The HCGers exercise thread

[Stampe63]

Thanks mm, only thing I realy regret is that I have no pictures of me at 268 pounds, or rather glad But for comparision it would been nice, only have some at 215 and theyr horrible enough

[minimonkey]

Stampe --

Well, I can't tell much from your current head shot, but I think you look pretty fantastic at the moment!

I know what you mean about wishing for comparison shots.

I wish I had more "before" pics... but, like so many others, I avoided the camera during my heavier periods. Ah, well... at least we will have "after" pics that will blow everyone away!

[nola baxter]

Lol, well it seems from everyone else's muscle soreness, that I am just not working out hard enough then!

Glad you got your pm back C'marie..

Mini
I find that the harder you workout, the more you need to rest;
and ironically , the stronger you get, the harder you can workout, and the more you need to take breaks in between workouts.
When you get more able to get the muscles to give that all out effort, they need more time to recover.
I remember reading that a powerlifter said it took him 26 days to recover from an all-out lift!! I found that really interesting, and helpful..

And yep- I believe you can definitely do with eating more food.
You are very lean, have had long periods of dieting and are doing hard exercise; your body needs to be fed and replenished.
Dont stretch yourself too thin!
I know the tendency to want to eat less and get thinner, and push the body;
but over the years I have come to understand that I need to work with my body , not against it.

I do come from a background of multiple food issues, it is prevalent in my family;
My mothers first comment about people when I was young was always whether they had gained weight or not ;
and even when my father was dying of motor-neurone disease, and my bro-in-law of cancer; she was worried about them gaining weight/getting fat!
One of my sisters (I have 4) was very bulimic, and then semi- anorexic. Another sister is semi-anorexic, and the whole family tends to have foody issues including my brothers.
So I have run the full gamut myself in terms of working around these issues, and understand it inside and out.
Now I am at relative peace with this stuff and can enjoy and accept food and my body to a very good degree.

[minimonkey]

Wow, Nola -- hearing about your mother's obsessiveness really makes me cringe! No wonder you and your sisters and brothers struggled with food and weight! You honestly seem very balanced and centered about that now, and that is almost as impressive as your muscle mass!

I am so sorry to hear about your father's motor neurone disease, too -- horrible thing to endure, and horrible to watch someone you love go through that, too.

I think I went on my first diet at 8 or 9 years old... my mom was always dieting. and I did them all with her. I don't blame my mom for whatever food issues I have/had -- she has actually become a great role model for me where health is concerned -- but in the late 70s/early80s, it was just assumed that a woman was always trying to lose weight. I think it tanked my metabolism badly very early, though, and it has taken a long time to repair the damage (physical and mental.)

I just had the BEST workout -- one of the harder Bar Method workouts.. and I just sailed right through it, feeling strong, energetic, and just great overall. Yesterday's rest break and food fest really agreed with me.

Given how sore I was yesterday, I recovered surprisingly fast, too.

I am so glad to have you all to share this journey with -- it makes it so much richer!!!

[C'Marie]

Woo Hoo I got a shipping notice today! Won't be long now! and I'll be bouncing up and down with JOY! And hopefully the stability bar will help me not be afraid to fall! I so much want to exercise safely and get those leg muscles going so someday I can ditch this D@mn cane!

And me - pictures before - yup. Hiding from the camera was my Way of LIFE. Right up until I was about my last summer before starting weightloss, no one had any pictures of me from the neck down. NO ONE. I hid behind someone or something all the time. I went to Disneyland and Hawaii that last summer and did allow some picture taking. Eeee GADS! I even have one in a swimsuit on the beach - it has a skirt, but still... OMG.

I have to pick out a new swimsuit now that I've lost so much weight... I get to go back to Hawaii in a month and I've lost 100+ pounds since I've been there. That will feel so good. And now when I get the rebounder I will be able to build up a little bit of energy and stamina to be able to walk on the beach, even with the cane.

[minimonkey]

CMarie -- SO excited for your rebounder to get there!!! Remember that it is okay to start slowly... just bouncing gently without removing your feet from the mat at all is still good exercise for muscles that haven't been used that way for a while.

I tracked my Urban Rebounding package, and it looks likely I'll get it tomorrow -- oh boy, new toy!!! Can't wait to see what the addition of that kind of circuit training will do to my overall fitness level.

