Okay, Who out there has done it?

S

slenamond

Cathlete
I would like to know who out there has actually done it. I mean who out there is 80-90% pleased with their results with regard to weight loss and/or fine tuning their bodies.

I have tried for sooooo long to get there and, no, I am not being hard on myself or trying to achieve the unachievable. I do the rotations and work out hard but so I know I doing something wrong in the diet area. I am figuring out too that I have not been eating enough for a long while.

I only need to lose 8-10 pounds and I am considering a modified Weight Watchers where I REALLY watch the sugars and flour. Has anyone got the their best results from WW?

I also have read that one should eat 5-6 meals a day and I was thinking about doing this and keeping calories to 1500 and again, watching the sugar and flour. What do ya'll think????

Can anyone shed some light on the "tried and true" methods?

Thanks in advance
Sharon
 
I guess I would count myself as one who is about 100% satisfied with the fitness and body composition changes I've made over the past 10 years or so. It's been a long, interesting journey, and I've come to realize during that time that it's a lifetime thing.

What has worked for me is listening to my own judgment rather than relying on pre-determined exercise and nutrition / "DIE-t" programs. I do not count calories, nor do I care about how much caloric expenditure a given workout will provide. Those number are, I think, chimeras at best, and divert your attention from the more important aspect of listening to your own body in terms of what it needs / wants for physical challenge AND nutritional sustenance.

What has worked for me is NOT caring what the scale says. People pay lip service to the concept that scale weight measures only that, not the composition of the mass being weighed (a pound of muscle is pure gold) . . . and continue to weigh themselves and bash themselves because the number isn't what they want it to be in spite of what their intellects tell them. I do not weigh myself. Period.

What has worked for me is giving myself permission to go for intensity rather than workout session variety. I would rather do one ultra-intense workout ten times than vary it with 9 other workouts that provide variety but are not as challenging to the cardiovascular system. I realize that might puzzle the Rotation Mavens a bit, those who adhere to a rigid Every-Six-Week-Body-Shock dictum, but it works for me. The training effect is such that when you get used to a higher level of exercise performance, a sub-maximal workout is irritating rather than stimulating or beneficial.

What has worked for me is incorporating aquatic training as an integral part of my overall program. The benefits of a completely different resistive environment AROUND the body, combined with the benefits of reduced impact on the weight bearing joints, provide for the ultimate cross-training method as well as a profound long-term safety net against overuse injury.

What has worked for me is week-in, week-out consistency in terms of frequency, duration and mode of exercise.

What has worked for me is heavy lifting, at my own tempo, and what has also worked for me in incorporating cardio AND lifting in each land workout, rather than splitting these off into different days (with an exception being a usually once-a-week lighter upper-body lifting set behind closed doors in my office).

What has worked for me is letting my body tell me what it needs for food, knowing down in my bones that food is not the enemy, nor the God on High; I know I'm not going to turn into an uncontrollable virago if someone brings cookies into work.

This all has worked so well, in fact, that I've maintained a size zero in skirt and jeans for over 6 years now, my lifting weight loads are anywhere between 21.25-lb dumbbells and 75-lb sustained squats and lunges, my resting heart rate is about 49 bpm, and all this while being a moderate (and trying to quit) cigarette smoker. (BTW, am down to 1.5 butts per day.)

Long answer to a short question. I could probably have ended it with paragraph #2, but I like to talk about myself.

A-Jock
 
I am also 100% satisfied with A-Jock's physique - ha! I am still on a journey with my own, but it's getting better daily. I find that thinking about caloric intake, or flour and sugar consumption, only takes these things to the forefront of my mind (they become 'forbidden fruits' so to speak, and I think about them all the time). I hope Annette will not get mad at me for saying this, but she is a human phenom. Phenom in that she uses 20# for front delts (no lie!), adds 4-16 reps to each interval of Imax (again, no lie!) and used KP&C as a 'rest day' the one time I had the privelage to workout with her in person. She is also human in that she has not achieved all of this through supplements or diets but through plain and simple hard work. She doesn't adhere to any fad or rule, but rather lets her body dictate whether it calls for lean protein or ice cream. She is so intune with her own body, that after a workout or two of intense oblique work, she can see a diffence in her waistline. I am honored to know her (as I am to know Jo and Jules and MB) and I use her as an example not to intimidate or infuriate others, but to inspire. No one every drowned in his or her own sweat.
 
