paula
Core-ista
Posts: 61
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Post by paula on Jul 15, 2005 9:14:55 GMT -5
Hello all you good people,
I really need some help. I am so frustrated and depressed; just at my wit's end. I have lost 50 pounds with WW. But now I am down to my last 5-10 (depending on who's goal you're looking at), and I have had a terrible time with it. I did the best with points. I walked every day and did great until I hit this stall. After several weeks my leader suggested I go to the doc and get 'permission' to weigh this much---but I don't WANT to weigh this much. I want to get to my intended goal. If you all have any experiences or advice or information to throw at me, I've got my catcher's mitt on!
By the way, I am 5'4" and presently weigh 138; my goal is 129.
Thanks!
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Post by JeddoMom on Jul 18, 2005 10:36:22 GMT -5
Paula, sorry it's taken so long for someone to get back to you!!
I totally can relate to what you are feeling right now. Even with Core, the last 10 lbs. were tough for me to lose. I had to really up my exercise and watch what I ate. Can you do some other exercise? Walking is wonderful, but I'm thinking that your body is very used to it and would benefit from something different and more intense at this point.
How about some new foods? I remember my leader telling me to just change as much in my life as I could, to shock my body into releasing those last pounds.
I was close to changing my goal weight too. I didn't want to though, because I knew that in my heart I would not have felt like I was at goal if I changed it.
Keep us posted about how you are doing!!! Monica
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paula
Core-ista
Posts: 61
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Post by paula on Jul 19, 2005 9:56:01 GMT -5
Hey Monica, thanks so much for responding; I thought it might take a while, as people seem to be so busy these days. Life shouldn't be that way; hurried. It goes fast enough as it is.
When you say change exercises; would anything do, or should it be cardio? I've been told again and again that cardio is what burns the fat, but I have bad arthritis in my hips and walking is about all I can do. I have a treadmill, and I walk the dogs. I also have a recumbent stationary bike that I do on my 'off' days. The bike also has a device by which I can workout my upper body also. But this is about all I can do as far as cardio; no jogging or running, my doc says.
Would weight training work? Even here I am limited in what I can do with my legs, but I can do most everything else; arms, tummy.
What things did you change from/to regarding exercise and foods, when you were having this trouble?
Thanks for your help. You're a sweetie pie!
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Post by JeddoMom on Jul 20, 2005 16:07:57 GMT -5
Paula, fogive me for not getting back to you sooner! I'm on vacation and can't always get online like when I'm at home!!
Ok, first exercise...Since walking seems to be best for you, can you do some sort of intervals? Walk very fast for 1 minute, then slower, etc...? Also, any kind of weight-training would be beneficial. Are you doing any now? Your bike sounds great too. Try interval training on that too. Anything to work the muscles differently and challenge them.
For foods, just take a good look at what you are eating and make some changes. Are you eating the same breakfast everyday? Eat something completely different for a week and see what happens. I'd recommend upping your protein and try to eat carbs when you eat protein.
Anything to shake up your metabolism. Let me know how it goes!!! Monica
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Post by mylikeit on Jul 21, 2005 0:56:16 GMT -5
Paula, I'm also 5'4", and those last 5 to 10 lbs did take quite a while to come off for me, too. I originally set my goal weight for WW at 139 (it is within the healthy range for our height). On maintenance, since Nov. 1, I've actually lost an additional 6 or 7 lbs, and have moved my WW goal weight down to 133. I would be happy down at 130, but at age 40, I 'm not going to push it. I mean, this weight is working for me and my body. I agree with Monica's advice above for kicking up the weight loss. It sounds like that's important to you now. Also, I would encourage you to not be in a hurry about the last few lbs.
This may not be what you want to hear (or it may not be helpful), so just take it for what it's worth. . ., but here comes my wisdom: If it would help your morale to set your WW goal weight at 138 or so and give yourself permission to maintain there for a while, you could get your Lifetime status (stop paying for meetings, but keep going!), and have a little breather to let your body integrate what you've accomplished. Then after a month or two or three, you could see if weight loss mode would work for you again. Let yourself take 6 months or so to lose 5 lbs, if that's what it takes. It's okay, there's no race.
Easy for me to say, I know, but sometimes taking a break and maintaining is what our psyches and our bodies need.
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Post by YetAgain on Jul 21, 2005 18:45:59 GMT -5
I swear if the original post doesn't sound like me I'll eat my hat!! AND the replies seem like they were meant for me!! Thanks Paula, Monica and MyLikeIt (both of you who I 'see' at the WWCoreSupport Board...Core Chat!! Gotta love it!!!!!!!! ;D
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Post by ema2two on Jul 21, 2005 23:02:42 GMT -5
Sorry not to have replied sooner. Have been busy getting ready for our first family vacation in 3 years!
In the time it took me to get ready to reply, MyLikeIt took the words right out of my hat. Her advice is right on the money. Of course, so is Monica's about exercise.
