Trying hard to lose the pounds!!!!!!!!!

KariLynn

Probably - I have that rule too but in reality, throw them away in 3 days! Sometimes I wonder why I dirty a new bowl saving stuff, but feel guilty throwing it away (at meal time...)

roseg

Your fridge is much cleaner than mine if you toss after three days. I usually don't toss until I run out of little containers and need one. Then I hold my nose and see what's in there!

My family turns their nose up at leftovers. Now and then my husband will eat some for lunch when he's working at home, but more often than not he'd rather go out and get a sub.

That is sometimes a problem with "cooking ahead." If I make too much and the weather gauge isn't with me then it sits around and gets tossed.

linny

I have browsed this thread many times (trying but not trying to lose weight, if you know what I mean - I want and need to, but...). Anyway, I smiled at the posts about leftovers. Kari, I am not strict about time, certain things that I cook, such as vegetable soup, I will keep for up to 5 days. As far as only warming up leftovers once, I do follow that rule. My family does not like leftovers, I sometimes throw out chicken - I personally will only eat it fresh, I hate the texture the next day. My married daughter on the other hand, serves leftovers, and her husband eats them.

Linda

Denny123

Leftover thread-just what I need. I always would eat leftovers for 5 days. I was pretty big on making a lot of something all at once.
But for the past year or so, I have been getting sick if something is over 3 days old.
I figured it must be my system being more sensitive.
I loved picking up a rotisserie chicken at Wal-Mart and feasting on that for days and days, but now it is the same 3 day only thingie.
BTW, I live alone, so no one cares that I eat the same thing over and over.

Denny123

Oh yeah-I found the Kellogg's All-Bran snacks in Honey Oat and Strawberry in Big Lots at $1.00 per box. They were close-dated, but still taste good.

KariLynn

Rose - I don't actually toss it after three days - I just no longer consider it edible! It gets tossed when I'm running out of fridge space!!!

roseg

Kari -I'm glad to hear that. I thought I was the only person who shoved stuff in their fridge and ignored it!

ginger2345

Kari and Rose,

You're not alone there. I sometimes wonder while I'm putting something in a container to save just why I'm doing it. I know I'll run across it again in a couple weeks!

roseg

That's what got me onto the "heat leftovers up once" rule. I'd get them out, serve them, then put the leftover-leftovers back -- only to throw them out weeks later.

A person has to have some standards. I don't store leftover rice or pasta because it's cheap. Leftover chicken is very unpopular so I'll throw that out. Leftover steak seems to be worth more, so that I do save.

Sometimes if I have 1/2 a serving or less I just "forget" to wash that pan. Oftentimes by bed time those leftovers will have miraculously disappeared.

celia088

my doctor called me on sunday to tell me the results of the nuclear stress treadmill test---my heart is ok!! She said this test shows if all parts of the heart are getting oxygen and my heart has no places that are not getting oxygen. If there are areas of the heart that are not getting oxygen, that would indicate damage that was done by a heart attack.

So I am guessing that i was dehydrated when i had the dizzy episodes, since the doc has again blown off the idea that my dose of blood pressure meds might be too high now that i have lost a lot of weight.

Anyway, i am relieved!

peace,
celia

roseg

Sounds reasonable.

I thought I might throw-up the first time I did spinning class, and the addition of extra water seems to have helped.

Keeping your blood pressure under control is very important, if he/she thinks the meds are right who are we to question that?

So you're back on the 'mill again?

ginger2345

I'm glad you got good news on the scan. Anymore, docs are liking bp's to be lower than in the past. Under the 120/80--which they're now calling pre-hypertension. And with diabetics they like to be well within the guidelines.

Sounds like you have a doc who takes your symptoms seriously and checks them out thoroughly. Go with that and get back to the gym with a smile on your face!!! You're up to the treadmill! Keep up the good work.

celia088

Rose and Ginger---

Yup! back to the old 'mill. Actually i never left it. Still exercising 3 times a week for 45 minutes each session.

I also found out today that my scaphoid bone in my hand that everyone thought i had broken, is NOT broken, and was probably just sprained. So, no more brace on hand, no more nitroglycerin spray for possible heart probs, just plain old exercising and losing more weight.

