June Healthy Living Thread

[A_J_R]

Had a really rough week. Today was hard, and my CrossFit classes this week have been a struggle. I tripped and fell the other day in front of everyone and broke out in tears. Today I struggled with the little clips that go on the barbell so the plates don't slip, and everyone moved ahead of me. I could only lift 45lbs and I feel like failure.

I sat in my car and cried when class was over. Just so down these days.

 

[britishbloke]

Had a really rough week. Today was hard, and my CrossFit classes this week have been a struggle. I tripped and fell the other day in front of everyone and broke out in tears. Today I struggled with the little clips that go on the barbell so the plates don't slip, and everyone moved ahead of me. I could only lift 45lbs and I feel like failure.

I sat in my car and cried when class was over. Just so down these days.

Do not worry about this day in the grand scheme of things. The fact you've even put in the effort to get yourself down to a class, is much more of an achievement instead of deciding "nah, I can't be arsed today".

Also, just because you could only lift 45lbs today, does not make you a failure, one thing I see people getting sucked into the trap of is, I did X weight yesterday which means I should be able to do it ALL the time, no. Listening to your body is an important part of it too, there's lots of other factors that can be at play too, was your body properly hydrated, nourished, do you feel ill, are you still sore or tired from a session days before?All factors like that can impact things.

I'm sorry it's got you feeling down but you absolutely crushed it, just by getting out the house and going to a class, your motivation is great, don't let this put you off!

Ps. I hate those clips too, sometimes they're so awkward!

 

[britishbloke]

Also just to clarify

see people getting sucked into the trap of is, I did X weight yesterday which means I should be able to do it ALL the time

I don't mean, you can't do that weight but it's just a baseline, where we gain strength over time, we can also lose strength (which is not a bad thing either), I had a friend who lost a ton of weight during lockdown while still working out and he looked so much better than when he was just lifting heavy weights, difference is when he actually went back to the gym, he had lost a lot of strength on a lot of the exercises in his routine.

 

[A_J_R]

Thank you for the pep talk @britishbloke. It really helped me put things into better perspective. To be honest 45 lbs is a weight I find myself at a lot because I'm kind of new to this, but I could tell by this exercise routine (front squats), I could have gone heavier. So I let that sit with me, most likely because I'm down about so many other things.

The one joy I have in this world is my exercise routine. I don't plan to stop and I know in time it will improve. I just feel like this week was me doing foolish things because I'm second guessing everything and messing up.

That said, I'm a member of a Crossfit online group and for some reason, a bunch of people did not make their box jumps this week, and it felt good to know even seasoned athletes stumble.

Thanks you again. This was actually a little inspiring and it means a lot.

 

[britishbloke]

@A_J_R I'm glad it helped you put things into perspective and I'm glad you have something you actually enjoy doing. We often get so caught up in our little world that, we don't see how far we've actually progressed sometimes.

It's good you see that other seasoned athletes fail too, it can inspire you that, we're all only human!

You're welcome though, take care.

 

[BlueGreen]

Good to find this thread. I've cut out sugar and cut down carbs and I'm just about back to my normal weight now. Another few pounds would be perfect. I tend not to write about it when I'm just starting because somehow it takes the wind out of my sails but I'm determined to keep this up. I feel SO much better without sugar, I'm pretty sure my body is suffering from inflammation most of the time. The trick for me is to make things the night before ready for breakfast because otherwise I go for the quick carbs. I'm adding more veg in my diet and having the occasional treat but keeping it small. The feeling of getting comfortable in my clothes is keeping me going too, especially as the nice weather has arrived and I can't hide in a big coat!

Does anyone else get cramps as they lose weight? I get them in my legs at night. I know it's not lack of salt, I eat enough of that and I take supplements.

Anyway, my goal is to build up a bit of muscle and get some tone back now.

 

[A_J_R]

Good to find this thread. I've cut out sugar and cut down carbs and I'm just about back to my normal weight now. Another few pounds would be perfect. I tend not to write about it when I'm just starting because somehow it takes the wind out of my sails but I'm determined to keep this up. I feel SO much better without sugar, I'm pretty sure my body is suffering from inflammation most of the time. The trick for me is to make things the night before ready for breakfast because otherwise I go for the quick carbs. I'm adding more veg in my diet and having the occasional treat but keeping it small. The feeling of getting comfortable in my clothes is keeping me going too, especially as the nice weather has arrived and I can't hide in a big coat!

Does anyone else get cramps as they lose weight? I get them in my legs at night. I know it's not lack of salt, I eat enough of that and I take supplements.