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paula
Core-ista
Posts: 61
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Post by paula on Jul 22, 2005 6:52:20 GMT -5
Thanks, gang. Patience was never one of my positive traits---just ask my kids! hee.
I'll try out everyone's advice and see where we go!
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Post by GrandmaCore on Jul 22, 2005 11:58:00 GMT -5
Paula, I too have arthritis but it is in my knee. I can only walk (and that is slow walking). I did join curves and enjoy that very much. You can do it in 30 min. and at your own speed. So far that is working for me. You have done so good and I really appreciate all the support you have given me. Don't get down ....pat yourself on the back because you have done a great job so far.
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Post by girliepurple on Jul 22, 2005 13:04:26 GMT -5
I just want to throw in my 2 cents worth and say Yes if you could do upper body weight training and ab work that could help! Not to mention the physical benefits. You will not bulk up and weights can even help your legs become stronger and leaner, there are a lot of exercises you can do lying down or sitting with weights that would not hurt your arthritis, could even help it. Look into some tapes and start with 1-3 lb. weights
Don't know why I'm on this board because I am nowhere near lifetime or maintenance but I was just browsing!.... I want to say you are all an inspiration. I am 5'3 3/4" and never thought I could be near 140 again but sure hope to ...
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Post by blaskies on Jul 23, 2005 11:03:11 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I'm a "newbie", and I can't believe how I can relate to this thread. I've lost 63lbs., reached maintenance in April and have been somewhat maintaining since. I originally thought it would be a cinch to lose another 5 lbs. below my goal so that I could have a little "cushion", however, I have been struggling just to stay within my 2 lbs. over goal. I have managed to weigh-in below the 2lb. limit two of the three months since but one month I was .2 above and had to pay. So frustrating! I recognize that my problem is lack of exercise, but haven't gotten my head and my heart together on that one. As for eating, I do pretty well, 99% CORE during the week and I use my WPA on weekends (sometimes a little more than 35). MyLikeIt, you have hit the nail on the head. I love your advice (my leader said something similar). I am going to continue to do what I have been doing (but try to get back to walking) and relax and enjoy where I am right now for the summer. I will continue to go to meetings each week (haven't missed a meeting in 18 months), then in the fall I am going to see if I can be happy with the way I am, or still want to lose those extra 5 lbs. Thanks to all of you for your inspiration. Diane
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Post by ema2two on Jul 25, 2005 5:54:46 GMT -5
for strength training with arthritis, see if you can find the Strong Women series by Miriam Nelson, PhD. She is a nutrition and exercise physiology researcher at Tufts Medical School and School of Nutrition who has done quite a bit of work on the effects of strength training. She has written several books for the layman/laywoman: Strong Women Stay Young (SWSY), Strong Women Stay Slim (SWSS), Strong Women Strong Hearts, and one about strength training and osteoporosis prevention and I believe another about strength training and arthritis. If I remember correctly, SWSY and SWSS both have sections about strength training if you have arthritis. Go to Amazon.com via the link in KippyShop or google her name and you should find her stuff. I did the SWSY/SWSS regimen with a video for about 6 months at the end of my efforts to reach goal and (1) loved it and (2) really saw a difference in my body. Had to stop when I got pregnant. I've been going to Curves now for 6 months and have seen a huge difference. Only lost 15 lbs in that time (getting back to goal post-baby), but lost 25 inches! That kind of toning up makes it much easier to be patient with the scale slowly inching down.
No question if done right it can benefit you, both for weight control and for improving your function and flexibility and pain related to your arthritis.
Also, check out Collage video, (www.collagevideo.com) which has some specialty videos for exercising with various medical conditions, and I believe several are for arthritis sufferers.
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Post by shirllg on Jul 25, 2005 10:18:16 GMT -5
Paula, just for your info...according to WW you could set your goal as high as 145 and still be in the healthy range, so those last few pounds are just for you. I guess the big question to ask yourself is "what is losing 5 or so more pounds going to do for me? will it really make a difference in my life?" Just because you chose a number a while back for goal, doesn't mean if you change it you are giving up, it just means you see where you are now and you can decide more realistically.
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Post by Lesley1 on Jul 25, 2005 13:40:51 GMT -5
I have a more practical take on Shirllg's wisdom. Will losing 5 or 10 pounds put you into a smaller clothing size?
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paula
Core-ista
Posts: 61
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Post by paula on Jul 26, 2005 10:46:22 GMT -5
WOW! So much information! Thanks, all of you, so much! I will most definitely take a stab at all of these ideas!
To shirlig, at 145 I am very thick--I don't know any other way to describe it. I feel heavy and uncomfortable at that weight. That might just be me, but am just not content at that weight. Also, my doc told me that due to my arthritis, just losing 5 pounds would really take a load off my bones and make me feel better physically. I see where you're coming from though, and I have considered this.
To Lesley1, yes, losing 5-10 pounds would put me in a smaller clothing size.
paula
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