Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

In a couple of years, I think I will. I either want to do TCM or Grandma's marathon in Duluth.

One of the hardest things for me to the past couple of years is to adjust my diet for when I'm not running. Then again, given that I've been extremely busy with class and taking care of the house, I might as well keep it the way it is.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Well, it's November; how about a progress report from everyone?

 

[moose97]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I have definatly plateaued. Not that this is a bad thing - I am looking at it as I'm maintaining a loss of 70 lbs. rather than that I'm not losing any more weight. I'm no longer tracking my calories hard-core, but I know what I should be eating, and 95% of the tie make the right choice when eating (ate at McDonalds for the first time in 10 months the other day - the McRib was calling my name... Once a year McDonalds is fine, right?)

I feel so much better than I did a year ago, and am hopeful that I can get into the swing of training at a gym soon (this is the next big step for me).

 

[ScottM]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I've lost about 24 lbs since June. 1-2 lbs a week for the most part. But the best thing is that I don't really miss the old dietary habits too much. I think it's more of a lifestyle approach than a "diet" that works for me. Still want to lose another 10 or so by year-end. My GF has noticed too. I have more definition in the shoulders and arms, and my "six-pack" is coming back after being "insulated" for too many years. The weight loss has definitely helped take the stress off my bum (busted ACL) knee as well. Have changed my non-cardio workouts to focus more on core exercises and yoga, and less on the weights.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Progressing.

After being "off" for 4-6 weeks, I was really stunned by how much fitness I've lost, but it's coming back. Speed and distance is getting there- and I have to keep reminding myself that I'm WAY far ahead of where I was a year ago- when I struggled to a 9:49 half, and backed off to 10-10:30 to train. Now I'm getting to a 9:30 training speed like I had mid summer. Hard to realize that I managed a half as fast as I did (which wasn't- but it was for me)- but I'm getting there.

Still dealing with a little tendonitis in my knee, but it's getting less with each run + each aerobics class.

Slowly but surely- I have to remember that working too hard was what probably got both me and Mrs Alfa into trouble last summer.

Feel great, though!

Scott, Moose- awesome job- both of you!!!

Scott- the lifestyle comment is interesting- funny how we find outselves in a niche that is bad, and then when we find the good niche- it's stunningly REALLY NICE....

 

[pardonme]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Going backwards quickly. Ever since I got back from my long bike trip I've been kind of slacking. Then I started to get injured and I'm facing IT band problems when I play my floor hockey game every Sunday. The season ends this week, so I'll have a few weeks off to get it healed up and hopefully get back to doing some sort of regular exercise.

 

[Sloe Gin]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

about a month to go until Vegas. Doing pretty well; October was going along great, but we both kind of stumbled to the finish line in that month. We'll rebound this next month. Registering for the Chilly Cheeks Duathlon series in Denver for December, January, and February.

 

[BUT09]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Not really where I want to be since coming back from injury - playing hockey 1-2 a week and crossfit about 2-3 times a week, but I'd really like to be crossfitting 4-5 times a week and working in some other cardio. Definitely feeling lazy and out of shape.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I've lost about 24 lbs since June. 1-2 lbs a week for the most part. But the best thing is that I don't really miss the old dietary habits too much. I think it's more of a lifestyle approach than a "diet" that works for me. Still want to lose another 10 or so by year-end. My GF has noticed too. I have more definition in the shoulders and arms, and my "six-pack" is coming back after being "insulated" for too many years. The weight loss has definitely helped take the stress off my bum (busted ACL) knee as well. Have changed my non-cardio workouts to focus more on core exercises and yoga, and less on the weights.

I have definatly plateaued. Not that this is a bad thing - I am looking at it as I'm maintaining a loss of 70 lbs. rather than that I'm not losing any more weight. I'm no longer tracking my calories hard-core, but I know what I should be eating, and 95% of the tie make the right choice when eating (ate at McDonalds for the first time in 10 months the other day - the McRib was calling my name... Once a year McDonalds is fine, right?)

I feel so much better than I did a year ago, and am hopeful that I can get into the swing of training at a gym soon (this is the next big step for me).

Scott, moose- great work!

And moose, McDonald's once in a great while is fine. I've had to learn not to deprive myself totally; total deprivation only makes the cravings worse...

Progressing.

After being "off" for 4-6 weeks, I was really stunned by how much fitness I've lost, but it's coming back. Speed and distance is getting there- and I have to keep reminding myself that I'm WAY far ahead of where I was a year ago- when I struggled to a 9:49 half, and backed off to 10-10:30 to train. Now I'm getting to a 9:30 training speed like I had mid summer. Hard to realize that I managed a half as fast as I did (which wasn't- but it was for me)- but I'm getting there.

Still dealing with a little tendonitis in my knee, but it's getting less with each run + each aerobics class.

Slowly but surely- I have to remember that working too hard was what probably got both me and Mrs Alfa into trouble last summer.

Feel great, though!

Scott, Moose- awesome job- both of you!!!

Scott- the lifestyle comment is interesting- funny how we find outselves in a niche that is bad, and then when we find the good niche- it's stunningly REALLY NICE....

about a month to go until Vegas. Doing pretty well; October was going along great, but we both kind of stumbled to the finish line in that month. We'll rebound this next month. Registering for the Chilly Cheeks Duathlon series in Denver for December, January, and February.

