The Green Room - 2009 Health Plans & Reports

Reply #140 - Jul 25^th, 2009 at 3:40pm

Lady M. Offline
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Special K wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 9:44am:

spiker wrote on Jul 4^th, 2009 at 10:51am:

You know, I haven't worked out in a way that made me really drip with sweat since...ever. �I'm generally more of a low-impact workout kind of person--yoga, etc. �But I do enjoy this EA Sports Active workout. �I sweat profusely. �I breathe hard. �I feel my muscles working. �And it's varied and fun.

I'm doing EA Active, too! �I absolutely love it! �I can't do the running because of my athsma, but I do everything else and I can really feel it. �I try to do this every day and I'm going to yoga class three times a week. �I can really notice the difference in my body. �When will the scale start to notice the difference? �*sigh*

I think EA Sports Active is really cool, but I just can't get into it. �I'd rather be in the real world doing those thing. If I'm going to run, I want to run on a trail in the mountains or at least on a treadmill at the gym. �If I'm going to punch a bag, I'll put on my gloves and punch the punching bag in our basement. But I think it must be great for people who don't usually find the time or motivation to get outside or go to the gym to exercise. I ought to make my kids do it. �They need it.

I have to admit, I've never been one who can stand playing video games for long. �The little animated characters and graphics drive my eyes nuts. I played WoW for a while and it started turning me nuts. �I ended up running up and down the trails outside, pretending to be my WoW character instead. I don't think EA Sports Active is a good "fit" for me.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #141 - Jul 25^th, 2009 at 4:12pm

spiker Online
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Lady M. wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 3:40pm:

Special K wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 9:44am:

spiker wrote on Jul 4^th, 2009 at 10:51am:

You know, I haven't worked out in a way that made me really drip with sweat since...ever. �I'm generally more of a low-impact workout kind of person--yoga, etc. �But I do enjoy this EA Sports Active workout. �I sweat profusely. �I breathe hard. �I feel my muscles working. �And it's varied and fun.

I'm doing EA Active, too! �I absolutely love it! �I can't do the running because of my athsma, but I do everything else and I can really feel it. �I try to do this every day and I'm going to yoga class three times a week. �I can really notice the difference in my body. �When will the scale start to notice the difference? �*sigh*

I think EA Sports Active is really cool, but I just can't get into it. �I'd rather be in the real world doing those thing. If I'm going to run, I want to run on a trail in the mountains or at least on a treadmill at the gym. �If I'm going to punch a bag, I'll put on my gloves and punch the punching bag in our basement. �But I think it must be great for people who don't usually find the time or motivation to get outside or go to the gym to exercise. I ought to make my kids do it. �They need it.

That's exactly why it works for me. I can't stick to exercise regularly that takes me out into the world where weather might prevent me from doing something--extreme heat, rain, etc. It's so much easier to fit it into my daily schedule when I don't have to leave the house, or god forbid, risk another human being seeing me working out--I hate that. That's why yoga works so well for me also. I have what I need right in my bedroom. And with EA Active I like the simulated trainer feedback--you're not punching hard enough, running fast enough--whatever. Without that I would have a tendency to wimp out sometimes.

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #142 - Jul 26^th, 2009 at 9:26pm

Lady M. Offline
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spiker wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 4:12pm:

Lady M. wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 3:40pm:

Special K wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 9:44am:

spiker wrote on Jul 4^th, 2009 at 10:51am:

You know, I haven't worked out in a way that made me really drip with sweat since...ever. �I'm generally more of a low-impact workout kind of person--yoga, etc. �But I do enjoy this EA Sports Active workout. �I sweat profusely. �I breathe hard. �I feel my muscles working. �And it's varied and fun.

I'm doing EA Active, too! �I absolutely love it! �I can't do the running because of my athsma, but I do everything else and I can really feel it. �I try to do this every day and I'm going to yoga class three times a week. �I can really notice the difference in my body. �When will the scale start to notice the difference? �*sigh*

I think EA Sports Active is really cool, but I just can't get into it. �I'd rather be in the real world doing those thing. If I'm going to run, I want to run on a trail in the mountains or at least on a treadmill at the gym. �If I'm going to punch a bag, I'll put on my gloves and punch the punching bag in our basement. �But I think it must be great for people who don't usually find the time or motivation to get outside or go to the gym to exercise. I ought to make my kids do it. �They need it.

