jennygirl37

How do I find my target heart rate for burning fat while exercising?

I took the tour yesterday and signed up. I had to get right back to work, so didn't get to stay and exercise. But today I am. Its not the nicest fitness center, I wasn't overly impressed. But its the only one in my area, so it will have to do. I also found that my insurance will reimburse me for a portion of the annual fee. I am excited and nervous to go today. But I know that after a few visits I will be feeling much more comfortable. Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom!

I started cutting it out ahead of time. First, I switched to diet (I drank regular). Then, I switched to diet caffeine free (because I knew I'd have withdrawals). Then, I slowly phased it out entirely. For me, it worked. I knew I couldn't just go cold turkey on all that sugar, caffeine, and carbonation all at one time.

It's weird, but I honestly don't even miss it now. I drink a lot of Water and when I feel like I want something sweet to drink, I drink Lipton Diet Green Tea, in either mixed berry or citrus flavor. It's really good, zero calories, and no carbonation.

I also find that the Diet Green Tea is a good alternative to Water. I get in all my water, but sometimes just want something different. I gave up diet soda the first day of my pre-op diet and haven't missed it all that much. I thought having no caffeine would be horrible. Not nearly as bad as I thought!

Wow! Our starting weight is the same and our date of surgery is also the same and I am down about the same as you!! I have not had the courage to take a photo yet! You look amazing!!!

My biggest struggle is learning that difference between the want and the need. Your success is HUGE, good job!!!

To those doing the couch to 5K, how are you doing the program? With a phone app or just online? Where do you get best information for it? I have seen a website and I could use a phone app, but not sure I would like that.

I scheduled a tour for Monday, so we'll see how it goes. Thanks all for your input, I love this forum! I always get much needed advice and inspiration.

First off....check out the caliber of people that belong to the gym.....also the time of day clearly segregates peoples in the gym.....

I go early am, between 5-6....people there before work, mostly professional types...teachers, Dr.'s, Lawyers, Cops etc....

After 8am, it becomes mostly women, perhaps home makers? And at night you get the young "Look at me" crowd...

Having said that, if the gym has serious people there (not the night crowd), then NO ONE will look at you as a "idiot" as you say...they all understand why they, and you are there and they are all after the same thing.....

The night crowd, well I'm not sure what they're after.....

IMO, it is worth the little extra $$ for a classier gym, along with more professional trainers/employees.....

I live in a very rural area, so I only have one option for a fitness center. It does look nice though. I should be able to go most days at 12:30-1:00ish, so I am hoping that there won't be too many people there during that time. I just need to get over being so concerned about how I look to other people.

So...I have managed to lose 50lbs with only walking as exercise. Haven't been able to walk much all winter and can't wait to get out there. I am considering joining our local fitness center. I am nervous about this, very self conscience about my body and my abilities to actually do exercise other than walking. I see that they offer an indoor cycling class. This sounds like something I might be interested in. And I don't want this to sound like I am lazy, but is this super hard? I don't want to look like an idiot and not be able to do a 30 minute class. I don't even know what they do in a cycling class. If you have done this please let know what your experience was like. I really, really want to increase my exercise and get toned!

I feel the same way. I started at 332 and am now 280. I jumped for joy when I left the 300's and then the 290's. I am super close to the 270's and can't wait until I am there! For now I can't even imagine the 260's!!

Just curious, what is your daily average calorie intake?

I can sooo identify to you how were before the band. All I thought was food! And I am newly banded and still do to some degree. My eating choices have drastically changed of course, still on a soft food diet. And I do stick to that, but I am stuck inside with this awful winter weather and still find myself wanting to graze on food all afternoon. Even when I am not feeling hungry. I really, really want to learn how to control the head hunger vs. the real hunger, but I am having a such a hard time with that.

I very rarely get hungry, and when I do it is different than before being banded...hard to explain, I have no interest in food...my mind tells me I don't need it...I believe it's the band telling my brain I'm full, even though I'm not full, and may not have eaten in over 18 hours......If I am busy, so at work or out traveling around, I forget to eat altogether...my poor wife has to remind me....

Now, because it's winter I spend more time indoors, in front of the TV all day on Saturdays watching sports......I do tend to graze all day on different Snacks, but not because I am hungry.......but when I do do that, I will do not have any meals...the only thing I eat that day is what I have been grazing on.....so it all evens out....

