Fat Problems... the continuation

Now that I have talked about one problem with being fat/overweight/obese and trying to lose weight - I am going to talk about another issue.

EXERCISE

This really ought to be a four letter word. Most of us hate to exercise. While we might EVENTUALLY enjoy it - it is hard to get to that point.  I feel like the overweight are sabotaged.  Think about the types of exercise.

Walking - This seems to be everyone's answer to overweight people. "Just walk 30 minutes a few days a weeks." It sounds simple but there is SO much more than just walking. First - if you are overweight, and especially if you severely overweight - walking hurts. Knees, ankles, and hips all bear the brunt of our weight and the extra weight puts added pressure on these tender joints. So again, while we KNOW we could just walk - for some people this isn't an option due to severe pain. 

Other options would be something with lower impact. There are plenty of things that are lower impact but they have their own issues.

Water exercise - these are incredibly low impact, but unless you have access to a heated pool all year (or even just in the summer) it is going to cost.

Biking - This is a great exercise and one that my DH and I enjoy. But getting a good bike (which I now know is important) can be expensive as well.

Any home equipment - This is sometimes the option we pick. We will get a elliptical, or bike, or something that is lower impact, or something we can at least due in the privacy of our homes! But if you get to looking, most of this equipment has a weight MAX limit of 250-300 lbs. 

Then you have to consider the gear. With something exercises, you just need something to wear. But it can be very upsetting to go to a fitness store and realize you can't fit into anything! I have yet to really see fitness clothes for plus size woman (unless you order them online). So while our skinny counterparts can buy the yoga gear that is fitted enough to NOT flash everyone when you change a pose - we have to wear our baggy t-shirts and shorts and tuck everything in. Forget needing something special for an activity (like padded biking shorts) - they are NOT at the stores - I had to buy men's so they would fit - and the padding isn't quite right if you know what I mean!

Lastly - I personally think overweight people (woman specifically) aren't getting the right information about exercise! Yes, we need to move to burn calories because weight loss created by a calorie deficit.  However, most of us who are overweight have very poor muscle tone. Some of this can (and will) be built with cardio exercises, but strength training is (in my personal experience) MORE important. While increasing my heart rate will increase my metabolism for a while, if I build a muscle that needs more calories to function all day - I get that burn all day. The MUSCLES are what burns calories - so if you don't have much - that increase in heart rate and respiratory rate is only going to get you so far!!

So that is my rant. I'm sure I'll have something else to comment on later.  Do any of you have situations where you feel you were sabotaged before getting started?

Fat Problems

Currently, the focus on health in the US has been the rise of obesity. They are calling it an epidemic. We have old and young suffering from this ailment. They are predicting the younger generation will be the first to NOT outlive their parents because of weight related illnesses.  I want tell you something about being fat (and hang on to your hats - this may spiral into several posts)!

Yes - fat.
 
Because by today's BMI scale, I fall into the obese category. Now - if you look at me - you'd never believe I weigh as much as I do because I'm tall (thank god) and pear shaped (matter of fact my pants and shirt sizes differ by almost 3 sizes), but none the less - I'm obese.  Based on my BMI, I have been obese since high school even when I was in regular woman's 14/16 pants - but by my BMI I was still considered obese.

Let me clue everyone in on something... I know I'm fat. I know I'm overweight. I know I need to lose weight. In fact, I bet MOST of the people in the world KNOW when they are.  (I also know there are people in this world who are obsessed with their weight and size). 

I'm talking about those of us in the world who are truly overweight. It isn't a big secret - it didn't happen overnight.  We know we are, we watched it happen, and usually we didn't do anything about it. But I do want to share a few things that may have contributed to our size, and things that frustrate us when trying to lose weight.

Once you get to a certain size (and it is different for everyone), there is a HUGE variation from size to size. So you can be in a size 20W pants - and be in that size for a weight range of 20 to 40 lbs in some cases.  This range is why we sometimes don't realize we've gotten significantly heavier over a year or two because we don't seen drastic changes in sizes for just a few pounds.

This also works in reverse. We finally decide we want to lose weight, so we talk with our doctors, loved ones, friends, etc and make a plan. We decrease write down our weight, decrease our calories, and increase our activity. We are serious, motivated and excited. And then guess what -- nothing happens.  Oh, the scale might start to go down - but we watch with baited breath as 10, 20, 25, even 30 lbs seem to fade from the scale - and we see no changes in the mirror. We don't go down a size in anything, we don't see a smaller waist, we don't have to go clothes shopping... nothing. And as everyone knows, it may take MONTHS for this to happen. So imagine dieting and exercising (and feeling like you are depriving yourself to a certain degree), and getting NONE of the positive feedback you need to keep you motivated. This is why I HATE the Special K commercials (and other types of advertising) that promised losing a jeans size in a few weeks.  I can promise you that it is FRUSTRATING to listen/watch people who can drop a little as 5-10 lbs and they have to buy a new wardrobe because everything in too big!

So at this point that little voice pips up, "you've done good - I know you've tried. But it obviously isn't going to work for you - why don't you go ahead and have that second serving.. just for tonight. It obviously isn't going to make a difference in the size you wear or how you look. What can it hurt?"
And before you know we are back to the same weight (or higher) but still in the same size, and the world is oblivious to this.

