So, over the last 3 years I have neglected myself completely. Being locked in a raty appartment for two years with barely seeying the light of day didn't help to my fitness levels. I didn't eat much really, but spaghetti was all we could afford and I had no way in hell I could loose those carbs by crying, sleeping and wanting to die.

Also my mediterranean life style, continous walking, and different food habits were completely wrecked when I moved to the states.

Anyways, here is my problem. I am just starting my dieting again. I have a lean nearly non existant but very vitamin and protein filled menu, no sugars, no fats, no carbs at all, I won't be starving and I am very very motivated. Looked at myself in the mirror for several minutes yesterday and realized how god awfully fat I have gotten and it is really sickening to me and my self steem.

So, I need a fitness program to go along with this. I thought of joining a gym, but my fitness is terrible and I am too fat to be around people that look fit and gym driven, it's make me self concious and I'd try to skip it so I could avoid the humiliation. That is why I have opted to home fitness videos, also due to my TIGHT schedule!

I am debating wether I should purchase the firm videos or any other kind. I don't mind sweating and the infomercial looked promising. I want to start well this year and get this pounds off of me for once and for all. No excuses, I think being this unfit and unhealthy is really slowing my recovery and also causing me health problems.

I can still walk for an hour, do some static bycicle, and jog some, my husband is very impressed that I am actually more excersice oriented than he is and that I know so much about stretching excersices and running routines, but I did all the running I could ever want on the track at High School.

I'd like to start swimming again, but first I'd need to get rid of some of the rolls of fat I have collected. (I was a swimming champion back home).

Soooo... anybody here has any recomendations???

Soooo... anybody here has any recomendations???
Not a doctor but...

Eat better - lotsa fruit, veggies & grains - cut back on the fats & sugars.
Exercise more - sounds as if you are off to a good start. Do what you like do & you are more likely to keep it up.
You used to walk, so do it! Walking is a great low impact exercise (won't hurt your bones, joints and muscles.)
It's not gonna happen overnight but keep it up & you will notice it. Do not expect too much, too soon. Don't overdo it & get burned out because it is not happening as fast as you hope.

Keep it up!

<small>[ January 21, 2003, 03:21 PM: Message edited by: Chris (CA123) ]</small>

Dear Lost:

Go to www.collagevideo.com. They have all kinds of fitness tapes to order, including The Firm and my fav instructor, Cathe Friedrich. Their catalog is ssooo helpful, too. It describes the video and tells how long each section takes, what is included in the section and whether it is for beginner, intermediate or advanced. I have been very happy ordering from them.

Good luck, I think you might have inspired me!
DB

I walk a lot during work and school hours, after that I only have about an hour every day to walk and well... there are no sidewalks here and the people drive like psychotic blind moose, so I try to use the machines that my apartment complex provides for free, but I have the same problem bumping into gym-people and feeling inadequate.

I am keeping a very strict diet with overall veggies, chicken, and fish, also meat on time to time. Everything grilled, nothing fried. I eat a couple of pieces of fruit here and there, but try to stay away due to the sugar on them, yes it is fruit healthy sugar but my family is prone to diabetes and my weight right now is dangerous so I'll keep away from sugar and too much salt.

I'll keep it up! Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement, it means a lot to me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

P.S. The Firms are KILLERS! I wouldn't start out with those because they will make you hurt BAD, and I'm afraid you might lose interest quickly. I love Cathe Frierich, but get a beginner tape of her. I also like anything by the NAC (National Aerobics Champions).

Wow, thanks dazed! I definitely need some guidance about content and levels of the work outs. So many videos out there nowadays!

Thanks a million I sincerely appreciate!

How about Curves?

It's geared towards women ONLY and has a complete planned workout that is designed to be done in 30 minutes.

Yes, I understand that you're feeling fatter than you would like to, but with just women around, it might make it easier...

Alostwife,

If your apartment complex has walking equipment I would recommend that up take advantage of them as often as you can. I try to walk at least 45 minutes 3 to 4 times a week. You will not realize how fast you will drop those pounds. But the best part will be the change in how you feel.

I know you might feel uncomfortable at a gym but you will see the same people over and over and when they start noticing the new you, you won't want them to stop telling you how good you look.

Hang in there and keep motivated, you will not regret it. Good Luck!!!!!

Oh Kily that'd be wonderful, problem is I live in a very small city... nearly a town, and there are no curves around here.

They recently opened a womens only gym close by though, but I have heard bad things about it and the one time I drove by all the girls going in were about my age, but all of them college students, very fit and all blonde LOL.

I wouldn't fit in very well.

Feeling Tainted,

I will do it, I know I will, I just need to regain some courage and my XWH is being very helpful, he comes with me to excercise so I won't feel singled out or lonely.

