Anyone getting in shape?

[goingformydream]

I am! I am on the waiting list and decided to make the most of it. In January I started working out 5-6 times a week. First it was just cardio, however I had a family friend fall down last month. I tried to lift her and was sucessful, but I suddenly realized that I need to get my arms in shape! Sooo... I am now working on my upper body strength as well. It is very important to me to be a "fit" nurse in order to help my future patients.

I am down 20 lbs and have 40 more to go to get to my "lean weight" I am doing weight watchers.

Anyone else getting fit?

[Cinqly, BSN, RN]

i'm so glad i'm not the only one...

Right now i wake up, run a couple miles, then go to school, yoga for an hour M-Th (class), go to studio, 30 mins barre warmup and then 1 and a half hours of pointe work.

But i can't stop stuffing my cow face full of food Food alllll the time, yesterday i ate 927 calories, this morning i woke up having gained THREE POUNDS.

i'm not throwing out my scale. It's the only thing that tells me the truth anymore.

You should NEVER eat below about 1500 calories, 1200 being the bare MINIMUM!!! If you are excercising as much as you say, you are grossly undereating!!! No wonder you gained 3 pounds in one day....your body thinks you are starving itself!!!! What foods are you eating? How much? How often????? I made a post earlier in this thread (page 3 or so) with some basic advice about fitness and eating. Please read it, and start thinking about adding some food back into your life! It is a proven FACT that if you don't eat enough food each day, your body thinks it's starving, and holds onto the little food it does get thinking that it's the 'last supper". I think Have4nomore can second me on that, also being a personal trainer.

My suggestion: start gradually adding food back into your diet (an extra meal here, a salad there, a larger portion of meat, etc). Don't do it all at once...gradually! ALL of my clients that do this end up being healthier, leaner, and happier in the end. I promise it works, because I've done it myself. I used to starve and count calories, and when I started eating 6 meals a day (probably roughly 2500 calories most days) of good, 'clean' food, I actually lost 15 pounds of fat!!!!!! Plus, if you don't feed yourself properly, you'll lose all that hard-earned muscle! If you absolutely have to keep the scale then do it, but remember that the number means nothing if you are hurting your body to get there.

Anyway, I wish you the best in school and your fitness goals!! We nurses need to be healthy examples for our patients!!

[apnea]

For the record, i had to take the same sleeper nutrition class that everyone else had to take. This is not an ignorance issue, this is an "i don't fit the accepted norm" issue.

1 pound fat == ~3500 calories

my BMR == ~2100

exercise output == ~ 750

intake == ~600-800

and i maintain. i stay within the same 5 pound range, typically, and even gradually increasing my caloric intake makes me gain weight. i'll admit to the possibility that maybe i'm undereating in terms of actual mass and volume, but my caloric intake isn't that low. It'll be better during fall semester, my school deep fries twinkies but they've got an amazing salad bar.

[Cherish]

For the record, i had to take the same sleeper nutrition class that everyone else had to take. This is not an ignorance issue, this is an "i don't fit the accepted norm" issue.

1 pound fat == ~3500 calories

my BMR == ~2100

exercise output == ~ 750

intake == ~600-800

and i maintain. i stay within the same 5 pound range, typically, and even gradually increasing my caloric intake makes me gain weight. i'll admit to the possibility that maybe i'm undereating in terms of actual mass and volume, but my caloric intake isn't that low. It'll be better during fall semester, my school deep fries twinkies but they've got an amazing salad bar.

600-800 cals??? You ate less than a 1000 cals and gained 3 lbs? Hello...your body is in starvation mode. You are GAINING weight in starvation mode, any calorie input your body is receiving is just sucking it up and not letting it go. Please, please talk to a nutritionist or a registered dietitian.

I am a busy person and really enjoy cooking maybe once or twice a week. I have no kids, and just live with my boyfriend and our dog. My boyfriend and I have different tastes in food so it's really hard cooking for one, and I HATE cooking if it's just for me. So the best way I started losing weight (I am 20lbs from my goal weight, have lost 37 so far), has been from delivered meals to my home. They are expensive but worth it and wayyyy cheaper than how I was eating before.