If it ever gets warm here, roommate and I are also going to hit some of the gorgeous hiking trails in the area... and we are also keeping an eye out for mountain bikes... I have some seriously hardcore mountain biking friends, who get new bikes regularly -- hoping someone will pass one along my direction for very little or no money at some point. I'd be new to mountain biking for the most part, but it is really very fun.

[C'Marie]

Ok I will start slow. Should I limit my minutes? or just with such gentle exercise if I don't lift up my feet would I be ok to do at least 20? I did 20-30 on an elliptical in December, but that's really the last exercise I did before I restarted hcg.

[minimonkey]

I'd say listen to your body on this one --- if you hit a point of fatigue, stop - and then work up to more minutes day by day.

There is actually a rebounding thread (albeit a small one) on the exercise board, and most of the people posting there are total beginners. Many of them started with just a few minutes ( three to five) and worked up from there. If you feel stronger and it isn't difficult for you, then there's no reason not to start with 20 minutes or more.

I find it fun to rebound to music, or to the workout dvds... but if you watch TV ( I don't) , rebounding is also a great way to get exercise in at the same time.

[nola baxter]

Hi Mini

Dieting at 8-9 yrs! ouch..I started at 12, and that was too early- trashed my metabolism for years too.

Thanks about my Dad- motor neurone disease is awful, probably one of the worst..

My mother still talks about weight- but ironically enough the last time I went and saw her (she lives a ways away), she was making noises about not getting too skinny- lol- or else my face would start to age quickly..

In my recent workouts my body is feeling more solid, ie, not exhausted; but my strength is slightly down and I feel slow.
Still working on it all..

Good luck with your rebounder and your new swimsuit C"Marie. You have come a long way... and worked very hard for it!

[minimonkey]

Well -- BIG thumbs up for my new rebounding workouts!!!! I did the first one tonight... It didn't exactly kick my @ss, but it came pretty close a few times. There's one move I can't do yet (an airborne 180 degree rotation that lands in a plyometric squat) -- I can get a 90 degree turn, so I just stuck with that.

This was one of 13 workouts, all different... so I won't be getting bored anytime soon

It was some pretty standard rebounding calisthenic moves, but hyped up with weights, and interspersed with some high speed intervals, some interesting floor work ( plank on the rebounder, pushups with feet up on the rebounder, side planks) and intermittent plyometrics. The main focus was cardio though... unlike some of the others, which are more strength based.

There was a really nice abs section at the end that incorporated some pilates moves, and some interesting uses of the rebounder to allow for greater resistance on curls, crunches, etc.

Given how little cardio I do on a regular basis, I was mighty pleased at how well I held up. I am going to need to be careful of my hip though, and also a finicky tendon in my hand -- these moves are fast, and unfamiliar to me at the moment --and the potential for exacerbating old injuries is very real.

[minimonkey]

C'Marie -- you are going to ROCK that swimsuit AND your walks on the beach!!!!

As Nola said, you have worked very hard for these results and you deserve to enjoy every minute of your success.

[nola baxter]

Hi Mini
The new workout sounds good- full of variety..
I have had knee issues- so always have to train into new movements carefully to get them used to it..


Off to the gym today- and curious to see how my strength and energy is holding out.
It seems that the lower my body fat gets, the harder it is to have good energy, no matter what the food intake.
My intake has been higher over the past few days;
Half loading day = 4200 cals
Maintenance cal day = 3200cals
Lower day = 2250 cals
Today- shooting for 3000..

I have a body fat test early next week- so am interested to see what that will be!!
I have definitely lost fat over this hcg journey- but am still not having the definition I need/want, even at the low body fat.
Which has happened to me in the past..
A competitive bodybuilder who has competed for 25 yrs plus , told me it is just my body type- he called it having "thick skin"- so that the definition doesnt show through as well- even at the lower weight.
He said you just have to train for yrs and yrs to get the hardness and definition you need..
I was hoping HCG might somehow help with this, but no sign of it so far.
We will see..

[minimonkey]

I am finding the exact same thing, Nola -- I have been eating an unbelievable amount, just to sustain. I have always been pretty good at just over-riding hunger and ignoring it, but this hunger WILL NOT be ignored! That, I suppose, is the end result of a higher and higher amount of lean muscle.

