[Kent]

I'm feeling the pressure of acen coming soon also. Since I started working out a month ago I lost around 8 lbs.
Keep up the good work everyone. Sounds like everyone on this thread is doing good.

[nouseforaname]

I've lost a little over 34 pounds. I'm sure my costume will not fit now...

[Kii]

You're going to look so different, Nouse.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

It's been a little quiet around here. :3 How is everyone doing in the last push to ACEN!

[magishine]

Stagnant. I don't think I'm gonna loose much more before Acen

[kazixcupcake]

Haven't lost anymore, been too busy with finals and projects and costumes, ARGGHH. ><;;

[GITS SAC Motoko]

I feel both of you guys. I'm the same here as well. I've been having hell week part 3 coming up so it's going to be interesting. >_>.

[nouseforaname]

The weekends are the worst. It's when I'm not as active as the weekdays and I kind of eat more. At least I stopped eating as much as I used to months ago.

[Traydor]

I have been trying to loose weight for acen for a few months now. I feel that it has totally paid off though (I have lost about 4 1/2 inches off my hips)! I typically crossplay for every costume I have ever done and Im cosplaying Maria Traydor this year so I am really insecure about how I will look. (hopefully ok XD)

Does anyone have tips for working out your arms, abs and thigh area? I already lift weights everyday for my arms but maybe Im not targeting them they way I should? I also have a thigh master that I use everyday (20 sets of holding it tight with a 10 count) and I also use that for my arms too. I also have an ab circle pro and use it regularly.

I just want to get toned and that "girly figure" everyone looks for

[Kii]

Typically to tone the arms and not to lose weight, you have to do less reps of a higher weight. If you aren't getting toned, up your weights.Doing crunches on an exercise ball is fun and a great way to get abs, but in order to get a more "girlish" figure, you need to work out your sides too, which will suck in your waist for a more hourglass figure, if that's what you're looking for.
Thighs, try good old fashioned squats along with your thigh master.Also, lunges. Side and forward.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

Kii, on 15 April 2012 - 09:18 PM, said:

Typically to tone the arms and not to lose weight, you have to do less reps of a higher weight. If you aren't getting toned, up your weights.Doing crunches on an exercise ball is fun and a great way to get abs, but in order to get a more "girlish" figure, you need to work out your sides too, which will suck in your waist for a more hourglass figure, if that's what you're looking for.
Thighs, try good old fashioned squats along with your thigh master.Also, lunges. Side and forward.

^ Squats will do a lot for sure. Even if they are full body squats, it will still do a lot. Once you get used to them, do more reps and more sets like Kii said. Though muscle and fat is not burned in the area you burn it at. You could do all the crunches in the world and work out your core and you can still not have "abs" so it's really a combination of diet and the exercise that does the trick. I would at least avoid a lot of the foods that you know that helps you gain weight. Like for example, breads REALLY REALLY get me to gain weight so I haven't been eating them.

And the ab workouts on the exercise ball is awesome. SUCH a good workout.

[Kii]

Bread and pasta ruins me.I can't even eat a sandwich without bloating horribly.
But they're my favorite.8C

[XenoBlade]

<---all that I need to explain myself. Tho ive been feeling weird so I slowed down a bit

[woozle]

I've been working out daily with a wii game for about 45-60 minutes (or less...depends on how much free time i have). I've cut pop out almost completely, and it helps that at my job we're only allowed to drink water when working. I've gone down to 135 pounds, but with my short height, i still look really pudgy in my gut area. I've lost some of the pudge, but i doubt i'll have it down by acen. just glad some of it's gone, since my costume involves showing some of my stomach ><

[JujuFox]

Well I guess I'll do an update too since it is the week before ACen!

I've been gaining stamina since the winter, so now I am able to run further than I ever thought possible! This means I have gained some muscle in my legs, and they are looking pretty good I have to say. :3

The discouraging part is whenever I check the scale I've only lost about 5-8lbs, but of course this is with the slight muscle gain which adds more weight. I still have a bit to lose on my tummy, so I'm not able to fit into my old jeans yet. I can get them on since my legs are slimmer, but I can't zip them up and be comfortable in the tummy region. That is what I really wanted to achieve this year... but I do still have the whole summer ahead of me to try to slim down, so I'm not giving up on that goal!

Despite having not lost as much as I would like, I am still going to do my planned cosplays since they still fit, and just hope that if I keep it up I'll have to get smaller pants for next year!

Also, I've been doing pushups since I've been skipping the gym and running outside instead. They are the "girly" pushups, but still I am able to do 10! I'd love to shrink a bit in the arms, but I think it won't happen unless I get a set of weights for home, or just get back to the gym so I can use the weight machines.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

I test ran my cosplay yesterday, and everything still fits me . So happy!!!! I was worried I wouldn't be able to fit into my pants for some reason since it was hard for me to do a lot of consistent working out since during some of the crazy weeks I had and all the working out I got was carrying textbooks everywhere.... But I'm doing all I can to run consistently and just maintain my weight for a while since everything is falling on me at the same time O____o. I know for sure this summer I will be determined to lose the rest on my tummy hard core as well...since the cosplay I'm doing for Anime Midwest requires me to show my stomach.

