The HCGers exercise thread

[nola baxter]

Hi Mini

Good call on not doing low cal any more;
sounds like your body is telling you what mine told me- no more!

And yes, I think you can achieve any residual leanness you want, just by training and eating in a way that suits you.

I know I can- though it will not be as fast as low cal versions.
I just hope I can get the reshaping of hcg without having to drop the calories so low.
It will be a good experiment I guess.

I dont regret doing the low cal for the short time I did- at least I know I tried it, and I got to lose a few quick pounds- and now I appreciate food so much more!!
And my body feels so much better on the higher intake; I ended up with about 2500 cals yesterday from beef, lower carb veges, and coconut cream, and my body was singing- very bouncy , light and energetic and I just wanted to exercise!

Good luck with the "fast 5" plan- sounds like it will suit you . I can see the fun of it,
though personally I am an "eat all day" kind of a girl, and have tried various kinds of fasting - have not got good results, and have sworn off it!
I think your metabolism will only get higher with what you are doing- as long as you give your body sufficient fuel for what it needs.

I like renovating clothes to suit- it is very creatively satisfying-( especially when it works out well),and you dont have to go through the boredom of sewing from scratch and doing all the time-consuming mundane bits.

I am wondering if the hcg will enable me to still keep my periods, even at the lower body fat levels.
I will know for sure it is the hcg if I do; because always in the past at a very certain body-fat level, I lose my period- like clockwork.

Nola

[nola baxter]

just read this too!

Elizabeth on 28 Apr 2010 at 10:27 am #
"Before I ever even heard of HCG being a possible weight loss tool, I was going through fertility treatments and given HCG shots to induce ovulation. Without changing a thing about my eating or exercising habits, I was losing weight. I was concerned about it and asked my doctor. He told me that was a common effect of the HCG injections. I lost over 20 pounds in about 2 months without even trying, and without knowing what was causing it."


And this interesting titbit re IF or a calorie-cycling type of diet,
(from someone who tried many kind of diets and was not successful)-
"Then I tried something odd. To avoid my body thinking it was starving I tried fasting one day, and eating whatever I liked the next. I lost 36 pounds over 6 months. Then I had a doctor (an endocrinologist) tell me I might have PCOS and I should stop the fasting “diet” that I’d made up. She gave me metformin and said it would make me lose weight. I gained all I’d lost and then some."

[minimonkey]

Wow -- great finds all the way around, Nola! Thanks a million for posting these!!!

I am really not surprised about the testosterone levels and the muscle growth -- both are consistent with my experiences.

I actually ate a remarkable amount today (2500 calories? More?) ... didn't make the 5 hour window, but I did make an 8 hour window, and will just try again tomorrow. I am really not used to having to eat this much -- I haven't needed this kind of calories since I was in a dance company (university, not professional) years ago ... I remember having to eat pretty much constantly back then -- I was also running a lot in those days.

Anyhow, it was all nutrient dense, low carb food, high in good fats... I just can't quite shake the guilt over eating a lot. Those old diet demons die hard!

OMG I love, love, love coconut cream -- I could eat it everyday. In fact, pretty much anything made from coconut is excellent in my book.

[C'Marie]

I am so disappointed. I went to our sports equipment store and they had a different rebounder than the one I wanted, after I specifically asked them on the phone. So then I went online to just order it from that "urban" one, and their link to the 89.99 one isn't working to put it in your shopping cart. The only place that pushing that button takes you to is the product page where you can buy stuff individually. The xtreme one 119.99 loads into the shopping cart very easily! But I certainly don't need anything xtreme! And they're closed so I can't even order through their customer service number, which took forever to find. I so much wanted to get started. I called several other places in town trying to get it and most of them don't have any with the stability bar. I really don't want to have to use my cane while bouncing!

I can order it from walmart to be shipped to the store for an additional $10 which is fine, but that won't come until June 7. I'm really surprised they run all those infomercials and then let their website screw up like that.

I couldn't find the big exercise ball like I wanted either. I guess I'll just skip it for now and go to the sports therapist next week.

Sorry for complaining. I was just so excited to get started.

[minimonkey]

Okay, are you ready for this... get ready to lol...

Today, I worked out with.... Fabio! Yes, the uber-model. I found the tape for like a dollar some time ago, and just had to buy it.... He has this big-hair babe working out with him... OMG... it's retro-fabulous!

I got a pretty good abs workout just from all the laughing involved -- and high corniness aside, it was a good solid workout, too. Just old-school, early 90s-style weight training... great upper body set, but a little weak on the lower body and very weak on abs (I did the abs section twice, actually.)

