my 30 day challenge... advice please..

I am 25 years old. I gained 88 pounds 6 years ago with my daughter. I have a body type where I only gain weight from my belly up. My waist down I'm about a 9/10 size and my upper body is about 13/14 size. I am looking for exercise tips for bodys kike that I've always tried to lose the weight but never been able to successfully get any of it off. as of right now I'm 208 pounds. I usually give myself unrealistic goals about losing weight, so this time around I'm giving myself a 30 day challenge to jump start a new healthy lifestyle. I don't want to set a weight goal for the next 30 days but if you have any advice on how to lose the most weight in the next 30 days I would appreciate it. I have an exercise program already picked out for um upper and lower body workout and then with the high intense cardio once a week. I have cut out all junk food and soda , 8 glasses of water a day with 1100 calories a day.

Replies

  • JessicaMcguigan123
    JessicaMcguigan123 Posts: 52 Member
    1100 calories is probably too little. I'm on 1200 a day which is working for me, but i eat only 3 meals a day and make sure they include enough to fill me up. I walk everywhere, and im doing the 30 day shred but ensuring i make up the calories lsot by exercise. Ive been loosing 1-2lbs a week. I am also only 8 weeks post partum so am still loosing weight as my body returns to normal.. I weighed 163lbs and i am 5ft 7. I'd say dont focus on loosing as much as you can in 30 days, focus on eating better and start working out and you should notice it comes off slowly and you will be able to maintain it. Use mfp to track your calories. Good luck xxx
  • mindyrae22
    mindyrae22 Posts: 19 Member
    I agree that 1100 is too few calories. It is said that 1200 should be absolute minimum, but it all depends on how active you are. I am at 1200 calories a day but I work a desk job. Have you done any type of calculations? If you stick with this number I would definitely recommend eating back exercise calories. Like pp said, if you are just starting and you have tried before without results focus on the healthy eating and getting an exercise routine down (I think you have this idea). Maybe consider not even acknowledging weight right now. If you get an exercise and eating routine down without the stress of losing weight you will probably be more likely to maintain the lifestyle. Also, if you are lifting or doing absolutely anything that will build muscle remember that you won't lose weight as fast as you might think. It sounds like this might be the case with you if you are doing an upper body and lower body workout and only one day of cardio. This sounds just fine, but don't get bummed out with slow weight loss at first. The muscle build will slow it down. Maybe take measurements right away and focus on that in the future too.
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Set your goal to lose 1.5lbs per week and eat what MFP suggests. 1100 is far too low. I am your age, just under your weight and I eat a minimum of 1500 calories a day (I also eat back my exercise calories) and I lose each week. Don't try to change too much right away or you will just be setting yourself up for failure if there is far too many changes done at once.

    Eat well. Don't cut anything out. Everything in moderation. Eat until you are satisified, not full or stuffed. Drink your water. Get some exercise. Focus on slow changes.
  • joleenl
    joleenl Posts: 739 Member
    Set your goal to lose 1.5lbs per week and eat what MFP suggests. 1100 is far too low. I am your age, just under your weight and I eat a minimum of 1500 calories a day (I also eat back my exercise calories) and I lose each week. Don't try to change too much right away or you will just be setting yourself up for failure if there is far too many changes done at once.

    Eat well. Don't cut anything out. Everything in moderation. Eat until you are satisified, not full or stuffed. Drink your water. Get some exercise. Focus on slow changes.

    ^^ This and make positive changes that will be come habits. If you just focus on losing the weight you will gain back once you stop. Lose it slowly, develope good eating and exercise habits (Habits being the key word), and it'll come off and stay off.
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    . Also, if you are lifting or doing absolutely anything that will build muscle remember that you won't lose weight as fast as you might think. It sounds like this might be the case with you if you are doing an upper body and lower body workout and only one day of cardio. This sounds just fine, but don't get bummed out with slow weight loss at first. The muscle build will slow it down. Maybe take measurements right away and focus on that in the future too.

    Strength training is important while losing weight however while eating at a calorie deficit you will not build muscle. Building muscle needs a calorie surplus, heavy lifting and lots of protein. Strength training/heavy lifting while eating at a calorie deficit to lose weight will allow you to increase the amount of muscle mass you retain while losing as most will lose muscle while trying to lose weight.