My sad story
- Thread starter nancy324
- Start date
icklemoley
Cathlete
Hi... as i can't see anyone has asked you, how much to you weigh now? Has your body fat increased? If so how much. I want to get a bigger picture of the whole process. How much did you eat before? Total calories? And now? Total calories? What are you eating? What time? How much? How often? What portions? I know this is personal, but were here to help and i know the pain of food, trust me. I'm a guy who trains people daily (personal trainer) and know all the best diets, and training, but, i have this thing about my stomach, i check it daily. It runs my life. I understand that food, exercise and the pain associated with it. Please...do you best.
Wayne
Wayne
nancy324
Cathlete
I want to thank each and every one of you who responded to my post. I have read each one with great interest and attention.
Now that a few days have passed, I have some perspective and I can say that I know that I am coming out of one of the awful moods that I go through at TTOTM. Like so many others who have talked about it here, I was bloated, waterlogged and my appetite was at an all time high. I could not believe I was eating boxes of chocolate!
It's true that I have gained weight, and I do believe that weight training has contributed to it. And, as I said, I will put away the weights for awhile so I can catch up with my appetite. However, as so many of you suggested, I AM planning to increase my cardio. It may not seem like much to you Cathe steppers, but I have actually learned Kathy Smith's entire step workout. Well, okay, I just learned the leg part and I don't follow her arms, but I DO keep my arms moving all the time. With the Kathy Smith video, I can keep my heart rate in my target zone for about 35 mins. So it's a pretty decent cardio workout, and I will try to stick to doing it several times per week. Meanwhile, I have several other low impact step videos lined up to learn as well.
I recently ordered a Suzanne Deason balance ball workout which is 3 workouts on one DVD, adding up to a total body workout on the balance ball. It should come tomorrow. If anyone is interested, I'll let you know how this works out. I heard good things about it on the VF website and couldn't believe it was on sale for $11.99!
So, you see, I was not being accurate when I said I was giving up exercising. I am just giving up weight training for a while, to see what the effect is and to see how I feel.
Thank you all so much for your heartfelt support!!
-Nancy
Now that a few days have passed, I have some perspective and I can say that I know that I am coming out of one of the awful moods that I go through at TTOTM. Like so many others who have talked about it here, I was bloated, waterlogged and my appetite was at an all time high. I could not believe I was eating boxes of chocolate!
It's true that I have gained weight, and I do believe that weight training has contributed to it. And, as I said, I will put away the weights for awhile so I can catch up with my appetite. However, as so many of you suggested, I AM planning to increase my cardio. It may not seem like much to you Cathe steppers, but I have actually learned Kathy Smith's entire step workout. Well, okay, I just learned the leg part and I don't follow her arms, but I DO keep my arms moving all the time. With the Kathy Smith video, I can keep my heart rate in my target zone for about 35 mins. So it's a pretty decent cardio workout, and I will try to stick to doing it several times per week. Meanwhile, I have several other low impact step videos lined up to learn as well.
I recently ordered a Suzanne Deason balance ball workout which is 3 workouts on one DVD, adding up to a total body workout on the balance ball. It should come tomorrow. If anyone is interested, I'll let you know how this works out. I heard good things about it on the VF website and couldn't believe it was on sale for $11.99!
So, you see, I was not being accurate when I said I was giving up exercising. I am just giving up weight training for a while, to see what the effect is and to see how I feel.
Thank you all so much for your heartfelt support!!
-Nancy
Hooray for Nancy! :7
Congratulations, you are more than half-way through the storm. I see calm seas and a safe harbor ahead....go for it. Make sure you have a special treat to look forward to for next month's TTOTM.... a european facial maybe? manicure/pedicure? expensive new yoga outfit? a BOSU? new batch of DVDs? Be sure and let us know how the change of routine is going....
Ann
Congratulations, you are more than half-way through the storm.
I see calm seas and a safe harbor ahead....go for it. Make sure you have a special treat to look forward to for next month's TTOTM.... a european facial maybe? manicure/pedicure? expensive new yoga outfit? a BOSU? new batch of DVDs? Be sure and let us know how the change of routine is going.... Ann
RE: My sad story.......LONG
Hi Nancy. You know as well as anyone else on this forum that giving up exercise completely is a terrible idea. Do you really want to end up like you mom's friend just to have a slim physique? That is quite a sacrifice to be skinny again, your health as an older adult.
Having said that, I have experienced the same thing that you are going through on and off in the past year. The more intense I workout, the more weight I gain. It isn't muscle either, I can't get my clothes buttoned, everything is very uncomfortable and tight. I have just had this happen in the last month....again....actually.
