The HCGers exercise thread

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by Margarita :)

I decided to do the hcg protocol by the letter and not go rogue. With one exception. Exercise. I love, love, love Bikram Yoga, and won't give it up.

Today was my first class while on P2. I was a little nervous, but it was actually the best class I've ever done. I felt absolutely wonderful the entire time. It's either the hcg or the low carbs/calories. Not sure which, but I like it! Awesome class! Can't wait until tomorrow's.

Yep, the heart likes a bit of excitement. Glad you found your soulmate and sorry you had to go through all of that. But having going through that, you recognised a good thing when you saw it! So happy your yoga went well while on P2. I tried my Zumba class while in P2 and almost passed out half way through!! That was the last time I tried that!!

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Thanks! I think my body likes lower carbs, but my mind likes chocolate and cookies!! Someday I'd like to make peace w/ that!! I keep thinking once I'm back to goal weight and exercising more regularly I will be able to up the carbs and see wehre I am.

Dh was quite a change from my previous boyfriends. My parents were VERY against him. He was a juvenille delinquent who dropped out of HS at 16. He did go back for his GED when he got out of juve, and when we met he was working as an upohlsterer and living at home. He had long hair and dressed like a kid. I was a successful pharmaceutical manager w. my master's degree and owned my own home. Pretty conservative overall. My parents were conservative Christians (no drinking etc.), teachers and well educated. I was their pride and joy and my dad never really recovered from my choice of husband. On some levels they were right. Our marriage hasn't always been easy. But, we have 2 beautiful dd's and are very happy now. We've been married for 13 years and I'd say most of them were very happy!

I agree w. your observation about love. I think the "no risk no reward" principle applies. There must be a middle ground in there somewhere. Someone who's exciting and fun, and makes your heart skip beats. Yet at the same time is your helpmate and lifelong partner. Dh is very spontaneous and romantic and lots of fun, yet he's a good provider and supports, encourages and loves me unconditionally. He loved me at 272lbs and is so proud of me at 158lbs. I dated lots of "safe" guys over the years, but none of them really made my heart skip beats. Dh does that and is still a great partner. It's possible!! Hang in there!! If last year's danger guys isn't willing to settle down some to be the guy you need him to be, don't give up. you're quite a catch and I'm sure you'll find the right guy. The saying "there's a lid for every pot" is so right

On to exercise - I went for a bike ride today. I did pretty well, but can tell it's going to be a long road back to better fitness. A nice start. Next Tues I see the Dr and expect to be released to the gym!! . I'll keep you posted!

Lol - my head likes chocolate sauce pudding and whipped cream!

Thankyou for sharing-
I can definitely see a lot of parallels with my situation;
conservative christian family, educated, white collar workers..
My ex swears like nothing on earth, comes from quite a violent childhood, is into motorbikes and growing green stuff, cant spell to save himself, and so on..
However he is a talented craftsman and is perfectly intelligent, but just doesnt have the external demeanour that would indicate it!

Whether he has what it takes for the relationship- we will see.

It is really lovely that your man loved and accepted you at 272 pounds.
There is so much focus on women (or anyone really) having to be the right shape and size in this day and age,
that a someone who loves you whether fat or thin is delightfully refreshing to hear about!

[minimonkey]

I'll chime in with some big kudos to my man on the love and acceptance front, too -- when I was very sick with Lyme, I had some crazy weight fluctuations .. and at my highest weight of 155 (which is a lot on me!) my sweetie was every bit as complimentary as he was any other time -- in fact, more so, because he knew how insecure I was feeling. It was genuine, too -- he was still very attracted to *me* -- and that included whatever body I was currently wearing. It is wonderful to feel appreciated unconditionally! Thank goodness there are good partners out there who provide that --

Julie, your husband sounds like a great guy -- and no marriage is always easy. It sounds like the two of you make it work extremely well.

[minimonkey]

Oh, and my guy is 58, and still has long hair, bad teeth and a leather motorcycle jacket -- he looks like a very skinny aging rock star! My mom has finally gotten past caring about that sort of thing, but it was many years of struggle for her to get there. We're going on 5 years together, and she sees that it is a good relationship, even if it is riddled with challenges due to health, finances, and so forth. She knows he is a good person who nourishes my soul.