[Kent]

GITS SAC Motoko, on 16 April 2012 - 04:52 PM, said:

I test ran my cosplay yesterday, and everything still fits me . So happy!!!! I was worried I wouldn't be able to fit into my pants for some reason since it was hard for me to do a lot of consistent working out since during some of the crazy weeks I had and all the working out I got was carrying textbooks everywhere.... But I'm doing all I can to run consistently and just maintain my weight for a while since everything is falling on me at the same time O____o. I know for sure this summer I will be determined to lose the rest on my tummy hard core as well...since the cosplay I'm doing for Anime Midwest requires me to show my stomach.

Thats awesome GITS Motoko. Keep up the good work.

I'm doing well with my exercising and I haven't had a soda in almost 2 months now. At the con though I might have some sodas I can't promise anything.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

Kent, on 17 April 2012 - 09:15 PM, said:

Thats awesome GITS Motoko. Keep up the good work.

I'm doing well with my exercising and I haven't had a soda in almost 2 months now. At the con though I might have some sodas I can't promise anything.

That's how I am with Energy drinks. Yeah, I know they're super bad for me. Yup, totally know. Learned ALL about it. But ACEN is a special time.... XDDD. I am a wee bit too excited I get to drink purple Amp. Just a little bit too excited. XD

[Kii]

Keep it up kids we're in the final stretch.Almost time to get our catsuits/bikini tops/seifuku skirts on.
Living on lettuce wraps from Jimmy John's.So good.

[STVO]

I have three cosplays and they all fit me well thankfully! One more week away! Gotta stay fit until Monday the 30th! I hope you guys are ready! I'm totally pumped! Also, I gotta kick it in high gear after and get ready for the Chicago Marathon! Anyone else here doing it or the Half-Marathon??

[nouseforaname]

Either my scale is messed up or I'm actually what I just weighed in. I've not been at this weight since 2005.

[Kii]

STVO, on 19 April 2012 - 12:55 PM, said:

I have three cosplays and they all fit me well thankfully! One more week away! Gotta stay fit until Monday the 30th! I hope you guys are ready! I'm totally pumped! Also, I gotta kick it in high gear after and get ready for the Chicago Marathon! Anyone else here doing it or the Half-Marathon??

F*ck yeah, marathons.I never could though.My lungs suck.

[STVO]

Kii, on 19 April 2012 - 11:39 PM, said:

F*ck yeah, marathons.I never could though.My lungs suck.

I said the same thing for a mile back when I was high school STVO, but I proved myself wrong a few years later by running 5Ks and last year a half-marathon. Just start little by little and you never know, one day you might be running a double marathon!

[Kii]

Kudos to you, man. That is seriously impressive.

[chainedbyroses]

Turns out my weight hormones cortisol and everything else has been officially FUBAR. Been tracking my weight, body measurements, and hip-waist ratio (BMI doesn't differentiate fat from muscle, so uh, no) for around 2-3 months now, trying to gather enough data to infer assessments on what works and doesnt, and if my metabolism's started to work again. Testing DDR mats 5 hours a day across multiple system setups (to fill the memory cards for our DDR panel so people actually have a choice in songs) didn't lose me a single inch, ounce or centimeter, unfortunately, which is a shame as I've been at this daily for a month plus. Went to the doctor 2-3 weeks back for a number of tests, still needing a few more done actually, and asked about my metabolism and cortisol. Summary in a word: LOL. Boo. So I started Tumblring on Jillian Michaels stuff, since I heard she's evil, but she works, and I'm desperate enough to give it a shot. She may be an evil evil woman, but daaaaaamn /her workouts/. My asthma cannot handle that without death, but the 30ds workout's been working for my sister, and her Fat Burner caplet things actually are making me awake before noon and seem to have kicked my metabolism in the face and back on (& in high-power mode at that!~). Started them a week or so ago & (between the nonstop DDR and the caplets) have lost 2 inches off my waist, 3 off my lower thighs (which haven't budged lower since I was 12!), and have dropped approximately 4lbs (seems to be the norm on them the 1st 1-2weeks, though I haven't weighed in in 2~3 days). Looking in the mirror, there is a small but noticeable difference, so I'm hoping this last week before the con goes well; I'd prefer not being known again this year as "that fat girl in orange", and if this keeps up, I may indeed be able to look more hourglass than giant short pear this time around.... ; w;

Kii, on 15 April 2012 - 10:44 PM, said:

Bread and pasta ruins me.I can't even eat a sandwich without bloating horribly.
But they're my favorite.8C

Have you tried the Whole Wheat or Multigrain versions of both? They fill you up more without being bad for you, and have a TON more nutrition than their bleached varieties (holycrapscheckthefiberthough).

Or, on the offchance, try Rye, Pumpernickle or another bread type this week up until con, and opt for Quinoa or other gluten-free noodles as well for now. If only those things keep bloating you, there is a chance that you might have a mild gluten intolerance or allergy and not know it.


