Going Sugarless - Fatness hinders Fitness
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
June 22, 2011 1:50pm CST
That's what I've been discovering as I'm becoming more in tune with my body's needs and reactions. Since I've started my 2-week Going Sugarless experiment I've been noticing more about my body than I have ever before even when I lost 20kg 2 years ago.
I mentioned in an earlier post (that's not part of my Going Sugarless series) how I was planning on climbing 13 flights of stairs in my high-rise apartment building every day. Well, ever since I've only done it 3 times. Why? Because when I was doing it every day before a year and a half ago, I was lighter - significently lighter than I am today. I was thinking today of how it's not good for my body to be lugging around so much weight, it's hard on my knees, my legs really feel it after an excursion on the stairs. I mean sore - take-ibuprofen-for-2-days kind of sore. Each 3 times. Blah. But the pain is less each time. I'm finding it hard to walk up hills, and just get a general tiredness after exercising/walking, though it's improving.
As for the Going Sugarless experiment, I've decided to extend it another 2 weeks (it was initially going to be over on Thursday before I give my synopsis but I'm thinking a full month will enable me to give a full, more accurate review).
For the next two weeks I'm going to focus on not only giving up sugary junk foods, but also incorporate a good fitness program that's easy on my body yet helps with core muscle toning, and Pilates seems to me to be the best choice. There's a few beginner videos on Youtube and I'll just download a couple of them then do them for the next two weeks, to see how that goes. I don't want to jump into aerobics because I get that in walking and biking and yes, attempting to climb those bloody stairs! :-p
My weight? Like I'm gonna reveal that mortifying gruesome detail! 
Well, truth be told I still have yet to gingerly step on that cruel scale, so methinks I'll use an extension of my Going Sugarless experiment as an excuse to buy me some more time before the dreaded Day of Reckoning. I know I did lose a little, though, hehe.
Well, truth be told I still have yet to gingerly step on that cruel scale, so methinks I'll use an extension of my Going Sugarless experiment as an excuse to buy me some more time before the dreaded Day of Reckoning. I know I did lose a little, though, hehe.1 person likes this
8 responses
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
22 Jun 11
I think it's great that you care about your health so much and that you're willing to improve your body. Walking those stairs will be dreadful at first, not because of your weight, but because your muscles aren't used to being used in that way. They'll definitely be sore afterwards (like you said), but after you continue using your muscles, they'll gradually become used to walking up the stairs. I've been riding horses for over 9 years and when I went away to college for a year I didn't ride. When I came back and rode my horse, my legs would be sore for a few days after. This never happened before when I would ride all the time. It's definitely not weight, it's just that your muscles are "out of practice" so to speak.
Just be patient, even though it's painful, your body will eventually get toned and it'll be worth it knowing your body is healthier. Again, I think it's great that you're trying to be healthier. At first it's hard but it'll get easier once you get used to it. Good luck, I wish you the best!!
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jun 11
Hmmm...out of practise....ya, that makes sense. I do think weight has partly to do with everything because I'm lugging a pot belly and a sagging butt around, ha ha ha......
I think the pilates will help with resistance training, which will also aid me in the biking as biking is also part of resistance training.
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
23 Jun 11
I have to get back into Pilates. It is great. I took one class in the past and you can really see a difference in your body in a very short period of time. I think strength and resistance training is one of the keys that is missing in most women's workout routine. I was considering one of the power yoga classes or even hot yoga but with all of the humidity lately, I have been completely turned off to the hot classes......lol
1 person likes this
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
22 Jun 11
I love biking. It seems to work out a lot of different muscles for me. Most of the time I can feel the burn in my entire leg all the way up to my butt, and even in my abs. I've never done pilates before but I'm sure it's a great workout too. Just make a plan and stick with it. You'll do fine :) Good luck!
2 people like this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Jun 11
I hate stairs and we've only got 13 in here lol. It's not hard for me to go up them..they're just a pain!
Good luck in climbing 13 FLIGHTS my friend. Hope you get round to it and good luck also in your keep fit regime.
2 people like this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Jun 11
Yes, it would be the same for me if I suddenly decided I wanted to get a bike and ride it like I used to about 12 years ago. Absolutely no chance of that I'm afraid as I sold it on ebay recently!
