Hellobee Boards

@Truth Bombs: I hear you. I have to get back on my bike and spin. For me that's the most efficient exercise and it doesn't impact my knees as much as running. I just can't seem to find the motivation to start up again.

Jumping in. I don’t have a specific weight loss goal, but a few pounds would be nice, especially around my tummy. I’m mostly trying to stay active and eat better. I typically do cardio 3-4 days a week (50-60 min). Lately it’s the elliptical. Usually I swim but our pool is being repaired for the next 2-3 months. I hate weight training and haven’t done it in years, but I’m wondering if I should add a little to my routine. Anyone have any basic suggestions to get started? Also, my main eating problem is the afternoon snack. I usually eat fairly healthy meals, but I sometimes overindulge a little in the afternoon and probably eat more than what I think I am eating. I WAH, so the kitchen is right there. I know I need to stop buying snacky stuff, but I’m in a rut for healthy snack ideas.

@lamariniere: The Body Boss challenge that some others have mentioned is a great option. It's a one time $50 purchase, but it's a 12 week program (16 if you decide to do the pre-training) of HIIT workouts. There are a lot of body weight strength moves as well as some with light weights. I did part of the program at home before I joined the Y and following their program of alternating HIIT work outs with cardio was definitely effective for me (I lost 20lbs working out at home before I joined the gym).

ETA: I'm a firm believer that strength training is really important to longer term success

@lamariniere: I do the Body Boss program and LOVE it. I see so much movement on the scale and inches when I commit.

There is a great FB community where you can ask questions for substitutions. I am sure you can sub something for any moves you find to be too difficult to you.

I opted for the Hard Copy and Web Based, so when I travel I can leave the book behind. Like TruthBombs says, its a great no gym option.

@lamariniere: Hmmmhh... there certainly is a fair amount of lunging and squatting so it might not be the best option for you

@Adira: No...here is the break down:

Warm Up: 4Min
Stretching: 6Min
Workout: 7 min
Break: 3Min
Workout: 7Min
Cool Down Stretch: 6Min
Cool Down: 4Min

Total is 37 mins...its their biggest fib...that said...I usually dont take the full 6 mins both times to stretch...

These numbers are for the first 4 weeks of pre-train, then you add another 7 min cycle workout for the regular program, so that would be 47 mins total, 7 min cycle plus 3 min breather.

@Mrs D: @Adira: yeah the lying on the timing is slightly infuriating.

@Adira: Yeah, I mean, I go to 1 hour classes at the gym that are from 5:15-6:15am. But it's so much harder to get motivated to get my butt out of bed for a home work out in the morning. And in the evenings, I definitely don't have the time to give. When I was doing Body Boss, I would usually leave work a little early, bang out a workout, and then go pick the kids up from school. But it's busier right now and harder to consistently leave the office early.

Do you need weights or anything, for Body Boss?

@looch: chair, light weights (soup cans or water bottles would work) and something to step on later on in the program. Pretty limited equipment requirements.

@lamariniere: I alternate between carrots + hummus and cherry tomatoes + cheese stick.

Hard boiled eggs and pickles.
Apple with nut butter.
Cucumbers with Greek yogurt based tatziki.
Fruit smoothie with tofu and chia seeds.

@lamariniere:

Morning: piece of fruit (apple, or some berries), scoop of almond butter, protein shake, some coconut chips.

Afternoon: Carrots, celery, grape tomatos, avocado on Mary's Gone crackers, pork rinds, jerky!

New Middle Number! I am stunned, I am officially under 150, which I haven't been since, oh, June of last year?

It has been super slow going, I am counting calories as opposed to a Weight Watchers style plan and I am really surprised that I was able to find the target calorie amount that worked. It took some tweaking and I even ate a few servings of ice cream, but now, I have to motivate for the exercise portion.

I'm just on week 2 of Paleo. I think this was going to be the week I add in some working out, but I haven't done that yet. ooooh Weellll. There's always next week. Nothing new to report. My scale is not super reliable, but I think I've lost 2 lbs in 2 weeks, which is about what I go for. I eat a LOT, I just make sure it's minimally processed and Paleo.

I would love a new middle number, but as of this morning, I am 5.6 lbs away from a new middle number. Hah. So at my rate, it will be 5 weeks until I get that new middle number.

I'm looking for some advice OR re-assurance.

I just wrapped up Whole30 for January. In the first three weeks I lost 4,2 and 1 lb - respectively. I was totally pleased with this. Week 4, I got my dreaded period AND started working out. Because of that, I shifted my eating a bit. All still healthy and WHOLE foods with the exception of 3/4 C good yogurt (Siggis Plain) 3 days that week.

My workouts have been 30 mins cardio (4 times a week), HIIT sessions (two 24 min ones, one 12 min one).

I accepted that week 4 may be a rough week, between starting my workouts and stupid period. But I have basically not lost anything for 2 weeks now. I did take measurements, and I know they will show ok numbers. But, I have easily another 20 lbs to lose, perhaps even 30. So I am a bit shocked it has stalled completely. I had hoped the increased workouts would help me move through a plateau more easily.

Any tricks for jump starting when you are in plateau phase? Or advise on how long your plateaus lasted for? I'm not going to give up - I just decided to stay the course for all of Feb. I am just perplexed...

@pwnstar: I wasnt tracking until I starting workout out two weeks ago. I usually come in at 1200 to 1400...I aim for the higher end the days I do double workouts. I have had days where I have struggled to get 1200 in - but I have never gone over 1400.

@looch: That's awesome! 4.5 more pounds until I can catch you!

My parents were here for a week and between their cooking, date nights, and hosting a baby shower I bumped up like 3 pounds but I've lost it all since Monday and I'm back on track. Plan is to be at 150 before Disney on 3/3 and then 140 before a beach trip (that includes professional family pics) on 4/28 and then I'll be done.

@Mrs D: What are you using to track? MFP?