Monday Accountability / Support

BluIvory82

Good Morning Ladies! I hope everybody had a wonderful week. This post is a weekly post of encouragement, ideas, and anything having to do with our weight loss experiences.

Please share your victories and setbacks & ask any questions:

 Question – What exercise is best for toning your arms?

ejagers

I use 3lb weights and lift during the commericals on tv.  I also use them during my line dancing class on Sat ornings.  If you don't have any weights you could do pus ups or try pushing yourself off of a chairwith your arms  while kneeling infront of it (if that makes sense) it works the triceps

cincy2011

Last week was up and down for me, but I didn't gain any weight - thank goodness!  I am eating a really low carb diet right now, but I ate more carbs last week than I have in a few weeks.  I ate a vegan cookie from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's pita crackers, Wendy's (spicy chicken sandwich and fries), and a granola bar.  Ugh!  But, like I said at least I didn't gain weight.  I worked out one less time b/c we volunteered with church on Saturday, but we were landscaping outside so I think I did get some exercise in.

I just watched Dr. Oz, and he gave flat belly tips, I listed them below.  I already ordered all three of the supplements!  I am always watching Dr. Oz and taking notes - LOL.

Supplements:

- Apple pectin supplement (500 mg. 3x a day - at the start of each meal) - slows absorption of food

- Grape seed extract (150 mg. 1x a day) - speeds metabolism

- Forskolin - helps mobilize fat ouside of cell and explode it

Food:

- Grapefruit (keeps you hydrated)

- Chili peppers (burn 10 calories an hour by eating)

- Pistachios (low fat, high fiber)

- Jicama - shredded (keeps you full)

Exercise:

- Clench abs/glutes sitting in a chair.  Put pressure on your heels and slowly get up and sit back down (repeat).

- Wall squat

- Improve your posture - sit/stand with a straight back

Oh and about toning arms, FI taught me this push up where you put your hands in a triangle shape on the floor, with your index fingers and thumbs touching.  If you do push ups like this, you work your arm muscles harder and I have seen results since I started doing them this way.

BlissPhilly

I FINALLY made it back to the GYM last week! Woohoo! and I got up at 5am this morning at went too...for me getting started is the hardest part and I did IT I'm on a roll now....lol...

I am joining a workout studio next month it is called the Lithe Method. You can click here if you want more info. I plan to do Lithe for 2 months straight at least 3 times a week in addition to going to the gym 2- 3 times a week...hopefully by August I will look the way I want to look because the Instructors sure look pretty hot...lol...

I'm going in, I'm going in, I'm going in, I'm going in and I'mma go hard, and I'mma go hard and I'mma go hard and I'mma go hard (in my lil wayne voice) LOL

Carla1019

This week I increased my endurance and was able to jog for 2 miles instead of one. YAY!!!! My weight is the same as last week but I ate more than usual.

I agree with Ejagers regarding the best way to tone and shape your arms. A lot of ladies do not exercise the triceps. IMHO to improve the overall appearance of your arms this muscle should be worked first.

2010Bride2be

Ladies...may I join you??

I tried my dress on Saturday, and it DOES NOT fit. I think I cried all day. This was after a wonderful day of shopping on Friday in NY where I got all of my jewelry. So here I am with 82 days left, going into crazy gym mode.

Cincy..I am heading to google to look for these supplements!

desi2002

im starting this bridal slim down on "on demand" with time warner (my cable company) it is a good workout... i just need to be consistant!

cincy2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_monday-accountability-support-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:55b67bc8-7d3a-4269-8d81-ecc3f497929fPost:37a5bcea-8641-423f-ac6a-de820be67106">Re: Monday Accountability / Support</a>:
[QUOTE]Ladies...may I join you?? I tried my dress on Saturday, and it DOES NOT fit. I think I cried all day. This was after a wonderful day of shopping on Friday in NY where I got all of my jewelry. So here I am with 82 days left, going into crazy gym mode. Cincy..I am heading to google to look for these supplements!
Posted by 2010Bride2be[/QUOTE]

You'll be able to lose the weight in 82 days - you can do it!  Yes, look up the supplements and start on a consistent strength training/cardio-heavy routine.  Try VitaCost for the supplements. 

