ITT: Ask me anything about losing weight..

xASHYxSMASHYx

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Sublog

Is waiting until I get to goal (or very close) to build muscle via strength training going to do me more harm than good?

Ideally, you should try to do resistance training NOW. When you are overweight, it is easier to build muscle than when you get thinner because of a whole bunch of reasons too complicated to explain (and I don't fully understand the mechanisms).

You do resistance training when you lose weight to maintain muscle mass.

Marge321

Never eat below your BMR? MFP wants me to eat around 1650 calories a day to lose a pound/week even though my BMR is estimated to 1730 a day and my TDEE is around 2160... Should I catch up my BMR?

I'm on my first week almost completed and I haven't lost anything.

Sublog

I'm looking to tone the underside of my arms. I've got the dangly flab, but only on my non-dominant arm. My right arm is fairly toned. Any advice to focus more on one than the other, and something that will work well?? Thanks!!

Its normal for people to carry more fat/muscle in one side of their body. Working your triceps is going to help increase the muscle mass and losing additional body fat will help tighten up the flab.

_kimberly

First off, congratulations on your phenomenal success!! Wow!!

I'm new here, I just started this week. Thank you for starting this thread. Much appreciated!!

Sublog

What's your thought on the Standard Keto Diet? And ketosis in general? Did you ever do anything like that? After too many times failing with the restrictions on Atkins I'm trying to find a low carb WOE that won't lead me to failure and ultimately self sabotage.

Congrats on your successes! You are an inspiration!

I like my carbs and Keto offers no metabolic advantage over carb diets. It doesn't teach you how to eat, it simply eliminates a whole branch of foods (which most are yummy!)

Sublog

What is more accurate ; the calories burned on the Machine or the Calores MFP says you burn in a workout ? They are both differant ! I have been on here logging and workout for 2 months , I can now run a 5K , first my calories were too low at 1200 s, I bumped them up to 1500 cause I am just not losing any weight . I am seeing inches come off but in 2 months of working out 4-5 days a week and logging I have lost 3 lbs ! What am I doing wrong ?

Neither? I like to use my results as the ultimate indicator of calories burned. The only catch is this requires precision in logging/monitoring your intake. If I am losing too fast, I up my calories. If you are seeing inches lost, but no real weight loss over the span of a month or so, you're eating close to maintenance levels calorie wise.

DORCASC

Help, help, help! I started out tracking my exercise calories with an HRM. I lost very little weight and sometimes gained a little. So, I quit eating my exercise calories and stuck with 1200 calories per day. The first two weeks, I lost two pounds. The next two weeks, gained .3 lb. I just can't seem to lose weight no matter what I do. I am exercising 5 days a week religiously, three days at the gym and two days of walking. I am 5'1", weigh 128 lbs. and trying to get down to 118. If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Sublog

i can't get to the gym very often - schedule just doesn't allow it. I workout at home. I do my cardio and resistance via push-ups, planks, etc. i have resistance bands but am at a loss about how to use them to really create definition. any ideas?

Invest in a set of dumbbells. Get ones heavy enough to do actually do something.

kelkir

How do you recommend "rebuilding" a metabolism after eating so little for a long time? I've read Leigh Peele's books and they seem sensible...

farmgirlsuz

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Sublog

I have a question for you. I am trying to get back into running and have started speed walking at an incline(in between 4.0-6.0 incline not sure if that matters but thought I would throw that bit of info in)for about 30 solid minutes. I am trying to bump up my time and my goal is to build my endurance. Yesterday I went for 30 minutes in the afternoon and then hopped back on and did another 30 minutes at night. So my question is does it matter if I go for an entire hour, or can I break it up 30 min morning/afternoon 30 min later in the evening? Is it all the same? What if I was feeling especially lazy and did 15 minutes, few hours later another 15 and so forth? Thanks!

Not really sure if it makes that much difference, but I'd guess if your goal was to increase your endurance, you'll likely need to push yourself longer instead of more sets.

sweetpea129

Do you buy into the thought that a "cheat day" will rev up metabolism?

cmreimer

Bump- Can't wait to come back to this when I have a bit more time. Congratulations on your success and thank you for taking the time and your experience to help others!

navy1984

Not really sure if it makes that much difference, but I'd guess if your goal was to increase your endurance, you'll likely need to push yourself longer instead of more sets.
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Thanks! I might shoot for 45 min.

jennimben

Awesome work! Thank you for doing this and hoping you're not regretting! One of my many questions- do you think morning workouts are better or does it matter what time of day? I am not having an easy time getting up to exercise before work but think getting your metabolism going early would be good. And does it really matter if you later in the evening if you are staying within your calories and eating healthy?

Sublog

Never eat below your BMR? MFP wants me to eat around 1650 calories a day to lose a pound/week even though my BMR is estimated to 1730 a day and my TDEE is around 2160... Should I catch up my BMR?

I'm on my first week almost completed and I haven't lost anything.

Yes, I ate below my BMR for a long time when I was losing weight. Didn't hurt me or slow my metabolism at all. I don't advocate doing it, but I don't think its the devil either. Eating a diet high in protein and doing weight training can allow you more flexibility in your calorie deficits.

I think you're at a good intake goal. If you are new to counting calories, might want to double check the intakes. It's so easy to underestimate your intake. The fact is most people suck at count calories. Even people who are nutritionists can't do it right.

adriana_hackney

You are awesome for doing this btw!!!