I have been a runner now for 2 years. I was "training" for a 15K race this summer. I was adding mileage on a little at a time and was up to 8 miles, but to my disappointment, I had gainned about 6# in the meantime, and it wasn't muscle either. I hated it. My summer clothes from last year didn't fit anymore. I cut my runs back to 45 minutes 3 times a week. I started doing Cathe's MIS twice a week (I plan on getting Power Max and alternating the two) and Body Max once a week. I use Body Max as an extra cardio day and a light weight trainning day. Sure enough, the weight is coming back off.
I have had this happen in the past as well. I think, the more I run, the thinner I will get. Only to have the opposite happen. I do step on a 4" step as well b/c anything higher seems to do the same. I truly don't understand what the h$#@! happens, you would think the opposite, but my body seems to respond better to lighter cardio. Maybe I have any increased appetite and don't realize it.
About every 6-8 months, I have to change my routine a bit. I think a body gets used to doing the same thing and reaches a plateu and at times even starts to go back a bit. My change may be as simple as doing my weight routine in reverse or changing my cross trainning cardio video to something else.
I think you should try something else other than just quitting. I do understand your disappointment. I really think, when you get older, you are going to really regret not trying something else. You might just be saying this to yourself out of dispair. I think you will get back into something eventually.
I have really been trying to avoid the scale. There is a skirt that is in my closet that I bought right after I had my first kid (I now have 4). When I bought it, my first baby was only 3 months old...of course, I had some weight to lose to get into it. I never have been able to get into it comfortably until this past year. I use this skirt as my "scale". I try it on periodically to give me a baseline. I tried it on just the other day and it is fitting better than it did 3 months ago, but still not as good as it was 6 months ago. I am really happy to see some improvement again. If I would get on the scale and see that the numbers haven't changed, I would be so upset, even though this darn skirt is fitting better. How dimented we can get over that darn scale. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and when they weighed me, I refused to look at the scale.
I understand that you are extremely disappointed right now. I have been through the exact same thing. I remember many times saying to my friends "I don't understand. How can I run 25 miles a week and get fat". Please don't give up. I really think that you are going to regret that you did.
Kim
Hi Nancy. You know as well as anyone else on this forum that giving up exercise completely is a terrible idea. Do you really want to end up like you mom's friend just to have a slim physique? That is quite a sacrifice to be skinny again, your health as an older adult.
Having said that, I have experienced the same thing that you are going through on and off in the past year. The more intense I workout, the more weight I gain. It isn't muscle either, I can't get my clothes buttoned, everything is very uncomfortable and tight. I have just had this happen in the last month....again....actually.
I have been a runner now for 2 years. I was "training" for a 15K race this summer. I was adding mileage on a little at a time and was up to 8 miles, but to my disappointment, I had gainned about 6# in the meantime, and it wasn't muscle either. I hated it. My summer clothes from last year didn't fit anymore. I cut my runs back to 45 minutes 3 times a week. I started doing Cathe's MIS twice a week (I plan on getting Power Max and alternating the two) and Body Max once a week. I use Body Max as an extra cardio day and a light weight trainning day. Sure enough, the weight is coming back off.
I have had this happen in the past as well. I think, the more I run, the thinner I will get. Only to have the opposite happen. I do step on a 4" step as well b/c anything higher seems to do the same. I truly don't understand what the h$#@! happens, you would think the opposite, but my body seems to respond better to lighter cardio. Maybe I have any increased appetite and don't realize it.
About every 6-8 months, I have to change my routine a bit. I think a body gets used to doing the same thing and reaches a plateu and at times even starts to go back a bit. My change may be as simple as doing my weight routine in reverse or changing my cross trainning cardio video to something else.
I think you should try something else other than just quitting. I do understand your disappointment. I really think, when you get older, you are going to really regret not trying something else. You might just be saying this to yourself out of dispair. I think you will get back into something eventually.
I have really been trying to avoid the scale. There is a skirt that is in my closet that I bought right after I had my first kid (I now have 4). When I bought it, my first baby was only 3 months old...of course, I had some weight to lose to get into it. I never have been able to get into it comfortably until this past year. I use this skirt as my "scale". I try it on periodically to give me a baseline. I tried it on just the other day and it is fitting better than it did 3 months ago, but still not as good as it was 6 months ago. I am really happy to see some improvement again. If I would get on the scale and see that the numbers haven't changed, I would be so upset, even though this darn skirt is fitting better. How dimented we can get over that darn scale. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and when they weighed me, I refused to look at the scale.
