Planet Fitness & Eating Differently

[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

Since the beginning of this month, I have embarked on a health journey. I'm exercising 3 to 4 days a week which includes 30 min. of cardio on the Elliptical Trainer & the Treadmill and then 25 min. of muscle toning which consists of working out my abs, glutes, legs and arms. I'm noticing some AWESOME changes in my body as well as my energy level!

 

I'm also employing a method of eating which will speed up my metabolism and burn fat more efficiently. This consists of me eating my regular 3 main meals every day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), but the difference is that I've also been eating a healthy in-between meal snack 3 hours after each main meal.

 

At first, I was worried that eating in between each of my main meals would pack on more calories - but, the opposite has happened! Because I'm eating every 3 hours, my body does not go into what is called "Starvation Mode", which slows down a person's metabolism dramatically to reserve fat because it doesn't know when it's next meal will come (or if it will ever come).

 

I've read up about this way of eating but have never done it until now. At first, it felt weird eating so soon after each of my main meals; primarily because I didn't feel the deep hunger I'm used to feeling whenever I ate these in-between meal snacks. These healthy snacks consist of: raw fruits & veggies, yogurt, apple sauce, chocolate pudding, jello or fruit smoothies. But, I've retrained my brain as well as my hunger signals for my body to become noticeably hungry every 3 hours. I've noticed that by the time lunch and dinner time approaches, I don't feel like I'm starving to death lol like I used to feel by that time. I just feel moderately hungry; and as such, my portions at lunch and dinner times are much smaller than what they used to be. Gone are the days when I'd have seconds or when my portions were larger than they should be.

 

I've already lost 10 lbs. and have noticed that my clothes don't fit as tight on me as they used to - and this is only 3 weeks into my new way of keeping fit and eating healthy & differently! The fact that I'm seeing results so quickly and so steadily has really encouraged me to push onward with this and to keep on keepin' on with it - even on the days when I don't feel good or when I'm busy doing something else. I *make* the time to exercise and eat this way because it's VERY important to me to adapt a healthier way of living. And, on the days that I have to skip my exercise routine or if I skip on eating my in-between meal snack, I make up for it! NOTHING is going to stop me from my goal!!

 

I'd like to know if anyone else here has ever tried this method of exercising and eating and how it affected their body and their energy level! I'd like to also know what other methods of exercise and way of eating that any of you have tried (or are currently doing) and how it has worked (or is working) for you!

 

It's 2015....A year of new beginnings, new possibilities and the time to be the healthiest and fittest we've ever been!

 

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[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

So, there's not one single person on this entire website that goes to Planet Fitness to exercise and who can contribute their viewpoint on exercising there??

 

And there's no one on Love Shack that is eating a special diet to help them to lose weight??? I find that hard to believe...?! Isn't there anyone who can comment or contribute their experience with eating in a different and more healthier way???

 

 

 

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[AVarma]

Well I don't know anything about Planet Fitness, but I have made adjustments in my diet. I've thrown out all the snacks and garbage I used to eat and replaced it with healthy sandwiches. I've also reduced the portion size as well and notice that with this diet plus exercise I can usually lose 1 lb a day. I'm obese though so maybe that explains that rapid weight loss.

 

I do however try to set aside one or two days a week where I can snack a little. It does probably slow my weight loss but I do think it keeps me from having cravings.

[contact1]

I avoid planet fitness like the plague for two reasons:

 

- They have a pizza day, where all the hard working members get to chow down on pizza as a "reward", was to keep people fat

 

- No squat rack and certain exercises you can't do because it comes off as being intimating. They claim to be a no judgement gym, but the expression in itself is hypocritical since they are judging those that do heavy weight lifting and not allow them in the gym.

 

As far as the eating all spaced out, if it works for you, great! Keep it up if it helps you control your caloric intake. However don't buy into the whole hype of "starvation mode", this only really comes into play in very serious caloric deficits that have been prolonged for a long period of time. Your metabolism doesn't just change instantly in a manner of a day.