Here's my question: I am overweight, and I want to lose that weight, but I also want to build muscle (and definitely not lose what I already have)

Here's my routine:
Mon: 30 min elliptical/upper body (with 3, 5, and 10 lb dumbbells)
Tues: 30 min elliptical/Lower body/abs
Weds: 30 min elliptical/upper body/abs
Thurs: 30 min elliptical/lower body
Fri: 30 min elliptical/upper body
Sat: 30 min elliptical/lower body/ abs
Sun: rest
(the abs totally get mixed up every week...it really just depends how beat I am)

Is this ok?? I keep hearing that this is not effective and that i'm gonna lose muscle.

Can't wait to hear you thoughts.

-Adriana

You're working your abs way too much. It's a muscle, and requires rest. Do your cardio after your resistance training, and use heavier weights. 3 lb weights won't do anything.

Losing weight is largely a function of your diet.

You ROCK!!! Thanks a bunch!!!

kevsprincess

From Feb 2011- Sept 2011 I lost 50lbs. I started with weight watchers and working out at home. Zumba, hip hop abs type stuff, and some resistance bands. I have not dropped a lb since Sept! I have lost a little inches wise. I started at a gym about a month ago. I have been busting my *** daily with no weight loss. My calories on this site are set at 1460. I tend to burn between 300-400 daily. Weekends a bit less though. When I started I was not eating back my excersise calories and always had a surplus of calories. I was told to eat more ( healthy choices of course) and eat back my excersise calories. I have been doing that the last week and a half. This week I dropped a lb, but my weight has been fluctuating so much that I have doubts it's real. I'll loose 2lbs gain it back, loose a lb gain it back. It's been this way for months! I am just about to go nuts! I am very focused on my goal only 10 more lbs to go! I just can't get there! I am very discouraged, and tired! Any advice? I am a 38 yr old cw-160 goal weight 150. Thank you so much! And you are amazing! Congrats on your success!

Sublog

Help, help, help! I started out tracking my exercise calories with an HRM. I lost very little weight and sometimes gained a little. So, I quit eating my exercise calories and stuck with 1200 calories per day. The first two weeks, I lost two pounds. The next two weeks, gained .3 lb. I just can't seem to lose weight no matter what I do. I am exercising 5 days a week religiously, three days at the gym and two days of walking. I am 5'1", weigh 128 lbs. and trying to get down to 118. If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Patience! With a moderate deficit, weight loss can be masked by water retention (something women have more issues than men). Wait 3 weeks before changing anything.

Sublog

Do you buy into the thought that a "cheat day" will rev up metabolism?

No I don't believe in it, but sometimes it will trigger a whoosh (of weight loss) (usually due to water balance/electrolytes changing) due to the increased intake.

Billywoo

Hey there. Thanks for doing this... My question is, Im losing weight everywhere except from my spare tire. Im doing a ton of core workouts. I don't want to bulk up my abs, just slim down all around. Any tips? Also, what do you think about this CLA everyone is telling me about?

Sublog

Awesome work! Thank you for doing this and hoping you're not regretting! One of my many questions- do you think morning workouts are better or does it matter what time of day? I am not having an easy time getting up to exercise before work but think getting your metabolism going early would be good. And does it really matter if you later in the evening if you are staying within your calories and eating healthy?

Nope - when you workout is a personal preference. Do it when you want to. It doesn't really make a difference to your body. Meal timing/frequency offers no advantages metabolically speaking. Focus more on hitting your daily goals instead.

GSCPostBaby

Ah.

Sublog

Hey there. Thanks for doing this... My question is, Im losing weight everywhere except from my spare tire. Im doing a ton of core workouts. I don't want to bulk up my abs, just slim down all around. Any tips? Also, what do you think about this CLA everyone is telling me about?

Just continue to diet and lose fat.

CLA is a waste of money IMO. I took it for a year and stopped and noticed nothing when I stopped.

Also, see this link

http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/550744-the-20-most-overrated-supplements/#slide-3

GSCPostBaby

I'm still a little confused on tighten up my core during workouts. To make sure Im doing it correctly I suck my belly button is that how it's done.

Hope I'm not stepping on toes by interjecting, but I know what she means. When an exercise description tells you to tighten your core and proceed with the movement, it means to flex your abdominal region to increase your steadiness and balance and also to protect your vulnerable back. This is seen commonly in resistance band exercises where the bands can actually pull you off balance if you're not using proper form.

Sucking in your belly button isn't exactly how to do it. The easiest way to explain it is to say that you need to brace like you're about to be punched in the stomach. Flex your core and don't forget to breath and don't allow tension to be created in the rest of your body. It takes a little practice but you'll have an "ah-ha moment" when you feel it right. And it gives you a bonus core workout while doing other things.

Planking is a great way to practice this. If you feel pressure in your back, your probably not doing it right.

AngelsheriHackley

my question is what are some ideas of healty snacks?? also i am 190 and looking to lose about 2 pounds a week what should my calorie goal be? my last question i want to lose weight and tone my butt and arms. can you help please

Sublog

How do you recommend "rebuilding" a metabolism after eating so little for a long time? I've read Leigh Peele's books and they seem sensible...

Don't know a ton about that subject I am afraid, but you might want to check into reverse dieting.

Sublog

my question is what are some ideas of healty snacks?? also i am 190 and looking to lose about 2 pounds a week what should my calorie goal be? my last question i want to lose weight and tone my butt and arms. can you help please

I don't look at food as good or bad. Did you setup your account through MFP? Have you tried to start the plan? Start the plan and come back in a few weeks when you started.

andeey

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