weight loss - can you help?

[winter2b]

I know this board is dedicated to Cathe's videos (and I am starting to use them), but I have posted on here before and have received such wonderful help - I wondered if some of you might be able to help me with this as well.

I am 5'2" and weigh 156. I have lost approximately 20 pounds using weight watchers and also exercising - mostly the Firm and the elliptical trainer until I recently discovered Cathe. Now I'll often do as much of her tape as I can and then finish out the remainder of the hour on the elliptical, or some combination like that. For the past 3-4 or even more weeks I have been at a virtual standstill with my weight loss. Heck - this past week I even gained 2.5# and I had re-dedicated myself to counting all of my "points" for Weight Watchers and journaling everything that I ate. This is just SO frustrating. I drink my water, count my points, exercise, and I gain!I get married in one month, and I had hoped to take off some more weight.

I've tried different variations - less carbs, more protein, cutting fat, etc - and I can't seem to find anything that will help my body let this fat go!

Now I know that I can't lose all that I want to (probably another 20-30 pounds depending on how it comes off) before the wedding - but my honeymoon is at the end of March, and I really want to be in fantastic shape! I know that many of you are very fit - some fitness trainers, etc - and if any of you can help me, I would be forever grateful!!!

I apologize that this is so long - but I look forward to any tips that you wonderful people can offer.

Thanks in advance -
Amy

 

[stayfit]

Maybe this rotation will help you:


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Subject: "RE: New to Cathe, need to lose 50 lb" First topic | Last topic

Cathe Friedrich Mon May-24-04 03:07 PM
Charter member
3927 posts

#36180, "RE: New to Cathe, need to lose 50 lb"
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Hi Nicole! You sound like you have done your homework and set up a good foundation for what you are wanting to accomplish...GREAT

I think in addition to your fitness program you should also get the feedback and assistance of a registered dietician. You can locate them in your local yellow pages. Once you show them your workout program, they can work with you one on one and make sure that you have a healthy eating plan to support your energy output.

I would suggest that you start easily and work your way up in intensity. Here is a suggestion:

First Three Weeks:

Mon: New DVD #1/Basic Step
Tues: New DVD #1/Upper body Sculpt
Wed: New DVD #1/ Basic step
Thurs: New DVD #1/Lower Body Sculpt
Fri: New DVD #1/Basic Step
Sat: 40 minute walk/run plus New DVD #1/Ab workout
Sun: Rest

Next Three Weeks:

Mon: New DVD #1/Body Fusion
Tues: 30 minute walk/run
Wed: New DVD #1/upper and lower body sculpt plus ab work
Thurs: 30 minute walk/run (mostly run if you can)
Fri: New DVD #1/Body Fusion
Sat: A 30 to 60 minute stretch workout of your choice
Sun: Rest

Next Three Weeks:

Mon: New DVD #2/High Step Circuit
Tues: One workout from Cardio Hits
Wed: 30 minute run plus 10 minutes of Ab Hits plus 10 minute stretch
Thurs: New DVD #2/High Step Circuit
Fri: One workout from Cardio Hits
Sat: 30 minute run plus 10 minutes of Ab Hits plus 10 minute stretch
Sun:Rest

Next Three Weeks:

Mon: Timesaver workout #1
Tues: Timesaver workout #2
Wed: Timesaver workout #3
Thurs: Timesaver workout #4
Fri: Timesaver workout #5
Sat: 30 minute run plus a 30 minute stretch workout
Sun: off

Next Three Weeks:

Mon: ME
Tues: One of Cardio Hits
Wed: ME
Thurs: One of Cardio Hits
Fri: 45 minute run plus DVD #1/upper body sculpt
Sat: One of Cardio Hits plus DVD #1/lower Body sculpt
Sun: Rest

Good Luck!

Mariángeles a spanish terminator junkie.

 

[futurefitnessdyanmo]

Amy,

Hi. Sorry to say I can't help much, but I'm kindof in the same position you are. 5'5" 152 and wanting to lose about 20 pounds. Trying WW and finding it a bit frustrating. I wanted to invite you to a thread called the New Year's Challenge on the open, general forum. I've found it really helpful just to have support and people there have really good ideas about this kind of thing!
Good luck!

 

[swimnfit]

Hi Amy!

I'm not sure I will be able to help, but your post made me think of a couple of things. When you are following WW, are you using any of your flex points on a daily basis? I'm asking because when you step up an exercise program like you are I think WW can be a little low on the calories which could cause a stall. Also, you may need to tweek your exercise program. Perhaps your body is used to what you have been doing and you need to challenge it in a different way. Running does wonders for me, but I know it's not for everyone. Are you doing weight training too? You may need to change your routine there also. There are so many educated people on this forum that I'm sure if you posted your weekly workout routine you would get great advice on how to mix things up. You might try asking this in the open discussion as well.

Congratulations on your wedding!
Nicole

 

[musclemaiden]

Winter2b--First congratulations on your weight loss. I know it takes hard work and dedication to lose 20lbs and you should be proud of your accomplishment.

I went on Weight Watchers many years ago and it is a solid program but I only got so far with it and I felt I needed more. In June of 2000 I read Body-For-Life and it really changed my life. I finally found a program that worked so well for me. I always hated being hungry and that was a huge problem for me with other programs. On Body For Life I was never hungry and that was the key for me.

The workouts are pretty intense if you do them the way Bill Phillips (the author of Body For Life) suggests.

If you are interested in trying this I would recommend that you check the book out at the library to see if maybe it would be something you would be interested in trying before buying it. Everyone has to find what works for them.

Whatever you decide to do (stick with Weight Watchers or try something new) stay focused. Please don't get discouraged. Plateaus suck :-( but they do not last forever. You will break through the plateau but only if you don't give up. From what I have read and experienced during a plateau most people give up and go back to their bad habits. This is the time to stay focused.

A few things that work for me are being specific about my goal. I was never one for goal setting and quite frankly could not see how writing it down would make it happen. But I tried it and it worked. I put a specific goal (losing 10lbs by March 31st) in a spiral notebook and then the steps I was going to take to get there. For some reason seeing this in writing and referring back to it often really worked.

Another thing that works for me. Mental Visualization. Each night before you fall asleep picture yourself walking down the aisle at your goal weight in your wedding gown or wearing a bikini on the beach or at the pool on your honeymoon. This stuff works.

Be good to yourself and always believe that the weight will come off because if you believe it you will achieve it.

Best of luck. And keep posting your progress.

Tracy

 

[futurefitnessdyanmo]

Amy,

I thought of a suggestion! Actually 2. One is to search in the forums for "plateau" - I'm sure many others have asked this question, so you're likely to turn up lots of advice, maybe even some from Cathe herself.

Second, when you notice Cathe becoming more active again on the forum (hopefully soon which will be Hardcore will be on its way!) post your question to her - she'll give great advice given the workouts you own and what your constraints are, and when she replies, it tends to draw more responses from others as well. I'd be interested to know too!