I know it will take me at least a year before I am even remotely close to what I want to look like, but a year is just too little compared to how I used to feel when I was fit. So I will be courageous and stick to my fitness goals.

Thanks again for all the support!

Hi Alostwife,

Eat 3-5 small meals a day and limit your fat calories.

Get a good heart rate monitor and exercise at 65%-85% of your maximum heart rate for 20-30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week. (220-age=Max Heart Rate).

If you don't go over 75% to 85% of your Max Heart Rate, you won't overexert yourself...and you'll get the benefits of buring off lots and lots of excess calories!

You might also want to include some type of muscle strengthening exercises (push ups, sit ups, weight training) to round out your routine.

Semper Fi,
RIF90

How about the local YMCA?

There is a usually a work out area and a pool. Most people that I see there are more practical and non-judgemental about things that you are fearing....also, that crowd usually seems to be a bit older - mid forties and up.....

Part of the reason I am pushing the exercise out of the house thing is that I think getting out will also help your morale a bit. It will give you a place to go to talk to people. If you don't want to talk, that's okay too. Sometimes just being around other HUMANS is all you need......

<small>[ January 21, 2003, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: kily ]</small>

I have Walk Away the Pounds videos. You can do it right in your own den! I have a 3 video set and it came with weights (small balls that are filled with water or sand) that you use during the walk to tone up.

I like it.

Alostwife,

I am a home video fitness fanatic and own about 100 tapes. The very best ones are the Firm tapes, IMO. They will make your figure look AWESOME. They are so effective that they promise to deliver results in 10 workouts and they really do. I would suggest starting out with the 3 pack that includes CardioSculpt, BodySculpt and AbSculpt. You can buy the set for $22 at Sams or Target.

We Firm groupies hang out at: http://pub109.ezboard.com/bfirmbelivers

They call us FirmBelievers. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Also, you need carbohydrates AND fat in your diet. Too much protein will make you just as fat as having too much carbohydrates because excess protein is also turned into glucose. At LEAST 15 grams of carbs a day is what you need to start and then more as you work up. You will slow your metabolism down by cutting them ALL OUT.

You need 2 small salads and 1 cup of low glycemic veggies to reach 15 grams. You also have to have fat to lose fat. If the body is deprived of fat, it thinks that you are starving and will PROTECT your body fat and start burning off muscle and then HAIR. The loss of muscle will slow your metabolism down even more. You also need fat for proper nutrition and immunology. Just cut out refined sugars, flour products, starchy veggies and fruits and ALL trans fats. [ie: margarine, etc} I lost 50 pounds pretty quickly on Atkins and have kept it off for years this way.

<small>[ January 21, 2003, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: MelodyLane ]</small>

Here is some info on the Atkins diet and how it far outperforms low fat/low calorie diets. You don't need to cut calories to lose weight, you just need to cut out junk food and switch to more wholesome unprocessed foods:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/836726.asp

And another:

Sondike, S.B., Copperman, N.M., Jacobson, M.S., "Low Carbohydrate Dieting Increases Weight Loss but not Cardiovascular Risk in Obese Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial,"Journal of Adolescent Health, 26, 2000, page 91.

Results of the study, conducted at Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park, N.Y., were presented at a meeting of the Society for Adolescent Medicine in Washington, D.C. Marc Jacobson, M.D., reported on his findings, involving children ranging in age from 12 to 18, all of whom were between 20 and 100 pounds overweight. He found that teens following a controlled carb plan were more successful in their weight-loss efforts than those following a low-fat, high-carb plan, even though the former ate an average of 730 more calories daily.

Members of the controlled carb group were allowed to eat as many calories as they wanted in the form of meat, fish, fowl and cheese, two salads a day and minimal other carbs. The low-fat group ate fat-free dairy products, whole grains, low-fat meats, poultry and fish and many fruits and vegetables. They were limited to 1,100 calories a day. The results speak for themselves: Teens in the controlled carb group lost an average of 19 pounds during a 12-week period; low-fat dieters averaged 8.5 pounds. The controlled carb group also showed a greater decrease in overall serum cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels were reduced by 52 percent, as compared to a 10 percent drop for the low-fat group. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels increased in the controlled carb group and decreased in the low-fat group.

Two myths often perpetuated by critics of Atkins were also addressed in this study. Skeptics who don't actually understand the process of lipolysis/ketosis have often stated that the Atkins Nutritional ApproachTM is effective only because fewer calories are consumed. As Atkins followers can attest, they can eat plenty of delicious, whole foods. In the Schneider study, the controlled carb group consumed an average of 1,830 calories a day, 66 percent more than the low-fat group's average, while losing almost 1 pound more per week. Another myth is that Atkins can damage kidneys. Schneider researchers monitored kidney and liver functions and found that they were unaffected by the controlled carb diet.

