I’m so sick. I’ve been caring for kids with a stomach bug since Tuesday, and it finally got me. I have serious tummy cramps, back pain, a headache, and no energy at all. I can’t even sit up unsupported.
I want to die.
BUT, I’ve been looking forward to posting Health Group, so here I am.
I’m kind of stuck between two philosophies. My sister says to eat as little as possible and exercise as much as possible. It’s worked great for her, she feels good and has dropped a lot of weight. Calorie King says to eat 1550 calories per day plus whatever I burn exercising. My nurse practitioner sister-in-law that works in a medical weight loss clinic says to make sure I’m netting at least 1200-1500 calories per day. I’m glad Nate read the email too, because I didn’t pick up on the “netting” part. He brought it up.
An hour of elliptical according to both my elliptical and Calorie King burns 600 calories. I’ve been netting around 1000-1100 calories all week. I did an hour of elliptical on Tuesday, 2 hours on Wednesday (one in the morning, one in the evening), an hour each on Thursday and Friday.
So I’ve burned 3000 calories in exercise this week! Woo-hoo. I WOULD be on it again today, but with this flu, there’s no way. I’m lucky I got yesterday in.
Let me sing the praises of the elliptical for a bit. I’ve probably already done that here, but I’m not over it yet. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It’s no impact, so my ankle, knee, and hip are fine, unlike on the treadmill. It burns twice as many calories as I’m able to on the treadmill. I have to be careful not to overdo it on the elliptical. It’s easy to. I’m getting into a rhythm finally, but at first I really had to keep track of my heartrate because I was working too hard without feeling it ’til I’d suddenly get really dizzy.
On my Octane, I’m working on Level 4 at a speed of 35-40. It claims I’m traveling 7 miles in an hour (I have a hard time believing that). I tried to bump it up to Level 5 (there are 20 levels of resistance) but that bothered my knee a little bit, and I really don’t want to injure myself.
So, I’ve lost 4 pounds since Wednesday. It’s possible that being sick has contributed, but really, I just got sick late last night, I haven’t lost any fluids, and I haven’t missed a meal yet, so I really don’t think that’s it.
I’m making sure to get my vitamins, fish oil, and glucosamine daily, and I’m trying to make sure I get enough protein (that’s really hard if you don’t like eating meat every meal. Even WITH the protein powder). I’m drinking a ton of water to flush stuff out. So I’m trying to be healthy and not stupid.
Still 4 pounds in 3 days is a LOT. We’ll see how it goes. I feel optimistic.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:01 am
ok maybe I need to get an elliptical!
January 10th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
From what I’ve read and been told, healthy weight loss should average about 2 pounds a week. Some weeks you’ll lose more, some less. Too much weight loss too fast over a long period of time isn’t good for ones health. But don’t take my word for it. Aside from that, keep up the exercise and eating healthy! Sounds like your doing great!
January 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I hope you feel better soon! Your exercise routine sounds like it’s working well and I hope you can keep it up. I’m going to have a hard time actually working out once I go back to college tomorrow, so I hope I can find something that works well too. I also agree with Katie, above.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re sick, Laura. I hope you start to feel better soon! And congrats on losing four pounds! That’s amazing and I know it’s only the start for you! See you soon!
January 10th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
REALLY AWESOME-keep it up:) I wish I had room for an elliptical machine, I really like them too!
January 10th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I loves me a good stomach flu for weight loss! Keep up the good work!
I prefer the elliptical to the treadmill anyday. Once you take off some of the weight, you can start on the treadmill and it won’t hurt your joints so much because you’ll be lighter.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Sorry to hear that you are sick. Being sick with kids to take care of is rough. Hopefully you will feel better soon.
I prefer the machine over the treadmill any day. Unfortunately, my husband hates the elliptical, so we opted for the treadmill. This is our second one because we seem to wear them out the same way we do vacuum cleaners :-). Maybe when this one gives up, I can talk him into getting what I want.
January 11th, 2009 at 8:41 am
work it girl work it girl work it girl go team!
January 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
First off…I hope you feel better soon! Secondly…I know the elliptical machine love (even if I haven’t felt it lately) It is such a great calorie burner and no impact. For me the no impact was the key. I have been looking at mine and *thinking* about getting back on it LOL.
When I was doing the diet and calorie king thing I had a heck of a time actually getting in 1500 calories a day. I was averaging about 1000-1200. I know it sounds crazy..but it was hard to get more calories without feeling gross and like I was eating TOO much. So I totally get it.
Keep up the good work!!!
January 11th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Hey,
Great job! I’m sorry to hear you are sick. 🙁 I’ve been fighting off a cold for a few days and am worried I’m losing the battle. I’ve been chugging Airborne each evening and drinking as hot an herbal tea as I can stand. This week I lost 5 lbs just by eating moderately (small portions) whenever I ate and only ate if I was hungry. I’m going to keep trying that for a little while to see if it keeps working. It certainly helps not having all those treats from Christmas around to tempt me!
January 12th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Congrats on the weight loss! Exercising a lot and eating a little is a great way to lose muscle, not something you actually want to do. Exercise a lot and eat a fair amount for your body.