Monday, May 17, 2010

You can't out train your diet

This weekend was not all bad as far as my weight loss goes. I did not really eat too well, but I didn't go over my daily calorie count either. The main reason for this was we ate out pretty much all weekend and it ended with a birthday party on Sunday evening that let to a bit of over eating. I did however workout Sunday morning in anticipation of the party that night. I have also been logging all of my food this past week so I can keep it at the top of my mind at all times. I am hoping this gets me into a habit of watching my portion control and eating a bit better as well.

Today the gym was OK as well. I finally completed a full workout of C25k. I'm wont be totally happy though until I can complete a full week and finally get off week 1. My legs still feel like lead when I run, I am thinking this might be a weight issue but I am not sure. Any other overweight runners have this problem or am I the only idiot who can't make it off of week 1 on this C25k thing? I can be patient with this but I want to see some progress, who knows maybe this is the week I see some. After the 65 minutes on the treadmill I did my usual Monday weight routine of chest, triceps, shoulders and abs. The good thing about all this is that it's taking me more and more to get my heart rate up to where I need it to be during workouts. When I first started this I could hit my target heart rate just tying my shoes. Now I have to actually start running to hit my THR.

Another thing I am finding out about this weight loss stuff is that it's really hard to decipher all the information out there. Everyone has a "great way" of losing weight and there is always someone pushing a new diet plan or supplement to help. I take in new info everyday while researching this stuff and everyday I come out of it with a sense that I am doing something wrong or that I should be eating certain things or taking a certain supplement. Today is no different. I came across a site that said I should be taking whey protein shakes within 30 minutes after working out, so I started to research whey protein and why I should be taking it. Now I found out some helpful info, but it led me to believe that I NEED to be taking this stuff after all my workouts. So now I am taking this to you...my fellow bloggers. Do I need this stuff? Will it help me in my weight loss? Have any of you had any success with whey protein powders and drinks? I could use some answers because I walked away from today's workout feeling that I wasn't doing my body any good by not fueling it after my workout.

That's all for today. Live long and prosper.

7 comments:

  1. I just finished C25K, weighing more than 200lbs on a 5'4 chubby body, and I think weight does make a huge difference. I've never actually completed c25k weighing more/less than I do now, but I do think that pulling around a lot of extra weight makes it more difficult. That said, I did finish even though I'm still a lot slower than I expected. I think you have to factor in the extra weight and listen to your body by not pushing the speed at first, training consistently and staying with a week if you`re still finding it difficult. I found the first 2 and last 2 weeks to be the hardest, but they were doable.

    As for whey protein, I'm not sure. I think it is important to refuel after work outs with carbs/protein, but I don't know how important it is where they come from.

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  2. Lizzie,

    Thanks for reading and commenting! I love seeing new readers.

    I too am thinking it is a weight issue. I am now on my 3rd week of week 1 and my legs still feel like lead when I run. Then again I am just over 300lbs on a 5'8" frame so I know to expect some difficulties. But hey...I am at least running and that is super cool in my book.

    Congrats on finishing you C25k. Do you have any plans to run a 5k anytime soon?

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  3. Boo listen, the info out there is just that info. Take it or leave it. I don't take any kind of supplement except liquid vitamins and a nice vitamin D/Omega 3 combination to keep depression at bay naturally. I don't drink any protein shakes (though I thought about them).

    I do up my protein but with stuff I like (peanut butter, tuna fish, beans, chicken). The only thing I had to change so far in this diet is my calorie intake. I had to start eating more to get back into net calorie range.

    Just because it works for someone doesn't mean it is something you have to do immediately. This isn't a race, it's a journey. Stop worrying about what is or isn't happening. You're working out, you're moving more and you're trying to make the best decisions for your life.

    Revel in that for a bit. And then if you want to try something else, then by all means go for it. This is your journey. We're just here for the ride.

    Also, can I make a suggestion?

    Leave week one behind and move onto week two. Push yourself just once to see if you can do it. Trust your body, it wants you to go onto week 2!

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  4. Tara,

    Suggestion well taken. I will push it a bit on Thursday and try for week 2.

    I know I research this stuff way too much. I just want to make sure I am setting myself up to get the best results possible. I have failed way too many times at this in the past and I need this time to be the time I succeed. I'm not about to try everything. Just looking for a few suggestions.

    As always, I totally value your comments. Thanks Tara!

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  5. I'm with tara on this. The only thing I changed in my diet too is calories. I still eat what I like, just in moderation now.

    I have never done C25K, but I can tell you that when i started running, I couldnt even briskly walk a half mile without stopping. Its been since 27 Mar and I have run a 10k, and 3 5's. Do I have the best times? Of course not. But I dont quit. I just move on.

    The only thing that I will recommend is a book. Not for its diet plan, (because if you read my blog, you will see I'm not a big advocate of diets) but it is super detailed about exercises. Its called The Mens Health Big Book of Exercises.

    KEEP GOING! Its hard, but well worth it!

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  6. Ed,

    Thanks for commenting! Like you, I could not even walk a little without being out of breath, and now I do run, just not much. I can see it getting better so I stick with it.

    I'm really not dieting at all. I hate that term. I have never stuck to one so I refuse to do one now only to fail. I'm trying to eat a bit better but I too am limiting my calories and keeping track of them now. That is really it.

    As for the book. I am going to look into that. Borders has some great coupons for their website right now. :p

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  7. I have been taking herbal supplements since i was 10 years old so I am pretty much used to swallowing big pills. I never had any complaint about the size or had any difficulty swallowing.

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