If anyone here is having trouble with snacking, or eating too much, or just not eating healthy, there are a few ideas that can help make a small difference in appearance in even a week. Small changes over 7 days can do a lot!

• Bloated? Drink dandelion tea cocktail throughout the day all week (google/tumblr 'Jillian Michaels dandelion' for the actual recipe). Dandelion tea & cranberry are natural diuretics & help the body debloat. Great for ridding PMS ick, or exccess soda puff, or generalized bloating. Depending on your body, you can lose anywhere from 2-7+ pounds of water retention your body assumed would look badass. Woo~
  
• Sick of plain water but trying to eliminate soda? Grab one of your trusty water bottles and drop 2-3 lemon wedges inside it, then fill it up, shake vigorously, and enjoy. Instant "lemonade" without the need for sugar, still healthy for you, but with enough flavor to no longer make you want to kill all teh waters foar evar. No, really. Try it.
  
• Not a fan of, or allergic to, citrus? Try packets of plain old Kool Aid, in the paper packets. Make a pitcher, but add no sugar. The packets are not presweetened and are thus diabetic and diet friendly drinks with enough flavor to make it feel like you're cheating on the "no soft drinks/soda" thing, while never once actually breaking that.
  
• Have a ridonkulously bigarse salad before every meal (or opt for fruit at breakfast instead). Don't just have iceberg and romaine -- get one of those mixed greens containers at Walmart/Target/etc and throw in some carrots, cucumbers, or whatever you prefer in your salads. Not only will it help fill you up quicker, it also helps you get in almost your entire daily vitamin A, C, E, and calcium/iron if you have spinach/mixed greens in it. Go ahead and add croutons and dressing; unless you smother it all and dow na half a cup (4oz) of dressing, they really can't do all that much damage to a diet, and they both taste good and are good for you. Even better? Mixed greens w/ spinach tub of 32oz is like $4 at walmart out here by me, only a little more than premade salad half its size. Sweet!
  
• Blowpops or Tootsie Roll Pops. And don't allow yourself to bite. Lets you feel super bad and awesome for all of 80 calories & the satisfaction of your sweet tooth.
  
• Caffeine withdrawal headaches & crankies thanks to cutting soda, coffee, etc? Have 1-3 Hershey Kisses -- they have just a tiny smidgin enough caffeine in the chocolate to help your head out without derailing you or cutting into calorie counts for the day. And they taste good too. Alternately, a cup or two or plain black or green tea will have the same effect.
  
• "Low fat" often means "....but high salt and sugar instead". If you're trying to debloat or just drop a quick couple pounds, opt for the full fat stuff and aim to lower your sodium intake (tons of salt = tons of water retention).
  
• If you're feeling under the weather, relax on the working out (so you don't mess with your immune system more while it's already wonky), and really, honestly, just go down fro a nap. Don't set a timer. Let your body tell you when it's ready to wake. It knows what it needs, so give it a chance to do its thing. Relax the calorie control and diet restrictions - go ahead and do the chicken soup, lemon-lime sodas/drinks, and eat things that don't make you feel nauseous thinking of them (especially if you already feel nauseous or butt milkshakey -- you don't wanna get sick, but you might as well at least enjoy what you eat if you must involuntarily expel it!). Better to exercise care/precaution & be rested and not ill than to push for 5lbs lost & wind up sick looking like the crypt keeper!

[nouseforaname]

Kii, on 06 April 2012 - 06:41 PM, said:

You're going to look so different, Nouse.

Oh boy. I swear I didn't see you said this. The only difference is my clothes are much larger on me. If you want I'll show you a progress photo the next time we talk.

[Kii]

Oh god I ate so many things today.But one day of chocolate and cheese shouldn't hurt...right?I love chocolate.I love cheese.

[magishine]

Alright everyone, we've all come home from Acen after probably eating a lot of unhealthy food for us. We've all probably stepped on the scale and seen the damage. How did you do?


In what could only be called a "The Hell?!?!" moment. I ate a lot of bad for me food......and I lost weight. Walking around like crazy will do that I suppose.

[NinjaJedi007]

Regarding health & fitness, I'm pretty happy that the ACen insanity is over! You can only eat and drink so much bad stuff before your body starts to hate you. Finally sleeping in the comfort of my own bed was also extremely nice.

[JujuFox]

My husband and I actually lost weight over the weekend! We were simply burning more calories by walking around everywhere than we were putting in, and eating small healthy snacks throughout the day. We had water, juice boxes, apples, pita chips, trail mix, beef jerky, and canned tuna salad.

For dinners we splurged, and racked up a $90 bill one night with good eats and good drinks at the Red Bar. And OMG THE SUSHI WAS AMAZING WE HAD A DRAGON ROLL WITH UNAGI ZOMG IT WAS SO GOOOOD! T__T Soooo goood.

I'm down 7lbs of actual fat since I started running. My legs are looking pretty toned.

My cosplay fit me better! I had thigh high boots that were a bit looser on me than when I first tried them on 3 weeks ago.

Next year I have big plans, and so should you! So everyone should keep up their workouts and keep staying healthy for next year, or whenever your next con is.