Skip to Content
Register · Login
About Theme

A Letterboxing Community

Atlas Quest
Search Edit Search

Read Board: Health and Fitness

Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898795 by Baqash
May 16, 2015 4:10pm
Thread Board (disabled)
That's great! Just make sure they take it slow and don't take risks, if they were sedentary and overweight before. It's good they have you as a healthy example and motivator!
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898795 by Baqash
May 16, 2015 8:00pm
Thread Board (disabled)
That is awesome!!!
May I passively suggest a low carb meal plan? I dropped thirty pounds in three months when I ditched the carbs. No excersise. But now I have energy and I do. I have so much energy that I barely ever watch tv anymore. I do eat one sweet a day now. Heeheehee.
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898808 by crosscresent
May 16, 2015 8:09pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I would be very interested in that low carb meal plan as I need to drop about 150lbs. I have been making it about 3 miles for letterbox hikes and hope to be able to go farther this summer. I really need a good plan. Thanks
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898808 by crosscresent
May 16, 2015 8:17pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I need an all I can eat diet. My problem is, once I start exercising, I'm starving!!! The other problem is picky eaters in my house eat a lot of carbs. It's torture!

But good for you, allowing yourself a small cheat here and there, you deserve it. Stay healthy, way to go!
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898813 by FloridaFour
May 16, 2015 8:46pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I dropped 30 lbs. And went from a 26 to a 22/20 In 6 months. I ditched fried foods and cut my pastas and soda intake by half. Then I did treadmill and minor weights 2 times a week.
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898808 by crosscresent
May 16, 2015 9:14pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Years ago I tried a low carb diet and it made me severely depressed. I learned that carbs boost serotonin levels in the brain; but, recently I have found that a moderate carb diet (which is WAY less than the average american diet) keeps my brain chemistry stable and enhances weight loss as well as food cravings. I am a new believer in filling up on veggies which I never thought were filling before. I have also been eliminating GMO's, HFC and a lot of preservatives from my diet and it seems to be helping.

I have to admit...I eat one sweet a day too! I eat 1/3 of a serving size to keep the fat, sugar, calories, etc. down; but, it makes me feel like I am still indulging. :)
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898795 by Baqash
May 16, 2015 9:14pm
Thread Board (disabled)
****throws confetti****
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898808 by crosscresent
May 17, 2015 5:50am
Thread Board (disabled)
when dealing with adult children one can only go so far. He has quit drinking soda and that is a biggie. For him, getting him off the couch was huge. He is doubly disabled. The exercise can't help his progressive blindness but it has done wonders for his depression issues. I'm with shlg, i can't totally eliminate carbs, but i try to pick healthier one and really watch the bread products.
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898811 by BrockBrood
May 17, 2015 11:20am
Thread Board (disabled)
BrockBrood, one thing I did was I got an electric scale. I weighed myself every single day. That way I can get excited even when I saw half of a pound melt away. Mostly I eat lots of greens, lots of meat, and cheese. You just gotta check those carbs. The first week I stayed under 50 carbs a day and believe or not 1200 calories. But I started at 167 pounds. It depends on where you are. If you weigh more, you can up your carbs and calorie intake until you lose some weight. I lost 10 pounds in the first week and I was hooked! I have not had any carbs today yet, except for some in greens. I do not count carbohydrates in leafy greens. For some reason those never affect me. Or they don't seem to. If anyone wants to talk more about this we can private message. Didn't really mean to take over the board. But about that depression thing, that sucks. When I lowered my carbohydrate intake my thinking actually got screwed on a little bit better. Apparently people with bipolar disorder do well on a ketogenic type of diet. :-)
Re: power of influence
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #898858 by crosscresent
May 17, 2015 12:12pm
Thread Board (disabled)
ketogenic type of diet

protein is definitely a must
Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Aug 4, 2015 8:48pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I broke my elbow at the knuckle a few years ago. A piece of my distal humerus chipped off to be exact and had to be drilled back into place. After the surgery my arm was locked at a 90 degree angle save a few degrees. It took 6 months of pushing and pulling from a Physical Therapist and a second surgery for me to regain almost all of the use of my arm. Even the PT was surprised at how much movement I gained back. Fast forward to now and I am on a weight loss journey that is going great; but, I just started strength training and my elbow kind of has a "tweak" in it. Exercises that rely heavily on elbow use (like push ups and bicep curls) cause some discomfort in that joint. Is this something I just have to live with? Is there a supplement, exercise or something else I can do to stop this or improve it?
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906364 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 4, 2015 9:05pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Are you taking, or can you take something like Aleve, on a daily basis, to help keep down the inflammation?