I think my second marriage is what broke her of her attachment to appearances -- I married the picture perfect guy, who grew up in my home town, and had a seemingly perfect family, job, etc. -- but behind the scenes he was an alcoholic who was falling apart, and who became very abusive as the alcoholism got worse. (He's actually a lovely -- if still very tortured-- person now that he is sober, but that happened after our divorce). I think my mom realized after that how little outward appearances reveal about what is going on inside a person.

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Oh, and my guy is 58, and still has long hair, bad teeth and a leather motorcycle jacket -- he looks like a very skinny aging rock star! My mom has finally gotten past caring about that sort of thing, but it was many years of struggle for her to get there. We're going on 5 years together, and she sees that it is a good relationship, even if it is riddled with challenges due to health, finances, and so forth. She knows he is a good person who nourishes my soul.

I think my second marriage is what broke her of her attachment to appearances -- I married the picture perfect guy, who grew up in my home town, and had a seemingly perfect family, job, etc. -- but behind the scenes he was an alcoholic who was falling apart, and who became very abusive as the alcoholism got worse. (He's actually a lovely -- if still very tortured-- person now that he is sober, but that happened after our divorce). I think my mom realized after that how little outward appearances reveal about what is going on inside a person.

That is really cool Mini.. (that you having a loving partner now, even though he is not "picture perfect")
It goes to show that being with the "right looking" person, is definitely not the
answer for a good relationship!

I have had to really consider my own attitudes and conditioning over the last while-
I was brought up in a home with such a strong focus on looking externally "right", that it seems a bit more embedded in my consciousness than I thought.
I still struggle with feeling somewhat wrong, if my partner does not come up to those very particular standards of my mother!

[minimonkey]

Nola -- I think we all struggle with that old conditioning -- I don't think women, in particular, ever shake off the maternal voice -- for better and/or worse. I know I haven't -- but I do manage to at least catch on when that is dictating my life too thoroughly.

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Nola -- I think we all struggle with that old conditioning -- I don't think women, in particular, ever shake off the maternal voice -- for better and/or worse. I know I haven't -- but I do manage to at least catch on when that is dictating my life too thoroughly.

Yes, I guess that at least being able to recognise it is a start to getting free!

[nola baxter]

Hi All

Well, DE (Diatomacious Earth), and lots of gelatine seem to have made no difference to cellulite..
Still taking both anyway- who knows, there may be some long term effect!

My body seemed to be in a stasis and even gaining slightly(for no reason I could figure), so I decided for a change in direction and food, and started some low carbing again!
It is the first real low-carbing I have done for a while.
I have inadvertently had low-carb days on my low calorie days- lean proteins and low-carb veges;
but that is not the same as the higher fat, truer low carb diet.

I must say, I have been really enjoying it, I love fat, and it is a lot more stabilizing for the blood sugar and appetite in general.

One interesting side effect is that my saddlebags seem to be lesser in proportion to my body, ie, a small difference, but noticeable.
I will see if that continues to be so.

My weight seems to have been stable, and I am trying on fitting clothes every few days just to make sure nothing gets out of hand!

I had an insatiable appetite for a few days last week , and was worried I might end up just getting fatter and fatter, and reversing everything I have worked for;
however its seems to have settled, and back to normal now- which is good,
because it was a bit freaky!

I will probably carb up every 5 days or so..as I feel.
So far I have done one low-fat/high carb day;
which was not great, I was struck with what seemed to be reactive hypoglycemic hunger, and found it hard not to eat beyond my planned ceiling-
in fact I did eat beyond my planned ceiling- by about 400 cals- but it could have been worse, because that was one of my days of insatiable appetite!.
Tomorrow I am going to try it again, and see how it goes;
if it doesnt go well I might just resort to higher fat on my carb-up days.
However I like to create a bigger juxtaposition between the two diet styles;
ie - high carb/low fat vs low carb/high fat.. I think it works better for jolting the body and creating some kind of effect.

But in truth, low fat/high carb food is not that great, not for taste, or satiety..

