Author |
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Monday, February 02, 2004 - 3:04 pm
My experience with Ballys was frustrating. I expected a sales pitch but not what I got. I met with a rep and was given a tour. My rep kept trying to get me to sign up for a membership. I explained that I would be making that decision at the end of the 3 months. I was being pushed into signing up by Jan. 31 for a discount. When I said that I would like a personal train (and was willing to pay for the session) I was told that I could not use their personal trainer without being a member. Insurance reasons. Hmmmm....I am going to go to another location and see if things are different there. As for weight loss I am stuck. Not losing anything. I am sticking with the diet and walking hoping that this will pass. I knew the weight fell off too fast the first few weeks but I liked that part better!!! Max, I am so glad to hear about your experience. It gives me hope.
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Yankee_in_ca
Member
08-01-2000
| Monday, February 02, 2004 - 3:11 pm
I'd recommend letting Discovery Health know if you have trouble with Bally's -- since they are contractually bound. I don't know if you got an email or phone number to provide feedback with your packages, but here's the main feedback page on the Discovery website: http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations
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Max
Member
08-12-2000
| Monday, February 02, 2004 - 3:38 pm
Sherrie, I'd talk to the manager of the club and also ask to talk to the personal training manager (they are two separate people at my club). I was very up front with my trainer in saying that after the three months were up I might not join the club--I might join a different one 'cause they have a pool. He said I didn't have to be a Bally's member to use him as a trainer, that it's two separate things. I suspect you were working with an overly zealous sales person who was trying to make his/her numbers for the month. You need to go around that person. If you still get the same answers, definitely take Yankee's suggestion and write to the Discovery Health folks. I'd also copy the local Bally's club and the franchise headquarters. Hang in there! Remember that you are doing this for YOU and that giving up is not an option. Don't let one ignorant person build a wall in front of you -- break through! As for me, I'm seeing the trainer again this afternoon. It's going to be hard because I'm just now getting over being sore from last week! Weight wise, I'm very disappointed. I've been exercising more than ever and eating very sensibly and I actually GAINED two pounds. I'm not letting it stop me because I know all the stuff about muscle weighing more than fat, yadda yadda yadda, but it's still discouraging.
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Tabbyking
Member
03-11-2002
| Monday, February 02, 2004 - 3:43 pm
i am glad it's working out (finally, and in more ways than one!) for max, but i noticed from her posts and sherrie's that you don't really get anything at bally's unless you PAY for a trainer. so what's the 'free' membership?
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Yankee_in_ca
Member
08-01-2000
| Monday, February 02, 2004 - 4:06 pm
All right, Max, you said you know all this, BUT ... muscle DOES weigh more than fat. For me, I go by how my clothes fit, and very rarely step on a scale. I am sure I've lost several inches this past month and look much leaner, but I'm sure the scale would say otherwise... Hang in there, it's worth it! 
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Max
Member
08-12-2000
| Monday, February 02, 2004 - 4:13 pm
Tabby, if you just want to use the free membership, then you just go and use the facilities and equipment on your own. Since I didn't know what I was doing (and probably would not go on a regular basis unless someone was working with me), I opted for the trainer. Yankee, I intellectually know a LOT about losing weight after something like 40 years of experience. But intellectual knowledge and applying it are two different things. I will hang in 'cause I know that I'll feel better, even if I don't change size. However, it's still hard to break away from the numbers. I have found that it takes a pretty substantial loss for me to feel the difference in my clothing -- usually around 10-15 pounds, so it's a very slow process. I might complain (a lot), but I'm not stopping. 
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 12:39 pm
Thanks everyone! I am going to try another Ballys. I live in Los Angeles so am fortunate to have several to choose from. I think I did just bump into someone trying to make their numbers. I have to agree that while you know that the numbers are not always reflective of what is going on they sure do help to motivate you! I know that I am hanging in there during this plateau but will be happier when the scale moves down. Thinking about Max being sore is motivating me....it reminded me of how great I have felt in the past when I was working out.
