Here's a wacky idea- firefly fit club?

POSTED BY: Persephone736
UPDATED: Monday, March 27, 2006 19:12
VIEWED: 19874
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PERSEPHONE736

Monday, March 20, 2006 7:30 PM

So, I just got a good half hour walk/jog in and for which i am very proud of myself. I like the idea of keeping track of weight/measurements. I don't plan on telling my weight and measurements but will tell you what I have lost. Another little tidbit of info- you can keep track of pounds, body fact percent with lots of different scales nowadays. My mom and i got one at bed, bath, and beyond fairly cheaply. This way, even if the pounds don't melt off you can tell if you are at least loosing body fat.

TIVO25

Monday, March 20, 2006 7:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by UnregisteredCompanion:
How much weight have I lost? None. I have been doing the belly dance for almost 2 years, and the water aerobics/walking for one. Sure I feel better. Yes I have lost inches...BUT I WANT TO THROW THE SCALE THROUGH THE WINDOW!!!

An important thing to keep in mind is that the same physical amount of muscle weighs twice as much as fat. So you may indeed be losing fat, just not weight. Also important, when trying to burn fat, the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn during cardio. As for the metabolism, perhaps this will help you - part of my situation with the fast metabolism is that I've turned into a "grazer." I'm almost constantly eating. Not pigging out mind you, but just a little bit of snacking (maybe a handful of crackers) every half hour or so.

This actually fires up your metabolism. I don't know the exact science of it, but if you'll spread the food your eating in three meals out over the entire day it'll help with the metabolism.

Also, starving yourself has the opposite effect, it slows down your metabolism (not saying that you do, just some general advice). Your body goes into "starvation survival" mode, storing more fat since it doesn't know that there's a meal coming up at 6 ot 7 in the evening, and it's not sure when its going to get more food. So don't skip meals, it'll slow down your metabolism.

Additionally, when in this "survival" mode, when you start burning more calories than you have available, it'll get rid of muscle first, as that requires more energy than the fat, and therefor less efficient in "lean times."

But you don't have to take my word for it. I'm a big fan of doing research, so check out some nutrition books and fitness magazines. Chances are they'll have just the right "recipe" for you.

JAYNESBUNKWOMAN

Monday, March 20, 2006 8:35 PM

I think this is a fantastic idea. Support groups are always helpful when trying to lose weight/get fit or any combination of the above.
In the past year, I have shed the equivalent of a large turkey and am working my way through the last part of a second one! The last part of the second turkey has been the toughest. (doesn't that just visualize the whole weight loss thing!)
I just started doing the: eat smart carbs, whole grains(limit servings per day, good fats, fish, whie meats, smaller servings. You can't toally deprive yourself of the good stuff, just severely limit the intake. Living be myself, i found the mantra - if I don't buy it, I won't eat it- to work! Iffin' ya got kids, then self disciplin, which i kinda suck at, comes into play. I also started going to the gym - I now do weights about twice a week and a class of tai-chi/yoga/pilates combination 4-5 x weekly. It's toning me up quite nicely, although i'm not yet at the Zoe with a bit a Kaylee kinda of form I would like. Not lookin' for a washboard stomach, just one I can maybe bare occasionly in a bikini! Since it's been a year since I started, I'm pretty sure that if I just keep at it, eventually i'll get there. it has much to do with lifestyle adjusments. i'll never be able toe at like I used to, otherwise I'll gain it all back.
ALl that to say that i will be joining this thread on a regualr basis- to share the pain of stiff muscles, the seemingly never ending plateau I'm on etc...Good luck to us in our goal of getting healthy, be it beefing up (for you tall skinny guys!) or trimming down.

Oh yeah - and following link can track progess etc for you (you don't have to actually count calories but it can track your weight, level physical fitness etc: http://www.fitday.com/
I'll be in Jaynes bunk

PERSEPHONE736

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 1:02 AM

anybody got any good ideas for toning your legs?

WITCHOFTHEDOGS

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 1:30 AM

Rolling in here as a newly converted Browncoat who made a resolution last night to take my health into my hands and do something about it.

I think the idea of just having a support group is a great one... I know there are a thousand times I've wanted to take better care of myself, but found it's easier to just wallow in the self-pity rather than stand up to and for myself.

With that out of the way, I have a question for anyone out there who might be able to help... I injured my back about a year ago (herniated disk) and am not able to do a lot of the basic weight work that is so good for everyone, so I'm going to start with cardio. Anyone have a similar situation? Any hints for good exercises?

Needless-to-say, I'm excited to meet all of you and excited to see that we're all getting motivated!

(And on a lesser note, I'm not normally this cheery, so take advantage of it while you can.)

::::::::::::::::::

Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down... tells you she's hurting before she keels.

