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2003/12/06, 03:32 PM
OK, I really need advice!!!
I am a 25 year old female, 5'7", 132 lb, body fat 21%. I keep up a rigorous excercise routine by working out every day - cardio 2-3 times a week, yoga/pilates/ballet 4-5 times a week, weight training 3 times a week (usually I work out 1 hour per day, maybe sometimes twice a day if I feel like it). I started my workout program almost a year ago, and have been steadily exercising with the above schedule for the last 6 months, losing an overall of 13 pounds. I am definitely happy with the results but want to lower my body fat even more, getting rid of more flab, mainly in the stomach area (I still have a "pouch" :), and a little off the thighs, to get slimmer legs.
My main obsticle in losing those last few inches/pounds is my love of food. I don't have enough strengh to diet, I never lost any of my weight by serious dieting, only by working out. I don't eat a lot, but I don't restrict myself in carbs, and eat dessert a few times a week. Unfortunately, from reading the forums and from previous information I have found, it looks like the only way to get flat abs and reduce body fat is by watching calorie intake and cutting down on carbohydrates.
SO... here comes my question: is it possible for me to "jump start" my fat loss by going on a timed restricted diet (more protein, less carbs, no sugar) say, for several weeks (I think I can handle that), combining it with continuous exercise program I've been following - and then, once I reach the desired look, put my favorite foods back on the menu (of course, in moderation), and keep the exercise routine? Will I be able to maintain my weight/body fat if I continue with my exercise routine or the fat will come back?
I would really like to know what you guys think about it, please help me out. I am not looking easy ways out, I know that you have to work hard at achieving the body look you want, but I'd rather sweat off the yammy stuff I eat than never eat it again... That's why I want to know if I will achieve what I want to achieve with my plan.
Thanks a lot! Kate
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2003/12/06, 06:17 PM
You are going to have to find some strength, somewhere because diet is such a vital part to keeping shape. We're talking about a healthy diet, NOT starving yourself. I feel your pain, and I know its easier said than done, but a good way to get started is slow...don't crash diet. Ease into it by cutting out some of the evil foods one by one. It takes some time but for us weak-willed people, it is the way to go. Start by cutting down dairy or sugary snacks. Try that for a while and work from there. Remember, there's a difference between "cutting down" intake and "cutting off"...for now, cut down on some of those foods. Good luck.
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OPINIONS ARE LIKE BUTTHOLES, EVERYONES GOT ONE. NOW, SHUT-UP AND GROW!!!
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2003/12/06, 06:21 PM
I forgot to add, this is for long-term dieting...the problem people like us have with sudden strict dieting is that we TEND to fall back into the unhealthy eating pattern after a while. If you can bring yourself to diet strict then by all means, go for it, but I noticed you said you are weak when it comes to those types of food that are evil.
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OPINIONS ARE LIKE BUTTHOLES, EVERYONES GOT ONE. NOW, SHUT-UP AND GROW!!!
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2003/12/06, 07:42 PM
I just want to know if you are single goldfish..lol.
Yeah, you have to resist your sweettooth sometimes. Do a 6day diet and have a cheat day. Thats alot better than cheating throughout the week ya know?
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2003/12/06, 07:56 PM
Jdelts and firehawk gave you some good advice. Try it. Cut back on the crap carbs and up the protein. Its hard for all of us. I stick to 1 cheat day, it works for me.
Be careful with the cheat day, It should be called a cheat meal. Not all day!
Good luck Verygoldfish and watch out for those Pirhanas.
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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/12/06, 09:05 PM
Thank you guys - I really appreciate your advice!! (Firehawk - no, I am not single :))
Being good 6 times a week is a good Idea, i thought about it myself... Maybe I can start there, at least with the sweets. Even if I jsut leave 1 piece of dessert for Saturday and Sunday - that will be a start!
The only meal I am truly concerned about is dinner - I eat a healthy, high fiber breakfast and usually a high protein lunch (like a power bagel or a protein real fruit shake). Both me and my husband are into gourmet cooking - we cook from scratch but sometimes the recipes include stuff like pasta or potatoes. We are not into fried food at all, I try to always use low fat sour cream, mayo, dressings etc... It's just that Russian cuisine can be very flavorful which sometimes means high in calories (we are both Russian :) and appreciate good food... :)
My idea of "jump starting" the fat-loss process by following a strict diet for a few weeks and then just keeping up the exercise came from my experience that when I don't watch my diet but keep working out on daily basis, I don't gain weight - even lose it, only much slower than I probably would if I watched my diet more.. So I figured, what if I get to my goal weight/body fat 5 by rigorous exercise AND diet, I can then maintain my shape by exercising... Or maybe I will just have to live with the fact that I'll never have a perfectly cut six pack, huh :))
But I am definitely happy with the way I look now, people keep telling me that too, but I guess we are humans and are never happy, always wanting more :) Which is a good thing, never stop pushing. I guess I can start slow, and see what happens. But at least I really enjoy the workouts, and variety is helping me stick with it ( I hate being bored with one thing)
So... thanks for the good advice, I hope to keep going at it :) I am new here, hopefully I'll stick around :)
Take care! Very Gold ;)
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2003/12/06, 11:31 PM
Russian cooking! Well a good Borscht isn't to fatty. Not gourmet either. Enjoy the lifestyle and keep the execise going.
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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/12/07, 12:28 AM
I didn't say borsh was gourmet! :)))
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2003/12/07, 02:44 PM
I know you didn't....But it should be. LOL
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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/12/07, 04:06 PM
One overriding theme here is that your problem is your diet. I see that you do eat pretty healthy from time to time, but try to cut out the dairy for a while and the sugary protein shakes. Low-fat sourcream is better than regular but try to cut that out for a while as well. See how it works.
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WISE MAN SAY: ONLY FOOLS DON\'T LIFT
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2003/12/07, 09:13 PM
jdelts - I thought that it's better to cut out carbs from pasta and breads than dairy?.. What's in the dairy that's bad - fat/calories? I can give it a try... What about skim milk, I drink 1 cup per day in the morning (actually I use the milk to make oatmeal/porridge. How about protein smoothy I have for lunch? Can I keep those?
Thanks a lot again, you guys!! :)
Kate
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2003/12/08, 01:31 AM
Goldfish,
What is good to do is look at the label, and under "SUGARS", if that number there is over 4, dont eat/drink it unless its your post workout carb portion. Thats a good rule that I live by during the day.
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2003/12/14, 11:15 AM
I'll chime in on the diet thing too, but you know what you've got to do there ;-)
Another thing besides diet - have you looked at changing your workout routine? Maybe change your weight training - try a little more/different - stuff like that. Your body hits a plateau at some point and can use a kick to get you back into it!
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~~~~~~~~ROXIE~~~~~~~~
http://www.mycoffeegirl.com
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2004/06/04, 09:11 AM
i want to reduce my stomach and shape up my body please help me
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