouraged and quit. i guess it's better than no direction at all, though.

edit: cosmo's here, good. disregard anything that anyone else says about nutrition, she seems pretty on the ball about that kind of thing

[ms.peachy]

I feel like I'm in this really weird Catch-22. I know I need to push myself harder on the treadmill but here's the problem: I have really big knockers, alright? Which means I need to really, really strap 'em down for anything other than a jaunty stroll. So I wear two bras, one regular one and then a high-impact sports bra over it. Believe, it can't be done with just one or the other. The problem is though that I am bound up so tight around the chest that as soon as I get to a point where I'm starting to do any real "work" and my heart rate goes up, I also then of course need to start taking deeper breaths. But I can't, because I'm all bound up around the lungs. So my heart starts pounding but I can't catch my breath, and then I start to get lightheaded and have to stop, but I still can't breathe properly, and then I feel all panicky and have to really really focus on trying to stay calm and not freak out because it feels like I'm going to have a heart attack and die, and in my mind all I can think is I'm so sorry that my daughter is going to grow up without a mother, and I'm going to die with a fat ass, and this is what it must feel like to drown.

It's such a scary feeling it's really put me off even trying too hard. I still go to the gym and I walk (at as brisk a pace as is comfortable, and on an incline), and I do some weights, because I have to believe that doing something is better than doing nothing. But then I read stuff how like if I don't get my heart rate up to X at least X times per week for x minutes or there's no point in bothering, I just want to burst into tears and go to Coldstone Creamery for the afternoon instead.

[valvano]

Hi,
In April of 2008 (age 41 at the time) I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I wasnt overweight but did weight about 215 at 5 ft 9. I dont eat fast food but am a part time vegetarian. However, it does run in my family. Had all the classic symptons (urination, rash, etc). Non smoker but social drinker, non coffee drinker but did put away 3-4 Mt Dews / Cokes a day. Was a big runner but had dropped off after a bruised knee.

My weight is now down to 180-185. I dropped all soft drinks and alcohol cold turkey (do drink diet coke though), started back running and picked back up mountain biking, wii fit (yes, laugh), and took on a high fiber calorie counting diet. You just have to set your mind to it, suck it up, and go with it. I've put back on a few pounds in the winter when outdoor activities slow down due to weather / time change but I've kept off 90% of the weight. You just do what you have to do. And monitor blood sugar / A1C . Good luck.

[cosmo105]

edit: re: TOY's fainting spells

That sounds like low blood sugar. I'd say plan your meals around your workout times so that you're not starving nor stuffed before a workout. You need carbs to burn. A snack an hour and a half or a meal two to three hours before is pretty good. If you're desperate, a banana is the perfect pre-workout snack a few minutes before because it won't send your stomach into barf mode when it's jostling around like crazy.

[cosmo105]

Peach, try water aerobics or swimming? Less boob impact, I'd imagine, and still an awesome workout.

[saz]

DO NOT ASK PERSONAL TRAINERS FOR FITNESS ADVICE. Okay, some of them know what they're talking about, but the majority of them are only up to speed on sports nutrition, which is VERY different from your average everyday person looking to lose weight and be healthy. They'll most likely tell you that you need to eat 4 chicken breasts a day and cut all breads out forever and take a bunch of supplements and protein powders.

that's usually advice given for dudes who want to bulk up, whereas it appears toy wants to slim down a little and get toned. and asking personal trainers is good. sure, they vary from gym to gym, but if you tell them specifically what results you want, they should be able to help.

and i was referring to drinking protein shakes or egg whites no later than twenty minutes after your workout, so that protein can help repair your muscles.

[cosmo105]

BTW everyone reading this owes me $100

[Bob]

BTW everyone reading this owes me $100

no you don't, there's no legally binding contract, there was never any mutual assent

everyone now owes me $200

[ms.peachy]

Peach, try water aerobics or swimming? Less boob impact, I'd imagine, and still an awesome workout.

