The HCGers exercise thread

[nola baxter]

Hiya

I hope you are all having a good weekend out there!

Weekly update;

cals
1500
6000
2000
1700
1300
6500
1750
daily average = 2964

I thought calories would be higher this week because I did two load days- however all the lower calories in between obviously compensated.
I still more or less wing it from day to day at the moment, eating as suits my appetite and training and schedule

Lower body training is going well
But I am still struggling a bit with upper body- particularly chest and biceps..
and back could improve a bit too!
I am trying to think of a new plan/program to create the positive change I want to see...still working on it.
But whatever the case, what I am doing is causing stalemate right now, so it needs to change!


nola

[laylabean]

i posted this in red hots thread...but it hit me this afternoon, im worried about going back into p2 because i have some excellent exercise momentum. i started a walk/run program (alternate with a butt blaster treadmill incline intervals) and have been doing pilates (longer than the cardio). i want to keep the pilates for certain, but am stressed out about my cardio.

i have seen some toning and i do not want to stop, i feel like i am excited about exercise and am not sure how to approach round 2 as i want to keep up the routine as i have NEVER been committed to exercise like i am now. its only been a few weeks but i look forward to it!

i did my first p2 rogue as i added extra protein/fat/calories because of my job, which is fairly physical. i don't think it had a huge negative impact.

im planning on a 40 day round for number 2, and just want to do whats best for my body/health!!

any thoughts??

[TerriMM]

Hey Pilates Buddy, welcome back!
I know what you mean. I started exercising in P3 and it jumped my weight by a couple pounds. And I was really getting into it. I tried the every other day schedule but the gain pretty much stayed. I was dying to bump it up but I wanted to keep it going on P2 and not get to weak and quit. But my body is just craving it and I don't want to discourage it. Today is VLCD1 for me when do you start your P2?

Maybe you can pare things down on intensity but keep the frequency up so you don't lose the momentum. Sometimes it's so hard to get back.

[laylabean]

hey terri!!! did pilates today, and my walk/run. i think since i have been exercising, i have been at the top of my window. it may be unrelated as it could have been that way without, who knows. right now, i don't care that i am at the top of window because i have been staying there and not gaining from the exercise.

thats exactly it, my body craves it! i look forward to it, and i love pilates because its stretching and working muscles which seriously feels amazing for my back and well being. plus, i feel fantastic doing the walk/run. im feeling like i could run forever (even though im sure i could not, its just not killing me, it feels good as opposed to brutal).

i will be back on p2 starting the 18th of October. i think i would rather go a little rogue with my diet and see how that goes as opposed to cutting out the exercise. im not sure and of course will need to see how i feel, and how my losses go.

its a tough decision for me right now but in the end, i want the weight loss more. if i cannot sustain it, well, i will have to adapt.

[TerriMM]

I'm starting protocol (I always do) I usually start having to up the calories by the third week to continue losing, I think due to starvation mode my body flips into. This is the first time I'm exercising on P2 so hopefully that will make a difference. But I agree if it's between giving up the exercise or going rogue, rogue it is. I don't see the down side. But I do see the down side of sedentary. I did my lift squat routine today. Will do some Pilates tonight so I can keep with my every other day break tomorrow.

Holding a spot for you on P2

[laylabean]

p2...its the veggies no way i can even look at a cucumber, no less eat one lol. i have a HARD time with p2 veggies!! cabbage, which i loved at the beginning umm, no. no no no!

i ended up upping my fruit during my last round because i could not do the veggies, and was pretty consistently above the 500 cals with an extra protein/fat serving which seemed to work best with me, about 600-650 and i kept losing.

im with you, first time p2 with exercise so i will be watching carefully to see how it goes for you!

and terri...question. i have a hard time (read; cannot do) one pilates exercise to save my life! when i am laying on my back, there is an exercise to use your lower abs to pull your legs over your head. this is also a reformer exercise, but feet are in the straps. anyways, i cannot do it unless i muscle myself up with my arms. i had surgery a few years back and ever since my lower abs are like mush. do you do this exercise?? im not sure how to get better when i cannot even do the beginner series?? im ok with all *middle* ab work? and obliques, but this leg thing?? lying on my back i can lift my legs straight up but i cannot lift my butt off the ground with my legs in a pike. does that make sense?? any suggestions???

