Ready for 10lbs lighter and stronger

organictales wrote: »

syliao wrote: »

Hi there! I'm in a *somewhat* similar situation, and I hope that we can motivate each other. My goal is also to lose 10 lbs, as well as inches and fat.

Cardio is great for losing weight and I encourage you to keep hiking and running, but what you really need to both build muscle and lose fat, is, of course, to resistance train. Lift weights. Strength train. Whatever want to call it. Since you're not overweight, this is crucial to your success. If you're new to it, start reading about strength training, and consider getting a personal trainer just for a few sessions so that he can give you some tips and show you exercises for all the muscle groups.

The biggest piece of the puzzle is nutrition! Please eat enough. 1,000 calories is not enough, and in my opinion 1,200 calories isn't either unless you're completely sedentary. Don't get fixated on your weight at first, but instead evaluate how you feel and how your clothes fit. I feel tired if I don't get at least 1,500 calories (but I'm bigger than you and workout a lot). Food is my weakness! But you need the *healthy* fuel. Stick to whole, unprocessed foods like animal protein, eggs, fish, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and good fats (coconut oil and olive oil). Stay away from the soda, junk food, and baked goods. Nobody is perfect so just try to eat very healthy 80% of the time! And finally, drink water, sleep enough, keep your stress down, stay happy... all part of being the healthiest you!

Syliao - please add me as a friend. Would love to stay motivated with you. Im using the MFP app on my phone and it doesn't work when I add people (or like or comment on status updates )

Re Cardio and strength: doing cardio is a new thing for me. I've always hated running. I started with just walking and now half of my route is running and half is walking. 80% of that is uphill (pretty steep) so I definitely feel it in my legs the next day! I plan on adding strength and weight training in about 10 days from now, when I feel my cardio fitness has improved. Still doing research on that. I do yoga and I'm working on my headstands for now and staying in positions for longer.
I bought some weights as well so dtarting to do a few bicep curls and lifts etc. In about 10 days (when I've done more research and worked out a routine to follow) I'll be doing it more.

Re calories: According to many apps and websites and calculators, for my current weight, hight, age and activity level I need to eat 1200 calories to lose weight. But when I do it feels like a lot and I find myself eating more than usual and then I pick up. I'm only cutting 100 from that, so 1100 for now. I am really hoping to up it to 1400 as I get more fit and more active and start requiring more calories to fuel my body. So as soon as my fitness improves and I start doing weight and resistance training, I definitely plan to add calories back up.
I have never been a big eater all my life so Im working on starting up my metabolism again.

During the week I try to eat more healthy. Cutting away on carbs and adding more protein and raw veggies.
Boiled eggs, skinless lean chicken breasts, lowfat yoghurt, tuna and then lots and lots of veggies. As I mentioned in a comment above - I like to cut up carrots and cucumbers in to sticks and eat them with peanutbutter as a snack (I limit the peanutbutter to 1tablespoon a day because it is very high in calories.
I drink minimum 2L of water a day.

Now that the weather is getting warmer I'll be doing breakfast smoothies as well frozen fruit, banana and lowfat yoghurt. Strawberry+peanutbutter is my fav