Makes her a home.

JAYNESBUNKWOMAN

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 2:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Persephone736:
anybody got any good ideas for toning your legs?

Squats and lunges are killer toner for the legs and butt! just watch your form - whether doing the squats or the lunges, the knee stays in line with the ankle. If your knees are forward of your ankle(s), your going to injure your knees.
If you do alot of rep's at different pace thoughout, say one song worth of kjust squats..excellent workout for the legs. By different pace i mean count of two and count of two up for say 10 rep's, count of three down and one up for same amount of rep's, singles as in one count down one count up for say 12-16 rep's, a few very slow ones (count of four down and count of four up) thrown in , say a the end of your set of singles, and then repeat until the end of the song. After day one of these, your legs will be very stiff and muscles sore, but go again after one day of rest and they'll loosen up, A couple of weeks you should start some differnce. In bewteen building strength, I found it beneficial to do some cardio - nothing big, just treadmill fast walking or the ellipitcal trainer - i found it helped to keep the muscles loose, or at least loosen them up a bit. It's workin' for me so maybe for you!

I'll be in Jaynes bunk

PERSEPHONE736

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 2:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jaynesbunkwoman:
Quote:
Originally posted by Persephone736:
anybody got any good ideas for toning your legs?

Squats and lunges are killer toner for the legs and butt! just watch your form - whether doing the squats or the lunges, the knee stays in line with the ankle. If your knees are forward of your ankle(s), your going to injure your knees.

that's awesome, thanks!

JAYNESBUNKWOMAN

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 2:22 AM

It's a tough workout make no mistake. I've been doin' them for about a year now (in a fitness class twice weekly) and it's still a vey tough track to get though!) But the payoff is a nice set of gams!

I'll be in Jaynes bunk

SIGMANUNKI

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 7:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by witchofthedogs:

With that out of the way, I have a question for anyone out there who might be able to help... I injured my back about a year ago (herniated disk) and am not able to do a lot of the basic weight work that is so good for everyone, so I'm going to start with cardio. Anyone have a similar situation? Any hints for good exercises?

In all seriousness, I'd recommend consulting your doctor: medical conditions are nothing to play around with, especially when its with your back.

This ( http://familydoctor.org/341.xml) says you should do things to strengthen your back and stomach. Though you should consult your doctor.

That being said, I have had some back problems in the past and had a Cyropractor give me some exercises to strengthen my back and stomach.

There is of course stomach crunches. Though none of that twisting to include other muscles stuff. That'd probably be really bad for you. The rest I'm going to have to describe as I have no idea what they are called.

Lie on your side and lift your leg (keep it straight), hold for a few seconds and then lower. Repeat about a dozen times. Hippy goodness with this one.

Move your "upper" leg and lift the "lower" leg up, hold for a few seconds and lower. Repeat about a dozen times. Inner thigh workout.

With the above two, I don't lie in a straight line on the ground. I angle my legs a few degrees in front of me. Helps with balance

Lie on your stomach and lift your chest off the ground, hold for a few seconds and lower. Repeat...

Make sure that all movement is in straight lines and that no "wiggling" is going on in the movement. That "wiggling" could make the back twist in a bad way, and that'd be very bad for you.

There is also just simply walking, taking the stairs, etc. Though you should consult your doctor.

And remember, that "no pain, no gain" stuff is complete crap. Pain means your doing it wrong, or at least wrong for you. Stop immediately!

Also, because of your back, I'd recommend having someone within earshot when you're working out. And if that isn't possible, set the phone down nearby. You know, just in case you need some assistence.

Did I mention that you should consult your doctor?

Seriously though, consult your doctor. No-one here wants you to get hurt

----
"We're in a giant car heading into a brick wall at 100 miles/hr and everybody's arguing about where they want to sit."
-David Suzuki

NUCLEARDAY

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:55 PM

Oh what the hey, I've been telling myself I'm going to get in shape for many moons now, perhaps it's time to actually do something about it, huh?

Myself, I'm about 5'9" 180-190lbs (don't have a scale anywhere around here but it's likely a good guess.) I've had this gut since well... ever I suppose. My job is mostly manual labor at the moment, so I've got a decent enough amount of tone. I'm just looking to change my eating habits and get healthy before it starts turning into problems. (Love my after-dinner ice creams a little too much I think :)

Not looking for one of those quick-fix diets or anything, just need to start fixing myself some healthier meals. Figure if I'm eating right the rest will take care of itself. My trouble is that I mostly live on microwave meals and haven't been cooking for myself in quite some time. Need to look into varying my diet more, and laying off of the junk food so much. (But bwah! so much easier to pop a meal into the microwave when I get home than keeping an eye on the stove for half an hour :)

Anyways, good thread and good luck to everyone ;p

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You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

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