I understand that you are extremely disappointed right now. I have been through the exact same thing. I remember many times saying to my friends "I don't understand. How can I run 25 miles a week and get fat". Please don't give up. I really think that you are going to regret that you did.
Kim
I have to apologize Nancy........
Hi Nancy...again. I posted my first post before I read this one (it is further down on the page). I was kind of hard on you for saying that you were quitting exercise. I am sorry and glad to see that you thought things through.
I have done some ball work before and I love it. It will give you a sleek body. I would love to hear if you like the Balance Ball series. Gin Miller (of Reebok) has a few ball videos on her website as well...GinMiller.com. I have her Tone, Trim and Tighten one. I see in on eBay all the time...there must be 4 of them right now (search for Gin Miller). It focuses on the lower body with some stomach. It is not a very intense tape, but I use it after I go for a run. It works my muscles differently than weights do. It is alot harder than it looks as well. There is nothing better for your core. I have seen great results in my core since using the ball. I don't do any of Cathe's stomach work at the end of her tapes. I have a ball routine for my stomach that I do.
I don't know what amount of weight you were using, but, my body resonds better to lighter weights. I laugh at myself because Cathe's light weight is sometimes my heavy.
I agree with some other posts, age does play havoc on our bodies. It is so unfair. With you being in your mid 40's, I would say that that has a good deal to do with what the problem is. My cousin is older than me by 2 years, I am almost 34, and she always said when you hit 30, watch out. I never believed her until I hit 30 and over night, I think my body changed. The further I get into 30, the more it changes. I swear, every year on my birthday, my metabolism drops. I am not saying this to brown nose you, but I think women in their 40's and 50's look their best. I see women at this age and I am not at all worried about getting older.
I have done Kathy Smith videos in the past and have a few. I think she is a great role model as well as Cathe. Her videos aren't as intense as Cathe, but you still get a great workout. Which tape do you have? I have one of her earlier step tapes..I can't think of the name right now. If you are interested, you can have it. I also have a Jane Fonda step tape that is supposed to be pretty good as well. You can have that one as well too. Send me an e-mail if you are interested.
Kim
Hi Nancy...again. I posted my first post before I read this one (it is further down on the page). I was kind of hard on you for saying that you were quitting exercise. I am sorry and glad to see that you thought things through.
I have done some ball work before and I love it. It will give you a sleek body. I would love to hear if you like the Balance Ball series. Gin Miller (of Reebok) has a few ball videos on her website as well...GinMiller.com. I have her Tone, Trim and Tighten one. I see in on eBay all the time...there must be 4 of them right now (search for Gin Miller). It focuses on the lower body with some stomach. It is not a very intense tape, but I use it after I go for a run. It works my muscles differently than weights do. It is alot harder than it looks as well. There is nothing better for your core. I have seen great results in my core since using the ball. I don't do any of Cathe's stomach work at the end of her tapes. I have a ball routine for my stomach that I do.
I don't know what amount of weight you were using, but, my body resonds better to lighter weights. I laugh at myself because Cathe's light weight is sometimes my heavy.
I agree with some other posts, age does play havoc on our bodies. It is so unfair. With you being in your mid 40's, I would say that that has a good deal to do with what the problem is. My cousin is older than me by 2 years, I am almost 34, and she always said when you hit 30, watch out. I never believed her until I hit 30 and over night, I think my body changed. The further I get into 30, the more it changes. I swear, every year on my birthday, my metabolism drops. I am not saying this to brown nose you, but I think women in their 40's and 50's look their best. I see women at this age and I am not at all worried about getting older.
I have done Kathy Smith videos in the past and have a few. I think she is a great role model as well as Cathe. Her videos aren't as intense as Cathe, but you still get a great workout. Which tape do you have? I have one of her earlier step tapes..I can't think of the name right now. If you are interested, you can have it. I also have a Jane Fonda step tape that is supposed to be pretty good as well. You can have that one as well too. Send me an e-mail if you are interested.
Kim
nancy324
Cathlete
RE: I have to apologize Nancy........
Kim-
Thanks for your posts - both of them
I just wanted to comment on one thing that you mentioned, and that is the change in your body with age. I have to say that, although of course there are changes, like developing cellulite in your thirties, and the inevitable pull of gravity, I have not noticed any change in metabolism that I considered to be negative. I was a very heavy adolescent and I struggled with my weight in my twenties. But the thirties and forties have been much kinder to me, to the point where my weight has just not been an issue at all, until now. If you notice in my original post here, I said that I am eating A LOT MORE. A slower metabolism means you are gaining weight without eating more. So even now (I may be fooling myself) but I don't think it is a metabolism issue.
