Health & Fitness
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Struggling with weight loss
In the last 6 months I have been working hard to improve my health. After years of inactivity, I quit smoking and started running. I am up to 30-45 minutes 4-5x/wk. I do free weights 3-4x/wk also. I am going to add in 1 day in the pool in addition to the running and will probably do about 3000-4000 yds/swim. I am struggling to lose the 15lbs that I packed on when I quit smoking and stopped birth control. I am 5'6" 145 and want to get back to 130 if that makes a difference. I am hypothyroid but am really well controlled on Synthroid. I eat pretty healthy (though I do have a sweet tooth that I try to satisfy with fruit or sugar free jello). I cook almost all of my meals from scratch so I know what is in them and when I do go out, I avoid the high calorie/fat options. A huge downfall for me is work, I do 12hr days which most times leave me eating breakfast at 6am and lunch at 2-3pm and dinner when I get home at 8-9pm. Any options for a light meal shortly before bed? On work nights, I am in bed by 10pm so not much time to cook a meal. I have never really struggled with weight before so I am just getting frustrated that the weight keeps piling on even though I am working so hard. Could it be from coming off of birth control for the first time in years?
Re: Struggling with weight loss
Have you tried keeping track of what you're eating (food/calorie journal? That has helped me immensely both keep from overeating, and concentrate on eating better things and in better ratios (i.e., less carbs, more protein, etc.). I imagine the things you've said are probably all contributing. If you're working out pretty intensly, you might also be eating too little.
Yes,I'm smiling...I'm a marathoner!
Bloggy McBloggerson
CO Nestie Award Winner-Prettiest Brain-Back to Back!
2011 Bests
5K-22:49 10K-47:38 Half Mary-1:51:50
2012 Race Report
1/1-New Year's 5K-22:11
2/11-Sweetheart Classic 4-mile-29:49
3/24-Coulee Chase 5K-21:40
5/6-Colorado Marathon-4:08:30
5/28-Bolder Boulder 10K
Congrats on quitting smoking! That's a huge leap forward towards better health.
With your schedule, do you think you're getting enough sleep? Or might your stress level be elevated? I would prioritize getting enough rest and relaxation over cramming in more exercise. If the sweet tooth is nagging you consistently, consider going sugar-free (including simple starches and artificial sweeteners) for a period of time. It could take 1-3 weeks to get rid of cravings but then you'd be free from fighting that.
Give yourself a break- you've got a lot going on.
I would start by tracking your calories, adding in some snacks, and trying to get enough sleep. Can you eat dinner at work? I know all work environments are different but I would try and eat earlier. I know if I was in your shoes I would be eating big dinners that probably have too many calories.
I've been tracking calories with myfitnesspal. I was doing sparkpeople last year but didn't have the time. Now that i have a smart phone, I can do it easily with an app, and I really like myfitnesspal because it seems like they have more foods entered by people. It has helped me make better decisions and pay attention to protions.
I was already eating healthfully but didn't really look to see what the portion sizes were. I may have more than what a package says is a portion, but I enter that in and account for it. I would have really told you my portion sizes were in-check before that and they were not.
Also ditto on getting enough sleep and having a scheduled snack. I don't remember if you said you are eating lunch, but also make sure you eat something with protein like a cheese stick or some almonds around 2.
Get enough water.
Eat at work and if you must eat when you get home also, make it really light.