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Topic: RE: RMR done today!
My knees also sound like rice crispies. Especially the left. What causes all that cracking? Is it a fluid thing? I try to avoid it as best as I can but sometimes there is nothing I can do about it.
I bought the XXL knee brace the other day from sports authority - the largest one I could find. It still didn't fit correctly because my lower thigh is just too huge right now. The only other thing I can think of for a wrap is an ace bandage. Do you guys have any other suggestions?
I switched from my old sneakers to some new nike air trail running sneakers so I'm hoping that will also give me some extra support slightly on my ankles.
Yesterday I had hip pain too. Tonight (or this morning) it is 1:15 and I'm awake from knee pain again!! It is so frustrating. I was in bed at 9:30pm and now up again. I've stayed out of the gym since Wednesday too and have not done any major leg stuff in a week.
One cool thing to report - We built Dana a "personal training on the road kit" as hes picked up some clients outside of the gym that he is doing training at their houses. I got him the new bowflex dumbell set as a valentines present. They are the coolest things.
Check em out... http://www.fitfaq.com/bowflex-dumbells.html
They were out of stock on them at the local Sports Authority so they sold us the floor model for 25% off. Between that, the resistance tubes, new medicine balls, foam roallers, mats, step, stability ball, body bars, and all the other nifty assorted stuff we have we can really start to build a mobile/home gym and have that added opportunity to train in the house or wherever we go. At some point we will also try to build a real personal training studio once we buy a house but this is going to do the trick for now. Our dream is to be able to finish a basement or do an add on to a home and create a real personal training studio with an additional meditation/indoor zen garden/ yoga area type of space that has a seperate entrance? Val/Earl - Do you ever train anyone at your home? I notice you have a ton of equipment.
Topic: RE: RMR done today!
Thanks!
I have been really pleased at the gains I have made. I have been more consistent lately than I have been in a while and it makes a big difference. It is part of my schedule now. The girls even know that mom trains 4 days a week and if they have learned to accept that and work around it.
I have more than "wrinkles" in my belly area. I bet I would drop at least 10-15 pounds of skin with surgery on my breasts and tummy with surgery. I know I would drop at least 2 or more pants sizes easily. I know I have fairly good abs under there, I can feel them, but they do need a little tightening up. The surgeon said the muscle integrity was good, he would just put a stitch in there to make them flat. I so hope I can get it all done.
As far as skin problems go mostly issues with irritation from skin on skin contact. Yeast infections, raw, cracked bleeding skin. Skin tags develop sometimes, and problems with hernias in really bad cases, and poor fitting clothing. It can really get nasty for folks who have lost massive amounts of weight, because the skin just doesn't go back at all. I have noticed my arms and legs getting tighter, but the boobs and tummy need a little help from surgery to be "normal" again.
The bod pod measures body fat/lean muscle mass percentages. It is a great tool to use when you are training to keep track of whether you are losing fat/building muscles, etc. I had one done on Jan 8 and I am doing one again in March to see if my training is working. I think it is. I had 102 pounds of lean muslce mass out of 154. Which I was told was pretty good. Coupled with my RMR I think I am really putting on the muscle now. I love it. I freaked out about the 34% body fat, but I was reminded that some of it is internal organ fat, I have excessive skin and that I had about 20+ pounds more lean muscle mass than the majority of women my age and weight. So, that made me feel better, especially when I calculated that I most likely had a body fat % of 60 or there abouts before surgery.
John B. told us about it, and I am glad we went. I will be curious to see my results come March, then again after I get my body reconstructed.
I am sorry you are having such a hard time with the agony. I had a little arthritic flare up the other day, and it hurt like he11 to train, but I kept thinking of you and it got me through my workout. I really don't have much pain at all when I work out. My only worry is my knees. They don't hurt much, but they sound like bowls of rice krispies when I press or squat. I have this fear of my knee blowing out....YIKES 
I wrap really really tight when I do that.
Hang in there!
Hugs,
Valerie
I wrap really really tight when I do that.
Hang in there!
Hugs,
Valerie 
Topic: RE: RMR done today!
Hiya Val!
Wow that is awesome! 
When I am up on my weight lifting, my RMR stays high. When I was really sick, it dropped to 1500 or so, but got it back up again.
I'm back into my routines in my workouts pretty fully now, and I have noticed I'm starting to bulk up again, esp in the upper body. I am starting to get my weights gradually up on my squats again, though it is agonizing for me, for some reason, more than other body parts. I feel great after I do it, but I have to tell you that I suffer for the strength gains! I want to get more mass on my legs and hips, see more definition in my abs, though there are definite limits on my ability to do that, with loose skin there, so I am trying to train hard, get the skin as thin as possible, even if I can't get rid of it completely. It's really really hard for me, as I'm one of those people who genetically puts fat on the torso first and lose it last. Such a struggle with that! I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall on the abs, though, and I know that I will not be happy with it until I can get the loose skin gone. But mine is only really like wrinkled skin, and no medical issues that I am aware of.
