Happy 100th post everybody. I've been at this for four months now and have lost 31 pounds. Things have been slow lately, but still moving in the right direction. Just wait for the next weigh-in. It's gonna be epic.
I do have to bust my hump a little bit if I plan on making my goal. I had hoped to build up a buffer by now, but because of circumstances, I'm just barely still on track. I'm still going to the gym almost every day and I'm thinking of stacking my 5k training on top of that. Hopefully, I'll get somewhere that way.
I mentioned in my last post that I was going to step up my water consumption. Using the half-your-weight-in-ounces method, I'm supposed to consume 132.5 ounces of water a day. A few of you voiced your concerns that this could be dangerous. Mr. Scott sent me this Wikipedia article.
Water intoxication (also known as hyper-hydration or water poisoning) is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water. Normal, healthy (physically, nutritionally and mentally) individuals have little reason to worry about accidentally consuming too much water. Nearly all deaths related to water intoxication in normal individuals have resulted either from water drinking contests, in which individuals attempt to consume high amounts of water, or long bouts of intensive exercise during which electrolytes are not properly replenished, yet excessive amounts of fluid are still consumed.
Water can be considered a poison when over-consumed just like any other substance. The recommendation from the medical field is to drink about 1.5-3 liters per day depending upon body mass. Water intoxication would only occur at levels far higher than that.
I've decided to try to keep my consumption around 3 liters a day. That way I'm increasing it without making myself dead.
A couple of you noticed that I had passed 270 and I had promised myself a flash gun for my camera at that weight. The problem is I can't afford to spend the money on a decent flash gun. For the record, I've been looking at the Canon Speedlite 430 ex ii. I don't know what good the rewards do if I don't end up buying any of them. Grr...
I know what you mean. I set goals for myself and when I reach them I can't afford the ones where I buy things.
ReplyDeleteI've been tempted to put away $1 for every pound I lose and $5 extra for every 5 pound, $10 extra for every 10 etc. This way I can afford the little goal splurges!
I was just going to recommend putting away a certain amount of money for the weight you lose, but Amber beat me to it! (shucks!)...
ReplyDeleteIn that case, I would suggest writing down more of your goal rewards, from the looks of it, if you continue to lose more weight you won't ever reward yourself for it! I'm fairly certain that by the time you get down to about 220, you'll need new gym shoes, among a bazillion other things related to items we wear on our body. :)
Or perhaps, just being able to enjoy your increasingly good looks is reward enough for you!? ;)
About the hyper-hydration, I think it's a little over-blown. From what I've read and heard, it takes a lot of water to harm yourself. But yeah, in the interest of caution, you might as well "only" go up to 3 liters.
ReplyDeleteLiking the sound of your increased workouts.
You've done such a good job.
ReplyDeleteIf you find yourself at a plateau, Andrew, this advice comes from Jillian Michaels and it honestly makes a lot of sense...
ReplyDeleteThere is a formula that you can do that will give you your active metabolic rate. Mine is 2400 calories to maintain my weight, so I will use it in my example, if you dont mind ;)
Say I want to lose 2 lbs a week. I multiply 2400 * 7 = 16800 cals to maintain my weight weekly
A lb has 3500 calories, so I would need to cut out 1000 a day (3500 * 2 / 7 =1000) which brings my daily allowance to 1400 calories.
After a while your body gets used to this. Oh, I'm allowed 1400 calories and I can be efficient at this, so I will no longer use extra fat as energy, it says. Well that sucks. You still want to lose 2lbs a week.
Well, change it up. Some days eat 1600 cals. Some days 1200. Some 1500. Just make sure your total deficit is equal to 7000 cals for the week. Does that make sense? It doesnt matter if you eat a little more or a little less one day as long as you keep the math the same. 2+2 is 4 but so is 3+1 and 5-1 its all the same.
It also keeps your body guessing. Some days you have a little more energy to burn and other days, you don't. Your body has to say "I dont know what today brings, so I better keep the furnace going."
Try that and see if it helps rock your weight in the positive direction.
And I am so so sorry for the long post. LOL
Good call on the hyper hydration- I would not want you to die. Some woman did die a few years ago from this in a water drinking contest, I believe trying to win something for her son. If she died, did her son get the sympathy prize? (sorry to be morbid...)
ReplyDeleteYou are still going strong, keep up the amazing effort. And spirit, you are doing a great job maintaining a healthy and positive outlook, something I know can be really hard. Cheers!
Hi there, I just found your blog and have been reading around. Congratulations one your weight loss!
ReplyDeleteI think Amber has a great idea with the 1.00 per pound thing! It's a great way to reward yourself when you reach a milestone.
I agree with the above, that hypernatria problems generally arise only in unusually large amounts of water over a short period of time. I weigh just under 150 and drink over 300 oz per day (about 10 liters). I'm fairly active, and if I'm running for more than about 1.5 hours, I make sure that I drink some electrolytes and sodium as well as water. But even on rest days, there's sodium in food and I'm not consuming all 300 oz in the course of 5 or 6 hrs, it's spread out over the entire day. So probably nothing for you to worry about!
ReplyDelete