jmd1983 wrote:Was the weigh in this week?
About the gym, that reminds me I wanted to ask you guys (girls!) something. I loathe gyms, really do. So I try to walk and cycle and do some Wii Fit instead. But when I did sign up for the gym about a year back I got a programme and stuck to it as much as I could. But honestly, the weights were too light and all cardio was just way too much! I almost threw up from trying to run for the amount of time my programme said! This can't be right? That definitely put me off trying it again!
Looking for a new pilates class now. Used to take classes in the UK and it's not easy to find a teacher here. Would love to go back to it again though as it was great exercise and good for my appalling posture!
Annej is absolutely right. Gym instructors unfortunately differ in quality. Try to chose one that is most reputable. Read each of their background, dont be shy to ask the reception on their credntials. Check if they have PT level 3 qualification and how much experience they have. Having a gym program is in my opinion an essential element to getting/keeping fit along with your other cardio activities.
But this is why a few months into my fat loss journey, I knew the programs I was set by the gym instructors were not the most efficient for me so I decided to invest in a Personal Trainer. This so far set me back £360 for 12 session spread over 6 months. Basically I learn all the proper techniques that maximises the efficiency of training that was right for MY body and I would see the PT every 8 weeks to change my program. It was the greatest investment I ever made. Think about it, a palsy £360 to change your life for the best.
On Saturday I went to a proper Nutritionist doctor (not NHS), proper private professional recommended by my PT who uses her for his own nutrition diet.
OMG what an eye opener. Turned a lot of what I knew upside down. For starters, you know I've been recommending you all to b*y a body fat scales to measure your BF, well it turns out my very high end scales (Omiron, best brand) was off by 5%. So I thought I was 20-21%. The doctor measured my body fat using a 12 point Caliper method which is more highly accurate when done by an expert, and found I was 16% BF. So in the space of a few minutes I found myself very high up on the fitness ladder! But by measuring my skin folds, she is also able to determine how tolerant I am to carbs, protein, and fat balance consumption, my level of hormones to stress level ratio and other stuff. This nutritionist is quite the conspirary theorist and believes all supermarkets try their best to make us eat crap. Basically she tells me to eat clean food, ie unprocessed and to my shock she says if I have to have milk, make it full fat because its natural. But then she tells me to keep dairy to a minimum. There is so much she tells me about difference in quality of supplements, meat, and so many things. Bad news is, which you probably all know already is that the more natural, organic, and healthy a food item is, the more it will cost. Anyway, she gave me a diet recommendation in very concise detail with recommended supplements too. If you are interested to read it, I would be happy to email you. Bear in mind its tailored for me, as I am now at an advance fitness stage with a goal to reach 10% Body Fat and to enter the 2012 olympics
But read it for the concept and I guarantee you will pick up on a few things. I decided to invest in another £500 for 12 sessions with this nutritionist spanning the next 12-16 months. If you can afford it, I would now recommend seeing a fully qualified nutritionist too to aid your diet. Not an NHS one who would just give you basic pointers and then you on your own.
Now here is something else everyone needs to know. Many people including you and I wish we can lose weight quicker. But you know I always said, its healthier to lose it slowly, ideally 1-2lbs a week. Any more than that, you start losing muscle and lean mass instead of just body fat. But there is one other reason to think of, that I only now realise having seen the nutritionist. I hope it will frighten you from trying to lose weight quicker. The other reason for NOT losing weight too quickly is you will end up with a lot of loose skin that will look horrible. The more overweight you are to start with, the more loose skin you will end up with if you lose weight too quickly.
Now I look at the bottom of my stomach and I always thought I still have a bit of fat to burn but when the Nutritionist told me I am at perfectly fit and healthy 16% BF, I asked her than what about this...yep loose skin. Even though I lost weight at a rate of 2lbs a week, it was actually still a bit too rapid!!!! But not unhealthily so. Rest of my body is fine, a bit behind the thighs but its not a great deal of loose skin and all I need is patience to lower my body fat further and build a bit more muscle and because skin is elastic, it will, albeit slowly contract over the course of another year. So PATIENCE is the key.
So Diane, you will look perfect with your 1lb a fortnight loss of body fat
And the rest of you, keep on track, dont starve, dont ever go hungry, lots of cardio, do weights for strength and endurance, and be patient, dont try to lose too quickly.
From here on, anyone losing more than 4lb a fortnight on the fat loss progress chart will NOT be a winner!
SO let be a warning to all of you. Lose weight too quickly, you'll end up looking like a Shar Pei!
Right, progress chart, forgive me I will get it done within a couple of days, and because of the delay we will make the next progress chart one week later :)
We have been to the coast, pond dipping, been on a fairy hunt and been chased by trolls ...and not forgetting the cinema too...but the gym has had a miss as I'm off peak and so has some of the healthy eating.
