Fitchella 2013 It's GO TIME!

[beernutz]

I Love bikram. I was in the best shape ever when I lived in tahoe and did bikram in the a.m and then either snowboarding or mtn biking in the afternoon.

Can't find a place around here that has it..Really want to try crossfit too, but it is too pricey for me to justify. I feel like I'm in a bit of a plateau right now and need to add some variety to my workout, but having trouble finding the motivation to do so..

any ideas for breaking a workout rut?

Funny you mention it, I live in Tahoe myself.
As for your plateau most places offer a free first class of crossfit..my advice is to try it and get the real idea of it so that you can do it at home/your gym to save money.
Once trying it I was hooked so I made it work for my budget. (Although between that and Coachella I'm quite broke)

[CrimesceneCookie]

Found out this morning that I reached my fitchella goal of being under 160 lbs a month early.
I've been going through some stupid shit lately and I've been pouring all the stress into the gym, plus hiking and running, and have been weaning myself off a daily weed habit.
Seeing the scale this morning was the lift I needed. Gonna go for at least 5 more lbs.
The new dance tent is gonna be MINE.

[Originalbob]

Ok, so as some of you know, I've been Muay Thai training for about a year now....up until last month when I threw my back out. Like bad. I haven't been able to go back and each activity I've tried since has left me in a decent amount of pain (even taking a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood hurts). Aside from muscle relaxers, does anyone know of anything I can do? I'd like to keep my activity level up so when I do go back, I'm not a fucking wreck. I can't figure out what I could be doing in the meantime.

Little late on this, but I would suggest swimming. Low impact activity can work wonders.

Or, even try using DIY Foam Rollers, such as these:



My mother used these when she went through PT for her knee. I've used feet rollers before and they hurt so good at first. Once you've acclimated yourself to them by thoroughly stretching, the pain subsides.

[ThatGirl]

Found out this morning that I reached my fitchella goal of being under 160 lbs a month early.
I've been going through some stupid shit lately and I've been pouring all the stress into the gym, plus hiking and running, and have been weaning myself off a daily weed habit.
Seeing the scale this morning was the lift I needed. Gonna go for at least 5 more lbs.
The new dance tent is gonna be MINE.

Congrats - you obviously worked really hard, and the outcome is well deserved!! I haven't gained but I haven't lost anything- even though I'd hoped to be 10 lbs down by the fest I'm running short on time. Wish I had your persistence.

[BChillin]

Little late on this, but I would suggest swimming. Low impact activity can work wonders.

My mother used these when she went through PT for her knee. I've used feet rollers before and they hurt so good at first. Once you've acclimated yourself to them by thoroughly stretching, the pain subsides.

Foam rolling is the SHIT! Discovered these wonderful things recently and have gotten rid of soreness/tightness I've built up over years. Helped alleviate some pain I've had in my throwing shoulder I developed through HS football about a decade ago. Foam rolling feels fucking great.

[CrimesceneCookie]

Congrats - you obviously worked really hard, and the outcome is well deserved!! I haven't gained but I haven't lost anything- even though I'd hoped to be 10 lbs down by the fest I'm running short on time. Wish I had your persistence.

thanks! I was having trouble losing at first too, but I wasn't incorporating cardio yet, and I was eating dinner wayyyy too late in the evening. Now I make sure I eat 4 hours before bedtime, and keep evening meals protein only (like a steak). Once I changed that stuff I lost weight faster than I ever have in my life. It only took a month to lose almost 10 lbs. You still have time, go for it!

[Originalbob]

I had a huge wave of disappointment wash over me today while talking fitness at work. I'm 5 months into my training and I've still not lost anything, except fluctuating up to 2 lbs. This includes inches. Measured my right calf and I've gained a half inch. FUCKING SAKES this is infuriating. I want to say that my body is looking "tighter" (I'll use that word rather loosely) but the tape measure begs to differ.

My only progression: Increased weights and sustained jogging for more than a measly minute.

