5 replies to this topic

[riverwalk]

Hi everyone, new girl here... just joined today. Hopefully someone out there can relate or give me some advice or encouragement. I have been a zumba instructor for 3 and a 1/2 years- originally LOST weight doing zumba and another weight loss program. Went on meds for a couple years and overindulged myself (clearly wrong thinking that teaching 3x/week would keep the weight off... it didnt) well now I am up to teaching 5x/week, this is 5 hours of cardio per week. I dont eat that poorly- no fast food, nothing fried, but obviously my eating habits need revamping, as I am doing something wrong. And I feel like the ultimate hypocrite, teaching my classes to help others stay and get in shape, and here I am carrying 25 extra pounds.

I am just frustrated that with 5 hours of seroius cardio per week I have been unable to lose a single pound on my own. I am having a hard time accepting what everyone says, that the body gets used to this activity level. I understand that it is true but it is adding to my frustration with myself. So, I have to add activity somehow. I am feeling a little overwhelmed thinking, just how much am I supposed to do or take on? I work full time, AND part time, AND teach 5x/week.

I cant afford/dont have time to join a gym and get up at 5am to run stadium steps or the neighborhood, etc. With my schedule as it is, with my two teens in activities, I barely have time to cook dinners for everyone. I am just feeling a bit overwhelmed that I have to ADD activity, how the heck am I supposed to do that? I have my 10-pound weights at the house that I use, but its mostly for arms, which feels great, but its not going to be enough to blast pounds off.

So my question is, those of you who started the program already active- what did you do to change things up and jump-start your body, in regards to activity?

Id like to think that changing my eating habits will be enough to do it, but I know, I need to add something or change something, and I do not know what that is or how to do it.

sorry for the novel of a post and thanks in advance for your help.

[Linwalker]

Hi everyone, new girl here... just joined today. Hopefully someone out there can relate or give me some advice or encouragement. I have been a zumba instructor for 3 and a 1/2 years- originally LOST weight doing zumba and another weight loss program. Went on meds for a couple years and overindulged myself (clearly wrong thinking that teaching 3x/week would keep the weight off... it didnt) well now I am up to teaching 5x/week, this is 5 hours of cardio per week. I dont eat that poorly- no fast food, nothing fried, but obviously my eating habits need revamping, as I am doing something wrong. And I feel like the ultimate hypocrite, teaching my classes to help others stay and get in shape, and here I am carrying 25 extra pounds.

I am just frustrated that with 5 hours of seroius cardio per week I have been unable to lose a single pound on my own. I am having a hard time accepting what everyone says, that the body gets used to this activity level. I understand that it is true but it is adding to my frustration with myself. So, I have to add activity somehow. I am feeling a little overwhelmed thinking, just how much am I supposed to do or take on? I work full time, AND part time, AND teach 5x/week.

I cant afford/dont have time to join a gym and get up at 5am to run stadium steps or the neighborhood, etc. With my schedule as it is, with my two teens in activities, I barely have time to cook dinners for everyone. I am just feeling a bit overwhelmed that I have to ADD activity, how the heck am I supposed to do that? I have my 10-pound weights at the house that I use, but its mostly for arms, which feels great, but its not going to be enough to blast pounds off.

So my question is, those of you who started the program already active- what did you do to change things up and jump-start your body, in regards to activity?

Id like to think that changing my eating habits will be enough to do it, but I know, I need to add something or change something, and I do not know what that is or how to do it.

sorry for the novel of a post and thanks in advance for your help.

Wow, I BOW to your dedication 5 X Week of Zumba. Yes I have heard if you don't mix up your work outs your body will adjust to that activity level. What if you walked to Zumba class? Is that an option?
I'm one of those people that can't seem to get started when I stop so I've hit a brick wall lately We do have a zumba class here in town, but I'm a little self-conscience about it. I'm trying to walk more with the weather getting nicer too.
Is your Zumba class in or near a gym? Maybe if went a half hour or an hour early you can get in some time on an elliptical which might change things up a bit. My sister is a gym RAT.. well she was in same boat as you.. so she actually cut back her workout's by 2 days and pushed through a plateau that way!

