About a month ago, I was in a car crash. What that means for my workout regimen is that I can do low impact work (swimming, recumbent bike, walking on the treadmill) and I can still play soccer once a week (the sprint-rest format of indoor seems to be ok), but I can’t do much high impact work. That means nothing fun like actual running outside of soccer, or tae-bo (*sob*). Initially, I was frustrated and worried – the last time I had an injury that benched me like this, I put on ten pounds instead of taking the ten off I was trying to lose. However, this time around I’m actually losing (whaaaat?). Here’s what’s different, from what I can tell:
1. I am doing low impact work, but for a lot longer.
Instead of doing a 20-minute HIIT run and burning on average probably 280 calories (according to the treadmill), I’m doing 45 minutes of recumbent biking (which makes me feel lazy because I’m sitting, but I can’t manage the upright bike for now), and burning about 400 calories. *Lightbulb!* More calories burned means more weight loss. It’s amazing how simply truths like that take forever to sink in (or maybe I’m just stubborn) (shut up, TEW).
2. I am drinking a metric ton of water.
It’s winter in Alberta, which is exactly like a desert, except really, really cold and with better steak (I’m guessing – I’ve never had steak in any other desert). I have been trying to drink more water for a long time now, but only recently have I actually been sticking to it. I’m probably hitting 3-4 litres per day, at least.
3. I am avoiding delicious carbs.
I’ve known for a long time that delicious (i.e. refined) carbs are my enemy. I haven’t cut them out entirely; I’m a big believer in the everything-in-moderation school of thought. I have a piece of sunflower and flax toast each morning, and I will occasionally have a whole wheat tortilla as part of my lunch, but I make a point of subbing potatoes and vegetables whenever I can. I’ve also added salad to my lunch every day (thank YOU, delicious low fat raspberry dressing).
4. I am not working out every day.
It’s counter-intuitive; my brain hurts whenever I think about it. Instead of the daily workout six days a week I have been doing (or the 6-7 days a week with two workouts a day for four of those days that landed me my overtraining knee injury – I can’t imagine why), I have been working out every other day, or two days on, one day off. I don’t know if this is the reason for weight loss, or more of an assisting factor (by not pushing myself too hard, I’m able to make each workout count a bit more).
Whatever the reason it’s working, I’m grateful and I’m sticking to it. This morning I weighed in under 150 for the first time in a long time, and I am trucking along with the hope of being 135 pounds when I fly home this summer for the Wedding Extravaganza (one trip, three weddings, none of them mine), which will also be the first time I see my family back east in a year. What tweaks have you made to your routine that resulted in it suddenly working (whatever your goal might have been)?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve often wondered if there is such a thing as better weight loss with some rest days! I sometimes take a break for a day, feel really slack and then step on the scales to discover I’ve had my best loss in ages. Weird, huh?
Lately my big revelation has been my emotional eating – being aware of it has been a big deal and I’m hoping this will make a massive difference as I’ve realised I’ve done it all through adulthood. Surely a massive change like this will help my weight??
Tonight I was in a funk and my mum asked if I wanted to come eat out with my family – I honestly thought about saying no so I could pig out on a massive pasta bowl by myself. I realised what I was doing – passing up quality time with my family for food that would make me feel ashamed and said I would go out.
Best decision I’ve made today (oh and I passed on dessert)
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Erin Reply:
March 7th, 2011 at 11:27 am
@Kez, Nice! I’m right there with you when it comes to emotional eating. It has taken me a long time to recognize the behaviour of food=comfort and food=reward. I’m trying this time around to set non-food rewards for hitting each weight level!
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Congrats!
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There’s something about taking the pressure off that really seems to work for a lot of us. Not that I was in a car accident, but whatever the catalyst is that causes it, somehow it resets our thinking to a way we can see long-term, rather than 6-day-a-week workouts that might not be sustainable. Good for you, and congrats!
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E3 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@LesleyG, Thanks! I don’t recommend the car crash though; upside-downing cars is a touch painful
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I’m sorry to hear about your accident but I think you have adapted amazingly well. It is so inspiring that you have not given up on your journey and have just changed things up a bit instead. That is so awesome. With an attitude like that you will definitely reach your goals!
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