MFP peeps…I need you!

Charlie416

I've been pretty focused on trimming down, but mostly toning. I do want to shrink, but I don't want to be a floppy skinny person…I want to be lean and stronger. This morning I weighed in on a new scale at home, and I was about 4 lbs more than I thought I would be. I normally weigh in at work on the same scale for the last year. Obviously something is up.

I think I might be retaining water due to the change in my habits.

I've recently become pescatarian, almost vegan besides the fish and eggs I eat…no gluten or dairy either. I also cut out all alcohol and 95% of the bad sugar, but I do eat nature's candy I've ramped up my workouts doing mostly Pilates and some cardio 5 times a week. The Pilates is like my strength training and a serious core builder. I wonder if I should be doing more cardio. I basically get 2 hours max in a week…30 minutes on the elliptical or uphill speed walking 3-4 times a week. More?

I also need to find more sources of fiber. Being that I don't eat much grains perhaps I need to supplement? I eat a lot of greens, bok choy, brown rice, etc. and always log what I eat. Thoughts on this? Is lack of protein my issue even though MFP set goals for me and I hit them every day?

I've got about 15 lbs to go, and I was hoping to do that in about two months. I know it can be done if I stay focused, but I need some guidance.

Any help would be appreciated.

neandermagnon

work out with free weights for a strong, lean body. There are some good beginner programmes out there like Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5

re diet: aim for about 40% carbs, 30% protein 30% fat. If you only have 15lb to lose, it's much better to take it really slowly, especially as you want to avoid loss of muscle (muscle is what makes your body firm). Aim for 0.5-1lb weight loss a week.

sloane70

Could it be that one of those two scales is incorrect? I have yet to weigh the same on more than one (including my dr's office scale). I just go by what the one at home says.

Also, I found that the original goal that MFP gave me for my protein was too low, especially if you're building muscle. Just a thought.

BeccaBollons

Different scales often give different readings, and the time of day, placement of even the same set of scales can all have an impact on the reading.

SilviCor

I think one of the problems is the scale. Every scale is different. What you weigh on one could be different on another.

Capt_Apollo

have you thought about doing some barbell strength training? it might give you the results you are looking for. do you have access to barbells at your gym?

pick up the books new rules of lifting for women, and starting strength.

pilates is a great work out, but i think that you should concentrate on doing a full body circuit strength training three days a week (M-W-F), short high intensity interval cardio twice a week (Tu-Th), and low intensity steady state cardio once a week (Saturday) and then rest on sunday.

you don't need more cardio. for the most part, that is what makes people become a floppy skinny person. tonning and becoming lean and strong is a direct result of reducing body fat and building muscle, both of which will be achieved by strength training.

Charlie416

Thanks so much for this!

About 7 years ago I got in the best shape I've been in, and I did it with a system like you're talking about. I did cardio kickboxing twice a week, circuit training 3/4 times a week, and included some cardio. Why did I ever stop? Moving forward…

I really want to keep my pilates, but that only really provides me with great abs and flexibility and endurance. It also keeps me lengthening and strong.

I'm going to ramp things up as you suggest. More weights, more circuit training, some cardio, and a rest.

Thanks!

Charlie416

Thanks for this. Should I manually adjust MFP settings? I'm set to 1200 calories a day (I eat more when I burn more). Do I need to adjust my calorie intake too? I can go in and try to adjust the settings. Perhaps more info on the 40% 30% 30% idea?

gmthisfeller

Thanks for this. Should I manually adjust MFP settings? I'm set to 1200 calories a day (I eat more when I burn more). Do I need to adjust my calorie intake too? I can go in and try to adjust the settings. Perhaps more info on the 40% 30% 30% idea?

You might try making your food diary public for a while. There are a number of people here who seem to be able to help in that area. Be sure you log everything...every little morsel needs to go it.

You might consider adding quinoa to your diet for a non-gluten source of fiber and protein. It cooks exactly like rice.

Another food to add might be Quorn, which is a micoprotein. You will find it in the "Health Food" frozen section of your grocery.

Charlie416

Thanks for this. Should I manually adjust MFP settings? I'm set to 1200 calories a day (I eat more when I burn more). Do I need to adjust my calorie intake too? I can go in and try to adjust the settings. Perhaps more info on the 40% 30% 30% idea?

You might try making your food diary public for a while. There are a number of people here who seem to be able to help in that area. Be sure you log everything...every little morsel needs to go it.

You might consider adding quinoa to your diet for a non-gluten source of fiber and protein. It cooks exactly like rice.

Another food to add might be Quorn, which is a micoprotein. You will find it in the "Health Food" frozen section of your grocery.

Thanks for this. My diary is public to my friends. And I log every little thing meticulously. I'm obsessed with logging to ensure I stay on track.

I eat quinoa about once a week, but maybe I'll ramp it up. It's a great option…I'll try to get more of it. Thanks!

lillivewire87

Could it be that one of those two scales is incorrect? I have yet to weigh the same on more than one (including my dr's office scale). I just go by what the one at home says.

Also, I found that the original goal that MFP gave me for my protein was too low, especially if you're building muscle. Just a thought.

^^^^This
From working in the healthcare industry is is almost impossible for two scales to have the same amount of accuracy. Even calibrating them, you will have some degree of difference. The best thing to do is to measure your progress literally with a tape measure, and if you have to weigh yourself (let's be honest who can help it) then to only track the progress on the scale you use all the time.