So far I have had decent energy for my workouts, which I am happy about- I wondered if that might suffer on a lower carb regime.
I make sure I have eaten lots of coconut fat before I go, for easily available energy- so that might be the helping factor.
I am also not going super low carb (I dont do well on it and have never found it to be of any advantage!)- more like somewhere in between 50-100 gm a day- from cocoa, eggs, cream, cheese, low-carb vege, coconut cream, coconut..
I am at this point keeping dairy to a minimum, and lots of my calories are coming from coconut products.
I have started making my own coconut flour and experimenting with that -which is fun, though it is a bit dry and saw-dusty.

I have eaten more calories overall since starting low carb (about 300cals a day more)-
due to a temporary appetite surge- but my weight seems to have stayed the same.
I will be interested over time to see what happens- maybe I will experience some of the famous calorie advantage of low carb for a change!

I have been tired and lacking in pizazz and enthusiam in my training of late, and worked out that I need to chill out and have a break.
Since I am having a true break in two weeks when I go away for Xmas,
I decided to just slow down, so now am only doing a weights workout every three days.
SO far it is going well , and I feel better.
The plan so far is a split like this ;
lower body workout
upper body + metabolic work and plyo jumps
upper body + metabolic work and plyo jumps
so lower body will be worked with heavy weights every 9 days (and in between more lightly with plyo jumps and similar)
and upper body will be worked out twice in a 9 day period

I am interested to see how it goes! It could be just the ticket for where I am at now...


Nola

[nola baxter]

Well TOM came 2 days early this month, so maybe that explains some of my inordinant hungers this week.
However, overall, my hunger seem to have increased beyond the normal.

I have been having a lot of coconut fat- from coconut, coconut cream and coconut oil,
and taking lots of cayenne powder in hot water;
I thought these things might help speed the metabolism and burn fat,
(cayenne has other benefits too- helps the whole body system, circulation etc).
But I said to my friend, I am so hungry these days,
she said, "maybe your body is in burn mode" ;
ie, the coconut fat and cayenne speeding food burnoff so that the body is still hungry for more.

I kind of laughed, and said, well , "I hadnt thought of it that way!"

The idea is that the coconut fat speeds the metabolism to burn fat,
not make me hungrier and eat more!


I did another low fat/high carb day yesterday;
it was okay, I was just more careful to spread the food out, to mediate blood sugar reactions.
And drank green tea and cayenne drinks to help with the blood sugar stabilization (works for me)..

I stayed 300 cals within my planned calorie ceiling- ended up at 3700 cals.

But even after all that food, I was fully hungry at the end of the day and was
eating a plate of broccoli late at night to stave off hunger and prevent from eating anything more calorific.
But it is a sign of true hunger that I ate and fully enjoyed the broccolli!
If I was not truly hungry, such a thing would not be appealing.

We will see where all this hunger goes,
I am restraining it to some extent , though not fully.
As as time goes on and I am still hungry, I am inclined to resist it less and less!


Off to the gym this morning- to do upper body training;
I feel good, and am curious to see if my once-every-3-days weight-training regime is going to yield for another better workout.

[julieboolie]

Nola-I like your new routine. That sounds like it'll shake things up a bit and give you some rest. I lose better when I'm not exercising as strenuously. On the LC, I wonder it the hunger is coming from your high carb days getting your blood sugar a bit whacky? I am usually not hungry at all once I do pretty LC for a day or so. Even the past few days on higher carbs (confession below) I still haven't had much appetite. Not that I'm losing, it's just convenient. I know your metabolism is fast and suspect that's the true culprit w/ the hunger. My lil bro is like that, he works out a lot and has to eat all the time. He's "starving" . But he never gains.

Maybe the LC will get rid of your cellulite w.o messing w/ the scale? That'd be ok w/ me !

I was doing well and back into the 150's finally, but then yesterday I baked tollhouse cookies. That was my downfall. I know better. They're my favorite!! (I really don't like most of the other stuff I had been making. They're for gifts and others love them.) I had a few yesterday, and had pumpkin choc chip bread for lunch!! I had about 13g of protein all day in an attempt to keep my cals low. I'm back up to 161.4 today!! I was doing so well!! I now have 5 lbs to lose again to get back to where I want to maintain!!