You can check out ediets own version called Deliciously Yours http://www.deliciouslyyours.com/, they have food you can get delivered to your home that taste great but are expensive. Also, there is http://www.3hourdietathome.com/default.asp?siteID=b8qrFAgZEE0-KhEoiVwNX4xXWt1eVbKI0g, they also deliver fresh food to your house. I know everyones heard of that diet I use the format from that diet (eating every 3 hrs/6x a day, one of which is a fruit-protein-flaxseed packed smoothie). Also there is http://www.diettogo.com/01/, I get my food delivered from this company it tastes great, there cheaper than the other 2 and you can order just a 5 day supply instead of 7 days since on the weekends I cook or go out.

I also advise you to check out http://www.3fatchicks.com/Diets/Diets_Detailed/Fresh_Diet_Meals_Delivered_to_you_Door/

they have a review on all types of diets and a diet forum.

Trust me, the delivered food do not taste anything like Nutrisystem (yuck), Lean Cuisine (I love their panini's though), or Smart Ones (Love their desserts). I've tried a lot of ways (diets) and have always not been in my age/height weight requirement. The closest was when I was in the Army but I still was above the weight by at least 10lbs. Eating this way I do not worry about what my next meal is I just heat it up and eat.

[Cinqly, BSN, RN]

For the record, i had to take the same sleeper nutrition class that everyone else had to take. This is not an ignorance issue, this is an "i don't fit the accepted norm" issue.

1 pound fat == ~3500 calories

my BMR == ~2100

exercise output == ~ 750

intake == ~600-800

and i maintain. i stay within the same 5 pound range, typically, and even gradually increasing my caloric intake makes me gain weight. i'll admit to the possibility that maybe i'm undereating in terms of actual mass and volume, but my caloric intake isn't that low. It'll be better during fall semester, my school deep fries twinkies but they've got an amazing salad bar.

If you took the nutrition course, then you should know that with a BMR of 2100 you need to take in at least that much food. 600-800 calories? Is that what you really eat each day? Please say that you eat that much in excess of your BMR.....

It really sounds like you need to reevaluate. What do you think makes you so different from every other human?!? Not trying to sound harsh, but with this many people concerned about you why not take a step back and consider our advice. It really seems like you are starving yourself to fit into an ideal that your body so apparently doesn't want to fit into.

Being in shape is not just about being thin or weighing a certain amount. It should be first and foremost about developing and living a healthy lifestyle.

Another delivery food option: Pur Foods (www.purfoods.com). You can tailor the meals (meaning what they put in them) to eliminate foods you don't want/like. I think they have a plan with 1200 calories of balanced meals (protein, fats, carbs).

[apnea]

THIS is CONCERN?? This is a LECTURE. And it's an unsolicited one.

i'm FINE. i'm back down again today. i'm 5 pounds away from my comfort zone, after that it's all maintenance.

And really...i'm tired of having to justify what i eat to everyone around me. i didn't think i'd have to do it on an internet forum where i typically find support and acceptance no matter what the situation is. NONE of you know what my weight is, what my BMI is, how tall i am, what my bone density is, you don't even know WHAT i eat.

This is HURTFUL. All i've gotten here is "YOU are incorrect," "YOU are doing wrong," "YOU have a problem." i do not have a problem. i am perfectly happy, healthy, and satisfied carefully restricting what i eat, but somehow everyone else has a problem with that.

i think i'm done here.

[Cherish]

Another delivery food option: Pur Foods (www.purfoods.com). You can tailor the meals (meaning what they put in them) to eliminate foods you don't want/like. I think they have a plan with 1200 calories of balanced meals (protein, fats, carbs).

