Starting with exercise - I think I got this!

[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

I had my surgery 14 December last year and hit my goal (BMI of 25) almost exactly six months later. My weight steadied out about then, perhaps a bit under goal, and my eating is pretty well in a new set of eating habits etc. But as for developing new exercise habits - forget it.

Anyway, I decided I need to sort that out too. Getting fit was the challenge. Going from fat to fit! An unattainable goal!! I am an occasional dog walker - but I live up a bit of a hill, so always tried to get out of it because I hate exercising.

So, I found this “Couch 2 5k challenge” on myfitnesspal, and downloaded the zenlabs C25k app. I reckoned I had one big advantage - I was REALLY good at Couch!

The first week, running for one whole minute on the treadmill was seriously more than I could manage. But the improvement was fast. I have repeated the odd day along the way, and at week 3 moved from treadmill to street (luckily I was on holiday so had GREAT things to look at and inspire me!). I am now up to week 7. Not fast, but can run for over 20mins at a stretch!

But the oddest thing - my weight plateau stopped, and I have lost 9 lbs in the last 6 weeks...

Here is a before and after this 9 month journey... I can’t tell you how pleased I am with myself!

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

That’s awesome!

I never thought I would do this, but I joined a gym for the first time in my life this past month.

It really is amazing what changes this journey can spark beyond weight loss.

Congrats! Looking beautiful!

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

I'm totally inspired! Up to 20 minutes in 7 weeks. You rock!

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Dang woman! Look at you!!! 20 minutes by week 7 when you could barely go 1 minute the 1st week is amazing accomplishment. Congrats!!! You have such a pretty shape--pretty lady!! Cudos and thanks for inspiring me!

[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

Thanks you three!

Had a session with the gym owner today. She said “you’re looking a bit scrawny” - but bpm was 110/70, resting heart rate 51, although low percentage body fat - 13% with scales, 18% with calipers. She last saw me 3.5 years ago, 100kg, and back then she said “look at you, you have really let yourself go, you should be ashamed”. I didn’t see her again. No fat woman wants to hear that, and even fat CEOs are likely to not have the internal capacity to be oblivious to that sort of critique!

So, with that body fat percentage, I can’t really lose too much more fat! My 10lb small dumbbells at home have worked wonders on my arms - a few reps before and after each bath, she was pretty pleased with those muscles, and my potential to build muscle. Reckons I should sit around 65kg (currently 63.2) and will as I build muscle. Wants my Protein grams up, closer to 100g a day, which suits as I try and lift calories.

So - pretty good, all on track to being a strong, lean machine!

[Kat410 423]

On 9/16/2018 at 1:07 AM, Biddy zz said:

I had my surgery 14 December last year and hit my goal (BMI of 25) almost exactly six months later. My weight steadied out about then, perhaps a bit under goal, and my eating is pretty well in a new set of eating habits etc. But as for developing new exercise habits - forget it.

Anyway, I decided I need to sort that out too. Getting fit was the challenge. Going from fat to fit! An unattainable goal!! I am an occasional dog walker - but I live up a bit of a hill, so always tried to get out of it because I hate exercising.

So, I found this “Couch 2 5k challenge” on myfitnesspal, and downloaded the zenlabs C25k app. I reckoned I had one big advantage - I was REALLY good at Couch!

The first week, running for one whole minute on the treadmill was seriously more than I could manage. But the improvement was fast. I have repeated the odd day along the way, and at week 3 moved from treadmill to street (luckily I was on holiday so had GREAT things to look at and inspire me!). I am now up to week 7. Not fast, but can run for over 20mins at a stretch!

But the oddest thing - my weight plateau stopped, and I have lost 9 lbs in the last 6 weeks...

Here is a before and after this 9 month journey... I can’t tell you how pleased I am with myself!

congratulations on your amazing progress!

I am with you - on this journey the biggest transformation has been in the domain of fitness.

I have become much more oriented around maximizing the abilities of my body rather than being thin, a healthy weight or the right BMI.

I weigh 175 and wear at medium (8/10). I get a little smaller each week however my attention is on strength training progressions, flexibility and balance improvements and resolving joint issues.

It is so much more fun and rewarding to create goals that actually light me up rather than try/hope to adhere to some standard that I am "supposed to be."

Keep kicking ass and taking names!

[wjgo 272]

I just completed a Couch to 5K. After 20 minute run, they say to just increase the time for the following weeks. I had a weight plateau during that time also. I use a TABATA timer on my phone. I have it chime every minute. I completed it, but I think I made a mistake in doing so. I went from 20 to 25, then 28 minutes. The "plan"wanted incremental changes. But I just went from there to 35 minutes. Then on day, I had a very good mile, and was almost half way at the half-way timer, then I decided to pick up the pace, and was real close, and went for 36 minutes and got the 5K in. 2 days later, did the same thing. But - I am REALLY feeling it now in my legs. I went a little too aggressive either by picking up the pace, or just not being patient for another week - but in my mind, I wanted it done before the colder air in October comes. Its not a race, but I sort of made it out to be one. I am taking a few days off, then will just do it at a slow pace, without the timer, without my phone...