UC Davis Research - Must Read

Monday, January 24, 2011

Weight-loss focus is ineffective and harmful, study suggests

January 24, 2011


http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_
detail.lasso?id=9664

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

THINRONNA 1/25/2011 4:09PM

Thanks for the article! We don't actually get good bacon here at all...that is what the article was about right? Report Inappropriate Comment

DALAI_LALA 1/25/2011 9:25AM

Interesting... I do wish they'd linked to the original article, though. I'll have to go looking for it. It seems reasonable - when we get focused ONLY on that number, it causes unbelievable problems when that number doesn't change. Hitting a set point doesn't mean that we are failures, it just means we're stuck for a bit! But try convincing someone on a plateau that they aren't doing something wrong... Thanks for sharing! Lala Report Inappropriate Comment

PILLOWFOOL 1/25/2011 8:13AM

dude, the whole time I was thinking "I could concentrate more if this chick's name wasn't BACON" but it was a good article. I have to admit that if I end up with a healthy cholesterol, heart, lungs, and all that jazz but am STILL 200lbs - I will be seriously disappointed. I suppose at least I'll know I'm healthy! Report Inappropriate Comment

DAVIDPRESCOTT 1/24/2011 11:34PM

Interesting read - and it makes sense - weight loss should be a byproduct of a lifestyle change - not the other way around. And I have to admit when I got to the line that said "Bacon noted that the study findings..." I DID blank out for a second and have a craving for bacon. Have a good one:) Report Inappropriate Comment

Didn't Go to Class Sunday, Did Go Monday

Monday, January 24, 2011

My neck was stiff and sore Sunday; I debated going, but the class was BodyPump, much of it involving squats/lunges/etc. with a barbell on your shoulders. I opted out. Maybe next week.

I did go to BLT class last night, and I expect my B (aka gluteus maximus, and boy is it maximus) to tell me how it feels about that any minute now. I also ran C25K on the treadmill, faster than I have before, although still at a snail-like pace. That's okay, progress - I'll take it.

For some reason, my calf muscles were really sore yesterday (from 30 Day Shred, I guess, but I have no idea why). Then last night, during the cool-down stretching portion of the class, CRAMP!!! I managed not to scream, but I did limp out of there. Still, I survived.

Today, BodyBalance and running the F1 circuit. Haven't done that in a few weeks. We shall see how the calves hold out.

What I need to do, and am going to do in February, is get a lifting program in place. The thing is, I don't like to lift alone, and my DH and I seldom get to the gym together. I don't know anybody else to lift with. So, I'm thinking about hiring someone. There is one really good personal trainer at the gym. If he has time (he's really busy), I may schedule a weekly session with him for a month, just to get myself started.

That sounds like a plan.

Have a great day, everybody!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HARMONYBLUE 1/24/2011 10:43PM

Love the personal trainer idea and the PR on the C25K. About the cramp, if you are getting enough water, are you getting enough potassium. I think I read more potassium can prevent cramps. Hello bananas! Report Inappropriate Comment

SALMONINTHEBEAK 1/24/2011 9:31PM

Read this: "I also ran C25K on the treadmill, faster than I have before," and thought to myself then I read this: "although still at a snail-like pace." and smiled to myself like this Report Inappropriate Comment

4.4 Pounds Gone - Overnight (just as they came on)

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Yes, I fasted yesterday and the 2 kg that appeared Friday night went back to whatever festering hole they came from Saturday night.

Now to keep the downward momentum going this week! I started 30 Day Shred last night, but I'm going to take an actual circuit class at the gym today in lieu of doing it again. I'll do it tomorrow. That is, if I can get up the courage to take a new class.

I don't know why I'm so hesitant about classes. Well, I know partly - I hate hate hate being the biggest thing in the room. :( There are freaking MIRRORS all over the place, and I do NOT want to see myself. Also, I feel like I'm being judged. Whether I am or not doesn't matter; that's how I feel. For me to function in a class, I have to pretend like it's just me and the instructor. I don't talk to anyone. Well, a couple of times people from work have been in a class, and I did talk to them, but I felt uncomfortable as hell having someone I knew in there with me.

The ONLY reason I'm going to try this class (maybe) is because I know/like the instructor. I mean I know her in the sense that I've had several classes with her. I'm sure she knows me as the biggest person to come to any classes in a long time. Sigh.

Well, one day, I will NOT be the biggest one in the room. I also acknowledge the possibility that I am not the biggest one now, because I have a super-distorted body image. Plus, I try not to look at people (hoping if I don't see them, they don't see me, maybe?).

Okay, positive thoughts, people. Positive thoughts.

