Congrats Terry! I'm with you on how hard it is to improve shoulder and strength function. Most of my clinical pilates sessions have been focused on that. Doesn't seem like much but a little improvement is a GREAT improvement. Well done going down a clothing size too!
Thanks Matt!
And Thanks Sandra D for starting this thread. I swear if I didn't focus on NSV's I would have given up 100x already. The scale hasn't moved in the last 2 months or so but my body is totally different now compared to back then.
My latest NSV: I can touch my toes for the first time in 10+ years!!! All those Pilates classes and losing a bit of my stomach made it possible. Also, I was one of the very few who could do a crazy move during an intermediate class yesterday. When I started 3 months ago, I really was the worst in the beginner class. I could also do the highest-instensity moves during my cardio class when 3 months ago I couldn't even do the most basic moves.
Today I had to walk around the office holding my jeans up to prevent it from falling down! I feel like I'm getting my old body back.
The good: I like the way you had to account for the hours in the day to calculate the activity level. In most calculators, they don't really explain the difference between light and moderate activity.
The bad: The result for me was 1200 calories. It was only recommeded only because the calculated value was below 1200 and it defaulted to 1200 because it said everyone should eat at least 1200 a day. Maybe the calculator just isn't made for short people The F2F calculator recommneded almost 1800 a day - quite a difference.
Hi AJ, One thing struck me about your thread is this "but I know healthy people don't obsess like this. (In fact, many don't even really seem to think about food very much at all.)"..
All my life I've been slim and healthy (until a couple of years ago when I got sick) AND I think about food ALL THE TIME, including then. My cookbook collection is enormous and there's nothing more I love than cooking and going to markets to get fresh food and trying new ingredients.
After all that rambling, maybe it's not that you think about food all the time but that you see food as 'bad' instead of something pleasurable and nourishing. Can you turn to people who can turn your attitude to food more positively?
Just as an example, I just got a big Easter present (in Australia that means a whole heap of chocolates!). Since I loooove chocolate, I only kept two small pieces of finest quality chocolate and gave away the rest of the huge chocolate gift basket. Enjoying food doesn't have to be negative. It can mean you only treat yourself to the best because you deserve the best!
Thanks for everyone's replies. I went away on holidays and haven't read it until recently. It looks like that like you, I also have lots of goals and monitor my motivation that way. Thanks again.
Hi everyone. On the podcast, Russ tells us his motivation level (out of 10) for the week. Does anyone else do this? How are you using this info to help you?
I'm using Dailyburn and I find that tracking *everything* really works for me. However, I can't think of how tracking motivation levels can be used so if any of you do, let us know how you're going.
I started my journey 2.5 months ago it's been going well but the last 3 weeks, I haven't seen any movement in the scales. Fortunately, the NSV's have been occurring so I'm still motivated.
* I can now wear work pants that I haven't been able to fit into for 1 1/2 years. Half of my pants are too big now.
* My mum (who I call my 'human weighing scale') said I looked like I lost some weight. She usually mentions my weight *every single time I see her* to say that I've gained or maintained by weight.
* I signed up for the gym membership yesterday and was really excited about it because I like going there.
* My daily decision to walk home is automatic instead of a 'I have to do this because this is good for me' choice.
* I have the confidence to go out with my supermodel-ish friends tomorrow night instead of avoiding social situations because I felt frumpy.
* I FEEL better and sleep better.
Do you have community colleges or night classes of some sort in your area? Browse their catalogues to see what kind of short courses you can try. Hopefully they'll have a great range and include classes including cooking, arts, dancing, music etc.
Another idea is to look through childhood photos to trigger your memory. What kinds of things did you like as a kid? Then try out adult versions of that ‘play’. Drawing? Try a creative painting class. Running around or riding your bike? Join a running, hiking or cycling club. Figuring out what’s going on the neighbourhood? Try a journalism/writing class. Dressing up? Try a sewing group (We call them “stitch & b*tch” in Oz). Jumping from great heights? Try skydiving or diving. Performing? Dance/singing classes. Etc....
Well my arms and hamstrings are sore today! The boxing class was a laugh (3 uncoordinated women and 1 guy in the class). It was hard work at times but really funny other times, especially when my friend nearly punched me in the face when she kept missing the padding! There were high-intensity cardio and stretching/core work exercises. Not as much fun as the dance-based cardio classes I go to but the boxing class is a great compliment to cardio and weight training. I'm sure I'll go again.
I love dancing so my fave is a dance-based interval training cardio class. It's so much fun and I love hip-hop music and salsa music so I'm happy to move to that.
Pilates is great (but you have to find a great teacher) because it's a workout but it's relaxing at the same time. After the class, I feel like a squishy marshmallow. It's goooood.
Tomorrow I'm trying a boxing class. I'm not that excited but I have to find a way to get rid of my batwings/tuckshop lady/canteen lady arms! Will report later.
I'm Tish. Trying to lose 10kgs (that's 3 dress sizes for my height) and get more fit so I can get back to the 'real me'. I slowly gained weight the past 5 years and for the first time in my life, I'm officially overweight. But not for much longer.
2 months ago I found F2F radio. Thanks to Russ and Jeff for providing such great information with a lot of common sense. I've now listened to every show and every week I've been implementing a new tip. The seemingly small changes I've made are ones that I know I can keep doing the rest of my life. The results: losing 1 kg every 2-3 weeks but more importantly, I feel a lot healthier and happier than I have for a long time. It feels so great to be on the right path.
"When I was 39 I weighed 160 at 5 foot 1. I followed Fat 2 Fit advice and found out that as a moderately active person, if want to weigh 120 pounds, I need to eat 1650 calories per day. I did that, and within 9 months, I weighed 120 pounds. It's that simple. REALLY! I'm 42 now, and I still weigh 120."
Wow! That is really inspiring. The last sentence is the most meaningful for me. (This is my first post. I just had to join in and congratulate you. I'm the same height and each pound/kilo really shows in us!)
The F2F calculator recommneded almost 1800 a day - quite a difference.
