Hit a brick wall

2»

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    edited April 2017
    abs1970 wrote: »
    @slacker80 - the other thing she is glossing over is that she doesn't really want to eat. Read through her other threads. She has past eating disorder problems and some anxiety (so do I, not pointing fingers - it's really common). It takes a holistic approach and many of us have been reading these threads for many years.

    I come at these from a mental health point of view because that's the side of this that is interesting to me. She is obsessing, she has previously stated that and has stated it in this thread. I know all about obsessing, it's my favorite thing! That's how I recognized it. In the past I spent hours trying to get my macros to fit together perfectly. Now I understand that's really over-kill. It took other people talking about it for me to chill. I can wind myself up over nothing if I let it get started.

    She does look great! I do wish she would relax and enjoy it, or at the least use her knowledge on how she has overcome her eating disorder to help others. I think that would give her much more satisfaction and when you help others you help yourself. Agree?

    We all lack patience with the process, especially when I am already at my goal weight and now the changes are tiny, but I know I have to be slapped back into reality too sometimes. If I were to post two threads in a row saying, "I can't lose weight! I've been stuck for a month! I want to keep eating three bowls of ice cream every day and I don't want to log my food," - guess what the replies will be? If you ask a question on any online forum you'll get a variety of answers, with differing styles.

    If someone is way off-base they will hear about it in this and any other online community. That includes the replying parties.

    @abs1970 - I stand by my statement of last week that I couldn't eat 40% protein like you were doing - but if you like eating that way, go for it. It's expensive and unnecessary, but it is your life and your body. You have done a great job so far with your fitness - you can ramp it up now with a good solid training program. I think a trainer to whom you can be accountable and who will work with you on your specific goals would help you, and then you will have one person telling you your macros. There is very wide range of preference with macros, it's not set in stone. There are minimum needs and then there are body-building range. Depends on your goal.

    You guys have killed me today :D

    1. I absolutely do want to eat. As soon as my eyes open I'm thinking about my amazing and huge bowl of porridge!
    2. On a serious note, I DO NOT have an eating disorder. I eat clean & healthy most of the time but have no problem treating myself too. Pizza, chips, chocolate, fish fingers with tomato ketchup...... love them all just in moderation.
    2. When I say I'm obsessing, perhaps that's a bit too severe. I log everything I eat, yes. I train hard, yes. Am I always happy with what I see in the mirror, no. But then I take a killer pic of my abs and realise I'm way too tough on myself! I just want to be the best version of me ever. But not at the expense of my health or sanity.
    3. I know I need a coach if I'm serious about wanting to compete, but that costs serious money.... which is in short supply at the mo.

    I really do appreciate all the advice you guys have given me. Maybe it is the kick up the peachy *kitten* I need to make me see I look flipping awesome and to chill just a little o:)

    Oh, you said you "used to" have issues with eating...plus you aren't hitting your goals. I was acknowledging that you seem to be better on the eating thing - but you've posted numerous times that you aren't hitting your goals and that you are "consistently under." You know better, but...?

    NM. Not gonna argue. Good for you! I hope you'll use it for good, like I said before - instead of beating yourself up for not being perfect right away.

    Progress, not perfection, right? :)
  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member
    abs1970 wrote: »
    @slacker80 - the other thing she is glossing over is that she doesn't really want to eat. Read through her other threads. She has past eating disorder problems and some anxiety (so do I, not pointing fingers - it's really common). It takes a holistic approach and many of us have been reading these threads for many years.

    I come at these from a mental health point of view because that's the side of this that is interesting to me. She is obsessing, she has previously stated that and has stated it in this thread. I know all about obsessing, it's my favorite thing! That's how I recognized it. In the past I spent hours trying to get my macros to fit together perfectly. Now I understand that's really over-kill. It took other people talking about it for me to chill. I can wind myself up over nothing if I let it get started.

    She does look great! I do wish she would relax and enjoy it, or at the least use her knowledge on how she has overcome her eating disorder to help others. I think that would give her much more satisfaction and when you help others you help yourself. Agree?