Anyway, shaking that off, I'm going back to LC today. Maybe not induction, but certainly no baked goods!! I need to resist those cookies!! '

I am also completely free from my boot and allowed to exercise again!! No jumping, running or zumba yet, but I can walk and bike and lift. I really need a kick in the pants to get back to the gym. I'm out of the habit and that time is now filled with lots of other things. I really need to just go and get used to it again.

So, that's what's new w/ me. I need to avoid the goodies, and I'm sure my body will get back down where it needs to be.

[DisneyPrincess]

Yay Julie!! Well about the boot, not the weight lol! I'm sure you'll get going again, it's in your nature

Nola- sounds like a good LC plan

As for me, I came down with the sickies last week and it got to me. I ended up working out only twice and I had a total binge day. I've gotten back in track though and am committed to 14 days straight p2 (rouge style of course ). I kicked it off with a 5 mile run this morning and felt great. Me and Dh are going to dinner tonight where I'll eat totally LC and enjoy one glass of wine. Tomorrow will be hopefully another run and a low cal/carb day. Im aiming for 4 workouts this week depending on mine and dhs schedule

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Nola-I like your new routine. That sounds like it'll shake things up a bit and give you some rest. I lose better when I'm not exercising as strenuously. On the LC, I wonder it the hunger is coming from your high carb days getting your blood sugar a bit whacky? I am usually not hungry at all once I do pretty LC for a day or so. Even the past few days on higher carbs (confession below) I still haven't had much appetite. Not that I'm losing, it's just convenient. I know your metabolism is fast and suspect that's the true culprit w/ the hunger. My lil bro is like that, he works out a lot and has to eat all the time. He's "starving" . But he never gains.

Maybe the LC will get rid of your cellulite w.o messing w/ the scale? That'd be ok w/ me !

I was doing well and back into the 150's finally, but then yesterday I baked tollhouse cookies. That was my downfall. I know better. They're my favorite!! (I really don't like most of the other stuff I had been making. They're for gifts and others love them.) I had a few yesterday, and had pumpkin choc chip bread for lunch!! I had about 13g of protein all day in an attempt to keep my cals low. I'm back up to 161.4 today!! I was doing so well!! I now have 5 lbs to lose again to get back to where I want to maintain!!

Anyway, shaking that off, I'm going back to LC today. Maybe not induction, but certainly no baked goods!! I need to resist those cookies!! '

I am also completely free from my boot and allowed to exercise again!! No jumping, running or zumba yet, but I can walk and bike and lift. I really need a kick in the pants to get back to the gym. I'm out of the habit and that time is now filled with lots of other things. I really need to just go and get used to it again.

So, that's what's new w/ me. I need to avoid the goodies, and I'm sure my body will get back down where it needs to be.

Hi Julie

My new routine is going well so far, and it is giving me a mental and physical break from being in the gym so much.

I dont think the hunger is from the high carb days, although on that day I have to be a bit careful..
I think my hunger started up before that...
I am having 4 days low carb in a row too, which should be enough to
calm any rebound hungers down.

I am still pretty hungry though - unfortunately I am not one of those who gets hunger supression on low carb.

I dont know why- but I dont feel like endlessly restraining myself diet-wise at the moment, nor do I feel like pushing myself too much physically;
so I have just decided to roll with it.
I am just letting myself eat more calories- to hunger, and hoping that the low-carb will compensate for it - because I can gain weight, for sure!

Good luck for the gym! It can be hard to start up momentum again - just give it your best shot..
It is good you can fall back on low-carb, in a way it is a luxurious way of eating- all the fat!
Hopefully it will work for me in some way,
though I am not wholly expecting to lose weight when I am eating in between 3000-4000cals!

