How do I get from here to there?

OK, so what kind of strength training? I am in a Mixed Martial Arts Fitness class, I can only go 1-2 days a week, but I do 20 mins of the same exercises at home each day. It consists of sit ups, push ups, crunches (to the middle and each side), lunge kicks, lunge jumps, mountain climbers, burpees, leg kicks, squats, pulses and some martial arts thrown in. The class when I go is 1.5 hours, and like I siad I try and top it up with 20 minutes a day. These exercises make my muscles sore, and get my heart going! LOL Not sure if it's really cardio or strength training or a combination.

Should I be doing more...stuff with weights maybe?

I have no problem with lifting heavy weights. Granted, pushing up an extra 100lbs feels like heavy weights LOL So is the best way to do that with machines? Or free weights? I live in a town that has no gym. I commute to the city, but worry that I may not have time to fit in a gym right now (between full time work, kids, horse and MMA which I LOVE). I am hoping I can do some work at home with free weights/barbells, until I can make more time, or get some machines in my ad-on.

Really the only thing I HATE is running...and burpees. Otherwise, I am good...and I still run a teeny bit at MMA, and have to do some burpees there too! lol

I get myself an ice cream cone from McD's after work each night as a treat to myself, since I have the calories and fat to spare. Since I work until 11:30 or midnight, I apparently end up with a lot of calories that I should be eating. I have only had my FitBit for 3 days (including today), so I had no idea that I was falling so far below my recommended calorie intake. Now that I know that (I realized that last night), I can work to rectify it. I realize that I can't calorie skimp while trying to build muscle, I just didn't realize that my calories were so low. I also need to keep a reign on my carbohydrate intake, as too many aggravate a skin condition I have (Granuloma Annulare).
I spent my entire adult life not eating breakfast, and while my low fat granola may not be the BEST or most optimal choice, it's food, and it's in the morning, which is a good start. I don't mean to sound rude, but I just do not have time to cook myself eggs and meat for breakfast. I have kids to get ready for school (since that starts up in a few days), and some days I will have to leave my house at 5:30 am to get to work.

As it is, I cook myself a separate lunch and supper from everyone else, so I make food for 3 people, then on top of that, I make separate food for me (I have picky kids), then I try and get to my MMA twice a week, work full time (right now, since it's still summer breaks, I cook all day, and work at night so we don't need a sitter for our 6 and 8 year old kids), then get home at 12:30-1am from work, check my email, this forum, my facebook and then crawl into bed. Then, sometime in here, I have to try to get out to see and work with my horse.

If you can find ways to simplify, I am all for it, like I said, I realize now that I need more calories, but I am still trying to figure out how to get them, and not over eat (please note, I said 'over eat' not 'go over my calories'). I am trying to set real and sustainable habits here.

Again, I don't mean to sound rude or ungrateful, but I am stretched pretty thin right now, and doing the best i can to lose weight AND build muscle.

OK .. the good news.. what you want is not hard at all to obtain .. To you I am sure it seems like you might as well climb a mountain with no arms and only using your toes, but it doesn't have to be this way ...

It is however going to take discipline and dedication .. You have to get your mind right because with out the proper mindset there can't be change..

First and foremost.. You have to change your diet up... Diet is 60% of the journey ( hell you could say its 80% ) The rest comes from Exercise..

I was looking at your diary and it looks like you are set up as 50% carbs 30% protein and 30% fat.. out of 100% of your daily diet..

I would flip the script and go with 50% protein 30% carbs and 20% fat...

You need to do all the reading you can on lean proteins complex carbs vs simple carbs and good and bad fats.. Then apply your knowledge to your diet... Incorporate 30 minutes to 45 minutes of exercise a day ( mixture of weight training and cardio) and you will be on your way to being sexy and strong....

Remember get your mind right.. you have to accept this wont be easy but its not impossible.. Be dedicated and disciplined and you will get what you want..


AND STOP EATING THE DAMN ICE CREAM ..... Sorry .. but true..

What about cheat days? Are they just a flat out no? As it is right now, I actually allow myself 1 cheat day a week...not overboard cheat, but still a cheat day. Hot wings with the girls from work, and maybe a little chocolate. The last time I counted a cheat day, I wasn't even over in my calories (but typically I don't count them).

I am absolutely ok with being dedicated and disciplined, I am not looking for easy...if I had wanted easy, I would have gone for gastric bypass 50lbs ago But I do want sustainable, and in life, with kids, some days there will be birthday parties, and cake, I don't want to say no for the rest of my life. However, unlike the past, 1 small piece will suffice.

As for studying, I am ok with that. I have actually been enjoying what I have learned in the last 1.5 years. People always assume that the fat girl has no clue how to get skinny, this fat girl knows how, has known for 1.5 years, but just couldn't be bothered to put it into practice. I am fairly cerebral, and love to be educated. Thanks for the input.

Now WTF am I going to have for a treat....the reason I have "treats" is so that I don't feel tempted to binge on bad junk! 1 small treat is all it takes :P

No one says you can't have cheat days...

Can they derail your progress ? Yes

Can they set back your progress ? Yes

It has been my experience that 1 day of cheating sets me back 2-3 days of eating clean ...

So its up to you .. This is your transformation, you can weigh the positives and negatives and go from there..

I used to weight close to 300lbs and now I weight 210 I am toning and seeing muscle in spots I thought I would never see..

I think I even see an ab poking through .. I am calling him abby ...


I have 5 kids... 1 2 3 4 5 and I make time to work out .. I get up at 4:30 and I am working out by 5 and done by 6:30 every day .. This is the choice I make.. Birthday parties aren't a big deal to me.. I chose not to eat cake or drink soda or partake in the typical party food. I have my own snacks I bring I have my water bottle.. etc.. Have I ever slipped up ? Yes but I can count the time son one hand and not use all my fingers...

My kids are by NO means an excuse to not work out. Even my 20 minutes a day, I send them in to their room (to give myself time and room to work and concentrate) while I do it...the problem for me, is cooking. Trying to find time and energy to cook is next to impossible. The good news is, if I am going to be eating way more protein, then that should make cooking easier for me. Cook a bunch of chicken breast, cut up, throw on salad. Poof, done (right? )!

Crap you work out 1.5 hours a day? That I don't know if I can find the time to do THAT. Maybe if I do it in 20 minute spurts here and there....

I appreciate not being coddled. I am looking for REAL answers on how to get from where I am, to wear I want to be, I am eating less sugar these days, so please hold the sugar coating

I walk about 5 miles a day with my job, when I remember I try to work in some squats during my "still" times. I go to my MMA class twice a week, and was doing 20 minutes of the same awful exercises at home. Not sure why they are awful at home, and less awful at MMA, but that's the way it is.

I plan on picking up some dumbbells this weekend, and doing some research on how to use them properly. Then I can alternate them with my awful exercises at home.