    We all lack patience with the process, especially when I am already at my goal weight and now the changes are tiny, but I know I have to be slapped back into reality too sometimes. If I were to post two threads in a row saying, "I can't lose weight! I've been stuck for a month! I want to keep eating three bowls of ice cream every day and I don't want to log my food," - guess what the replies will be? If you ask a question on any online forum you'll get a variety of answers, with differing styles.

    If someone is way off-base they will hear about it in this and any other online community. That includes the replying parties.

    @abs1970 - I stand by my statement of last week that I couldn't eat 40% protein like you were doing - but if you like eating that way, go for it. It's expensive and unnecessary, but it is your life and your body. You have done a great job so far with your fitness - you can ramp it up now with a good solid training program. I think a trainer to whom you can be accountable and who will work with you on your specific goals would help you, and then you will have one person telling you your macros. There is very wide range of preference with macros, it's not set in stone. There are minimum needs and then there are body-building range. Depends on your goal.

    You guys have killed me today :D

    1. I absolutely do want to eat. As soon as my eyes open I'm thinking about my amazing and huge bowl of porridge!
    2. On a serious note, I DO NOT have an eating disorder. I eat clean & healthy most of the time but have no problem treating myself too. Pizza, chips, chocolate, fish fingers with tomato ketchup...... love them all just in moderation.
    2. When I say I'm obsessing, perhaps that's a bit too severe. I log everything I eat, yes. I train hard, yes. Am I always happy with what I see in the mirror, no. But then I take a killer pic of my abs and realise I'm way too tough on myself! I just want to be the best version of me ever. But not at the expense of my health or sanity.
    3. I know I need a coach if I'm serious about wanting to compete, but that costs serious money.... which is in short supply at the mo.

    I really do appreciate all the advice you guys have given me. Maybe it is the kick up the peachy *kitten* I need to make me see I look flipping awesome and to chill just a little o:)

    Oh, you said you "used to" have mental health issues and issues with eating...plus you aren't hitting your goals. I was acknowledging that you seem to be better on the eating thing. You've posted numerous times that you aren't hitting your goals and that you are "consistently under." You know better, but...?

    NM. Not gonna argue. Good for you! I hope you'll use it for good, like I said before - instead of beating yourself up for not being perfect right away.

    Progress, not perfection, right? :)

    Not sure that I ever posted about having an eating disorder! Thankfully that is something I have never had to deal with.

    But I certainly will take all the advice I've kindly been given and use it to improve my nutrition
  • bigmuneymfp
    bigmuneymfp Posts: 2,235 Member
    Um I think you're doing pretty well....
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    I know I need to eat more - got to 9.30pm yesterday and had nearly 500 calories left. No chance of consuming that amount of food before bed!

    I guess it's not 'genuine' HIIT - but it's 30 sec high intensity bursts to get my heart rate up alternating between explosive rowing & something like kb swings, squats, jumping jacks etc.

    I do have a plan, but don't follow it every day. I just do my warm up and go from there. So, yep I guess you could say I'm winging it :D

    Here's a bit of a harsh summary....
    Your training is sub-optimal and you aren't supporting training performance / recovery / growth with your diet.
    (Not trying to be snarky but maybe a reality check.)

    Elevating HR before lifting isn't really useful or necessary. Your warmup should prepare you for lifting, not compromise it!

    When you are at a good level to progress further takes more precision in your training. Can only echo others in that you either need to get a trainer to set you up a good routine or pick an established program that suits your goals.

    Plan your eating in advance (pre-log perhaps) to avoid getting to the end of the day with a load of calories left over.
    500 calories left. No chance of consuming that amount of food before bed!
    Sandwich and a glass of milk would do it.
    Don't get stuck in a dieting mind-set, it is undermining your goals.

    In case it gets lost in the comments flying around - need to reread this and think about how to implement.

    When there is much to lose - almost anything will help along with the calorie deficit.

    Down to nitty-gritty time - you gotta be more purposeful to still see results, recognizing even then those results are gonna be slower than before.

