At my wits end......trying to figure out what program to follow!!
Hi all
I am new here, and trying to figure out what to do. I am really at my wits end!! I have been on and off WW for quite a while now and can't seem to lose more than about 20 lbs before I just quit. I am looking at ediets, or possibly either BFL or BodyRx. I just feel I need to do something besides WW to lose the weight. I am so tired of being heavy. I have about 120 lbs to lose, but I also want to be in good shape.
The problem is, I am very used to the flexibility of WW and the Points system. But, maybe that is my downfall.....too much flexibilty?
I have been reading at this forum, and BFL/BodyRX seem to be interesting programs. I already go to the gym 3x a week and do weights machines - usually about 6 or so per session, but I am sure more basic than what these programs have.
My concerns about any of these programs is how restrictive they are. I like to cook......do they allow the use of your own recipes? It seems like ediets you use all of their own suggestions and their recipes.
Robin have you read both BRX and BFL books? If not, they should be available at your library. I'd suggest getting a copy of each, reading it and then choosing one. You'll be suprised to see that you're NOT limited by food choices or cooking and neither will you starve. You'll eat well, you'll be able to practice creative cooking to make dishes BRX or BFL-friendly, you'll work out hard and you'll see results, if you give your program choice a fair try.
The key to this is nutrition. I think that while WW is certainly a well-known and popular plan, its not the most effective by any means.
After you've read BRX and BFL, please come back w/your questions, there are many here who would love to help you on your journey.
I just wanted to pop in and agree with Mindi here.
BTW there are a ton of recipes on the 'Net that would work very well for either BFL or BRX (I'm just guessing on the BRX since I've never actually done the program). So don't feel deprived! IMO you have to 'accentuate the positive' - rather than thinking about what you CAN'T have, think about how creative you can get with what's on the list - and I bet you can get VERY creative indeed!
It's great that you're working out with weights. My bet is that you aren't doing any specific workout 'split', but just going to different machines and trying them out (I used to do the same thing myself - please forgive me if I made an incorrect assumption). Once you have a specific training split - either from BFL or BRX or whatever program - then you'll see much better results as far as building muscle and ultimately burning fat!
Hi Robin! I could have written your post not too long ago .... Just like you, I was on and off WW for it seems like my whole life -- lose 20, gain back 25, lose that, regain it. For me, the flexibility of WW was indeed my downfall because I ended up saving all my points for carbs and treats. I truly believed that I could not live a day without chocolate.
Now that I quit WW, I've lost 125 pounds and have maintained it for about a year. What worked for me was a three-part strategy of cardio, weight lifting, and completely changed nutrition. WW only deals with nutrition (they kind of talk about exercise in the mildest of terms) and they treat all foods as OK so long as they fit in your points. WRONG! I needed to build muscle with weights, burn fat with cardio, and totally change the way I ate in order to get rid of those pounds forever. So WW was not the way for me, in the end.
I didn't follow BFL or BRx but did a very similiar program and either of those would serve you well. I second Mindi's suggestion that you look at both and see which would fit you better. I think that either of those programs can get you to where you want to be, in good health and looking awesome!
Thank you for your information and support!! I went to the bookstore for a few and the websites of both. It seems like BFL is a bit more intense and involved, but from what I am hearing both are good. I am going to B and N tonite and I am going to look over both real good and see what will work.
Mrs. Jim: I belong to Bally's. As for my weight workout, I do a combination of weight machines. I do leg press, extention and curl. I switch off between chest press and flys, and seated rows and lat pull downs. I also do an oblique machine and an ab machine, triceps and biceps.
I thus far have stayed away from the free weights. I guess that area is a bit intimidating for me. I weigh 263 lbs so I guess I am a tad self-concious. I have thought of doing some of their power lifting classes, where you lift free weights in a class environment, but I am not sure.
I do some aerobics, mainly the bike, cause I have achilles tendonitis and it can cause some pain to do the others, though I try to walk too. But I definitely prefer weight training over all the rest.
We have a bunch of links in the Basic Info sticky in this forum as well...one great site with LOTS of info to check out is Krista Scott Dixon's site at http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html I HIGHLY recommend it! (and I'm not the only one!)
And one more thing: "Fear not the free weights!" Personally, I think you get a much better workout from free weights, although I don't diss machines.
The classes your Bally's offers - are they like Body Pump? That's what we have at our gym (24 Hour Fitness). I tried it once, a few years back, but for me the lifting is too fast. Hopefully they've changed it since then...
Feel free to join us on the weekly thread anytime! Welcome!
Robin -- I belong to Ballys too and I'm guessing you are talking about the Powerflex class. I think that would be a good place to start since it uses free weights and you can choose whichever weight feels right to you and increase at your own pace. I still do the classes occasionally.
As an added bonus, you'll meet other people in the class (there will be a lot of the same people every week) and you may find a lifting partner there. I know what you mean about the free weight area being intimidating -- I felt the same way when I weighed about what you do. It's so much easier with a buddy, if you can find one. But, if not, hold your head up and march in there and lift away! You'll discover two things: no one is watching you -- they are too busy with themselves -- and the big hulking scary-looking guys are generally sweethearts who love to help. Once a guy came over to me -- dressed all in black, shaved head, mutiple piercings, bandana, dog chain around his neck etc etc. -- and said "I've been watching you...." I'm quaking inside, thinking that I've breached some unknown gym etiquette. Then he goes on to say that I was doing so well and making so much progress and looking great and all that, and he was just like a big teddy bear.
Ok I picked up BRx. It was a bit more detailed on the food section than BFL was, and I preferred the workouts. Mind you I am not dissing BFL.....it also looked good, though a bit more intense. I may end up doing both, who knows Right now I need something that I can work into my lifestyle, and this looks like the ticket.
Now I gotta read the book.....and I will be back with questions and/or comments I am sure
i totally agree with robin about the free weights area. i used to be intimidated too (three weeks ago) now i act like i OWN THE PLACE! i go to ballys as well. my fav exercise in the free weight area is the leg press. i felt so cool, when i was swapping out on the machine with this guy and he tried to help me by taking the 45 plates off of each side and I said "NO, that's what I lift. PLUS a 10 pound plate on each side!" It was GREAT! You can do it too!
At my wits end......trying to figure out what program to follow!!
I have thought of doing some of their power lifting classes, where you lift free weights in a class environment, but I am not sure.
Personally, I think you get a much better workout from free weights, although I don't diss machines.
