The HCGers exercise thread

[C'Marie]

Day 7 - it was my last day of schoolwork for the term, but I fit it in right before I took my last final (online) to help my focus. 20+ minutes. I was really tight in the hip today all day, but I think that's because I've been sitting with the computer in my lap for several days trying to finish my work.

I did my up day today, over 2000 calories LOL and lot of that cream from sf ice cream (real cream, no chemicals) so I have steak ready for tomorrow (well, steak and chicken, it's what I have LOL).....

Thanks everyone for your support. I'm amazed at how quickly my body has adapted - barely sore now, barely get sweaty, can carry on a conversation while working out - although from what I read about "muscle confusion" it probably means now I need to switch it up some already, right? Or up the intensity, like do EVERYTHING on the video and not do lower intensity moves?

[nola baxter]

Hi CMarie
I wouldnt change anything too much right now.. just let your body get used to what you are doing for a bit. It is still early days, and there will be plenty of time to switch things up down the track.
So far it seems like it is all going really well.

Hi Mini
Got my TOM and fat-test all on the same morning in the end..lol
My weight was about the same,
my body fat down to 8.5%,
and theoretically I gained some pounds of muscle;
which I think was just due to the weight holding higher due to TOM, lots of food just before, and because my body often does that anyway (holds on to scale weight for a long time before it drops- even when fat has been lost).
I may have gained some muscle- but it would only be very minimal at a guess...
Overall I am pleased with my progress.

Visually- in the last week my abs have been leaning out - but I am holding in the butt which is looking particularly gushy right now.
I am still waiting for the whole package to come together!
I still need a lot more definition if I want to go on stage- and will probably have to go lower than the obligatory 6% for my body to get that.

I am holding to my high calorie experiment this week; it is my third day
so far
5500 , load day
1500 , low day
today- will be 5000+ again..
tomorrow- estimated 1500..
I am feeling good, and am wondering with the calorie excess if I will get less hungry as the week goes on as my stores fill up a bit? We will see.

How is your paring back with food going Mini? Are you still feeling allright on it?
I suspect your gains would be muscle, rather than fat..
You sound way ahead on the butt front!


Nola

[C'Marie]

My weight is up to 3 pounds above LIW, so I am doing a steak/chicken day to get back under control. Since I am not sore even in my quads right now from the rebounding I doubt that there is much water retention going on and the weight gain is probably from eating too much SF ice cream last night very late after getting home LOL.....

So I will workout gently today and then see how I feel - I am thinking of getting out my stretchy band thingy and working on some upper arm stuff. But don't really know how to do those things very well and am a very visual person so I think I will go find some videos on youtube.

[mymy3377]

So on Friday I decided maybe my Lotte Berk wasn't enough strength training so I downloaded a 10 Minute Full Body Workout from Exercise TV and I woke up this morning and my booty was literally burning and sore

My legs and upper body was fine (although my abs are a bit *tingly*) so I wonder if that means I'm not using the right form to do the seat work in the Lotte Berk

[C'Marie]

I didn't end up working out on the 11th or today the 12th - I found my hip too painful - I think I tweaked something at the family get-together or something. My daughter said she heard me say "ow" as I was getting in the car but I do NOT remember it -

Am going to the chiro tomorrow, hopefully he can help - usually literally pulls on my leg until it releases. Am bummed, was considering just sitting on my fanny on the rebounder and bouncing up and down like that LOL.....I saw one of the companies actually has a rebounding swing.

[nola baxter]

Hi Cmarie
That is a pain about your hip- I hope the Chiro works for you!

Still doing my high/low cal rotation. 5500/1500cals
I like it..
Off to the gym this morning - hopefully for a good hard workout!

Have a good day all

[C'Marie]

Still feeling really hurty in my hip but decided to do the rebound routine anyway before seeing the doc today to get the blood pumping through there. Feels better now. *whew*

[shelbyla]

You know that moment...the moment when you stop "glowing" and start really sweating? I don't mean the damp under the usual areas--I mean the real, drops rolling down your bare skin, ARMS sweating, sweat... Isn't that awesome?!