I would like to talk about myself too if I were as grounded as you. You certainly have your head (and body) on straight. You are one strong lady in body and mind. Thank you for your response. I will try to put your example to practice.
 
Annette, you continue to inspire me girl!

I am printing this and posting it in my workout journal!:p


Blessings from our home to yours...Runathon http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/lach.gif[/img]
 
Hi Sharon,

I don't know if this is the kind of answer you're looking for, but here goes...

I achieved my greatest results when the focus of my goals became less about losing weight and more about increasing my athletic performance. That to me means giving 110% to every workout and trying do improve every time I work out. It also includes giving the body adequate recovery time -- you'd be astounded at the gains you can make when giving the bod a good rest.

My food philosophy related to this has been to eat to support the workout, not to lose weight. For me, that means more carbs for cardio endurance and a little more protein when lifting. I once heard a bodybuilder on a TV show (can't remember who) say that if you work hard, your body will crave good, a.k.a clean, food. I don't know if that's true from a physiological standpoint, but for me it's definitely true from a psychological standpoint. In general, I think your body will tell you what you need, it's best not to fret about it.

Like A-Jock, I don’t pay attention to the scale. I also feel that I’m in the best shape of my life. As far as “where I am” in terms of satisfaction, I’d say that I’m 90% there…but only saving that last 10% because I’m a goal oriented person. ;-) ;-)

HTH
 
Hi Sharon! I have to admit I am at peace with my body and very happy with the progress I have made since finding Cathe 2 years ago. Like A-Jock, I agree that the scale isn't something you should put so much faith in. Once I started trying to get fit instead of worrying about the scale, I made significant gains. I tell you, when I first started, I wouldn't touch a barbell for anything (pure cardio queen), but now, I can't imagine working out without including strength training. I eat to fuel my body now, not to "die-t". I think that has made a HUGE difference. Restricting only caused me to think and worry about food all the darn time. I've finally realized my body is smart enough to guide me to the right choices as far as what to eat. My weight doesn't seem to change much now (according to my clothes anyway). And I tell you, I don't covet those supermodel or Hollywood types at all. Some of them look so sickly, it makes me sad for them. What really confuses me is that most of society considers that the ideal. No thanks, I like me just the way I am :)
 
I did WW for six months and lost 40 pounds and six sizes, going from an 18 to my current size 6. I credit Cathe with pushing me the last three months of doing that. I am THRILLED with my results!!!! I'm keeping it off and building more muscle by continuing to do Cathe, and by now eating my carbs/protein/fats in a 45/30/25 ratio, based on information I've gleaned from here and other sources.

The key, I believe, is to find what works for YOU, and stick with it. It takes committment, and belief in yourself, and goal setting. The same as with anything you want really, really badly. Not every program or ratio or rotation will work for everyone. We are all individuals, and our bodies will respond to certain things in varying ways. There is a wealth of info out there. Do some research, ask specific questions on sites like this and others, pick something, then stick to it for at least a few months. You need that long, at least, to see actual results. You can't give up after a week like I see so many people do. It takes time. You didn't put on weight or get out of shape overnight, and you won't change that overnight.

I would recommend WW to anyone, but not everyone I know has had success with it. I followed it almost to the letter, but a lot of people can't or won't, for many reasons. Others on here can give you information on other programs as well. Whatever you decide to do, BELIEVE in yourself!! You CAN do this!! Best of luck to you!!