That's exactly why it works for me. �I can't stick to exercise regularly that takes me out into the world where weather might prevent me from doing something--extreme heat, rain, etc. �It's so much easier to fit it into my daily schedule when I don't have to leave the house, or god forbid, risk another human being seeing me working out--I hate that. �That's why yoga works so well for me also. �I have what I need right in my bedroom. �And with EA Active I like the simulated trainer feedback--you're not punching hard enough, running fast enough--whatever. �Without that I would have a tendency to wimp out sometimes.

I totally see that. �

In the past exercise has always been like... performing. �It's a lot of work and you have to be at all these rehearsals and deal with fatigue and strain... but you're driven to do it because you get rewarded with fabulous emotional satisfaction. �

But now I keep �bumping up against depression and de-motivation and I can totally see the value of an in-home workout system... especially since I'm feeling a lot of social phobia and lethargy lately. � This is not normal for me. �Usually I THRIVE on going to the gym and sweating and pumping weights and gasping for air. �It's like a drug to me. �I need to get that motivation back. Maybe I'm deluded. �Maybe I really DO need something like EA SA. � Undecided

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #143 - Aug 24^th, 2009 at 7:50am

Lady M. Offline
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Long and boring report. I highlighted the main themes:

I've worked like the devil this summer to eat homemade, fresh natural foods. � I've gained a good 5 - 7 lbs doing it, which is discouraging... but a visit to the Dr. and a blood test showed that my cholesterol levels have dropped to below normal. �Downright healthy. �My Doc was actually shocked at how much they had dropped. �She was just giving me the hype talk right before the test came back about how she was going to put my on Statins (after seeing my weight gain). � NO meds for me!

So the natural foods thing is obviously helping my health, if not my weight. � It really surprises me, because I've been downing plenty of butter with everything else. � Doc said that butter is better than some of the hidden fats in long shelf-life type foods.

Now that my health has improved (in that one way, at least) I need to work on portion control and getting back to exercising more vigorously. � I've been pretty active all summer, hiking for an hour every day or two, or biking (for the first half of the summer), but I really need to do occasional sustained cardio and weights. �My hiking is extremely vigorous, but only in spurts.

I've got a new blog called "The Elephant has Left the Room" (which incidentally would make a great name for a blog about how the Republican Party is falling apart). �I've been rehearsing for my new diet plan. �I've nearly made the final decision to use the Sonoma Diet, because I can't stand counting calories or points or journaling my food any more, and it's all about fresh foods and cooking them myself.

I officially begin on Sept 1st. � My goals are this:

1- Get back to my previous weight (meaning I need to lose 30 lbs), by following the Sonoma Diet
2- Increase my cardio endurance and lung capacity by regular cardio exercise (to be detailed in my blog)
3- Firm up, gain a bit of muscle mass by adding regular weightlifting (as detailed in my blog)
4- Increase my flexibility by doing more yoga (as detailed in my blog)

BTW, my blog is private and extremely boring about self-discovery and what works and doesn't work for me at this time in my life. �I may make it public eventually, but only if I have success or make any discoveries that I think might help someone else.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #144 - Sep 6^th, 2009 at 9:18pm

Lady M. Offline
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Okay, so I started on Tuesday (sept 1) and decided that the Sonoma Diet is the best for my plan. �It uses homemade meals and ALL fresh ingredients, and allows me to eat a well-balanced diet without much sugar and good portion control. �I've started doing interval training (walk/jog) alternating with hiking every other day. �I still need to add in more weight training.

Report so far (this is a short week)

1- I lost 4 lbs in the first 5 days. This is mostly water weight which I always lose when I go off sugar. �My plan is �.5 - 1.5 lbs per week)

2- I'm a little hungry, but not in a bad way. �So far no hyperglycemic crashes.

3- I've hurt my back a bit, who knows how? �It is slowing me down with my intervals and hiking, but I managed to get in 4 workouts this week.

4- I love the food! �I took a few photos of some of the recipes I've been making, and I've posted a couple on Fine Fettle. �Some are really delicious.

5- This is time-consuming, although I love to cook. �It's the clean-up that kills me!