Yes but, with the drawback of me having to squash my giant boobs (and arse) into a swimsuit. On a regular basis. Out where other people can see me. And all the bikini line maintenance that that entails. It's almost too much to bear thinking about.

[cosmo105]

that's usually advice given for dudes who want to bulk up, whereas it appears toy wants to slim down a little and get toned. and asking personal trainers is good. sure, they vary from gym to gym, but if you tell them specifically what results you want, they should be able to help.

and i was referring to drinking protein shakes or egg whites no later than twenty minutes after your workout, so that protein can help repair your muscles.

*nutrition advice, not fitness. sorry.

The sports nutrition RD I've learned under has always said that protein shakes should be a "last resort" as opposed to a homemade smoothie or egg whites or something. In general, processed food is to be avoided as much as possible, but I understand how that's not always possible. I know I love me some vegan frankenfoods (y)

[valvano]

That sounds like low blood sugar. I'd say plan your meals around your workout times so that you're not starving nor stuffed before a workout. You need carbs to burn. A snack an hour and a half or a meal two to three hours before is pretty good. If you're desperate, a banana is the perfect pre-workout snack a few minutes before because it won't send your stomach into barf mode when it's jostling around like crazy.

low blood sugar is just as dangerous as high blood sugar. my blood sugar was 537 the morning i was diagnosed. 3 months later, after totally changing my diet and still being on insulin, if i didnt watch it would get down into the 50s which is just as scary. you dont f around with blood sugar.

[cosmo105]

I know. My boyfriend is Type 1.

[Documad]

1) They have Coldstone Creamery in China?

2) I love learning stuff from Cosmo.

[TOY]

I know. My boyfriend is Type 1.

^lolz

My step brother is diabetic, which scares me a little. He was diagnosed in his earliy 20s. Seems to skip a generation, and I'm next in line. I have every symptom in the book, but then again am a known hypochondriac. It sucks. Like, even if I stand up too fast when sitting, spins and weakness. :( But they did specific testing on me for it a few times. Naaada.


I'm sort of just skimming through that pyramid site right now but so far really like what I see and and will definitely take your advice/utilize the site as a tool guide when I read more in depth. I don't have $100 on me but get paid Friday ;) Seriously, thank you so much!

[valvano]

^lolz

My step brother is diabetic, which scares me a little. He was diagnosed in his earliy 20s. Seems to skip a generation, and I'm next in line. I have every symptom in the book, but then again am a known hypochondriac. It sucks. Like, even if I stand up too fast when sitting, spins and weakness. :( But they did specific testing on me for it a few times. Naaada.


I'm sort of just skimming through that pyramid site right now but so far really like what I see and and will definitely take your advice/utilize the site as a tool guide when I read more in depth. I don't have $100 on me but get paid Friday ;) Seriously, thank you so much!

my symptoms were:
1. constant urination and thirst
2. rashes on my legs
3. leg cramps, especially at night while asleep
4. a general funk feeling along with tiredness
5. the eyesight fluctuation did not hit me till my bs started going down

my a1c when diagnosed was a 7.5, now its down to 5.1. and i now feel better than i have in a long long time.

[TOY]

my symptoms were:
1. constant urination and thirst
2. rashes on my legs
3. leg cramps, especially at night while asleep
4. a general funk feeling along with tiredness
5. the eyesight fluctuation did not hit me till my bs started going down

my a1c when diagnosed was a 7.5, now its down to 5.1. and i now feel better than i have in a long long time.

Yeah. I get leg cramps at night. My feet'll spasm and my toes feel like they're curling under. Malaise/crap-feel, but pretty sure smoking attributes to that more than anything. But since I've started the gym, my legs do feel better. Thirst isn't an issue. Actually, I lack it more than I crave.

[cosmo105]

It's possible you're pre-diabetic, TOY, but valvano - really, don't diagnose the girl yourself. Let the medical professionals handle it. Always defer to the MD.