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by laylabean

p2...its the veggies no way i can even look at a cucumber, no less eat one lol. i have a HARD time with p2 veggies!! cabbage, which i loved at the beginning umm, no. no no no!

i ended up upping my fruit during my last round because i could not do the veggies, and was pretty consistently above the 500 cals with an extra protein/fat serving which seemed to work best with me, about 600-650 and i kept losing.

im with you, first time p2 with exercise so i will be watching carefully to see how it goes for you!

and terri...question. i have a hard time (read; cannot do) one pilates exercise to save my life! when i am laying on my back, there is an exercise to use your lower abs to pull your legs over your head. this is also a reformer exercise, but feet are in the straps. anyways, i cannot do it unless i muscle myself up with my arms. i had surgery a few years back and ever since my lower abs are like mush. do you do this exercise?? im not sure how to get better when i cannot even do the beginner series?? im ok with all *middle* ab work? and obliques, but this leg thing?? lying on my back i can lift my legs straight up but i cannot lift my butt off the ground with my legs in a pike. does that make sense?? any suggestions???

I couldn't do it at first either, no reformer. I just kept trying, looking like a dork and supported my lower back with my hands, supported by elbows and I'm just getting there, but I have to swing my legs up. However the teaser afterwards, not happening yet.

[TerriMM]

Okay Buddy,
Second workout of the day and first Pilates in over a week, so went easy, 15 minutes. I was also watching TV so just winged it on moves I thought of. Even swung my legs over my head to prove I still could. Still look like a dork.

[BunnyBread]

Hello everyone! I could really use your help. I'm on R1P3D3 and have only lost 3.6lbs. Yesterday I added some protein (pushing my calorie intake up) because I work out MWF doing moderate/vigorous calisthenics. (<-I sound like a man from the 1920's with a handlebar mustache. haha) I was afraid that I wouldn't have enough fuel if I didn't eat more, and I was right. I got very lightheaded and couldn't push as hard. Could that have caused a loss of only .3lbs?

I thought my losses would be bigger in the beginning and am wondering if I'm doing anything wrong or if I'm just a slow loser.

Do any of you fellow exercisers up your food intake on exercise days? If so, how much? I'm in a boot camp I've already paid for and have every intention on getting my money's worth so "taking it easy" isn't an option I'm considering.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[TerriMM]

Hey Bunny,
Are you on P2 or P3?

If you're on P3 you're not supposed to lose.

If you're on P2, you can sit on the bench with me. I'm on R3P2, VLCD2 and I was up .90 this morning Could not believe it. I snuck in an extra 15 min Pilates last night after a stellar food day and these are the results.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Hi Julie

Chalk is good- just stops your grip from slipping quite as much.
Gloves I find fairly useless in the gym as they may protect my hands, but I cant grip properly with them. ( I have short fingers which might be a part of the problem.)
I do use them on the monkey bars when I go to the park however- as without them , I end up with bad blisters. They do make it harder to grip though- so I only use them for a half of my set- then take them off and finish without them- that is enough to stop blisters..

2400 cals is a decent amount- it is good that you can get away with that anyway , even if it is restricted to low carb .

I like figuring out how the body works, but in a very laymans fashion.. ( I am not a biologist or chemist), I have always been fascinated by diet and exercise stuff.
I used to read books about the glories of fasting and raw foodism as a teenager- and would try it out.
It took me a number of years to figure out that fasting was no good for me, and traditional raw food not much better..lol

In fact I read a funny post by a fruitarian on the web recently- he said that when he ate this diet and got to 3-5% body fat, his lusts and sexual desires became under control..and he was able to see women as people not sexual objects.
I thought that it may not be wholly a good thing- maybe his body was underfunctiong and malnutritioned - in the same way that a woman stops menstruating at a low body fat.
But I found it interesting and amusing!
He was an ultra runner too..

LOL! I'm thinking 3-5% body fat may not be a good idea for anyone. I'm all for being seen as a person, but that doesn't sound right to me!! LOL!. Thanks for the advice. I may try chalk next time I go. Here's my dilema du jour. I think I broke my big toe Sunday while playing football w. the family. I stubbed it really bad through my shoe, and it's really swollen and bruised still. I will try to see the Dr today, and hope I can at least go to the gym to lift a bit. Even if I can just get there twice this week I'll be happy.

I'm happy w/ my calorie level for now, and I added more carbs back in this weekend. I overdid it yesterday w/ nacho's for dinner and cashews for dessert - airport options at 9pm are somewhat limited , but overall I am doing pretty well.

