The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[DogMa]

Wow! That Walk and Box tape was pretty darn tough, with some jogging and everything (I was OK, but if I had known, I'd have brought the Enelle with me to keep the girls steady).

Anyway, still doing the gym tonight, although I may take it a little easier on the quads after so many squats this week (and lunges, although there were none of those today, at least).

[Lizabette]

WOW!! is all I can say on your workout schedule...WTG!

[DogMa]

Thanks, Lizabette. Although it's funny, I was just coming to post that I'm rethinking going to the gym tonight. I didn't increase my calories as much as I should have, and I don't have anything appropriate at work to make up for it (I have a bar, plus some Medifast stuff, which is too carby). So I'm thinking maybe I should wait and move the gym day to tomorrow, when I'll only have done an hour of cardio instead of 75 minutes or so.

I'm still debating, but I think tomorrow (or even Saturday) may be a better choice.

[Tawanda]

Robin, your workout schedule is impressive and it is obvious that you are putting a lot of thought into what you do. I'm eager to hear how you feel that you are doing and if you are needing to tweak anything. Thank you for sharing what you are doing with us.

[bikipatra]

Can I ask what your exercise program was like when you were still on 5-1? I want to exercise more but am afraid of overdoing it.

[DogMa]

Errrrr ... it was nonexistent. Every few months I'd try to start something, like a tape or walking or whatever, and every time I did, I stopped losing and/or started gaining. I tried adding an extra shake, but that didn't help. So finally I just gave up and waited till I was almost at goal.

When I got close, I started working out, mostly with DVDs. I stopped losing again, but I saw so many other changes (muscles showing, firm thighs, etc.) that I decided that was more important than what the scale said. By then I was in my goal sizse, so I raised my goal and stopped early so that I could focus more on exercise and body fat and less on food and weight.

[DonnaS]

Errrrr ... it was nonexistent. Every few months I'd try to start something, like a tape or walking or whatever, and every time I did, I stopped losing and/or started gaining. I tried adding an extra shake, but that didn't help. So finally I just gave up and waited till I was almost at goal.

When I got close, I started working out, mostly with DVDs. I stopped losing again, but I saw so many other changes (muscles showing, firm thighs, etc.) that I decided that was more important than what the scale said. By then I was in my goal sizse, so I raised my goal and stopped early so that I could focus more on exercise and body fat and less on food and weight.

I think you just made my mind up about exercising. I didn't know what to do and I certainly don't want to stop losing. Although, I know while exercising that you gain muscle mass and any gains, or the no losses, would be due to that. Still.........I don't want to get discouraged and I'm afraid that I would if I stopped losing on the scale. Guess it's just a head thing with me.

I have been reading your journal and will certainly refer back to it when I am in transition. You have done so well on this plan and I want to follow your lead. Keep up the good work!

[DogMa]

Thanks, Donna. I'm not saying other people will gain if they exercise. I have an extremely finicky metabolism, which is why I spend so much time trying to find the right balance.

It also was definitely not because I was gaining muscle. It's actually pretty difficult and takes a lot of work to gain a pound of muscle. I would not discourage anyone from exercising if they can do it and still lose weight (but I would caution anyone against doing too much while on the program).

[DogMa]

Dang. Up 0.6. It's either extra sodium (possible; I had plenty the past few days, although no more yesterday than the day before) or it's that I was up to 1350 calories the past two days (from 1300). I'm going to cut back down a bit today (on calories AND sodium) and see if that takes care of it.

[Lauren]

Morning, Robin -

C'mon, you know that extra calories yesterday wouldn't mean weight gain today...it doesn't work that fast! :-) Besides, if you cut back in calories AND sodium today, how will you know which was the contributing variable? Make it a little bit more scientific, and keep all the variables the same but one thing, and see if that one change affects the scale. Not in a day or two, but in a week. We can't gauge the success of our efforts by a daily weigh-in, we have to give our body a chance to adjust to changes, even slight ones, and let the calories in vs calories out be accumulated and processed in our body. Just my two cents, of course!

Good luck!

Lauren

[Serendipity]

Dang, if I cut back every time the scale was up .6 pounds, I'd be at 0 calories by now. My weight fluctuates as much as 2-3 pounds in a week....up and down. On the other hand, if I ate more every time the scale was down, I'd be in big trouble, lol.

[Lauren]

Me too, Jo! I totally fluctuate all week every week! As long as it doesn't go over that "happy" number, which is the number below my goal (like you) that makes me feel safe, I am cool. So my fluctuations vary from the happy number to a few pounds below it...

.6 pounds? I laugh at .6 pounds! hahahah :-)

Lauren

[bikipatra]

Errrrr ... it was nonexistent. Every few months I'd try to start something, like a tape or walking or whatever, and every time I did, I stopped losing and/or started gaining. I tried adding an extra shake, but that didn't help. So finally I just gave up and waited till I was almost at goal.

When I got close, I started working out, mostly with DVDs. I stopped losing again, but I saw so many other changes (muscles showing, firm thighs, etc.) that I decided that was more important than what the scale said. By then I was in my goal sizse, so I raised my goal and stopped early so that I could focus more on exercise and body fat and less on food and weight.

I know this doesn't apply to others who may read this, but I want to ask you a question just about me. My losses have slowed to 1 pound, 1.5 pounds or no pounds, while being compliant. If you were me, would you give up the exercise for a week just to see if it made a difference? I have never tried adding an extra shake, which I really don't want to do but some days I am very tired after 2 miles and oother days I am just fine.

[DogMa]

I know, you guys. I actually wound up planning for the same number of calories but less sodium (but it wasn't one day of higher cals, it was two in a row, and all week long it had been a steady progression downward). I think the sodium probably did me in, though. I need to plan a little better for next week, now that I've got kind of a routine going.

Biki, how about a compromise and walk half the amount (or every other day) for a bit and see how it goes? I'd hate to see you give up the walks when you enjoy them so much and they seem to be helping you in ways other than weight loss.

[Lizabette]

Me too, Jo! I totally fluctuate all week every week! As long as it doesn't go over that "happy" number, which is the number below my goal (like you) that makes me feel safe, I am cool. So my fluctuations vary from the happy number to a few pounds below it... .6 pounds? I laugh at .6 pounds! hahahah :-) Lauren

Story of my maintenance life! Fluctuations must be something ordained to keep us steady in the boat.
Right now I'm fluctuating right around my happy number, so gotta keep cool and let my body keep adjusting and readjusting.
'Specially with some of the extra exercise I'm adding in.
This is only my one cent's worth, ROBIN. You are doing great, kid!