2014 Official Chaz Fitness Challenge

[Beanie]

I just started doing My Fitness Pal--does anyone else do it?

Infrequently... I need to use it more because I still have trouble eating enough food, but I'm still in that "if I don't SEE how low the numbers are I can PRETEND they're not that low!" mode. I get really good about tracking for a week and then I'm like "la la la tracking food sucks" and I stop.

I also hate that it automatically adds your exercise calories for you to "eat back." If I were doing lean gains or something, yes, but I'm not... so no please. There's no way to turn that off either. Urgh.

 

[Jules]

I have been serious about working out again.... Yes, I still worked out during the holidays, just a little infrequently Didn't really gain any weight and I also watched what I was eating.

But now I'm back to working out HARD. And tonight, my whole body feels sore, my legs were so heavy walking up the stairs.


I can't wait to go back and work out some more. Tehehehe.

 

[MericoX]

On Day 8 of the South Beach Diet, Day 3 of a Jillian Michaels Body Revolution DVD set my coworkers and I are doing together. So far I'm at 4.4lbs lost for the week!

Nerd Herd's Virtual Races are announced so need to start looking into running again so I can do those. Going to see if there are any other races in the same time criteria and get DOUBLE THE MEDALS!!!!!

 

[sillysally]

Infrequently... I need to use it more because I still have trouble eating enough food, but I'm still in that "if I don't SEE how low the numbers are I can PRETEND they're not that low!" mode. I get really good about tracking for a week and then I'm like "la la la tracking food sucks" and I stop.

I also hate that it automatically adds your exercise calories for you to "eat back." If I were doing lean gains or something, yes, but I'm not... so no please. There's no way to turn that off either. Urgh.

For me I've found tracking is the key-I like this better than the WW tracker. Something about seeing the actual calories as opposed to points, also I like the protein-carb-fat break down-I feel like I'm getting more feedback.

I'm starting to work out next week-just 30 min at a time though-too out if shape for anything else!

 

[sillysally]

Just need to get this off my chest-ugh. For many many years, since middle school really (I'm 32), I've been using binging to deal with worry, stress, emotion, etc. I have not binged since Monday night and am having some anxiety symptoms. I have already taken my medicine for the day--ugh I hate this. I can't eat my stress away and expect to live very long and I SO want to be healthy, but I'm just having a hard time. I've not binged, just keeping in mind how bad I'll feel afterwards, but this is hard--I have to totally fix how I deal with stress...

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Haven't touched my shoes since last week when I did some cardio while studying. Why must I lack motivation? Been eating better minus the massive amounts of cookies and ice cream.

 

[Julee]

Did a mile with Bloo and Em today! Was going to do more, but it started raining. Bloo hates the rain.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Did probably around 1.5 miles of mostly walking, but some running. My in-laws live at the end of our road, so I went to their house. Had plans to come back, but ended up being very sore in my lower back and opted for a ride home. Any ideas on what could cause the soreness? It happens every time I try to work out and that's part of the reason I never stick with it.

 

[Beanie]

Did probably around 1.5 miles of mostly walking, but some running. My in-laws live at the end of our road, so I went to their house. Had plans to come back, but ended up being very sore in my lower back and opted for a ride home. Any ideas on what could cause the soreness? It happens every time I try to work out and that's part of the reason I never stick with it.

Lots of possible reasons. I would recommend finding a good sports doctor and getting it checked out medically. It could be as simple as your core is weak (lower back is part of the core) and needs strengthening. Or you might have something more serious going on, like something could be slipped or pinched. Whatever it is, they can pinpoint it and then help you figure out how to strengthen for it OR what you can do that won't aggravate it. A good physical exam is important, possibly an x-ray if they find anything of concern.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Lots of possible reasons. I would recommend finding a good sports doctor and getting it checked out medically. It could be as simple as your core is weak (lower back is part of the core) and needs strengthening. Or you might have something more serious going on, like something could be slipped or pinched. Whatever it is, they can pinpoint it and then help you figure out how to strengthen for it OR what you can do that won't aggravate it. A good physical exam is important, possibly an x-ray if they find anything of concern.

I will have to see what I can find! I haven't had a general health exam in about 2 years. Will I need one of those first or can I see a sports doc without?

Since getting "out" of horses/regular riding/barn chores, I've lost most of my strength and fitness. Equine activity was definitely a physical exercise crutch for me. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that my core was very weak, but I agree that a checkup is in order. Would a physical therapist offer something similar or is that normally the next step?

PS- Beanie, move here and be my personal trainer?

 

[Zoom]

Went snowboarding from 9:45am until 3pm with a 30 min break for lunch (that was two slices of pizza and a mug of amber beer SO HEALTHY). My legs are KILLING ME.

 

[Beanie]

I will have to see what I can find! I haven't had a general health exam in about 2 years. Will I need one of those first or can I see a sports doc without?

Since getting "out" of horses/regular riding/barn chores, I've lost most of my strength and fitness. Equine activity was definitely a physical exercise crutch for me. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that my core was very weak, but I agree that a checkup is in order. Would a physical therapist offer something similar or is that normally the next step?

PS- Beanie, move here and be my personal trainer?

You wouldn't need a general checkup before seeing a sports doc, and I'd personally skip straight to a sports doc... since you're talking in terms of exercise specifically, not just general pain, I would seek out their advice. There are certainly general practitioners who would be skilled enough, but doctors with a specialty in sports medicine will just be getting straight to the point. My GP is a runner, so I went to see him the last time I had a running related injury because I knew he would get me when I told him "it's four weeks to the half-marathon and it hurts," but if I hadn't known he was a runner I would have gone to a sports medicine clinic here.