My broken tailbone still hurts after 8 months, and I had a shoulder joint injury that hurt for about 7 months. Aleve did help shoulder, but I had to take it every day.
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906365 by FloridaFour
Aug 4, 2015 9:32pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I am not taking anything like that right now. I take Tylenol as needed for headaches and such; but, I stopped taking other pain meds due the the risk of increased blood pressure side effects. I'm down to "borderline" BP levels right now which is much better; but, I don't think my body can withstand other pain meds just yet. Could Tylenol work?
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906366 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 4, 2015 9:47pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Have you tried hot or cold compresses?
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906366 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 5, 2015 1:25am
Thread Board (disabled)
Tylenol is not an anti inflammatory drug. Aleve (naproxen) and Ibuprofen are. When I hurt my shoulder, that's what the doctor told me to take every day to decrease the inflammation which was causing the pain. Ibuprofen gives me a stomach ache if I take it every day, though.

I think I took the Aleve for a week or two and my arm was feeling better.

If I start doing sit ups or something, I would have to take it, for my tailbone. (Hurts just thinking about it!)

My doctor also recommended the hot and cold compresses...
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906364 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 5, 2015 2:36am
Thread Board (disabled)
A good, certified, athletic trainer can often see and advise on proper technique. It could be just a matter of modifying the angle of the effort to change the stress on your joints, muscles and tendons.
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906364 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 5, 2015 5:18am
Thread Board (disabled)
Before you push through it might be wise to discover if it is just functional pain not causing damage aka arthritis or if there is something wrong that will cause damage. I have arthritis in my spine and sometimes need to verify nothing has changed that could lead to severe injury. If not then I Use a combination of ibuprofen and Tylenol and heat with stretching and massage is possible. I do all I can to keep the joints in motion so they don't lock up on me at too young an age. As my chiro says. Motion is lotion.

The exercise will help lower your blood pressure
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906366 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 5, 2015 7:20am
Thread Board (disabled)
Maybe a topical anti-inflammatory like Voltaren Emulgel would help with the inflammation, without as many side effects. Check about drug interactions though. I looked up side effects and I don't think it mentioned anything about raising blood pressure.

If you want to go with a natural remedy, arnica cream or gel is seems to be a decent anti-inflammatory. If taken by mouth it *might* increase blood pressure, but the cream might not have that effect. You could also try a capsaicin-based pain cream. I've learned to be cautious with that one though - it can burn your skin, especially if you put it on an area that will be covered by bandages or clothing. If you use capsaicin, wash your hands VERY thoroughly with a lot of soap. You don't even want to know what it's like to get that cream someplace tender.

Thinking back on the physio sessions I had for an injury years ago, have you tried doing a large number of reps with a very light weight? When I injured my shoulder, the physiotherapist had me doing 30 reps of each exercise with TINY weights - when I say tiny, I'm talking a half pound to one pound depending on the exercise - until I started building up some strength again. You might not have to start with quite such light weights, but maybe reducing the weight at first would help.
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906364 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 5, 2015 8:24am
Thread Board (disabled)
i recently tried sombra warm therapy, it seems to help.
i also use arnicare
Re: Old Injury/Workout Question
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906364 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 5, 2015 11:13am
Thread Board (disabled)
Are you doing this at home or a gym. If it's a gym, I'd speak with a trainer and see what they suggest.
You may need to build up to the exercises you're doing. I have problems with my shoulder and i have to build up the muscles slowly for it to stop hurting (more than normal, that is) when exercising.
Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Aug 10, 2015 9:09pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I am on a weight loss journey right now and I just started going to these free boot camps run by the crazy Herbalife people. (It's free; but, they do try to sell their product since it is a MLM company). One of the free benefits is they get you on a fancy scale and track not just your weight, but muscle mass, body fat %, visceral fat and metabolic age. It became very clear to me that while I had lost about 35 pounds on my own...holy heck! I was still 51.5% fat! I am dropping fat now and gaining muscle; but, I need suggestions for LOW FAT foods and recipes that are very high in protein. Also, I'm open to any other ideas to increase my muscle mass which is low but, getting better.
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906979 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 10, 2015 9:18pm
Thread Board (disabled)
My husband and all his weight training buddies swear by Whey powder, they put in smoothies for muscle.

