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2003/08/10, 09:06 AM
Last week I spent some time reading some of the posts here and I think I am starting to see why I have been spinning my wheels here for the last 6 or 8 months and getting nowhere. (oh, and Sandysford, you're my new hero :) ) The fat has not budged and my progress with weights, which was getting rapidly better for the first few months has totally stalled.
But the light bulb has gone off - even if it's only a dim light now, it's still there and with time and some help from those who know more, it should start to burn steadily and brightly :)
First of all, I know I needed to do two things. Define my goals and modify my diet. The mistake I made with my diet was that I compared my eating habits with 'the masses' rather than what is 'ideal'. So what if compared to 95 others out there, I ate better, that's not saying a whole lot, is it? I still had a long way to go and as long as I was looking at it that way I was kidding myself.
Okay, so my goal. I read that you have to decide if it's muscle you're interested in or fat loss. Definitly fat loss for now. I'm carrying around at least 20 pounds of it right now and it's just plain ugly. Yes, I want to increase my muscle as I go along, but it isn't my primary focus right now. I'm not trying to impress anyone. I am not expecting to be in any competitions or anything, so I'm not going to be as serious as some here get, I hope that doesn't mean I'm not welcome here. I just think they human body is a marvelous peice of machinery and I want to be able to use mine in a way that is strong and healthy - and only jiggles where it is supposed to jiggle! And I must confess a bit of vanity - I want to be 'good looking' again before I slip forever into ' good looking for her age'..and beyond.
So, I"m starting over today.
Shopping trip tomorrow - tips on what I should stock up on?
Those of you who are moms with families - are you able to do what you need without one of those 'here's mom's - and here is everyone elses'' ?
And do those of you out there really *never * eat fries?
Protein suppliments - I don't think I got enough protein - but to be sure, how much should I have? What am I looking for in a suppliment? Anyone have a recommendation for a suppliment without artificial sweetners? Available in the UK - even if by mail order? When is the best time have it?
I also suspect from what some here have told me, that I am not eating enough. How much *should* I be eating - how many calories, how many grams of carbs/fats/protein?
Carbohydrates: I've seen some say carbs should be eaten early in the day and others say none in the am or pm - all in the middle. Which is right? Can someone explain how this works?
Is there a best time of the day to lift/ do cardo? For now I am limited to dumbells two days a week and I don't even have a bench ...yet....My cardio options are biking (pulling a trailer with a child in it), walking (pushing a stroller) or a stair machine. Best options with those choices?
I know this is a lot, but I've never been more 'ready' to do this right then I am right now and it would be helpful to me to have information specific to me and all in one place. I hope some of you can take the time to answer me and set me on the right path.
Thanks for any help you can offer !
CJ
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2003/08/10, 12:30 PM
I know it's not going to be the best answer but...you can try one of the program on this site!
You should first cut all the junk food of your diet and start eating properly. And your cardio, Do it when you have time and remember, you have to do more than one hour each trainning if you want to attack your fat tissues!!
-- For your muscles, well I think you should follow on of the site fitness program.
And yes you're very welcome!! Have fun, we'll keep you motivated
Good luck
Dayz
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Dayz... If being in shape was easy, everybody would be!!
Train hard, you\'ll see them !!
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2003/08/10, 03:24 PM
Well, from Mr. Sandysford, let me say thank you.
Now, to address your issues..first off, you are of course very welcome here. We are here for all goals, whether just getting into shape or competition. So, feel at home.
I think your best bet if just starting, work on "cleaning" up your diet. As far as when to eat what, just eat clean and good. Just beginning, you will make incredible strides fast, so take advantage of them. After you reach a point, intermediate or so, the gains/losses slow to a crawl. So, just concentrate and enjoy getting your "house" in order for now. Get rid of all the sugary, mainly white carbs from your diet, even the sports drinks. Instead eat whole grains, brown rice, sweet potatos, beans, oatmeal for your carb sources. Protein, try to get fish, chicken, cottage cheese, even some lean beef.
For your calories/maintenance, here is an excellent source to figure it out....http://www.fitren.com/res3artp.cfm?artid=46.
As far as what is the best time to lift, do cardio, as a genreral rule lifting is good first, then cardio. But again, at this point the main thing is to do it. Get it in when you can. Vary things up. Pick a program here on FT, and follow it out. When finished with it, pick another and do it.
Hope this helps, and feel free to ask any questions and as many as you like. We will be happy to address them for you.
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Quoting from crackerjack:
Last week I spent some time reading some of the posts here and I think I am starting to see why I have been spinning my wheels here for the last 6 or 8 months and getting nowhere. (oh, and Sandysford, you're my new hero :) ) The fat has not budged and my progress with weights, which was getting rapidly better for the first few months has totally stalled.
But the light bulb has gone off - even if it's only a dim light now, it's still there and with time and some help from those who know more, it should start to burn steadily and brightly :)
First of all, I know I needed to do two things. Define my goals and modify my diet. The mistake I made with my diet was that I compared my eating habits with 'the masses' rather than what is 'ideal'. So what if compared to 95 others out there, I ate better, that's not saying a whole lot, is it? I still had a long way to go and as long as I was looking at it that way I was kidding myself.
