|
2004/10/11, 01:17 PM
OK, I have read a ton on this message board...litterally 4-5 hours yesterday and I am sure I havent even scratched the surface. I am trying to aviod being a newbie but I do have some questions. Im a little slow some days so I think I just need things broken down in the simplest terms. I will give you some background info about what my goals are and what im doing now first.
I am 22, 5'7 and 275 lbs. I would love to lose 125 lbs, I feel like 150 would be a good weight for me, since I am built different then most women, unbelievably thick neck, large wrists, ect. I know alot of you are trying to drop from a size 14, but to me, a size 14 looks like the promised land :laugh: Anyway, I gym 5 days a week...I lift before I do any cardio, it usually takes me 45 minutes to wrap up my lifting, and I usually do about 45-60 minutes of cardio at 65% max heart rate, except on Fridays, when I do 30 minutes at 80%. I think my workout routine is pretty solid, but I am open to suggestions here. I use machines only, as I do not have a gym partner, and refuse to lift without a spotter.
As far as food, I think I am eating heathly, but this is honestly where I have the most questions. I saw the shopping list for bodybuilders, is this good for dieters as well? I had been advised by a "professional" to injest mainly soy proten, and cut meat out of my diet. It seems that alot of you disagree, and I will gladly follow your advice as long as you break it down so I can understand...Im not the brightest all of the time. Also having an uphill battle with sugar. I have been doing good with it, keeping my sugar at less then 10 grams a day, until last night when I started craving sugar really bad. I had a slim-fast shake, and calmed myself down. Now I am worried that 10 grams a day may be too little. Any advice on this is much appreciated. As far as calories, I refuse to eat more then 2500 a day, cant talk me out of that one lol :big_smile:
I know this sounds like alot of questions, but its just stuff thats been bothering me. I want to move ahead in the safest and most effective way possible. I have never made an honest effort to diet, and I really want to suceed for my healths sake. Thank you very very much in advance for all of your time, and advice.
|
|
2004/10/11, 01:46 PM
Hi Mint, On your exercise routine, if you are lifting heavy you're golden. Lifting heavy is the only way to build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat even when at rest. If you're lifting heavy, 3 or 4 20-25 minute cardio or hiit sessions is plenty. Try to separate your cardio and lifting by 4 to 6 hours or do them different days. 3 days of hard lifting and 2 or 3 cardio sessions is enough. Cardio as the name implies is mainly for your heart. Cardio burns calories but not necessarily loads of fat.
Muscle is heavier than fat so as you build it you may not see dramatic weight loss at first. You will see dramatic size change. Hence, use a tape measure and your cloths to check your progress rather than depending too much on the scale. Also to maximize the calorie burn eat 5 or 6 small meals a day. That combined with the exercise will boost your metabolism.
Never say never!!:big_smile::big_smile: You may need to boost your calories initially and then gradually reduce them
to get the best results. The FT workouts are geared to get the results they offer by combining the exercise plan with the nutritional plan. If you exercise and rest properly and eat too little your body will go into starvation mode and hold onto all the fat it can. The grocerlist for bodybuilders is great for everybody. It's just whole unprocessed foods. You need to eat the proper proportion of proteins, carbs and good fats. The FT nutritional plans can help you figure that out.
Read a post in the female board by Lumina called bulking vs toning.. It is a great explanation of why to lift heavy and I think there is a little red pin beside it holding it at the top of the board.
Don't sweat the small stuff like 10 grams a day of sugar. There is a book called "Sugar Busters that will enlighten as to the best foods to eat to avoid sugar. Chances are your normal diet is loaded up with it. if you eat the lower sugar foods then a little extra in your coffee isn't the end of the world. There's also splenda.
On the soy, there is a lot on the board about it. Some pro, some con. My wife swears by it for female issues. It has helped her alot but look for reactions for the first while you use it. I LIKE MEAT:big_smile::big_smile: I'll never give it up although I have plenty of other protein sources.
Welcome to FT. Ask lots of questions. Hope this helps.
--------------
I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol
Charlie
|
|
2004/10/11, 02:18 PM
============
Quoting from charlie826:
Hi Mint, On your exercise routine, if you are lifting heavy you're golden.
=============
I always lift heavy...lifting feels less like punishment to me then cardio. Its alot like a game, and when I see progressive gains its a big modivation for me to keep coming. Thats probably the only good thing about my build. I can lift alot. Cardio is a chore, I cant stand it. I will try seperating cardio from weight training by doing it on different gym visits. Until I can afford a peice of home cardio, I really cant seperate it by 6-8 hours. Thanks for all of the helpful advice :) I will keep it in mind.
|
