sick...and off track

Hey guys...I'm gonna vent here, ok? I'm so frustrated. After my little birthday hamstring event, I took about a week to heal up, then after getting in One whole workout, I got sick. Throat like sandpaper, itchy ears, heavy chest, no energy....I stayed home from work for a couple days (I'm at work right now) and needless to say have Not exercised. It's been almost 2 whole freaking weeks of this, with one workout, and big surprise, I've lost a total of 1 pound since my birthday (when I weighed on tuesday). I Know it's about my health....but dammmit I have goals to meet (100 lbs by 2/12/05 is my next goal) and I am worried that I'm NOT going to make it if I'm sick and not exercising.... Just needed to vent... Merry Christmas everyone! Stay Warm! Annie

Annie, I know that being sick can really set you back, but sometimes the rest is good for the body, so relax...... and don't feel so guilty. Make sure you are fully recovered before you start back As far as your 100 lb goal in Febuary is concerned, I really have trouble with "weight" goals. I personally don't judge my exercise sucess on the scale. I base my goals on percentage of body fat. Every several months, I get body fat checked (bodpod machine). The last time I had it checked I actually GAINED 5 lbs of lean muscle mass (LLM). If I only looked at the 5 lb increase on the "weight" scale, It would be considered a failure. But really, that increase is is a success, because by adding the extra LLM, I increased my metabolism and reduced my percetage of body fat. At the same time, I went down a waist size. My point is this. If you exercise and weight lift, the scale will be a poor measurement of your success. They to measure your sucesss by fitting into certain clothes. Have a great Christmas holiday

YES!! Very eloquently put John! You know, in the beginning the weight loss is basically all we have to go by because it is coming off so rapidly and the energy levels are just starting to pick up and you are getting into the routine of it. I very rarely get on the scales now, whereas I was on them every single day before! Earl is prime example of that. He has been on a "plateau" for a while now. BUT his waist size continues to shrink. And I can visually tell his muslce mass is getting bigger. I found that too, my scales have been pretty much the same, but my clothing size is shrinking and I am seeing more mass too. My question for you is where is this "bodpod" machine? I would love to get my LLM measured. I had it measured before I met Earl I think in 2000, and if I remember right my percentage of body fat was pushing 50%!!! OMG!!!!! I just about fainted. It was some kind of thing where you laid on the floor and they hooked up electrodes or something and it just took a few minutes. But the results scarred me forever!!! I know that I can get my RMR checked at the hospital, but man it costs 50$! I somehow can't get past paying that!! I think it should be something like $15, because, quite frankly it is a whopping 5 minute readout on some little lap top looking thing! Oh well. One of these days. I wish I had it done before surgery so I could compare it to now, but they weren't doing it back then!!! So, I will continue to get my workouts in too the best I can. I have learned that I can not get down or guilty for missing them. It's just the way life rolls, and I don't stress over it. Just try again to get it in the next day. My fitness center had a major water line break for example. I had no control over that, so I figured, ok...this is a sign to just enjoy the holidays and hit it harder after the new year when it's fixed...besides they will have new equipment when I go back!! BONUS!!! Hope you all had a great Holiday Season...Merry Christmas, Happy Channuka, Kwanza, Ramadon and all that stuff (Geez, I hope I spelled all those right! ) Much Big Hugs! Val

Val, here is where I get my reality check on body fat percentage. I buy the 6 pack and get it done for less than 20 bucks. My son had test done too. It really motivated my son( for a few months.....lol...teenagers) It is very accurate. The NFL uses the BodPod to evaluate players http://baselinefitness.com/

You are right. I know it. As I said above to Earl, I have this imaginary countdown of my window of opportunity for weight loss that gets very narrow at 6 mos. My nutritionist measures our bodyfat % when we see her, but it's only with one of those hand held doo-hickeys like they have at Curves. I have been going by my clothes for sure (and fitting in smaller and smaller ones from the darkest reaches of closetland) and even did pre-op body measurements, maybe it's time for a look-see? I know that I am following the food rules. That part is easier for me (most of the time) THe hardest and most rewarding part is the exercise. It's a love/hate thing for sure. I am likely going to wait a few more days before starting back... Thanks for your thoughtful and wise input. ~Annie