If diabetes runs in your family, RAMP UP THE FIBER! I cannot stress whole grains and vegetables enough for you. It makes all the difference.

And you are so welcome. I really truly love helping people take those first steps. I ended up not following nutrition and becoming an RD, although it was a passion of mine - food science became my true love, and the field in which I work today (I double majored). But I of course care deeply about public health and want everyone to know that it's not that difficult to get healthy! Of course I'm no picture of health and could stand to work out a lot more often and drink less and eat less snacks. But no one trusts a skinny chef and I love burritos so I'm fine with knowing I do what I feel comfortable with doing and aim for more fitness every day.

If I could brag a little here:

Before my boyfriend and I met, his HbA1c was all over the place and his cholesterol was 226 total, and his HDL was in the 30s. Meaning is LDL was way too high. A year after dating me, and thus eating healthier (I cook the majority of our meals and we eat vegan when dining out) and taking better care of himself his total cholesterol dropped by 100 points and his HDL jumped to 50something. That is HUGE. My professor/mentor and I jumped up and down and screamed when I shared the news. And last time he got checked up his HbA1c was close to 6. He had been vegetarian beforehand, but eating all the veggies I whip up for that boy has undoubtedly had a huge and measurable benefit on his health. And I feel so accomplished and happy for it. Real results!

[sjp]

it takes at least 60 days for you to notice much of a change.

[sjp]

Mornings, my usual coffee and smoke. Afternoon, 1 yogurt. Smoke. Late afternoon, either carrots or fruit. Smoke. Hour before I go to the gym, a protein/energy bar (which could be the problem - dunno). If I drink anything caffeinated when I come home, it's usually a cup of hot tea. Otherwise, just water.

I cycle for 20 to warm up, 'kinda' jog for 20 (the treadmill makes me dizzy and I walk more than jog, but it's subsided some), elliptical for 15 and however many crunches. (I don't keep count because I have this complex that counting will make me tired.) Go 5x a week.

try cardio each day and lift every other day one day upper body, next time lower body.

[valvano]

It's possible you're pre-diabetic, TOY, but valvano - really, don't diagnose the girl yourself. Let the medical professionals handle it. Always defer to the MD.

If diabetes runs in your family, RAMP UP THE FIBER! I cannot stress whole grains and vegetables enough for you. It makes all the difference.

And you are so welcome. I really truly love helping people take those first steps. I ended up not following nutrition and becoming an RD, although it was a passion of mine - food science became my true love, and the field in which I work today (I double majored). But I of course care deeply about public health and want everyone to know that it's not that difficult to get healthy! Of course I'm no picture of health and could stand to work out a lot more often and drink less and eat less snacks. But no one trusts a skinny chef and I love burritos so I'm fine with knowing I do what I feel comfortable with doing and aim for more fitness every day.

If I could brag a little here:

Before my boyfriend and I met, his HbA1c was all over the place and his cholesterol was 226 total, and his HDL was in the 30s. Meaning is LDL was way too high. A year after dating me, and thus eating healthier (I cook the majority of our meals and we eat vegan when dining out) and taking better care of himself his total cholesterol dropped by 100 points and his HDL jumped to 50something. That is HUGE. My professor/mentor and I jumped up and down and screamed when I shared the news. And last time he got checked up his HbA1c was close to 6. He had been vegetarian beforehand, but eating all the veggies I whip up for that boy has undoubtedly had a huge and measurable benefit on his health. And I feel so accomplished and happy for it. Real results!

i would suggest a endochronologist who specializes in diabetic care.

[cosmo105]

Why? She already said she's been extensively tested for it.

[Dorothy Wood]

Cosmo is filled to the brim with knowledge on this subject, so you should listen to her.