[C'Marie]

Shelby, that moment comes when I barely move now LOL
Looking forward to being able to do that kind of exertion again.

I made it to the chiro and my hip feels better already, yay!!! I felt better even before I went after rebounding my usual 20+ minutes. But now, with him popping my hip, I got my measly 15% inward rotation back. It's not enough, but I'll take it for now!

[minimonkey]

Nola -- MAJOR congrats on the drop in bodyfat! Wow -- very impressive! Hoping that your new dietary experiment yields just the results you want.

The gushy butt is probably good -- a harbinger of a coming loss in that area. Looking forward to progress pics when you have a chance to post them.

Also, interesting that you got your TOM... maybe the hhcg really is helping on that front. Mine was quite light this time, and I am wondering if I am about to stop getting it. Also good that you are not pregnant!

[minimonkey]

C'Marie -- really sorry to hear about the hip! Glad it is starting to feel better -- and super excited for the progress you are making with the rebounder Isn't it amazing how fast the body can get stronger and fitter? It continually amazes me.

You are doing so well with this Bet you will begin to see visual changes very soon, too. Good luck with the correction day... those are no fun.

Mymy -- Wow, you are outgrowing Lotte Berk already! Excellent. They are great beginning isometric tapes, but one does acclimate to them fairly quickly. Glad to hear you downloaded some bootykickin' good video!

[minimonkey]

I am doing well overall --settled on an up day down day sort of routine, and am clearly starting to lean out some.... which pleases me. The down days are a bit of a drag, but the leaning out is worth it.

I definitely did an up day today -- ate a lot, and often... my body was feeling depleted and I really struggled with my workout (which was an intense Bar Method.)

I'm starting to see my abs a lot more now -- I have the beginnings of a 4 pack -- which is very cool!

I also had a truly excellent NSV yesterday -- I saw an art school friend I hadn't seen in a while, and he asked me "are you working out? You look really buffed!" WOW... was that cool... particularly since I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and long cotton sweats -- fairly loose ones at that... I had no idea you could see muscles through my clothes, but I asked my OH, and he said yes, the muscles show in sweats, even. WOW. Who knew???

So, I am going to keep doing what I am doing.... obviously it's working. Will do bodyfat this weekend most likely.... it won't be as low as Nola's, but I do suspect I will see a drop since last time.

[nola baxter]

Hi Mini

I know what you mean about down days getting to be a drag- its all too easy to get used to those up days and eating fully and happily!
Sounds like you are doing really great actually- your body must respond very quickly to exercise.

Yep, good I am not pregnant- that is definitely not in the plan!
I think the hcg has something to do with the continued period- mine are very light anyway- 3 days and not heavy..
I have about a weeks worth of hhcg left, and might take a break from it when that has run out and see what happens with my body- whether it makes a difference or not.

So far it has been 6 days on the on/off high calorie regime; from a visual point of view my body looks more or less the same- definitely no weight gained, but probably none lost either. Which is a good result really , since as it is higher than my maintenance calories.
I feel better on the higher intake- my body feels more solid and strong and less on the edge of depletion all the time.
I might continue it a bit longer, then do something different.
The higher calories should be setting up my body for a better weight loss following it too..

I am waiting for my body to come together a bit more before pics.. but they will come- I am hoping for the miraculous butt drop off!

A good day to everyone,
Nola

[nola baxter]

Shelbyla,

Re glowing and sweating-
it is like that in the summer or autumn here- but since it is the winter, working out becomes more like defrosting the body- lol..

[Stampe63]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Hi CMarie
I am holding to my high calorie experiment this week; it is my third day
so far
5500 , load day
1500 , low day
today- will be 5000+ again..
tomorrow- estimated 1500..
I am feeling good, and am wondering with the calorie excess if I will get less hungry as the week goes on as my stores fill up a bit? We will see.
Nola

Nola you dont think 5000 is a bit too much?
What you do now is called zig zag in bodybuilding terms, if you can try get hold of the e-book (BFFM) by Tom Venuto.
There is everything you need to know for reducing bodyfat and gaining lean muscle tissue, about 350 pages of VERY nice info.