So consider this when dealing with someone you know and/or love.  Our health isn't a surprise or shock to us - it is a constant source of frustration. You may wonder why we are always yo-yo dieting, or trying the newest fad. We do it because we hope we can find something to get us over the initial weight loss hump where positive feedback is achieved and can be used as motivation for us to continue on the "getting healthy" journey.  I know Plexus Slim isn't the wonder drug. I know I will have to maintain a healthy lifestyle once I reach my goal weight... Personally I just want to get to the point when 15-20 lbs down means a new pair of jeans.. so that I can keep my motivation up to continue losing!

I have a few other comments - but they will have to come in a later post.

Cravings.....what cravings

So as I posted in the past - one of my FAVORITE things about Plexus Slim is the decrease in cravings!  It truly is amazing how much of a difference the Pink makes.


I told you all that I had been off of this for about 2 weeks, but I finally got my Plexus Slim in Saturday and was able to take it yesterday and today! Just those two days have helped with my cravings.  Today I even did some Christmas cooking! My friend and I made hot chocolate on a stick, beer and bacon pecans, and lime sugar scrub.  I didn't feel the need to taste or snack on ANYTHING we were making. This is amazing that I didn't want anything! 

I can't wait to see what happens next. If last month - it took MOST of the month for my cravings to be gone and this month I've gotten to that point after only 2 days... who knows what benefits I'll have by the end of the month!!

Back in the Saddle

My Plexus Slim arrived! I'm very excited to be back on the Pink! I did it faithfully for a little over 30 days, but didn't order fast enough when I ran out.  I can say that I truly feel the changes in appetite, cravings, and energy were NOT psychological!! I really feel they were the Pink.

Lets break it down -
All women KNOW we have hormone fluctuations... for each and everyone of us there is something we "crave" at certain times of the month. I have a sweet tooth. I usually REALLY want chocolate peanut butter SOMETHING right before my time, and then salty and sweet stuff during!!

In the month of November, I was rocking the Pink and I didn't want any of that!! I was hungry and ate regular food. December was another story. Oh MY GOD!! Between the hormones and being home bound due to weather - my cravings were/are out of control. 


Also - energy levels...
My DH and I bought bikes and had been riding. Now I'm not nearly as in shape as he is, so I want to ride easier trails and he likes to do longer rides. However, we were riding together a good bit. We would ride our trail and then he would go ride with some guy friends... I haven't ridden in over 2 WEEKS! I feel guilty - but there have been extenuating circumstances... Thanksgiving was in there, and so was bad weather...etc.  I think I'm going to surprise him, and ask him in the morning to go ride...

I'll let you all know if my cravings decrease again - or if it was a one time fluke.... Off to work I go !

Brief Testimony

I started Plexus Slim on 10/27/13.. I used my 30 day supply and the 6 days from my two decision packs. I was down a total of 10ish (there is some flux) pounds and about 3-4 inches. I stopped taking because I ran out and money was a little tight. I had been skeptical (Surprise surprise) as to if the energy boost and decreased craving were Plexus Slim OR psychological!

I can honestly say it was the Plexus Slim! Ever since being off my appetite has increased, and my sweet tooth has shown back up!! I have ordered my next month because NOW I am a true believer that this Pink Drink helped!

November - my "monthly" cravings just were NOT there - but this month.... HOLY COW!! I can't seem to get enough of sweets!! I am still OFF the carbonated beverages and I think that helps some with bloating - but I have been "Craving " them more since off the Pink!!







Finally - Lots of people have been asking about weight gain once you stop taking the Plexus Slim. I can say I have been OFF for about 10 day (give or take) but I have NOT gained any weight back!! That makes me happy!!

Message me if you want some more information - I am so excited about this stuff!!

www.onepinkaday.com

Behind......and now looking ahead

Wow!! I LOVE the holidays, but November has been a CRAZY month..

So let me give the run down.. I defended my dissertation on November 13 - and passed. I am now Dr. (PhD).. It is VERY exciting.. I have been working on getting my final pages turned into the library, papers signed.. etc. All those last minute hoops.


As for Plexus Slim - So I was getting VERY discouraged. I lost a total of about 10 lbs (although the scale fluxuated a bit, and I lost several inches. But it wasn't coming off as fast as I like.. Once I ran out - I hit my "sample packs"  until they ran out. I intended to get another month, but Thanksgiving and bills.... and I'm behind. Since I have been off, I can safely say a lot of the "benefits" I had I truely think were from the Plexus Slim (PS)!

1) I haven't been riding my bike
      Yes - I've been busy and it has been cold. But until I stopped the PS I was interested and WANTED to move... so I am crediting PS for that desire

2) I have stopped drinking waters as much. I think this is more a conscious effort because since I'm not starting my day with water - I don't think about it. My DH (dear husband) and I have mostly stuck with our no carbonation with a few cheats (He got me a Diet coke the DAY I was defending the dissertation!)

3) CRAVINGS - we had been doing great! No craving a sweets at all. Well I wasn't - he wasn't eating them because since I didn't crave them - they were not bought! Since off the PS, my sweet tooth is seriously returned! For me, that alone may be worth continuing.

I do plan on ordering some more. I want to get back on the band wagon , plus I want to start the accelerator again - I kept forgetting it!!

I'll keep everyone posted!