What kind of diet should I be following?

deact619

Hi everyone! I am trying to figure out what type of diet I should be sticking to in order to get the results I want. Until I was 23, I could basically eat whatever I wanted and never gain weight. If I did start to gain, I would basically just eat less chocolate, and I'd be back to goal weight in a few weeks. Then, as the story always goes, I got a desk job, and started putting on the pounds. Now, I'm still more active, more flexible, and more in shape than the average person, (I'm 5'2" and hovering between 118 and 119) but I want to get my flat abs back. I've been working out with Nike + Kinect Trainer at least 3 times a week, up to 5 when I can. I finish off my workout with 8 minute abs. For me and the time I have available, I think the working out is going really well, and I'm seeing results.

Now, I feel like I need to know what to eat (or not eat) in order to help me continue to burn the fat in my middle, build muscle, and get my bikini body back. My goal is to have bikini body (flat abs) by mid-June, then I want my core and abs nice and toned by September. I'm getting married the first weekend in November, so I want to look hot for that and my Caribbean honeymoon! Is there a guideline I should be following, like a certain percentage of calories from protein/fat/carbs? I love my carbs, and I love my meat, so I don't think vegetarian/vegan or paleo would work for me. I have a serious sweet tooth also, but I've been doing pretty well keeping that in check. Because of medical issues, I have to keep a low-acid diet, and I have to make sure to keep my salt content up (yes, up). I don't drink soda or coffee, I rarely drink alcohol... I basically only drink water, Teavana green tea with local honey, and the occasional chia drink.

Any thoughts or help? Thanks!

hilldiggity

If you want to follow a specific diet I have heard the South Beach diet is the most well rounded, healthiest ways to go.

krissy_krossy

Have you read this? : http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I like the "eat less/move more" diet

Bakkasan

The best diet is the one you can stick to. Pick one, and stick to it. They are all the same in the end.

Mokey41

You don't need a "diet", just eat within your calorie budget and work out. There's no magic diet of certain foods, etc that will be better than any other. Do whatever you want to do.

Shadowknight137

I like the "eat less/move more" diet

Hai

Can u haf carbs on dis?

jonnythan

Hi everyone! I am trying to figure out what type of diet I should be sticking to in order to get the results I want. Until I was 23, I could basically eat whatever I wanted and never gain weight. If I did start to gain, I would basically just eat less chocolate, and I'd be back to goal weight in a few weeks. Then, as the story always goes, I got a desk job, and started putting on the pounds. Now, I'm still more active, more flexible, and more in shape than the average person, (I'm 5'2" and hovering between 118 and 119) but I want to get my flat abs back. I've been working out with Nike + Kinect Trainer at least 3 times a week, up to 5 when I can. I finish off my workout with 8 minute abs. For me and the time I have available, I think the working out is going really well, and I'm seeing results.

Now, I feel like I need to know what to eat (or not eat) in order to help me continue to burn the fat in my middle, build muscle, and get my bikini body back. My goal is to have bikini body (flat abs) by mid-June, then I want my core and abs nice and toned by September. I'm getting married the first weekend in November, so I want to look hot for that and my Caribbean honeymoon! Is there a guideline I should be following, like a certain percentage of calories from protein/fat/carbs? I love my carbs, and I love my meat, so I don't think vegetarian/vegan or paleo would work for me. I have a serious sweet tooth also, but I've been doing pretty well keeping that in check. Because of medical issues, I have to keep a low-acid diet, and I have to make sure to keep my salt content up (yes, up). I don't drink soda or coffee, I rarely drink alcohol... I basically only drink water, Teavana green tea with local honey, and the occasional chia drink.

Any thoughts or help? Thanks!

A lot of people will tell you a lot of things.

I like things simple. I am a very practical and straightforward person. I worry about what really matters and forget about the rest.