Photos of some of the food I ate this week:

sonomatogether.jpg (Attachment deleted)

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #145 - Sep 13^th, 2009 at 9:25pm

Lady M. Offline
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So, I lost 4 lbs in the first 5 days and then 1 lb over the next 5. That's good, really. I usually only lose 1/2 a pound a week on a healthy diet at the most. The first 4 were water. I'm just glad I maintained them and lost another one. After 10 days of losing I fell off the Sonoma plan wagon over this weekend. Grrr. So tomorrow I am back on with vigor again. I'm serious about this stuff. Gotta lose at LEAST 20 lbs, hopefully 30 lbs total (or at least 4 inches off my waist regardless of weight).

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #146 - Sep 20^th, 2009 at 9:34pm

Lady M. Offline
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Okay. Okay. Don't panic. I've still only lost 5 lbs, but to make my goal I only need to lose 5 lbs a month and it's been less than three weeks, so I'm right on track, right? Yes. So don't panic. I kept up on my interval training and hiking this week. Still need more weights and yoga.

This week I'll continue with Wave 2 of the Sonoma Diet. I need to get back on the plan. It's my birthday week, so this might be pretty tough. 3 days of interval training & weights, 2 days of hiking & geocaching, 2 days of yoga.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #147 - Sep 21^st, 2009 at 7:54am

kitchensinger Offline
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So I'm down a couple pounds.

Not sure why. I haven't been exercising. I suppose it's a combo of dance rehearsals and my acid reflux flaring up again (and because of that I can't eat large meals, fatty food, chocolate or late meals). And I haven't been eating ANY sugar...or even fruit. Just veggies, lean meat and a few complex carbs. But I was doing that before.

Funny how in every show I'm in, an unintended weight loss always seems to accompany my final weeks of rehearsals. The costumer is going to be mad at me. At least I can claim I didn't try to lose weight.

But sure as shootin', I will gain it back as soon as the show closes. Especially since it will be right before the holidays. Undecided

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #148 - Oct 5^th, 2009 at 12:43pm

Lady M. Offline
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Well, my weight isn't dropping fast, but I'm not in a panic. �I think I can reach my goals there. �I really need to improve in some areas (especially when it comes to eating smaller portions and cutting out sweets), but I am eating way more veggies than I used to and all natural foods. �I feel better for sure, but I'll never drop weight until I stop eating so much of a good thing.

I'm really proud of my running. �I still run like a narcoleptic duck, but I've been working on an interval program and have stuck to it! �I'm on my sixth week now and for the first time in two years I am working slowly up to running a 10k. � I use the word "running" loosely, because I do very slow (10-minute) miles, and I don't intend to do anything that hurts my body or to push myself like a true athlete. �I enjoy my joints too much. �I just want to workout my lungs and heart and get my stamina up a bit.

For years I've tried to focus on my health more than my appearance, but this is the first time I've actually succeeded. I was so excited when I improved my cholesterol ratio, even though I had gained weight. I think middle age is good for me. I'm really sick of our culture telling me that skinny, young and pretty is more important than healthy, intelligent, and experienced. I've always been sick of it, but now for some reason I don't really care if I ever fit exactly in my old size again because I know that I'm living a healthy life full of good relationships and that I'm learning and experiencing great things through study, travel, and creative outlets.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

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Reply #149 - Nov 2^nd, 2009 at 9:34am

spiker Online
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Okay, *sigh*, get ready for a long, sad story.

I have cancelled my hysterectomy. Again. Both times I've scheduled it I've been under the influence of synthetic hormones. Once I come out of the hormone fog I realize what's going on and change my mind. I think perhaps the synthetic hormone situation is not a good one for me. I'm only posting all of this here because of the following: don't ever get a Mirena IUD or allow anyone you know to get one. They say that the hormones only affect your body locally, but the fact is, they can (and for many women DO) go systemic. I had mine inserted in June and since then have gained 15 pounds (I was already about 25 pounds overweight), most of it in my belly, causing me to look pregnant. I have lost a lot of hair. I have been getting cystic acne, which I haven't battled since I was a teenager and ended up on Accutane. I have been experiencing severe bleeding that is probably not linked to my fibroid, but to the IUD. I have been experiencing severe mood swings and depression. I have also been alarmingly fatigued. I had the IUD removed about a month ago and have seen a change on some of these issues, but it may take a while for the hormones to get completely flushed out of my system, so it may be a while before I see improvement on all these counts.

So.

This week I talk to my sister (a dietician) about a week-long cleanse and other tactics to get rid of this toxic stuff in my system. And also about long-term diet and exercise plan. I have 40 pounds to lose. I need to lose it by next August at the very latest. I have a long road ahead.

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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