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2005/05/23, 02:30 PM
Hi everyone!
Glad I found this site. I have been interested in strength training for awhile now but it is so intimidating to me. So much to learn!
Let me start by telling you my goals.
I am 23yr old single mom to a 4 year old boy, I currently weigh 137lbs, 5'5 1/2 and I feel fat and flabby.
Basically I have a very poor body image.
I really want to "tone" up and reshape my body.
My main concerns are my hips, butt and thighs. My abs could use some help too.
I have a typical white girl booty. Meaning none. It has no shape and looks like it may be headed alittle south. :(
I have a huge issue with the scale. As much as I try not to look at the number, it still always gets me down.
My ideal weight would be 125lbs but I know if I could get past the number and be a size 2 or 4, I would be happy.
Eating is hard for me to. I am doing Weight Watchers right now which works but I highly doubt it is a good diet for someone who is lifting. Too little calories.
So I need advice on my diet plan.
I am still figuring out this site so I may have the info right in front of my face and not know it.
I think I should be eating 1625cals, is this right?
125x13?
Oh and body fat %, I got the pinch test done at my gym and she said I was about 21%. Which I have read was good. I still feel flabby and gross.
I hate what I see in the mirror.
How should I get my body fat tested?
What else should I track so I don't get discouraged?
I almost feel like I should lose the weight before I start lifting, come on, talk me out of it!
Any feedback welcome and appriciated! :)
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2005/05/23, 02:56 PM
Welcome to FT.
I know WW uses the scale as a gauge, but you need to get that number out of your mind. With weight training you may actually see weight go up a bit with some muscle gain, but your body shape will change.
I would suggest grabbing a fitness routine from FT.... all you need to do is put in your goals, etc. and it'll set you up with a routine... for FREE!
As for testing body fat, there are lots of different methods... some good, some bad, but as long as you use the same one you'll get consistency. Check out www.mybodycomp.com... it's a great way to measure body fat and get an indication of where you are. Keep in mind, calipers will give you a different number as it's a different method...
Hope that helps!
t
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This donut has purple in the middle, purple is a fruit. - Homer (Simpson)
Be here. Live. Love. Hope. Now. Faith. Believe. You. - Keith Urban
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2005/05/23, 03:12 PM
Oh, here is a site I put together during my WeightWatchers era....
www.freewebs.com/nin81
Under fitness, you can see some pics of me and current stats. Well, I think they are current. I will have to recheck them all.
Oh and ignore the fitness regimine.
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2005/05/23, 08:04 PM
Rainnin81 - Welcome!
I also did WW and am a scale addict. WW can be a good place to start if you're trying to shed some weight but it's very easy to eat an unheathly diet in the "points" system and VERY difficult to eat healthy on the points system.
2 things. 1 - get rid of your scale and go with your heart - use the measurements/fit of clothing as your guide. 2 - I strongly recommend setting yourself up with the nutrition tracker on this site. Get used to counting something better than points! For the first little while, I'll tell you, I sure couldn't believe that I was supposed to be eating so much! But after 8-weeks of learning how to balance my nutrition a little better I haven't gained any weight so it can't be wrong. The nutrition tracker will give you a good starting point based on your goals. Keep in mind it's a general guideline and may require some tweeking to make it work for you. Ask questions as there are a LOT of truly AMAZING people on this site.
I too have a poor body image so I know where you're coming from. And I think I'm at a similar stage to you wanting to lose 10-15 pounds. Those last 10-20 are always the worst.
You can lift and lose the unwanted body fat at the same time. This is when the scale is your biggest enemy. You can lose fat, gain muscle and not see you scale move. My advise on not getting discouraged is to do this in small stages. Don't overwhelm yourself. I committed to my first 8-weeks on this program and am happy with how much I've learned. I used the FT recommended workouts and the FT nutirition tracker recommended goals. Now I'm moving into my second week and I'm tweeking things with the helpful guidance of other FT members. I'm definitely tweeking my nutrition as I think somewhere along the way I've been unintentionally (or unconsciously) sabotaging myself. I've been given some great advise and can't wait to see how my next 8 week go.
Anyhow - I just wanted to say hi and let you know I'm in your corner! Come out with your gloves up and give 'em what-for! I'll be cheering you on all the way.
:big_smile:
Erika
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2005/05/23, 08:08 PM
PS
I checked out your site - give yourself a pat on the back! You've done amazingly well so far!!
Don't give up on yourself. It's obvious to me that you've got the will and dedication to make it!
And just so you know - you don't look at all overweight or flabby! You look fabulous! I would aim on fitness - not losing weight if I were you!
:big_smile: :big_smile: :big_smile:
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2005/05/24, 11:38 AM
Thanks Artemis!
You give me hope!
I am trying to figure out the whole FT nutrition thing. Kinda confusing still....
Oh and I got your message, I just have to figure out how to send one back to you! :)
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