    I'd suggest if the above advice isn't fully understood, pursue what the suggestions mean exactly in application.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited April 2017
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!
    Bravo - exceptional results.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    For a 46 yr old mum of two young adults, I think I look pretty damn good.
    You didn't need to qualify it with your age and children - you look pretty damn good.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    But just sometimes, I need a confidence boost. As is quite clear, I don't know much about proper fitness and nutrition but what I've done so far seems to have worked.
    Yes it has but now you say you have hit a brick wall.
    Maybe I didn't make it clear.... Think of it as the 80/20 rule or the law of diminishing returns.
    The first "80" while not easy is far easier than the last "20". To hit the very high levels of competition you will have to fight tooth and claw for every percentage point.
    If you want a example for one of my fitness goals I added 30% to my personal best in just a few months to hit a good (ok - good for me!) level. The next 2.5% of improvement took a year of damn hard work.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    Advice, whether constructive criticism or otherwise, is always appreciated :)
    Good.
    Constructive was the intention.

  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!
    Bravo - exceptional results.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    For a 46 yr old mum of two young adults, I think I look pretty damn good.
    You didn't need to qualify it with your age and children - you look pretty damn good.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    But just sometimes, I need a confidence boost. As is quite clear, I don't know much about proper fitness and nutrition but what I've done so far seems to have worked.
    Yes it has but now you say you have hit a brick wall.
    Maybe I didn't make it clear.... Think of it as the 80/20 rule or the law of diminishing returns.
    The first "80" while not easy is far easier than the last "20". To hit the very high levels of competition you will have to fight tooth and claw for every percentage point.
    If you want a example for one of my fitness goals I added 30% to my personal best in just a few months to hit a good (ok - good for me!) level. The next 2.5% of improvement took a year of damn hard work.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    Advice, whether constructive criticism or otherwise, is always appreciated :)
    Good.
    Constructive was the intention.
    I think that's describes my situation well - I'm 90% happy with how I look & feel. That last little percentage is infuriatingly hard to achieve!!!
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    abs1970 wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!
    Bravo - exceptional results.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    For a 46 yr old mum of two young adults, I think I look pretty damn good.
    You didn't need to qualify it with your age and children - you look pretty damn good.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    But just sometimes, I need a confidence boost. As is quite clear, I don't know much about proper fitness and nutrition but what I've done so far seems to have worked.
    Yes it has but now you say you have hit a brick wall.
    Maybe I didn't make it clear.... Think of it as the 80/20 rule or the law of diminishing returns.
    The first "80" while not easy is far easier than the last "20". To hit the very high levels of competition you will have to fight tooth and claw for every percentage point.
    If you want a example for one of my fitness goals I added 30% to my personal best in just a few months to hit a good (ok - good for me!) level. The next 2.5% of improvement took a year of damn hard work.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    Advice, whether constructive criticism or otherwise, is always appreciated :)
    Good.
    Constructive was the intention.
    I think that's describes my situation well - I'm 90% happy with how I look & feel. That last little percentage is infuriatingly hard to achieve!!!
    Yeppp ain't that the truth :s
  • Ironandwine69
    Ironandwine69 Posts: 2,432 Member
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!

    First off, you look great.

    There's no "shame" in hiring a professional.
    I've lifted and worked out all my life, but let me tell you, I have never ever pushed myself as hard as my PT pushes me every single time. It's been only two weeks and I am super happy. Now, not all trainers are good, mine is awesome and is worth every penny.

  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member


    First off, you look great.

    There's no "shame" in hiring a professional.
    I've lifted and worked out all my life, but let me tell you, I have never ever pushed myself as hard as my PT pushes me every single time. It's been only two weeks and I am super happy. Now, not all trainers are good, mine is awesome and is worth every penny.

    [/quote]

    Thanks :*

    I'd love to hire a trainer but just can't afford one right now. I know doing that would get me the results I want.... but until the money situation improves, I'll just carry on doing what I'm doing.
  • leajas1
    leajas1 Posts: 823 Member
    abs1970 wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!
    Bravo - exceptional results.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    For a 46 yr old mum of two young adults, I think I look pretty damn good.
    You didn't need to qualify it with your age and children - you look pretty damn good.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    But just sometimes, I need a confidence boost. As is quite clear, I don't know much about proper fitness and nutrition but what I've done so far seems to have worked.
    Yes it has but now you say you have hit a brick wall.
    Maybe I didn't make it clear.... Think of it as the 80/20 rule or the law of diminishing returns.
    The first "80" while not easy is far easier than the last "20". To hit the very high levels of competition you will have to fight tooth and claw for every percentage point.
    If you want a example for one of my fitness goals I added 30% to my personal best in just a few months to hit a good (ok - good for me!) level. The next 2.5% of improvement took a year of damn hard work.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    Advice, whether constructive criticism or otherwise, is always appreciated :)
    Good.
    Constructive was the intention.
    I think that's describes my situation well - I'm 90% happy with how I look & feel. That last little percentage is infuriatingly hard to achieve!!!

