Thread: My New Weight Loss Adventure!

*Hugs Ree*

Originally Posted by NandaDncer

*Hugs Ree*

*button* Nanda here was my biggest rock, she got me married and never stopped encouraging me to keep trying

Thanks for sharing! I'm glad things are ok now!

I'm starting the P90X fitness program tomorrow... I'm so excited!

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm working on losing weight too and trying to psych myself up to attempt the p90x! It's a tough thing - trying to create an energy deficit is hardly a good feeling! I'm so disappointed, too, because in the last couple months I've started dancing 4x a week and eating the same and have GAINED 10 pounds! Time to start portion control....

Originally Posted by Nathara

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm working on losing weight too and trying to psych myself up to attempt the p90x! It's a tough thing - trying to create an energy deficit is hardly a good feeling! I'm so disappointed, too, because in the last couple months I've started dancing 4x a week and eating the same and have GAINED 10 pounds! Time to start portion control....

The same thing happened to me! I tried portion control too, and it's only helped me maintain my current weight... not lose, which will be fine once I lose weight but not right now. So I've decided that I have to do something more drastic than just portion control and dancing most days of the week.

I LOVE P90X. I was really nervous about starting it at first. It's not that bad though. It IS a commitment. You have to follow the high protein diet and recipes (which are pretty tasty by the way) and you have to push yourself during the workouts, but it's not too tough. You just have to get into the habit. I haven't noticed any significant body changes yet, but I do feel sooooo much better during the day! It's easier for me to sleep at night, I'm perkier, and more relaxed feeling during the day. I'm feeling really positive too, and I'm so excited to keep pushing my body though this program. This is just after a couple days of the program too!

I'm really missing chocolate right now, but not missing the sweets so much. They make you eat portions that are larger than I'm used to... and it's all protein, so I find myself not hungry after lunch or late at night... no cravings for bad food or more food than my body needs! Woohoo!

Ooooh! That's awesome to know! I don't mind cooking at all and decent sized portions would be a nice change, too! Let's see... feel better, sleep better, more relaxed, tastey filling food AND a possibility of weight loss? Dang - I'm sold!!!

I'm enjoying reading about your experience on the P90X program. I've heard a lot about it, but have steered away because I'm a vegetarian and don't know how well it would work for me because of that. What I AM doing is giving up sugar. I don't really have a sweet tooth, but so many foods have added, unnecessary sugar! Even the tortilla chips in the kitchen (organic, baked) have sugar!!!!! I guess I'll be cooking everything from scratch for awhile. But I'm hoping to take off at least 8 pounds.

Originally Posted by zaynahcantara

I'm enjoying reading about your experience on the P90X program. I've heard a lot about it, but have steered away because I'm a vegetarian and don't know how well it would work for me because of that. What I AM doing is giving up sugar. I don't really have a sweet tooth, but so many foods have added, unnecessary sugar! Even the tortilla chips in the kitchen (organic, baked) have sugar!!!!! I guess I'll be cooking everything from scratch for awhile. But I'm hoping to take off at least 8 pounds.

You could mix soy protein powder into various drinks and food for the extra protein (I use the soy protein instead of the whey protein as the soy doesn't bulk you up as much)... they also make you eat many servings of veggies in lieu of carbs, so you could definitely be able to do this while being a vegetarian. I just googled and found a bunch of sites where people are talking about doing the program as a vegetarian or vegan, so I'm sure you'd be able to find some good ideas and support there.

I was soooo sore the last two days, but today is much better. I think my body is getting used to the workouts. I've also learned that you CAN push yourself too hard in this program. Next time I do plyometrics, I'm going to take it easy and stop when my body tells me to stop. With ab ripper, I'm going to push myself to do the full 25 reps in the time they give, but if I can't... no more pausing the video to struggle and finish... it just leaves me hurting for several days. I had to take a day off because I pushed myself too hard and was so sore that I could hardly walk! I'm starting to find a good balance now of pushing and knowing when to take it easy on my body. Also, next time I feel I need to skip a day due to not enough time or feeling super sore, I'm going to do either the stretch x or cardio x exercises just to keep me stretched, limber, active, and in the habit of working out everyday.

The eating portion is going very well too. I've been eating all of my veggies, holding back on the carbs, and making some yummy meals... the lemon chicken recipe is tasty! I did cheat the last two days and had a small handful of goldfish each day. The occasional goldfish cheat doesn't bother me too much, but I need to keep it "occasional" and not every day.

I know exactly how you feel. Since I was laid off I have gained alot of weight and it's mostly in my belly. I hate that! I have also noticed my face and neck looking fuller. Ugh! I have decided to pull out my old Tae Bo videos and I am thinking of joining the local small gym (because it's cheaper than the fancy gym) and getting on a treadmill everyday. I think the hardest thing is, I have no will power for sweets.

Originally Posted by MahiraRaqs

I know exactly how you feel. Since I was laid off I have gained alot of weight and it's mostly in my belly. I hate that! I have also noticed my face and neck looking fuller. Ugh! I have decided to pull out my old Tae Bo videos and I am thinking of joining the local small gym (because it's cheaper than the fancy gym) and getting on a treadmill everyday. I think the hardest thing is, I have no will power for sweets.

I've felt the same way! I hate having my face and everything else feel and look so bloated!

Tae Bo is fun! That should really help you burn some calories. In p90x, one of the routines is called kenpo... it's very similar to tae bo.

I'm getting used to the intense workouts now and am not as sore as before. I definitely have more energy, and I don't feel depressed anymore. I feel like I'm almost completely back to my old perky self again!