 

Aside from that, if you are not already do so, some weight lifting would do you (and anyone really) good to help maintain lean body muscles. If you are cutting, you are not going to build up muscles and get all bulky, that just isn't going to happen and building muscle in itself is a very long and hard process. But what it will do, if you do work your muscles, is cause your body to focus in repairing the minor muscle tears you cause by working them, thus in turn, it focuses a bit more in burning fat instead of a combination of fat and muscle. It is not drastic and some muscle lost can be expected, but it helps shift it more towards what you really want to lose

[Elias33]

The eating habits that you have applied are very good. It's also a good method because with several small meals a day, rather than just three, you can dose your nutrition to fit your needs better. Protein after a workout, etc.

 

Cardio is good for burning calories, your body will burn calories more effectively through the entire day, on which you have done a cardio exercise. Lifting weights and adding muscle (not bulking) will also make your body more effective in burning calories, especially for the long run.

 

You've made some excellent choices and I hope your results will astonish you. As for Planet Fitness, I don't go there, I have a home gym, and do my cardio outside, running. Keep it up!

 

If you are worried about over eating, because you eat more often: Myfitnesspal.com

 

There you can make sure you hit the right goals, and it will teach you more about the food you put in your body. A bid part of exercising ids of course what you eat.

Edited February 24, 2015 by Elias33

[Moy]

I avoid planet fitness like the plague for two reasons:

 

- They have a pizza day, where all the hard working members get to chow down on pizza as a "reward", was to keep people fat

 

- No squat rack and certain exercises you can't do because it comes off as being intimating. They claim to be a no judgement gym, but the expression in itself is hypocritical since they are judging those that do heavy weight lifting and not allow them in the gym.

 

 

This. The judgemental attitiude towards lifters (Lunk Alarm indeed!) is a disgrace. I train in a large chain gym in the UK and it is full of female lifters and crossfitters who shift as much iron as the men do! The shaming attitude by Planet Fitness towards lifters is abhorrent and makes the 'Fitness' in their name a complete misnomer.

 

**** Planet Fitness! **** it in the face with weights!!!!

 

As for diet, create an account on myfitnesspal.com and log EVERYTHING that you eat, and do so honestly. There are also forums on there where you will get a lot of great support and advice from some pretty amazing people. MFP - do it!

[Priv]

I avoid planet fitness like the plague for two reasons:

 

- They have a pizza day, where all the hard working members get to chow down on pizza as a "reward", was to keep people fat

 

Dude, that is awesome. I wish my gym had pizza days

 

 

Besides that, seems like you are on the right track. Losing weight, exercise, and getting your diet in check. Keep up the good work!

[Macattack]

The starvation mode myth was started by the supplement company to sell more products. Meal replacements, whey powder etc.

 

For most people eating every 2 to 3 hours isn't going to work. Intermittent fasting is a lot easier especially the one you only do one or two 24 hrs fast. Trust me there is no starvation mode. In fact after a while you feel a lot better with more energy. And guess what you don't need to do cardio. All you need to do is resistant exercise like weight training.

 

 

Top Ten Fasting Myths Debunked (Major Update Nov 4th) | Intermittent fasting diet for fat loss, muscle gain and health

[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

Well I don't know anything about Planet Fitness, but I have made adjustments in my diet. I've thrown out all the snacks and garbage I used to eat and replaced it with healthy sandwiches. I've also reduced the portion size as well and notice that with this diet plus exercise I can usually lose 1 lb a day. I'm obese though so maybe that explains that rapid weight loss.

 

I do however try to set aside one or two days a week where I can snack a little. It does probably slow my weight loss but I do think it keeps me from having cravings.

