AliceW Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Hi all, I've been really good about going to the gym for the last couple of months. I go almost every day and spend 1/2 hour on the elliptical trainer and keep my heart rate up high the whole time. I sometimes also spend an additional 5 or 10 minutes on the rowing machine. I've also been watching what I eat...no drastic changes, but I avoid fatty things and sweets and junk food, and try to keep portion sizes reasonable. So, I've noticed some subtle changes...my arms and legs look a little more toned, I sleep better, and I feel a little more fit. However, my clothes don't fit any differently, and I've only lost maybe 2 pounds. I feel like I'm devoting a fair amount of time to this...it takes a good 45 minutes out of every night...and I guess I just wish it were having a more dramatic effect. I'm not overweight-I'm 5'4", fairly muscular, and weigh 125-but I have some noticable extra padding around the hips and belly that I hate and really want to get rid of...basically just 5 or 10 "vanity pounds". I guess I just want some encouragement. It seems like putting a fair amount of effort in doesn't have a big effect, so a little part of me wonders if it's worth it (I know it's good for my health yada yada, but I want to look good, too!!). How much more would I have to do to get really fit??
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 They don't call it the hard-to-lose areas for nothing... How long have you been doing this?
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Mmmm, something not right here. This would both use calories directly and indirectly via an increase in base metabolic rate (your body's idling speed). After a couple of months you should see results. The most obvious conclusion is that you're eating more to compensate. It doesn't take a lot of extra calories to do this. Another possibility is thyroid or other hormonal problems. Do you often feel cold? Tired? You could tell a doctor about this...
Author AliceW Posted June 29, 2005 Author Posted June 29, 2005 I've been at it for a couple of months...maybe 2. I think my next step will be to start keeping a food and exercise diary. Maybe I'm eating more than I think, or exercising less that I think. Also, if I do go talk to a doctor, it will be concrete thing i can share with him/her. It just feels like my body has a weight it wants to be, and that it almost doesn't matter what I do...I can sit on the couch and eat cinnamon buns or spend every evening at the gym, and I look the same! That does NOT seem right. The only other thing I can think of is that I went on the pill around February of this year. So maybe the pill is having a bad effect and I'd be gaining weight if I weren't working out and dieting a little! However, the pill I'm on is a very low-dose one, so it shouldn't be having that much of an effect. Sigh.
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 If it makes you feel any better, I'll never have a body like Brad Pitt's, no matter how much I work out and what have you. I'm part Samoan, which says enough.
sophia34 Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 The important part of your e-mail is that you are 5'4" and 125 pounds. That's right on target for your perfect weight. You are probably having trouble losing weight because your body is fighting to keep every pound. I'm 5'6" and 140 pounds--also pretty close to my perfect weight. Unfortunately, I also carry every extra spare fat cell around my middle, giving me an unfortunate "pooch" that I've been trying to get rid of for months. Another ten pounds would probably do it, but my body wants to keep every ounce. I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that, short of being hungry all the time, I may have to accept that 140 is as low as I'm going to get, belly or no belly. I'm going to continue my exercise regimen to maintain that weight and stay healthy, but I know every time I look in the mirror I'm going to hate my stomach. You might try an idea I use to console myself. Instead of being frustrated at the weight I'm not losing, even though I'm exercising, I try to focus on the weight I'm not GAINING because I'm exercise! I'm sure I'd be 160 or 170 pounds easily, if not for the exercise. So keep it up! Do what you can to stay motivated. Another thing to consider is that your body is used to your current exercise regimen. You might want to try a completely different form of exercise--a martial art or team sport, for example. That could also jump start a stalled weight loss. That may be my next step. Good luck to the both of us!
Author AliceW Posted June 29, 2005 Author Posted June 29, 2005 It sucks...I don't think I have an unrealistic view of what my weight should be. I don't want to be as skinny as a model. I just think I look best when I am about 118-120 lbs...and, probably not coincidentally, that is what is considerd the best weight for my health (approx BMI 20-21). I feel that if I eat right and exercise regularly, I should naturally be at a healthy weight! That has always been my goal weight, and I have always tried to maintain it. However, being heavier than that bothers me more than usual right now because my current BF likes really skinny girls. And when we first got involved, I was 15 pounds thinner than I am now (was 110, now 125) because of a medication I was taking then. ...sigh.
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by sophia34 The important part of your e-mail is that you are 5'4" and 125 pounds. That's right on target for your perfect weight. You are probably having trouble losing weight because your body is fighting to keep every pound. Yep, that is perfect. Yum. I dated a girl who, at first, lied about her weight because she didn't want to scare me off. She said she was 115, but it was closer to 135 (I know because I picked her up, and she even felt heavy). It was all in her thighs and ass, but I thought that was hot! She worked out regularly to keep off the extra weight, but had a hard time shedding what was already there. Didn't stop me from wanting to tap that ass. In fact, it made me want to do it even more.