I was reminded, again, how much I truly enjoy lifting a bit heavier sometimes.... the isometrics with light weights have made me stronger by a huge margin, and my 10 lb dumbbells just ain't cutting it anymore for more traditional weights sets -- so I need to get some heavier ones when money permits.

I think tomorrow will be The Firm's "Standing Legs" --that's a great workout (also very retro corny!) Lots of work on a high step, and a ton of weighted squats, lunges, etc. Very high intensity sets, too -- that one will work up a good sweat.

Still waiting for the rebounder workouts to come... sigh. It's a good opportunity to break out some of the workouts I haven't done in a while, though...

I am finding I do like to mix it up quite a bit, as long as the heart of my training is strength based.

[minimonkey]

Wow -- sorry about all the obstacles you are encountering, C'Marie! We had a bit of trouble with the ordering from Urban Rebounding, too -- but we did eventually get the right items in the cart... I suppose the real proof will be when they get here. I've ordered from them before with no problems at all -- I think they just upgraded the site, though.. and maybe are still having some technical difficulties.

I wonder what the difference is between their regular rebounder and the x-treme one? The price and the name? Actually, it may just be a package deal, that includes the rebounder and some other stuff... I will check it out when I have time.

I don't know.. but I plan to use my trusty old Joe Wieder rebounder for the new workout series... it is going to have to be x-treme enough to do. Hav you noticed how everything bills itself as extreme, hardcore, etc. these days? It's pretty funny.

Stability balls are pretty basic items... almost any sports store should have them (and Amazon has a ton of them.) They do come in sizes, so be sure to get the right one for your height.... I actually have one that is a tad too big for me, and although I am using it for now, I really need a smaller one for maximum performance on it.

[Stampe63]

Going to start with P90 and isometrics, but I will take it slow, been in a bed for 17 years due to a serious car accident doenst make things easyer
and missing some large musclegroups too, but I going to do it anyway
My longterm plans includes a marathon in 2 years and a ironman before I get 52 Yea Im a sick guy

[nola baxter]

Hi Stampe

You have set yourself some worthy goals.. Good luck!
P90 and Isometrics sound a good start.


CMarie
I broke 2 rebounders- they were cheap and crappy.
The third I have had for many years- a "weider" version- it has been very durable.
Though these days the kids are the only ones who use it!


Hi Mini

2500 cals is a diet for me..so dont worry , I am sure you needed it!
I dont think it is so much for someone as active as you.

I love coconut cream too- I actually use it in my cocoa/coffee drinks as a dairy alternative (love dairy but it doesnt love me)..

I am hoping hcg will do something for me in terms of helping with training/muscle growth strength etc.. we will see.

Now that I have been eating more food the last few days, (though still in some calorie deficit), I am feeling good.
During a very hard workout this morning I felt none of the background exhaustion and depletion that I was feeling on the low cal regime. Yay!!
Big big difference!

[minimonkey]

Just checked out the Urban Rebounding site -- looks like they are only selling the rebounder as a package deal with the new workout series now -- hence the inability to put the rebounder alone into the cart. They just switched up the site a whole bunch...it is different from when I ordered just a week ago.

Hope you get this all sorted out, and get your equipment soon!

[minimonkey]

Nola -- you're making me feel a lot better about eating this much... truly! I think there is something about hanging out on the p2 forums -- and living with my roommate, who doesn't eat much at all -- that makes me feel like I am really over-eating, when in fact I am not.

I should probably cut out dairy altogether, but I still eat yogurt and kefir regularly -- I do eat other dairy too, but not too frequently. I love almond milk, though, and coconut cream is one of my favorite things ever.

My little Wieder rebounder takes a good beating and holds up very well -- I think I paid maybe thirty or forty dollars for it.

[minimonkey]

Stampe -- thanks for joining us, and good luck getting started with your very ambitious goals... I am sure that, with consistent training, you can do it! Looking forward to having you aboard with us

[C'Marie]

I don't have one, even a cheapie one, or I would just start bouncing

If you click under the "benefits" tab, the previous offer is there - 89.99 with 6 workouts, one of them being for oldsters. I can't tell if I get the 119 one whether it contains the workout with the stability bar for seniors LOL. Dang the weekend! I would def call them and just order it.

Ok I'll go back to the store for a stability ball. How do I tell what I need if I'm 5'4.5" ? Do they have a range on the package like socks?

[minimonkey]

If you google "stability ball size chart" you will find several variations on the hight/ball size suggestion table. The charts vary a bit one to the next... but I think at your height, you'll probably find the recommendation pretty constant.