 

Good for you, AVarma! You're on your way to steady and progressive weight loss with your own plan that's right for you. What do you snack on one or two days a week? If you choose your fave fruits, granola, yogurt and fruit smoothies, you can snack more times in the week and it won't add as much calories as snacking on cheese doodles, reeses peanut butter cups (my weakness!) or chocolate cake. Just thought I'd pass on that info to ya.

 

 

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[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

I avoid planet fitness like the plague for two reasons:

 

- They have a pizza day, where all the hard working members get to chow down on pizza as a "reward", was to keep people fat

 

- No squat rack and certain exercises you can't do because it comes off as being intimating. They claim to be a no judgement gym, but the expression in itself is hypocritical since they are judging those that do heavy weight lifting and not allow them in the gym.

 

As far as the eating all spaced out, if it works for you, great! Keep it up if it helps you control your caloric intake. However don't buy into the whole hype of "starvation mode", this only really comes into play in very serious caloric deficits that have been prolonged for a long period of time. Your metabolism doesn't just change instantly in a manner of a day.

 

Aside from that, if you are not already do so, some weight lifting would do you (and anyone really) good to help maintain lean body muscles. If you are cutting, you are not going to build up muscles and get all bulky, that just isn't going to happen and building muscle in itself is a very long and hard process. But what it will do, if you do work your muscles, is cause your body to focus in repairing the minor muscle tears you cause by working them, thus in turn, it focuses a bit more in burning fat instead of a combination of fat and muscle. It is not drastic and some muscle lost can be expected, but it helps shift it more towards what you really want to lose

 

Yeah, but I have the strength to avoid Monday Pizza Days. It's not like they're shoving the slices down our throats while we're running on the treadmill lol. We have the choice to have it or not. I always choose NOT to have a slice of their pizza. Besides, after my workout, I usually have greek yogurt with sliced fruit and sometimes granola mixed in, which is way healthier, tastes GREAT and it's the right thing for me to be eating since I'm trying to get HEALTHIER.

 

But, you have to understand...I've been to other gyms where there are guys (haven't seen any women do this) who you can actually HEAR them grunting, and groaning with each rep and then they drop the weights and you hear this huge *CLUNK* noise...it's distracting, it's rude...and it's just them showing off to everyone. Um sorry, but that's just not what I want to hear or encounter when I'm trying to work out for the hour that I'm there. I LOVE Planet Fitness because you don't see or hear ANY of that crap. They have the "Lunker Alarm" there for a reason. And if it ever goes off, the show-off gets a warning. If they do it again, they're OUTTIE. Working out at the gym is NOT a competition or a time to flex your muscles to show off! Guys just don't realize how much of an absolute TURN OFF it is when women see and hear that! Not to mention very distracting and irritating.

 

Thanks for the advice about lifting some weights to work out my arm muscles and the mechanics behind that. I might incorporate some bicep and tricep workouts into my routine. I definitely do NOT want to "bulk" up my arms! YUK lol. I wouldn't mind a little definition to them, so I'll start doing that.

 

 

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[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

This. The judgemental attitiude towards lifters (Lunk Alarm indeed!) is a disgrace. I train in a large chain gym in the UK and it is full of female lifters and crossfitters who shift as much iron as the men do! The shaming attitude by Planet Fitness towards lifters is abhorrent and makes the 'Fitness' in their name a complete misnomer.

 

**** Planet Fitness! **** it in the face with weights!!!!

 

Please see my post to Contact1 with regard to this part of Planet Fitness.

 

 

As for diet, create an account on myfitnesspal.com and log EVERYTHING that you eat, and do so honestly. There are also forums on there where you will get a lot of great support and advice from some pretty amazing people. MFP - do it!

 

Thanks for the URL to that website! I'm going to take a look over there and see what My Fitness Pal is all about. By the way, just gotta say, you look GREAT!! Whatever you're doing, you're definitely doing it right!

 

 

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[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

The starvation mode myth was started by the supplement company to sell more products. Meal replacements, whey powder etc.