Myself is constantly evolving my training as I get stronger, moved over to cardio 7 days a week and weight training 3-4. My body starting to remember my old way of life, that havent happened since 93 But this time it is here to stay until I die, and I will take this body to unknown heights before Im done

Have a nice one ladies

[nola baxter]

Hi Stampe

Well 5000+ may seem a lot, but for me it is good .
At this stage I am pretty much dieted down and leaned out to the degree that my body is in a state that Scott Abel(trainer/coach), calls "supercompensation";
which is a kind of state where the body is in a bit of a deficit body-fat wise and calorie-wise, and can suck up an enormous amount of calories, and use them, and not even be full or stuffed!

Prior to starting Hhcg I was zig-zag dieting for about a yr- but a more moderate zig-zag; 3200/2300 (roughly) and very gradually losing fat.
Now I am playing around with a more extreme zig-zag to see what happens.

And right now- my low and high days average out to 3500 cals a day- which is a bit of an excess for me (roughly about 300-400 cals a day in excess of my maintenance);
but I am doing it to see if my body can handle it,
and maybe ramp up my metabolism in response,
and to see if the up/down zig-zag enables the body to take in more cals without weight gain than it otherwise would.

Basically i am playing/experimenting,
and also giving myself a bit of a diet break- giving my poor old body a bit of an excess of calories, rather than a deficit.

I am familiar with Tom Venuto.. He has some good stuff.


Nola

[minimonkey]

Morning, ladies and one gentleman....

Didn't get a workout in yesterday due to scheduling constraints, but did get in quite a bit of walking ... probably not a bad thing, as my muscles were still pretty deeply sore from the day before.... dealing with a strained shoulder, too -- from lifting household objects at strange angles and using hand tools, not from working out. Grrrr... got a tad too macho there for a day or two, and am paying the price.

I will get a good workout in today, though -- thinking its a rebounding day. I could use the cardio to shake things up.

I am going to shoot for a lower calorie day today -- ate a good breakfast, but will try to keep it minimal for the rest of the day. I think I am averaging out somewhere around 1800 calories daily, or maybe a bit more -- and that seems to be fine for a gradual fat loss, particularly with the low carbs.

I'm liking the fat loss that's happening -- and particularly liking the return of my waist! My abs are finally, finally pulling in, and my waist is starting to look much smaller now -- my shoulders are broader, too, and that helps the overall look quite a bit. I'm also getting some hips again, thanks to the gluteus medius bulge ( I am loving that part!)

My butt is going through a somewhat awkward stage though.... it's not really flabby or fallen anymore, but due to the underlying muscles that are forming, the fat that is there is sort of standing up oddly -- kind of floating around a bit lower than it should be for a really good butt....lol... hard to describe, but I wish it would either just leave altogether, or finish its migration path upwards! It kind-of looks like levitating saddlebags at the moment... small ones, but a bit like butt-wings.

One of these days I am going to get a copy of the BFFM... I don't have time to read it at the moment, since I'm going into a crazy-intense summer semester.

[minimonkey]

I'm off to look up "supercompensation" now, and see what I can find about that..... whatever you are doing, Nola, it is clearly working for you!

I don't honestly think I'd want my caloric needs to be as high as yours, though... the amount of work involved in feeding oneself properly is no small task. I feel a bit a slave to my hunger and nutritional needs as it is!

[minimonkey]

Oh, dear -- just found a whole lotta forum posts regarding Scott Abel and his methods... I see a lot of internet time in my future.....lol! Interesting stuff.

[nola baxter]

Hi Mini

Scott Abel is interesting.
In his videos under "MET Training" he has some good and interesting exercises, quite a few you can do at home.
The thing that amused me about Scott Abel was that I first read a couple of his blogs ,and they were great, very inspirational, spiritual and zen like;
then I saw his pic- a big aggressive looking bodybuilder, and it made me laugh- the seeming discrepancy of his looks and profession, and his blogs.

You are right- it is a lot of work feeding the body when the calories are high!
And costs too if you are not careful.
I batch cook - make a whole lot at once and refrigerate it.
And make food that doesnt take too much time..
But still , there is always prep involved, especially when going out.