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Boberg
Member
10-04-2002
| Thursday, February 05, 2004 - 4:24 pm
Hey, where is everyone doing this diet program? I have chosen a different one for myself but I check in here regularly to see how all of you are doing and I am cheering you on. Your stories are encouraging, keep up the good work!
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 11:41 pm
I weighed in Saturday and have lost a total of 10 pounds since Jan. 10. Something that has renewed my commitment is that I responded to the email from the Discovery Channel about updating my information. When I started my body fat was 33%. After putting in the new information it is 26%. I am also noticing that my cravings for salt, junk food and butter have started decreasing. Also, I had a friend in from NY. They do not have In and Outs there and whenever she comes in town we go. I allowed myself the treat and half way through thought it was not as good as I expected. Boberg: I am also not doing their diet. I am eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, salmon and chicken. I looked at their menu's.....they did not work for my lifestyle. I really want this to become a way of life for me. How is everyone else doing?
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Max
Member
08-12-2000
| Monday, February 09, 2004 - 10:56 pm
Congratulations, Sherrie! I'm sore as heck, but still going strong. If my typing detereorates, it's because my trainer had me working on arms for an hour today and I feel like a weakling now! My scale finally did start moving downward, so all is well. I've been somewhat following the Bally's food plan, but mostly just keeping carbs low (I found Ezekiel bread and it's good!) and eating more fruit and vegetables than before. Salads are my new best friend. Any luck with a different Bally's?
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 12:56 am
Hi Max - Congratulations to YOU for sticking with the trainer. Having one is great but they cut you no slack. Have you found that you are sleeping better since starting your workout routine? I sure am! I am happy to hear that the scale is moving in the right direction....it really makes all the difference. I am going to Ballys this weekend. I have been stepping at home and told myself that I would worry about weight training once I dropped a few pounds (I am very good at avoidance). I have run out of excuses so am going with my sister this weekend. We are going to share a trainer. What salad dressing are you using on your salads? I too have been eating a lot of them and am bored with mine (I alternate between "Light Done Right Creamy French" and Trader Joe's Low Fat Parmesan Ranch Dressing). I have been measuring out no more than two table spoons. I tried a Fat Free Thousand Island that was horrible and tried lemon juice (ruined the salad for me). I do not like Italian. I am wondering what others are using and recommend.
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Boberg
Member
10-04-2002
| Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 11:24 am
For salade dressing I use a Light (not fat free) Balsalmic Vinegarete. If you have not tried balsalmic vinegar you are in for a treat..it has a mild sweet smoky taste. Way to go Everyone of you who are working out...I have found that no matter what I do..if I do not make exercise a part of my weight loss plan..I will not lose much...exercise is so important! While I do not advocate smoking..a study I read said people who smoke and exercise have less risk of heart disease than people who don't smoke and don't exercise, of course people who don't smoke and do exercise have an ever lower risk..but the point was that exercise is VERY important for all of us.
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Rissa
Member
08-01-2001
| Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 9:24 am
Sherrie, I have not found a diet dressing yet that doesn't save me calories by tasting so bad that I chuck the salad. I usually just eat the salad with NO dressing at all and just add *stuff* to compensate (like a diced hard-boiled egg, diced ham, etc.) When I do get a craving for 1000 Island's what I do is (wash hands first, LOL).... put a teaspoon of dressing in my palms and then toss the salad by hand. That way I get a teeny amount on every bit of salad. Progress? Well I am only down 3-4 pounds but I did have a gain the first two weeks so not bad. I am also recording weight from when THIS challenge began but have lost 34 pounds altogether since Summer. I only have 9 pounds left to reach my goal but it's still frustrating when the progress is so slow. Even though I KNOW it's not realistic, I still wish I could keep on the two pounds a week and then screech to a stop when I hit my goal. LOL My biggest hurdle has been the exercise. We have had contractors in here almost non-stop for the last month or so and it's interfering with my workouts schedule. It also doesn't help that my #$*%& husband eats whatever the #(*&%$% he wants and then jumps on the diet bandwagon for one meal a week and is losing like crazy!!! He is 6 feet tall and has gone from 205 pounds to 182 in just 3 months. Someone explain to me how that is fair?? UGHHH!! Keep it up everyone, it's a great motivator to read how you all are doing.