Have a great Sunday!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PILLOWFOOL 1/24/2011 7:05AM

I feel that way during classes also. I feel like everyone is thinking "what is this fatso doing at the gym?" but then I think.... well, maybe they're also thinking "hey! good for her. she's trying to better herself" which is what I tell myself over and over and over when I see the stick thin girls in their cute workout clothes barely breaking a sweat. meanwhile I'm sucking wind, red in the face, wearing my husbands old ratty t-shirt from highschool and pants with bleach stains on them. WHATEVER. I'm trying. you're trying. that's all that counts! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 1/23/2011 4:39PM

Well I'm glad that dratted scale was nice to you today! I agree with everyone else - push through your discomfort & keep going to class. The more you go, the less uneasy you'll feel, with the people & the mirrors. Report Inappropriate Comment

ICOWGIRLUP 1/23/2011 5:29AM

Go and enjoy it allmwomen big and smallnhave issues with their body, just remember that they are thinking about their own body image and have fun Report Inappropriate Comment

THINRONNA 1/23/2011 4:17AM

I hope you go to that class. i know how you feel though. When I was at my biggest and started running I was positive that people were actually laughing at me...I mean I was sure! But some one told me this: People are actually far to self absorbed to actually be looking at you and judging you...they most likely are looking in the mirror and judging themselves! I is true. We are far harder on ourselves than others are on us. You have made so much progress in the little time I have known you and I am so impressed by your tenacity and determination. Have fun at your class and let us know how it goes! Report Inappropriate Comment

CANADAUAE 1/23/2011 2:01AM

Aww definetly go to the class! Don't feel like that because all the rest of the people in the class are really only focusing on themselves...you are not gonna be that for long so just think...the more you go...the more you do...the less time you will be how you feel now :) Just go and have FUN! Where do ya workout? In AD? Which club? Do you ever do Les Mills and have ya ever tried ZUMBA? Fuuun!! Going to them...gets you to your goal..not going keeps you where you are :) I lost pretty much ONLY doing classes at the gym and almost nothing else :) SO it works!! Report Inappropriate Comment

HARMONYBLUE 1/23/2011 2:01AM

i started out in the back of my HipHop and Zumba classes terrified everyone was looking at me. But seriously, no one looks at anyone except those in front, the instructor and the people in the front row if you have trouble seeing the instructor...oh and everyone tries to keep themselves in the line of sight in the mirror. And the more you go, the less self conscious you will feel. I proudly take my place on the front row and love that people look at my moves when their view of our instructor is blocked. Report Inappropriate Comment

DAVIDPRESCOTT 1/23/2011 12:50AM

Everyone has the same concerns - you might look around and think the others look great and are looking down their nose art you. They look around and wonder whether someone is watching their cottage cheese thighs or their lumpy tush or the stomach that sticks out an 1/8 of an inch more than they want. They wouldn't be sweating it out at the gym if they didn't feel just as self conscious about something(s) on their body. Zone out, focus on you and the instructor and enjoy the burn:) P.S. And NICE ONE on the weight loss - seems you better start planning the next pants shopping adventure Miss Sex - we know how long it took to get you into a store last time lol. Comment edited on: 1/23/2011 12:51:57 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

UR2LOVEIT 1/23/2011 12:06AM

Go enjoy it the best you can - you can do it~!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHELLSTERS1 1/22/2011 11:07PM

you can do it!!!! Go to the class and enjoy it! Report Inappropriate Comment

Bummer Blog (do not read if easily depressed)

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Darn it. (Spark spanks me if I use stronger language, but believe me, I want to.)

100 minutes of exercise yesterday.
80 minutes the day before.
All kind of water.

And then...Indian food. (cue ominous music)

And then...this morning...TWO KILOGRAMS UP!
(4.5 pounds for you non-metricals)

UP UP UP UP UP

As in, GAINED!

So, I cried. Yes, I did. All day. And moped. Also all day. And didn't eat. Not one bite. Nada. Zip. Zilch. I'm fasting on Saturdays, from now on. (I did have one cappuccino with whole milk before I figured this out. After that - black double espressos all day.)

Look, I know it's water. I know I ate spicy, salty stuff last night. And basmati rice. And garlic naan, god help me. My hands and feet are swollen; I can't get my ring off. I KNOW it's water. I know it's not "real" weight. It's still depressing as hell. And whether it's fat, muscle, or water, UP is NOT the direction I want the scale going.

So I'm going to go low on calories this week, and high on water, and high high high on exercise. DH is free in the afternoons, so I'm going to the gym EVERY DAY. Plus re-starting 30 Day Shred (just did Level 1, Day 1). Back pushing for speed on C25K. And eating NO sugar, NO bread, NO pasta, a little brown rice, a little fruit. And NO INDIAN FOOD. Ever again, maybe. I'll be living on espresso, vegetables, tuna, chicken breast, nuts, plain non-fat yogurt, protein powder, vitamins, and SlimFast. (I like SlimFast. SlimFast and walnuts will be my treats. And oranges. Yum.)

I'm going to do this for a week and see what happens. I need a system shake-up, re-boot, something.

I need never to see a 2k gain again - overnight, over a week, over a month, over anything. Never. Again.