[minimonkey]

The Ureban Rebounding 119 deal looks like it includes the new workout "extreme" series, which you don't want.

I did notice that they have a "rehibilitate your body at home" workout (sold seperately) that might me quite good for working with an injury -- but yes, the new site is confusing and a bit glitchy.

I followed my order by tracking number, and it seems they got everything right -- and it is on its way -- so hoping I'll have it on Tuesday.

[porkfatrules]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Ok I'll go back to the store for a stability ball. How do I tell what I need if I'm 5'4.5" ? Do they have a range on the package like socks?

They do -- it's on the outside of the box it comes in, it'll say something like "55 cm, for height 5'0- 5'5"

LOL @ "like socks"

[porkfatrules]

I'm so interested in watching you guys up your calories and do more intense exercise -- I may do that in later rounds. Since I'm doing strictly protocol now, I'm taking Dr. S's advice not to do anything new, or more intense than you've been doing. On 400-500 calories/day, I'm keeping it gentle still -- Classical Stretch, maybe I'll add back some barre workouts soon, and some dance workouts for cardio. I miss my Turbo Jam, too!

Today, took the family out for a hike -- ended up hiking for an hour, with some pretty steep hills! More than I had planned to do, but I was just glad I didn't pass out or something (I hadn't done anything this long or intense since starting with HCG . . . had no idea what my physical reserves were going to be like.) I was amazed that I felt as strong as usual, despite three weeks at such a low calorie level! Go figure . . . there must be something to this HCG releasing fat stores thing after all!

For those in the US, Happy Memorial Day weekend, everybody!

[minimonkey]

There really is something quite magical about this protocol -- I have a really strong, healthy metabolism now... and the stronger and more muscular my body gets, the more I need to feed it, too.

[C'Marie]

I ordered it off walmart's site - and having it shipped to my house. Should be here next weekend, I hope. Progress! They had the "old" offer.

[minimonkey]

Awesome, C'Marie! Hope it gets there quickly!

Today I did an old workout by The Firm called Standing Legs -- it's just a really solid, fast paced full body workout -- lots of weighted squats, lunges, hgh steps, etc., and a good lot of weighted upper body, too. Standard stuff, but it got me sweating and definitely burned a lot of calories. It's fun, too. I think I am going to be feeling my biceps tomorrow -- that's two days of rather heavy arm work back to back.

[C'Marie]

Mini: They took my pm privileges away because I replied to someone where I got some hhcg - even though I use injections from my doctor. The email I got didn't indicate if I'll get it back, ever. I apologized, because I didn't know I couldn't just answer a question that wasn't in public. So if you have some exercise links or something to send to me, I guess we'll have to do it through email. I certainly didn't mean to promote the site, I don't get anything from it.

[minimonkey]

C'Marie -- wow, I'm sorry that happened to you!!! Clearly an honest mistake, and I wish the admins would reconsider that decision.... I understand there is a legal issue at stake, though, so they are protecting themselves I suppose.

Hmmmm... I think what I will do is just list search terms for you to google... some of the sites I'd like to send you to sell things, including supplements, so that probably violates TOS as well.... If I just tell you what to google, however, I believe that should be fine.

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

C'Marie -- wow, I'm sorry that happened to you!!! Clearly an honest mistake, and I wish the admins would reconsider that decision.... I understand there is a legal issue at stake, though, so they are protecting themselves I suppose.

Hmmmm... I think what I will do is just list search terms for you to google... some of the sites I'd like to send you to sell things, including supplements, so that probably violates TOS as well.... If I just tell you what to google, however, I believe that should be fine.

I could give you my email, you could copy it down real quick, and then I could edit my post to delete it? Heck, I certainly don't want to violate TOS either - never meant to in the first place. These folks are good to us.

Edited to add: I think I know what the problem was - there is a gal on here who is on the other site like I am and we recognized each other by our pictures. We pm'd each other to make sure, and in the subject of the pm, it said the name of the site. I wasn't promoting it - we were just identifying each other. That happened *just* before my restriction. Sheesh. I went back through my email alerts regarding pm's to see what the heck happened. I guess I can't know really, but that's what I think it was. I deleted all my old pm's because I thought it was a space issue so I'll never know.

[nola baxter]

Hi Cmarie
I got my hand smacked for posting a link to a site (didnt realise it was not ok)..but as far as I know, pm privileges have not been removed.
There should be some allowance for genuine mistakes.


Porkfatrules- sounds like you are doing well if you felt good and strong in your hike- I think your body lets you know if it is too much- or if you need more calories to accommodate the exercise.


