Too few calories?

"Lady o' the house" wrote in message ...
Thanks for the advice, Elana! When I first read it, I was about to cry
since the thought of strictly limiting myself FOREVER almost kills me (but I
have done well so far!) However, I am re-learning how to eat, and I don't
plan on ever going back to the way I used to eat (loaded up carbs, pints of
ice cream, etc.)

Hi, Lady!
I would say you're not doomed to a 1200 kcal diet. Don't think
about forever. Do what you feel is right at this moment. Most
importatnly, don't push yourself to the edge. If you're not
comfortable at 1200, look for a change. I was starving at 1200, and
that's why I had to find a way to up my kcals. However, if you're
comfortable at 1200 kcal, maybe you don't need to change it.

If you feel that you'd like to eat more, do it very carefully, in
stages. You need to find what works for you, so you'll need to
experiment. In my case, I had to learn to exercise alot (I was a
complete jelly fish before, NEVER exercising) and had to quit evening
meals (most pleasurable meals, I must say, with the whole family in
the living room, watching TV, and munching on granda's pastries).
Both were hard to do, and I slipped many times, and still slip. But,
as you say, I don't plan on going back to the way I used to eat (and
look), so I find rewards in my new lifestyle.

Let me ask you this, at the risk of sounding dense: by cardio, do you mean
anything that gets my heart rate up? The reason I ask is that I have been
using my parents stationary bike and that seems to get my heart rate up to
my training rate (been checking against DH's watch).

Yes, by cardio I mean anything that gets your heart-rate up. I
usually do between 45-60 minutes of cardio per session, minimum 4
sessions a week. My gym has spinning classes, which is stationary
biking to music, with instructor yelling at you to work harder. I
love these classes. They give my legs a terrific workout, and are an
excellent cardio workout as well. I also run on the treadmill (with
2%incline) and do eliptical machines, and stair master. Anything.
You can boost your cardio a bit by adding upper body workout to your
bicycle. For example, take 3-5 lb dumbbells, and do a 7 minute
biceps/triceps/shoulders routine while you're spinning with your legs.
Repeat this routine 2 more times throughout your workout. You will
see that you'll be sweating much more AND you'll be toning those upper
arms without dedicating additional time .

Best of luck to you. Don't be afraid to experiment. You're working
on a new lifestyle now, and breaking the habits that took decades to
form. You need to love yourself in the process. You're doing great,
you're on your way to your goal. With time, you will find exactly
what works for you and keeps you satisfied.

Happy lifestyle change!
Elana

"Lady o' the house" wrote in message ...
Thanks for the advice, Elana! When I first read it, I was about to cry
since the thought of strictly limiting myself FOREVER almost kills me (but I
have done well so far!) However, I am re-learning how to eat, and I don't
plan on ever going back to the way I used to eat (loaded up carbs, pints of
ice cream, etc.)

Hi, Lady!
I would say you're not doomed to a 1200 kcal diet. Don't think
about forever. Do what you feel is right at this moment. Most
importatnly, don't push yourself to the edge. If you're not
comfortable at 1200, look for a change. I was starving at 1200, and
that's why I had to find a way to up my kcals. However, if you're
comfortable at 1200 kcal, maybe you don't need to change it.

If you feel that you'd like to eat more, do it very carefully, in
stages. You need to find what works for you, so you'll need to
experiment. In my case, I had to learn to exercise alot (I was a
complete jelly fish before, NEVER exercising) and had to quit evening
meals (most pleasurable meals, I must say, with the whole family in
the living room, watching TV, and munching on granda's pastries).
Both were hard to do, and I slipped many times, and still slip. But,
as you say, I don't plan on going back to the way I used to eat (and
look), so I find rewards in my new lifestyle.

Let me ask you this, at the risk of sounding dense: by cardio, do you mean
anything that gets my heart rate up? The reason I ask is that I have been
using my parents stationary bike and that seems to get my heart rate up to
my training rate (been checking against DH's watch).

