Sorry to hear about your injuries! You should be proud of yourself for working so hard on your goals.
If the doctors said it might take another 6 months for the drugs to get out of your system, and they might be the cause of you not losing weight, then it's really out of your control right, and you shouldn't let it discourage you! You have to remember, all the great things you are doing help in so many more areas than just weight loss. You are judging everything on what the scale says. Think about if there was a scale that measured overall health. It sounds like you would be right where you need to be! Know what I mean?
It does sound like there are other things you can do. If you are able to run on the treadmill, does that mean you can work your legs? If so, check out our Fitness Resource Center - there are a bunch of lower body exercises that will help you develop lean more lean muscle tissue in your legs, ultimately helping you lose body fat.
Let me know if you have any questions. Hang in there... you are on the right path!!!
"Coach" Joe
SARAD957 4/8/04 8:17 A
Hi Joe. I have joined SparkPeople in february/04. For the 2 first weeks I was all excited about it for I lost 2 pounds in less than a week and I though I was gonna reach my goal sooner than expected. Well, things didn't work like that and here I am stuck in my 160lb ever since. Last year I had a neck injury wich affected my spine. It has kept me out of the gym for a year and almost drove me crazy. I received treatment with steroids and pain medicines for over 6 months plus antidepressants and that's how I got overweighted - I am about 40lb over my normal 120lb. As soon as the doctor gave me the green light in january I went back to the gym but I am limited to the treadmill. I basically cannot workout my upper body. The doctors say that it will take about another 6 months for all those drugs to be eliminated from my organism. They say it can be the rason as why I am not loosing weight as expected. I follow everything I read in the SparkPeople program - I am watching my calories intake everyday and I workout 20-30 minutes at least 5 days a weeek. The numbers in the scale however don't change...It's getting my nerves. Do you have any advise for me, please? I am losing my faith and I am really hopeless. Thanks in advance.
SP_COACH_JOE 3/14/04 10:07 A
Definitely!
A combination of strength training and aerobic/anaerobic training will give you the toned look you want. Can't wait to hear about your results!
"Coach" Joe
MAKOSPHERE 3/13/04 8:19 A
thanks for the feedback! I totally understand re: burn calories to lose localized fat deposits, and will pass that onto my saddlebags...
However, I could also, in combination with that, *really* use to spot-TONE things like ==my "flying squirrel wings" (you know, the sorta floppy under-the-upper-arm spot?) ==backside (before that sags to my knees) ==belly (NOT a 6pack, more like a case)...
Toning these spot problems would give better appearance in a different/complementing way, which is still very motivating.
2cents! SM
SP_COACH_JOE 3/12/04 7:01 P
Unfortunately, We aren't able to calculate how many calories burned with resistance training. There are too many factors that go into determining it.
We are working on putting something together that indicates which area each exercise works. Something to remember, you can't spot train, meaning if you have an area that has extra weight you can't do resistance training exercises for that area and expect to see results. Those troubled areas are just where the majority of your body fat is stored, and you need to burn calories to see results. Those areas will take the longest to see results. SO, it's important to work your large muscle groups, like the legs, back, chest, etc. to burn more calories, and ultimately help you lose your troubled spots. Does that make sense?
"Coach" Joe
MAKOSPHERE 3/12/04 12:40 P
There is no indication on the 10minute workout page as to how many calories one uses when doing any of the recommended exercises.
Is this because calorie usage is negligible and the exercises are simply for tone? If not, then how about a note "this exercise-set performed as shown uses 10 calories"
I am starting at the Beginner level but find I can easily do 2x of each recommended exercise set. Essentially what I do is run through the sets once and then start over again.
Also, I perform not just the "Option One" or "Option Two" list, but rather I do all of "Option One" EXCEPT the SitUps with swiss ball (I have no swiss ball, yet, and I can reasonably "fake" the Hamstring flexion using my office chair) PLUS all of "Option Two."
I will likely soon integrate Intermediate level exercises, to expand/vary my routine. This is why a per-exercise indication of "calories used per set as shown" would be invaluable to me.
Do any of these recommended exercises qualify to go on my record for cardio work?
Finally, would it be possible to indicate on each exercise the muscles it affects/how it works to tone? This would enable me to work on "Trouble Spots" (belly, thighs, toosh) by performing an extra set of the exercises that target that area in addition to my "standard" routine.
Looking forward to seeing these features added! and Thanks for listening! SM