    The thing is...you're in it now, friend! You are never going to reach that last little percentage. You're always going to want more and your goals are always going to be changing. That's goods, it keeps things exciting, but it can also be discouraging if you let it. Don't let it. Settle into it, relax, and enjoy the process.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    leajas1 wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!
    Bravo - exceptional results.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    For a 46 yr old mum of two young adults, I think I look pretty damn good.
    You didn't need to qualify it with your age and children - you look pretty damn good.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    But just sometimes, I need a confidence boost. As is quite clear, I don't know much about proper fitness and nutrition but what I've done so far seems to have worked.
    Yes it has but now you say you have hit a brick wall.
    Maybe I didn't make it clear.... Think of it as the 80/20 rule or the law of diminishing returns.
    The first "80" while not easy is far easier than the last "20". To hit the very high levels of competition you will have to fight tooth and claw for every percentage point.
    If you want a example for one of my fitness goals I added 30% to my personal best in just a few months to hit a good (ok - good for me!) level. The next 2.5% of improvement took a year of damn hard work.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    Advice, whether constructive criticism or otherwise, is always appreciated :)
    Good.
    Constructive was the intention.
    I think that's describes my situation well - I'm 90% happy with how I look & feel. That last little percentage is infuriatingly hard to achieve!!!

    The thing is...you're in it now, friend! You are never going to reach that last little percentage. You're always going to want more and your goals are always going to be changing. That's goods, it keeps things exciting, but it can also be discouraging if you let it. Don't let it. Settle into it, relax, and enjoy the process.

    @leajas1 ... well said.
  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member
    leajas1 wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!
    Bravo - exceptional results.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    For a 46 yr old mum of two young adults, I think I look pretty damn good.
    You didn't need to qualify it with your age and children - you look pretty damn good.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    But just sometimes, I need a confidence boost. As is quite clear, I don't know much about proper fitness and nutrition but what I've done so far seems to have worked.
    Yes it has but now you say you have hit a brick wall.
    Maybe I didn't make it clear.... Think of it as the 80/20 rule or the law of diminishing returns.
    The first "80" while not easy is far easier than the last "20". To hit the very high levels of competition you will have to fight tooth and claw for every percentage point.
    If you want a example for one of my fitness goals I added 30% to my personal best in just a few months to hit a good (ok - good for me!) level. The next 2.5% of improvement took a year of damn hard work.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    Advice, whether constructive criticism or otherwise, is always appreciated :)
    Good.
    Constructive was the intention.
    I think that's describes my situation well - I'm 90% happy with how I look & feel. That last little percentage is infuriatingly hard to achieve!!!

    The thing is...you're in it now, friend! You are never going to reach that last little percentage. You're always going to want more and your goals are always going to be changing. That's goods, it keeps things exciting, but it can also be discouraging if you let it. Don't let it. Settle into it, relax, and enjoy the process.

    I am totally enjoying the process. I just find waiting to see results frustrating. Even more frustrating that I couldn't train today because of a sore hamstring!!
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    abs1970 wrote: »
    leajas1 wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    abs1970 wrote: »
    In the space of six months I went from being nearly 9 stone, unhappy & miserable with my life to 7 1/2 stone & in the best shape of my life - also happily single! No help, no trainer, no nutritionist.... just me!
    Bravo - exceptional results.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    For a 46 yr old mum of two young adults, I think I look pretty damn good.
    You didn't need to qualify it with your age and children - you look pretty damn good.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    But just sometimes, I need a confidence boost. As is quite clear, I don't know much about proper fitness and nutrition but what I've done so far seems to have worked.
    Yes it has but now you say you have hit a brick wall.
    Maybe I didn't make it clear.... Think of it as the 80/20 rule or the law of diminishing returns.
    The first "80" while not easy is far easier than the last "20". To hit the very high levels of competition you will have to fight tooth and claw for every percentage point.
    If you want a example for one of my fitness goals I added 30% to my personal best in just a few months to hit a good (ok - good for me!) level. The next 2.5% of improvement took a year of damn hard work.
    abs1970 wrote: »
    Advice, whether constructive criticism or otherwise, is always appreciated :)
    Good.
    Constructive was the intention.
    I think that's describes my situation well - I'm 90% happy with how I look & feel. That last little percentage is infuriatingly hard to achieve!!!