Anyway, my goal is to build up a bit of muscle and get some tone back now.

Congrats on this! I lost 30lbs a few years ago just cutting carbs and being more mindful of my diet. I think doing it they way you will help you keep it off.

I do get leg cramps, but wasn't sure where they were coming from. I think maybe it's something diet-based. Like, I'm a vegetarian, and so protein can be a struggle. Do you eat bananas? They are supposed to be good for cramping, I believe.

 

[DrownedFishOnFire]

Tried some LIGHT crunches today. Did not do 3 full set! Only did 15 total. Definitely feeling my age by tonight... upper abs feel like i threw them through an automatic self car wash. Just whyyyyyy does my body do this that easy?!?! Used to do 100s of them with no pain or effect. Lower abs feel nothing though like it didnt go through a workout. I will be 39 in July. Definitely a weekend of gardening and pulling out dumbells and dusting them off is called for to get more into shape. FML

 

[KM76710]

Had a really rough week. Today was hard, and my CrossFit classes this week have been a struggle. I tripped and fell the other day in front of everyone and broke out in tears. Today I struggled with the little clips that go on the barbell so the plates don't slip, and everyone moved ahead of me. I could only lift 45lbs and I feel like failure.

I sat in my car and cried when class was over. Just so down these days.

Don't feel bad or hard on yourself. You just take and do things as they are comfortable to do. You are improving yourself, not competing with anybody so relax and take all the time you need to get in the direction you want to go.

 

[BlueGreen]

Congrats on this! I lost 30lbs a few years ago just cutting carbs and being more mindful of my diet. I think doing it they way you will help you keep it off.

I do get leg cramps, but wasn't sure where they were coming from. I think maybe it's something diet-based. Like, I'm a vegetarian, and so protein can be a struggle. Do you eat bananas? They are supposed to be good for cramping, I believe.

Thanks @A_J_R , I'll try the bananas. I had cut them out because of the sugar. I find that allowing myself some sugar helps a bit but it's probably not as beneficial.

 

[A_J_R]

Tried some LIGHT crunches today. Did not do 3 full set! Only did 15 total. Definitely feeling my age by tonight... upper abs feel like i threw them through an automatic self car wash. Just whyyyyyy does my body do this that easy?!?! Used to do 100s of them with no pain or effect. Lower abs feel nothing though like it didnt go through a workout. I will be 39 in July. Definitely a weekend of gardening and pulling out dumbells and dusting them off is called for to get more into shape. FML

Everyone takes a step or two back from time to time because life always gets in the way, but honestly, you're doing it, and will build up strength before you know it. I'm 50, so I can tell you being 39 is nothing. You'll bounce back much faster than you realize.

 

[A_J_R]

Don't feel bad or hard on yourself. You just take and do things as they are comfortable to do. You are improving yourself, not competing with anybody so relax and take all the time you need to get in the direction you want to go.

Thank you so much. I'm just so hyper self-critical. I have to remind myself that everyone in class probably forgot I even fell. You are right, it's just me doing what I can the best way I can, and it's about anyone else. I will try to remember that.

 

[Livelife]

Good to find this thread. I've cut out sugar and cut down carbs and I'm just about back to my normal weight now. Another few pounds would be perfect. I tend not to write about it when I'm just starting because somehow it takes the wind out of my sails but I'm determined to keep this up. I feel SO much better without sugar, I'm pretty sure my body is suffering from inflammation most of the time. The trick for me is to make things the night before ready for breakfast because otherwise I go for the quick carbs. I'm adding more veg in my diet and having the occasional treat but keeping it small. The feeling of getting comfortable in my clothes is keeping me going too, especially as the nice weather has arrived and I can't hide in a big coat!

Does anyone else get cramps as they lose weight? I get them in my legs at night. I know it's not lack of salt, I eat enough of that and I take supplements.

Anyway, my goal is to build up a bit of muscle and get some tone back now.

Some ideas you may already know.....cramps can be created from several issues but potassium and magnesium lack are common. With active weight loss it can throw electrolytes and minerals off balance. Also the summer with the heat and increase in water loss from sweating if that is occurring. Magnesium supplement at night before bed is a good time to take...it also helps relax and sleep. Potassium can be found in bananas and in some other fruits and veggies. The greener/less ripe the banana, the less sugar it has in it. Oranges and dates and avocado are also high.
A few foods for magnesium that are high are almonds, cashews, avocados, chickpeas, lentils, black beans.