I keep off weight when I live by the "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." rule. and even though lately I need to get back on the exercise wagon and eat better in general, I've pretty much stuck to that. I try to eat a filling and healthyish breakfast with fats and proteins and whole grains. That keeps me from wanting to eat a huge lunch, and keeping almonds and carrots on hand for snacking curbs your appetite as well.

also, I cut out a lot of the sugar in my diet. I used to drink at least 20 oz. of coke a day, and now I have none. also, I avoid almost everything I can that has high fructose corn syrup, which has improved my digestion and my energy level in general.

ah, and I take vitamin B complex with vitamin C everyday (well, almost).

Supplying your body with the nutrients it needs will make your workouts more effective because your whole body will feel better and you'll have the energy to push yourself harder. (y)

[checkyourprez]

its a process your body needs to get used to.


you cant do nothing your whole life and just hop into hard core workouts. your system will, as it has done, go into shock.

do it like you have been, but each day try add a minute more on each thing, or .5 or 1 higher on the resistance for a little longer.


i always took being an athlete for granted. having practice all the time and just training and playing soccer always kept me super fit. now that im out of college for some years and work and responsibilities take over my life theres just not always time for that. its has become harder for me, and im a very active person. so dont be hard on yourself. just know that its a process and things take time. but stick with it and you will eventually see results.

and i know its much easier said than done but quit smoking.

[cosmo105]

FYI to all, vitamin supplements do not give you energy. Yes, B vitamins are necessary for energy, but only along certain pathways where they are essential cofactors in the production of energy from calories taken in from food. It's a common misconception that if you're tired, you can take vitamins and suddenly you'll be awake! Not true. Glucose and glucose alone is the direct fuel for all bodily functions. If you have a vitamin deficiency, then yes, you will be tired (among many other awful things), but if you eat a bowl of halfway decent cereal a day you're probably getting plenty. If anything a multivitamin is usually plenty. Most people don't need supplements. It's always best to get micronutrients from your food. And you can't OD on vitamins and minerals from food! It is, on the other hand, extremely easy to OD on them from supplement forms. B vitamins have a bunch of different side effects in the mega quantities that most supplements provide. And too much C will give you mad diarrhea. Don't even get me started on the water-soluble ones (A, D, E, and K). If you're worried about your B intake, eat a fortified cereal like Total. And drink calcium-enriched orange juice, soymilk etc.

The only supplements I suggest on a regular basis to people are calcium for women, omega-3 fatty acids, and of course b12 for vegans. Obviously if you have a deficiency your needs are different, but only a medical diagnosis can tell you that and no one should EVER self-diagnose and self-medicate such a condition.

The general thing I'm trying to say here is:

Ask your doctor and ask a dietitian. Not a "nutritionist" - a Registered Dietitian.


And yes soda is the devil but I love me some root beer :o

[Bob]

is raisin bran a halfway decent cereal?

[cosmo105]

Yeah, it's not bad. It has maybe a bit too much added sugar, but anything whole grain is usually better than not. It's hard to find cereal without a ton of sugar that tastes reasonably good. Other brands make raisin bran that isn't quite so sugary.

[cosmo105]

While I'm at it, it doesn't matter what time of day you eat. Another common misconception. If you burn the calories off and have a high metabolism, you can still eat (healthily obviously) right before bed without gaining weight. My prof/mentor would tell us that she'll think about what she's eaten that day right before bed, and if she hasn't had enough fruit she'll maybe grab some berries or enough protein, some nuts etc. and chow down. And she is in her late 60s and looks mayyyybe 40. And runs 6 miles a day.

[cosmo105]

my latest obsession (http://kashistore.com/detail/KHI+741008)

[Bob]

my latest obsession (http://kashistore.com/detail/KHI+741008)

i used to eat that but eh, i didn't like the texture of it. i didn't like it dry, and when i mixed it with milk it was this gross combination of soggy, sticky, and crunchy, i wasn't a fan

kept me regular as hell though

[cosmo105]

The Go Lean Crunch? Regular Kashi and even the Kashi Go Lean are both pretty bleah, but the Crunch is awesome. I just had some in soy yogurt because this thread made me hungry.