Now, i just have to conquer the elliptical trainer that i have at home, as well as the one at the place where i work out. I can walk on the treadmill for half an hour or more and can ride the bike the same amount, but i cannot do more than a minute on the elliptical. It kicks my butt. And the worst thing is the one where i work out stops moving if you go too slow. It infuriates me. My elliptical at home doesn't stop if you slow down, but one minute on it is all i can do. I can see that the elliptical is a much more strenous work-out--more like walking or running uphill, but i was able to do the treadmill in the stress test with a 12% incline and keep on going. So this is my next challenge: to work up to 2 minutes and not be struggling and then eventually more time.

Have any of you had success with the elliptical???

peace,
celia

stronglady

Just start slow on the elliptical and work your way up! Ellipticals have the advantage of working more muscle groups than walking or stationary cycling, which also means they're more challenging. I don't know what kind you use, but for sure start with the resistance set as low as possible. And if it's the kind with an adjustable incline, start out flat. You'll get there!

roseg

I really like the elliptical! My "Y" has 2-3 different models. I like the ones with the heart monitor on the stationary arm part. I don't use the swinging arm parts because I think it makes my arm sore.

I find that if I go too fast on the treadmill that my hips get sore, but that doesn't happen with the elliptical. I have read that if you are in search of bone-building impact activity that the elliptical is not as good as the treadmill. I walk a lot outside so that's not my goal.

In a way I envy you. You've got something to work up on.

ginger2345

Celia,

The elliptical seems like a more rhythmic, coordination thing that can be hard to get down. And I agree that the dang thing stops if you get too slow and is tough on the back to get going again.

Sounds like you have a variety of exercise types going--crosstraining is good esp as we age! (I'm thinking of my age!!!)

roseg

I think if you are going so slow it stops you should turn the resistance down!

My husband doesn't like it either. It's hard to read because you bounce up and down a little.

celia088

Thanks ladies for the encouragement. I have the ellipticals in both places turned down to the rock-bottom lowest level of resistance and neither is set for any incline (in fact i didn't know that you could do that). The one where i work out is a very expensive model and my elliptical at home is from Sears and it even has a variable setting for the stride: 12 in, 14 in, and 18 in. Most ellipticals that i have tried are fixed-set at 18in., but the one i bought i have set at 12 in. So everything is at the easiest level possible and still, i can only do one minute.

Ginger, i have no trouble with the rhythm of the elliptical, in fact for the first minute i look like i am gliding perfectly, but my legs just get totally fatigued and i just can't keep doing it. I am strength training my thigh and leg muscles on the Total Gym to get them stronger. I had a lot of leg muscle atrophy during the time i was waiting to get my knee replacement--i became very sedentary. I am also not young. I think that i have to just build up my strength for more distance. I have managed to go to almost 2 minutes several times but i really get slow and totally fatigued.

I am very determined and i am often called tenacious, so we shall see how this goes.

peace,
celia

lzcait

Celia...just read that you are a knee replacement...I've had both of mine done and I know the frustration of not having been able to workout...I had my first one replaceed 8 years ago and the second one done 2 years ago. I work out with a trainer now and am probably in the best shape of my life now...only have 10# to go to my goal weight. BUT you need to cut yourself some slack on that elliptical. Seriously...that's a tough machine for knee replacements, not that you are going to damage anything, but with the muscle atrophy, it really takes time to work up to any kind of time on it. It's your quads that really drive the elliptical and it will take some time to get those guys really strong. Keep at it...and that time on the Total Gym will help pay off. Also, if there is a spinning class in your area, that will really work on your legs to get them stronger...just go at your own pace and watch the amount of "standing" that you do on the bike until the legs get really strong. But it has really strengthened mine. Good luck...I know you'll hang in there!

Cait

roseg

Cait has good points.

Injury will sideline you so it's important to avoid that!

What's the thought on squats with replaced knees for building quad strength?

lzcait

Squats, as long as they are not deep squats, are great for building quad strength! With the fact that these "new" knees just do not bend to the depth that real ones do, you will have to gauge just how far down you can go...and never ever "bounce" when you squat. I will have to say that some orthopedic docs advise against squats, but I have no problem with them. I think they are just concerned about their patients doing them safely. Leg presses, starting with light weight, and building up is another good quad one.

Cait

roseg

So a gentle 45 degree "sit down" ?
It's mostly about sticking your rear out anyway.

celia088

Cait---thanks for your feedback. I had only one knee replaced, so I find it a bit easier that I still have one original knee. My knee replacement is almost 3 years old. My ortho doc originally told me to not walk on the treadmill (he preferred me to use the bike), not to run or kneel. I had already stopped doing leg lunges prior to this surgery. But the physical therapists that I worked with last year for my bad back said that after 2 years with the new knee it was ok to use the treadmill.

