That darned scale

That darned scale hasn't moved much for me and I am working out a lot. I ride the recumbant bike for 30 minutes and go 6 miles and then do some strenghth training. Some days I get on the eliptical machine for about 8 minutes...I'm working on getting that up to 15 or 20 minutes. I keep telling myself I am building muscle. I'm getting frustrated but some of that frustration comes from not feeling so good. I have a hip that is bad and have been going in for physical therapy...it seems like the more active I get, the worse it gets. . I had an mri on it and looks like I have some torn cartilage in the hip socket. Of course it's something that is new to the medical field and my orthopedic guy has to send me to a doc out of town cause he doesn't do the surgery. So I checked with my chiropractor and he is doing some therapy and adjusting my back and hips....it feels like I am playing football the way he is tackling me...but we are getting my back to move. I am hoping that the chiropractic treatments relieve the pressure on it...I've had a hard time going out and shopping cause walking hurts. I try to get those little carts whenever I can at the store. I can do any of the exercises at the gym except walking on the treadmill. 3 minutes on that thing and my hip is letting me know about it. IT's so frustrating. Thanks for listening...to me babble...sometimes that helps.

Hugs

Thanks so much...I needed that... Hugs back to you...

The scale has not moved an ounce this month for me. I do admit to endulging a bit too much over the holiday. I'm getting back on track though. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I know all about joint pain. STAY AWAY FROM THE TREADMILL!!!!! That's the worse thing you can do with bad hips or knees. Strength training has been a HUGE help for me. I started off just doing one set of 8-10 reps and now am up to 6 sets of 30 reps. I've built so much muscle that it's really helped with the joint pain. I do weight training 2 days a week. Does your gym have a machine called a Precor? It's sorta like the eliptical but without the arm movement. I found that to be easier when I first started. I now do 45 minutes on the eliptical and 30 minutes on the precor each time I work out except weight training days. I only do the precor after weight training. You're doing the right thing. Start off small and push yourself a little harder each time. Next thing you know, you'll be a superstar! (hugs)

Thanks Terri, I have been using the eliptical that is a precor...no arms. I'm not that coordinated yet. lol My chiropractor gave me these exercises to do...boy there is one that hurts but I know I have to stretch those hips. It's called a hip rotator stretch. In one word ouch, but I will do them because I do want to feel better. It's like my body is protesting because I'm moving more. It can protest all it wants...I really have enjoyed my workouts I feel so much better afterwards. Thanks for the encouragement...we are definitely on the right track.

Have you taken your measurements? I applaud you for continuing exercise when you are in so much pain. Lots of people can't get motivated at all and have no pain as an excuse! Keep up the good work and throw out the scale for a while, just weigh monthly ... when I did that I found I was so much more at peace with how things were going. I measured my success more on how I felt and paid BETTER attention to what I was eating, if that makes any sense. Feel better! xosm

Thanks so much. I really am not one to give up and so with or without pain I have a wonderful goal in mind. That is to be healthy. I actually feel better if I do some exercises even though some are painful. I did some spot measuring this morning and it's been awhile but I am not seeing any inches lost. Again, I think I am building some muscle , my arms have some great muscles now but of course the rest of them have gone south....I am hoping to get at least some of that skin to go back. I think I will go back to my basics as far as the food goes and see if I can keep on course. I drink a protein drink every morning and some days I don't get enough water in. I'll work on that and throw out my scales and see if that doesn't make a difference. I know that I have had to sinch up my bra to it's last notch and pull the straps up....lol time for a new one I think....I bought a coat the other day and I was so excited to be able to buy an XL instead of a 6x. I found one at a thrift store that was perfect. I just didn't want to spend a lot on one only to be able to use it one season. I found some gorgeous blouses there too, so I felt like I hit the jackpot. Have a great day, your encouragement and advice helped me lots.

It sounds like you are in the right mind set to be successful. I, for one, have to certainly get back on track now that the holidays are over. I did not see much of a loss last month ... well, I did but I think I gained some this past week. I've had a nasty cold and just eating everything in sight. I am doing my best to get back to basics today and to try and banish the carbs for at least a few days. Don't forget to send me your weight for Jan 1st, I know you aren't happy with what the scale said, but I think when you see the chart you will see that lots of us are in the same boat. xosm