[Bob]

yeah, i'm pretty sure it was the crunch. i dunno, i couldn't get into it, it was too...crunchy, maybe? it's hard to describe, it just kind of felt like a chore to eat

[Randetica]

it takes at least 60 days for you to notice much of a change.



though closed pants already drop after one week of working out when youre really fat



never happened to me, i have to lose about 20 pounds till i notice that my clothes get baggier

[ms.peachy]

1) They have Coldstone Creamery in China?


Well they definitely have them in Shanghai; I can't tell you about the rest of the country. (It's a rather big place.)

[Dorothy Wood]

FYI to all, vitamin supplements do not give you energy. Yes, B vitamins are necessary for energy, but only along certain pathways where they are essential cofactors in the production of energy from calories taken in from food. It's a common misconception that if you're tired, you can take vitamins and suddenly you'll be awake! Not true. Glucose and glucose alone is the direct fuel for all bodily functions. If you have a vitamin deficiency, then yes, you will be tired (among many other awful things), but if you eat a bowl of halfway decent cereal a day you're probably getting plenty. If anything a multivitamin is usually plenty. Most people don't need supplements. It's always best to get micronutrients from your food. And you can't OD on vitamins and minerals from food! It is, on the other hand, extremely easy to OD on them from supplement forms. B vitamins have a bunch of different side effects in the mega quantities that most supplements provide. And too much C will give you mad diarrhea. Don't even get me started on the water-soluble ones (A, D, E, and K). If you're worried about your B intake, eat a fortified cereal like Total. And drink calcium-enriched orange juice, soymilk etc.

The only supplements I suggest on a regular basis to people are calcium for women, omega-3 fatty acids, and of course b12 for vegans. Obviously if you have a deficiency your needs are different, but only a medical diagnosis can tell you that and no one should EVER self-diagnose and self-medicate such a condition.

The general thing I'm trying to say here is:

Ask your doctor and ask a dietitian. Not a "nutritionist" - a Registered Dietitian.


And yes soda is the devil but I love me some root beer :o


Let me clarify, I didn't mean to say that vitamins give energy. I guess I just meant getting all the nutrients your body needs will give you more energy in general. I take the B complex because it was recommended to my uncle by his doctor for mood and then he recommended it to me. That's a pretty flimsy reason behind why I take it, I guess. I have mild clinical depression, but don't like to take medication so I figured a vitamin couldn't hurt.

I should also mention that before I started taking it (almost 2 years ago) , I never ate fruit. ever. maybe a strawberry yogurt every now and again. so that could have something to do with reaping the benefits of the added vitamin C. I make sure to eat more fruit these days. Can't eat bananas though, they stop me up. :(


but...I'll eat Total if it's better. :o

[nodanaonlyzuul]

I can't really give any input on most of this stuff, but commenting solely on the weight thing: sometimes you don't lose a whole lot.

I weight almost the same exact amount as I did about a year or so ago but I look a lot better, toner, and as if I might weight less because I've been working out via cardio and weight training. I completely ignore scales, I go by look. Also what's weird is that my measurements didn't really change that much but it definitely looks like they have, at least on my waist/hips area. So sometimes, at least in my case, that doesn't matter much either. Weird, but it happens.

[nodanaonlyzuul]

p.s. go lean crunch with soy milk & fresh blueberries was like crack for me until recently. I finally burnt out on it, haha.