I thought it was important for me to say that for all of those reading this who may dread getting older because they think there will be a big change in their metabolism. So far, I see no sign of it, and I will be 47 this month!! Ouch. I want to be sure that women reading this understand that they should not accept what they deem to be a slowing down of metabolism, at least not in their forties. I can't comment on the fifties yet, but I'll let you know when I get there.
Thus far in my journey through life I have not seen any reason to fear what's to come. Quite the contrary, as a matter of fact, as I would not go back for all the coffee in Columbia. Got it ladies?? Good!
-Nancy
P.S. I think the happy faces were left out of this post by the Cathe forum.
Kim-
Thanks for your posts - both of them
I just wanted to comment on one thing that you mentioned, and that is the change in your body with age. I have to say that, although of course there are changes, like developing cellulite in your thirties, and the inevitable pull of gravity, I have not noticed any change in metabolism that I considered to be negative. I was a very heavy adolescent and I struggled with my weight in my twenties. But the thirties and forties have been much kinder to me, to the point where my weight has just not been an issue at all, until now. If you notice in my original post here, I said that I am eating A LOT MORE. A slower metabolism means you are gaining weight without eating more. So even now (I may be fooling myself) but I don't think it is a metabolism issue.
I thought it was important for me to say that for all of those reading this who may dread getting older because they think there will be a big change in their metabolism. So far, I see no sign of it, and I will be 47 this month!! Ouch. I want to be sure that women reading this understand that they should not accept what they deem to be a slowing down of metabolism, at least not in their forties. I can't comment on the fifties yet, but I'll let you know when I get there.
Thus far in my journey through life I have not seen any reason to fear what's to come. Quite the contrary, as a matter of fact, as I would not go back for all the coffee in Columbia. Got it ladies?? Good!
-Nancy
P.S. I think the happy faces were left out of this post by the Cathe forum.
Hey Nancy,
I am so glad you're feeeling better. I understand being that low, it all seems pointless sometimes, and then the hormones recede. Hey, about the Kathy Smith, you go girl! Learning to step is hard, but once you get it down it is so much fun. I still have this Beginner Step tape if you want it. I got it as an add on when I bought some other tapes. Email me at [email protected] and let me know. I have the Suzanne Deason compilation and the 3 workout DVD as well. I really like her, and find her very soothing. If it's a horrible, hectic day I sometimes do it just to relax. Of course the kids want to know if they could play with my bouncy ball. "NO, Mommy's bouncy ball!"
Keep up the good work!
Dawn
I am so glad you're feeeling better. I understand being that low, it all seems pointless sometimes, and then the hormones recede. Hey, about the Kathy Smith, you go girl! Learning to step is hard, but once you get it down it is so much fun. I still have this Beginner Step tape if you want it. I got it as an add on when I bought some other tapes. Email me at [email protected] and let me know. I have the Suzanne Deason compilation and the 3 workout DVD as well. I really like her, and find her very soothing. If it's a horrible, hectic day I sometimes do it just to relax. Of course the kids want to know if they could play with my bouncy ball. "NO, Mommy's bouncy ball!"
Keep up the good work!
Dawn
kristieschultz
Cathlete
Nancy,
So sorry to hear about your dilemma. I did not read every single response, so I hope I am not repeating anything. I do think that your overeating could be triggered by the exercising making you hungry. I know that working out gives me a large appetite. But this really is a good thing. I find that I really need that extra food. BUT I think the big key here is to NOT let yourself get hungry. Like Cathe says in her bio thing, she eats every couple of hours. So making sure that you have plenty of healthy food to eat every couple of hours is the key. Try not to have chocolate or other bad foods around to snack on, you know you will because you'll be hungry. Try to eat BEFORE you get hungry and if you snack, snack on nutritious stuff. I like to snack on yogurt, low fat cheese slices, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Good luck!!!
So sorry to hear about your dilemma. I did not read every single response, so I hope I am not repeating anything. I do think that your overeating could be triggered by the exercising making you hungry. I know that working out gives me a large appetite. But this really is a good thing. I find that I really need that extra food. BUT I think the big key here is to NOT let yourself get hungry. Like Cathe says in her bio thing, she eats every couple of hours. So making sure that you have plenty of healthy food to eat every couple of hours is the key. Try not to have chocolate or other bad foods around to snack on, you know you will because you'll be hungry. Try to eat BEFORE you get hungry and if you snack, snack on nutritious stuff. I like to snack on yogurt, low fat cheese slices, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Good luck!!!
likes2bfit
Cathlete
RE: Hi Nancy!
Please try to be positive and don't be offended by my comments.
