I am the Biggest Loser...Kinda.

[Galahad]

Everyone here is really inspiring me to get started again. I need to lose about 100 lbs. One thing I read about in a spark people exercise article and try to do is move my arms about to get my heart rate up. I have sore feet and can't run or walk much. When I add waving my arms about and punching along with stepping or walking, I work up a sweat and get the pulse racing 3x faster than just marching or jogging along. I need to force myself to do it every day. It gets boring. Looking up exercises vs. calories burnt,I found shadow boxing is one of the best. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, but it breaks the monotony.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Galahad

Everyone here is really inspiring me to get started again. I need to lose about 100 lbs. One thing I read about in a spark people exercise article and try to do is move my arms about to get my heart rate up. I have sore feet and can't run or walk much. When I add waving my arms about and punching along with stepping or walking, I work up a sweat and get the pulse racing 3x faster than just marching or jogging along. I need to force myself to do it every day. It gets boring. Looking up exercises vs. calories burnt,I found shadow boxing is one of the best. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, but it breaks the monotony.

At my Y, they have a couple of 'bikes' that have hand 'pedals' for those who shouldn't/can't move their legs well. The motion is just like the foot pedals, only it's at chest level. Maybe a place near you will have one of those too!

[Galahad]

Sounds like dog peddling. I think I'd get really bored just cycling for 30 minutes. Great for people that can't use their legs at all though. I'll stick with the shadow boxing, windmills, waving,swimming, signaling, arm movements. Dancing around on the cushions etc. It helps to know there are so many of you out there exercising whether or not you want to.

[canmarielan]

Originally Posted by Arwen

I'm pretty proud of myself. I've been coming up with excuse after excuse as to why I can't exercise.

I don't have the right shoes.
I don't have the right clothes.
It's raining.
I don't have a bike.
I don't have time.
yadda
yadda
yadda

This morning, after working on one of my books, I just got up and turned on my iPod. I have two groups (one is 20 minutes and one is 30) of music that I used to use when I did the step aerobics on the WiiFit board.

Well you know what? I was barefooted wearing nothing but a heavy terry cloth robe.

I danced. I moved. I stayed in motion for thirty solid minutes. At the beginning I did stretches, then I unloaded the dishwasher. Then I boogied and sang my lungs out.

Y'all should be thankful that you do not live with me. I am not American Idol material unless it's the outtake reels. LOL

But I did it. I stayed in motion for thirty solid minutes and broke a sweat.

I've also not had any cafFIEND today. I did have two squares of my dark chocolate though. Grin!

What was wild was when I put in 30 minutes of dancing and it ZEROED out my smoothie. THUD. All that health gone like that.

hee.

I know. It was just the calories, but it made me laugh.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SISTER THIS IS Exactly what i did the other day!!!!!!! SOOOOOO much fun, eh??

Just dancing around acting goofy. I picked up my kitty and did a few twirls with her...she was.....umm...NOT interested!!! hahhaaa...they just sat there and stared at me bewildered!!!!!!!!!

I didn't care

GREAT JOBB!!!!

Originally Posted by Puplove

I have learned that if I stop to think about working out, as in "will I or won't I" or if I entertain any thoughts about what steps I have to take to get exercising -- I'm not going to do it. The second I make exercising an option, I have just decided I'm not going to do it today. (I've been making it an option every day now for a couple months...that's stopping right now!)

So....anything I can do to remove steps helps. A major one is the hassle of putting on running shoes, lacing them up, then loosening them because they're too tight across my high instep, but then they're too loose, adjusting and tightening, blah blah blah...so I eliminated shoes from my workout routine. I just do it barefooted. I figured that's healthier than not doing it.

Lo! and Behold!
I'm happy to see that more and more research is supporting the idea that it is better for our bodies to run and do aerobics barefooted instead of in shoes.

The basic facts they're pointing out are are: With shoes on, we land with all our weight on our heels. In addition, supportive and structured running shoes do not allow our toes to spread. The foot's natural operation when running is to absorb the impact throughout the foot and to spread the toes to balance and absorb more. This protects our knees and ankles.

I don't know anything about foot doctoring or the anatomy, physiology or any malfunctions, injuries and stuff. But, I love seeing this research.

Now, I'm looking for research about working out or running in terry cloth robes. I bet they wick away the sweat....

I love you.

That is all.

Originally Posted by Arwen

Dear Fellow Losers,

Um, guess what? I've not had even ONE soda since Wednesday. Not even ONE! And I've been drinking a lot more water. So w00t for me!

Haven't done the movement thing because I've been engrossed in a story I'm working on. But I did get 1700 words written yesterday which is awesome for me. Usually it's 250 here, 500 there. LOL

I've also been really focused on eating the right things. I slip and slide some but overall, I'm eating like someone who really cares about my body.

So thanks for this thread, Candacebaby! And thanks for this planet, Dusa and Jack. And to all the losers here, thanks to you as well.

Love
Thankful Femme

I'm so proud of you for all you are doing, babes!!!