Tomorrow is my "official" weigh in. It had better not be higher than last week's. And that's all I have to say about that.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PEGGIET 1/22/2011 9:35PM

Ah, naan bread!! Does it to me too - every time!! Report Inappropriate Comment

HARMONYBLUE 1/22/2011 1:19PM

It really is just water weight but I know the let down when you get on the scale and see a gain like that. Glad to see you will still be fitting some whole grain rice and oranges into to diet next week, so you aren't completely eliminating carbs:) Report Inappropriate Comment

AZBACKPACKER 1/22/2011 12:25PM

Same thing last week... I ate Chinese food the night before my weigh in.... Gained 3 pounds... Grrrrrrrr January has not been a good month for loosing weight for me either. However,,, starving yourself to death will not get your body loosing again. My nutritionist pressed that I eat all my required foods (I was cutting this and that out) Turns out I lost a full pound in a few days by eating right and exercising.... We all must work past our plateaus... Report Inappropriate Comment

TEMPEST272002 1/22/2011 12:08PM

If sparkpeople would let me, I'd swear with you. I tracked food 6/7 days last week. That other day, I was on the binge-train. OK, maybe I over-indulged by 1500 calories or so... but how does that lead to a 3 lb gain? Feeling your frustration & also not sure how to move past it. Sigh. Hope your kick start plan gets you moving in the right direction again. Report Inappropriate Comment

CMMONTOYA 1/22/2011 11:59AM

Don't give up! Bumps are part of the process. Also know that you are not alone! There are many others who share in your same experience. Keep on working! It will come off! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMA_BEAR1 1/22/2011 11:58AM

It'll be fine. As you said, this is a temporary thing. Stick to your program and you'll do well. jo Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMA_BEAR1 1/22/2011 11:58AM

It'll be fine. As you said, this is a temporary thing. Stick to your program and you'll do well. jo Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMA_BEAR1 1/22/2011 11:58AM

It'll be fine. As you said, this is a temporary thing. Stick to your program and you'll do well. jo Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMA_BEAR1 1/22/2011 11:57AM

It'll be fine. As you said, this is a temporary thing. Stick to your program and you'll do well. jo Report Inappropriate Comment

Feeling Better - and RAIN (verbal downpour as well, i.e., long and boring)

Friday, January 21, 2011

I mean what I say: this is long and boring. Proceed at your own risk. I'm just journaling and getting thoughts out here.

RAIN!! Wow! It's been raining off and on all day. This is the first really rainy day we've had since March or April last year, although we did have a bit of drizzle last week. So far, none of it has come in around my windows, but I have had some come under the door. There is apparently no weatherstripping or sealant or anything here; my windows are just set (crookedly) into concrete openings. I can see a good inch or so of sky above the window over my door. I have in the past had rain POURING in my house from the roof door, but hopefully we got that sealed up last year. We shall see.

With the rain has come a headache-free day, for which I am quite grateful. This has helped me get back on the exercise wagon. I missed BodyBalance yesterday, due to an inordinately boring work meeting, but went to B.L.T. (Bums, Legs and Tums) and then hopped on the treadmill for C25K*. BLT is the class that kicked my B last week so badly. I don't think it'll be quite as bad this time, but it is starting to set in right now, about 24 hours later.

Then today I slept in until almost 8 (!), and got myself to the gym for BodyBalance, finally. I'd been trying to go all week, but just couldn't get there due to work, kid, etc. I got there too late to do C25K beforehand, but too early to just hang around, so I hopped on the elliptical for 15 minutes, did the class, then went right back over to the treadmill and did another C25K run.

As I was flipping through the tv channels on the treadmill (yeah, I pay dearly to use this gym), guess what I found? The Biggest Loser! It's back on. Yeah! I'm not sure which season this is, but it's not the one that just started in the US; it may be the previous season. This was the first episode. I was excited, and ended up staying on the treadmill an extra 15 minutes to see the whole episode. LOL Now I just hope I will be able to find it on again. (It was on MBC4, for any fellow UAE-ers who may be interested.)

So now we're going out to dinner. Indian food. I will try not to eat too much rice. Or garlic naan. I may be in trouble here. LOL

Have a great Friday, everybody!


*I finished C25K back in November, but re-started shortly after that to work on speed. Well, I haven't been, so I'm re-re-starting to work on speed. :) It's all good. I like the regimen; it gives me focus. Plus, Chubby Jones is fun!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PEGGIET 1/22/2011 2:02AM

If you are going for Indian food, do a good workout first! That might help you burn off the inevitable rice and naan bread!! Enjoy!! Report Inappropriate Comment

PILLOWFOOL 1/22/2011 1:52AM

when we were staying the the Park Hyatt before we got our apartment their treadmills and ellipticals had treadmills built in and it was AWESOME. (thanks for the tip on finding TBL) Body Balance is so awesome. I love, love, loved it. also: I purposely stood outside in the rain yesterday to soak it all in :) Report Inappropriate Comment

DAVIDPRESCOTT 1/21/2011 10:46PM

Yes - rain - and more than 3 drops - finally! Great to see you are back on the exercise trail:) Report Inappropriate Comment

HARMONYBLUE 1/21/2011 12:22PM

You know, I find I can't NOT exercise while watching the BL. Even if it's just 15 minutes of yoga. I just have to do something. Report Inappropriate Comment