After I read your post I went to exercise and I paid a lot of attention to how I felt on the elliptical. After only 30 seconds I started to feel the total fatigue in my quads close to my knee area and also felt fatigue in the knees. I always have to struggle to finish my one minute on the elliptical. I thought about the fact that I also do not increase the tension on the recumbent bike because it hurts my knees, so that is not helping me get stronger. After my replacement surgery I rehabbed the quad muscles just enough to get the bending and unbending of my knee to the full range, but I didn’t do much more exercise than that because my back was so bad at that time.

So, I think that I HAVE been expecting a bit too much, too fast from myself. I am not sure that I could do a spinning class at this point since I use a recumbent bike because of my bad back. For now I am going to concentrate on developing my quads. There are plenty of exercises I can do at home without equipment. My goal has been to walk in the Relay for Life in my town. When I started all of this, I could not stand up for more than 5 minutes or walk without a shopping cart or a cane, so I have come a long way.

peace,
celia

roseg

Celia - I think that is a very reasonable approach!

Too often we push ourselves to harder levels when we aren't getting everything we could out of the beginning things. It's always a good idea to attend to your form on exercises. Think "better not harder."

As you say, you've come a long way, but it was bit by bit. You're doing great and don't let yourself forget that!

ginger2345

Celia,

You're doing great and I like the softer approach. Pushing too hard could end up with you having an injury and set back. I love your attitude!!!

celia088

Thank you ladies for all your feedback and encouragement. I realized that I have been exercising and losing weight since June 27, 2006 (9 months) with very little communication with anyone about this whole process. Since I have been posting on this thread, I have had the chance to reflect on what you all have brought to my attention and to look at other possibilities that have been mentioned. It has been really helpful to me.

I am feeling less frustrated with what I can’t do and more happy about what I have accomplished. Earlier, Rose posted to me, “In a way I envy you. You've got something to work up on.” I agree. I have a good goal to work toward, and I hope to keep my frustration in check.

So, back to the gym. Today I am 61 lbs. less, and yesterday I finally got up to the speed (comfortably) that I used to walk at on the treadmill before most of my problems with my knee.

peace,
celia

lzcait

Celia. Just what you have accomplished is fantasic! And yes, I agree...physical therapy after replacement only gets you to the point where you can bend and straighten so you can walk properly...but it does not get you good strong quads. And interestingly enough, once I got my quads strong, not only did my range of motion drastically improve, but I had had shoulder and neck problems that cleared up. I seriously think when we are "out of alignment" because of our knees it compromises our entire skeletal system. So you may well find that strengthening those legs helps your back in the long run. My orthopedic also originally told me no treadmill...and frankly my trainer is terrified of me getting on the treadmill or the elliptical because it is so easy to fall on that equipment...and a fall for us is more than just a skinned shin. BUT both have agreed that to prevent osteoporosis, since I'm now off hormones, some weight bearing is important. I also find that when I have overdone it and the knees flare up, ice really helps bring that inflammation back down. Keep it up, and I know you'll get there! Good night to all your ladies...I'm hitting the bed early tonight. First kayak race for the season tomorrow and it's the first time my dh has raced with me! I'll let you all know how it goes!

Cait

roseg

I find it so encouraging when people have success!

It's so much easier to gripe. I love it when somebody makes an effort and feels good about it.

Probably none of us will ever compete in the Olympics, or appear on the cover of any magazines, but if we feel better that's all that counts.

So I love your progress as much as you do!

lzcait

Don't know how many pounds I lost today...it had to be plenty...I think I'll actually look forward to stepping on those scales tomorrow...but I had the second fastest female solo time...was VERY excited to see I beat out several under 30 year olds! And Rose you are so right...it's what we do that makes us feel better that really counts. I'll never look or be able to row like an equally trained 27 year old again...but I can row and be the best 57 year old possible! Everyone have a great and healthy weekend...dh (who also did great for his first race) and I are headed to an early early bedtime with plenty of advil!

Cait

roseg

I'm gonna rename this thread = THE WINNERS ARE HERE!!!!

Second fastest solo time is pretty good for a 57-year old with fake knees. I can't remember, do you have a fake breast too?

I'm sure there are plenty of 27-y/o with their original parts who couldn't do as well!