[jabumbo]

i've been considering joining a gym for a while now, but i never have.

i won't run on treadmills, and i seemingly refuse to pay whatever it is to go somewhere a few days in the week to lift some weights. all the places that have classes and such that seem worthwhile are even more expensive, and that really sucks.

holidays + no real exercise + diabetes = me feeling like garbage

[valvano]

It's possible you're pre-diabetic, TOY, but valvano - really, don't diagnose the girl yourself. Let the medical professionals handle it. Always defer to the MD.



you dont have to be a plumber to fix a clogged toilet, you dont have to be a lawyer to know whats illegal, and you dont have to be a doctor to know the commonly known symptons of type 2 diabetes...;)

[cosmo105]

Let me clarify, I didn't mean to say that vitamins give energy. I guess I just meant getting all the nutrients your body needs will give you more energy in general. I take the B complex because it was recommended to my uncle by his doctor for mood and then he recommended it to me. That's a pretty flimsy reason behind why I take it, I guess. I have mild clinical depression, but don't like to take medication so I figured a vitamin couldn't hurt.

I should also mention that before I started taking it (almost 2 years ago) , I never ate fruit. ever. maybe a strawberry yogurt every now and again. so that could have something to do with reaping the benefits of the added vitamin C. I make sure to eat more fruit these days. Can't eat bananas though, they stop me up. :(


but...I'll eat Total if it's better. :o

Don't worry, I wasn't implying that you said they were. I just wanted to clarify it for urrbody :)

Yeah, more fruit is good. You really only need like 65 mg of C every day anyway. If you eat a couple of pieces of fruit, especially bell pepper or tomato, you's fine.

I used to take a sublingual liquid B complex that had the RDI of most of the Bs and then was super high in B12. It was great, and the only reason I don't take it anymore is because I've only ever found it in my hometown an hour away. I haven't noticed a huge difference since not taking it, but it's more of a peace of mind thing. And it made my pee an awesome bright yellow when I didn't need that extra B.

Water-soluble ones like C and B aren't as bad to OD on as the fat-soluble ones because obviously you just pee 'em out when you don't need them.

I know that the science on D is still bubbling to the surface but it does sound like everyone could use a supplement. Still, it's emerging science so I defer to the "don't fuck with your liver too much" point of view and try to get it from the sun (y)

[cosmo105]

you dont have to be a plumber to fix a clogged toilet, you dont have to be a lawyer to know whats illegal, and you dont have to be a doctor to know the commonly known symptons of type 2 diabetes...;)

Right. But if she's already said she's a hypochondriac and that she's been tested for it then maybe it's best to leave it to the professionals.

I get extremely dizzy when I stand up too fast too.

[Dorothy Wood]

ah, so if your pee is yellow, you don't need the B?

also, I meant to add that the eating a bigger/richer meal in the morning thing has helped me manage hunger throughout the day; and that, in turn, helped me lose weight. I didn't mean that it matters what time of day you eat food.

I also have a pretty physical job, so it helps to have a full belly in the morning. That said, I work at 11, and eat around 10/10:30, so my breakfast is pretty late compared to most people probably.

I have lunch at 3. and dinner anywhere between 8-10 p.m.

[insertnamehere]

you need to eat more, for a few reasons. first of all the reason you're getting dizzy and lightheaded is most likely low blood sugar. second, if you arent eating enough that your body thinks you're starving, your metabolism will slow down to try and compensate. if you eat better you can probably step up the workouts.

i also read somewhere or other (so i dont know if this is correct or not) but sometimes when you start an exercise routine you can gain a little bit of weight from your muscles holding water after the stress of the activity. eventually your body should acclimate and it shouldnt be an issue.

and drink lots and lots of water. if you're sweating more and not drinking more, your body could be retaining water b/c you're dehydrated.

just some ideas.

[Bob]

Right. But if she's already said she's a hypochondriac and that she's been tested for it then maybe it's best to leave it to the professionals.

I get extremely dizzy when I stand up too fast too.

your boyfriend probably gave you diabetes

i'm making jokes about diseases i don't have AND people i don't know, i'm wonderful

[insertnamehere]

so i buy that it doesnt matter what times of day you eat, but i've always heard a lot of stuff about eating breakfast being super important to lose weight. can you back this up with anything other than "it makes you feel full so you eat less later" ?

if i eat breakfast im ravenously hungry usually within the next two hours or so. like moreso than if i didnt eat breakfast. im not a regular breakfast eating but im trying to start.

