Weight loss/diet/nutrition - new start for 2015!

[no_need]

I think I was just bored with doing the same workouts every week.

This is so true. I've found that by making myself do something new/different each time I work out, I'm much more likely to keep motivated.

[TigerLily]

Hurray! I've lost a pound since the last time I weighed myself and another cm off my belly!

I'm going to be trying to get more focused and motivated on the food front. At the moment I feel like I am staying decently motivated in the work-out department, but my caloric intake is still not always on target. I'm hoping to up my game and my progress in the next few weeks.

[blackmageheart]

Hurray! I've lost a pound since the last time I weighed myself and another cm off my belly!

Yay, go you! And everyone else too, whether you're doing well or not so well.

I managed a small miracle today. I did not eat pizza and ice cream with my boyfriend! (And no, I didn't eat it by myself either. ) We usually eat this on a Saturday but I told him that I can't really take me diet seriously if I stuff that much down my neck. I'm aiming to do much better on my calorie intake as well as exercise in the next few weeks too.

[Kareesh]

I've been sick this whole week, so I'm not really sure what my weigh-in on Monday is going to look like. However, I'm bound and determined to start buckling down with my exercises. I'm thinking of adding some strength training to my normal cardio, though I only have a few free weights. What do ya'll normally do if you don't have any equipment to do strength training with?

[Ally]

You could always use full bottles instead of actual weights, Kareesh. Like next time you have an empty milk bottle fill it up to whatever level with water and use that as a weight.
On my end, I feel like I've lost weight, but since my scales have up and died on me, I have no real proof. I'm going to another music festival tomorrow so my diet will again consist of hot chips and fizzy drinks, but I'll be walking heaps between stages, so that's good... right?

[TigerLily]

I'm thinking of adding some strength training to my normal cardio, though I only have a few free weights. What do ya'll normally do if you don't have any equipment to do strength training with?

I have a pair of adjustable dumbbells at the moment. Before I got those, I would just use anything that seemed like a good weight to me. Like Ally recommended, bottles full of water work great. Or you could use tins/cans full of food (beans or spaghetti hoops or something) for a really light weight. Basically anything with weight that you can comfortably hold in your hand and control.

Then there are also body-weight exercises that are good too. Push-ups, calf raises, wall sits, lunges etc. If you aren't able to do full push-ups off of the ground, you could try doing them standing up against a wall or on a kitchen counter. That way, you aren't getting your full body weight, but you're still getting a good work out.

[blackmageheart]

I have a set of lightweight vinyl dumbbells and also a cast iron set. I love them. Before I had them I used bottles of water, food tins, even small bricks - anything that was a little heavy. Of course, the trick to strength training is to keep increasing reps then weight, as it becomes easier to lift. The other trick is to use proper form, to really work the muscle group. For both these tricks, you really can't beat dumbbells!

[Kareesh]

So, as I was surfing around looking for good strength exercises, I came across this. It's pretty awesome. It's a community/blog that's built around putting fitness into terms that nerds understand. For example, they do this thing called Real Life Roleplaying. You choose what race your character is (if you're tall and stock, you're probably an orc. Since I'm short and stocky, I chose halfling. It's really all up to you) and then what class/profession you are or would like to be. Right now I'm an Adventurer because I'm a beginner and am just going for weight loss right now, but I would eventually like to be a Monk (martial arts fighter) mixed in with a Ranger (functional strength). You can find out all about the professions here.

A week ago Monday they started a 6-week challenge and I decided to join. You can join up to 2 weeks after they start. A lot of the people there seem like they're already in good shape, just looking to build muscle or reduce body fat or whatever, but there are some there for weight loss as well. I just joined today and I'm already liking the vibe there. Plus, it makes my nerdy heart happy.

If you do join, feel free to look me up. Same user name.

[RMDC]

I'm so glad you shared that Nerd Fitness link - it's incredible! I know what I'm going to get started with the moment that our move to a new house is complete.

[no_need]

Oh dear... Today did not go well! I'm on holiday from work for a week starting this evening, so I blew off my usual Friday gym session (I'll go tomorrow) and then went out for dinner... To Miller & Carter... Where I ate a really delicious steak and then caved and had pudding too. I so did not need pudding, but it was delicious...

I guess I'll just have to do better tomorrow!