Dr. Jacobson attributes the weight loss success of the controlled carb dieters to suppressed insulin levels, resulting from carbohydrate restriction. This, in turn, stops the body from "laying down new fat," he says, forcing it to burn fat already accumulated in the body. After three months on a weight-loss plan, study participants followed a maintenance diet that included additional carbohydrates. Six to 12 months later, most of the controlled carb followers had maintained their new weight. The study provides additional evidence for the efficacy of a high-protein, controlled carb weight loss program, specifically for teenagers.

Dear ALW

Firstly - good for you!! Although I have never been really big, my weight goes up and down a lot, and I hate it when it's in the up phase!!

Your commitment is excellent - keep it up, and if you have a bad day don't worry, just get back on the horse, and carry on. What I would say is that I am pretty much a fitness fanatic - 5 heavy sessions a week, sometimes including a 30 mile cycle ride just for fun! When I don't exercise I feel sluggish and much worse than when I do, irrespective of my weight.

You have been given lots of advice here, but I think it's good to start with exercise you feel comfortable with. Make sure you mix cardio vascular (CV) work, such as walking, jogging, swimming, anything that gets you sweaty and slightly out of breath, with strength work, weights. Make sure you keep whatever you do varied. Don't get stuck in a rut, if you get bored try something new.

As for diet, well, I've tried loads, but I honestly think Weight Watchers worked the best for me. Whatever you do stick with it.

Good luck to you.

Lisa

Rebuilding,

Wonderful pointers, thank you so much! I'll get working on that, I will try a bunch of different stuff and then settle with whatever seems to make my body wake up from metabolic-hybernation.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Kily,

Yes, my adoptive mom mentioned the Y, and right now they have joining specials in town, I might look on it. What I want to do is get at least a bit fit first, then when I look a bit better go and join a gym so I can have coaching for my goals. I am now going to school and work so I have plenty of human contact, thank goodness!

Thanks for the pointers, I will definetely consider the Y, it seems the best option so far, since the only other gym in town that seems to call my attention is a Premier Fitness club and it is expenssssive <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

Susan,

Yeah I remember seeying an informecial for that one too! Seems like a nice and low shock work out! Will have a look at it too.
Thanks so much!.

Melody,

Wow so much info! Thank you! I am reading it right now and absorbing it like a sponge <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> I saw the firm video set with the fanny lifter? At target and I'll purchase it, my husband seems interested on excersice with me... just not with the lifter LOL.
Will I need any other equipment appart from the 3 pairs of weights? Like a matt or something?

Lisa,

I wish I hadn't let myself go for so long, but depression makes me win weight ugh! Thanks a bunch for the encouragement, I really really appreciate it.

((((((((((((((((((hugs to all)))))))))))))))

I'm another Atkins believer.

Diabetes and ramapant heart disease riddles both sides of my family. I was gestational diabetic 3 times. (A huge risk biomarker for diabetes.) This summer, I had a physical. I was 60 lbs overweight, had cholesterol of 250 (185 ldl) and Stage 1 hypertension. My fasting bloodsugar was creeping up: 110 isn't diabetic, but its getting up there to prediabetes. My home testing was often showing diabetic levels.

I was told I had 3 months to get my numbers down, or I'd be going on Diovan and Liptor (blood pressure and cholesterol meds).

I struggled, but I couldn't get the numbers down with excercise and I couldn't stick to a diet. I started Atkins at the beginning of Nov, 2 weeks before doing a second complete panel of blood work and glucose tolerance test.

My cholesterol was 205. I'd lost 8 lbs. My blood pressure was back to high normal instead of hypertensive. And even better, my 2 hour postprandial glucose test came back 107.

My doctor had told me just 2 weeks before that he planned on writing out my prescriptions. He told me that he had very little success with patients with diet controlled blood pressure and cholesterol. He was very pleasantly surprised to see how much a difference 2 weeks on Atkins did.

He told me to stay on Atkins, and not to come see him for 6 months <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

the low carb diet works - but be aware that you can equally quickly pile them back on once you start your mediterenian diet again! god, I love pasta, lasagne etc myself, so I know how hard that can be. good luck! on a positive note, you're still v. young and will find dieting/exercising much easier than say a 50y old. I dont recommend however the home video stuff - the answer is easy: get yourself some good shoes and start running. at least for me that works well and I can fit it into my v tight schedule by running back/fro work. good luck.

But Nick, that is the case with any diet. No diet can work if you aren't on it. The pasta and ice cream that made you fat in the past WILL make you fat in the future if you eat it again, I guarantee you! The trick is to NOT eat the things that made you fat. Low carb is not a "diet" per se, but a life long eating plan with graduating levels of carbs. [which NEVER EVER include junk food like pasta or sweets, btw]But just like low fat, WW, Mediterranean, you have to STAY ON it in order for it to work. It doesn't work by osmosis.