If your mind is going one direction, take it elsewhere. I’m talking about watching DVDs on the treadmill. My hubby and I made a friendly wager over who can lose the most weight in 14 weeks. Typically, men lose faster. It’s just a fact. I do believe I might have an upper edge as my sweetheart leans toward the Atkins method–eat bacon and eggs for breakfast. I smile and munch on my cereal–yes, loaded with carbs. But almost zero fat. Eating my style (which is a home Weight Watchers plan) helped me loose 60 pounds in one year the last time I really gave it my best effort. Too bad some of those pounds have crept back on. I only have myself to blame.
So for the next 14 weeks, this is my plan. Watch 2 episodes of Sex and the City on the treadmill. Doing this at a 1.0 incline and a fair pace of 3.2 to 3.4, I burn 230ish calories and walk 2.5 miles. Each episode is approximately 28 minutes. That’s just under 50 minutes of walking, 5 days a week, which works out to 1,150 calories a week. I like that number better than the 230 per day which barely burns off a yogurt and a half making the exercise and semi-sweat not worth the effort. At 1,150 calories a week, that’s like one entire day of eating that I can burn off. If I eat like a rabbit.
But then there’s a small problem–I’ve seen every episode of this series several times. I could be asking for trouble and boredom. However, when watched from the beginning, one is lured back into the lives of four women who I would never want to be. Yes, I love the glitz and glamor of the show and the women, but I’m glad I’m me in Idaho, happily married. There are 98 episodes in 6 seasons. I’ve watched 7 episodes so far (I started walking over the weekend to help my arm–I have to swing it as I walk to losen it up.) That means I have 91 episodes left. I am in week 1 of the challenge. If I watch 2 episodes a day, that’s 10 episodes a week. I’m going to run out of episodes to watch in week 10. I think?
In any case, I’ll figure that out when I get to The End. In fact, I think the last disk of Season 6 is 1 hour so that would count as 2 episodes. Given that, burning 230ish calories a day, watching what I eat, should net me 10-15 pounds in 14 weeks. At least that’s my plan. If I can do that, I can fit into the carrot dangling in front of me. It’s not orange, rather gold, and it’s a fabulous Kay Unger dress I bought a size too small. Yes, I am a masochist. I knew it wouldn’t fit, but I refused to buy the size I’d need now.
I can get this dress on, but uh . . . I can’t really zip it up . . . too well. I’m half tempted to hang the dress up in front of me in our exercise room to give me motivation. In fact, I should paste a picture of it on the fridge, in my bathroom by the scale, and keep one in my purse for those times we eat out and I feel like ordering everying on the menu.
Wish me luck!
Good luck! Can you spare some of your motivation to GET on the treadmill nevermind stay there 5 days a week?
Stef you might want to check out Special K Protein. It has far fewer carbs plus when you eat protein you feel fuller longer. Don’t go for any of the other Special K stuff with berries etc. Loaded with sugar.
Good Luck!
I could never be a dieter because I don’t like any of the right foods. No veggies and not many fruits. I have no willpower and no metabolism which is a horrible combination.
But a few years ago I started doing a pilates tape at home and it worked wonders. Amazing! It was 22 minutes of all mat work (I have really bad knees) and I did it 3 times a week. My clothes have never fit so well.
So, if you get bored with the treadmill, I say try the pilates. I recently found a new DVD that came with the tension band. I hate that band but it works like you wouldn’t believe.
Good luck! And is that dress for Nationals maybe?
I personally don’t do diets lol, no matter how much I might want to it just doesn’t happen. I suggest you check out the diabetic diet, not really a diet just a guideline they have. My mom lost 50 pounds in the first month of following it, and my husband’s grandmother avoided having a hysterectomy by using that guideline and walking the local race track.
Apart from making me laugh at your rambling, you are on the right track. As a personal trainer and a pilates/yoga studio I would suggest you add some weights to tone up your arms . The dress is gorgeous and you want to show off your arms.
Weight Watchers is good , as well as doing a “quasi” South Beach diet. Lots of good fish, salmon , and veggies. Don’t forget to drink the water. Especially important, if you feel tired and achy. The problem could be dehydration.
On weeks 10-14 (once you have watched all the episodes) listen to some podcasts of subjects you like. I do that and frequently take a longer route home, if I think I will not finish the podcast I am listening.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Meryl,
If I get Special K protein, I hope I can still eat my Lucky Charms or Honey Smacks every now and then. I love them! I figure better than toast dripping with butter . . . ?
Terrio:
Can you tell me the name of your Pilates DVD? I don’t know how much of it I can do. My rotator cuff surgery has hindered my range of motion in a big way. My doc said I will get some “normal” ranges by June. Seems eons away.
Nope, the dress wasn’t bought for National. My sweetheart is taking me to Hawaii for our anniversary, and we have an Alaskan cruise in June. I could bring it to National, though. I just love that dress. Now to fit into it!
Like some of you, I don’t much like veggies and fruit. I force myself to eat them. I love salad–but the dressings are killer and I don’t do any fake substitutes of any kind.
On the plus side, I don’t drink diet pop as I think those fake sweeteners are deadly. If I have butter, I will have less of the real thing. I do eat fats–natural ones like avocado or olives. Once in a while, I have an egg. Other than that, I do well-balanced meals that include carbs and protein. My weakneses are: mashed potatoes (any kind of potato) and chips at the Mexican restaurant. Oh, cheese is another one. Once I “detox” from sweets, I can live without them. It’s that first week of going cold turkey. I like homemade cookies. Just thinking about them, my stomach is growling. Sigh.