Yes, by cardio I mean anything that gets your heart-rate up. I
usually do between 45-60 minutes of cardio per session, minimum 4
sessions a week. My gym has spinning classes, which is stationary
biking to music, with instructor yelling at you to work harder. I
love these classes. They give my legs a terrific workout, and are an
excellent cardio workout as well. I also run on the treadmill (with
2%incline) and do eliptical machines, and stair master. Anything.
You can boost your cardio a bit by adding upper body workout to your
bicycle. For example, take 3-5 lb dumbbells, and do a 7 minute
biceps/triceps/shoulders routine while you're spinning with your legs.
Repeat this routine 2 more times throughout your workout. You will
see that you'll be sweating much more AND you'll be toning those upper
arms without dedicating additional time .

Best of luck to you. Don't be afraid to experiment. You're working
on a new lifestyle now, and breaking the habits that took decades to
form. You need to love yourself in the process. You're doing great,
you're on your way to your goal. With time, you will find exactly
what works for you and keeps you satisfied.

Happy lifestyle change!
Elana

Elana,

Thank you so much for your advice. It's not that I'm necessarily hungry on
the 1200 calorie plan, but when I read about what others are doing with
their menus I sometimes wonder if I'm eating enough. I think I will try to
gradually increase my calories (while maybe maintaining my carbs) and add in
more bike work. (I kind of dread it before I start, but after I finish I
feel really good. LOL)

You have given me some peace of mind about experimenting. I am very afraid
of backsliding and ever approaching where I used to be. Sometimes I worry
that I could be obsessive about it.

Thanks again!

Linda
296/203/160
LC since Oct. 13, 2003
http://home.att.net/~lewis_linda/index.html

"Elana" wrote in message
om...
"Lady o' the house" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the advice, Elana! When I first read it, I was about to cry
since the thought of strictly limiting myself FOREVER almost kills me
(but I
have done well so far!) However, I am re-learning how to eat, and I
don't
plan on ever going back to the way I used to eat (loaded up carbs, pints
of
ice cream, etc.)

Hi, Lady!
I would say you're not doomed to a 1200 kcal diet. Don't think
about forever. Do what you feel is right at this moment. Most
importatnly, don't push yourself to the edge. If you're not
comfortable at 1200, look for a change. I was starving at 1200, and
that's why I had to find a way to up my kcals. However, if you're
comfortable at 1200 kcal, maybe you don't need to change it.

If you feel that you'd like to eat more, do it very carefully, in
stages. You need to find what works for you, so you'll need to
experiment. In my case, I had to learn to exercise alot (I was a
complete jelly fish before, NEVER exercising) and had to quit evening
meals (most pleasurable meals, I must say, with the whole family in
the living room, watching TV, and munching on granda's pastries).
Both were hard to do, and I slipped many times, and still slip. But,
as you say, I don't plan on going back to the way I used to eat (and
look), so I find rewards in my new lifestyle.

Let me ask you this, at the risk of sounding dense: by cardio, do you
mean
anything that gets my heart rate up? The reason I ask is that I have
been
using my parents stationary bike and that seems to get my heart rate up
to
my training rate (been checking against DH's watch).

Yes, by cardio I mean anything that gets your heart-rate up. I
usually do between 45-60 minutes of cardio per session, minimum 4
sessions a week. My gym has spinning classes, which is stationary
biking to music, with instructor yelling at you to work harder. I
love these classes. They give my legs a terrific workout, and are an
excellent cardio workout as well. I also run on the treadmill (with
2%incline) and do eliptical machines, and stair master. Anything.
You can boost your cardio a bit by adding upper body workout to your
bicycle. For example, take 3-5 lb dumbbells, and do a 7 minute
biceps/triceps/shoulders routine while you're spinning with your legs.
Repeat this routine 2 more times throughout your workout. You will
see that you'll be sweating much more AND you'll be toning those upper
arms without dedicating additional time .

Best of luck to you. Don't be afraid to experiment. You're working
on a new lifestyle now, and breaking the habits that took decades to
form. You need to love yourself in the process. You're doing great,
you're on your way to your goal. With time, you will find exactly
what works for you and keeps you satisfied.