And all of you are doing so great. I just know 2010 is the best year for all of us!!!

I can't wait to see you guys at the reunion and when I come home to texas to visit. *smiles* it's gonna be so great

Originally Posted by Galahad

Everyone here is really inspiring me to get started again. I need to lose about 100 lbs. One thing I read about in a spark people exercise article and try to do is move my arms about to get my heart rate up. I have sore feet and can't run or walk much. When I add waving my arms about and punching along with stepping or walking, I work up a sweat and get the pulse racing 3x faster than just marching or jogging along. I need to force myself to do it every day. It gets boring. Looking up exercises vs. calories burnt,I found shadow boxing is one of the best. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, but it breaks the monotony.

Welcome...and I am so excited that you are joining us in this journey

Keep us updated on your progress. Also...I really really like your ideas *smiles*

We can't all or just yet

sometimes, in fact, all I really wanna do is

hahahaaaaaa



Everything is going okay. I don't know if I"m going to lose any weight this week b/c though I am still counting my calories I haven't gotten the burn in lately.

I really think I"m going to start my period soon (tmi I'm sure) b/c i have the appetite of a lioness. Kassie says it's b/c my metabolism is faster b/c i'm losing weight and while I am inclined to believe that it still doesn't make it fun when I am hungry. The first few weeks I was eating such great food that I didn't even realize I was dieting. Now, though I am still eating the same great food, I'm wanting more of it, ya know?

Alas, as long as I don't gain any weight I will be pleased with my progress this week.

I love you all.

[Diavolo]

I saw the posts about stationary bicycles being boring and I get that. Our gym has a big cardio theater so every bike has a hook up to the sound, some even have their own televisions built in. That can help pass the time. Personally, I'm working on my broker's exam so I read. The only problem with reading or watching television is that it's important to keep the intensity up. Whatever intensity is for you. So I would recommend on a bike keeping the RPM's over 90, under 110. On a EFX keeping the strides over 140. Then adjust the tension to suit your fitness ability. I get Jillian Michaels' daily blasts. Something she said a couple of weeks ago was "Are you phoning in your workouts?" At the time I was phoning in the cardio. Now right before I get on the machine I say "Don't phone this in". Same with walking. You can walk or you can walk. It's a walk not a stroll. Don't be phoning it in. In addition to my morning workouts, I'm trying to take one dog for a 2.5 mile walk every day. The weather has been ass here, not as ass as it is back east, but ass for California. It'll be easier once the torrential rains slow down. One of the greatest memories of my childhood was walking with my Grandfather. He had a heart attack and the Dr. told him to walk 5 miles every day. As a child it was such a joy to run along side that big man every afternoon. It probably got him another 10-15 years.

Keep up the good work everyone! I'm taking the afternoon off. Goodboi is coming over and we've got steaks and New Orleans style BBQ shrimp and a full wine cellar and all the sorts of things that guys like to eat and drink while watching the Super Bowl.

Geaux Saints!!!

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Diavolo

I saw the posts about stationary bicycles being boring and I get that. Our gym has a big cardio theater so every bike has a hook up to the sound, some even have their own televisions built in. That can help pass the time. Personally, I'm working on my broker's exam so I read. The only problem with reading or watching television is that it's important to keep the intensity up. Whatever intensity is for you. So I would recommend on a bike keeping the RPM's over 90, under 110. On a EFX keeping the strides over 140. Then adjust the tension to suit your fitness ability. I get Jillian Michaels' daily blasts. Something she said a couple of weeks ago was "Are you phoning in your workouts?" At the time I was phoning in the cardio. Now right before I get on the machine I say "Don't phone this in". Same with walking. You can walk or you can walk. It's a walk not a stroll. Don't be phoning it in. In addition to my morning workouts, I'm trying to take one dog for a 2.5 mile walk every day. The weather has been ass here, not as ass as it is back east, but ass for California. It'll be easier once the torrential rains slow down. One of the greatest memories of my childhood was walking with my Grandfather. He had a heart attack and the Dr. told him to walk 5 miles every day. As a child it was such a joy to run along side that big man every afternoon. It probably got him another 10-15 years.

Keep up the good work everyone! I'm taking the afternoon off. Goodboi is coming over and we've got steaks and New Orleans style BBQ shrimp and a full wine cellar and all the sorts of things that guys like to eat and drink while watching the Super Bowl.

Geaux Saints!!!

I know what you mean about phoning it in! I see a lot of folks that bring a magazine and plop it in front of them while on the treadmill or bike and they "work out" at a slow to non-existant crawl. If you want to read, great! Read. If you want to work out, work out.

It used to really get under my skin, but I've learned a way to use my irritation to my own benefit. It's like, okay, you want to waste your time, well it's your time to waste, but I'm not going to waste MY time and I up the intensity of my own workout. I win!

[christie]

After 3 days of no power (thank you, snowstorm), I was hesitant to get on the scales today.

I am UNDER 200 for the first time in about 3/4 years. 30lbs from my goal weight and 27 days from the 40th bday. I feel pretty damned good about that. yay me