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Yay Julie!! Well about the boot, not the weight lol! I'm sure you'll get going again, it's in your nature

Nola- sounds like a good LC plan

As for me, I came down with the sickies last week and it got to me. I ended up working out only twice and I had a total binge day. I've gotten back in track though and am committed to 14 days straight p2 (rouge style of course ). I kicked it off with a 5 mile run this morning and felt great. Me and Dh are going to dinner tonight where I'll eat totally LC and enjoy one glass of wine. Tomorrow will be hopefully another run and a low cal/carb day. Im aiming for 4 workouts this week depending on mine and dhs schedule

Hiya

It seems like a few people are struggling around a bit to stick to their plans at the moment.

I have just let mine go for now, and am rolling with whatever comes;
but I see everyone else is jumping back on the bandwagon and determined to achieve their goals and tough it out!
I hope you will achieve the weight loss you are going for (I have been reading the other thread)...
It can be hard work at times!

[julieboolie]

Nola-I think you're wise to listen to your body. A break is a good thing! Mine is saying it's done w/ dieting this Christmas and wants to enjoy all the seasonal goodies like everyone else is!! I hope LC works for you . Enjoy the fat (it was bacon and mayo that convinced me to try Atkins in the first place - so glad I did!!)

DP-I am sick too! Fearing it's heading toward pneumonia - I rarely get chest colds, but this one is really sticking to my lungs. Deep cough, tough to sleep (for me and dh!) I'm trying to be good, but I don't feel that bad overall. I'm thinking it's just a chest cold, but dh is worried. We'll give it a bit more time. A good night's sleep would help if I could manage it!!

Haven't resumed serious exercise. Can't breathe too well just in normal life, didn't think the gym was the right place for me . But I did a bike ride yesterday which felt good.

I need to accept my maintenance life for now. Losing weight is SO ingrained in me I have a hard time just maintaining. I feel guilty if I eat, and get bummed if the scale isn't going down. I think I self sabotauge (sp?). I am eating kinda' JUDDD style by binge/guilt clean eating. If I can get back to, and stay in, the 150's soundly through Christmas I may give hcg one last shot. 3 clean weeks of P2 coming out of Christmas may help me lose this last 10lbs once and for all. I won't be that far along in the exercise department so I might as well slowly ramp up that while eating less. Misery loves company .

I hope you're all doing well!

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Nola-I think you're wise to listen to your body. A break is a good thing! Mine is saying it's done w/ dieting this Christmas and wants to enjoy all the seasonal goodies like everyone else is!! I hope LC works for you . Enjoy the fat (it was bacon and mayo that convinced me to try Atkins in the first place - so glad I did!!)

DP-I am sick too! Fearing it's heading toward pneumonia - I rarely get chest colds, but this one is really sticking to my lungs. Deep cough, tough to sleep (for me and dh!) I'm trying to be good, but I don't feel that bad overall. I'm thinking it's just a chest cold, but dh is worried. We'll give it a bit more time. A good night's sleep would help if I could manage it!!

Haven't resumed serious exercise. Can't breathe too well just in normal life, didn't think the gym was the right place for me . But I did a bike ride yesterday which felt good.

I need to accept my maintenance life for now. Losing weight is SO ingrained in me I have a hard time just maintaining. I feel guilty if I eat, and get bummed if the scale isn't going down. I think I self sabotauge (sp?). I am eating kinda' JUDDD style by binge/guilt clean eating. If I can get back to, and stay in, the 150's soundly through Christmas I may give hcg one last shot. 3 clean weeks of P2 coming out of Christmas may help me lose this last 10lbs once and for all. I won't be that far along in the exercise department so I might as well slowly ramp up that while eating less. Misery loves company .

I hope you're all doing well!

Hi Julie

With that sort of a cold, dont even think of doing anything beyond the mildest exercise!
From experience - it can really make things a lot lot worse by trying to exert yourself with a heavy chest cold.
Rest!

Lol- it was the thought of lots of HWC and cheese that drew me to Atkins.. two things I am probably best minimizing at least!

I know what you mean about being stuck in the 'still wanting to lose weight mentality' ; rather than accepting maintenance..
I think it especially happens when you ideally want to be a bit thinner, but havent quite made it yet.
It is so for me anyway;
but for now my body is in R and R mode, and the
weight loss will have to happen when it happens!

[minimonkey]

Roommate and I are getting over a cold/flu thing too, and then it is BACK TO THE GYM for us!!!