Okay, so my goal. I read that you have to decide if it's muscle you're interested in or fat loss. Definitly fat loss for now. I'm carrying around at least 20 pounds of it right now and it's just plain ugly. Yes, I want to increase my muscle as I go along, but it isn't my primary focus right now. I'm not trying to impress anyone. I am not expecting to be in any competitions or anything, so I'm not going to be as serious as some here get, I hope that doesn't mean I'm not welcome here. I just think they human body is a marvelous peice of machinery and I want to be able to use mine in a way that is strong and healthy - and only jiggles where it is supposed to jiggle! And I must confess a bit of vanity - I want to be 'good looking' again before I slip forever into ' good looking for her age'..and beyond.
So, I"m starting over today.
Shopping trip tomorrow - tips on what I should stock up on?
Those of you who are moms with families - are you able to do what you need without one of those 'here's mom's - and here is everyone elses'' ?
And do those of you out there really *never * eat fries?
Protein suppliments - I don't think I got enough protein - but to be sure, how much should I have? What am I looking for in a suppliment? Anyone have a recommendation for a suppliment without artificial sweetners? Available in the UK - even if by mail order? When is the best time have it?
I also suspect from what some here have told me, that I am not eating enough. How much *should* I be eating - how many calories, how many grams of carbs/fats/protein?
Carbohydrates: I've seen some say carbs should be eaten early in the day and others say none in the am or pm - all in the middle. Which is right? Can someone explain how this works?
Is there a best time of the day to lift/ do cardo? For now I am limited to dumbells two days a week and I don't even have a bench ...yet....My cardio options are biking (pulling a trailer with a child in it), walking (pushing a stroller) or a stair machine. Best options with those choices?
I know this is a lot, but I've never been more 'ready' to do this right then I am right now and it would be helpful to me to have information specific to me and all in one place. I hope some of you can take the time to answer me and set me on the right path.
Thanks for any help you can offer !
CJ
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Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better!
Ron
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2003/08/10, 07:14 PM
Welcome to ft crackerjack. As to your carbs question, I need to know when you workout. Since your goal is fat loss, if you workout in the morning then you'd probably want to on an empty stomach. Generally you should not eat a high amount of carbs after the middle of the day. The reason for this being that if you eat carbs near the end of the day and you don't burn them off, then chances are it will become fat. Its good ot eat carbs in the morning or midday as they will give you energy and you will burn them off. As to your protein supplement question, I don't think you really need it. Just clean up your diet as bblfit said. For protein you can eat chicken breasts, tuna, and other food that is high in protein. Good luck.
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2003/08/10, 09:55 PM
Your post is for the most part right on, other than working out in the morning on an empty stomach. This is a recipe for muscle loss, and slowing down fat loss even more. Old theory was this way, and I must admit I bought into it also(cardio). But, this is wrong. Research has shown many times that it is the amount of calories you burn(creating a caloric deficit) and the rise in baseline metabolism you get.
Your body will get "fuel" from whatever source it can, and that is muscle tissue. Yes, you will use some fat, but more muscle tissue. Your body secretes hormones to react to stress levels such as cardio and weight training, and this is cortisol. The only thing that suppresses cortisol is insulin. Consume some carbs and a small amount of protein. Give about 1 1 1/2 hours if a good complex carb like oatmeal before training. If you must train immediately after waking or so, then a quick liquid meal would be beneficial.
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Quoting from timbaland:
Welcome to ft crackerjack. As to your carbs question, I need to know when you workout. Since your goal is fat loss, if you workout in the morning then you'd probably want to on an empty stomach. Generally you should not eat a high amount of carbs after the middle of the day. The reason for this being that if you eat carbs near the end of the day and you don't burn them off, then chances are it will become fat. Its good ot eat carbs in the morning or midday as they will give you energy and you will burn them off. As to your protein supplement question, I don't think you really need it. Just clean up your diet as bblfit said. For protein you can eat chicken breasts, tuna, and other food that is high in protein. Good luck.
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Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better!
Ron
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2003/08/10, 09:56 PM
that is 1-1 1/2 hrs., not 11 1/2....
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Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better!
Ron
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2003/08/11, 05:02 AM
Thank you all SO MUCH for taking the time to answer my questions. I'm taking at all in and it's a great help. I especially like the way Ron, you emphasis just DOING it rather than trying to do it 'perfect'. You apparently have had experience recognising hopeless perfectionists before :)
Thanks for the info on the carb thing and when to exercise... It's tough when there is so much conflicting information and since most sources don't bother to explain the reasoning behind the recommendations, there is no way to evaluate which is more reasonable.
I checked out the calorie calculator last night. Ugh. If it's accurate it's easy to see now why I never saw any progress. The other types of calculators told me I needed far more calories in a day than this one does. I guess I'll know though in a few weeks when I can see if this new level actually produces any results.
Thanks again.
CJ
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2004/07/23, 06:15 PM
I don't know who could answer my question but i just need to know why I was told to cut the carbs on my diet in order to lose some fat and small love handles by some people and now my "calculated daily requirements" said that I should eat 400 g of carbs a day... Is that right??? What I really want to do is to gain muscle mass and cut some fat off before, so what should I do? I guess i can't do both at the same time right???:(
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2004/07/23, 07:30 PM
fabadini, maybe they meant cut the bad carbs??
Crackerjack, I just wanted to say that building muscle isn't for bulking up for a lot of us, it is to lose weight. If you implement a good weight training program you will rebuild muscle and because muscle requires energy, it burns more calories, even while just resting. But, of course, you are very welcome to be here whatever you decide to do for your workout!! I only mention weight training again as it has made such a difference in my life and I got those suggestions, wala - here on FT from these awesome people!!
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
***When you are up to your ears in trouble, try using the part that is not submerged.
***The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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