Not quite off the wagon...

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Not quite off the wagon...
8
Thu, 02-23-2006 - 10:00pm

Just wanted to stop by to say hi, Ladies.

Things got super busy and I've been in lurker mode lately. Looks like I've gotta renew my express yourself subscription. Anyhow, I've been slacking somewhat lately, but hopefully over the weekend I can get myself back in the mindset that I need to be in! I told my dh that this seems to be my m.o. I work out and eat well for about eight weeks, stop seeing results and fall off the wagon. I think I need to find a different way to measure results besides the scale. It just doesn't move sometimes - or goes in the wrong direction! (Yes, I know muscle weighs more than fat... blah blah blah.) :-)

I need to come up with some reasonable exercise goals and measure my progress by speed and strength improvements. I also have to be satisfied with SMALL gains. I guess don't have enough patience.

Debbie

smile siggie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 6:21am

Hi Debbie~ wondered where you'd run off to! ;-)


Hey holding onto that wagon for 8 weeks straight is great.....and perhaps your body just needed a small little 'nap' to feel energised and ready for the next lap! From reading your posts you sound like a determined person, I'm sure you will hop back onto the wagon with ease.


Good luck on setting some

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 8:31am

Hi Debbie,

I know just how you feel. I'd like to loose 25 pounds (that would be a total of 90 pounds lost) and it just seems like things aren't progressing as quickly as they should. I exercise extensively and eat right. I have eaten out a little more than I should lately, but not irresponsibly. I get on the scales everyday and they never go down. I'm 170. I can't wait to move down into the 160's, you know? But some days I even flux up to 173 and then a couple days later I'm back at 170. I'm to the point that I don't know if I can go any lower. I'm not willing to starve myself, and I think I look great. I probably have put on some muscle weight in the last few weeks since I started some intense upperbody exercises. I have great biceps, triceps, and back muscles. Not to mention visible abs (that boggles my mind). So lately, when I get on the scales I don't sweat it. I know how fit I feel, and that's going to have to suffice.

Nice to talk to you,
Erin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 11:21am

Welcome to teh board Erin, BtW.


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Debbie, I think that you have done great!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 2:11pm

Nice to "meet" you! You know, I agree with you totally about the scale, which is why I've stopped weighing myself all together. I measuere myself about once amonth (not per week, but per MONTH) and in between measuring, I watch the way my clothes fit and my energy levels. Keep up the hard work; we're in it together!

Mia

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Sun, 02-26-2006 - 9:48pm

Thank you so much for the words of support and encouragment, Ladies! It means so much. Well, I decided that if I am really going to gear my focus more toward exercise goals, the best way to keep myself motivated would be to sign up for an "event" of some sort. I found a local 5 mile run to benefit children suffering with cystic fibrosis. It's going to be on 4/29 which gives me NINE WEEKS to get myself in some sort of shape to finish! Tonight I got on the treadmill and did four miles which I was happy with.

I also had an "ah ha" moment. Since 6-8 weeks seems to be the point at which my motivation and interest in working out wanes, maybe I just need to rest at that point. (AH HA!) I realized that instead of feeling like a failure for not working out and waiting for weeks to get back on the wagon, what I should be doing is giving myself PERMISSION to take a week "off" exercising every six to eight weeks or so. For instance, I haven't worked out in a little over a week. But getting back into it today felt really good. So, maybe after this running event, instead of losing interest and not working out and feeling badly about it, I'll take a week "off." I won't stop working out all together, necessarily. However, instead of runs or spinning classes, maybe I'll just do a yoga class or two, or do some walking that week.

I'm still going to watch what I'm eating, but I'm not going to pay as much attention to the scale now that I have this event to "train" for. Hopefully I'll be able to gauge my improvement by my speed and endurance - both of which have PLENTY of room for improvement!

So, that's my plan. I've got my work cut out for me. But, I've got a runners log to track my progress and I found a workout schedule online that corresponds to my fitness level & tells me how often to run, how far, etc. Wish me luck. I'm excited again.

Debbie

smile siggie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 6:54am

That's wonderful news Debbie- good for you!


And I think your 'rest' week sounds like a good idea, you won't be exactly getting off the wagon, just taking it on a slower route that week.


Here's to you :-)


~IslandGirl



Every achievement starts with a little legwork!




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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2003
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 10:28am

Hey Debbie...I just came in to read this thread at the tail end, and I had a thought I just had to add.

~~ Steffy ~~
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 11:30am

Debbie, I love how you've analyzed your patterns and have come up with a solution to what your problem is - that is the great thing about keeping journals - you can see emerging patterns and try to find solutions to areas where you notice any issues.