For increasing muscle mass, you need to lift heavier weights. Especially the large leg muscles. Women are often intimidated by weight training, but there's no reason to be. It really helps burn more fat!

I'm going to join a gym again in a few weeks. I can't wait to get back in shape.

I can't help much on the low fat diet, other than avoid fried foods. I believe it is the starchy carbs that cause the most weight gain. I lowered my wine intake and carb intake and that alone has caused me to drop 2 pounds in 2 weeks.
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906984 by FloridaFour
Aug 10, 2015 9:25pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I'm right there with you! When I finally signed up for a gym membership so I could do some weight training I was horrified at how little I could do compared to years ago and the healthy version of me. It was a sobering moment. I realized then how weak I had become. I'm glad to say I have moved from the lowest set of weights to the 2nd and 3rd lowest (depending on the muscle); but, I still have a long way to go. I'll try the whey powder! If I can mix it with skim milk that would work for me.
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906987 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 10, 2015 9:29pm
Thread Board (disabled)
My husband add fruit only to his. I think it's up to you. I never tried it! I dont like fruit smoothies, Too many carbs. Maybe if I could make a protein only smoothie!
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906989 by FloridaFour
Aug 10, 2015 9:31pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I am allergic to all fruit except apples (I can drink some highly processed juices though), so that might not be the best mix for me. Maybe I can mix yogurt in. I can tolerate some yogurts with fruit and all yogurts without fruit.
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906989 by FloridaFour
Aug 10, 2015 9:32pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I've lost so much muscle. I weigh about the same, maybe 5 lbs heavier. But probably added 15 lb fat and lost 10 lb muscle. Sure doesn't look the same and I'm bigger in the middle.
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906990 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 10, 2015 9:34pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Apple and carrot would be good. There's lots of smoothie recippes with apple and carrot. :)

Wow that would suck to be allergic to so many fruits. :(
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906992 by FloridaFour
Aug 10, 2015 9:36pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I would do yogurt and ground nuts for my smoothies. Some fruit for flavor, but not a lot. Banana. Peach. Strawberry mango, those are my favorites.

*ground up nuts.
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #906979 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Aug 11, 2015 1:03am
Thread Board (disabled)
You actually don't need to overdose on the protein to build muscles. Sure, the body needs amino acids from the protein as building blocks, but excersize to build muscle is more important. As long as the body gets enough building blocks and energy it doesn't care if the energy comes from fat or protein or carbohydrates. Whey powder is great for those that have a hard time eating enough food to keep up during hard training, but there are better food that's more satisfying for wheight loss. My hubby tried a very low energy diet and he added a protein shake on the days he went to the gym since the program wasn't really adjusted for a guy his size. Too little energy is no good either.

Maybe try cottage cheese with or without topping. Nuts and honey are good, but you'd have to keep track of the topping since those are both energy dense foods. Boiled or poached eggs... Lean meats... Edamame beans (green soy beans) is a really nice snack or side dish with lots of tasty protein.
Re: Need Help Gaining Muscle
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #907001 by ApanAnn
Aug 11, 2015 6:43am
Thread Board (disabled)
I find that good Greek yogurt, (not the sugary kind), plus a handful of pecans, keeps me going strong all the way to lunch time. Conversely, a muffin or bagel has more calories, no protein, and I'm hungry in 2 hours.

Eggs are good, too.

I agree, too little calories, and you'll get too tired. And then you won't excercise. But there's a balance, otherwise fat won't come off.

Less aerobics, more weight training.