[TOY]

So just to comment, I went to the gym tonight and the person I go with was all about talking to a trainer guy to get on a program. Fucking USELESS.

"Your heart rate should be xyz when doing cardio."

It is.

"You should do crunches. At least 50 a day."

I do.

"Okay, here's how you press buttons on machines."

I know.

:rolleyes:

[insertnamehere]

what was his justification for the crunches? not saying you shouldnt, but he didnt say anything like "to turn the fat into muscle" or the like, did he?

[TOY]

what was his justification for the crunches? not saying you shouldnt, but he didnt say anything like "to turn the fat into muscle" or the like, did he?

NOPE! Nothing. He asked what our goals were, I said I wanted to lose 10-15lbs. and tone my lower body. He just pointed out the machine that would work best which was the reverse crunch-thing and/or just rolling around on a mat.

[cosmo105]

so i buy that it doesnt matter what times of day you eat, but i've always heard a lot of stuff about eating breakfast being super important to lose weight. can you back this up with anything other than "it makes you feel full so you eat less later" ?

if i eat breakfast im ravenously hungry usually within the next two hours or so. like moreso than if i didnt eat breakfast. im not a regular breakfast eating but im trying to start.

Your body's just been fasting for hours and hours while you were sleeping. It's not good to let yourself go that long without food. Then you slip into the starvation mode. I NEVER skip breakfast. Even if it's just a soymilk and instant oatmeal or a banana, at least it's some fuel. I get wicked lightheaded if I don't.

What kind of breakfast are you talking about having here?

[Documad]

For me it makes a big difference whether my breakfast is a scone vs. something with protein.

I don't know what's physical and what's psychological, but if I up my consumption of things with vitamin C during the winter then I don't get sick. I'm almost positive it's a placebo effect but it still works.

[insertnamehere]

a bowl of cereal with skim milk. i usually try to get a healthier kind of cereal, but most recently i got a box of frosted mini wheats. i got this insane craving for them while i was running and went straight from the gym to the grocery store. plz dont bitch at me about the sugar content.

or sometimes a slimfast. i have some kind of aversion to eating soon after i wake up. chewing is just too much effort. i dont know if a slimfast can count as a legit breakfast but its better than nothing right? riiiiight?

in all honesty im not a big fan of cereal but its pretty much the easiest way to go. i cant stress to you how much i dont want to prepare/eat food in the morning.

[cosmo105]

Oh hell no, I LOVE sugary cereal. I have a soft cushy spot for it. I feel you on the frosted mini-wheats. Unfortunately it has gelatin, but the organic version doesn't (:confused:) so I can eat the hell out of that one.

Slimfast isn't a complete meal, you're right, but it is better than nothing. If you can get that in you within the first hour or so of waking and then have something a couple of hours later you'll be fine. Maybe some packets of instant oatmeal that you can just pour in a cup and add hot water to would work? I used to live off that shit when I worked a job I hated so much I'd roll out of bed with as little time as possible before I had to be there.

[insertnamehere]

yeah i tend to pull this thing where i wake up with a reasonable amount of time to get ready, then reset my alarm and go back to sleep instead of getting ready, so i end up actually getting up with only enough time to put on pants and shoes and go to class (and chug slimfast)

i hate the name "slimfast" and it makes me embarrassed to buy it, but i like how it tastes and it puts something semi-filling with some vitamins and protien and shit in it in my belly, so meh.

[The Notorious LOL]

I've always heard its a good idea to balance your carbs with a good amount of protein if you have glucose issues (diabetes/pre-diabetes/insulin resistance). I cant really explain the science behind it like I know but I guess its supposed to even out spikes in your blood sugar levels.