Carol
:)
 
I really, really like what Gayle and LKZ had to say on this subject. I've often said as well to others that if you focus on athletics rather than aesthetics in your workout AND your nutrition program, the aesthetic benefits will naturally follow; however, if you focus on aesthetics at the expense of athletics, usually you will fail both. And eating to support your activity level and GETTING PROPER REST - absolutely of first importance.

And maintaining a good balance among cardio, strength and flexibility is very important. Like LKZ, I was once a cardio maven, and weight lifting was almost an afterthought; if I missed a few workout sessions things got really weird. However, now that total body weight lifting is in the mix, everything has evened itself out.

Another thing I meant to mention before: as unusual as this might be to say and read, working out for me is far more for mental, emotional and physical health than "staying skinny". I'm an absolute wreck if I can't work out to my normal frequencies, modes and capabilities; I'm a wreck physically (tired, constipated, stiff, sleep disturbances), emotionally (depressed, glum, self-pitying) and mentally (can't think straight).

To get to the point where exercise is a means to THAT end, rather than only a means to maintain a certain body size/shape, is truly a blessing.

A-Jock
 
Just want to say that I lost 13 pounds and got into great shape, doing shorter CTX cardios during the week (strength or cross training on the weekend) along with Weight Watchers Online.
 
Very inspiring thread. I love it. Thanks. I am not there yet, but what great attitudes towards fitness/weightloss/food so many of you have. It all seems very freeing, if that makes sense.

Maggie
 
I went to the gym this evening and did my workout...i took my top off in the changing room and i saw a few of the gyms having a look (nothing sexual!!! lol) and i realised that i had acheived my goal of being lean and fit (looking - re - toned and well built)and that felt good. Cathe has done more for my core area with her routines than anyone else, plus i love KPC so much as well as the TimeSaver DVD that i couldn't be without x
 
For me it has BFL that has provided the best inner and outer results. I've always pretty much been "in shape" but at various stages and always seemed like I was searching. When I started BFL I started an inner journey as well as an outer journey and the two meshed together created a very happy individual...and with lower body fat :)

Colleen
 
Hi, Susan! I learned something in the past year and that is that if you eat your carbs, protein and fat together, you get leaner without trying. I had oral surgery in January and foot surgery in May and from the start I changed the way I intook protein and in spite of quitting exercising for months, I leaned up. When I ran high mileage, I did a rather typical runner thing and favored carbs and tended to eat them alone or mostly alone until my dinner. I was never heavy as a result because of my mileage but I am most definitely leaner now and doing some of the gut busting I have longed for. I am still striving for more muscle and it's coming with this heavy strength training but most interesting to me is that the ab flab that drives me crazy because it does not belong on a body with scrawny limbs is melting away and I don't diet. I eat what I please but don't find myself ever going crazy for carbs. The carbs I used to graze on were usually high quality but I think I overdid them. I actually got leaner when I had quit exercising because I was limping badly and unable to do much on my left foot. And back in September, I became severely depressed and that accounted for a few pounds also. However, in the intervening months, adding back in moderate cardio (still longing for high intensity!) and heavy strength, I have really improved my physique and made it much more to my liking and I am very satisfied with it. I eat what I want although I do still obsess over healthy food choices. I am about 50% vegetarian and 80% organic and I eat about 55% carbs, 15 % protein and 30% fat. I love and use butter and cheese, dark chocolate and ice cream. Moderate yes, but definitely part of my healty diet and none of that low fat ice cream either.

I have often sat and planned out a month or two month rotation but I have never followed one so I think that's more to amuse myself. I am doing heavy strength now and I'll be going more moderate when the time comes according to The Plan which you already know! Susan, I feel confident you are going to meet your goals. You have the equipment and the knowledge. At this point, I am unconvinced determination is necessary. I seem to have found a formula that works when I quit trying so hard!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/yellows/lookaround.gif Bobbi
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top