Maelstrom143’s BodyBlog

Well, I took Friday and Saturday off, as I was feeling run down. I took the time to read up on nutrition and decide what breakdown will work for me…it is experimental, of course, as I need to see what will work and what won’t, but I should be able to tweak things as I go. I created an excel workbook where I can log my carb to protein to fat ratios, calculate calories, grams, etc. It will be easy enough to print and carry with me and keep me aware of what I do on a regular basis.

The first day (Saturday) that I used the spreadsheet I found that I went over my fat gram allotment by 28g!!! That was crazy! I also found that I did not take in nearly as many carbs and proteins as I should have. I did a lot better today. My final numbers are:

Not bad, but not great. The LTC means Left to Count, meaning I did not fulfill my nutritional requirements today (I felt I would be sick if I had any more food…really I did!). The first number is the grams of carbs left to be eaten, the second is the number of proteins, and the third is the number of fat grams. I love having made this sheet because I can change the ratios easily and to suit me. I used the information and formulas in the articles on bodybuilding.com. The final number, in blue, is the grams of dietary fiber I took in. Thank goodness for supplementation!

Anyway, I am off to shower. It has been a very long day.

Well, today in the AM I got home from my third night shift (12h shifts). It was late, around 8:40 am or thereabouts. I got on the treadmill, did 30 minutes on level 6 and then started my regular workout. As I started the second set of the second exercise, I became nauseated and had to sit down and close my eyes. I think maybe I overdid it, being tired from a hectic shift and then running late to get home. I decided discretion may be the better part of valor and opted for stopping my workout, getting a cup of tea and going to bed.

I may need to get more rest. Too bad. I was so psyched about getting home to work out. Tonight is my 4th night and I will be going straight from this shift to a special stroke class going on from 7:30 am to 5 pm. It will mess up my schedule, but so worth it!

Here are some quick tips to those of you that, like me, have lazy days.

1. Put your Treadmill/Elliptical in the living room. Instead of sitting in a chair, work out while you watch your favorite shows. When you have back-to-back episodes, you will have a heck of a long session.
2. Eat only in the dining room, not in front of the TV.
3. Use the stairs whenever possible.
4. At work, when going shopping, etc., park further away from the entrance.
5. Do leglifts using your kids as weights…they will love it and you will get a workout while interacting with them. I stop at lifting my 13 y/o…lol.
6. Do calf raises when you are in the kitchen or standing at work.
7. Add fiber to your meals. They now have water soluble fiber that can be added to meals while you cook them!
8. Take fruit/veggies with you to work. If you are hungry, munch on your fruit/veggie. If you crave unhealthy food, munch your fruit/veggie first, then eat whatever it is you are craving. You will eat far less of the unhealthy stuff and still feel satisfied.
9. When you are sitting with nothing else to do, stretch…your arms, back, legs.
10. When you are feeling unmotivated, read BodyBlogs. They will remind you why you wanted to work out in the first place. They will also show you that you are not alone in wanting to be better, or in feeling like a slug on some days

Good luck and keep going strong!

Working in the healthcare field, too often I come across people who would benefit immensely from a gym membership or even a stationery bycicle at home. Yet, they are instead medicated for chronic joint/back/generalized pain without a good exercise/diet regimen being planned out. Doctors may tell them they are out of shape or simply give them antidepressants and antianxiety meds.

Get a grip people! If you weigh over 200lbs and can barely move without assistance you have a very valid reason for being depressed. Antianxiety meds and pain meds only mask the symptoms…they do not fix the problem. Working out your arms and mouth alone aren’t going to solve the problem. When you are depressed for no reason then yes, you may need meds. When you are depressed and can pinpoint the reasons (i.e. can’t use restroom without assistance, have chronic pain issues, etc.) then you have a valid reason and happy pills alone will not fix you. Getting medicated against life is just not rational. Take your pain and antianxiety meds if you must, but also get out there and fix the problem…join a gym, get a bike, use a scooter if you have to do so to get out of the house, away from the tv, and getting some fresh air and exercise.

I feel for you, I really do, but do not expect me to say that it is all going to be ok. I will tell you like it is…

"You are overweight. You are at increased risk for pain, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, neuropathy, and a myriad other problems. If you have a familial history, your chances of becoming ill more than double when you are overweight. YOU NEED TO FIND A DOCTOR WHO WILL WORK WITH YOU TO LOSE THE WEIGHT."

There is no easy fix. There are no magic pills. It takes hard work, dedication, and a serious reality check. Being honest with yourself is a good start. Yes. I am empathetic and will do my best for you as my patient. I will provide support, education, information, resources. I will also be brutally honest. It is my job.

Hi everyone! Well, those of you I’ve chatted with know about my hubby’s mom being ill and us moving to GA…well, hubby retired/came home in Nov ‘08, right about the time I got a little sick and stopped keeping track of my progress and workouts. Momma (hubby’s) passed away in Dec ‘08. It was a heartbreaking loss…made all the worse because I actually loved my mom-in-law very much. However, she went with dignity and in her own home and we have continued on with our lives. She will be sorely missed, but at least our sons will remember what an incredible grandmother they were lucky enough to have.
As for me, I have maintained my weight at 136lb and am now (as of Monday 3/9) back on track and working out actively (was doing light aerobics, nothing too strenous for quite a bit). I am really happy to have maintained and to have a goal to reach for-glad to see those of you still on here and looking forward to surfing your pages!