Awesome job!

Not really where I want to be since coming back from injury - playing hockey 1-2 a week and crossfit about 2-3 times a week, but I'd really like to be crossfitting 4-5 times a week and working in some other cardio. Definitely feeling lazy and out of shape.

At least you're up and active. You'll keep getting better!

As for my progress, I'm still recovering from Detroit. Committed to walking and stretching daily, and I've started using my gym membership again. As for eating, knowing that I have iron-deficiency anemia and knowing that I'm busy for most of the day, I'm not changing a thing. My weight is up to a healthy 165-170, I no longer look like a ghost/zombie, and I'm actually having fun in the kitchen again. Up until May of this year, I was petrified of food, now I'm loving every minute I spend in the kitchen...

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Well, it's November; how about a progress report from everyone?

I have not been to a gym as much as I want too and have not kept up the momentum from earlier in '10. Still am hitting up the gym every so often for cross fit, make my own outdoor workouts, and play puck from time to time. its not a total loss, but I need steady employment to afford going to a gym full time again. Am thinking about joining a crossfit gym in portsmouth if I relocate there. Its more expensive, but dedicated to the daily workouts, diet, and form. My friend just started and reccomends it.

Even for an off stretch, I can still keep a high athletic frame. Hockey once a week is not ideal, but I can skate and score frequently enough. hoping the last part of 10, and 2011 are a more consistant effort.

 

[jmh]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I don't weigh myself lately, because I think it becomes too easy to focus on smaller changes and lose sight of the bigger picture. The bigger picture is that pants that were too small for me at the start of the summer are starting to be too big for me now, so I guess things are headed in the right direction, and I need to keep it up through the cold months. Unfortunately (and confusingly), I've been slimming down in my waist but not my neck, making it more difficult to buy dress shirts than it was beforehand.

 

[BUT09]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Because I need to have goals, I'm setting a goal of being physically fit enough to surpass the "Excellent" standards in the Federal Air Marshal physical fitness exam (which I may or may not eventually take, since it was one of the many jobs I've applied to in my current "get-me-the-hell-out-of-this-place" state I'm in with my current job).

For my sex and age, that means:
more than 3 pull-ups
more than 43 sit-ups
more than 36 push-ups
1.5 mile run in 12:51

The run is going to be the hardest, followed by the pull-ups. I've currently got 1, maybe 2 pull ups. I REALLY need to work on my running if I have any hope of doing it in 12:51 (8:34 min mile, I think?)

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

The run is going to be the hardest, followed by the pull-ups. I've currently got 1, maybe 2 pull ups. I REALLY need to work on my running if I have any hope of doing it in 12:51 (8:34 min mile, I think?)

Hard, yes. But you can do it. When do you want to be able to do it?

If you are already running- say 3-4 times a week for somewhere near 20 miles total- one day a week, dedicate that to speed work- hills, intervals, etc. 8:34 is pretty darned fast, but for <13 min, it's also bearable.

you can do it.

How about this for a target- try to be able to run a 5k at 8:50- if you can do that, for sure you can do half that 20 seconds faster. That way you can enter local races to get a real feel for how fast you are running.

What's cool is that the rest of the requirements all seem to work together nicely for total fitness. All of them help each other in one way or another. it's a good goal!

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Unfortunately (and confusingly), I've been slimming down in my waist but not my neck, making it more difficult to buy dress shirts than it was beforehand.

I am nobody's idea of "slim" or "athletic" build, yet my neck size will put me in a tent if I don't buy athletic fit shirts.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Is goiter making a comeback?

 

[BUT09]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Hard, yes. But you can do it. When do you want to be able to do it?
[...]
How about this for a target- try to be able to run a 5k at 8:50- if you can do that, for sure you can do half that 20 seconds faster. That way you can enter local races to get a real feel for how fast you are running.

What's cool is that the rest of the requirements all seem to work together nicely for total fitness. All of them help each other in one way or another. it's a good goal!

I don't have a time frame right now. I'd really like to get there by the end of the year, but I don't know if it is realistic - my mile right now is somewhere around 9:30, I think.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Is goiter making a comeback?

No. I think the average American is a pencil neck with a huge belly.

 

[ScottM]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I've been slimming down in my waist but not my neck, making it more difficult to buy dress shirts than it was beforehand.

I blame most designers who have been slimming down their lines for the anorexic, metrosexual types. Even Ralph Lauren has been making more trimmer fitting clothes the past few years. I think Brooks Brothers and Paul Stuart still make clothes for "regular" and athletic types if you want to fork over the $$$.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

I don't have a time frame right now. I'd really like to get there by the end of the year, but I don't know if it is realistic - my mile right now is somewhere around 9:30, I think.

For what kind of run? 5k, 10k, 5m, 10m?

And end of 2010? Maybe.....

2011- if you do most of your runs at 9:30, and can still talk, then, yes, I'm pretty confident you can do it. You'll be out of breath, but it's only 1.5 miles.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010, pt. 2: Never Going Back

Had my yearly physical yesterday; doctor told me that everything is fine. Weight is finally at a respectable 168, up from 147 at this time last year. Basically, all I need to do now is keep it between 165-170 along with adding some muscle and I should be alright...

As for next year, my goal is to get my marathon mile time down to <10:30 and to finish Chicago in under 5 hours.