A Star to Steer By

Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
A commitment to myself...
I started Foundation today. After lurking off and on for over a year, I finally did something. None of the regular excuses- and there are many- now apply.
It's either improve my physical health or begin losing even more mobility or worse. I'm late 50's with some joint issues usually associated with someone a little older than myself, and need to loose at least 40 pounds. I'm posting the scale regularly to help account for effort.

Diet is no longer an excuse. I am an accomplished cook. I can cook a variety of healthy meals. I can easily calculate the nutrition of anything I make and portion it for meal prep days. I And yet...
Time is no longer an excuse. I have a 45 hour job and a relatively short commute. Single, live alone, few other time commitments.
Money is no longer an excuse. I have a floor and 4 walls and my body and an exercise mat.
Mood (depressed) is no longer an excuse. I've used and over-used that one for far, far too long.
"This whole thing will be a waste of time" is no longer an excuse. What the hell am I scared of?
Living, probably.
 

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Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
Week 1 is done. My form needs a lot of improvement, but right now, some movement is better than no movement. I'm also very careful with my knees. I can't do lunges or reverse lunges. I do step ups and chair squats instead. Eventually, I will add a specific program for lower body.
I'm 1.6 pounds down. My goal is 1-1.5 pounds loss per week.

This seems to be a welcoming, supportive place. I'm glad of that!
 

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Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
Two weeks already gone.
Weight is down.
This second week, I have not been able to do every single exercise in the Foundation program. Because of bad joint inflammation and pain in my left hand, I can't do any exercises right now that require my hand flat on the floor, supporting my weight.

NO EXCUSES
is my premise this month, therefore I substitute. At Foundation Day 12, which was impossible for me to complete, I instead did a cardio from a previous day that didn't require the support of my hands.

I'm not quite ready to add any other workouts. Still gaining momentum and letting joints heal. I am squashing my denial and reluctantly seeking a rheumatologist. No excuses there either as I have fairly decent health insurance for the first time in my life.

Wishing a good week to all of you Bees. Especially you New-Bees!
 

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Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
Week 3 is done, again with some modifications. Weight is down another 1.6.
My diet is a range between 1800 - 2200 calories, with average macros at 50% carbs, 25% protein and 25% fat. I cannot eat a lot of animal protein due to the joint issues. Along with more plant protein comes more carbs.

Oh well. No diet plan works for everyone, and it's up to you to find what works best for yourself. I try not to stress too much over exact numbers of calories and macros, as they're rarely perfect. I try to eat more mindfully. I limit eating out but I know that I will splurge on a burger or fish and chips occasionally.

Joints are not as sore but still not doing any exercises that require my hands flat on the floor. A couple of days I substituted cardio for the strength exercise for that day. The programs make it easy to change things around.

I hope you Bees stay motivated this week!
 

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Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
Well, that's that. My first Darebee program ever, Foundation at level 1, done!
Some days, I was surprised at the challenge. Some days, it was easy. Some days, it was the last thing I wanted to do.
I've lost 4.6 pounds and gained a little self confidence. And I'm getting a tiny bit more limber. Still need to improve my form.

Resting tomorrow. September 1st, I'm starting 30 days of LIIT. I want to add a strength workout every other day, possibly alternating upper and lower body. Not sure exactly what that will be, other than it will be at beginner level.

I haven't been on the forum much between posts. I'm still figuring out things. I don't feel like I have a lot to contribute at this point. Although I've enjoyed reading what others are doing.

Wishing everyone a nice weekend.
 

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Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
Week 1 of 30 Days of LIIT done.
I didn't loose any weight this week but didn't gain any, and I'm not going to stress over that. I need to do better with my diet. I haven't skipped any days on the previous or current programs. I need to do better with meal prep. It's not like I'm new to that.

Starting Weight: 233.8 Current Weight: 229.2.
Days on Darebee: 37.
Current Program & Workouts:
30 Days Of LIIT at Level 2.
Odd Days Lower Body: Daily Legs Workout or Landslide Workout or Knee Rehab Workout at level 2.
Even Days Upper Body: Chest & Shoulders Light or Eye Of The Tiger Workout or Back & Core Workout Level 2.

I've been exercising before dinner, as mornings are a high-stress time of day. I quickly discovered that trying to squeeze in something before work was not helping me mentally. Evening are much better in that regard.