Your body does funny things!
I lose from the waist and hips, breasts and everywhere else- then finally from the butt;
so my butt is always lagging behind.
I am still losing in my normal pattern- no change in sight yet from taking the HCG.

[Stampe63]

Thanks for the info Nola, I now got myself some e-books made by Scott to check out, and a forum too.
I end up reading so much it will confuse myself

[nola baxter]

Thats cool Stampe- more tools in your arsenal!!

We will all be doing quad/calf blasts at this rate,(MET Training).. lol

[minimonkey]

Just a quick hello and checking in -- I have a 4 pack for real now! I am loving the rebounding workouts -- they are also based on a metabolic enhancement strategy, and I think they are working in that regard.

My butt is gooshy again... guess that means more fat loss there. I am starting to look genuinely muscular for someone my size, and that feels really good! Eating well, working out hard, studying hard. Going to try for at least a few down days this week -- its easier when I am in school and busy.

Hope you are all well!

[nola baxter]

Mini
A four pack is good! Sounds like your fat loss is continuing.
Your rebound workouts do sound along the lines of metabolic enhancement training.
I sure this kind of training does bump up the metabolism- it has seemed to help for me - it is harder though.
The reason is works is because it is demanding more overall output from the body!

I am still holding like crazy in the butt- but I have notice a bit more departing from the lower ab/core area!
I have just decided to let go and let the process happen as it will. It seems I cant influence it otherwise at this point anyway!

I have done nearly two weeks of my high/low calorie zigzag (5500/1500)
Last week my weight seemed fairly stable; this week I have noticed a small amount of fat departing around my middle area!
Which is great.
It was what I was hoping would happen- that my metabolism would respond to this sharp zig-zag pattern and higher cals by gearing upwards.
It is still a bit early to tell; and I will give it another week or so to fully determine the pattern and see what is happening. But so far it looks very promising.

I will run out of hhcg in a couple of days- and will stop taking it for a couple of weeks and see if I can notice a difference on or off it!

At this point I am far from any hhcg protocol anyway- in the end there was just no way I could stick to the low cals;
and I have accepted that, and relinquished any of the possible benefits (mobilizing of abnormal fat/reshaping) that I might have got associated with the low-cal protocol.
Overall my energy and strength has bumped right up again and I am feeling really good; and this means more to me than all the rest- so I have discovered.
At the end of the day I find I am not willing to relinquish my well-being for a cosmetic benefit.


Nola

[C'Marie]

Hi all!

After 2 visits a week apart to the chiro and only a couple reboundings in between, my hip is starting to feel better. Yay!

I got a 65 cm stability ball and sat on that at my desk for about 90 minutes today kind of bobbling back and forth. It came with a video I think, but I wanted to try it for the core-strengthening benefits associated with just balancing on it. I found myself in constant motion for that 90 minutes. I felt it in my back muscles and my abdomen. I wonder how sore I'll be tomorrow? LOL.

I will resume full-on rebounding tomorrow morning and plan to go straight thru until I leave for vacation 7/1. At which time I will be walking on the beach and snorkeling!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!! (so I will get plenty of exercise even without the rebounder)

I got my bathing suit in a REGULAR SIZE (no more plus sizes for me!) and I don't look half bad in it. It's very weird to feel that way about myself after all these years of hiding, but I'm working on it! Got a flirty new black dress in a size 12 also, and a pair of cute loose white beach capris and a sexy long keyhole t-shirt (all of this from Victoria's Secret!) which I feel I look pretty good in. Now for some cute sandals and I'm all set.

Since I haven't exercised very much for about 4 days, I am hoping my new stable weight will stay that way when I hit the rebounder hard again - but I need my endurance to be able to swim/snorkel!

[Stampe63]

Marie those stability balls are badarse for core training in long terms, I switched out my computerchair 3 years ago to a large 75cm ball

[catkin]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Hi all!

After 2 visits a week apart to the chiro and only a couple reboundings in between, my hip is starting to feel better. Yay!

I got a 65 cm stability ball and sat on that at my desk for about 90 minutes today kind of bobbling back and forth. It came with a video I think, but I wanted to try it for the core-strengthening benefits associated with just balancing on it. I found myself in constant motion for that 90 minutes. I felt it in my back muscles and my abdomen. I wonder how sore I'll be tomorrow? LOL.