I started taking alli a day ago. Maybe this will help. I'm also going to try a week of no drinking as well. *sigh*

[insbordnat]

I started taking alli a day ago.

Changes in your bowel function often occur because of the unabsorbed fat. Fatty/oily stool, oily spotting, intestinal gas with discharge, a feeling of needing to have a bowel movement right away, increased number of bowel movements, or poor bowel control may occur. These side effects may get worse if you eat more fat than you should. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

[Errant]

any ideas for breaking a workout rut?

Do you have a Roku? Whenever I get bored with my regular workouts, I switch to those on the NetFit channel. The Pilates, Core, and Yoga aren't too bad.

[scenicworld]

I'm finally back on track. down 2 pounds from where I was before I got sick and went on vacation. baby steps, but still steps.

sorry to the folks on MFP, the mobile app will never take my username or password so it makes it difficult to log, but I'm still sending as much e-support as I can!!

[euphonicfiend]

I had a huge wave of disappointment wash over me today while talking fitness at work. I'm 5 months into my training and I've still not lost anything, except fluctuating up to 2 lbs. This includes inches. Measured my right calf and I've gained a half inch. FUCKING SAKES this is infuriating. I want to say that my body is looking "tighter" (I'll use that word rather loosely) but the tape measure begs to differ.

My only progression: Increased weights and sustained jogging for more than a measly minute.

I started taking alli a day ago. Maybe this will help. I'm also going to try a week of no drinking as well. *sigh*

Have you changed your eating habits? One of the hardest things I had to learn was that- you can not work off a bad diet. I have done this stupid weight loss dance before and this is the last time, I am gonna do it, I will succeed and keep it off. I have learned that you can maintain weight with exercise and a bad diet, but you will not lose any weight. This "clean eating" thing is what I am trying to do, eating clean can be really hard though.

[chairmenmeow47]

Found out this morning that I reached my fitchella goal of being under 160 lbs a month early.
I've been going through some stupid shit lately and I've been pouring all the stress into the gym, plus hiking and running, and have been weaning myself off a daily weed habit.
Seeing the scale this morning was the lift I needed. Gonna go for at least 5 more lbs.
The new dance tent is gonna be MINE.

nice work, congratulations!

[paulb]

How many calories do you guys usually eat a day?

[euphonicfiend]

How many calories do you guys usually eat a day?

1200 - 1350 if I have a crazy work out day and I burn over 600 calories Ill maybe eat 1450 IF I am hungry.

[chairmenmeow47]

i shoot for 1200. sometimes i earn calories from exercise. though some days it feels like i eat 12,000.

[paulb]

my diet app Lose It says I should eat 1800-1900 a day....but Im eating more like 800 a day and losing weight every day I do so.... I dont find myself hungry, so are there any problems with that?

[chairmenmeow47]

800 seems a bit low. i don't know your body weight, height, or how active you are, but i've never read anything that says that's a healthy number. i believe you go into starvation mode. someone with more expertise can probably explain the "why" this is bad.

[paulb]

Well ive lost 47lb from 265 to 218 in 3 months and 4 days... So, im really happy with this approach. Skip breakfast, have a Visalus shake for lunch, eat fish and veggies or something healthy for dinner.... = lose weight.

[chairmenmeow47]

i can imagine that losing a ton of weight in a short amount of time is satisfying, it just isn't healthy in the long-term. i'm not trying to tell you what to eat, just answering your question.

[paulb]

Right, i get you, although being over 260 pounds isnt healthy either... I plan on doing this for another 50 pounds... so Im hoping it all works out ok. Its kind of nice being more flexible and fitting old clothes again and not feeling short of breath or anything.

[euphonicfiend]

Well ive lost 47lb from 265 to 218 in 3 months and 4 days... So, im really happy with this approach. Skip breakfast, have a Visalus shake for lunch, eat fish and veggies or something healthy for dinner.... = lose weight.