BTW, as far as will power....No..it all comes quite naturally, as a permanent lifestyle

Before banded, I was addicted to food...could not get enough...I would be driving in my car, see a fast food restaurant and go in a get something, whether I needed to or not...I could think about a particular food item, and have to run out and get it.....and this was besides my normal (?) meals....

would also eta a large sandwich or something just before bedtime....

All that is behind me....even if I wanted to, I CANNOT overeat.....

Last cruise we were on, I threw out all the rules...told myself I was going to test this surgery, and eat whatever and whenever I wanted....I Lost 5 lbs!!

The band worked.....did exactly what it does everyday...where I am and what is offered to me makes no difference!

Just curious, what is your daily average calorie intake?

I am 4 weeks post op and have not had a fill yet. Right now I am battling the 'head' hunger and the real hunger. I am curious, to those of you that are in the green zone. Do you feel like eating/snacking in between meals still? Do you still (assuming you did before) eat when bored? Or are you satisfied between meals that you aren't feeling compelled to graze and snack? How much does will power play a role in your daily life? Just trying to get a sense what being in the green zone does for you and how it feels compared to before you were banded and before you were in the green zone. Thanks!!!

Do you have morning tightness? Because if not, then Morningstar breakfast patties are awesome. Loaded with Protein and low carb.

Otherwise like some others have said, cottage cheese with fruits is good. Or an energy bar. Fiber One makes some healthy god tasting flavors.

Avoid eating cereal with milk, as it is a slider food, but once in a while if you do eat it, then make sure it's a healthy cereal like raisin bran (which is loaded with fiber)

I have no fills yet, so I do not have any morning tightness. Thanks for the ideas!

I am looking for quick and easy Breakfast ideas. Can you guys please tell me what you are eating in the mornings. Thanks!!

47 and counting!

I did the same thing! Without even thinking about it, I took a bite of my kids taco and this was only about a week surgery. I panicked, but everything was fine. Those old habits are tough to break.

Thank you Missy. This is all so new to me and just when I thought I had things figured out, then I end up confused again. Do you think the calories that I burned according to my fitbit include the BMR? I know it includes the steps I took. I didn't do any formal exercise, but I am up and moving...chasing my kid around, etc. Thanks for your explanation!

I hope I can explain this in a way that makes sense, because I know I am confused. So...I wear my fitbit to track my daily calories burned. Certain days (like today) when I do no exercise, only just my normal daily routine, the fitbit reads that I have burned 2202 Calories. I assume this is the BMR. First off, is this the BMR? So today I ate 1376 calories and according to fitbit burned 2207. Does this mean I have a calorie deficit of 831? Or since I technically did not exercise, is there no calorie deficit? Should I only count those calories burned by actual exercise? I really just want to be sure that I am burning more calories than I am eating on days when I could not fit exercise into my routine. And I do realize that I should be getting some sort of exercise most day. Thanks!!!

I thought I saw a way to read what other people are eating and logging into My Fitness Pal. I can't find that now. Did I imagine this? I'd love to be able to see what others are eating daily.

Thanks!!!

Wow...that is very helpful information. Thank you!!

With my chocolate Unjury shake I add a tsp of chocolate extract, almond extract and coconut extract. It tastes like an Almond Joy, yum!

Is it possible to get in too much Protein? I planned all my meals for tomorrow and am getting 98grams of protein and 990 calories. I am suppose to get in 80 protein. This probably sounds silly, but is there a problem with too much protein?

I am 3 weeks post op and allowed to have food that is pureed. I am concentrating on Protein. Tonight I had some beef that I pureed. I am not sure if I pureed it enough or not. I tried to be sure to take small bites and chew, chew, chew. About half way through my meal I was feeling very full. I should have listened to my body and not taken another bite. I did take a few more bites and now I am feeling pain in my chest and into my ribs. It feels like a lot of pressure. Its not in my throat, it doesn't feel like I am stuck (or what I imagine stuck feels like). I am burping a lot too. Did I eat too fast or just too much? Has anyone else felt this way? This is all so new to me and I am still learning how to live with the band.

I love to walk outside, love it! But living in Wisconsin right now its not easy to get out for walks. I also cannot afford a gym membership. Can you give me some ideas of things I can do in my home? Thanks!