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 1:20 pm
RISSA! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 34 pounds!?!?!? That is real commitment. These last 9 pounds are probably going to be the hardest. I am sure your body is holding on for dear life. It is too bad that the contractors are there disrupting your routine. You have done a fantastic job!!! It is just wrong the way that men lose weight faster than we do. Just wrong!!! I realized the other day that my "exercise" is becoming anti-social. I have a video that I love the opening credits that I step to for 25-30 minutes at a time. By the end, I am dripping sweat. I try to do this every couple of hours when I am home. Of course this does not allow for company or running out the door at a moments notice. Boberg: I went to Trader Joe's yesterday (I love them!!!) and looked at dressings......the Balsalmic Vinegarete had 14 grams of fat per serving....is that normal? I ended up getting a reduced fat Creamy Basil that only had 4 grams. Have not tried it but when I was checking out the guy said that it was his favorite dressing. Good luck everyone....I am so glad we have somewhere to go to chat about this. I am not sharing with most people in my RL about how hard I am trying to lose weight....I am feeling private about it so it is so nice to have a place to go.
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Boberg
Member
10-04-2002
| Sunday, February 15, 2004 - 11:59 am
Sherrie..I use "Paul Newman's Light Balsalmic Vingarete" 4gms of fat per 2 tablespoons.
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Sunday, February 15, 2004 - 6:19 pm
I never did follow the meals they planned for me, they were just too not my style of eating. I just started to watch what I ate, ate more often but less at each sitting and tried to avoid some of the foods I knew weren't too good for me. Since I started on my diet at the beginning of November I have lost 19 pounds, I still have a long way to go, but it is a start.
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Sunday, February 15, 2004 - 10:32 pm
Jagger - 19 pounds is GREAT! Congratulations! I also thought that their meals did not fit my life style. I am glad that you posted about eating more often but less at each meal. It was a great reminder. As time progresses I am noticing I am falling back into the pattern of not eating until afternoon and playing catch up. My meals have been getting larger and larger in the evening. Boberg: Thank you so much for the information. I like Paul Newman and his food! I am going to pick some up the next time I am at the market.
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Mak1
Member
08-12-2002
| Monday, April 05, 2004 - 10:07 am
The weigh-out was this past weekend. I was curious to know if anyone here followed this plan to the end. I didn't because their foods didn't fit my tastes and their website frustrated me. I did learn some nutrition tips from it that have been helpful to me, though.
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Essence
Member
01-12-2002
| Monday, April 05, 2004 - 11:46 am
I didn't follow this plan at all. I have managed to lose 21 pounds since my weigh in date of Jan. 6, but it had more to do with weight watchers. I don't know anyone that followed the Discovery plan.
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Max
Member
08-12-2000
| Monday, April 05, 2004 - 3:32 pm
I didn't go to the weigh-out. I've lost about 13 pounds, according to my scale. While the pounds haven't gone down a whole lot, my body shape has changed, as evidenced by how my clothing fits now. I'm still working out three days a week with a personal trainer. My original trainer got promoted and moved to a club quite a ways away, so I've got a new gal now. She's great, but she works me out harder than he did! She's going to take measurements this week so we can better monitor progress. I'm not following any plan except good sensible eating and exercise. Congrats to all who have made positive changes!!! 
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 12:05 am
I was scheduled to go to the weigh-out but ended up not making my appointment. My sister was not feeling well so I took care of the kids. I did not follow their food plan either but wanted to go to show my commitment to my goal. Thought it would be fun. Max - that is just great that you have stuck with the gym!!! I remember how sore you were the first week. And I join in congratulating everyone for their hard work.
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