I had to share my excitement about my monetary indulgence/xmas/new years present for me and my roommate, too..... I finally broke down and bought the Cathe Friedrich Shock Training System DVD bundle -- it is a total body transformation system, 40 DVDS... and I have been wanting it for about a year....

So... the goal is to get back to baseline doing Bar Method isometrics, and then start in with the new series ... I'll also need to get a squat rack, finally .. and I think a couple of other incidental pieces of equipment ( a chin up tower... hurray!) ... but I am totally excited to get going again.

I am still about 7 lbs from goal, but it is time to get moving again. I'll just need to make the initial workouts happen along with the remaining p2... my appetite has decreased so significantly the past few weeks, I actually think it will be fine. It may take a bit longer to see the scale drop, but so be it... I am in for the long haul on this one, and I am determined to reach my goals.

[minimonkey]

Hope you feel much better soon, Julie!!!

[nola baxter]

Welcome back to the world of exercising Mini!

Those Dvds sound good - all 40 of them! At least you wont get bored quickly..

I guess if you dont go at it too intensely you might get away with it on a P2.

[nola baxter]

Hi All

Well, I have been sticking to my low carb plan, interspersed by one high carb/low fat day every 5 days.
It is going well, i am really enjoying the low carb- my body is just sucking it up!

Calories since starting have looked like this
3050
3100
2300
4500 (high carb day)
3600
3350
2950
2500
3700 (high carb)
2900
3850
3200
2600
3300(high carb)
2750
3000
3500
2700
3500 (high carb)
3000
Averaging about 3200 a day,
with no definitely no gain.
I had a huge hunger for about a week in the middle there, but that has normalized.

I am pretty much eating to hunger with the low-carb, though restraining it sometimes,
and I am eating more in the evenings than I was on a mixed diet.
I am eating lots of coconut fat still..

Training is a mixed bag-
still doing every 3 days, which has been good, my body feels more rested.
Upper body still stagnant, but lower body strong..
But the good thing is, I have had good energy during my training with the low carb diet-
I thought this might suffer a bit with the low carbing, but it hasnt.
Either the coconut fat is providing the energy,
or I am just carbing up enough in between to keep glycogen stores well filled ;
or a combo of both I guess!

I am going away tomorrow for a couple of weeks, so I will be mostly out of the gym for that time.
I will do some bodyweight exercises, and want to do a couple of casual gym sessions in the middle somewhere -
since two weeks is a bit long of a break for me.

[minimonkey]

Nola -- that plan looks awesome! I am glad the low carb is working for you! Hope you enjoy your time away

I am excited about the new dvds, obviously! I love variety in my workouts, and this system looks really well designed.

As for the p2, my body is simply going to have to deal with it, lol. My hunger has dropped off to nearly nothing the past few weeks (OMG, I LOVE that!) so I am hoping it will be okay. At least to start, we are just doing the isometric exercises (mostly bodyweight, with light weights for the upper body) -- those don't tend to send my appetite through the roof like cardio does, nor do they require the kind of fuel that lifting does, so I think it should be fine.

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Nola -- that plan looks awesome! I am glad the low carb is working for you! Hope you enjoy your time away

I am excited about the new dvds, obviously! I love variety in my workouts, and this system looks really well designed.

As for the p2, my body is simply going to have to deal with it, lol. My hunger has dropped off to nearly nothing the past few weeks (OMG, I LOVE that!) so I am hoping it will be okay. At least to start, we are just doing the isometric exercises (mostly bodyweight, with light weights for the upper body) -- those don't tend to send my appetite through the roof like cardio does, nor do they require the kind of fuel that lifting does, so I think it should be fine.

hiya

Those kind of exercises should be ok! I guess u will find out by doing it.
I cant imagine having no hunger- only when I am sick or emotionally devastated..

I am chilling out on a farm (my son's father's), and going for some long walks- it is nice..

I am so enjoying the low carb, so maybe I am just a fat-eating girl at heart, rather than a carboholic!
I am going to eat more calories and see what happens- whether it causes a gain , a loss or no change.

I am happy with my body today- lol - its not too bad!