Author AliceW Posted June 29, 2005 Author Posted June 29, 2005 Thanks for the kind words, everybody! It's just frustrating to feel like the efforts I'm making aren't making much of a difference...I KNOW that I should exercise and eat right for my health REGARDLESS of what I look like, but I really wish it would make me look hotter, too!!
sophia34 Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 I hear you. I want six-pack abs so badly, I've done thousands of sit-ups, crunches, pilates workouts, and other abs workouts. So I've got six-pack abs all right--covered by a couple inches of flab. Sigh. But along with that, I've done a lot of strength training. I may never wear a bikini (my original goal), but my arms and legs are solid muscle and I now look great in tank tops and shorts! We need to take our victories where we can.
scratch Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by AliceW I guess I just want some encouragement. It seems like putting a fair amount of effort in doesn't have a big effect, so a little part of me wonders if it's worth it (I know it's good for my health yada yada, but I want to look good, too!!). How much more would I have to do to get really fit?? The poster who suggested you be more careful about tracking your intake and expenditure of calories was correct. Without that, you can't really know if you're working toward your weight loss goal. My advice is to adopt a wholesale shift in perspective - instead of having a weight loss goal as your primary goal, develop a performance goal. Work at being able to complete a 10-K, hiking a tough trail, or swimming the English Channel. You'll be able to see improvement much more clearly, develop a sense of accomplishment, and your aesthetic goals will just naturally follow. Sophia34, diet is the key to great abs, especially for women. But, you have to be willing to make sacrifices that are not worthit for 99% of people.
moimeme Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 It just feels like my body has a weight it wants to be, and that it almost doesn't matter what I do...I can sit on the couch and eat cinnamon buns or spend every evening at the gym, and I look the same! That does NOT seem right. There is a theory that our bodies have a 'set point' for weight and it takes extra effort to get past it. Do you drink milk or eat yogourt? Several studies showed that calcium intake prevents fat deposits around the belly and I think even helped lose them.
sophia34 Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Yeah, for me, that sacrifice would mean being hungry most of the day. Not just hungry--shaky, can't-think-straight hungry. When I can keep myself in that can't-think-straight hungry mode--meaning I'm taking in only about 1,300 calories a day--I do lose weight. When I let myself get above 1,500 calories, I don't lose weight. So, that's where I am now. Trying to decide whether it's worth it! Probably not.
laRubiaBonita Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 i think it is your BC pill. a low dose pill MAY have less effects.... for certain women, not all. continue to work out and give your body anther month or two to adjust to your BC, the aweful stuff that it is.
sophia34 Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Huh, never thought of that. AliceW just started, but I've been on it for going on eight years. I'll soon find out if going off the hormones has an effect. My prescription just ran out and I'm between appointments! Let's see what a month off does--maybe it will be a good thing...
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by sophia34 Trying to decide whether it's worth it! Probably not. Unless you're an athlete, probably not. That being said, I don't think you should throw in the towel. I found myself in a position in which I had to change my eating habits, because it was getting harder to burn off those extra calories (was much easier in my twenties). Call it a lifestyle change, but that's the only way it could work for me. I'll crash diet on occasion, but I'm fit enough to where I can see quick results. Regardless, it takes lots of dedication (and moderation), and I commend you ladies for caring enough to keep it up. It doesn't go unappreciated.
scratch Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by westernxer Regardless, it takes lots of dedication (and moderation), and I commend you ladies for caring enough to keep it up. It doesn't go unappreciated. Seconded. This does cut both ways, however. Men study women's figures with dedicated precision. If you have a great body, we will buy you lots and lots of stuff. If you have a nice body, we will enjoy your company. If you're sliding, we will try to replace you with someone with a nice body. And, if you've fallen off, well, you become asexual to us. Different men may have different opinions as to what is great, nice, sliding and off, but the analysis is there for everyone.
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by scratch Different men may have different opinions as to what is great, nice, sliding and off, but the analysis is there for everyone. I agree with the scale analysis... I don't think I could respect a woman if she simply gave up, unless I gave up, too.
laRubiaBonita Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by sophia34 Huh, never thought of that. AliceW just started, but I've been on it for going on eight years. I'll soon find out if going off the hormones has an effect. My prescription just ran out and I'm between appointments! Let's see what a month off does--maybe it will be a good thing... oops....sorry!
laRubiaBonita Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by scratch Seconded. This does cut both ways, however. Men study women's figures with dedicated precision. If you have a great body, we will buy you lots and lots of stuff. If you have a nice body, we will enjoy your company. If you're sliding, we will try to replace you with someone with a nice body. And, if you've fallen off, well, you become asexual to us. Different men may have different opinions as to what is great, nice, sliding and off, but the analysis is there for everyone. Originally posted by westernxer I agree with the scale analysis... I don't think I could respect a woman if she simply gave up, unless I gave up, too. and how long have you two been with your SO's?
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by laRubiaBonita and how long have you two been with your SO's? What difference does it make? You either do it or you don't.
scratch Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by laRubiaBonita and how long have you two been with your SO's? The implication of your question is that we cannot have successful relationships if we demand that our women work at keeping in shape, is that correct?
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by scratch The implication of your question is that we cannot have successful relationships if we demand that our women work at keeping in shape, is that correct? Amen. I know plenty of guys like this (and their women are more than willing to comply). It makes perfect sense if you like being healthy, but not if you're a couch potato.
Author AliceW Posted June 29, 2005 Author Posted June 29, 2005 This is such a loaded topic. I know that men really respond to women's figures, and I also know that that fact leads to bad physical and psychological effects in some women (eating disorders, etc). As a woman, I feel like I walk a fine line in trying to have a healthy attitude about my body and my weight and also trying to remain attractive. I find that what works pretty well for me is to focus on health...I try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and fiber and drink water, and to exercise for half an hour each day, plus some extra walking. That's what doctors recommend, regardless of the aesthetic issues. I do refuse to go hungry, but I'll have an apple instead of a candy bar as an afternoon snack...that sort of thing. However, I worry that the day will come where exercising a reasonable amount and eating right will NOT be enough to keep me thin enough to be attractive to men. I'm not one of these women who feels that her entire self-worth comes from being sexually attractive, but I have a little healthy vanity and I do want to be seen as appealing....
westernxer Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Originally posted by AliceW I'm not one of these women who feels that her entire self-worth comes from being sexually attractive, but I have a little healthy vanity and I do want to be seen as appealing.... Bingo.
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