Fall/winter weight management thread

[Crankin]

I love to cook, and I am very disciplined when it comes to eating. However, I am not a total control freak about it, either. I go out a lot, but I try to plan for it, with exercise and lighter meals the next day. I can't imagine not enjoying food, eating, cooking, going to restaurants. I plan 4-5 meals a week, mostly vegetarian, fish, or chicken. I hate eating the same things over and over and I dislike having a lot of left overs. If I make extra, it will be OK for lunch, or frozen, but not for dinner again in the same week. The only pastries I eat are for really special occasions, or when I am in Europe. I only eat dessert once a week, if at all, but I do have 2 squares of dark chocolate daily and I have a glass of wine probably 5X a week. It doesn't seem to make any difference if I stop both of those things.
I go to boot camp 2X a week at the gym all year round. It's a complement to riding, as well as x country skiing and snow shoeing. Shooting Star, I do go snow shoeing locally, right out of my door. It's not flat, but not the same as being in the true mountains. But, it's better than nothing. I used to go to spin class quite a bit more in the winter. Now I only go occasionally and use my trainer at home. I do 30-45 minutes of intervals, which is all I can stand. I just have to up the intensity this year. It's really frustrating.

[Catrin]

I am in :-)

I spent between 30-50 between 50-90 pounds heavier than I am now. I am 5'3, small frame, and carry MOST of my weight in my belly (and b*obs) so I looked far heavier than I was. Several autoimmune conditions, NO thyroid (removed at 25), and a sedentary lifestyle all contributed. As I look back, my diet wasn't all that bad and things wouldn't have gotten out of control if I hadn't driven a taxi between 1998-2003. The more I tried to work with the traditional American "low-fat" diet that everyone recommended, the heavier I became and eventually developed diabetes 2. The jury is still out whether I crossed that line or not - but I was able to reverse the condition. I know, however, that I need to be vigilant to prevent the return.

For me, I found that the Paleo/Primal lifestyle worked for me. I've been between 125-128 consistently for over 3 years now, and am currently exploring/researching dietary impacts on autoimmune disease - there has been a lot of good research on this recently. I also would like to cut my weight a bit for a competition I have on Jan. 31. I am unsure how realistic it is for me to cut 10 pounds between now and then and still be able to perform. The weight classes for the particular Kettlebell Association (there are several, each with different weight classes) competition are large. I would prefer to be at the top of my weight class rather than the bottom 4th as I currently am. I've also noted that I can't seem to get my weight below 125 and keep it there at my current activity level - so it is probably an unrealistic short-term goal. Retaining my strength/endurance/improving both are move important that hitting the 54 KG weight class, if I remain in the 59 KG class then so be it.

I train in kettlebell lifting 3 times a week, an hour each time. One day a week I focus on cardio-endurance - which normally involves a kettlebell or two OR features a rower/stair-mill combination. Wish my neck would allow riding, but that is life. I am thankful to still be able to do all I do!

[Veronica]

Do you know your body fat percentage Catrin? I find that to be a good tool to decide how much weight I can realistically lose for a particular event. If you're 128 and 20% BF losing 10 pounds of fat (because you don't want to lose your muscle you need that for your event!) would put you at 12%. Not realistic. But if you're at 25% losing 10 pounds of fat would drop you down to about 17% - not so unrealistic.

Veronica

[Crankin]

Yup, my weight may go up and down 5 lbs., but when my bodyfat goes above 18% I know I'm in serious trouble. It's very consistent, always between 15 and 18%.