I will resume full-on rebounding tomorrow morning and plan to go straight thru until I leave for vacation 7/1. At which time I will be walking on the beach and snorkeling!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!! (so I will get plenty of exercise even without the rebounder)

I got my bathing suit in a REGULAR SIZE (no more plus sizes for me!) and I don't look half bad in it. It's very weird to feel that way about myself after all these years of hiding, but I'm working on it! Got a flirty new black dress in a size 12 also, and a pair of cute loose white beach capris and a sexy long keyhole t-shirt (all of this from Victoria's Secret!) which I feel I look pretty good in. Now for some cute sandals and I'm all set.

Since I haven't exercised very much for about 4 days, I am hoping my new stable weight will stay that way when I hit the rebounder hard again - but I need my endurance to be able to swim/snorkel!

Must have pics!
Wanted to let you know, I dug out my urban rebounder and granny bar, it's on the covered part of my front deck...DH needs to fix one of the legs that has come off--but it's a start, right?
I will check out YT for rebounder stuff, too! Thanks for that tidbit--I forget that you can find almost anything on YouTube!
Glad you're healing!

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Shelby, that moment comes when I barely move now LOL
Looking forward to being able to do that kind of exertion again.

I made it to the chiro and my hip feels better already, yay!!! I felt better even before I went after rebounding my usual 20+ minutes. But now, with him popping my hip, I got my measly 15% inward rotation back. It's not enough, but I'll take it for now!

Ha! I busted a gut when I read your reply! SO true about the sweating. So sad and true.

What's up with that? So weird. Hope your hip feels better soon. Don't stress it out.

[minimonkey]

C'Marie -- I am so excited for you!!!!!! Rock on with the exercise, and enjoy every minute of that new, REGULAR SIZE swimsuit!!!!! You are going to be saying goodbye to the plus sizes forever any day now


Nola - I am still holidng some fat in the butt, too -- and a bit in the lower legs, and the abs... stubborn stuff!!! My butt has lifted up a great deal though... it is actually noticeably bigger now than it was when I hit goal, but it is also fairly firm and solid (at least compared to what it was!!!)

I am thinking about taking a small break from the hhcg (I am almost out of drops) -- and then getting the pellets, and engaging in a serious cutting phase -- calories as low as I can stand them for a few weeks.....

The rebounding series is called "Extreme Metabolic Training" -- it is based on intervals, and some of it is HIIT. Serious cardio with strength training thrown in periodically --- several of the workouts kick my *ss completely! There are sections I can't even complete... and I work out to the point of being so exhausted I am nearly in tears.... it helps a lot to see that the people on the video (who are in killer shape) are also sweating buckets and are ready to drop....

After it is over, I feel fantastic, though... and I am always ready to go back for more.

I really need to do some new pictures and measure body fat... I am a LOT more muscular than I was in the last set of pics--- and a lot stronger, too. My stamina has increased tremendously as well.

I am also in a place of just accepting the changes as they come -- working hard, doing all I can, and being satisfied with the results. My body is going through some major changes --- fat shifting around, muscles forming.... it's exciting!

I will try to post here more often -- I am not posting in the main HCG thread much anymore, due to time constraints, but would very much like to keep contact with you guys!!!

[shelbyla]

Hey Mini! We're missing you in the main threads but I've been keeping up with you here.

I'm still doing my cardio and seem to be stabilizing a bit better at the low end of my range on around 2000'ish calories per day. Now that I have been within a pound for a week (AND I've figured out why I'd been having such weird fluctuations), I'm going to try and push the calorie envelope and see how high I can go. At 151-152, I'm looking pretty lean although my legs could certainly use some serious toning work. Still on the fence right now about another round to drop a little below where I am now to give me some cushion for muscle gain. It would be August for sure if I did.

Anyway, not too much in the way of exercise news except that I did a yoga tape the other night (REALLY stressed lately) and I forgot how dang sore those make me! Sheesh! HeLLO hamstrings!

Hope you have a great weekend in NoCal.