Being healthy is more important than looking thin or emaciated. Sacrificing your health for vanity is not wise. I urge you to rethink your goals, and exercise for your HEALTH NOT YOUR LOOKS! If yu are healthy, you will look so. If you are too thin, you will look gaunt, have poor skin, no energy, have brittle bones and other health problems. Are you willing to risk illness &/or injury for vanity?
...likes2bfit NOT likes2bthin
Judy
May God you always a sunbeam to warm you... a moonbeam to charm you...& a sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you
Please try to be positive and don't be offended by my comments.
Being healthy is more important than looking thin or emaciated. Sacrificing your health for vanity is not wise. I urge you to rethink your goals, and exercise for your HEALTH NOT YOUR LOOKS! If yu are healthy, you will look so. If you are too thin, you will look gaunt, have poor skin, no energy, have brittle bones and other health problems. Are you willing to risk illness &/or injury for vanity?
...likes2bfit NOT likes2bthin
Judy
May God you always a sunbeam to warm you... a moonbeam to charm you...& a sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you
This may have been addressed already (I didn't read everyone's response). Have you checked with your doctor to make sure you don't have a thyroid problem? That happened to a friend of mine (she was only 35 at the time). She had to have surgery to correct the problem. I'm don't think surgery is always necessary (I'm not too knowledgeable on the subject), but my mom also had a problem and the doctor was able to give her medication (she had also put on weight, etc.). Anyway -- she is back to her normal weight (she is 59 yrs. old) and is okay. Of course, this may not be the problem -- but you never know! Good luck!!
Hi,
Don't give up,Dont!
I too have experienced this feeling of sheer disgust and misery
within the last month. Partly I was depressed from a lot of things
going on in my life, some of it came from my pms in which I eat like
a pig (no holds barred) I mean eat but only this time I didn't quit when that phase of the month was over because the food tasted so good. So I have put on weight again...I am pissed, I felt overwhelmed, I still do feel overwhelmed because it's a lot of hard work we all put into getting fit and looking great only to not achieve that success we hoped for. I even went to the doctor just yesterday only to find out I still weighed what I did when I first commited to exercising. But when I looked in the mirror my body does look better and my clothes fit looser...Go figure!!! But I will not give up I am determined to reach my goals, Because I want that fit look so bad and I like the feeling I get when Im proactive. Im angry at myself because I laid back only two weeks without real exercise bought all these tapes and I scared myself inactive.
But... there's that old adage when at first you try and you don't succeed, try and try again and again. I added the extra again because
that applies to me this is my 3rd time around. Eventually success will be yours. Everytime we try again success is that much closer to reach since we know what didn't work before. Some people are lucky they get it the 1st time around others aren't. It can't be so simple for everyone but it is attainable. Please don't give up, it is people such as yourself on these forums that keep me going and make me say no way Im giving up if they can so can I and so can you. The method you work it just needs to be re-worked, that's all.
Your feelings are perfectly normal and will pass and back on the Fitness Quest you will be.
Im rooting for you.
Man was that long winded, sorry.. but I thought I let you know we're in this together.
Tonya
Don't give up,Dont!
I too have experienced this feeling of sheer disgust and misery
within the last month. Partly I was depressed from a lot of things
going on in my life, some of it came from my pms in which I eat like
a pig (no holds barred) I mean eat but only this time I didn't quit when that phase of the month was over because the food tasted so good. So I have put on weight again...I am pissed, I felt overwhelmed, I still do feel overwhelmed because it's a lot of hard work we all put into getting fit and looking great only to not achieve that success we hoped for. I even went to the doctor just yesterday only to find out I still weighed what I did when I first commited to exercising. But when I looked in the mirror my body does look better and my clothes fit looser...Go figure!!! But I will not give up I am determined to reach my goals, Because I want that fit look so bad and I like the feeling I get when Im proactive. Im angry at myself because I laid back only two weeks without real exercise bought all these tapes and I scared myself inactive.
But... there's that old adage when at first you try and you don't succeed, try and try again and again. I added the extra again because
that applies to me this is my 3rd time around. Eventually success will be yours. Everytime we try again success is that much closer to reach since we know what didn't work before. Some people are lucky they get it the 1st time around others aren't. It can't be so simple for everyone but it is attainable. Please don't give up, it is people such as yourself on these forums that keep me going and make me say no way Im giving up if they can so can I and so can you. The method you work it just needs to be re-worked, that's all.
Your feelings are perfectly normal and will pass and back on the Fitness Quest you will be.
Im rooting for you.
Man was that long winded, sorry.. but I thought I let you know we're in this together.
Tonya