STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Elle · Hermes

The flab that wouldn't die

jacL · Coach

Elle wrote:

I hate this! Maybe all of my foot-stomping and crying will take off a pound or two ...

Oh, yes, stomping around and crying is definately known to take off a pound or two

It does sound frustrating, but it sounds like you are doing all the right things. How much activity are you getting--maybe you can do more or push yourself harder?

BTW, I think you look great in your TS posts.

member · Hermes

Elle, what kind of physical activity are you getting?

Elle · Hermes

Every day for the past week and a half I've done either 20 min stationary bike plus 20 min pilates or a brisk 3 mile walk and 20 minutes of pilates, with the exception of Monday this week because I was really sore from Sunday's workout. I know that's not the most excercise ever, but you'd think that it'd help at least some, especially since I was really not doing any regular cardio before that ... ? And I'm somewhat limited in the cardio area - running is really painful on my knees, and even the bike hurts my knees after 20 minutes or so .

Stomp. Stomp. Cry. Stomp.

I know I just need to be a little more patient, but I don't wannnnnnnnaaaaaaaa!

-- Edited by Elle at 12:39, 2006-02-08

member · Hermes

I'm only telling you what my BF has told me - he's a personal trainer. Skip the stationary bike and go for something else like the treadmill or ellipitical. He always tells me the bike is not a good way to burn fat/calories - not a good source for cardio. Other than that, it sounds like you are doing good. Did you limit carbs at all?

You do look great in your TS posts

turtledove · Nine West

hehe, first off, that made me giggle...second, I feel your pain. I started my aggressive weight loss plan in January, stepped gleefully onto the scale, sure to see that little arrow of dispair move down even just one notch, and what do my wondering eyes doth appear? A gain of .5 lbs. This story does have a point however. Last week I finally started losing weight and I'm down about 5 lbs now. Just keep at it babes, maybe drink more water when you start to feel hungry, record everything you eat, reach for a carrot. You know...all that jazz

Elle · Hermes

Thanks girls .

Shopchicago - I don't have access to an elliptical (boo!), but I will switch to the treadmill from now on instead of the bike.

Not sure why, but I've always had awful trouble with cardio - seriously feels like my body just was not designed to do it. I did cross-country in HS for 2 years and never got below a 9 minute mile, and I still wanted to die every time I ran. After months of building up my endurance last year on the treadmill the most I could run at a stretch was 5 (torturous) minutes. It just feels really miserable to sustain any kind of activity - makes my lungs really hurt. Hence, I never really liked cardio much . Shopchicago - I'd like to hear any advice your BF has on the subject; if he's ever seen any poor souls like myself through the painful-cardio misery.

I don't eat very refined carbs (white bread, white rice, chips, white pasta, etc) - I have maybe 4-6 servings of whole grains (WW bread, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, wheat pasta) on any given day.

-- Edited by Elle at 12:51, 2006-02-08

bluediamond · Dooney & Bourke

Don't give up Elle. Sometimes weight loss also sneaks up on you. Just keep doing all the things you have been, keep up the good work, maybe add an extra hour or so of cardio each week. Before you know it you will have reached your goal!!!

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

Just a small suggestion but if you are a soda drinker, stop. Try to drink green tea.

NCshopper · Hermes

I agree that weight loss sometimes sneaks up on you. Especially as you first start to gain muscle mass, you gain some weight before the muscle really starts to kick in and burn more energy. So, stick with it and don't give up. Also, adding a little bit of weight to your routine might help as well. Target or Wal Mart or any of those places have hand weights pretty cheap usually. 5 or 8 pounds weights work great for me.

Elle · Hermes

Grace wrote:

Just a small suggestion but if you are a soda drinker, stop. Try to drink green tea.

Nope. Already a mint tea drinker, with only the occasional diet soda. I actually do not recall the last time I drank a regular soda.

NC - I use pilates w/ a big rubber band in place of free weights. It's been more friendly to my joints in the past. Geesh! I sound like an 80 year old woman, what with the "My lungs hurt" and "My loose/achy/poor joints"! Ack!

Also, I just remembered that I've been drinking my share of beer lately with the holidays/super bowl/etc. No more beer - check!

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

Do you have a balance ball? Those things kick a$$! Plus they are cheap and you can use it while watching TV.

flknight24 · Dooney & Bourke

Elle wrote:

Also, I just remembered that I've been drinking my share of beer lately with the holidays/super bowl/etc. No more beer - check!

