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2003/11/11, 03:41 PM
Hi,
I am almost 24 and the mother of an almost 4 year old. Since I got married and had my son I have started a pattern of gaining weight, losing a little, gaining more, losing a little. I started going to the gym (the YMCA actualy) about 6 weeks ago, take a yoga/pilates class twice a week - and so far am seeing NO results! In fact, each of the last two weekends I've actually GAINED 3 lbs. each weekend. I know what the scale says isn't everything, but I also know I'm not getting smaller - and I'm only 5'2" and am definitely over what someone my height should weigh. My best friend is getting married in 6 months and I do not want to be the chubby matron of honor!
I just signed up for this site and I LOVE that they are the only site that gives you so much information for free. But I'm confused about two things:
1. Diet - everything I've ever read recently talks about low carbs. In fact, I've seen my own mom lose a ton of weight doing low/no carbs. But my nutritional profile from ft actually called for more carbs than protein?? How do you sort out all the different plans? I need something to kick start my weight loss to keep me motivated with the workout - but I also want to be healthy.
2. The machine workouts. As I mentioned, I'm only 5'2". I know the machines adjust, but only to a point and I find that especially for the leg machines I can't get a comfortable "fit" so to speak where I feel like I'm getting the most benefit from the excercises. Any suggestions for leg excercises that are as beneficial as the machine but can be done with free weights?
By the way - what's the standard recommendation for those of us who join on Tuesday ... and our workout plans don't start until the next Monday? :-)
Thanks!
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2003/11/11, 04:43 PM
britt, welcome to FT. regarding question 2, almost all of the machine exercises may be accomplished with free weight substitutions. At the bottom of your exercise page is a heading somthing like manage your workouts. There you will see a way to swap one exercise for somthing similar.
On question one, the most commonly asked questions here are those pertaining to diet. In a nutshell you need the balance of protien carbs and fats the sight recommends. The actual calories are guidelines but you should try them for a few weeks and then make small adjustments up or down as you need to. This question is a major source of discussion here and a fit buddy search will give you tons of info on proper diet.
The best thing you can do for yourself at this point is throw out your scale and measure results with a tape measure. Muscle is heavier than fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat. My wife used to complain about the largness of her thighs. Now she is becoming concerned with tightening the skin on them. She hasn't lost but a pound or two in the last few months following the FT plans but she IS much smaller .
Good luck
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I live in my own little world. But its ok. They know me here.
Charlie
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2003/11/11, 09:07 PM
Thanks Charlie. Maybe it's just "newbie" syndrome, but I'm not finding anything where I can swap out different excercises - or even something that will let me know what the different options are for each muscle group. Maybe that's just with the professional upgrade?
Thanks again!
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--oOo-- Britt --oOo--
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2003/11/12, 12:38 PM
Maybe so Britt. Hopefully someone on FT regular will answer. My browser wont let me go to the non pro page.
Good luck
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I live in my own little world. But its ok. They know me here.
Charlie
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2003/11/12, 01:23 PM
The exercise swap is only on pro. You can go under exercise resources listed at the top of the site - then muscle targeting - choose the area - there will be several exercises listed that will accomplish the same as the other exercise. Good luck
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2003/11/15, 01:16 AM
Thanks so much for your help. I did find the alternate excercises and was able to find a few different things I'm a little more comfortable with to get adjusted to the routine. I made it through my first "half-week" and will start my first actual week on Monday.
Also, I just picked up a tape measure from Wally-World tonight and got my measurements down on paper. I used to get frustrated every time I weighed myself or did measurements. But now I'm just excited because I know exactly where I'm starting and can't wait until I have hard numbers to show my progress!
Thanks again for your help!
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--oOo-- Britt --oOo--
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2003/11/16, 02:09 PM
Britt -
Welcome to FT. I am also new and don't start my program until Monday. It's a bit frustrating but it gives me time to memorize the excercises and gives me something to look forward to. I am 5'3 so I understand the heaviness we carry because we're so darn short. Charlie is right, muscle does weight more then fat. And it will burn fat and calories faster. I also gained 3 pounds in one week but I know it was muscle. Pilates will do that to you. :-) Forget the scale and stick to the tape measure. Also remember that we don't get to decide where the fat comes off our body. In my case I have lost 7% body fat in one month but I still wear the same pant size. GO FIGURE! The point is the fat came off a teeny tiny bit all over my body.
And one last thing ... your best friend chose YOU to be her matron of honor because she loves you the way you are. You can work at getting slim for her wedding but I think you should forget about that and concentrate on doing it for you. The results will come, but if you don't reach your projected goal (as you have it in your head now) you will be dissapointed and perhaps give up. Do it for you and you'll be happier in the end.
Welcome aboard hon.
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Pauline
Serenity is not freedom from the storm
but peace amidst the storm.
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