Letters to Cindy

Cindy, Wow, I can't believe the progress you have made in the last few months! Congrats. I have to admit that I didn't really understand why you were on the show for the first few episodes considering you weren't overweight. But then I realized that you weren't trying to be skinny, you were aiming more for fit and strong which is great. I am glad to see that you went for the muscular look instead of the Hollywood waif look. I would love to be as fit as you, I am in the process but as you know it's hard. I can't believe you were in a competiton, that's amazing. You must have felt so proud. What was your routine like in the weight room? I currently do weight training about 3 times a week. Is that enough? What was your body part split and what kind of exercices did you do?

Thanks for the inspiration! Cheers ~JAN

 RESPONSE:

Hi Jan, thank you for the compliments and support! To get right to your questions regarding my routine.....my trainer had me doing straight cardio with conditional sit-ups for the first 3 months. The cardio workout was basically walking at various levels and paces inorder to build me into a runner. The conditional sit-ups not only toned my stomach area, but gave me the strength to hold myself straighter when walking and now running. Once I began to run, I continued with just a cardio and conditional sit-up routine for the next month. There after I started doing my sit-ups on incline benches (a struggle at first even after all those conditionals). I actually didn't start to touch weights until I was within 10lbs. of my goal....the idea was to try to lean out more first. I continue to workout 5X's a week - I do 2 cardio workouts each day plus my sit-ups. I start with a run and I end with a run. If I'm going to work my legs that day, my 1st cardio is only for 15 min., but a high intensity run. My 2nd cardio will either be a walk or a low intensity run. Same goes for when I work my upper body with weights. However, I will run a high intensity run for 25-30min. on one of these days (on an upper body weight day). When I do my weights I alternate days. One day will be upper, the next will be lower etc. My weight program is for light weights, but lots of reps and in sets of either 3 or 4. However, right now I am in training for my next competition and I have two heavy weight days with lower reps. I hope that this isn't too confusing-the main thing is to find a routine that is safe for you and challenges you. It is true when they say, 'no pain no gain'. The pain isn't from hurting yourself though, you do have to be careful that way, but your body will feel the pains of getting into shape, my trainer taught me the difference between this and injury pain. When he put me on weights for the first time, be it upper body or lower body, I would do 3-4 days consecutively and burn out the pain that I felt. Believe me, it works and you never feel that pain again, unless you take an extended break from doing the exercise. I remember not being able to walk down my stairs without wanting to sit on each stair and go down like we did when we were kids. Anyways, you mentioned that you are doing weights 3X's a week...good for you! Depending on where you want to go with your fitness level will determine how often you want to workout. I would like to see myself go to 3X's a week...if I stop competing, but then again, I am enjoying where I'm at and really do want to maintain this level of fitness - I love feeling strong! I wish you all the best,

Cindy

DEAR CINDY AND DAJANA,

YOU BOTH ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME. I AM 220 AND MY IDEAL WEIGHT IS BETWEEN 120-145. I WOULD LIKE TO BE 125 AS I WAS 10 YEARS AGO. I DO WORK OUT AT THE GYM--BUT ONLY LIKE THE TREADMILL AND BUTTMASTER. I GET BORED VERY EASILY WITH THE OTHER STUFF AS IT ONLY SEEMS TO PUT MUSCLE ON ME AND I DON'T LOOSE ANY WEIGHT - EXCEPT IF I ONLY USE THE TREADMILL. COULD YOU BOTH PLEASE HELP ME AND TELL ME WHAT OTHER APPARATUS I COULD USE? I WANT TO LOOSE THE WEIGHT FIRST THEN PUT THE MUSCLE ON AFTER. I EVEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR A GASTRIC STOMACH SURGERY ON NOV 14 AS THE LAST RESORT. HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM THAT YOU ARE ON? DO YOU ANSWER YOUR E-MAIL WHEN THE SHOW IS OVER? PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. THANK YOU.

JANINE

I have been watching Taking it Off with interest since the beginning. I am happy for everyone who has shown such determination and resolve to change their lives. Greg has made the biggest change and I want to encourage him to keep on. You have come so far, and whenever temptation sets in remember what life was like before the program. It's disappointing however to see your family trying to sabotage your efforts. They should be ashamed, because if anyone show be supportive it should be family. So in conclusion, do not let anyone let you down. Don't let anyone tempt you to fail when you have shown such resolve to succeed. You are on your way Greg!! Don't let anyone bring you down.

To Cindy, I can relate to you most. I have not had a child or a weight problem beyond an extra ten pounds. But, I do believe you have every right to take part in this program. It's hard to lose weight no matter what the weight. By leading an active lifestyle you will set a positive example for your child to follow. At the point you are at now, you should concern yourself less with weight and more with body fat percentage or inches lost. There is no reason to ever stop trying to improve your physique. It should make you feel proud as new challenges are set and then achieved. So keep up the hard work and don't let anyone say you don't have a right to care about your health. Cindy and Greg might be at opposite ends of the weight loss spectrum, but that does'nt mean one weight is easier to live with then the other.

They are both doing amazingly well, and I will watch with much interest in upcoming episodes.

No name

Cindy, my husband used to travel quite a lot. We have now been married 21 years but we joke that he has really been around 10 of those years.

It is really tough being a stay at home mom. It is about the only job where you never get a day off. What helped me was I went to a mom and tot group that was a waste of money but I liked the women there. I asked some of them to come to my house. I am very shy and it was hard for me to do that but I was desperate for human contact. I was surprised to find that all the woman were. We met each Thursday for years. None of us missed a day unless we were sick (and even then some of us dragged ourselves out of bed for it).

2nd thing - get a baby sitter once a week. I notice you bring your baby everywhere. You need a break sometimes. I went for an art course - I kept that time even if my kids were sick. It was my time off. It is really important for your santity. Keep up the good work.

suzy dunkelman

 RESPONSE:

Dear Suzy,

Thank you for taking the time to write me a letter through our website. I do appreciate your kind words and support. I do understand the importance of being able to take time to myself, actually my time is working out at the gym. It's through this routine that I am able to reach my weight goals and now my competition goals. I am also very fortunate to have a lady (and her husband) take care of my children when I need them. They are like grandparents to my boys and I am very grateful to have their help. I also have girlfriends who have children all around the same age as mine and we are our own support group-yes, it is very important to take time to yourself and to have a support group that you can talk to when things get crazy. Thank you for your thoughts. Cindy
 


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