Thanks for posting that I forget to say that Ediets and 3hourdiets are made from Purfoods. So there the head company to these other ones, the 3 hour diet one comes with snacks though compared to just one from purfoods.com

[Have4nomore]

I believe you said you are almost 5'3. No one here meant to hurt your feelings or offend you. If you think you are fine you are entitled to feel that way but I would look at the fact that so many who have direct and indirect knowledge of nutrition etc..( I am a certified fitness instructor and trainer), many are nurses and professionals have voiced a concern because what you are proclaiming to be healthy defys all logic. Even at barely 5'3 small frame your BMI cannot be healthy if you are ( almost back down to double digets as I think you said somewhere else). You have support here but if you are waiting for someone to step up and say that what you are doing sounds healthy that's about as likely as an alcoholic being told he does not drink too much. Excuse us for caring about you! Live your life and do what you want but don't berrate people for taking the facts of nutrition and applying them to your case because they definietly do apply and I believe everyone here genuinely cares.

[apnea]

I believe you said you are almost 5'3. No one here meant to hurt your feelings or offend you. If you think you are fine you are entitled to feel that way but I would look at the fact that so many who have direct and indirect knowledge of nutrition etc..( I am a certified fitness instructor and trainer), many are nurses and professionals have voiced a concern because what you are proclaiming to be healthy defys all logic. Even at barely 5'3 small frame your BMI cannot be healthy if you are ( almost back down to double digets as I think you said somewhere else). You have support here but if you are waiting for someone to step up and say that what you are doing sounds healthy that's about as likely as an alcoholic being told he does not drink too much. Excuse us for caring about you! Live your life and do what you want but don't berrate people for taking the facts of nutrition and applying them to your case because they definietly do apply and I believe everyone here genuinely cares.

But you don't HAVE to! NONE of you have to care about me! None of you know me...i know my friends will preach at me, but complete strangers wasting all this energy on someone they don't even know?? It doesn't make sense

i understand that my eating habits aren't necessarily "conventional," but it doesn't mean that i'm wrong. i can wake up at 5 in the morning, run two miles, eat 4 egg whites, go to morning classes, eat a 60 cal yogurt cup, go to my yoga class for an hour, finish the afternoon, eat some fruit or something, dance for a couple of hours, come home, and finish the day off with another roughly 400 calories. And i don't feel tired, or listless, or lethargic, or sick from eating too much. And i still don't feel hungry. i eat when i feel hungry! And i don't eat when i don't. Isn't that part of being healthy? Why would i eat if i'm not hungry? It's almost 2 in the afternoon, and i'm still not hungry. So i still haven't eaten. It's hurtful that falling outside of the norm elicits such an overwhelmingly negative response from people who should understand that not everyone eats like they do.

There is nothing wrong with me. And it hurts every time someone posts saying i'm doing wrong. i'm not. i'm fine.

[Cinqly, BSN, RN]

But you don't HAVE to! NONE of you have to care about me! None of you know me...i know my friends will preach at me, but complete strangers wasting all this energy on someone they don't even know?? It doesn't make sense

i understand that my eating habits aren't necessarily "conventional," but it doesn't mean that i'm wrong. i can wake up at 5 in the morning, run two miles, eat 4 egg whites, go to morning classes, eat a 60 cal yogurt cup, go to my yoga class for an hour, finish the afternoon, eat some fruit or something, dance for a couple of hours, come home, and finish the day off with another roughly 400 calories. And i don't feel tired, or listless, or lethargic, or sick from eating too much. And i still don't feel hungry. i eat when i feel hungry! And i don't eat when i don't. Isn't that part of being healthy? Why would i eat if i'm not hungry? It's almost 2 in the afternoon, and i'm still not hungry. So i still haven't eaten. It's hurtful that falling outside of the norm elicits such an overwhelmingly negative response from people who should understand that not everyone eats like they do.

There is nothing wrong with me. And it hurts every time someone posts saying i'm doing wrong. i'm not. i'm fine.

