Is There Any Hope For Me??

[Stacy]

I feel so frustrated....I was trying to lose 10lbs, now after about 5 years of no success, I realize I now have 20 lbs to lose. I have journalled etc, but with a knee problem and arthritis in my foot I always seem to get sidelined. I'm 5'1" so I feel like my 20 lbs look more like 40 lbs on my frame. Has anyone out there gone from chubby and frumpy to lean without having to incorporate running, lunges or high impact?? (I'm a pear shape). I've had my thyroid checked and see an ortho for my knee/arthritis already, and I'm 36 years old.

Thanks for any support, I just feel like there's no hope.

 

[eminenz2]

Stacy -

Don't give up! I've been frumpy and chubby since I've been eight years old!

I don't do running anymore, and although I'm not exactly lean, I am 35 pounds lighter than I was in May.

I count WW points and work out 6 days a week using various Cathe rotations I've found here on this website. I also own the P90X workout DVDs and found a lot of success with them too.

A lot of women here with much more experience than me will tell you writing down what you're eating is a key to success, and I believe them.

I've been sidelined a lot this year also because of my health, but you can do it! Don't give up!

I'm sure many more of the educated crowd can give you more specific advice regarding workouts. I'm not very good at that part.

Susan L.G.

 

[Stacy]

Thanks for your kind words. I have tried writing things down and then get so frustrated if I eat something that I dont know the numbers for that I just throw in the towel. I've tried not writing anything down and eating til I feel full, but I somehow "need" to feel full to feel satisfied....it's all so mental!!!!

 

[aschendell]

There is always hope... I went from frumpy to (almost) lean at around your age (I'll be 40 in January)..I am 5'2"..so I know how 5 pounds makes a BIG difference. As far as exercising goes...And not knowing anything about your physical condition.. I would try Pilates, weight training (with Cathe..lighten up when you need to) and low impact aerobics...or walking. What's important about aerobic exercise is keeping your heart rate in a zone where you are actually burning calories...to judge this you may want to invest in a heart rate monitor....That really helped me know when I was working hard enough to burn calories. The weight training and pilates will add muscle which burns more calories than non muscle parts!

As far as diet is concerned...I am not the best to give advice...but I will say that the P90X eating plan has helped me..instead of counting calories or fat or carbs (I mean grams and percents)..I count portions..and this has really helped me keep up with how much I am eating a day. I DO keep a journal...but it's very basic..This is an example...so please do not take this as gospel...For my height and weight..and the current program I am on..I can have 5 proteins, 2 dairy, 1 fruit, 2 vegetables, 1 fat, 1 carb and an approved snack per day...What is important is the SIZE of the portion....AND eating at regular intervals during the day, about every 3 hours or so. For example 1 protien is 3oz of chicken or red meat...1 carb is 1 cup of oatmeal or 2 whole wheat waffles, etc. I am not a good person to count calories...but this way of keeping track seems to work for me...not to say that I don't have days where I fall of the wagon..In fact, yesterday I had a cookie for breakfast, went to Burger King for lunch and had a fix and mix frosty for dinner...but today...I had a much better day!

Anyway, after this very long post..I just wanted to say that it can be done...even after kids..and even when you are edging up to 40...Get some suggestions from your ortho for cardio and other exercises which would work for you... Good luck and keep aiming to win...I remember when I couldn't get through Cathe's Basic Step...and now I look forward to any challenge she gives to me...You can do it too!
Debra

Bite off more than you can chew. Then chew it---Ella Williams

 

[CDPotier]

Hi, Stacy,

You can use machines like the elliptical and the bike, and you can also walk uphill. Most step workouts can be modified so that they are completely low impact. I know you are very busy, but I have found it helpful to belong to a gym, so I have the option of going there. I also want to echo what the previous poster said about investing in a heart rate monitor; I have the Polar F 6 now, but the Polar F4 is also great. You never have to add impact or do lunges, if it bothers your knee or foot.

I had a setback, and around October 1st, I found out that I was severely anemic. The anemia lowered my resistance so I caught a very bad flu. I was sick for around a month and a half, and I couldn't work out at all.

Don't give up hope.