We'll see what the Dr says. Football was fun, but stupid toe!!

Originally Posted by Somewhat Damaged

Julieboolie - Farmers walks are really good for grip strength. Also, when I'm deadlifting really heavy I'll use a switch grip (one palm facing my body, one palm facing out), and that helps a lot!

For the farmer's walks, you can use dumbbells or weight plates. Grab a dumbbell in each hand at about 1/4 your bodyweight, hold them at your sides and just walk with them. 400m or so is a good start. You will feel your forearms burning and your grip will start to slip. Add them in maybe once or twice a week and you should start seeing your grip improve

Thank you for the suggestions!! I will try those. When I do my step ups I hold those dumbells for a while and by the end I'm ready to drop them. I am always so weak by the end of those!! I am planning to try that switch grip next time too. Thanks!!

So, off to the Dr. Hope it's not broken, just jammed or something. Not much they can probably do anyway, but I should get it checked anyway.

[laylabean]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Okay Buddy,
Second workout of the day and first Pilates in over a week, so went easy, 15 minutes. I was also watching TV so just winged it on moves I thought of. Even swung my legs over my head to prove I still could. Still look like a dork.

im going to keep practicing. i was trying last night in the living room dh asked what i was up to...i will keep at it! i would love to do this move in one smooth action with some control but really all i do is lay there with my legs up trying to will something to happen!! and sadly, nothing happens

i saw your other post about the exercise, its the only thing that makes me not want to do p2 is having to give it up. but i want the losses. will see, its a little stressful as already discussed.

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by laylabean

im going to keep practicing. i was trying last night in the living room dh asked what i was up to...i will keep at it! i would love to do this move in one smooth action with some control but really all i do is lay there with my legs up trying to will something to happen!! and sadly, nothing happens

i saw your other post about the exercise, its the only thing that makes me not want to do p2 is having to give it up. but i want the losses. will see, its a little stressful as already discussed.

Hey Layla,
Physically I feel great from my two workouts, but I'm afraid my scale is drawing the line in the sand.

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Okay Buddy,
Second workout of the day and first Pilates in over a week, so went easy, 15 minutes. I was also watching TV so just winged it on moves I thought of. Even swung my legs over my head to prove I still could. Still look like a dork.

Luckily, I live alone so no one is there to see me fall over EVERY DAY when I do my preprioception exercises!

Exercise is on track for me. I upped my weights by 10 pounds on each exercise last week and I am seeing the usual 2 pound gain from that. Holding right now right around LDW or a little above--154-155. Last time after a couple of weeks that weight increase gain dropped off and I started maintaining around 152-153. Fingers crossed that I see the same again. I've started incorporating protein before my weight workouts and it does seem to help with soreness/recovery afterwards and just general energy during the sessions.

[DirtDiva]

Hi everyone I am still in P2 of round one but looking forward to P3 and exercising again. I am a seasoned triathlete (took a year off and gained 30 lbs) and am still walking 2 miles per day now....

There is no way I could do normal training and do the diet... I may add spin class back in for P3.....

Heather

[laylabean]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Hey Layla,
Physically I feel great from my two workouts, but I'm afraid my scale is drawing the line in the sand.

arg. you have a really small amount to lose right terri? so a short round? did you measure as well? all questions

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Hey Layla,
Physically I feel great from my two workouts, but I'm afraid my scale is drawing the line in the sand.

Not Layla but my scale always does that "line drawing" too, stupid scale I've found though that in rounds I exercised more intensely the scale fluctuates more wildly but ultimately the losses are on par with other rounds that don't have as much exercise.

Personally I continue with my exercise into P2s until my body says, "ENOUGH" and then I adjust my cals to compensate for the exercise usually I'll add 100 extra calories for every 200 calories I burn through exercise.

[tmosery]

Hey everyone...I could definitely use some advice here...
I am signed up to do a 5k on saturday...its not the typical 5k, there are obstacles in the mud like the navy seals do (if you ever heard of the tough mudder, its just like that but 3 miles instead of 12).
Anyways....so I have been consistently losing .5-1 pound per day (today is VLCD 12). I tried exercising the other day and had no energy at all. I need to some how get energy for this race saturday morning. I was thinking about doing a cheat day on friday (or maybe just one meal on friday) and then eat just protein before the race. I guess what Im asking is what is the best foods to give me my energy back for this race and not gain so much back? any suggestions would be great!!!

thanks!

