Atkins anyone?

[cathrineq]

Congrats to all of you who are working hard and meeting your goals! I'm a fitness trainer, and I'll have to agree that working muscles alternative days is the best route. One thing that hasn't been mentioned, though, is the importance of weight training. Keep in mind, though, that weight training might increase your weight (muscle weighs more than fat), but will lower your measurements, and increase your metabolism! I have been on a bit of an.. uh.. vacation from exercise since a back and shoulder injury, but it's high time for me to get back on my Gazelle and pick up the weights! I did gain weight while I wasn't exercising, but it's amazing what the stress of a merger at work will do to your weight (lost 3 dress sizes in 6 weeks - but I don't recommend that diet!)

Keep at it, you CAN do it!

[Adi]

Congratulations to everyone out there who is well on their way to meeting their goals!!! Keep up the good work!

Keep one thing in mind though, dieting may be one way to shed off pounds but the true way to get healthy is by exercising. If you pair up your diet with an exercise plan, you'll not only see the best results but you'll be doing a world of good for your body! Excercise reduces the risk of many health problems such as coronary heart disease and diabetes!!! (Which are sadly growing in our population)

Dieting alone is sort of a quick fix but to maintain your weight loss, you have to target main problem... your metabolism! Resistance training is THE most effective way to decrease it. Resistance training is also wonderful for women since it increases bone density and helps prevent osteoporosis. Remember that excercise is the proven way to achieve a PERMANENT weight loss.

I've personnaly always disliked the carb obsession. Sure some people might have way too much in their diet but when in the right amount, it's the fuel for your muscles and brain!!! I always figured that so much protein would wreak havok on your body. Excess protein can increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol (which increases risk of heart disease) and damage your kidneys. But I guess the diet may work for some and not for others!!!!

My advice is find some type of excercise that you like and go at it!!! And don't stick to the same old routine, change it up every now and then so it stays fun!!!!! I resistance train about 3 times a week. I seperate [arms and chest], [shoulders and back], [legs]. I do abs every time I go to the gym and cardio as well. I also like to do activities on the side like walking, snowboarding, volleyball... anything I can get to!!!

[Tiki]

Woo hoo! Halfway to my median goal (dancer weight) and 30% to my ultimate goal. I had promised myself I would get a treat when I made the halfway point so looks like I have earned a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, whatever other little goodies I can come up with! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

It gets slower, I have been plateauing a few times, probably metabolism issues which is really annoying. I haven't cheated at all and even resisted the bad foods and desserts at the buffet during my recent business course!

How is everyone else doing?

[TooLover]

Very, very good Tiki! You have definently earned a few treats for yourself!
I am losing inches more than weight, and I can actually feel a waist again! My cheating has been minimal and when I go out to eat with co-workers it is so tempting to say "what the heck", but I would feel awful later............
keep up the good work Tiki!

[CACPioneer]

Well, I'm not going on the atkins (give up pasta?! NO WAY!) not only because I would die without my carbs, but my boyfriend has been on the "healthy route" for about 10 years now. He decided he had had enough of being fat at the age of 15 and completely changed his lifestyle and body as a result. Not only have I heard some dangerous things about Atkins, but my boyfriend also said that as long as you watch what you eat and eat in moderation, there should be no need to completely cut out anything from your diet. He, too, subscribes to working 1 or 2 muscle groups per day at the gym. As far as my plan to lose weight, I came across a wonderful program this past summer when I decided to shape up for a bikini contest. It's the Reebok Yoga program and it came with 4 video tape workouts, and a little food/exercise diary. I must say that once I started documenting what I ate, I became much more conscious of what I ate. In 4 weeks I lost about 8 pounds and my body was much more toned, I felt so much more at peace, and I actually had energy! My buys schedule right now doesn't allow me to start the yoga or going to the gym yet, but I started documenting my food intake as of this morning. Good luck to all of you, and congratulations for deciding to take care of your bodies!! Yay!

[Tiki]

You're doing great too, Laurie! Inches are a great indication of weight loss---if you keep going down dress sizes. If I have time this weekend, I have to take in my work uniform pants as they are drooping around my hips now! I had some Hawaiian dresses (for the upcoming dance contest) made last Oct when I was in Dubai, they are hanging on me! Have to take those in too!

I have a spreadsheet where I track weight and inches and I also keep track of everything I eat. While I was on the course, I had to guess a bit since I didn't prepare the food, I think I did OK, as I didn't gain but am stuck again. I said NO to cheesecake! It is just sooo exciting to see the scale nudge downwards!

[Sophiestkated2]

Tiki, I thought you'd get a kick out of this-
Delton and I have been doing Atkins maintainence for the last 2 years. But as the holidays roll around, we always gain a few pounds. With vacation coming up, we've scaled back the carbs again to jumpstart a little weight loss. ( To get hot and sexy looking like normal! heehee!) No great sacrifice for us, since we are used to eating this way. Plus, we have found some excellent substitutes. One that I love is a 5 carb lemonade. Anyway, after about a week, and about 9 lemonades, my husband says to me, "Why do you keep drinking that lemonade?" I'm like, "Cuz' it's lower carb than the regular." He says, "Uh, hon..., this stuff has 42 carbs per serving!" DOH! Obviously someone slipped me the regular lemonade when I wasn't lookin', cuz' I certainly would have never made a mistake like that! heehee!
Jeth

[janevhfla]

i quit smoking 2 years ago and i never thought i could do it not its hard to remember ever smoking ...keep up the patch you will do it....one day at a time

[Tiki]

LOL, Jeth! I have gotten religious about reading labels before I buy food because I have been caught out before too. You also have to watch portion size, you would be surprised that that low sounding 4 grams only applies to a small portion not the whole package. I can only buy certain brands of diet soda as even a few of those have carbs in them--usually the fruit floavoured ones.

Jane, good onya for quitting smoking.....though I never had that particular vice (have plenty of others instead) I understand that it is really hard to quit. Congrats! :eusa_clap