Melody Lane - a good point, and one for ALW to remember too.

Sadly, if you are prone to weight gain (as I am), you have to remember that it's not so much about I can diet for 6 months, loose the weight and go back, it's more about healthy eating for life, and a change in mental attitude. That's why I found WW so positive - you can have whatever you want, so long as you include it within your daily total. I never felt I was "on a diet". If I had a biscuit or piece of choclate, it wasn't the end of the world, because I just included it. But ML is very right, about a change for life.

Keep going!!
Lisa

<small>[ February 05, 2003, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: TheCalypso ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Alostwife:
<strong>

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?

)))))))))))))))</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">ALW,

Do you have some good aerobic shoes? That is the only other thing I can think of that you would need. You might need a mat if you are working out on an uncarpeted floor. I should tell you that while these tapes are really good, the older Firms are much better and more fun. Once you get the hang of these, you might want to check out the older ones on www.collagevideo.com They are advanced tapes and extremely effective. The fanny lifter will do AWESOME things for your butt.

I have been doing them at home for 5 years and I joined a health club last year. I discovered that their cardio workouts are downright wimpy compared to the Firm and was able to keep up with the weight lifters there. My body fat was 19.6% [that of a female athlete] just from doing these home workouts. I started at a body fat of 43% before I started Atkins so I know the tapes are very effective.

<small>[ January 22, 2003, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: MelodyLane ]</small>

Great that you are making a commitment. My suggestions are that you don't go on any crazy diets. They don't last. Just eat properly. I would also suggest getting a set of weights maybe 1,5,8 lbs and start on a lifting program 3x's a week, that with some aerobic will get you going. The muscle will help you burn fat and you will feel in control of your body. I know weights scare a lot of women, but, get a good book at the library and try it. It is easy and fun. Also before you go and buy a lot of videos try the library for that too. You can get tapes there and try them. Also, they tend to get boring so this gives you a chance to do different work outs without spending a fortune. You might also try Yoga it is great for the mind and the body. You will be suprized at what a good workout it can be. You can start with one of the easier basic styles with just stretching and breathing and move on to some of the more intense and physical postures.

Hope this helps.

Sharon

I'll chime in on this. I have an athletic background and actually worked at a YMCA while pursuing my dream. Anyway, here are my very random thoughts.

1. Don't start off going gang busters. You will burn out and end up quitting.

2. No more soft drinks of any kind. Water and fruit juice are much better for you.

3. Cardiovasular will increase metabolism but only for a limited time after you complete a workout. Keeping up the walking and start swimming but don't see it as your only way to lose wieght

4. Seriously consider wieght training. When you lift you are essentialy damaging muscle. You body responds by repairing itself and becoming stronger. This takes time and energy, hence your body raising it's metabolism.

5. Don't be afraid of free wieghts. There can be easier to use that some machines. You WILL NOT bulk up. That is a myth.

6. Eat small portions more often. This will raise you metabolism.

7. There is no magic diet. The protein diet works but it is hard on your body especially your kidneys. Everthing in moderation.

8. Don't overly stress out about missing a workout. You will burn out if you do.

9. The YMCA is a good place to go. More down to earth people go there. Get some baggy work out clothes and hit the wieght pile.

10. Get a heart rate monitor. That way you can get a good, efficient workout.

11. You will reach plateaus where it will seem like you are not improving. When this happens change your routine a little to give yourself a mental boost and keep going.

I could go on and on. that is just what comes to mind.

For the inexperienced in exercise, be sure to do the proper warmups first! And cool downs! Protect your muscles.
I do have the Denise Austin tapes, the trio and it's wonderful! One just has to stick them in and start though. LOL Which I'm trying to get myself back to the habit.
Also, changing eating habits can become a lifetime change. Due to having hypoglycemia, I once had to go on the Carlton fredericks diet for "Low blood sugar and you". I can tell you after a few weeks I could not abide even a couple of bites of sweets!
I have a diabetic friend who is on the Atkins and it works wonders for her.
Remember, before starting any exercise, one should have a good physical and rule out thyroid problems and other embalances in body.
Also to make sure the heart is in good condition. My doctor said exercise! I have had one heart attack, and very high cholesterol which will only come down with meds unfortunately.
Exercise is going to become a part of your life and you will feel and look better. Walking is preferred by my doctor over running. He says it puts too much strain on the muscles, and the same results can be gained with walking properly.
Just remember to start out slowly, and work up to your max ability.
God bless to all here, LouLou

LouLou,

The Atkins diet cured my hypoglycemia and I have had normal blood sugar levels since I started it. It is also wonderful for diabetes and we have alot of diabetics who are on Atkins over on my low carb forum.