I don’t like drinking much water, but I try and finish one 16.9 ounce of Dasani on the treadmill, and drink another during the day and have a glass of water with dinner.
Thanks to those who’ve taken the time to give me tips!
At least you have a plan. I have learned alot of helpful tricks with the Biggest Loser cookbook. I’ve been on alot of diets and the only one that works for me is Weight Watchers.. they have alot of hints and substitutionsfor making their program work. Good luck
I don’t know, Stef Ann, you look pretty good in your photo! And I love the dress…as a former personal trainer, my best tip is (again) drinking lots of water, making sure you eat every few hours (lowfat yoghurt, or a piece of fruit and some almonds make a good snack) and get lots of sleep. The other thing is that your body adapts very quickly if you’re doing the same kind of exercise every day, so one way to lose weight faster is to mix it up- I don’t know if there’s any way to use a stationary bike instead, or swim…but if not you should try to mix it up on the treadmill. One day keep altering the incline, the next try to alternate the speed. Just my two cents…
Well can’t keep a good woman down but please use caution on the thread mill.After going through surgery so recent, you might want to go slow on the weight loss plan. Your already mentioned you are use to “swinging your arm when walking”. But hopefully your are not as big of a klutz as i am. Pamper yourself just for a while until your body adjust from recent surgery.
I love using audiobooks. One of my favorites was _Leaving Normal_.
My husband and I are both following a strict diet regimen. We started three weeks ago and it has been easy. We stick to broiled fish, chicken and he has meat. I don’t touch it. Lots of salads, veggies and fruits. That is basically it. Fibre fills you so you do not snack. I love herbal teas so that is helpful and this has to work. Five years ago he lost 40 lbs. doing this and it is effective. I workout daily on the treadmill, and use weights. He doesn’t have to. He loses way faster in half the time. Good luck and I am sure that you will be successful.
Joye – I like that show the Biggest Loser. It’s inspiring.
Michelle – My photo on the main page is a couple of years old. I’ve put on 20-something pounds since it was taken. Thus the reason to get back down to that size. I was very comfortable in all my clothes.
Beverly – The day I can put my bra on like a “big girl” I will be doing the Snoopy dance. My physical therapist just told me I’ll get back to “pre-surgery” range by May or June. I couldn’t put my arm up behind my back. She said it will be until September or October until I can get to a “normal” range of motion. I’m so sick of putting my bra on in the front and twisting it to the back. I did talk to the PT about swinging my arms on the treadmill and she said ok–so long as I do not swing higher than my waist.
Laura – I’m glad you were able to find LEAVING NORMAL on tape!
Diane – I’m limited with weights right now. Before when I was at Gold’s five days a week, I loved to lift. Now it’s a struggle.
Working out is not the issue although it is helpful to a certain degree. It mostly is dependent upon the calories you take in. How we eat and how much is the most important ingredient in a program. The weight watchers is very good and most succeed on this one. It is always a struggle to maintain and we creep up each year. From now on I will attempt to control it. It is just too hard to have to work out at least 3-4 times a week and then monitor eating as well. Good luck and enjoy your choices.
Hi Stef Anne!
Good luck with your diet. I found that music is a great way to get me moving on the treadmill. My husband bought me an MP3 player for Christmas and I have been putting only fast moving fun songs on it that do get me moving faster. I put the television on mute and have closed captioning going so I watch the morning news while I’m listening to the music.
Your picture on website does not look like you need to lose any weight. When I lost weight successfully, I measured more than weighed. You can see the inches quicker than the lbs.
Also salads and beans are a good way to lose weight. With my oldest daughter, my doctor told me to eat any type of beans and salads daily as I had to lose 7 lobs in one week or go into hospital. Good Luck.
Living a daily healthy lifestyle is a strong component of how we look and feel. In other words, eating like a European, portion control, healthy and balanced. Walking or daily exercise is great if there is time. Very basic but hard to follow since there are too many enticement which we cannot ignore. Reading your workout routine and good habits, you will ose the desired weight.
Jane – If I eat salad, I want to bury it in salad dressing.
Pearl – I agree completely on the portion control. That’s a problem of mine.
I watch Rachael Ray and the other day she had to gals from prevention magazine who wrote a book called the flat belly diet(Think that is what it is called) They guarantee weight loss in pretty sizable numbers. You eat 4 400 calorie meals a day and you must have mufa at each meal. (Mufa is monounsaturated fats)
I too lost 60 pounds 3 years ago- on the Slim Fast diet. I have put 50 of them back on- different health issues kept me off of the treadmill and made me feed my face in sympathy. I like you idea about watching Sex and the City while you walk-I always need something to do myself and that sounds like a good plan.Like Maureen, I mute the tv and listen to 70′s hits on my MP3 player. Good luck to you!
WOW! 14 weeks on a treadmill! I have to hand it to you! that is great!
I hate treadmills…I much to prefer to walk outside…but since is just keeps snowing…that is a little hard to do…but I will go to the rec center and walk on the track…
Also, have you tried the new Special K drink packets? I love them…and it helps me drink
the right kind of drink! It has protein in it and help the hunger pains.
Hey – how about watching Friends – there’s 10 seasons of that so… I’m not going to do the math – my brain is too tired from work — but surely given that there are 10 seasons it would last longer than Sex & The City AND who knows – have you seen all of them.
PS I used to do the trainer to Sex and the City too – but found myself stopping often as I’d get mesmerized and have trouble walking and listening at the same time.
Brenda, that’s a good option. I’m probably one of the few on the planet who’s never watched an epidode of FRIENDS. I heard it was good.
After you are finished with the sex and the city DVD’s, you should move onto FRIENDS. I love it.