bulking? cutting? head spinning....

RaeannePemberton

hey guys. i am at a "fork" in the road (no pun intended).

i trained for a marathon, succeeded, finished... yadda yadda. but in the process I actually GAINED weight. now, this is not all that uncommon but it still makes you feel a bit special when you burn 3000+ calories and still manage to put on the lbs and your clothes get too tight.

but now that all of that is over with, and i am only running up to 13 miles (until my next full training begins... next year), I am looking for some direction.

i have been weight lifting for about 2 months now. my calories have been all over the place because i'm just not sure where to set my goal. i want to get rid of this "marathon" weight but yet i want to build lean muscle.

i have read so many conflicting things.....

we are running 3 times per week and lifting (full body sets) twice per week.

suggestions???

calorie target.... ratios.... mental issues i need to get over.... any advice at all???

THANKS!!!!

PS. after losing 100 lbs i am seriously NOT interested in weight gain.... :-/

Jessicaruby

bump

fionat29

Sorry Hun, haven't a clue but loving your before and after photo! Well done you!

drbaska

Raenne, first let me say, way to go! What an amazing fitness journey you have made!

I would have first thought that you're weight gain was muscle and not inches - but since you said your clothes were tighter, it sounds like it was inches.

So....I think now that you are back into more moderate exercise, your body shouldn't require so much "fuel" - so, I'm sure you've adjusted your calories accordingly. My rule of thumb is to never drop below 1200 calories - when I'm doing more intense programs like P90X or Insanity, my body demands more - it is hungrier and I can tell it needs more - so I will up it to about 1500.

Have you done any at home programs like that? I used to be a gym rat, but I can tell you I've never been as a good of shape, or as lean and slim, as I am since I started doing these. I started with P90X, then did Insanity, TurboFire, Chalean Extreme, Insanity, and back to TurboFire next. I do some spinning, running, and body pump in there as well for variety.

I think variety is really the key - you have to keep your body guessing.

OK - I think I digressed off topic....:-)

poppadop89

http://www.simplyshredded.com/layne-norton-the-most-effective-cutting-diet.html

^Written by All-Natural Pro Bodybuilder/Powerlifter Layne Norton. (Also has a degree in nutritional science)

I know it's a lot to read, but its very informative. Hope this helps.

ansonrinesmith

My honest opinion is: Don't be concerned about the weight/inches. You are obviously fit and the muscle weight looks mighty fine on you! I'm sure as you have cut back your training, some of that muscle & fat stores will go away.

tiffany0127

Raenne, first let me say, way to go! What an amazing fitness journey you have made!

I would have first thought that you're weight gain was muscle and not inches - but since you said your clothes were tighter, it sounds like it was inches.

So....I think now that you are back into more moderate exercise, your body shouldn't require so much "fuel" - so, I'm sure you've adjusted your calories accordingly. My rule of thumb is to never drop below 1200 calories - when I'm doing more intense programs like P90X or Insanity, my body demands more - it is hungrier and I can tell it needs more - so I will up it to about 1500.

Have you done any at home programs like that? I used to be a gym rat, but I can tell you I've never been as a good of shape, or as lean and slim, as I am since I started doing these. I started with P90X, then did Insanity, TurboFire, Chalean Extreme, Insanity, and back to TurboFire next. I do some spinning, running, and body pump in there as well for variety.

I think variety is really the key - you have to keep your body guessing.

OK - I think I digressed off topic....:-)

Raeanne is a beachbody coach...

RaeannePemberton

lol. thanks tiffany..... and... drbaska, thanks for the info. those are great programs.... :-)

RaeannePemberton

My honest opinion is: Don't be concerned about the weight/inches. You are obviously fit and the muscle weight looks mighty fine on you! I'm sure as you have cut back your training, some of that muscle & fat stores will go away.

thanks

RaeannePemberton

http://www.simplyshredded.com/layne-norton-the-most-effective-cutting-diet.html

^Written by All-Natural Pro Bodybuilder/Powerlifter Layne Norton. (Also has a degree in nutritional science)

I know it's a lot to read, but its very informative. Hope this helps.

LOVE this site! Thank you!!!

Sidesteal

I would first decide whether you are more concerned with increasing muscle mass, or whether you are more concerned with losing body fat. Prioritize this first and structure your diet accordingly.

I would also urge you to add a 3rd day of weightlifting so that you are at least lifting 3/week, regardless of the above decision.

bloodguilt

BUMP