My intro...true novice here!

[Bikini Mod]

Ok, great stuff! I needed to hear that about the slow burning carbs. I have been low carbing it so long that I forget now that I am working out I should feed my body! YAY! So, I already took your advice and ate oatmeal for breakfast with my kiddos. They have never seen me eat it and were very curious as to why mommy suddenly "liked" oatmal. They eat it and I always gnaw on string cheese while they do. Although I fed them the packets and made mine from scratch and added protien powder cause I was out of splenda. So, that was fun. Will continue on that track you suggested in your previous thread. And yes, that is what my Bill Phillips BFL book says too! So, cool.

Also, I am gonna have a heart to heart with my DH and tell him about the gym contract I am in to see if he can help me get out of it. He's savvy at that stuff. Anyway, in the mean time I will use the gym for cardio and free weights at home (?). I just need to figure out how to get a good lower body workout without machines. Lunges? Lean my Big plastic ball on the wall and do squats? Hmmm...

Oh well, thanks again. Oh yeah, and South Beach Eating is lean dense protiens usually grilled or sauteed in healthy oil, and lower carb veggies. No pasta, bread ect. Not that you care but it is a pretty healthy way to eat but probably too low carb for lifting weights. So, that is fun and different for me! Wow, see what getting active can do? Now I "can" and should eat a greater variety of food groups so that's a big win.

Molly

Your enthusiasm and attitude are intoxicating gurl!

OK as far as the South Beach diet thing, from what you have said, it is fine BUT you need to ad the slow burning complex carbs to your earliest meals of the day and negate them later in the day when you are less active. See... simple!

While pasta and bread are not evil and ok for an occasional cheat they are inferior when it comes to being broken down for energy more slowly by your body. <---- did that last sentence make sense to you? If not PLEASE ASK.

I have zero issue with doing whatever it takes to explain principles to people who truly WANT to know. My take was always that the better informed my client = better progress for them overall.

Yes, you can do squats with the ball against the wall but be careful. Make sure that you back is straight, shoulders down, abdomen tight and your knees do NOT hyperextend your toes. Imagine you are sitting in a chair and as soon as your behind is about to touch you exhale and flex your legs as you come up.

ALWAYS EXHALE AS YOU DO THE EFFORT.

Proper breathing is very important because without oxygen your body will not be able to fully utilize energy source. So it's like getting less return for the effort you put forth, not to mention you will not be able to work as hard as you could otherwise.

Do you have a bicycle? I know this sounds wierd but do you have steps in your house? Also do you have any bands? I know it isn't a substitute for the gym but it is better than nothing.

Do you have access to stairmclimber at the gym? I am not talking about the bouncy steps that you push down with your feet. I am talking about those machines that actually have moving stairs that you have to climb.

 

[curvymommy]

Your enthusiasm and attitude are intoxicating gurl!

OK as far as the South Beach diet thing, from what you have said, it is fine BUT you need to ad the slow burning complex carbs to your earliest meals of the day and negate them later in the day when you are less active. See... simple!

While pasta and bread are not evil and ok for an occasional cheat they are inferior when it comes to being broken down for energy more slowly by your body. <---- did that last sentence make sense to you? If not PLEASE ASK.

I have zero issue with doing whatever it takes to explain principles to people who truly WANT to know. My take was always that the better informed my client = better progress for them overall.

Yes, you can do squats with the ball against the wall but be careful. Make sure that you back is straight, shoulders down, abdomen tight and your knees do NOT hyperextend your toes. Imagine you are sitting in a chair and as soon as your behind is about to touch you exhale and flex your legs as you come up.

ALWAYS EXHALE AS YOU DO THE EFFORT.

Proper breathing is very important because without oxygen your body will not be able to fully utilize energy source. So it's like getting less return for the effort you put forth, not to mention you will not be able to work as hard as you could otherwise.

Do you have a bicycle? I know this sounds wierd but do you have steps in your house? Also do you have any bands? I know it isn't a substitute for the gym but it is better than nothing.

Do you have access to stairmclimber at the gym? I am not talking about the bouncy steps that you push down with your feet. I am talking about those machines that actually have moving stairs that you have to climb.

Thanks Bikinimom! LOL @ the breathing thing. As I workout I always have a little debate in my head about when to inhale or exhale as I'm doing reps. So, it's really nice that you put that issue to bed for me! Exhale=Effort, got it.

We live in a 3 story townhouse so, stairs abound here. Ever since I started being aware of muscles that I can feel, I have been grabbing one thigh as I run up stairs all day and it's fun. I used to have to clench each breast (for support) as I ran up and down but now that the boobs are looong gone I'll just make the best of it. Ok, not many of my regular friends would understand that but feeling the changes are amazing. It would have sucked to live here 100 lbs ago! Also, they have the rotating stairclimber thingy at the gym. I tried it once and it was a beotch! HA! Maybe that was a clue to the fact that I shoulda stayed on it. I'll hit it again next time I'm there.

I have the BFL journal to plan meals and workouts which I will start on November 1st...dang that is tomorrow! Uh oh, Looks like time to execute some of this stuff. Whoo-Hoo...

I'll post up my progress next week. Thanks for the encouragement, it is much appreciated.

 

[2raptors]

hello and welcome! You'll learn a lot here!

 

[Bikini Mod]

Excellent Ms CurvyMom... just remember one thing when executing any movement that involves your legs be it walking up stairs, taking a spin class, doing squats or taking part in aquatics - NEVER EVER EVER ALLOW YOUR KNEES TO HYPEREXTEND YOUR TOES. Check and see if you can see your toes at the bottom of any movement. If you can't the you need to realign your feet/body.

Also another thing I forgot to mention about form. (I thought about it in the gym yesterday afternoon actually). NEVER lock your joints out. I can fully flex my quads while I am standing while keeping my knees soft. You do not need to lock out your leg in order to get a full flex.

 

[pheroshus]

Hey curvy mom, I am new to EF also and have started a log! Congratulations on your success! I look forward to seeing the remainder of your journey