My mom keeps telling me to take a natural med called 5HTP for my depressed moods. I have a serious aversion to taking pills but I'm going to give it a shot. I was wondering if anyone else has taken this and what your results were?
I've gotten 4 things in the mail in the last few days. First of all, I won a giveaway from Amy H. at No To The Deuce. She sent me a necklace with a pendant on it that says "Never Never Never Never Give Up". I love it, but unfortunately, Amy closed down her blog right after she sent it to me so I haven't been able to thank her properly. If you're still ready my blog Amy, thank you so much, and I miss you terribly. Please come back.
Secondly, two of my dear blog friends have sent me gifts. Dawne at 365 Days To A New Me knows that I'm a Christian like her, and knows that I've been struggling for the last couple of months. She very graciously sent me a Bible study book called A Woman Of Moderation. I got it yesterday, and I've already read half of it! When I finish it, I'm going to go back to the beginning and actually do the Bible study laid out in it. Thank you Dawne...I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and caring. :)
Next I got a gift from sweet Leslie at Something Brilliant Is Brewing. This one is a little embarassing to admit to, because I begged for it, lol. I'm shameless, I know, but I couldn't help it. She did a post and showed pics of these adorable pairs of colorful socks that she knitted. Someone suggested she do a giveaway, and I said forget the giveaway and flat out begged for a pair. In my defense, I DID offer to pay for them, whatever price she asked, but she sent me a pair w/o taking my money, because she's just good-hearted like that. Thank you Leslie for your generosity. :) By the way, Leslie will be down here in Atlanta for a wedding in March, and we're going to meet for lunch!! I'm very excited. :)
Speaking of meeting blog friends, I'm meeting my first one this coming Sunday! Tina at Fat Girl Dives In lives here in Atlanta, and I can't believe it's taken us THIS LONG to meet up with each other. We finally talked on the phone yesterday, and we're going to have lunch together this Sunday. I'm really looking forward to it, and we both agreed to bring our cameras so we can take pics for our blogs. It will be a great day! :)
The last of my gifts in the mail came today. A publisher from New York City emailed me last week and asked if I'd do a book review on my blog. I replied to him and explained that I wouldn't mind doing it as long as we were clear on one thing....it will be an HONEST review, whether that ends up being good or bad. He said he wanted an honest review, so that's what he's going to get! I got the book today. It's called Fat To Skinny Fast and Easy. Basically, the guy lost 100 lbs. and has kept it off for 5 years.
I'll go ahead and tell you that I was a little taken aback just from reading the cover...it says lose the weight WITH NO EXERCISE. I was thinking, "Awww crap...what have I signed up for??" You all know I'm a huge advocate of exercise...I know that it is essential for a healthy body and even moreso, the mind. Exercises does wonders for our mental state, as well as keeping us healthy. However, in all fairness, I'm also an advocate for not judging a book by it's cover. So, I'm going to get started reading it, and when I finish, I'll let you know what I think. If I think it's decent, the publisher has suggested I do a giveaway, and when we decide on what number of books to giveaway, he will be mailing them directly to the winners. :)
On to the weight loss news. As you already know, I was at my sister's house babysitting Monday and got home late this afternoon. Yes, I took my own food with me for dinner last night and for today. Last night I had a salad that I put together with romaine, fresh spinach, bell peppers, red onions, cucumbers & 2 oz of Boar's Head 42% lower sodium ham. The dressing was 2 Tbsp of Marie's Light Blue Cheese. Here comes the bad part. My brother-in-law made some pork ribs w/ his special homemade bbq sauce (insert eye roll). I ate 2 of them after I ate my salad. I know....I suck.
However....today was actually decent. I came in at 1700 cals and after the last week and a half, I'm actually proud of that number. I had planned on going to the gym yesterday morning before heading to my sister's, but that didn't happen for one very specific reason. I did Jillian's Shred video Sunday night, and the only thing I can do the next day is hobble and waddle. My legs felt like concrete blocks and there was no way I could get on the elliptical.
I met Billie at the gym tonight though and we had a great workout. We actually changed gyms this past weekend to one with longer hours and more machines. So we have our free one-hour consult with the personal trainer tomorrow night. He told us tonight that we need to be doing our weights first, and our elliptical/cardio after. We've been doing it backwards this whole time. Great. Don't you just love it when you find out you've been doing something wrong for THREE FRIGGIN' MONTHS???
So....one good day under my belt. Let's see if I can accomplish that again tomorrow. :)
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Cardio before weights or weights before cardio really comes down to personal preference. To lift the amount of weight you should be would mean not being tired, cardio can make you tired...etc. etc. And then if lifting weights really hard makes your legs wobble then cardio is compromised...But you have not been doing it "wrong".
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Sweetie!
xo
Andrea
I've been taking 5HTP for 4 years now and can say they work..but give them at least 3 months to get working in your system and take the correct dosage. I cut down the dosage to save money and that was in a way losing more money as it didnt work, but once I took the 3 x a day they mentioned I felt a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteHave just ordered my next batch from the UK.