Happy lifestyle change!
Elana

Elana,

Thank you so much for your advice. It's not that I'm necessarily hungry on
the 1200 calorie plan, but when I read about what others are doing with
their menus I sometimes wonder if I'm eating enough. I think I will try to
gradually increase my calories (while maybe maintaining my carbs) and add in
more bike work. (I kind of dread it before I start, but after I finish I
feel really good. LOL)

You have given me some peace of mind about experimenting. I am very afraid
of backsliding and ever approaching where I used to be. Sometimes I worry
that I could be obsessive about it.

Thanks again!

Linda
296/203/160
LC since Oct. 13, 2003
http://home.att.net/~lewis_linda/index.html

"Elana" wrote in message
om...
"Lady o' the house" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the advice, Elana! When I first read it, I was about to cry
since the thought of strictly limiting myself FOREVER almost kills me
(but I
have done well so far!) However, I am re-learning how to eat, and I
don't
plan on ever going back to the way I used to eat (loaded up carbs, pints
of
ice cream, etc.)

Hi, Lady!
I would say you're not doomed to a 1200 kcal diet. Don't think
about forever. Do what you feel is right at this moment. Most
importatnly, don't push yourself to the edge. If you're not
comfortable at 1200, look for a change. I was starving at 1200, and
that's why I had to find a way to up my kcals. However, if you're
comfortable at 1200 kcal, maybe you don't need to change it.

If you feel that you'd like to eat more, do it very carefully, in
stages. You need to find what works for you, so you'll need to
experiment. In my case, I had to learn to exercise alot (I was a
complete jelly fish before, NEVER exercising) and had to quit evening
meals (most pleasurable meals, I must say, with the whole family in
the living room, watching TV, and munching on granda's pastries).
Both were hard to do, and I slipped many times, and still slip. But,
as you say, I don't plan on going back to the way I used to eat (and
look), so I find rewards in my new lifestyle.

Let me ask you this, at the risk of sounding dense: by cardio, do you
mean
anything that gets my heart rate up? The reason I ask is that I have
been
using my parents stationary bike and that seems to get my heart rate up
to
my training rate (been checking against DH's watch).

Yes, by cardio I mean anything that gets your heart-rate up. I
usually do between 45-60 minutes of cardio per session, minimum 4
sessions a week. My gym has spinning classes, which is stationary
biking to music, with instructor yelling at you to work harder. I
love these classes. They give my legs a terrific workout, and are an
excellent cardio workout as well. I also run on the treadmill (with
2%incline) and do eliptical machines, and stair master. Anything.
You can boost your cardio a bit by adding upper body workout to your
bicycle. For example, take 3-5 lb dumbbells, and do a 7 minute
biceps/triceps/shoulders routine while you're spinning with your legs.
Repeat this routine 2 more times throughout your workout. You will
see that you'll be sweating much more AND you'll be toning those upper
arms without dedicating additional time .

Best of luck to you. Don't be afraid to experiment. You're working
on a new lifestyle now, and breaking the habits that took decades to
form. You need to love yourself in the process. You're doing great,
you're on your way to your goal. With time, you will find exactly
what works for you and keeps you satisfied.

Happy lifestyle change!
Elana

Bob in CT wrote in message ...
Ah, I see. I was thinking of bringing dinner, although I also bring lunch
and we have one of those tiny refrigerators; I don't think I could fit any
more in there. It would be nice to not eat so late -- I'm typically
finishing dinner at about 8pm, and I go to bed at 9pm (to get up as early
as 4:15 am or as late at 6am).

Try and see if you could squeeze the dinner in there too. Do you
have your own office? If so, you might be able to bring your own mini
fridge in there.
There was an offer for a free one at slickdeals.net, although it's
expired now. Or maybe you could petiton your boss for a bigger fridge


Elana

Bob in CT wrote in message ...
Ah, I see. I was thinking of bringing dinner, although I also bring lunch
and we have one of those tiny refrigerators; I don't think I could fit any
more in there. It would be nice to not eat so late -- I'm typically
finishing dinner at about 8pm, and I go to bed at 9pm (to get up as early
as 4:15 am or as late at 6am).

