Hello ladies!

First of all, I apologize if I'm asking something that has already been covered and discussed, but I've not been on the PS site regularly for a while... life is way too busy...

As some of you may know from my previous posts, I had a run-in with breast cancer last summer (wow, this summer has been so much better!) and I made it through my treatments just fine, except I gained 20 pounds during chemo, to which I have added another 5 ("medicating" myself with candy is more fun than taking medicine!). SO, I need to get myself back in shape and lose about 30 pounds. I know that exercise can reduce the chance of BC recurrence, as well as keep the meno symptoms at bay. I am mentally ready to do it, but I'm still planning my strategy and I need your help!

I received a free trial coupon for Curves and I attended my first workout last night. It was lots of fun and I felt great afterwards. My question is: after I attend Curves for a while and get myself back in shape and muscles built back up, will the Curves workouts still benefit me later on? I guess I'm thinking that since the machines are hydraulic, rather than adjustable weight machines where you add weights as you get stronger, will I still be getting a good workout?

Now a Weight Watchers question: I am considering trying the At Home program-- has anyone else used the At Home plan and did it work for you? I enjoy going to the meetings, but it seems more costly than the At Home plan. And does the At Home plan give you enough materials and support to succeed?

Thank you all for reading this and for any feedback/opinions/advice you can give me!! Hugs to all!!!

Mary Jo

PS- CONGRATULATIONS to all you ladies who are losing weight and getting fit!!!

Curves is wondeful for beginners just getting into exercise, or if you had a long layoff from working out. But in order to progress with your fitness goals, you need to change up your workouts every 3 to 4 weeks to avoid a plateau. If you can join Curves for a month or so, that's about how long it takes most people to either give up or move on to something more challenging.

Then, if you find you are hooked on strength training, join a "real" gym where you can progress steadily upwards on your weights. You may want to hire a trainer to help you learn correct form. Weight training is really the only way to change your body by building muscle. Cardio exercise is great for your heart, and for dropping some initial weight, but weight training will fill out that sagging skin on your arms and legs by building muscle, and making you body tight, and giving you strength to carry all your grocery bags for a weeks worth of shopping at once.

I can't help you with Weight Watchers, though. I know nothing about it.

bluewillow:

I have done Weight Watchers at home. I signed up for it on line and kept up with my food journals and so on on line as well. I will say that I did lose weight on it and the Weight Watchers is a very easy diet (as far as diets go). I do know that your chances at success tend to be better if you actually go to the meetings. I think the meetings are important because you know you have to weigh each week, so you are accountable and as such tend not to cheat as much.

Regarding Curves...I have looked into the program but have never joined. Like Armadillo I think it is a good place to start. I was working out with a personal trainer for awhile but lifting weights and doing cardio at the same time made me so darn hungry that I had a hard time controlling my eating. Right now I am walking three miles a day and intend to work up to five. I will be moving overseas in a couple of months where fast food is not as plentiful and food in general is very expensive so I think that in and of itself will help with my diet. I will also be doing a lot of walking there too.

Hope this helps.

Shakin'

I LOVE Weight Watchers Online. I have lost 13 lbs since May9th, and have reached my goal-- it is easy if you are disciplined to actually go onto your computer and log everything you eat ( I do the points system, because I do not want to give up anything)- it becomes ridiculuously apparent how we have come to eat portions that are way too big, and how we can chose the wrong foods-- there is plenty to eat that does not even have a point value! I feel healthy, lighter physcically and mentally, and all together better. I even had a dairy queen cone this afternoon!

I've never done WW, but my parents are lifelong members and swear by it. I've also been a Curves member, but I never last more than a month...like Armadillo said, I think it's good to start out with, but easy to get accustomed to. If you build more muscle, you will initially gain a little weight, but then you will burn calories much faster. Armadillo is a our resident personal trainer; just look at her picture and that will tell you that this sister is SERIOUS about her body.

Whatever gets you moving is great!! Curves is fun - it was a fun place to catch up on the town news - but I got terribly board with the circle of stuff after a few weeks. (I get board easily). Weight Watchers is absolutely the best. At home sounds okay, but I agree the meetings are real important to attend. It's great to hear the questions and see the successes and the topics are really helpful. Success on Weight Watchers? It comes and goes - but the principles of eating well and excersise are always with me. 2 lbs a week!!! (that's supposed to be loss - my case case this past few months it's gain!! oh-nooooooo). 10 steps forward... 15 steps back... It's a little like running uphill for me.

I'm a lifetime member of WW and agree it is a great program. Even though I told myself I'd never regain, I did. To the tune of about 30 lbs. I never actually quit WW until about 6 months ago. I just couldn't get my mind into while dealing with all this meno stuff. But.. 6 months ago, they had the offer that for $40. a month you can have both all the the online tools and go to all the meetings you want. This is a great deal for those who like the meetings which I do. The meetings give me more accountability. Even though I weigh in everyday at home, the idea that I have to share that weight with a real live person makes me try harder.

As for curves... I agree.. it's short term at best. I've gotten into Home Workout videos. Cathe, The Firm, and Traci Long. Plus I have a treadmill and punching bag along with barbells, steps and weights so I have my own little gym. It's easier for me because I need to workout around 5 am and the gym I was going to wouldn't open till 5:30 and half the time the staff would show up late so I spent too much time waiting.

Maybe those of us wanting to lose could have our own little email rah-rah team to motivate us each day and keep us accountable. Anyone interested?

i was so happy to read this today.I joined ww several months ago.the people at the meetings are so supportive.it really matters who your leader is--mine is great.i have heard lots of stories that really motivate me--but i would love to see some "before and after" pics.it really helps my self-esteem to know that i am doing it for myself.anyone know of some great ideas for foods or recipes?the only real problem,besides deciding what to eat,is that I spend lots of time 'writing' down what i eat-----you might think i eat all the time.i was so disappointed today to find out that i did not lose this week,but did gain---- --wonder why.i thought i was so careful this week.best wishes to you all--good luck.would love to hear more stories,

WW at Home IS a good program if you train yourself to be tied to your computer for a bit each day and write everything down. I've used it on and off--I like the recipes (gets a new flavor into the other-wise boring usual "diety foods") and I like the forums. With my schedule, I really don't have time to add yet one more thing to the pot at a scheduled time, so the on-line version is great.

One 'problem' I am having at Curves is that the trainers come around and will coach you on a piece of equipment. Sounds good you think??? Well if you suffer from 'peri temper' and some chick is telling you to push more you may find it hard to not smack her in the mouth!!!

I have found it fairly useless for weight loss or for getting fitter but it does keep me quite nicely stretched.