 

For most people eating every 2 to 3 hours isn't going to work. Intermittent fasting is a lot easier especially the one you only do one or two 24 hrs fast. Trust me there is no starvation mode. In fact after a while you feel a lot better with more energy. And guess what you don't need to do cardio. All you need to do is resistant exercise like weight training.

 

 

Top Ten Fasting Myths Debunked (Major Update Nov 4th) | Intermittent fasting diet for fat loss, muscle gain and health

 

Um, I've tried fasting before. All it did was make me feel sick to my stomach, made me vomit and made me feel lethargic...no thanks!

 

So far, eating every 3 (to sometimes 4) hours IS working for my body. I don't know where you get the idea that a person doesn't need to do cardio to rev up their metabolism to continue burning fat for HOURS after their workout. Not only that, but it's good for my HEART!

 

Thanks for responding to my thread. Everyone has their own ideas and methods of what works for them with regard to weight loss and healthy living. I'm glad you're doing what works for YOU and I'm even more glad that what I'm doing is working for me!

 

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[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

Dude, that is awesome. I wish my gym had pizza days

 

 

Besides that, seems like you are on the right track. Losing weight, exercise, and getting your diet in check. Keep up the good work!

 

Why would you wish that, Priv?? Pizza is counterproductive to what you're trying to accomplish, yes?!

 

Thanks for your encouragement! Reading that made me smile. What routine are you doing at your gym with regard to either bulking up, losing weight or eating healthier?

 

 

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[todreaminblue]

my personal trainer had a similar plan for me......but it was more boot camp like fitness.....cross training...sprinting on a rower fro a certain amount of time then slow for a certain amount fo time same with the ellipticals...also included aerobic and power lifting, (weight lifting) boxing with a bag and gloves.....cross training is ideal for me because i get bored.....once i have a certain level of fitness i switch to cross training......

 

your post was actually inspiring....i miss training.....one thing that my personal trainer insisted on was protein....protein fro breakfast and then snacks through out the day......magnesium was a supplement that i needed to have......i think that was more for strength training though.....swimming is also an excellent body toner......as is dolphin dives and running in water...ligaments joints and bones are supported in water and it isnt easier by the way...just less stress injuries.....she pushed me harder when i was in water......i have a recurring leg injury when i train too hard......and i have these runner like shin problems which is funny because running is not something i do....i am however a dancer and my personal trainer said ...when i would incorporate dance in my exercise.....every part of my body moves......so consider dance for effective body toning capabilities...i love dancing..because i dont think theres anything finer than dance to make you feel at peace...soothes the heart like no other exercise....

 

 

i really want to start again now.....smilin...thankyou for your post.......you sound so upbeat and positive you took me with you....deb

[BlackOpsZombieGirl]

my personal trainer had a similar plan for me......but it was more boot camp like fitness.....cross training...sprinting on a rower fro a certain amount of time then slow for a certain amount fo time same with the ellipticals...also included aerobic and power lifting, (weight lifting) boxing with a bag and gloves.....cross training is ideal for me because i get bored.....once i have a certain level of fitness i switch to cross training......

 

your post was actually inspiring....i miss training.....one thing that my personal trainer insisted on was protein....protein fro breakfast and then snacks through out the day......magnesium was a supplement that i needed to have......i think that was more for strength training though.....swimming is also an excellent body toner......as is dolphin dives and running in water...ligaments joints and bones are supported in water and it isnt easier by the way...just less stress injuries.....she pushed me harder when i was in water......i have a recurring leg injury when i train too hard......and i have these runner like shin problems which is funny because running is not something i do....i am however a dancer and my personal trainer said ...when i would incorporate dance in my exercise.....every part of my body moves......so consider dance for effective body toning capabilities...i love dancing..because i dont think theres anything finer than dance to make you feel at peace...soothes the heart like no other exercise....