Try and see if you could squeeze the dinner in there too. Do you
have your own office? If so, you might be able to bring your own mini
fridge in there.
There was an offer for a free one at slickdeals.net, although it's
expired now. Or maybe you could petiton your boss for a bigger fridge


Elana

Bob in CT wrote in message ...
Ah, I see. I was thinking of bringing dinner, although I also bring lunch
and we have one of those tiny refrigerators; I don't think I could fit any
more in there. It would be nice to not eat so late -- I'm typically
finishing dinner at about 8pm, and I go to bed at 9pm (to get up as early
as 4:15 am or as late at 6am).

Try and see if you could squeeze the dinner in there too. Do you
have your own office? If so, you might be able to bring your own mini
fridge in there.
There was an offer for a free one at slickdeals.net, although it's
expired now. Or maybe you could petiton your boss for a bigger fridge


Elana

On 26 Aug 2004 08:20:06 -0700, Elana wrote:

Bob in CT wrote in message
...
Ah, I see. I was thinking of bringing dinner, although I also bring
lunch
and we have one of those tiny refrigerators; I don't think I could fit
any
more in there. It would be nice to not eat so late -- I'm typically
finishing dinner at about 8pm, and I go to bed at 9pm (to get up as
early
as 4:15 am or as late at 6am).

Try and see if you could squeeze the dinner in there too. Do you
have your own office? If so, you might be able to bring your own mini
fridge in there.
There was an offer for a free one at slickdeals.net, although it's
expired now. Or maybe you could petiton your boss for a bigger fridge


Elana

I do have my own office and do have a mini-fridge at home (which stores
flavored or regular water and sometimes beer).

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

On 26 Aug 2004 08:20:06 -0700, Elana wrote:

Bob in CT wrote in message
...
Ah, I see. I was thinking of bringing dinner, although I also bring
lunch
and we have one of those tiny refrigerators; I don't think I could fit
any
more in there. It would be nice to not eat so late -- I'm typically
finishing dinner at about 8pm, and I go to bed at 9pm (to get up as
early
as 4:15 am or as late at 6am).

Try and see if you could squeeze the dinner in there too. Do you
have your own office? If so, you might be able to bring your own mini
fridge in there.
There was an offer for a free one at slickdeals.net, although it's
expired now. Or maybe you could petiton your boss for a bigger fridge


Elana

I do have my own office and do have a mini-fridge at home (which stores
flavored or regular water and sometimes beer).

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

"Lady o' the house" wrote in message ...
Elana,

Thank you so much for your advice. It's not that I'm necessarily hungry on
the 1200 calorie plan, but when I read about what others are doing with
their menus I sometimes wonder if I'm eating enough. I think I will try to
gradually increase my calories (while maybe maintaining my carbs) and add in
more bike work. (I kind of dread it before I start, but after I finish I
feel really good. LOL)

Hi, Linda
I share your feelings about dreading the bike . But the bottom line
is, your body needs it. Over time, biking will become easier for you.
You might not believe it now, but it will. As you build muscles and
endurance, and lose the extra fat, biking will stop being a necessary
evil. You will actually look forward to the workout because you will
learn to associate workout with feelings of satisfaction and
accomplishment.
On the other hand, biking all the time might become boring. I'd
suggest, while the weather is still nice, try to spend as much time as
possible outdoors walking or jogging. Or, if you have access to
tennis courts (or a wall), you might try tennis - also a great workout
and fun. It doesn't matter whether you can play or not - the key is
to run around as much as possible .



You have given me some peace of mind about experimenting. I am very afraid
of backsliding and ever approaching where I used to be. Sometimes I worry
that I could be obsessive about it.
You're very far away from where you used to be, so I don't think it
would be possible for you to suddlenly slide there. You would
definitly notice a weight gain way before it would bring you anywhere
near your original weight. So don't worry. If you do gain, you will
learn what not to do, which is also very important. The goal of
experimentation is to find something that will work for you in the
long term. Take it slow, you'll do great!

Elana