Mini
Definitely dont feel bad about eating more food! One of my exes called me an eating machine- lol..
But seriously- if I sit down now and have an all-out feed till bodily satisfaction (to the point where I no longer want to keep eating, and feel full and satiated- though not bloated or over-full)- it takes around the 3000 calories mark!!
This is because I am running on a calorie deficit and so a bit depleted, and also because of the low body fat;
but still , it is a measure of the fact that a strong exercising body sometimes needs a lot of fuel!

My sister bought me my Weider rebounder 2nd hand for christmas one year- I think it cost $35.00. It has been a very good buy.
I do kefir too- though it is my son who gets to eat it these days- I do eat dairy- but only intermittently- it does give me mucous congestion and tends to block up my bowels- even good raw dairy.
I wish it didnt- whipped cream and cheese are actually two of my favourite to die for foods!
I buy organic dessicated coconut in bulk and make my own coconut cream- ends up cheaper, and avoiding the additives found in supermarket brands.

I did what felt like a really hard workout two days ago- but was not really noticeably sore-
did I just not work out as hard as I thought- or does HCG in some way mitigate muscle soreness?? Anyone else notice this?

Still all over the place with my diet- calories up and down, alternating fruit days with protein days, some mixed days, and today a load day!
My body is showing more definition- leaness..

[mymy3377]

Nola do you make your own kefir? If you do you can use the grains to culture coconut milk and it makes a thick, tangy almost yogurt consistency kefir without the dairy side effects. I think it is to die for

[C'Marie]

All: I apologized and got my pm's back. It truly was unintentional. Well, I know now for sure what not to do.

I'm so excited waiting for my rebounder! I have such a mess in my living room, though, I'm not sure where to put it! LOL We have a really small house!

[nola baxter]

hi MyMy

Yes I do make my own kefir
I always thought you could only ferment the fresh juice out of the middle of the coconut- the thin liquid..
Can you ferment coconut cream or milk made from dried coconut?

Thinking about it- I should just try it- I can imagine it should work and be nice..
I like the idea of getting the probiotic effects of the kefir without the dairy.

thanks..

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

hi MyMy

Yes I do make my own kefir
I always thought you could only ferment the fresh juice out of the middle of the coconut- the thin liquid..
Can you ferment coconut cream or milk made from dried coconut?

Thinking about it- I should just try it- I can imagine it should work and be nice..
I like the idea of getting the probiotic effects of the kefir without the dairy.

thanks..

I ferment the canned coconut milk or even the Coconut beverage so I think you could thin the coconut cream with water and the milk made from dried would work well too...you might want to dump the first batch to eliminate all the dairy though. And make sure you culture the grains back in dairy every couple of weeks to keep them strong.

[nola baxter]

Ok, yep, it should work fine with my coconut cream and milk then..

I will give it a try- thanks, nice idea.

[Stampe63]

Decided to go with Power 90 instead, since I havent trained in so long time, getting some resistance tubes today since I dont like dumbbells..
and OMG I am sore today

[minimonkey]

Roxk on with starting Power 90, Stampe! I am looking forward to seeing you get the results you want!

C'Marie -- thankfully, rebounders are pretty small and can stash away easily enough if need be. Can't wait 'till you get yours! Got your pm.. glad you have the pm capacity back

Nola, WTG on the leaning out and gaining definition!!!

You are seriously saving my sanity on this eating and exercise issue --- I just did some calculations on a site based on Tom Venuto's work --- I found a formula that incorporates lean mass and activity level, and that puts me at about 2250 for maintenance based on my workouts, and even more if my daily life is active. Add in some additional for wanting to build muscle... and I am definitely not eating out of range. It is just so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that, as a petite woman, I should be starving all the time.

In general Hhcg may well mitigate muscle soreness... but if it does, it sure didn't work for me yesterday --- OOOOWWWEEEE am I sore today! I worked out using much heavier weights than usual, and a ton of reps (old-school train-to-exhause circuit workout) and I am really feeling it.

Today was a rest and refeed day for me -- I adhered to the Fast 5 yesterday, but was naggingly hungry all evening even though I ate well earlier in the day. Today, I was exhausted, sleep deprived, had a migraine (probably hormonal) -- and clearly my body just needed to repair -- so I took a rest day ( I don't take them often enough, probably)-- slept a bunch, ate even more, and feel a world better for it.

I am seeing muscle development, for sure... and my muscles seem to get harder by the day, which is very cool! (Some of them are like rocks!)

I can feel some really, really nice abs forming (if I poke around and feel for them, lol!) , but can't see them much yet -- that'll come from leaning out more. I think I'm gonna work darn hard for that one, but it'll be worth it.