I think I am still losing fat, too, or at least not gaining much.... I'm gaining muscle for sure! Hoping the new workouts will add some of the "shredding" action I am wanting -- if nothing else, they are a lot of fun and very satisfying.

That is really a bummer about your body type -- and I have no trouble believing it. Some people get definition much, much easier than others, regardless of training intensity, bodyfat, nutrition, etc.

Very interested to see your bodyfat results! At the end of the day, even if you don't end up competing soon, you are doing some truly awe inspiring work with your body!!! At the end of the day, that is the only trophy worth its weight

[nola baxter]

lol, I know that hunger Mini..I have it too.
If I ignore it it does not go well for me!
I think the hunger is due to having good muscle and low body fat..
Leaner bodybuilders need to do more frequent refeeds..

Turns out my bodyfat test is next friday now- so a week to wait!

And yes you are right- even if I dont get enough definition to be the best, I can still be the best for my body, and that is what it is all about at the end of the day..

I felt really good in the gym today- had both full strength and energy!
So I am a happy camper- I just have to work out the right sequence of food and calories to keep repeating the experience!

[minimonkey]

Nola -- I think you must be right about the muscle to fat ratio and hunger...this is seriously not hunger I could just ignore and continue to function well! I'm also using these new muscles really consistently, so they are doing their thing and burning up a lot of fuel.

At this point, short of low-carbing and sticking to clean foods, I am not trying to diet anymore -- I'm letting my body tell me when I need to eat. If I am going to continue being this active, I don't think I much have a choice.

Bar Method Super Sculpting 1 today -- that may be my current favorite workout. It's genuinely hard, and you really get your money's worth for an hour of intense shaking and burning muscles. I get such a pronounced high for literally hours after a really, really good workout -- energy surge, mood boost... amazing stuff.

[minimonkey]

Where are all the other exercisers? I know there are plenty of us who post here.

Stampe, where are you? Are you still recovering from your p90 experience???

[mymy3377]

I'm here, I started another round of P2 and today is Day 3. I've been pretty hungry (despite eating about 700 calories) but keeping up with my workouts, plyometric interval cardio with Jillian and Lotte Berk. I got a second Lotte Berk DVD the Basic Essentials one, I've done it once but I plan to rotate it with the Muscle Eats Fat four times a week. I'm going to wait another couple of days before I make any more changes but I hope this is just the first week blues because I was feeling a little drained doing my cardio yesterday. I know I definitely do not want to stop the exercise since I just started again so that part is non-negotiable for me right now. The diet part I guess I'll just have to experiment with the maximum amount of calories I can consume on HCG and still lose.

[shelbyla]

I'm still here lurking Mini. You guys all put me to shame--I just do the 30-60 minutes of boring cardio daily so not much to report! I am struggling a little with this P3 but I think it's mental more than anything else. I'm in my window but I want to be at the LOW end damnit! I actually think I'm probably not eating enough so today more calories. We'll see.

[porkfatrules]

I just got my package of Zumba Exhilarate -- the new program. It looks amazing -- really gorgeous set, looks more like a club than their usual. I can't wait to do it!

Now that my foot's better, I'm ready for a bit more intense workouts -- and dance workouts are my other love next to barre!

[C'Marie]

NO rebounder today
estimated delivery now says tomorrow .....

[C'Marie]

Got it, cleaned out living room (tuckered myself out just doing that LOL)

Set it up, and did the 20-minute Senior routine. *whew*

Sweating, breathing probably too hard (I dunno where my heart monitor even is), had to even modify part of that for my hip and exercise level, but I kept up bouncing all the way through - didn't stop --- Yay!

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Got it, cleaned out living room (tuckered myself out just doing that LOL)

Set it up, and did the 20-minute Senior routine. *whew*

Sweating, breathing probably too hard (I dunno where my heart monitor even is), had to even modify part of that for my hip and exercise level, but I kept up bouncing all the way through - didn't stop --- Yay!

