Last evening, DS and I made a late trip into Memorial Park for a little exercise. The purpose of the trip was twofold. First of all, I wanted to do a short run to calibrate my footpod on my Polar HR monitor. Secondly, it's just awesome to go out with DS while we're trying to help each other get in shape. DS was pumped when I gave him my old Nike Triax chronograph and HR monitor. I don't think he'll use the HRM but he loves the watch.
This was DS's 1st outing. DW and I (and DS) have been very concerned about DS's weight. It's hard to not feel guilty, knowing that we played the single, greatest role in his getting so big. But, instead of letting things stay as they are, I'm trying to do some things to motivate him to change. I actually hired him a personal trainer that is going to meet with him twice a week. She has worked a lot with teens and I have a very good feeling that she's going to do awesome. DS is PUMPED UP about this and can't believe I'd pay the $$ for him to do this. Also, we all are seeing a registerd dietician in a couple of weeks to try and get some help nutrition-wise that will help us to lose weight and get healthy.
So, there's a lot going on. I'm having my BMR tested on Friday, just so I can start counting my calories better. I think the formula I've been using can be very inaccurate for severely overweight people. I think I'm targeting too few calories. I know that sounds kind of counterintuitive but I believe that too few calories is acutally counterproductive to weight loss because it leads to being too hungry. Then I eat too much. Plus I need to keep my metabolism rev'd up and the only way to do that is to have enought coals in the fire (i.e. have enough food in the stomach).
Starting with last night, I'll be adding an additional short run to my weekly program. So, I'll be running 4 days per week. The additional workout, for now, will be very, very easy. Just a mile or mile and a half at a very easy pace. I think this is a conservative approach to increasing my running slowly. I may even just walk on this extra day for a few weeks just to have some time to listen to my body (ankle) and ensure I'm not pushing too hard. We'll see how it goes.
Later.
3 comments:
I think you're right about the calorie count -- when I try to lose weight, I generally do it by exercising more and eating *healthier*, not eating less. If I eat less, it just makes me hungry and more prone to finding something unhealthy to snack on!
Agree - I've long believed that successful weight loss and maintenance is much more about "calories out" than "calories in". Running as a fundamental ingredient of a fit and healthy lifestyle really does allow you to eat how you want.
Steeeve
That's great that you hired a trainer for him, and that you're all exercising together! I'm getting my BMR tested tomorrow morning again too - I've found the machine they use to test it with is extremely accurate with me.
Here's my 2 cents (that you didn't ask for!) on eating. First, I make it a rule to never - ever - eat after 7:30 in the evening. I've only broken that promise to myself once or twice since I started.
And second, a snack between meals is not a treat - it's meant to keep me from getting too hungry. So it's always a protein/carb combo, like 1/2 apple with a little bit of peanut butter or something like that. Never just a carb.
Now if I could just stay away from the ice cream, I'd be set....
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