The problem is that unless you eat like that for the rest of your life, the weight will just come right back, quickly. 2lbs a week is what "they say" is the most you should lose if you plan to keep it off. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and maybe you can add some eggs, eggs are great. Also your are most likely burning muscle and storing fat since muscle weighs much more than fat ( reason for the quick weight loss) . Seeing the scale change so rapidly can be encouragement, but it will most likely come back once you start eating like a normal person. I do not recommend your method, but its your body and you can do what you want to it.

[scenicworld]

well, it's not a recommended approach by any means, but I have to admit that I lost the most weight by pretty much starving myself. I used to weigh in excess of 330 pounds and when I DRASTICALLY reduced my diet to the sub 1000 range and added a light cardio workout of 45 minutes on the treadmill 4 days a week the fat melted off down to about 145. I used to have an orange for breakfast, an orange for lunch and then a light dinner. now that I've tried to have a normal diet and routine exercise, I've found that it's a battle just to break even and I've put 40+ pounds back on over the last 3 years as a result.

you won't find any nutritionist that will tell you this is a good way to lose weight and they will probably warn you of the problems you'll face down the road with regards to bone density, hair loss and all the other nasty stuff no one wants to deal with.

[Neighborhood Creep]

Don't skip breakfast! If anything, add another Vi shake even if it's half the size.

[paulb]

ok good to know, thanks for the suggestions. Eggs for breakfast sounds smart.

[Errant]

I have my caloric intake set at 1380, and try to eat back my exercise calories. What seems to be working for me it to make sure I'm getting 100+g of protein each day. Without enough protein, you'll lose muscle and muscle helps burn calories.

[ThatGirl]

thanks! I was having trouble losing at first too, but I wasn't incorporating cardio yet, and I was eating dinner wayyyy too late in the evening. Now I make sure I eat 4 hours before bedtime, and keep evening meals protein only (like a steak). Once I changed that stuff I lost weight faster than I ever have in my life. It only took a month to lose almost 10 lbs. You still have time, go for it!

I am struggling. Right now exercise is on hold for me as I just did laser eye surgery, and they don't like you to work out for a week or two so you don't get sweat in your eyes and cause bacteria/infection. I am missing my Zumba but being at home immobilized and bored makes it harder not to snack.

[ELIZA83TH]

I am struggling. Right now exercise is on hold for me as I just did laser eye surgery, and they don't like you to work out for a week or two so you don't get sweat in your eyes and cause bacteria/infection. I am missing my Zumba but being at home immobilized and bored makes it harder not to snack.

its okay to snack, but keep your snacks light & healthy - veggies are good, fruits are okay but can be high in sugar…
keep the processed & fatty foods at a low (And altogether OUT if possible).

[BChillin]

Don't skip breakfast! If anything, add another Vi shake even if it's half the size.

I really dislike the "you must eat breakfast" mantra in health/fitness. If you like to eat breakfast, eat breakfast. If you don't, don't. I haven't regularly eaten breakfast in years. I've never had much of an appetite in the morning, but used to choke down breakfast because I thought it was the healthy thing to do. Meal timing is pretty much meaningless. Weight loss comes down to one thing, a caloric deficit.

[clleadz]

I really dislike the "you must eat breakfast" mantra in health/fitness. If you like to eat breakfast, eat breakfast. If you don't, don't. I haven't regularly eaten breakfast in years. I've never had much of an appetite in the morning, but used to choke down breakfast because I thought it was the healthy thing to do. Meal timing is pretty much meaningless. Weight loss comes down to one thing, a caloric deficit.

That's true, but eating breakfast can help to encourage a calorie deficit.

I was trying to lose a few pounds a while ago, I was running 30 mins - 1 hr every other day and doing weights on the other days, and was not losing anything. Even having a tiny salad for lunch. I started eating a half bagel every morning, then the pounds started to come off quickly.

Breakfast gets the body burning calories early on, if you wait until lunch then your body will try to conserve energy and fat, not use it.

[paulb]

the pounds are coming off for me without breakfast....so, which one am I supposed to follow?