So here's my advice:

1) Determine your BMR using the MFP calculator.
2) Multiply this by 1.2. This is your typical TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) for a sedentary day.
3) Subtract 20% from this number. Set this as your MFP calorie goal.
4) Log exercise in MFP. MFP will automatically increase your calorie goal for that day.
5) Set your macro ratio to 35/30/35 carbs/protein/fat.
6) Hit your calorie and macro goals every day.
7) Get 2-5 hours of cardio every week.
8) Do a strength training program that involves lifting heavy freeweights. New Rules of Lifting for Women is a great start.

Done. That's it. That's all you need to worry about. Plan your food in advance to fit around your special acid/sodium needs, but that's the long and short of it.

The point of all this is:
1) You want to create a calorie deficit of about 400 calories per day to lose mass
2) Get enough protein to support your muscles
3) Do some moderate cardio for heart health
4) Do strength training to maintain the muscle mass you have.

You get that "toned" look by keeping/building muscle and stripping away the fat hiding it. This is how you do that.

That's my opinion and my advice. Many people will make this much more complicated than it needs to be, but in my opinion if you do all that you will get all the results you want and be healthy doing it.

Admiral_Derp

Hi everyone! I am trying to figure out what type of diet I should be sticking to in order to get the results I want. Until I was 23, I could basically eat whatever I wanted and never gain weight. If I did start to gain, I would basically just eat less chocolate, and I'd be back to goal weight in a few weeks. Then, as the story always goes, I got a desk job, and started putting on the pounds. Now, I'm still more active, more flexible, and more in shape than the average person, (I'm 5'2" and hovering between 118 and 119) but I want to get my flat abs back. I've been working out with Nike + Kinect Trainer at least 3 times a week, up to 5 when I can. I finish off my workout with 8 minute abs. For me and the time I have available, I think the working out is going really well, and I'm seeing results.

Now, I feel like I need to know what to eat (or not eat) in order to help me continue to burn the fat in my middle, build muscle, and get my bikini body back. My goal is to have bikini body (flat abs) by mid-June, then I want my core and abs nice and toned by September. I'm getting married the first weekend in November, so I want to look hot for that and my Caribbean honeymoon! Is there a guideline I should be following, like a certain percentage of calories from protein/fat/carbs? I love my carbs, and I love my meat, so I don't think vegetarian/vegan or paleo would work for me. I have a serious sweet tooth also, but I've been doing pretty well keeping that in check. Because of medical issues, I have to keep a low-acid diet, and I have to make sure to keep my salt content up (yes, up). I don't drink soda or coffee, I rarely drink alcohol... I basically only drink water, Teavana green tea with local honey, and the occasional chia drink.

Any thoughts or help? Thanks!

A lot of people will tell you a lot of things.

I like things simple. I am a very practical and straightforward person. I worry about what really matters and forget about the rest.

So here's my advice:

1) Determine your BMR using the MFP calculator.
2) Multiply this by 1.2. This is your typical TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) for a sedentary day.
3) Subtract 20% from this number. Set this as your MFP calorie goal.
4) Log exercise in MFP. MFP will automatically increase your calorie goal for that day.
5) Set your macro ratio to 35/30/35 carbs/protein/fat.
6) Hit your calorie and macro goals every day.
7) Get 2-5 hours of cardio every week.
8) Do a strength training program that involves lifting heavy freeweights. New Rules of Lifting for Women is a great start.

Done. That's it. That's all you need to worry about. Plan your food in advance to fit around your special acid/sodium needs, but that's the long and short of it.

The point of all this is:
1) You want to create a calorie deficit of about 400 calories per day to lose mass
2) Get enough protein to support your muscles
3) Do some moderate cardio for heart health
4) Do strength training to maintain the muscle mass you have.

You get that "toned" look by keeping/building muscle and stripping away the fat hiding it. This is how you do that.

That's my opinion and my advice. Many people will make this much more complicated than it needs to be, but in my opinion if you do all that you will get all the results you want and be healthy doing it.

this
/thread

spirit80

I also ask the same question. What lifestyle do I live?

ndj1979

eat in deficit, work out...thread now close....