If you don't need a referral from a doctor to a PT (some states/insurances require you go to a doc first) you definitely could go straight there. The only reason I suggested sports doc first is because a PT is (usually) not a PhD and technically can't diagnose most things. Also rarely do they have access to x-ray/MRI equipment should you need it, so they'd refer you back to a doc if they felt it was necessary. X-rays can also sometimes give extra information to a PT, but it's not required.
For my running injury, I went to my doc first because I thought for sure he was going to want to order an MRI. He didn't, but he did prescribe me a short round of steroids and recommend me a PT who was also a runner (we like to stick together, you see, LOL.) Honestly, you could probably go either way... the sports medicine clinic here is actually mostly staffed by PTs and OTs and they handle most of their clients.


I'm not personal trainer certified so I can't LOL.
I've thought about it before though. There's a program at the local community college and it's only a year. But I can't afford it and the only financial aid I qualify for is a loan... which I am not on board for debt. =P

 

[meepitsmeagan]

You wouldn't need a general checkup before seeing a sports doc, and I'd personally skip straight to a sports doc... since you're talking in terms of exercise specifically, not just general pain, I would seek out their advice. There are certainly general practitioners who would be skilled enough, but doctors with a specialty in sports medicine will just be getting straight to the point. My GP is a runner, so I went to see him the last time I had a running related injury because I knew he would get me when I told him "it's four weeks to the half-marathon and it hurts," but if I hadn't known he was a runner I would have gone to a sports medicine clinic here.

If you don't need a referral from a doctor to a PT (some states/insurances require you go to a doc first) you definitely could go straight there. The only reason I suggested sports doc first is because a PT is (usually) not a PhD and technically can't diagnose most things. Also rarely do they have access to x-ray/MRI equipment should you need it, so they'd refer you back to a doc if they felt it was necessary. X-rays can also sometimes give extra information to a PT, but it's not required.
For my running injury, I went to my doc first because I thought for sure he was going to want to order an MRI. He didn't, but he did prescribe me a short round of steroids and recommend me a PT who was also a runner (we like to stick together, you see, LOL.) Honestly, you could probably go either way... the sports medicine clinic here is actually mostly staffed by PTs and OTs and they handle most of their clients.


I'm not personal trainer certified so I can't LOL.
I've thought about it before though. There's a program at the local community college and it's only a year. But I can't afford it and the only financial aid I qualify for is a loan... which I am not on board for debt. =P

Awesome thanks for the advice!

If you get the chance you should! Sounds like something you would enjoy.

 

[Zoom]

Beanie, is there a 24 hour Fitness near you? They train personal trainers in-house. I've been contemplating a similar move for something new.

 

[Beanie]

Beanie, is there a 24 hour Fitness near you? They train personal trainers in-house. I've been contemplating a similar move for something new.

Nope, we've got a Golds and a Planet Fitness, and of course YMCA, my gym, and a few other private ones. My gym offers a program, but it's expensive. I think they reimburse you half the price once you get certified if you come work for them, but I'm not sure.
The program at the college is basically to get you prepared for a degree in kinesiology... it has anatomy courses (though without the cadaver lab requirement) and nutrition courses, and then your second semester gets you in the gym actually working with clients. Then when you're done you are prepared to take the NSCA-CPT exam. I'd rather go that route than just do the "this is how you train people" like what the gym offers, I'm so interested in the actual kinesiology.

It wouldn't be a huge deal, it's only three courses per semester, but I just don't have spare cash to throw at it right now. I know I'd enjoy it but life doesn't always afford us the ability to do what we like. Case in point... I'm still down in the community college's system as being in the vet tech program. Sigh.

The other problem is, they're daytime classes only. ;P So. I'd have to quit my job or something.

 

[Julee]

So many things I take for granted when I can afford to eat properly.

Energy.
Pleasant trips to the bathroom.
No acid reflux.
My hair doesn't shed nearly as much.
No zits.
Shorter, lighter, less crampy periods.
No upset stomach.

If I'm not home by April I'm going to start walking back.

 

[Zoom]

Sure, why not go to the gym at 9:30pm and destroy my shoulders, bis and tris? Sounds like a great plan.

...still waiting on that "mood-boosting endorphin rush".

 

[yv0nne]

My mom comes to all my road races.. she missed Disney& she missed this last one. So sad because Penn ran the half with me this time& I have 0 photos of it

 

[Picklepaige]

Does anyone have any info on caloric intake? I see different things everywhere I look. 1200 a day, 1500 a day, 2000 a day, eat back what you exercise, don't eat back what you exercise, this and that and this and that.

It is really, REALLY hard for me to eat 1200 a day, and even harder to eat back what I exercise. I feel full on about 1000 a day, and eating back what I exercise just makes me feel unhealthy.

Help?

 

[eddieq]

Everyone's caloric intake needs are going to be different, but don't just fixate on a number. Eat quality over quantity. If you're eating just to eat, that's not the right way to do it. And if you're hungry (not "bored hungry", I mean hungry), eat. Don't stress yourself out over having an apple because that's 100 more calories than you were planning on.

As for the number of calories - are you sure of what you're eating or are you guessing? Once I stared writing it all down and tracking everything, it was eye-opening.

What worked for me was being very, very regimented. I measured out my morning cereal, milk, juice, etc. I weighed any snacks (fruits and vegetables) and used measuring cups and a scale for dinner. When eating out, I'd stick to chains and other restaurants that publish their menus online with nutritional information. I tracked it all with the sparkpeople app and it kept up to date as I went. I've not been as diligent on that front the last couple of months and it shows. I've put a few pounds back on and I don't feel exactly right. I did get out for a run the other day and it felt great, so I'm really looking forward to a break in the weather. I don't mind running in sub-freezing temperatures, but we've had so much snow and ice, there aren't many places to run where there aren't huge mounds of snow and/or dangerous conditions on the sidewalks.