Beer is my own personal diet sabotage. When I drink it on the weekend I can pretty much expect to be 5 lbs. heavier on Monday but when I don't drink at all on the weekend or only have wine I'm usually my normal weight. If you really cut beer out of your diet you might be surprised how much not drinking helps with weight loss.

Also, do you count calories at all? I'm not talking about being psychotic about it but you might want to track what you're eating calorie wise for a week or so. You might identify something that you're eating that's adding a lot of calories to your diet. Those pesky calories have a way of adding up quickly.

NCshopper · Hermes

flknight24 wrote:

Elle wrote: Also, I just remembered that I've been drinking my share of beer lately with the holidays/super bowl/etc. No more beer - check! Beer is my own personal diet sabotage. When I drink it on the weekend I can pretty much expect to be 5 lbs. heavier on Monday but when I don't drink at all on the weekend or only have wine I'm usually my normal weight. If you really cut beer out of your diet you might be surprised how much not drinking helps with weight loss. Also, do you count calories at all? I'm not talking about being psychotic about it but you might want to track what you're eating calorie wise for a week or so. You might identify something that you're eating that's adding a lot of calories to your diet. Those pesky calories have a way of adding up quickly.

Ditto!!! Beer is the worst! I gained 12 pounds when I lived in Australia because of the beer. I ate better there than I did here and I was far more active there than I've ever been in my life. 12 pounds. I'm not kidding. Damn beer!

member · Hermes

Elle wrote:

Thanks girls . Shopchicago - I don't have access to an elliptical (boo!), but I will switch to the treadmill from now on instead of the bike. Not sure why, but I've always had awful trouble with cardio - seriously feels like my body just was not designed to do it. I did cross-country in HS for 2 years and never got below a 9 minute mile, and I still wanted to die every time I ran. After months of building up my endurance last year on the treadmill the most I could run at a stretch was 5 (torturous) minutes. It just feels really miserable to sustain any kind of activity - makes my lungs really hurt. Hence, I never really liked cardio much . Shopchicago - I'd like to hear any advice your BF has on the subject; if he's ever seen any poor souls like myself through the painful-cardio misery. I don't eat very refined carbs (white bread, white rice, chips, white pasta, etc) - I have maybe 4-6 servings of whole grains (WW bread, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, wheat pasta) on any given day.-- Edited by Elle at 12:51, 2006-02-08

Elle - I will show the boyfriend this post tonight and get back to you w/his advice

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i think you're on the right track.

the only things that i might add to what the other girls have mentioned is to do the treadmill (with an incline) walking, or interval running/walking a couple days a week (your body could be used to the bike). the other thing i would do is i would add weight lifting to your routine (this is where i am horrible...i hate weights) on days that you don't use the resistance band. i know when i use those bands (i love them), i don't feel as much of a burn as when i lift weights. good luck. try to be patient (even though i know how hard it is).

kate · BCBG

aww, don't be too hard on yourself!

one thing you might consider is some light weight training with free weights. i started doing that last year with like 10 really easy exercises (the type of basic thing you'd see on self.com or ivillage) and was surprised at how quickly i built up a little muscle mass all over my body. i actually ended up gaining a few pounds because of the classic "muscle weighs more than fat" thing, but i definitely felt less soft around the middle. :)

also, is there a pool you have access to? i personally am horrible at swimming (way too uncoordinated) but everyone always says it's really great exercise and very low impact...

Elle · Hermes

Kate - we only have an outdoor pool (Buurrrrrr!). Also I've heard that while swimming is good cardiovascular excercise, it isn't the best for weight loss.

I will consider switching my pilates up with weights. While I personally feel more of a burn with the band then with weights (if I can't make it through a set of weights, it's because my joints are hurting as opposed to my muscles being fatigued), it's probably worth doing to keep my body guessing.

It's the beer ! The beer made me do it ! Stupid beer ...

Liz · Kenneth Cole

I don't really have any advice because I am the worst when it comes to working out. I just thought the title of your post was funny and wanted to tell you not to give up! I'll be happy if at least one of us lose weight, and seeing as how I'm eating chocolate chip cookies and milk (at least it's skim) right now it ain't gonna be me.

By the way, seeing your TS posts, I think you're on the petite side like me. So on a positive note, when you do start to shed the pounds it'll be really noticeable, I think. Whenever I fluctuate a few pounds everyone can tell.

Metric · Gucci

Sorry to be Debbie Downer but FYI...Beer has about 150 calories per 12 oz. which is about equal in calories to 1 cup of pasta.

6 beers during Superbowl? That's equal to a MacDonalds Big Mac Meal with Fries.

Why does it have to be so damn good?!?