[minimonkey]

Nola -- I love low carb, but you know that already ... glad it is working for you!

I'm actually starting to feel pretty happy with my body, too -- I'm wearing leggings today, and I honestly don't hate how I look in them

I'm 6 lbs from my low goal, too -- so I am finally getting there! Hunger is coming back a little tonight, but honestly not much -- not enough to bother me.

I'm planning to call my LDW at 98 lbs, which will give me 100 at the top of my window -- and I still won't be horridly skinny even if I drop a bit below that ... my body is a lot more able to carry low weights than I realized it was. I'm hoping the pounds continue to come off from here to goal -- I'm testing a theory about set points... I have a set point at 125, one at about 110, and I believe another around 95 (I maintained for a long time at that weight) -- so I am thinking that maybe if I drop to near there, my body will try to gravitate to the old lower set point....

It may be weird science, but others have tried this, and it seems to work --

I'd much rather have a body that is trying to lose than one that is trying to gain all the time.

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Nola -- I love low carb, but you know that already ... glad it is working for you!

I'm actually starting to feel pretty happy with my body, too -- I'm wearing leggings today, and I honestly don't hate how I look in them

I'm 6 lbs from my low goal, too -- so I am finally getting there! Hunger is coming back a little tonight, but honestly not much -- not enough to bother me.

I'm planning to call my LDW at 98 lbs, which will give me 100 at the top of my window -- and I still won't be horridly skinny even if I drop a bit below that ... my body is a lot more able to carry low weights than I realized it was. I'm hoping the pounds continue to come off from here to goal -- I'm testing a theory about set points... I have a set point at 125, one at about 110, and I believe another around 95 (I maintained for a long time at that weight) -- so I am thinking that maybe if I drop to near there, my body will try to gravitate to the old lower set point....

It may be weird science, but others have tried this, and it seems to work --

I'd much rather have a body that is trying to lose than one that is trying to gain all the time.

Well - since as your original goal was 110- u could also say that u have dropped 4 pds below! ..lol

I can understand- u want to be truly skinny, and so u are going as low as it takes to be firmly in that ballpark- but u are not allowed to keep dropping your goal!

That is an interesting idea about setpoints.
I have never paid much attention to setpoints- but maybe I should have-
I might be at a setpoint right now- without realising it.
I am finding it relatively easy to maintain where I am right now, but going lower seems to be a challenge, and is not happening so far.

I will watch how it goes for u , and if your theory holds true

[minimonkey]

No worries, Nola -- I won't be dropping the goal any lower. If I am not satisfied at about 100 lbs, chances are I won't be satisfied at any weight.

I'll definitely keep you up to date on the setpoint theory -- we'll see!

[julieboolie]

Mini-I'm glad it's working well for you!! Hope you can enjoy that appetite suppression all the way to goal!! You're such an inspiring trooper!! I think those set points are a big deal w/ weight loss!! I seem to be happily at a set point of 159, which was my goal weight for so long. I seem to be able to maintain here relatively easily. I would like to maintain at 149-155 range longer term. I'm not sure I want to do another hcg round to get there, but am considering it. Will probably give clean LC a good 3 week chance and see wehre I get.

Nola-glad LC is treating you well. It's nice to eat and feel satisfied!! Enjoy hte relaxing!!

I'm enjoying my break too. We went on a long bike ride w/ the whole family yesterday. There's a nice paved trail that goes all through Scottsdale. My youngest dd was a bit tired, but we did about 6-7 miles. Not bad since I'm still a bit sick. I was having a bit of trouble catching my breath. Still, as my first foray back into some cardio, I'm pleased. It was a beautiful sunny day w. the family. We really enjoyed it. Hope to do it again soon!

[minimonkey]

I finally worked out today!!! We (roommate and I) did a Bar Method workout -- not one of the super hard ones, but not the easiest ones either -- and we did fine I still have most of the muscle I built before, much to my surprise... and I think I will get my strength back fast. I was surprised how little flexibility and stamina I have lost.

So, feelin' great about that!

Scale has been up the past few days ... not due to diet, so thinking it must be TOM on the way, but it is taking its sweet time in starting -- harrumph.