 

[A_J_R]

Some ideas you may already know.....cramps can be created from several issues but potassium and magnesium lack are common. With active weight loss it can throw electrolytes and minerals off balance. Also the summer with the heat and increase in water loss from sweating if that is occurring. Magnesium supplement at night before bed is a good time to take...it also helps relax and sleep. Potassium can be found in bananas and in some other fruits and veggies. The greener/less ripe the banana, the less sugar it has in it. Oranges and dates and avocado are also high.
A few foods for magnesium that are high are almonds, cashews, avocados, chickpeas, lentils, black beans.

I've been taking magnesium... in the morning with my other vitamins, and I think it's helping me sleep. I worried about whether the timing was right (not taking them at night), but this past week (I started last weekend) has been great. At least 6 hours uninterrupted every night, sometimes more.

 

[Livelife]

I've been taking magnesium... in the morning with my other vitamins, and I think it's helping me sleep. I worried about whether the timing was right (not taking them at night), but this past week (I started last weekend) has been great. At least 6 hours uninterrupted every night, sometimes more.

That's great. I forgot to ask if your leg cramps were only occurring at night or maybe if only when you exercise in some manner. I don't know if you are taking separate supplements or a multi. If separate then another fyi is the calcium and magnesium work in a 2:1 ratio so again, taking in the evening is better if you are doing separates. If not then see if they go away in the next week or so with taking in the daytime and also adding more of these minerals via your diet.
Also if the cramps are magnesium related then Epsom salts are magnesium and you can do warm foot soaks for 10 or 15 minutes daily, better in the evening or an epsom salt bath with 2 cups in the water. Some of the magnesium will absorb into your body.

 

[A_J_R]

That's great. I forgot to ask if your leg cramps were only occurring at night or maybe if only when you exercise in some manner. I don't know if you are taking separate supplements or a multi. If separate then another fyi is the calcium and magnesium work in a 2:1 ratio so again, taking in the evening is better if you are doing separates. If not then see if they go away in the next week or so with taking in the daytime.
Also if the cramps are magnesium related then Epsom salts are magnesium and you can do warm foot soaks for 10 or 15 minutes daily or an epsom salt bath with 2 cups in the water. Some of the magnesium will absorb into your body.

My cramps are sporadic, and come only at night. My mom had horrible foot cramps, which I inherited and I'm not sure that's an extension of it. But thank you for this advice. I take separate vitamins, so this is good info.

 

[Velveteen Bunny]

Three mile run this morning.

I'm so burnt out on running. If my running partner didn't need me to tag along with her (or she won't run), I'd quit. But I did it.

If things ever quiet down here, I'm hoping to go deeper into CrossFit. Really enjoying it.

I wish I could run. I miss it so bad. I am housebound because I am my mom's caretaker and we've got an extremely toxic family who are targeting me for keeping her away from them. I live in fear that they're going to come and she will let them in, even though I've asked her not to and she said she wouldn't. But she's got dementia so every day is like the movie, Groundhog Day.

 

[Velveteen Bunny]

I am a big fan of Dr. Eric Berg, and he's recently been mentioning something called tudka (sp?), which I am going to buy and get both myself and my mom on it. He said if you have mystery illnesses, it can help clear it up. I know our livers are messed up, so I think it helps to detox. I'm depressed and aren't we all, (he said you have to do exercise like running or swimming to feel better, which I already know that helps me, but I'm housebound) I have no motivation, no energy, fearful, anxiety, CPTSD. I have a lot of responsibility and I can't mess up, because my family will be on me if I do and take my mom away from me.

 

[Velveteen Bunny]

I kinda skipped through this thread, but now I'm all caught up and read everything.

I once saw a quote from Buddha, and it really made an impact on me and I keep going back to it, when something makes me remember it, at least.

“Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”

I think it was a little different than this quote, but same gist, saying that every day is a new day to start again. So even if we messed up on our goals, today is a brand new day and to not get down on ourselves because we can continue on and do our best today, in this moment.

My goals are to start up my exercise routine again of lifting small weights, building up my core starting with increasing sit ups (I try to do 30 every night, but I'd like to increase it gradually), and get back into doing squats. I need routine and predictability in all areas with my daily life otherwise everything goes to hell. My life has been pretty chaotic and uncertain this past Winter and Spring. Here's hoping and praying that it will improve drastically.

 

[DrownedFishOnFire]

Checked my weight this AM its a fluke. Now down 9 lbs from mid may. Little bit odd but again ive been only eating whenever i feel the real hunger. Super annoyed at my hobby at the moment as spent most of free time this weekend fixing things that decided to break instead of buying the replacements. Abs still sore