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by tmosery

Hey everyone...I could definitely use some advice here...
I am signed up to do a 5k on saturday...its not the typical 5k, there are obstacles in the mud like the navy seals do (if you ever heard of the tough mudder, its just like that but 3 miles instead of 12).
Anyways....so I have been consistently losing .5-1 pound per day (today is VLCD 12). I tried exercising the other day and had no energy at all. I need to some how get energy for this race saturday morning. I was thinking about doing a cheat day on friday (or maybe just one meal on friday) and then eat just protein before the race. I guess what Im asking is what is the best foods to give me my energy back for this race and not gain so much back? any suggestions would be great!!!

thanks!

hmm, well I would eat some straight wholesome carbs the day or night before; oats, bananas, potatoes, brown rice..
and then a few the next morning as well,
along with some low-fat protein, P2 style.

But if you want to stay on the low carb side- then more protein and fat, a decent amount , in order to load some energy into the muscles.

It sounds like you will need some solid energy for that kind of exercise,
and for some people they can do better during exercise having had some carbs;
others seem to do ok with fat and protein.

Calorie for calorie, I get better energy for exercise from 400 calories of oats, bananas, rice, or potatoes,
than I would from 400 calories of fat and protein.

So it is a matter of working out the best mileage for your calories- because your goal is to try and not interrupt the weight loss process!

[julieboolie]

Shleby- You look beautiful in your new avi!! Do you do protein after your workouts too?

Originally Posted by mymy3377

Not Layla but my scale always does that "line drawing" too, stupid scale I've found though that in rounds I exercised more intensely the scale fluctuates more wildly but ultimately the losses are on par with other rounds that don't have as much exercise.

Personally I continue with my exercise into P2s until my body says, "ENOUGH" and then I adjust my cals to compensate for the exercise usually I'll add 100 extra calories for every 200 calories I burn through exercise.

My scale isn't really supportive of my weight training either. But, I've made peace with it. If I'm feeling good, and the scale isn't continuing to climb I'm ok w. it.

Originally Posted by tmosery

Hey everyone...I could definitely use some advice here...
I am signed up to do a 5k on saturday...its not the typical 5k, there are obstacles in the mud like the navy seals do (if you ever heard of the tough mudder, its just like that but 3 miles instead of 12).
Anyways....so I have been consistently losing .5-1 pound per day (today is VLCD 12). I tried exercising the other day and had no energy at all. I need to some how get energy for this race saturday morning. I was thinking about doing a cheat day on friday (or maybe just one meal on friday) and then eat just protein before the race. I guess what Im asking is what is the best foods to give me my energy back for this race and not gain so much back? any suggestions would be great!!!

thanks!

Not sure what to tell you on that one. I get so worn out while in P2 I'd suggest starting to replenish 2+ days before. I wouldn't overdo the carbs, but definitely up the protein and fruits and veggies. I'm sure anything you gain in the few days will come right back off. You may decide to extend your round if it resists coming back off for you. You're losing so well! Congrats!!

Got my toe x-rayed today and looks like it'll be a while until I'm back in the gym full force. I figured as much. I may give it a week off and then try to do some seated workouts. I can't figure a way to do squats or deadlifts, but I can probably manage my other sets-lateral rows, shoulder presses, lat pulldowns, core work. Not likely to get a good lower body workout though. Anyone have suggestions?

Trying to stay off my foot is really hard to do w. dishes, laundry and general mayhem. Hope to rally the troups for their support.

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by laylabean

arg. you have a really small amount to lose right terri? so a short round? did you measure as well? all questions

Yes, yes, yes. I haven't thrown in the towel on exercise yet. We'll see how tomorrow's weigh in goes. I like the sound of mymy's post below. Funny, I think in the past I might have jumped at the excuse not to exercise. This HCG is some funny stuff.

Originally Posted by mymy3377

Not Layla but my scale always does that "line drawing" too, stupid scale I've found though that in rounds I exercised more intensely the scale fluctuates more wildly but ultimately the losses are on par with other rounds that don't have as much exercise.

Personally I continue with my exercise into P2s until my body says, "ENOUGH" and then I adjust my cals to compensate for the exercise usually I'll add 100 extra calories for every 200 calories I burn through exercise.