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
25 Jun 11
Heh heh, for some reason getting used to the stairs is quite a bit hard this time than it was 1.5 years ago :-s
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
22 Jun 11
I started in with just gentle water walking to start out. I then added a little tread mill for a while, knowing that aerobics is "good for me" but I feel like I do not have time for all of it. The personal trainer at the Y offered to give me an orientation on the universal weight machines. I do not enjoy it, but I find it helps with my body soreness from other things, so I know it is good for me. My personal goal is to get there three days a week to do that routine. So far twice a week is all I am getting. I mow my lawn and do gardening and travel and so on, so it is hard to make myself get there as well. I know I am feeling more energetic, even with my less than compulsive attendance. We shall work on being healthy together, and yes, if I have lost weight it has only been a little.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jun 11
That's awesome that you're on the road to fitness I have noticed that I am more energetic since I've given up the sugary junk foods as well, but I guess I'm comparing to what I used to feel like 2 years ago when I was a lot lighter. We'll be going biking as a family tonight, so that's more exercise for moi :-P
I have noticed that I am more energetic since I've given up the sugary junk foods as well, but I guess I'm comparing to what I used to feel like 2 years ago when I was a lot lighter. We'll be going biking as a family tonight, so that's more exercise for moi :-P2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
23 Jun 11
I know I carry way too much weight. Sugar is not really my problem. Bread, potatoes, cheese, pizza and lots of things with sauces and butter.Real Mayo. I need to do more things like cauliflower, always whole grain bread, hummus or guacamole or even peanut butter for spreads. My husband has gotten into the habit of sitting and reading all the time and although he is not fat I am afraid he is not as fit as he used to be. We used to walk places together.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Jun 11
Congratulations on your decision to avoid sugar as it is pure evil! Well refined processed sugar is anyway! Are you going completely sugarless, or just off the refined really bad sugars? There are plenty of beneficial healthy sugars in fruits and vegetables to keep us going!
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
25 Jun 11
Yes, it's just the refined stuff I"m staying away from I know about honey, molasses, fruit sugar, that sort of thing.
@Tiaridakdyl (114)
• United States
22 Jun 11
Good for you! I can't really imagine giving up everything with sugar but I'm sure it would make me feel better. These past few months, age has hit me! Yikes! Suddenly I can't walk very far, can't kneel down, have trouble getting out of bed, even putting on my clothes - and it's all because of too little exercise (and of course, the getting old part). The hard part is getting started, I know how much better it feels when I'm constantly active. My mother's a picture taking freak and oh the horrible sights I've seen! Scared me right into the gym.
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jun 11
LOL!!! I can so relate to not wanting my picture taken, in fact ***I*** control the family camera, and ***I*** am the only one that takes the pictures, so therefore, ***NOBODY*** takes pictures without my permission! And I mean it! hahahaha
Awesome that you're going into the gym, I'd probably go there myself if I could afford it, thank heavens for Youtube for exercise videos
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
22 Jun 11
I am happy to hear that you will continue the experiment for another two weeks and incorporating some exercise regimen. As for the scale I would advise not to step on it quite yet because it may discourage you. Not that you would not have lost weight but some people get really obsessed with the scale and either take for granted the weight loss and go back to old habits and or some actually obsess over a pound or two and loose focus of the healthy path.
Keep up the great work.
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jun 11
I was really considering it the past two days to extend it, don't know why, but I guess 2 weeks is kinda short - well, too short to really notice a real difference, that is. No, I won't step on the scale until the full month is up, which is 2 weeks from Thursday.
1 person likes this
@yspmyl (3435)
• Malaysia
27 Jun 11
Hi!
To be stay away from sugar or sweet foods is not really easy especially for people who used to take sweet stuff. I used to use a lot of sugar whenever I make my drinks. That was way back to about 9 years ago, when I make coffee or chocolate drink, I will put at least 2 table spoon of condensed sweet milk into it. I like to eat cake that are sweet, and like you, I like all the sweet junk foods. When I started to found out my sugar level in my blood was increasing, I started to change my habit on using sugar or consuming sugar. And now I have totally reduced my consumption of sugar or sweet stuff to almost zero. I don't take coffee anymore but I still take chocolate drink but never put any condensed milk anymore. I seldom take sweet junk food any more and only take it may be once or twice a month.
I believe taking sweet foods is a habit, once you manage to change you habit, you will not keep thinking about it and will be much healthier.
Hope you sugarless experiment will be a successful! Have a nice day!
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
23 Jun 11
I understand what you are going through. This week I shut the door on white sugar and white flour. It's an ode back to the Atkins diet, mostly proteins, eggs and greens. It helps me to lose weight. I am usually a little cranky the first two days. This time, I did better, because I took my vitamins (a multi and a super B complex). I am a bread junky. I absolutely love it so the white flour gets me more than white sugar. I think it all turns to sugar in the body where they both (sugar and flour) wreak havoc and push our insulin levels through the roof and gives us way more cushion on our bodies than we would ever want or need....lol
I am also picking up my jogging slowly but I have to get out early or else the humidity keeps me in. I find myself drenched in sweat, just walking.....
Keep us posted on your progress....I love your experiment and it definitely will do your body good.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
25 Jun 11
I just concentrate on lots of fruits and veggies, protein (meat cuts the size of the palm of your hand, as recommended by heart specialists) whole grain foods, 2 servings of dairy products. Nuts, olive oil peanut butter is also good for good fatty acids. I eat a little cheese as well. The main thing is to eat as much fruits and veggies as you can, as your body needs the fibre.
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
26 Jun 11
Hey Maishi,
My energy level has picked up as I suspected and as I have experienced in the past. I am going to continue this regimen for another couple of weeks with the addition of greens, mostly spinach. You actually lose your appetite and I am drinking lots of water.
I am not getting out as much as I should with my jogging. I hope you are doing better in that department than I....lol?
I have been doing some stretches and especially lateral ones because I am not sure where these little handles have come from......lol (but in this short time, I even see them tightening up).
