Blue, Roxy, other exercisers??

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Blue, Roxy, other exercisers??
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Tue, 06-19-2007 - 11:21am

I have a couple of questions for all the exercisers/fitness gurus on the board. I have been working out with weights a few times a week. Normally I use 5 pd. dumbbells for my arms. As you know, Blue, I carry my weight in my upper body.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2007
Mon, 06-25-2007 - 8:22pm

Hi Blue. It's taken me awhile to get around to this post. I'm amazed at your story-it's very similar to mine. Most of what you said I would echo to Ting-lots of good advice.

Anyway-I have gone from a size 14 to a size 8 very quickly. Actually, one of my friends said I "morphed". I really think it went along with the whole process of coming out-uncovering myself once and for all. I have always eaten to deal with anything uncomfortable in my life-but that's another story.

I have taken up a very regular routine of kickboxing and weight lifting and some other cardio. I have been very consistent-rarely missing class. I guess it helps that I had the hots for one of my instructors :-} I also love to motivate people. I have a lot of people comment on my progress, and want to know the secret. There's no secret-it's just like Nike says-"Just do it!".

I also told a friend that she couldn't bulk up-she didn't have the hormonal make-up to do that. She doesn't believe me. My arms have lots of definition now, but not bulk.

Here's to endorphin highs!

Passion

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2007
Mon, 06-25-2007 - 8:28pm

Hi Ting. This discussion has gotten so long, too long for me to read all the replies. I'm sure you've gotten some good advice.

I have recently (in the past year) gotten into shape again after my babies. I started slowly, doing one kickboxing class a week, and slowly adding other classes-like weights. Blue had really good advice. There's no magic pill. The "magic pill" for me was finding something I loved-which was kickboxing. I have so much fun-never get bored. An hour goes by so quickly and I'm dripping sweat. So the magic is finding something you really love, and you end up looking forward to the workout. Then when you start seeing results, you're more motivated and you just take off. I added weight classes and really saw a difference in my progress.

I've become very lean-more fit than anytime in my life. Also going to classes helped me a lot because I got a lot of feedback from others-and then people come to expect you there. That may not be an option for you. Do you have any tapes to follow?

Again, you may have gotten all this advice already. Find something you love that really burns the calories. I don't really worry too much about what I eat anymore-because I naturally regulate my calories in and out with so much exercise. You can do it! You'll start to look forward to it soon!

Passion

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Mon, 06-25-2007 - 10:11pm

Hey, Passion, congratulations! Nice work. I like the word "morphed." That's truly what happened. I was not doing this because I was coming out or things were happening, but certain people alluded to that. Now when I come out to friends, I always think I have to say, "No, I didn't lose weight because of this, I did it for me." I kind of resent the implication. Some folks think I have a boyfriend; yeah, like that will ever happen.

I love kickboxing and almost wish I took classes, but I wouldn't have that kind of discipline. I did take judo for about 4 years and now sometimes teach it in my classes, but that is the only class I have ever taken in regards to fitness. I can't even get myself to a gym.

I am just passionate about this subject. I would like all people to find their fun fitness routine and stay in condition. It's good for their heart, their brains, muscles, bones, geez, well, everything. Baby steps for everybody is the key, and like you said, finding what they enjoy doing.

Thanks and I'll see you at the endorphin bar.

Blue

BLUE DIA
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2007
Mon, 06-25-2007 - 10:22pm

I meant to reply earlier cat but then lost where the post was. About good carbs (just my choices, i tend to watch these way more):

I avoid all bread and pasta. And eat some beans like kidney beans in chili or barley as in soup or I cook barley like rice. It is lower in the glycemic scale than even brown rice. AS far as fruits: I eat all berries because they are so low in natural sugars and sometimes cantaloupe but i always pair it with protein to stablize blood sugar.

I found WASA rye crakers or fiber crakers are good too and mostly fiber. I really do not do very many carbs. Hope that helps

Hugs

Roxy

Avatar for why1040
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 06-26-2007 - 7:08am

I've also been following this thread with pleasure, but didn't feel confident adding to it, for some reason. Now I'm going to, because it's turned into such a fascinating topic!

I used to comfort eat, and was a British size 18 (that's about a US 14, give or take a bit). I've always ridden horses, but when it's once a week at a riding school, you don't get a lot of benefit.

As I got more control of my depression and felt less need to comfort eat, the extra weight kind of dropped off fairly naturally, I never even thought about it. But I've always had a bit of a thigh/bottom issue. I have a ridiculously thin waist, but it all goes on my bottom and thighs, so buying jeans can be REALLY interesting!