You do NOT suck. It seems reasonable to have a moderate portion of ribs, and you came out fine in the calorie end.
ReplyDeleteYou are really being spoiled girl!!! Well, that's because you ROCK, not suck!
In regards to the elliptical last and weights first, I think it is a preference. They have not proved anything to say one way or another :-) You have not been doing it wrong the whole time!Great job on the eating!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new gym! Its like building any relationship. Very excited for your new directions.
ReplyDeleteNO YOU DON'T SUCK! Tear up that old tape that kicks in. At least you stopped after two - I'd have probably moved on to dessert.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that about doing weights first, but I always did cardio first, because I felt more limber and warmed up. I'll be getting 2 sessions with a trainer soon because I increased my gym membership to include the pool, so hopefully I'll get some new weight routines. I haven't been doing any since the knee drama, and also I have an elbow thing from years of tennis.
I'm so glad you like the socks - I'm hoping you'll take a picture of a socked foot and post it! Also - have a great time with Tina - that is awesome you guys are meeting. I'm looking forward to March.
Wow sounds like you got tons of awesome goodies in the mail. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you suck either, I think stopping at 2 ribs showed good control. On the exercise front, I don't think you were doing it wrong. Everyone does things differently.
One of my friends was working with a trainer at the gym for awhile and her trainer told her to come in before her session with him to do some cardio because she should do cardio before weights. So go figure.
I always do my cardio before weights because it's harder for me to finish my cardio if I do it the other way around. You can try to switch it up like they suggest and if it doesn't work out for you go back to doing what you were doing. It's personal preference not a scientific fact.
Looking forward to hearing the review of the book. I have an online friend who lost 100 pounds without exercise because he had such severe back problems he just couldn't exercise. He's now recovering from yet another back surgery and has been diagnosed with diabetes (figures it happens AFTER he loses the weight) and has gained some weight back from having to adjust his diet and all but is trying to take it back off now.
What a fun time you've had with the mail! I saw that Amy had closed down her blog and am saddened by that...hope she comes back.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for telling that publisher that your review will be honest! I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of that book.
How exciting to have a blogger meet-up! I love Tina - wish I could be there to meet both of you. Texas is too far from the ATL, unfortunately.
Two ribs does not equal suck. You did fine!
My theory on which to do first is do either - as long as you're doing them, that's what is important. Wonder if the trainer is going to be really rigid about that and other things...keep in mind that it's just his opinion.
You don't suck, you are Amazing and you are doing great things. I felt a twinge of jealousy when you said you were meeting up with a blog friend. It is such a dream of mine to meet some of the special folk out there and guess who's name is standing out on my list;o)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sheilagh
You are amazing and don't ever tell yourself that you "suck" because you don't!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see that review!
You don't suck! He sucks, for making those around you. :P Besides, you demonstrated portion control which is commendable.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you supposed to do weights before cardio? If I'm at the gym I always do cardio before weights because that way my muscles aren't super fatigued for the cardio. The one time I did my weight lifting before a spinning class I gave so much less effort in spinning because my legs were already sore. So I'm just curious as to why he suggests this.
Hi Tammy. I have taken 5HTP - taking it now! It works better than any anti-dep I have taken with no side effects and you feel it from the second day. The only caution is that it can make you care less about things ie you may not care so much what you eat or what you weigh. Why does there always have to be a down side?
ReplyDeleteAs with most substances you might use on a daily basis to alter your neurological chemistry (including most psychiatric meds), it is not for longer term use as your brain will simply adjust to it. But for shorter periods of time it really can help.
Also withdrawal is only 1-2 days. As with all substances of this nature, start on low dose and build up as needed and when stopping reduce gently.
Re Amy. Sad to hear that. I knew she hadn't posted for a while but I had no idea Amy had closed down her blog.
Hope you've had/ are having a great day today.
Bearfriend xx
wow, I have always done some cardio first and weights/strenth training after. I always thought it was good to get the heart rate/metablolism going to burn more calories while using weights...
ReplyDeletePlease ask the trainer why it is better to do weights and then cardio.
Sounds like so much fun meeting a fellow blogger! And to chime in with everyone else...No, You Do Not Suck!!
I'm so glad you have a good day under your belt, and I hope they just keep on coming! That's so exciting that you're meeting up with a blog friend!
ReplyDeleteP.S. You do NOT suck! In fact, you ROCK!!
I haven't tried 5HTP but my mother was looking into it for her insomnia. I know Lori (http://findingradiance.com/) tried it too.
ReplyDeleteI love getting things in the mail other than bills. You're a lucky girl to be getting all that good stuff in the mail. It's like Christmas.
Congrats on shredding. I haven't been able to complete one Shred workout YET but I'll work up to it eventually.
The trainer I talked to said I should warm up on the elliptical or treadmill for 20 minutes to get the heart rate up, then do weights, then hit the cardio again. Whatever works for you is what you should do. There really is no wrong way as long as you're putting in the effort to workout.
Rock on!