No...we don't have to care about you. But, we do!!!! And for the record, I do NOT think I am wasting my energy writing these posts!!! This is one of the few forums I've encountered EVER where people really mean what they say, and have altrusitic motivations behind their advice and opinions. That said, it's still a public forum and at times you will have unsolicitated advice or people will post things you don't agree with. That's ok. You don't have to. You're allowed to ignore what others say or take it with a grain of salt. However, when many people have the same message it might be worth at least a little consideration! It's just because we care! I'm sorry that you're hurt by our comments, but no one is ordering you to do anything, nor are we condeming you. We're just very concerned that what you're doing, conventional or not, is just plain not healthy. It's not sustainable in the long term. It sounds like you're a dancer, and I'm sure there is extreme pressure to keep a certain figure. I'm sorry that the industry is that way, and I realize it's not going to change anytime soon. However, from what it sounds like you are unhappy with your eating habits and how you feel when you eat, as well as how you look. You have a lot of negative self-talk---"lethargic", "sluggish", "stuffing my cow face full of food", "bloated elephant", etc. All the advice we have given has been positive, supportive, and constructive (NOT berating at all!)! At your described frame, even with a large amount of muscle mass, you sound rather underweight and you have poor eating habits. It just seems that from what you have described to us (which of course is a limited view of your life) your habits are not very healthy. If you are indeed "FINE" with your eating habits, then think about this: why do you even care what we think? Why spend so much time defending yourself? Why not just ignore us and move on?? I give my opinion as a professional certified fitness trainer and nutrition counselor who has been through my ups and downs as far as my own situation (I was a dancer for almost 10 years), and has had dozens of cases with people in similar and varying situations. I have a good idea of what works and what doesn't. I'm sorry, but we must agree to disagree.

However, I promise to leave you alone about this, though, as you have expressed that you do not want any more comments or advice on your situation. Just remember that we are here to help should you decide that you want any.

I believe you said you are almost 5'3. No one here meant to hurt your feelings or offend you. If you think you are fine you are entitled to feel that way but I would look at the fact that so many who have direct and indirect knowledge of nutrition etc..( I am a certified fitness instructor and trainer), many are nurses and professionals have voiced a concern because what you are proclaiming to be healthy defys all logic. Even at barely 5'3 small frame your BMI cannot be healthy if you are ( almost back down to double digets as I think you said somewhere else). You have support here but if you are waiting for someone to step up and say that what you are doing sounds healthy that's about as likely as an alcoholic being told he does not drink too much. Excuse us for caring about you! Live your life and do what you want but don't berrate people for taking the facts of nutrition and applying them to your case because they definietly do apply and I believe everyone here genuinely cares.

I just wanted to say I agree with you wholeheartedly. Certain things may "work" for people---taking ephedra works, running 20 miles a day works, eating only 500 calories a day works---however, it does NOT mean that they are healthy nor desirable options. That is just the way it is.

[Cinqly, BSN, RN]

Thanks for posting that I forget to say that Ediets and 3hourdiets are made from Purfoods. So there the head company to these other ones, the 3 hour diet one comes with snacks though compared to just one from purfoods.com

I always keep a few of these in the freezer for the times when I need a quick healthy meal and don't feel like cooking! They actually taste pretty good!!!

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

It appears that the poster has made a request to be left alone, and that should be respected. One of the responders has indicated that this is an issue for which people will have to agree to disagree. So, let's let it go, and move on and talk about getting in shape, OK?

Thanks!

I'm on phase 2 of the South Beach diet. And it appears as though I am at a standstill regarding weight loss. The only things I have added back into my diet is the OCCASIONAL piece of fresh fruit, and one single sweet potato. Is this normal? The weight (about 14-15 lbs of it) fell off quickly during the last 2 weeks. I also do daily cardio, and am getting just a bit anxious that no weight seems to have gone anywhere in the last 3 or 4 days. Any information or advice from anyone who has done it? I'd be grateful.

[Cinqly, BSN, RN]

It appears that the poster has made a request to be left alone, and that should be respected. One of the responders has indicated that this is an issue for which people will have to agree to disagree. So, let's let it go, and move on and talk about getting in shape, OK?

Thanks!

I'm on phase 2 of the South Beach diet. And it appears as though I am at a standstill regarding weight loss. The only things I have added back into my diet is the OCCASIONAL piece of fresh fruit, and one single sweet potato. Is this normal? The weight (about 14-15 lbs of it) fell off quickly during the last 2 weeks. I also do daily cardio, and am getting just a bit anxious that no weight seems to have gone anywhere in the last 3 or 4 days. Any information or advice from anyone who has done it? I'd be grateful.

What are your goals?

Do you do any kind of resistance training?