Can you handle another Noob? - JP Fitness Forums

Amblus · 02-06-2008, 10:44 AM

I am new to the NROL4W - bought the book on Monday, did my first workout on Tuesday. I'm in. That said, just wanted to introduce myself before I start asking dumb questions.

I'm 36 and have been very active for the past seven years. Before that I was significantly overweight, a smoker and a junk food junkie. I spent a few years changing all that and sailed through the last five years with a grand metabolism and a penchance for cardio. Gradually, though, my diet got a bit less selective and I've put on a few pounds. Not very many, but enough to make my clothes tight.

I'd previously been taking BodyPump classes and enjoyed them, but wanted the kind of changes that only free weights can provide, so I started doing a basic weights workout a few months ago. It was fine, but I lack focus when I'm not in a class setting, so this program is just what I need to give me direction.

I should also mention that I mountain bike, sometimes competitively, so in the summer it's going to be a struggle to keep up with the weights. I'll deal with that when I have to, I guess.

Other struggles: food and cardio.

Cardio: I have former-fat-person fear that makes it hard to cut down on my cardio, even though I know better! I'm still going to do two spin classes a week and one bike ride (weather permitting) but that's less than what I was doing. Baby steps.

Food: I love to eat and love to cook. I also love good bread and sugar. Real, honest-to-goodness crunchy white sugar. le sigh. I really hate artificial sweeteners, though, so I'm going to have to go cold turkey. SO HARD. Other than that, I tend to eat pretty clean and I love to cook from scratch, so I just need to adjust my menus.

So that's it! Hi, all.

climban · 02-06-2008, 11:13 AM

Welcome! I just started too, did my second workout yesterday. I as well needed something to give me some "direction" and I think it works!

Wish you lots of fun and luck!

Greets,

An

stingo · 02-06-2008, 12:07 PM

While not quite a former fat person (still in progress), I hated cardio (still do) but found I could do what I needed to in the weight room via NROL. Welcome to the forum.

Sue_H · 02-06-2008, 12:51 PM

Welcome, Amblus! I'm new too!! Just wanted to say hi! I just got the book too and have just started reading...I want to spend the whole day reading it! It's fantastic isn't it?

kharris · 02-06-2008, 01:32 PM

Welcome!! I'm a newbie as well. Joined the forum yesterday. Today is Day 1 for me as far as the nutrition goes (I'll pick up weights on Monday)...and my coworker brought in a box of glazed donuts. The devil is at WORK!

Good luck to you!!

Natalia · 02-06-2008, 02:13 PM

Welcome to you all. This is by far the best place to get your questions answered and share the joys of your accomplishments.

marygrace · 02-06-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amblus

Other struggles: food and cardio.

Cardio: I have former-fat-person fear that makes it hard to cut down on my cardio, even though I know better! I'm still going to do two spin classes a week and one bike ride (weather permitting) but that's less than what I was doing. Baby steps.

Food: I love to eat and love to cook. I also love good bread and sugar. Real, honest-to-goodness crunchy white sugar. le sigh. I really hate artificial sweeteners, though, so I'm going to have to go cold turkey. SO HARD. Other than that, I tend to eat pretty clean and I love to cook from scratch, so I just need to adjust my menus.

So that's it! Hi, all.

Welcome! I'm with you on those two struggles! I used to run every day to the point of exhaustion for fear of gaining weight. I have recently changed my ways, though, embracing the weights and HIIT in exchange for hours of running. I feel great. Don't be afraid! As far as food goes, I love bread and sweets as well, and really enjoy making food from scratch. While I still cook all of my meals, I have scaled back on the baking significantly. I usually bake once a week, and scale the recipe down if possible so I don't have tons of junk around. I enjoy my sugar once each week, and immediately begin looking forward to the next week!

featherz · 02-06-2008, 04:02 PM

Welcome! I too am having difficulty shaking off the cardio - was overweight until about four years ago when I shed 45# and I'm terrified it will come back!

I've been eating well for that four years, so diet is part of me now and not a problem, but overexercise is my big crutch! (Hey, at least I hatehatehate treadmills so I make my cardio fun, but it's still too much)..