I was kind of wondering about that. If I have a big loss tomorrow, I'll definitely have more hope. What kind of exercise did you do on the other rounds? Did you notice any difference in stabilization on P3 when you exercised on P2?

Whoosh Fairy oh Whoosh Fairy

[TerriMM]

Sorry about the toe Julie! Nothing worse then foot pain!

Shelby you look so happy and healthy in you new Avi!

Hey Nola

[shelbyla]

Thanks Terri and Julie! That's my tipsy look...hehe...it was taken at a wine-tasting...

Julie - I end up eating more protein after a couple of hours. Usually 5:00am pre-workout and 8 or 9am post workout.

[shelbyla]

Thanks Terri and Julie! That's my tipsy look...hehe...it was taken at a wine-tasting...

Julie - I end up eating more protein after a couple of hours. Usually 5:00am pre-workout and 8 or 9am post workout.

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by TerriMM;15080247
[B

I was kind of wondering about that. If I have a big loss tomorrow, I'll definitely have more hope. What kind of exercise did you do on the other rounds? Did you notice any difference in stabilization on P3 when you exercised on P2? [/B]

All my P3s minus the last one where I kept inexplicably losing weight I stabilized fine. As for as what types of exercise I've done in P2: Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and Burn Fat Boost Metabolism, Lotte Berk DVDs, You Are Your Own Gym and I walked 3-5 miles eveyday

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by mymy3377

All my P3s minus the last one where I kept inexplicably losing weight I stabilized fine. As for as what types of exercise I've done in P2: Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and Burn Fat Boost Metabolism, Lotte Berk DVDs, You Are Your Own Gym and I walked 3-5 miles eveyday

Wow, you go girl!

I'm down 3.3 today, so this may be the beginning of my erratic round. At this point, I'm thinking of staying with my every other day routine. And as Nola recommended, staying with what I'm doing (even on exercise days)

[minimonkey]

Just popping in to say hi!

I am still on an exercise hiatus I'm pretty sure I am dealing with a Lyme flare-up -- the pain has been pretty consistent for several weeks now.

I'm taking this opportunity to do p2 -- which is going ok, but with a LOT of crazy scale fluctuations. I'm roguing it, but I think I am going to tighten things up for the rest of the month and see if I can just blast on down to goal. I can do p2 when I am not working out with little difficulty, so now is the time to do it.

Missing my workouts terribly -- and I am going to resume them in p3, flare up or no.... at this point, they certainly aren't the culprit for the pain and inflammation. I'm choosing not to go back on antibiotics at the moment -- instead, I am treating this with natural remedies. If that fails, I'll do the antibiotics again.... it may come to that, but I hope not... they are so hard on the body.

The good thing is that I don't seem to have lost much muscle -- the losses (slow though they are) seem to be fat. I'm sure my strength and stamina will be low when I resume the workouts, but I hope I can recover them fairly quickly.

[tmosery]

thanks for the suggestions :-)

[laylabean]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Okay Buddy,
Second workout of the day and first Pilates in over a week, so went easy, 15 minutes. I was also watching TV so just winged it on moves I thought of. Even swung my legs over my head to prove I still could. Still look like a dork.

ok...so i was trying to practice this again last night. hubby got down on the floor with me and just like that, he had no problem with it. ARG!!! i have been practicing and still no go. my excuse is NOT that it cannot be done (darn you both for being able to do this)...but that my poor abs just aren't there yet.

and just for the record, i was SORE this morning, abs and hamstrings were brutal! i did my walk/run this am and will do pilates tonight but i am going to do some serious stretching!! i have been stretching but not well and i have been rushing it.

have a great day everyone.

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by laylabean

ok...so i was trying to practice this again last night. hubby got down on the floor with me and just like that, he had no problem with it. ARG!!! i have been practicing and still no go. my excuse is NOT that it cannot be done (darn you both for being able to do this)...but that my poor abs just aren't there yet.

and just for the record, i was SORE this morning, abs and hamstrings were brutal! i did my walk/run this am and will do pilates tonight but i am going to do some serious stretching!! i have been stretching but not well and i have been rushing it.

have a great day everyone.

You'll get it! Maybe have your hub spot you and assist a couple times so your abs will get the hang of it.

I caught what Shelby said about being sore means inflammation and water retention. Today I was a little sore too. So I'm sure that's why I didn't lose yesterday. So back to my ONE 15 minute routine every other day.

Also I find Potassium to be big help with soreness from working out.