Need some suggestions
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 01-17-2007 - 12:38am |
Ok ladies, I need your advice. I am at the point where I am ready to do something about my physical fitness. In the last 10 months I have gained weight just in my lower ab and hip area. I haven't changed my eating habits or activity level however my weight has gone up 15% in this short time. I had my annual check with my Primary Care Doctor. All my labs results were very good, blood pressure is fine, blah blah blah. The only thing that has changed is I stopped taking the pill. Now she agreed with me that while it's "normal" to gain weight while ON the pill, it could be possible that my body needs the regulated hormones to keep my weight regulated. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing???? In the mean time, I have to do SOMETHING! My skin hurts from my spare tire buldging, none of my clothes fit (I'm talking 2-3 size difference), and I feel...well just crappy, no energy stuff jiggles where it NEVER has jiggled before.
I got the "YOU on a diet" book. I did the 'waist' test and I'm below the 32-37 inch range for women. I had asked my doctor if I should get liposuction (since I've had trouble with my 'pouch' all my life) and she said I wouldn't be happy with the results that I would need a tummy tuck. Well that got my attention. I didn't think my body was that far gone that I couldn't improve it without surgery. I really thought my doctor would say "You get need to work out at the gym more and it can be flat as a board in about 6 months". My goal is to lose 15 pounds by April 1. My challenges are 1) finding an exercise program that fits my schedule 2) improving my eating habits 3) staying motivated. Has anyone ever worked with a personal trainer at home? How do I find someone? What should it cost? Also, what's the best way to learn how to eat healthy? We seem to be stuck in a rut of pasta, fried food and lots of red meat. As silly as it sounds, I just keep doing what we've been doing and hoping for different results. I now know that isn't going to happen.
thanks for letting me ramble.
susan

Hey Susan......can't really answer your questions regarding a trainer; but had some ideas in other areas for you-
That's good that your annual went well-- what's your new work schedule like? Do you have any idea of when you would be able to workout, and for how long? What sort of workout do you want/like?
In any case, it's good to have you back with us, and hopefully somebody else will have some info on trainers for you!
_____________________________________________________
![]()
Hey Susan, I don't think your doctor gave you bad news necessarily, I would think if he was steering you away from surgery that means that you can alter body with exercise and diet, which is a good thing! (of course it's a little more work, LOL)
Is your schedule the same as it was before? I think IG has given you some great tips. I'd love to know what you think of the "You on a Diet" book, as I have it on my list of books to read this year.
I have worked with a personal trainer at a gym, and am considering taking advantage of the 2 hours of free home personal training we have access to at work. I think it was actually well worth the money when I paid for it because they can do a proper fitness assessment, talk to you about your goals and they have the knowledge to set up a program that will help you achieve those goals.
I think I paid about $42/hour for fitness consultation and training and that includes:
Qualified staff can help you with:
I also found this link on choosing a personal trainer:
http://www.canadianliving.com/CanadianLiving/client/en/Health/DetailNews.asp?idNews=232179&idSM=315
I experienced weight gain on and off the pill, so really it's not too surprising that you gained weight once you came off it; you body needs to adjust and I think the hormones being in flux can screw with your waistline a bit. One gains weight on the pill cuz we are hungry, so since you were eating more on the pill, you may have still kept the same pattern of eating when you went off it.
I think personal trainers are great! You might find that you get a couple of free consultations when you join a gym. If the personal trainer is too expensive you can do what I did which is get to know the staff at the gym. This works two ways. 1) They get to know you as well, therefore you will feel the pressure of having someone else know when you are going to the gym and more importantly when you are not going. I often felt embarrassed if I did not go, so was motivated to go. 2) You can get advice as you work out - realistically one is needed for those start up sessions when you need someone to create a plan for you. Otherwise I would meet up once a month. Some of my good friends were the training staff, I am chatty so I tend to make friends at the gym. :)
Also, take photos, track your calories and weight loss. If you can see the results and are tracking what you eat, you may find you keep to it. April is 4 months away, so it's totally possible to lose 15pds by then.
As for the surgery, the first thing that popped into my head was yeah she said no lipo, but really doctors are business people. They want to make money, so I think if you said should I do lipo or just workout, my cynical side might thing she would go for the lipo since some get's paid to do that. I also think there is nothing wrong with getting help from medical advancement, just realise that you will have to maintain it afterwards. I would be careful and really research the physician; they do not need as much certification or examination to before certified in some surgeries. And whilst you are reseaching a good doctor, work out, do your cardio and weight lifting; who knows you may find that in fact the working out did the deed and a doctor is not necessary.
Good luck!
<ahref="http://www.TickerFactory.com/debt/wJLmWvM/"><imgborder="0"src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wJLmWvM/debt.png"></a>
Thanks for the link, Miranda. I thought about contact a local fitness club but I wasn't sure if the trainers would be 'pushing' the gym membership or only workout that would work in the gym. As I mentioned in my post to IG, my schedule is wacky and will be for the next 3-4 months and by then I want my old shape back. LOL I will travel at least once a month and be away from home 5-7 days at a time so I really need a program tailored to me and be able to do it on my own. The small towns I go to don't have a work out facility in the hotels where I ususally stay.
Susan
<ahref="http://www.TickerFactory.com/debt/wJLmWvM/"><imgborder="0"src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wJLmWvM/debt.png"></a>
Thanks for your tips. I think having someone else help me be accountable will definately be a motivating factor! ;0D
Susan
<ahref="http://www.TickerFactory.com/debt/wJLmWvM/"><imgborder="0"src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wJLmWvM/debt.png"></a>
If there is a University or College close by, you may want to see if any of the Phys Ed students do personal training too! That way they wouldn't be influenced by things like gym memberships, etc.