What sort of medical issues do people have with the loose skin?
Hugs, Donna E. 
What's the Bod Pod?
Hugs, Donna
When I am up on my weight lifting, my RMR stays high. When I was really sick, it dropped to 1500 or so, but got it back up again.
I'm back into my routines in my workouts pretty fully now, and I have noticed I'm starting to bulk up again, esp in the upper body. I am starting to get my weights gradually up on my squats again, though it is agonizing for me, for some reason, more than other body parts. I feel great after I do it, but I have to tell you that I suffer for the strength gains! I want to get more mass on my legs and hips, see more definition in my abs, though there are definite limits on my ability to do that, with loose skin there, so I am trying to train hard, get the skin as thin as possible, even if I can't get rid of it completely. It's really really hard for me, as I'm one of those people who genetically puts fat on the torso first and lose it last. Such a struggle with that! I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall on the abs, though, and I know that I will not be happy with it until I can get the loose skin gone. But mine is only really like wrinkled skin, and no medical issues that I am aware of.
What sort of medical issues do people have with the loose skin?
Hugs, Donna E.
What's the Bod Pod?
Hugs, Donna Topic: RMR done today!
Well I had a major suprise today. I had my Resting Metabolic Rate done a little bit ago and I was really suprised.
I was guessing around 1200 give or take. Drum roll...bbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbr
It was 1670. Holy cow. I am good to get 1200 calories in a day! What a suprise. I was really concerned when I had picked up another pound the other day, but when I took my measurements, in the last month I have dropped 1/4 inch off my waist, 1 inch off my hips and added 1 1/1 inches to my thighs and 1 inch to my bicep/upper arms. I am definately building muscle mass, which is a good thing. 
I will be doing the Bod Pod again on or about the first week or so in March. It will interesting to see the changes on that thing.
Ok, news flash over, we will return you now to your regularly scheduled program.....
I will be doing the Bod Pod again on or about the first week or so in March. It will interesting to see the changes on that thing.
Ok, news flash over, we will return you now to your regularly scheduled program..... Topic: RE: Done did it again ya'll
Thanks!
Yep, I know. Earl doesn't remember anything like that very well. I knew that when I married him, and I actually make a huge joke about it.
He does pretty good though at remembering Christmas! 
Nah, no couches...I love him too much, whether he remembers or not. Besides, I don't want to get my personal trainer too upset, he might take it out on me in the gym....wait....
I might rather enjoy that!
Nah, no couches...I love him too much, whether he remembers or not. Besides, I don't want to get my personal trainer too upset, he might take it out on me in the gym....wait.... I might rather enjoy that! 
buckeye john
on 2/10/05 11:50 pm - OH
on 2/10/05 11:50 pm - OH
Topic: RE: Done did it again ya'll
Happy 40th. As a man, I am sure Earl has special plan........NOT. Us guys forget stuff like that and are not to good at planning. I'm thinkin Earl is on the couch tomorrow night......lol
Topic: RE: ...throwing my hat in the door...
Hi! Just wanted to pop in and say welcome. I am Earl's wife...which I am sure you probably figured out from the postings!
I am dealing with the skin issue right now. I think the best thing that has helped tighten mine up a little is the weight training. Unfortunately there is just some that won't go back, and surgery is the only option. I have a claim in right now and I am praying it goes through. Mine isn't horrible, I have seen worse, but the only way to correct what's left of mine is by surgical means.
Well, at any rate! Welcome! Keep posting and I am with you on the summer time and tanning and just enjoying the sun. I love to lay out and just soak it up...I am missing it big time now.
Take care,
Valerie
Topic: Done did it again ya'll
Hi gang! I had a reeeeeally late night tonight. But, I went to the gym and got 'er done!! I feel much better, gave me the stress relief I needed tonight to deal with my 15 year old that's making me crazy.
Here goes:
Good Mornings
45# warm up
65# x 3
85# x 3
95# x 3
105# x 3
115# x 3 New PR
Seated leg press
50# warm up
70# x 12
90# x 12
110# x 12
130# x 12 New PR
145# x 12 New PR
Leg extensions
40# x 12
45# x 12
55# x 12
Leg curls
40# x set (just did as many as I could get out...legs were pooped!)
30# x 2 sets
Back rows on the incline bench
25# x 12
35# x 12 x 12
Diesel shrugs
15# x 12 x 12 x 12
Dips 100# offset x 9
90# offset x 6
110# offset x 8
Lat pull downs wide grip
60# x 12
70# x 8 x 10
Abs on the ball
3 sets to burn
Good workout out. I am feeling it already. My back workouts has seem to irritated my arthritis a little, but no pain no gain, and it is going to help me in the long run anyways. Somethings you just gotta push past.
OK GANG TOMORROW IS TGIF then the BIG 40 for me on saturday!!
Have a great one!
Val
Have a great one!
Val Most Active
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