[Dorothy Wood]

yeah, eat some almonds, yo.


I can't eat just sweet stuff in the morning, without fail I'll get hungry an hour later. super hungry. If I don't have time for a breakfast sammich of eggs/cheese/spinach or meats (usually between whole grain pieces of bread, when I'm being good), I'll have cheese and something whole grainy and maybs an apple or a handful of almonds.

I've also been known to shove a paw full of raw spinach in my mouth before heading out the door.

sidenote, I bought some Total, blueberry pomegranate Total, omg it's delicious! has too much sugar in it though, so it can only be a treat. :(

[nodanaonlyzuul]

NOPE! Nothing. He asked what our goals were, I said I wanted to lose 10-15lbs. and tone my lower body. He just pointed out the machine that would work best which was the reverse crunch-thing and/or just rolling around on a mat.

you really have to do your research on trainers before signing up with one. Most trainers at chain gyms don't know more than average folks and/or are conditioned to stretch the time for more cash and/or pushed to sell merchandise and supplements and what have you.

some trainers offer services where they meet you at the gym you attend, as they have memberships themselves.

either that, or check references.

The best trainers won't charge you for time you spend on a cardio machine and will try to take you out of your comfort zone by trying new exercises or machines you have not bothered with before.

[russhie]

Oh I wanna join in and get my lifestyle & habits analysed! woo!

I workout 5-6 days a week - a perfect week is something like this:
4km run 3 mornings a week, 45 min of swimming two mornings a week, RPM (like a spin class but better cause it's interval training) on a Saturday morning. RPM 4 nights a week. Bikram yoga one night a week. And weights/stretches 3 times a week.
More often than not though I'll only get to work out twice a day 2-3 times a week because of overtime at work and socialising.

Food, I usually eat a wholemeal roll for breakfast, a banana or apple for morning snack, a salad or small bowl of pasta with tuna mixed in or salmon & spinach wrap (using wholemeal lebanese bread) for lunch and steamed veggies & tofu cubes for dinner.

I take a B complex vitamin daily, because my B12 levels were not so good and had to get it injected for awhile last year.

Alcohol, caffeine & recreational drugs are my vices and (with the exception of amphetamines) do nothing for me weight wise so I should cut down. Alot. Stress stops me losing weight effectively, as does the pill.

I think the biggest "ARGH I don't know what I'm doing!" thing with food is portion size. Mine are small at the moment, but I want to make sure I'm as full of nutrients and energy as possible.

[jabumbo]

I've always heard its a good idea to balance your carbs with a good amount of protein if you have glucose issues (diabetes/pre-diabetes/insulin resistance). I cant really explain the science behind it like I know but I guess its supposed to even out spikes in your blood sugar levels.


the protein slows down the intake of the sugar so instead of spiking real high after about 15-30 minutes, you get a gentle peak after about an hour.

when i went to a dietitian a while back, she would always suggest that when having a piece of fruit, that i add peanut butter/cheese/etc to go with it.

[Randetica]

you need to eat more, for a few reasons. first of all the reason you're getting dizzy and lightheaded is most likely low blood sugar. second, if you arent eating enough that your body thinks you're starving, your metabolism will slow down to try and compensate. if you eat better you can probably step up the workouts.



yeah, if you dont eat enough your body thinks youre starving and when you eat more again it will turn all the food into fat, to have more fat reserves so the starving risk sinks next time

so in the end eating not enough isnt just unhealthy but you will also get fatter that way, unless you hardly eat anything for the rest of your life

[monkey]

my latest obsession (http://kashistore.com/detail/KHI+741008)

a friend and i used to snack on this all the time. then we realized we were both getting very... tooty. so we stopped cause we're convinced the cereal gave us the toots.

i have the most terrible eating and exercise habits now. it's really shameful. last night, dinner was a yogurt and whole grain saltines. at 2 am. :/