Originally Posted by Lesedi

I've felt the same way! I hate having my face and everything else feel and look so bloated!

Tae Bo is fun! That should really help you burn some calories. In p90x, one of the routines is called kenpo... it's very similar to tae bo.

I'm getting used to the intense workouts now and am not as sore as before. I definitely have more energy, and I don't feel depressed anymore. I feel like I'm almost completely back to my old perky self again!

that's great! congrats! I've heard some good things about that program.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

You could mix soy protein powder into various drinks and food for the extra protein (I use the soy protein instead of the whey protein as the soy doesn't bulk you up as much)... they also make you eat many servings of veggies in lieu of carbs, so you could definitely be able to do this while being a vegetarian. I just googled and found a bunch of sites where people are talking about doing the program as a vegetarian or vegan, so I'm sure you'd be able to find some good ideas and support there.

Thanks! I've been subbing veggies for my carbs, and will consider the protein powder idea. I've got to find more time/create time to workout. Full time single mom, full time student, part time dancer.....I need the new improved 36 hour day!

Originally Posted by zaynahcantara

Thanks! I've been subbing veggies for my carbs, and will consider the protein powder idea. I've got to find more time/create time to workout. Full time single mom, full time student, part time dancer.....I need the new improved 36 hour day!

Oh I hear you! I'm not a mom (which makes it a million times more difficult to find time for yourself I'm sure), but I'm a full time grad student, part time dancer, and a full time research assistant. It's tough to find time for anything else. My time to work out changes every day. The boyfriend and I are doing p90x together so we have to schedule around one another which can be difficult. Sometimes, I can get him up early enough to do it in the morning (he has 2nd shift though so it's inconvenient for him)... I really like morning workouts, because it gives me an automatic good start to the day. Lately, I've been working out in the afternoon between work and class or late in the evening after class and shortly before bed.

Protein powder is also good in thick juices like those bolthouse farms and odwalla veggie/fruit juices. If you had a juicer, you could make your own for cheaper.

Oooh, Lesedi: I'm doing P90X as well!!

zaynahcantara: I'm vegan and doing P90X and it's ok. I must admit to having lost the nutrition guide so I'm not following their plan exactly but I'm ok with it as I believe the ultimate goal is to not eat junk and I don't (mostly). Also, the program comes with Michi's Ladder: a nutritional chart of 5 tiers of food - the top is ideal, the 2nd is a little less, the 3rd is neutral, and the 4th and 5th are awful. I found Michi's ladder online and follow that - it even has tofu and tempeh and such.

Lesedi, we've got a great gym at my Uni, and I need to get over there! With this blizzard we're experiencing, I'm almost afraid to weigh myself...but I've been shoveling and doing a workout DVD at night. Fighting the carb cravings is hard right now though. All I want right now is cheese and bread and dark beer. LOL!

I will look more into P90X, it seems to really be effective from what you all have said.

Yay! Another P90xer!

Ooh I like shoveling now! It's a good way to burn a quick few extra calories!

Mmmm beer and cheese... a woman after my own heart! You must be from the Midwest too! Favorite treats are fine on occasion. I haven't prevented myself from enjoying the occasional cookie or handful of goldfish. I just try not to do it every day, because it's all the snacking of high carb foods like that that really contribute to weight gain or the inability to lose it... at least, that was my problem.

If you do the program or any other weightloss program, I'd recommend worrying more about measuring inches lost instead of weight. Weight can fluctuate like crazy with loss or gain of muscle and even how much water and food is in your digestive system, but it's the inches and the body fat % that really matter. I'm not even weighing myself for p90x... just measuring weekly.

UPDATE! Tonight, my boyfriend noticed that I've lost a significant amount of my back fat... you know, the annoying kind that hangs down over your rib cage just beneath the bra. I'm so excited to see that result and in just the 2nd week of p90x! My legs are also starting to get some definition and my butt is tightening up just a little tiny bit!

Got strep throat... been missing a few days of p90x workouts and dance. Hopefully I'll get over this soon so I can get back to working out and feeling good!

OOOOH - you eat Goldfish - I'm assuming they're some kind of snack thingummybob.w.:.w.:

I've actually had some success with shifting a few Kilos. I just love my WII

Originally Posted by gloworm25

OOOOH - you eat Goldfish - I'm assuming they're some kind of snack thingummybob.w.:.w.:

I've actually had some success with shifting a few Kilos. I just love my WII

I've heard a lot of good things about wii fit. This might be a good excuse to allow my significant other to indulge himself!

Yup! Goldfish are little, cheddar-cheese-flavored crackers. I get the ones made with whole grain and they aren't bad for you... just carbs with not too much nutritional value that I shouldn't be eating every day like I do. Fortunately, I have finished the carton and won't be buying any more for a while. Dry, non-salted, non-roasted almonds are my healthy crunchy snack of choice right now.

I'm still not measuring too much of a difference in my inches (it has only been a couple weeks after all), but I'm starting to look a little different. My face seems leaner and it seems like my body is more "pulled together" ... don't know if that makes sense. I can really feel more muscle in my legs and arms under all that fat, so I know I'm making some progress. Thankfully, I haven't lost any mass in my chest! In about a month, I'll be getting a copper IUD and will be able to get off the pill which I blame for some of my weight gain, difficulty in loosing weight, and my mood swings. I'm so excited to be moving toward a healthier me!

I have a question for bhuzzers... what's your favorite veggie dish? I've just been doing salads and frozen veggies, which are fine for now, but I'm wondering if any of you have any neat veggie recipes to share.