[Stampe63]

@mm
Im still training but last day I was so damn sore I could barely walk :blush:
I do the whole Power 90 cykles sculpt1-2 and cardio 1-2 and the abs 100. I have reg soreness in all places but the muscles in the frontside of the legs at the hips. I could barely lift the legs up more then a inch, walking up a stair I had to LIFT the legs like a cripple
I know why and how it happened though so I can prevent it from happening again. Ohh and Im back to my LDW too YEEEY!! 4 pounds up just from training and sunburn..So Ill probably back at low in a couple days

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by Stampe63

@mm
Im still training but last day I was so damn sore I could barely walk :blush:
I do the whole Power 90 cykles sculpt1-2 and cardio 1-2 and the abs 100. I have reg soreness in all places but the muscles in the frontside of the legs at the hips. I could barely lift the legs up more then a inch, walking up a stair I had to LIFT the legs like a cripple
I know why and how it happened though so I can prevent it from happening again. Ohh and Im back to my LDW too YEEEY!! 4 pounds up just from training and sunburn..So Ill probably back at low in a couple days

lol..I know well that muscle soreness; when my leg muscles are very sore and stiff, I roll out of bed and onto the floor rather than climbing out!

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

I'm still here lurking Mini. You guys all put me to shame--I just do the 30-60 minutes of boring cardio daily so not much to report! I am struggling a little with this P3 but I think it's mental more than anything else. I'm in my window but I want to be at the LOW end damnit! I actually think I'm probably not eating enough so today more calories. We'll see.

30-60 min cardio is a good output, sometimes more is not better..

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by mymy3377

I'm here, I started another round of P2 and today is Day 3. I've been pretty hungry (despite eating about 700 calories) but keeping up with my workouts, plyometric interval cardio with Jillian and Lotte Berk. I got a second Lotte Berk DVD the Basic Essentials one, I've done it once but I plan to rotate it with the Muscle Eats Fat four times a week. I'm going to wait another couple of days before I make any more changes but I hope this is just the first week blues because I was feeling a little drained doing my cardio yesterday. I know I definitely do not want to stop the exercise since I just started again so that part is non-negotiable for me right now. The diet part I guess I'll just have to experiment with the maximum amount of calories I can consume on HCG and still lose.

For some of us, 700cals is still way not enough..especially with intensive workouts.

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Got it, cleaned out living room (tuckered myself out just doing that LOL)

Set it up, and did the 20-minute Senior routine. *whew*

Sweating, breathing probably too hard (I dunno where my heart monitor even is), had to even modify part of that for my hip and exercise level, but I kept up bouncing all the way through - didn't stop --- Yay!

Great! really good start

[nola baxter]

As someone who is taking hhcg but eating quite high calories, I am interested to find out if others out there are doing the same thing, and what kind of results they are getting..

I found a few of these posts on bodybuilding sites..

"I have heard both pros and cons of using hcg as a weight loss supplement. I have used it a dozen or more times in cycles and personally never noticed any weight loss benefits, however each and every time I noticed significant increases in strength. This is probably why it is a favorite drug of powerlifters."

"I do not do the 500 cals ****, I am up near 1500 and six small meals a day all consisting of protein, broccoli and 2 servings of fruit a day (apple, grapefruit) its a normal sensible diet, super low carbs, NO sugars and relatively the same thing any one would recommend just a bit lower cals so that the body releases more fat as energy and the HCG protects the lean tissue. It is working for me, I am on a 16 week plan. I plan to lose between 50-70lbs on it. But EVERYONE is different. I am also carrying around 205 lbs of lean mass on my 300 lb frame."


"Im on it for the last 3 weeks, supports your lean tissue and releases more stored fat on a very low calorie diet. 800-1300 cals. I have lost 16 lbs last 3 weeks. I am sure there are lots of haters that will chime in on this but I dont care. Because I am doing it under a doctor, It is making me more accountable for my eating habits since I have to weigh in each week. I HAVE lots of proper nutrition knowledge and know the body builder guys on here will say cals are too low but this is working for me like I said..."

nothing really too definitive- but might be interesting to some!

[C'Marie]

Nola and Mini, thanks for your encouragement. It means a lot to me. I could easily be intimidated by you both, but instead you find a way to make it inspiring. Thank you.

[minimonkey]

C'Marie!!! 20 minutes your first time??? That's awesome!!! You are off to a great start... and don't be surprised if you join the sore-muscle-gang tomorrow You are doing exactly what it takes to be successful -- finding out what your body can currently do, and then working to improve its performance over time. Who could ask for more?

Stampe -- glad to hear you are still training, and that you are learning to avoid the soreness. I've looked at the power 90 system a little, but am not really familiar with it -- what are the cycles in question?