    The thing is...you're in it now, friend! You are never going to reach that last little percentage. You're always going to want more and your goals are always going to be changing. That's goods, it keeps things exciting, but it can also be discouraging if you let it. Don't let it. Settle into it, relax, and enjoy the process.

    I am totally enjoying the process. I just find waiting to see results frustrating. Even more frustrating that I couldn't train today because of a sore hamstring!!

    I doubt you're alone.
  • WhitneyDurham777
    WhitneyDurham777 Posts: 71 Member
    Not into weight training or serious cutting, but I ran into this resource a number of years ago, and though some of the advice might be on the slightly unhealthy side. Lyle, I believe knows what he is talking about. http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/
  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member
    @WhitneyDurham777 thanks for this - I'll take a look
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Not into weight training or serious cutting, but I ran into this resource a number of years ago, and though some of the advice might be on the slightly unhealthy side. Lyle, I believe knows what he is talking about. http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/

    Lyle is pretty well respected in the industry... he's a good resource. I find him a bit hard to read at times, but his info is sound.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Abs, based on the little bit I've scanned in this thread, you might be at the point where simply doing more isn't the answer. you might need to be more precise, more tailored to your goals and where you're at with respect to those goals.

    If I were you, and maybe you've already done this, I'd give some real clear thought to exactly what I wanted to do/accomplish, then make a very clear post about how to get from your current "really accomplished" state to where ever it is you want to be.

    Most of us don't have the experience to be talking about the 1%.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Abs, based on the little bit I've scanned in this thread, you might be at the point where simply doing more isn't the answer. you might need to be more precise, more tailored to your goals and where you're at with respect to those goals.

    If I were you, and maybe you've already done this, I'd give some real clear thought to exactly what I wanted to do/accomplish, then make a very clear post about how to get from your current "really accomplished" state to where ever it is you want to be.

    Most of us don't have the experience to be talking about the 1%.

    Oh man @jjpptt2 this is deep and hits the nail on the head... I really have to do this too.
  • ItalianVegan777
    ItalianVegan777 Posts: 12 Member
    Wow! You look incredible!!! I could only hope to have that type of muscle definition one day! I think your next step is competition for sure!! A good trainer will get you where you want to be. Good luck girl!
  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member
    @AngelaMaria1975 Thank you so much - you're a sweetie. This has been two years in the making, and its only recently I've thought about competing but would love to be at the state where I could. Watch this space :)
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    abs1970 wrote: »
    @AngelaMaria1975 Thank you so much - you're a sweetie. This has been two years in the making, and its only recently I've thought about competing but would love to be at the state where I could. Watch this space :)

    I'd suggest a few bulk/cut cycles before thinking about getting on stage.

  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member
    abs1970 wrote: »
    @AngelaMaria1975 Thank you so much - you're a sweetie. This has been two years in the making, and its only recently I've thought about competing but would love to be at the state where I could. Watch this space :)

    I'd suggest a few bulk/cut cycles before thinking about getting on stage.

    Absolutely. I'd need proper coaching before getting anywhere near a stage!
  • abs1970
    abs1970 Posts: 235 Member
    sardelsa wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Abs, based on the little bit I've scanned in this thread, you might be at the point where simply doing more isn't the answer. you might need to be more precise, more tailored to your goals and where you're at with respect to those goals.

    If I were you, and maybe you've already done this, I'd give some real clear thought to exactly what I wanted to do/accomplish, then make a very clear post about how to get from your current "really accomplished" state to where ever it is you want to be.

    Most of us don't have the experience to be talking about the 1%.

    Oh man @jjpptt2 this is deep and hits the nail on the head... I really have to do this too.

    So deep and very insightful. Exactly what I need to be doing.
This discussion has been closed.