Luki, protein does not HARM kidneys, it works them the same way that aerobic exercise works the heart. It does not DAMAGE the kidneys, but strengthens them. There isn't a single documented case or study of kidney damage from protein. [this is beside the point, but Atkins is not a high protein diet anyway] The concern about kidneys is a myth based on reverse logic: protein aggravates diseased kidneys, therefore, protein must CAUSE kidney disease. But it doesn't work that way.

I've been going to my local Y for about 8 months, 3 X a week. I go at 7 am-8:30 and it's a very quiet time, people who who start work 8 or 9 are leaving at 7, the moms dropping off kids to school don't arrive until after 8...just usually me and a dozen or so retired folk who do far more chatting than exercise.

I do 35-40 minutes of cardio on ellipical gliders, stairmasters--changing machines every 10 - 15 minutes so I don't get bored. Then I lift weights on cybex machines for another 30 min. I feel great. My pants fit better, I don't know if I've lost weight, since the (friendly) scale I had the beginning broke and I prefer not to believe the one at the Y <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> .

But I can see muscle definition, and I know my cardio vascular system is working better.

I would also consult a nutrition book. You do need a certain percentage of carbs other wise you will not be burning fat but will be losing muscle (I hope I remember this correctly).

I know that carbs do play an important role in weight reduction and maintenance. (I gave away my nutrition book so I cannot consult it).

Calcium also helps to raise the metabolism,

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Sue with hope:
<strong>I would also consult a nutrition book. You do need a certain percentage of carbs other wise you will not be burning fat but will be losing muscle (I hope I remember this correctly).

I know that carbs do play an important role in weight reduction and maintenance. (I gave away my nutrition book so I cannot consult it).

Calcium also helps to raise the metabolism,</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Sue,

Actually carbs PREVENT fat burning. That is why studies consistently show that subjects on low carb diets lose TWICE the weight at twice the calories than those on low calorie/hig carb diets. [study listed above]

Carbohydrates produce glucose and the body must burn off the glucose before it can get to the stored body fat. Once the glucose stores are burned, it then goes onto the fat. If one eats too many carbs the fat can NEVER be burned. Excess carbs are ALWAYS converted to fat, so too much is very fattening. So no, carbs do not assist fat burning, but actually prevent it.

That being said, we do need the nutrition from natural carbs, so carbs are necessary in moderation. It is an abundance of carbs, especially junk carbs, that is directly linked to obesity, heart disease and diabetes. So, if you want to lose weight and keep it off, ELIMINATE the bad carbs and stick to the natural carbs like veggies, nuts, avocadoes, fruits, brown rice. But get the bulk of your calories from fat and protein.

Muscle loss only comes from low calorie/low fat/low protein diets. If the body is deprived of essential fat or calories, it goes into survival mode and vigilantly protects the bodys stored fat. It then attempts to slow down the metabolism by burning off the parts that consume the most calories, ie: muscle. That is why low fat diets always result in muscle loss. Low carb diets, on the other hand, show zero to minimal muscle loss.

I have never read a study that linked calicium to metabolism, though. Could you give me a link on that? How does that work?

Weeee! Well mmy XWH showed up yesterday after work with my firm set, the three videos plus guides, fanny lifter and a set of dumbbells.

I couldn't wait to try it so I went right to it. Those tapes were so much fun! And killers too! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> I did good for the first time excersising in a very very very long time. I could go through the entire cardio tape without having to sit or passing out. I did some marching for about 1/6th of the tape, but once i caught my breath I would go right back at it.

Learning routines is so much fun <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> and I am so clumsy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> . But I just had to observe the first time and then try along with them and I did great, me thinks.

I worked muscles I didn't even know I had! Can't wait to start using the dumbbells though, but one step at a time. Afterwards I was a bit sore, but I took some aspirin and today I have not a shadow or aching muscles, even though I could feel them burning badly yesterday <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> .I was so energized after the work out my XWH had trouble putting me down to sleep <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> but I woke up feeling great this morning.

I forgot how happy excersice used to make me... is excersice or low oxygen intake <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Alostwife's fitness training starts today! I also looked at all the Attkins diet info, and I am sooo very excited about it, I can cut down on pasta, I barely eat it anymore anyways, so this is promising!

Thank you so very much everybody!

Congratulations on your first workout!! Just don't overdo it and kill yourself, ok?? Those workouts are pretty strenuous. Way to go!