Over the past couple of years, while learning to really control my mind, I've discovered exercising too. I'm not as disciplined as I'd like to be, but by definition I get at least an hour a day with riding the horse! He needs exercise 5 days a week absolute minimum! In addition, to help myself ride better, I use a physio ball for core excercise, a rebounder (one of those little mini-trampolines) for general cardio (it's FUN!), a wobble board for balance and core muscles, and a hula hoop for evening out those little one-sided problems! I try to do something every day, because I feel better for it, even if it's only 5 minutes! I also do T'ai Chi regularly, and meditate every day, because both of them help me relax and focus on just being me.

Due to a gluten intolerance, I have to avoid ALL wheat, rye and barley (and any oats processed in the same factory as the above), so I've had to change my diet quite drastically! I now bake my own bread with gluten free mixes, though I don't tend to eat a lot of it. I eat a lot of rice (mainly brown or a white, black and red mix), quinoa (red or white) and potato. As I had to change so much anyway, I've moved over to organic food, including meat, which limits my meat intake through budget! I was getting an organic box of fruit and vegetables delivered, but a lot was going to waste because it was too big for just me. So now I buy what I need from the supermarket, but I try to keep it to at least organic, and preferrably local. However, I'm a candy fiend, and eat it pretty much every day. I work on the principle that there is so much now that I cannot eat, that I'm darned well going to ENJOY everything that I can, so I eat what I feel like when I feel like. Luckily I was brought up to enjoy healthy food too :o)

I also make sure to drink at least 2 litres of bottled water a day. The tap water here is disgusting, so I won't touch it. It coloured my hair green when we first moved to the area, because of the aluminium content, apparently! I'm NOT putting that in my body! It makes a huge difference to my well-being, and my zits! I break out as soon as I'm naughty and don't finish my bottle per day!

To go back to the original question, with regard to weight lifting, it may bulk you a little, but it will define and shape it in a totally different way, so it'll look fabulous. Personally, I might mix it with something like Pilates for the long, lean muscle development too, but then I enjoy Pilates, and not everyone does!

Gentle hugs,

Chris

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Tue, 06-26-2007 - 8:10am

Awesome post, Chris. Tip of the hat to you! Brillant! as they say.

I do not eat much organic, but for no reason. Expense, I guess.

You have a nice variety of things so you don't get bored with only one activity as that can distract you from working out. I have always wanted to ride a horse, but never have. Sounds you take care of your horse as you take care of yourself.

I understand you about the mind control thing. I also know as Passion said that exercising release those endorhpins and that can give such a pleasant feeling to the body subconsciously, while the conscious gives that old "pat on the back" when you complete an activity.

Well done.

Hugs

Blue

BLUE DIA
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Tue, 06-26-2007 - 8:54am

Thanks, Passion!


Oh, yes, I'm well aware that there is no "magic pill," and I've always believed that hard work is the key. I have a good routine and know overall what will work for me in the weight loss area. I just don't have a lot of experience with weights and mainly wanted to know what I direction I should be heading in with that.


Caly and I have been going to the gym A LOT over the past two weeks, and I am starting to feel better. I think that's a big part of what we needed - increasing the number of workouts.


Thanks for your feedback, and CONGRATULATIONS on your success!


Hugs


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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Tue, 06-26-2007 - 9:00am

I like your approach and attitude, Chris! I think every little bit of activity counts. I always take the stairs in our parking garage at work. I usually park on the 3rd floor and go out at lunch, so I go up and down three times a day. Today, I'm parked on the 4th floor and will walk. That kind of stuff adds up I think.


I enjoy Pilates too, but don't get to do it much. I have a DVD that I use occasionally, but I do a core abs routine at least every other day.


Hugs


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 06-26-2007 - 4:27pm
Sorry,I didn't read all the posts in this thread.
So do we have an exercise club yet? *smile*
Do we have a program, say 6 or 12 wks? *smile*
If not, how about it?
We don't have to share our weights if we are shy about it.
I would like to lose some weights. Would like some support. *smile*
Maybe Blue and Rox and anyone else with good taste in exercise music can share the songs that would motivate one to go out and move her butts out? *l*
How about it?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2007
Fri, 06-29-2007 - 8:47pm

Eastrogue........Your post perked my ears up, I would love a group to keep me accountable! I'm down 39 pounds from my heaviest weight, but I still need to lose 73 pounds! I've spent the last year gaining and losing the same 10 pounds.

Anyone else interested in some sort of weight loss/fitness support group?

Shannon

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