Weigh-in Week of March 10

[limewave]

Hi Everyone,
Last week I hadn't lost any weight after eating 1700 calories a day for more than 2 weeks.

I still haven't lost any weight (I also took a few days off from my cal counting ) I saw my doctor this week and she had some encouraging suggestions:

First of all, she did a BMI test on me. My BMI isn't as high as we thought. So, I only need to lose about 15 lbs to get to my healthy BMI as opposed to 25 like I had originally thought.

Second, she suggested decreasing my carbs from 60% of my diet to about 50% and staying at 1700 calories a day.

I need to intensify my workouts. I can't just ride my bike for an hour anymore. I have to do interval training with a recovery time of only 2 to 3 minutes in between.

Lastly, she said to workout first thing in the morning before I eat and to not eat for an hour afterwards. She said I'll feel tired and not as energized, but it will burn my fat stores as opposed to the energy in my kidneys.

So, I am going to integrate her suggestions into my daily routine. I will let you know if the scale finally budges next week.

Wish me luck!

[horsemom]

Good luck, Limewave! It took me a couple weeks to see a weight loss-I was ready to give up, but then it started coming off. I avoid carbs for the most part, and feel great with lean protein and the carbs I get from veggies and fruits (though I limit fruit to an apple and a grapefruit a day as a snack).

Your doctor sounds great. I don't know about the workout first thing without food, though....not being a morning person, it sounds too much like torture!! Let us know how you do!!

Laura

[Tuckervill]

I used to work out without eating right when I was in my 30s. I was wiped out for the rest of the day. I can't do that again. I just got back from a bike ride, during which I stopped for a half an hour to help Animal Control catch two stray dogs at our ballpark. Lots of running. (We got one--they've been on the lamb for 4 months!) I am STARVING, even thought I ate a bowl of Kashi before I left.

On the other hand, I'm not feeling happy with my progress. Nine lbs since the last day of December, and on sparkpeople the chart shows I should be further ahead (if I were losing 2 lbs a week). While I was changing my habits, I was happy to just see a little progress, but I'd like to "catch up" to that rate and see a little more acceleration. So I'm thinking about starting a streak of exercising every day, and tightening up my calorie intake (I estimate a lot). Five weeks before my trip to Oregon. Can I lose 10 lbs by then?

Karen

[horsemom]

Karen wrote: >>Five weeks before my trip to Oregon. Can I lose 10 lbs by then?<<

You can do it, Karen!! I try to eat a couple poached eggs for breakfast - the protein seems to hold me longer than carbs, then I don't eat lunch until later in the day. Sometimes I just eat a handful of nuts and an apple on the way to work. Remember to drink lots of water to fill you up and keep things flowing!!

Good for you - helping with the dogs!

Laura

[Tuckervill]

Thanks, Laura!

I can do it!!!

Karen

[LBTC]

I've read a little about doing the early morning before breakfast intense workout. Apparently it does burn fat stores very well. From what little I actually know, I think this can work, but I think you should eat healthy food including some protein within 30 minutes of finishing to replenish glycogen stores. Your muscles will thank you! Make sure you eat just the right amount of calories and don't over do it....I think you can still lose weight this way! You can do this!!!

Hugs and very light butterflies!
~T~

[kelownagirl]

i need to try that. I/m not much of a morning person and since riding is my preferred form of cardio, I can't see myself getting on my bike before breakie. But... I will try it.

[LBTC]

Definitely try it on a day you don't have to work! But, yes, I believe you can do it! At least once a week!

H&B
~T~

[GLC1968]

I don't weigh in until Friday or Saturday, so all week I watch this thread to see how everyone is doing while I wait to post my update. You all are so inspiring!!

Today I'm down another pound to 152.8. At this rate (1 lb a week) I have a shot at getting to 145 by my century. That would be very nice!

And not to be the lone dissenter, but I've heard that the morning exercise thing is a lark. You can't force your body to burn fat stores over glycogen any more than you can lose weight from one particular spot. Yes, if you have no glycogen stores, your body burns fat. But if you don't have any strength or energy, than it's possible that you don't work as hard, and you burn less overall. I think the smartest time to workout is when it fits into your schedule and when you will be most consistent about it. If you HATE morning workouts, forcing yourself to do them isn't really doing yourself any good.

But...what do I know...I'm still almost 20 lbs over-fat.

[limewave]

I don't weigh in until Friday or Saturday, so all week I watch this thread to see how everyone is doing while I wait to post my update. You all are so inspiring!!

Today I'm down another pound to 152.8. At this rate (1 lb a week) I have a shot at getting to 145 by my century. That would be very nice!

And not to be the lone dissenter, but I've heard that the morning exercise thing is a lark. You can't force your body to burn fat stores over glycogen any more than you can lose weight from one particular spot. Yes, if you have no glycogen stores, your body burns fat. But if you don't have any strength or energy, than it's possible that you don't work as hard, and you burn less overall. I think the smartest time to workout is when it fits into your schedule and when you will be most consistent about it. If you HATE morning workouts, forcing yourself to do them isn't really doing yourself any good.

But...what do I know...I'm still almost 20 lbs over-fat.

I have tried the morning exercise thing. I sit on my trainer half-dead and end up taking a break every 5 minutes. I agree with you, I don't think I'm getting much out of my workout. Fortunately with the weather getting warmer and daylight savings, I can actually start riding outdoors and my training will be longer and more intense. Hopefully that will get the scale going in the right direction.

By the way, congrats on your loss. I hope you make your goal!

[mtbdarby]

I'm a believer that working out on an empty stomach burns fat. That said, I don't like the morning workout because your stomach has been empty for so long. I've thrown up once that way

I find what works for me is to work out 2 hours after supper. I'm not starving then, but I don't have anything in my stomach. Of course, by work out I mean an aerobic tape, run or a combo aerobic/weight training session. I can only bike about 45 minutes at a good clip on my trainer like this. I never bike on the road with an empty stomach. You then get the additional benefit of going to bed then and letting your metabolism continue to crank at a higher rate while you're sleeping. The hard part for me is that I'm wiped out during the work week to do this more than 3 times a week. Good luck everyone!

[kelownagirl]

Hmm, well then I wonder if my after-school bike rides are good then? My stomach is pretty empty by 3 pm (we have lunch at 11:15).

I think the stagette last night, (well, the 3 glasses of wine), did wonders for my weight loss program. I must be dehydrated this morning because I'm down to 119.9. Whoo baby, even if it's a fake loss, it was exciting to see the scale go under 120 for the first time in 15 years...

[Tuckervill]

Way to go, KG! I think it counts.

Regarding morning work outs...I heard Bob Greene say that most of the people who are on the National Weight Loss Registry work out in the morning, and that those who work out in the morning are more likely to stick with it than those who don't.

I'm sure that's a psychological factor, about putting exercise at the top of the list of priorities. That's what I want to do.

Karen