Have a good week, everybee!
 

Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
It's been a routine kind week.
I am somewhat waiting around for some changes at work and trying not to think too much about the outcome. I'm not in danger of losing my job, at least.
Saturday, I took a rest day, whereas before, I had not missed a day exercising. I think I overdid it the day before, between moving heavy objects around at work and the leg exercises I did Friday night.

In any case, I have upped my level to 3, using the same workouts as last week. I will stick with those until next month, then try some HIIT.
Starting Weight: 233.8 Current Weight: 228.6.
Days on Darebee: 45.

A good week to all!
 

Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
IT'S FALL, Y'ALL!!!
I'm so thrilled that it's the first day of Fall, I won't even complain too much about this not-so-pleasant a week.
To sum up: I missed two days of exercise due to illness & joint pain. Didn't lose any weight and find that slightly annoying.
I keep reminding myself that the benefits of exercise do not always manifest specifically as weight loss.

BUT IT'S FALL!

A happy First Day Of Fall To All!

Starting Weight: 233.8 Current Weight: 228.8.
Days on Darebee: 52.
 

Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
Done with month 2!!
30 Days Of LIIT at Level 2 for the first 3 weeks, then I was able to do it at level 3 last week. I did not do as much strength-building as planned. It was too ambitious.
Even so, I have noticed a slight improvement in my knees and arms I've also had a slight improvement in sleep, which is much needed.
A few days, I tried Tenderfoot HIIT at level 2.
On a couple of "bad knee days" I did Silver HIIT Workout at level 3. So I still must be mindful of treating my knees with care.
Note to self: It's OK to take a rest day or do an extra-light workout.

Starting Weight: 233.8 Current Weight: 228.4.
Days on Darebee: 60.

Still not trying to obsess about my weight. I just have to find the right combination that works for me.
I'm not quite sure what I will do in October. Probably some HIIT and then strength at least twice a week.
What ever it is, I think the it's time to increase the length / intensity.
I will think about that on my rest day tomorrow.

I know I don't comment much but I read a lot!
Some of you are the cheering section here, and it is APPRECIATED!
 

Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
I'm still here...

The past two weeks, I have been slightly derailed by things not under my control. Feeling at the mercy of Fate can suck the energy right out of you. It takes effort for me to stay positive to begin with, and that that is in short supply this week. Suffice to say that I hate hurricanes & joint pain.
That said, it's a relief that I finally received a referral to a rheumatologist today, after two months. They said the first available appointment is in December. Why am I not surprised?
The upside is that my family doctor was happy that my lipid panel is significantly better without medication. Also that I have lost 24 pounds since November 2023. That's just under half a pound a week, on average. If that's how slowly it goes, so be it. It is not easy for me to drop weight and it MUST be a consistent effort, every day,

I've been doing various LITT workouts, mostly Forager, Meltdown, Atomic, & Tenderfoot, all of these at level 3. Rest day is generally Sunday & Wednesday.
For strength, it's been Chest & Shoulders Light, Upper Body Tendon Strength, & Easy Legs Workout, which is not so easy for me without some lunge mods.

All right Bees.
Let's get going...

Starting Weight: 233.8 Current Weighst: 228.3.
Days on Darebee: 76.
 

Maxwell

Member
from USA
Posts: 23
"“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh"
Hello Bees!
Not much different at this check-in. I am keeping on with keeping on. Last week, I bought adjustable dumbbells, 2.5 - 25 pounds and tried some easy moves.
I have stuck to lighter workouts for the last 2 weeks again, due to on going joint issues. My weight loss has stalled. It was slow to begin with.
My knees still need work. I should focus on that in November for sure. Rather than be discouraged, which I REALLY don't need right now, I shall focus on the positive, which is:
90 days on Darebee.
Slight lessening of anxiety.
A small improvement in upper body strength.
Tomorrow is Halloween!! YAY!
Happy Halloween to all!

Starting Weight: 233.8 Current Weight: 228.6.
Days on Darebee: 90.
 

Fremen

Well-known member
Shaman from Italy
Posts: 4,053
"“Keep an eye on the staircases. They like to change.” Percy Weasley, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone."
Congrats
:worried:
 
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