Nonetheless, SO GLAD to be back to the workouts, and that will be continuing. I am hungry tonight, but just going to weather that out for a bit -- I suspect I will be hungry doing p2 and working out, and that is just how it has to be. I am okay with that.

[minimonkey]

Bar Method accelerated workout today -- I am definitely hungrier on days I work out, but I will tough it out. I'll sure be glad to get to p3 though!

Did well on the workout -- really working on keeping good form

[julieboolie]

Hey Girls!! Happy New Year!! I'm not back to the gym yet, but I did an 8 mile bike ride last Monday, hiked 5 miles in snow and ice on Friday and we did a 6 mile mountain/trail ride today!! That's my kind of exercise!! Outside and loving the beauty of God's creation! The whole family did it (even my 8yo dd).

I'd like to get back to the gym this week. Dh goes back to work tomorrow and I'm only giving the kids light schoolwork this week, hopefully I can get at least 2 more workouts in. I'm shooting for 3 clean workouts a week. Hard, sweat inducing exercise . Not sure I'll be as interested in following the NROL plan as I was before. We'll see.

I hope you're all starting the new year well!!

[minimonkey]

I'm shooting for 3 to 4 workouts a week too, Julie -- of increasing intensity as I get back in condition.

I don't think I will start lifting again for real until I move to p3 -- but the light isometric lifts actually do get great results, and are a great place to start.

I would so love to get rid of this pesky last few lbs so I can move forward... but, my body is taking its time in shedding them. So, I will be patient and keep doing the rogue p2... it'll happen when it happens.

It does feel awfully good to be working out again though... I am sore today in the glutes and hamstrings, meaning I got the form correct yesterday and targeted exactly what I set out to target -- hurray!

[nola baxter]

Hi Mini and Julie,
and anyone else out there!

I have been reading your progress on the rogue's thread Mini ;
it seems you are having to really fight your way down- your body is not letting go easily.
I think my body is similar at the moment- although I am not putting it through any low calorie regime,
it doesnt seem to want to lose!
I still keep thinking it over in my head, how can I get it to strip a few pounds off without going into fatigue, depletion, and uncomfortable hunger??
I havent worked it out yet.


Hi Julie,
I have been doing a lot of natural exercise lately, walking in parks and pine forests;
I do really like it, and find it relaxing!
Let us know how your 3 wks low carb goes- if it works for weight loss or maintenance or whatever..
I wish I could lose weight doing ordinary low carb- but it does not seem to happen that way for me, though I keep hoping!


Well I went away for a couple of weeks , which at first was relaxing, but then ending up in a massive confrontation with a man involving fraud and abuse.
It needed to happen and was beneficial- but heavily emotive, so that when I came back I was drained to the max and so have been spending the week quietly recuperating.

I have been sticking to my diet of 4 lowcarb days and one high carb/low fat.
Calories have averaged out to 3245 a day ;
but with a varying calorie swing anywhere from 2400 - 4000
My body looks like it has been pretty static on the weight front- with no obvious change.
I would say from this that low carb does not appear to be advantageous for me in terms of any calorie advantage- because this calorie level was about my estimated maintenance on a mixed diet.
However I will keep low carbing for as long as I feel like it- because I do like it as a diet, and it is a lot more stable on the blood sugar.

I still want to shed some more pounds to get better definition- but I dont feel like dropping calories to do so. (Because dropping calories makes me tired and hungry)
I feel I have a good balance of energy and food intake, and am reluctant to put my body under stress to lose weight- so am hoping (as usual) that I will find some way to shed the pounds without deprivation ..

I have been mainly out of the gym for 2.5 weeks, apart from 2 isolated workouts.
I have been walking a lot and doing bodyweight exercises.
I am going to do about 1 gym workout a week at the moment and just do sprints, walking and bodyweight exercises for the rest of the time.
I feel I want a physical and mental break from the gym.

I have been doing press-up variations, chin-ups and bodyweight rows (on the bars at the park), monkey bars, plank variations, and a few other odd exercises..
I have just started on one legged pistols squats! Which I find hard- but am determined to master.