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49 Days, 49 Million Fears: Running A Marathon
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Give It Up, Woman!
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While I’ve always been someone who is easily consumed by a goal, this time it’s different. This whole weight loss/strength training/ running journey has not consumed my every thought as it previously did. It’s starting to (I can’t believe I’m saying this) become part of my normal life.
They say it takes what, 17 days to start a new habit?
Call me a slow learner then, because I now say, after nearly 5 months of training, that working out is a part of my every day life.
But I’m stuck.
It seems that I’m stuck as far as inch and weight loss go - though my husband and friends say I look toned. I’m up to running daily just in the last week and so I’m hoping that change will help boost my metabolism further to continue this journey.
A few things you can try if you’re in the same boat:
1) Adjust your caloric intake: as women, we tend to eat less when we feel like we’re gaining, or stuck. This can work against you since metabolism is boosted by smaller more frequent meals. Just watch your carbs!
2) Drink more water: especially at this time of year, and especially if you are one to spend a lot of time outside in the sun & heat.
3) Change your fitness routine: need more cardio or more strength training? Make sure you’re getting a good balance of both, and one pound of muscle burns 50 extra calories a day so life those weights ladies! Try swimming with the kids, a family bike ride, or a hike. Sometimes just being active, you don’t even realize you’re exercising because you’re having so much fun! Take up a new challenge like I recently did here with the 100 Pushups Program.
4) Stop snacking at night! After dinner, make it a point not to munch. Have a cup of green tea or a glass of water if you are feeling peckish. Take up a hobby that requires your hands, like knitting while watching t.v. or play a game of cards with your spouse.
5) Go to bed at a decent hour: this will help your body lose weight faster and/or help your muscles recover from strength training, preparing them for the next session. It will also help you avoid snacking at night! Throw in a love making session and you’re sure to burn a few more calories, as well as help your body to relax.
The key is to provide your body with lots of variety in foods and exercise! Your body will thank you, and your mind won’t get bored.
If you have any plateau-busting tips to share, please leave them in the comments!
June 16th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I’m trying to change bad habits picked up through the years (like late night snacking) and get back to what I used to do (jog every day)…. Thanks for the tips! All encouragement is helpful!!
June 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
[...] over here at Work It Mom coming up with other ways to break though my weight loss plateau without using that cleanse. After [...]
June 16th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
It’s hard no matter who you are to loose weight. My whole family seems to have a weight problem. I think it could be hereditary.
Wishing you luck…and my best..
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call your gram
grammology.com
June 17th, 2008 at 12:02 am
From the sound of it, you’re doing everything right. However if you’ve hit a plateau, I have three suggestions:
1. Try writing down all the food you eat for a couple of days. A friend of mine, who thought she was eating everything right did this, and was surprised to see just how much more she was eating then she thought. Also, as we lose weight, we do need to eat less just to maintain the loss.
2. Try having a cheat day. Now, I’ve never tried this, but I’ve read about people who swear by it. Once in a while, have an off-diet day, and it kind of rekicks your metabolism.
3. Have patience. Most plateaus just subside by themselves.
I hope this helps. BTW, congratulations on your exercise program. I’m have just recently started exercising everyday, and love it……………………..:)
Sincerely,
Lisa
June 17th, 2008 at 12:20 am
You’ve hit the bases. I’ve known for a long time HOW to lose weight, I just have had trouble being consistent and putting that knowledge to work.
I second recording your food intake. I recommend Sparkpeople.com’s nutrition calculator. Sparkpeople membership is free and you can log your food there and really see what you are doing with your nutrition. Also measure your portions to make sure you have the correct servings sizes.
Eat every 2-3 hours. A low fat yogurt or a piece of fruit (or both) in between meals are great for keeping your metabolism humming.
Also, every six weeks you need to shake up your workout routine. If you do the same thing for six weeks your body will adjust to that level of work and will stall. So add to your workout or change it entirely.
WATER WATER WATER. I swear by this. Don’t drink your calories and don’t drink diet soda either. It will mess you up too, even if it has 0 calories.
And I agree about the cheat day. Biggest Loser does this from what I understand, and it seems to reassure your body that you aren’t denying it everything. When I’m doing things right and consistently losing weight I don’t stay in calorie range all the time. Every couple of weeks we eat out and I go over my calories. My point, is that I don’t deprive myself.
Also, for my weight and exercise level my calorie range is around 1380–1770. One day I’ll stay on the low end of that range and the next I’ll go to the upper range. I lose well when I do that.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Thanks for the inspiration! i am trying to figure out where to sneak in exercise and making an effort to eat more healthfully. the eating part isnt nearly as difficult as the exercise part!
I am trying not to ‘excuse’ my self out of working out tonight! thanks for the boost
June 17th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I love the idea of a food journal (note I said idea.. I don’t stick with it well.) I know someone said that.
Good tips — one I wish someone would say “eat more chocolate and doughnuts.”
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:16 am
[...] talked to my doctor about my frustration with not losing weight. It seems I’ve plateaued, which is very frustrating. So frustrating that I nearly stooped to some drastic measures. Instead, she has me on a few [...]
July 19th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Oh my gosh, thank you for all of the inspiratipn and great tips. I just started working out and it hurts, but I need to stick to it. I don’t shop or cook well because I am always so busy with work. I do find that I have more energy and I did lose 14 lbs in a month on Fresh Dining. I feel so much healthier, and I can now follow their portion control to try to maintain the weight loss, but the work out routine will help in the long run. I also like the idea of the food journal. I’m going to try it. Thanks!