MeganN · 02-06-2008, 06:36 PM

I was a long time runner, logging in sometimes 10 miles a day, and I was fast. But injuries took their toll. It was very, very hard for me to believe that weight training would be as satisfying or keep me lean. I now am an evangelist for heavy lifting. While I was really thin at the height of my running binge, I wasn't strong and once I was forced to stop my body went all weird. Weight training has reversed the weird. I now do intervals on the bike, but only 3x week or less and only after I lift. And when I can, I run intervals on the track, which I still love (I ran track back in the day). But I no longer consider it essential, and am body is no longer weird (I'm WELL into middle age). My husband, who is naturally lanky, runs 5 miles or so every night. He doesn't lift--and over time, his weight has crept up. Lifting heavy makes a BIG difference, as I keep telling him!

Kaiser · 02-06-2008, 06:43 PM

Sorry to intrude in on the ladies' forum, but welcome Amblus. Glad to have another cyclist on the forum, especially a competitive one. The hardware you've collected (seen on your blog) is an impressive accomplishment.

When you get a chance, check out the Biking subforum here at JPF. I'd especially like you and Sarah (screenname silly) to connect because she's a mtb racer as well.

Tailwinds,
Kaiser

dragonflyjess · 02-06-2008, 06:47 PM

Hi, I'm a newbie too, have been into the workout and eating plan for about 1 1/2 weeks now. I really like it and look forward to seeing results as did the other members after one month on the program. BTW Kaiser I love your avatar, I am a huge fan of LOST, in fact was in Hawaii this past summer and was fortunate enough to meet Josh Holloway aka Sawyer, very very cool!

Kaiser · 02-06-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonflyjess

Hi, I'm a newbie too, have been into the workout and eating plan for about 1 1/2 weeks now. I really like it and look forward to seeing results as did the other members after one month on the program. BTW Kaiser I love your avatar, I am a huge fan of LOST, in fact was in Hawaii this past summer and was fortunate enough to meet Josh Holloway aka Sawyer, very very cool!

Welcome to you too Jess. Sorry to hijack the thread, but you got to talk to Josh Holloway? Did you ask him about the show and where it was going?

Details?

Yeah, I'm not one of the total crazies who's immersed into everything Lost-related, but I do listed to a podcast or two to help me catch everything I miss when I watch the show. We have a handful of people here in this thread that discuss the show from time to time. Feel free to pop in and share.

I know Holloway was a model before acting.... is he as attractive to the women in person as he is on the show? Personally (and my wife of 20 years knows this), I'd like to meet Evangeline Lilly and rock climb/surf/kayak/hike with her.

dragonflyjess · 02-06-2008, 07:07 PM

Actually he was with his wife and she looked none too happy that we politely asked him to take a pic. with us. We did converse for a few mins. He asked us where we were from we told him we never miss an episode, etc. And YES he is definitely as attractive, if not more, in person! He also seems very down to earth, he had a trucker hat on, old t-shirt, board shorts, he was very cool about the whole thing, his wife not so much. But what does she expect? They were on a main strip in Maui on a Saturday, duh...lol I would love to join the forum where ya'll discuss LOST, my husband too would like to meet Lilly

Amblus · 02-07-2008, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the welcome! (And for the record, I'm a Lost fan too, so I don't mind the hijack.)

Kaiser, I'll definitely check out the cycling board - I haven't explored much beyond this section of the forum.

GinnyLou · 02-07-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonflyjess

Actually he was with his wife and she looked none too happy that we politely asked him to take a pic. with us. We did converse for a few mins. He asked us where we were from we told him we never miss an episode, etc. And YES he is definitely as attractive, if not more, in person! He also seems very down to earth, he had a trucker hat on, old t-shirt, board shorts, he was very cool about the whole thing, his wife not so much. But what does she expect? They were on a main strip in Maui on a Saturday, duh...lol I would love to join the forum where ya'll discuss LOST, my husband too would like to meet Lilly

I just drooled on my desk, LOL! That has to be a moment you will always remember and good for you on getting a picture with him!

GinnyLou · 02-07-2008, 08:02 AM

Amblus,
Welcome to the forums! Congrats on your weightloss and lifestyle changes!(I am officially 36, as of today!) The cardio is a hard thing to give up, but I am doing intervals and they are keeping me cardio happy at the moment.
(Sorry, I read that and started thinking about Josh and got all distracted with my welcome!)

Amblus · 02-09-2008, 09:16 AM

Dang it. I was feeling great this week, then yesterday at my desk I sneezed...and knew. I was getting sick. I feel awful today. I guess I have no choice but to wait it out and then start over from scratch. I'm only two workouts in (today would have been my third) and I've been doing really well with the food this week. I'm so bummed. I'm very very bad at being sick.