Good luck..but I think you have a lot going for you in that you are already active and now just need to balance your time with your activity

[riverwalk]

Wow, I BOW to your dedication 5 X Week of Zumba. Yes I have heard if you don't mix up your work outs your body will adjust to that activity level. What if you walked to Zumba class? Is that an option?
I'm one of those people that can't seem to get started when I stop so I've hit a brick wall lately We do have a zumba class here in town, but I'm a little self-conscience about it. I'm trying to walk more with the weather getting nicer too.
Is your Zumba class in or near a gym? Maybe if went a half hour or an hour early you can get in some time on an elliptical which might change things up a bit. My sister is a gym RAT.. well she was in same boat as you.. so she actually cut back her workout's by 2 days and pushed through a plateau that way!

Good luck..but I think you have a lot going for you in that you are already active and now just need to balance your time with your activity

Hi Lin, thanks for the reply. Walking to the gyms not an option... one is across town and the other, I go straight from work. Curves (the one place I teach) has the circuit, (not sure if you are familiar with Curves, it is a gym but it only has circuit in it, no weights etc) i wish they did have basics like a squat rack, and bigger weights to work legs. I always did have success when I lifted weights.... its just now finding the money and time to join a gym... the other place I teach is a pole fitness studio, they do have pilates and yoga there which I plan to try.

thanks for the input and suggestions- I would like to cut out some classes actually but its a job. I have a commitment to teach... I enjoy it but .. like anything else, it's got its downside.

Try a zumba class though- it is great exercise (unless you are the instructor ha ha like me!!!!!! LOL) dont be intimidated or self conscious. Everyone starts somewhere with Zumba, it is normal to not "get" all the steps and such right away, especially in an already-established class where the members know the routines. You will catch on. No one looks at you anyway- they are too busy shaking their own booties!

:-) Maybe I will try the circuit at Curves, now that you mention it. ;-)
andi

[riverwalk]

update--- I added some pilates (there is a class before the one I teach) and it kicked my butt. Anyone out there who is a pilates regular, you have my respect. I am still sore but its good.

I did realize that my portion sizes were WAY out of control, so I am hopeful that I now wont have to add TOO much physical activity for this to be good. Im surprised that the JC meals and menu actually fills me up. I was clearly eating wayyyy worse than I thought before.

[MargieJ]

The amount of activity you're doing is not only admirable but more than enough to keep your metabolism revved up---that's the main goal of activity. Added weight loss benefits can certainly come from increasing exercise further (as long as you're eating enough to support it), but is not required. Also, consider that you need to be doing an amount of exercise that you can sustain long-term.

My advice would be to keep doing what you're doing now in terms of exercise, and focus your time and concentration on digging in 100% to the food and mind part of this. Also, be sure your JCC knows how much exercise you're doing so that you're sure to be eating enough and not thrown into starvation mode. See this link for a relevant post about exercise and weight loss. http://www.jennycraig.com/forum/index.php?...amp;hl=exercise

Best of luck. Follow the program, to the letter, and it'll work.
Margie

[riverwalk]

Thanks Margie, you are absolutely right. Last week I did actually feel like I was in starvation mode and the scale showed it. I was starving every day by 5pm and apples or carrots werent going to cut it. Maintaining this level of activity is... well... its my job haha... ive been teaching for years, usually 3-4 a week but now its up to 5. Cant beat that, getting paid to exercise. The down side is, ya gotta show up to work. Even if sick, etc. The show must go on, no matter how much you dont want to get up in front of a group and exercise.

Here is what I did and it has helped: I have the dinner meal, for my lunch. it fills me up longer. Im totally tired of salads, i just cant do a salad right now so I add tons of veggies... peppers, onions, mushrooms, cauliflower, etc... I mean tons. Ive eaten so much onions and peppers I wonder if I am going to start smelling like onions.

I also added a small protein snack at about 5pm. Lowfat cottage cheese, etc. I will have some turkey breast if I have it on hand or chicken breast. And the anytime bar. I then have the lunch meal for my dinner when I get in at about 8pm and its great.

I did cut back one class I added, (the pilates) so far this week has been much better. I was absolutely ravenous last week and figured if I am that hungry, I am going to eat. My body needed it. Starvation mode stinks!