 

 

i really want to start again now.....smilin...thankyou for your post.......you sound so upbeat and positive you took me with you....deb

 

Hey Deb! Thanks for chiming in on my thread! I actually like the idea of cross-training; but since I have a jam packed schedule, I only have a limited amount of time to exercise, so for now, doing cardio for 30 min and then strength training for the remaining half hour works for me. I might try some cross-training this summer, when my work schedule might change.

 

It's SO cool that my post has inspired you! That makes me happy! Also, you're right about the dancing. I *love* to dance, but I dance to hip-hop & pop music and when it's songs that I really like, it totally gets my entire body movin' and groovin' to the beat! I do have a pool here in my complex that I can work out in and I might incorporate some fitness moves in there sometime this summer.

 

When you start exercising again, you're gonna feel SO good! I know that, for me, during and after I've exercised, I feel a sort of "high" and it lasts for almost an hour afterwards! I have more energy afterwards and throughout the rest of the day and...I just feel so good about myself that I'm keeping up with my exercising and eating right, it gives me a sense of pride! Also, I'm starting to see some awesome changes in the way my body looks and the way my clothes are fitting me (or, NOT fitting me! ). Can't wait to rock my bikini this summer!!!! Wooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

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[Imported]

Dude, that is awesome. I wish my gym had pizza days

 

 

 

They just opened a huge gym somewhat near me that has an actual restuarant (not cafe) as well as a wine and beer bar with taps. Kinda a drive to get there, but I think I might have to get a membership. The drive back should be a lot easier.

[Macattack]

my personal trainer had a similar plan for me......but it was more boot camp like fitness.....cross training...sprinting on a rower fro a certain amount of time then slow for a certain amount fo time same with the ellipticals...also included aerobic and power lifting, (weight lifting) boxing with a bag and gloves.....cross training is ideal for me because i get bored.....once i have a certain level of fitness i switch to cross training......

 

 

That sounds like HIIT. High Intensity Interval Training. You do need a good cardio base to do it. Also this kind of exercise shouldn't be done on a daily basis because it's very intensity.

 

Bodybuilding.com - HIIT Articles!

 

You can get a HIIT timer app for your phone or a timer that for HIIT.

 

Gymboss Interval Timers

Edited February 25, 2015 by Macattack

[PogoStick]

Congrats on your success. What's important is finding a method that works for you.

 

I will contribute a little science for you to clarify some of your points.

 

Your body will not go into "starvation mode" after 3 hours of not eating. Studies show no difference in energy expenditure when eating only twice per day (thus a 12 hour fast) vs eating 5x/day (calorie intake same in both groups). This held up over 4 weeks.

 

The important factor is your ability to control your calories. If eating more often reduces hunger and keeps you from overeating then that is what matters.

[Macattack]

Congrats on your success. What's important is finding a method that works for you.

 

I will contribute a little science for you to clarify some of your points.

 

Your body will not go into "starvation mode" after 3 hours of not eating. Studies show no difference in energy expenditure when eating only twice per day (thus a 12 hour fast) vs eating 5x/day (calorie intake same in both groups). This held up over 4 weeks.

 

The important factor is your ability to control your calories. If eating more often reduces hunger and keeps you from overeating then that is what matters.

 

If that was true then people would gain weight during their sleep. Considering most people sleep and not eat for at least 7 hours.

[DatingDirection]

I'm doing the same thing as you, eating 4 meals a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack and exercising 7 days a week, cardio and weights. Although I started a vegetarian diet, I'm hoping this will help me to drop weight fast. *I do get that dropping weight fast, can cause fast weight gain back*, but I sincerely plan to make this a lifestyle in order to be successful. I really want to get back to my natural size, so that means I should lose about 25-35 pounds. Before, I wasn't eating much at all, going on empty until my hunger creeped up on me, and I would go for pizza, or roasted chicken (from a restaurant with rice and potatoes, thinking that was healthy alternative). I would either be not hungry or starving, and that caused me to put on a significant amount of weight.

[SomeDude16]

I hate planet fitness, been kicked out a couple of times...