BlissPhilly

For my arms I've used dumbell weights (15lbs each) I just do the basics like bicep curls and triceps extensions and rows. I don't know if my arms cut easily or what but I got compliments right away about how nice my arms looked but I don't like the Angela Bassett looking arms so I wouldn't work them out too often. Don't get me wrong she is beautiful but I don't want those arms.

BluIvory82

Hey Ladies!

I lost 3 lbs this week after being at a standstill and fluctuating back and forth a pound I am still going to continue to work out 4 times a week. I noticed that I am getting closer to my goal and that maybe I need to change my workout. My nutritionist let me know today that I am not letting myself rest enough after my workout. He said that i can continue to do my boot camp twice a week, but in between I can just stick to aerobics, so that is going to be hard for me. So i think I will get on the elliptical the other two days.

 Cincy, Thank you so much for your note taking!!!  I will check the stuff out.

BluIvory82

My arms, i hate them....they have flab on it. I need them to be right, I want to wear a strapless dress, and they are one of the reasons why I am so afraid of trying on a dress :-(

2010Bride2be, Welcome...That is what this post is for. please join in at anytime! You have plenty of time to make some changes. Ditto to what Cincy said, but you also must make changes tour your diet as well. If you haven't already...start eating smaller portions, eating more healthy snacks and drinking more water.

Carla1019

@ 2010Bride2B - I am in the same boat as you! My dress zips up but it is tight and I can not sit down. I felt like crying too but don't give up. You can do it and we are all here to support one another.

Worse case scenario that your dress is still too tight the day before, there are some AMAZING spanks that can suck in a few inches. This is a lot cheaper than letting your dress out. Or if your dress is a zip up you can turn it into a corset back for less than $150 with a good seamstress.

But again, I'm sure you will lose the weight and not need any help, but just know that you have options.

bbrown185

I jog in the evenings after work.  I wanted to start doing P90x in the AM buuuuut I haven't been able to get up yet.  My diet is not the issue at all as I am a nutrition buff- its just the exercisng that gets me. I am lazy it seems.

Ladies, try not to reduce your carbohydrates below the daily minimum needed.  It is one of the essential nutrients your body needs every day and cutting them will be counterproductive later and unhealthy for your body.  Instead, cut calories (just not too much).  An easy way to do this is by eating foods that have a high water density, like soups, stews, fruits, etc.   Water is filling and has zero calories, so you will be able to eat normal portions without the caloric intake(which is what causes the weight gain).  So you will be full and would not have consumed nearly the calories that you would if you ate say a beef burger.

I hope it is not off base by me saying all that???? Is so please let me know!

2010Bride2be

Thank you ladies! I was devastated when I put that dress on and there was no zipping happening.

But I'm optimistic. I joined myfitnesspal.com to keep track of my calories and I plan on becoming one with my gym. I even went through their website to get a schedule of their classes so I'm going to go to their Zumba classes twice a week and their BodyJam class twice a week in addition to my normal treadmill and bike workout. Also, I broke out my old Taebo VHS tapes (yes, VHS) and I'll be doing those in the mornings before work.

BlissPhilly

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_monday-accountability-support-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:55b67bc8-7d3a-4269-8d81-ecc3f497929fPost:dc12a6ec-4070-469f-97a5-3afe6dcced9b">Re: Monday Accountability / Support</a>:
[QUOTE]Thank you ladies! I was devastated when I put that dress on and there was no zipping happening. But I'm optimistic. I joined myfitnesspal.com to keep track of my calories and I plan on becoming one with my gym. I even went through their website to get a schedule of their classes so I'm going to go to their Zumba classes twice a week and their BodyJam class twice a week in addition to my normal treadmill and bike workout. Also, I broke out my old Taebo VHS tapes (yes, VHS) and I'll be doing those in the mornings before work.
Posted by 2010Bride2be[/QUOTE]

Oooh...Zumba is FUN! You CAN do it, You'll reach your goal!

bbrown185

You will reach that goal girl!!! Its all a matter of looking that weight in the face and telling it to f off

island07b2b

Well for the last few weeks, I've been dealing with an issue that totally took me off track.  But it is over now and I am back.  I set myself up for summer madness as I call it.  Starting in June, I will be taking Zumba classes Mon/Wed and Pilates for Beginners Tues/Thurs.  Both classes last for two months.  I will then get a two week break before I begin fitness boot camp for the month of August.   The exercise classes coupled with my improved eating habits should get me to my goal for September. 

Oh I did lose 2lbs last week.  YAY!!