Chain Gang

Hi everyone How did we do this week. I've had a rough one and it shows...I stopped planning and reviewing each day so haven't lost anything this week. But at least I know why and I know now (I think) what works for my body. I have upped my exercise which I'm proud of, even though my eating wasn't 100% what I would have liked. What is one thing that you are proud of yourself this week? Have a great week - have a read below, it's taken from Losing It! with Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser) Tune in to Your Body Your body is trying to tell you something, but you're just not listening! To win at the weight-loss game, you've got to make some changes. One of the most important ones is to stop listening to anything but your body to establish a realistic weight for your specific build. Forget about what you see and hear from pop-culture sources. Another thing not to rely on is the body mass index (BMI), which determines the amount of fat you have on your body according to your weight and height. Here's why you're not going to use it: It fails to distinguish between fat and muscle, so the BMI will ultimately give you an incomplete sense of the shape you're in. Today, the medical industry has set its weight guidelines according to the waist-to-hip-ratio method, which is a much more accurate way of arriving at an ideal goal weight. Follow these steps to find yours: Get a tape measure and measure your waist right at the belly-button line. Standing with feet hip-width apart, measure your hips at their widest point. Now simply divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. This is your waist-to-hip ratio. The ideal waist-to-hip ratios are 0.80 for women and 0.95 for men. No matter what number you've arrived at after checking your waist-to-hip ratio, don't be discouraged. Beating yourself up is never a solution. As you lose weight and get fit, you will reduce and redistribute your fat, both of which lower your waist-to-hip ratio. Use the information as a way to determine a realistic expectation for yourself, not as another means to judge yourself negatively. Let go of unrealistic notions of what you think you should look like. Start looking at yourself honestly and see what can be done to look and feel your personal best. Then, begin to embrace your unique self.

Hi Ruth! Thanks for posting that article ... that was very uplifting! I had a bad episode at the gym the other night when a fitness trainer tried using calipers to calculate my body fast percentage. She was pulling all my loose skin and ultimately couldn't give me a good read because of my saggy skin! Talk about embarrassing and humiliating! So I tried to shrug it off and not think about how awful that felt!!! On a brighter note ... I finally talked myself into trying rock climbing last week! I felt so excited because I made it all the way to the top 2 times and got to ring the bell at the top! I also went up 3/4 of the way three more times. But boy, it sure wears out your forearms!!! I also just bought myself a heart rate monitor watch and I kept track of all my calories burned yesterday and I burned 3300 calories! A little over 500 of those calories were from a Spin cycling class but that just shocked me that I burn so many calories in a day! So the fitness trainer said I am definately NOT eating enough to compensate for my calories spent so I need to try and eat more. Who would that thought? And that could be part of the reason for my 5 pound weight gain too. So, I'll try and eat more and see how that does. It's scary though ... how much food is enough without it being too much? Sorry this is so long! Keep up the good work with your paper clip chain ... you will get there!!! Deanna

Hi Deanna From what I've read others going through, you may find that you start losing again if you eat more I have no idea how it works. Wow, rock climbing! Is that at your gym? It sounds exciting. Oh tell me about the skin - I'm in a real downer about it at the moment. I can't see anything nice about it - I can't convince myself that it is like a battle scar. A web site that has been recommended to me is thedailyplate.com I think on there it shows your calories eaten and calories burned. It may be interesting to put yours in and see what it says.

Ruth, I am proud of my cardio workouts. I starting jogging/running a few weeks ago and have already worked myself up to 2 1/4 miles. It's quite exciting, doing something for the very first time! Every day feels like I am achieving my personal best. Diane

Diane you should be VERY proud of what you are accomlishing. You are doing great! Woohoo - way to go girl. How did you get started? I've been walking a mile most week days, and in my mind would like to start running that mile. I walk home form work to collect my daughter from school. I tried last week, but can't get very far at all running. To be able to run as far as you do, I would love. Keep at it.