ShapingTheLaw Member

Thanks Vismal :)

Hi Vismal, I recall on one of your older posts here or in Calorie 101 you recommended a particular whey protein. I believe it was the Gold Standard by ON? ...I was using Nitro Tech by Muscle Tech but they've recently changed their ingredients and I'm not happy about it. Basically, I have to use more to get 30 grams of…

Excellent responses! I ended up getting the Charge HR for Mother's day. I'm loving it. I think the heart rate feature is pretty accurate. I just wish it would remind me to move often.

Thanks Vismal... I will definitely look up leangains and forget about the baby steps

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm in the market for a Fitbit (for Mother's day. I'm looking for recommendations too!

I meant to quote Elite's advise above. And I feel like a bad *kitten*, not a kitten.

Wow this is excellent advise! It took me lots of searching and experimenting to figure out what "cutting" or leaning out workout differs from bulking. You are probably the 2nd person here on mfp who could explain it do simply. As a woman, I guard or protect my hard-earned muscle. It took me two years to lose weight lbs and…

Hi Vismal! Thanks SO much for getting back to me on this. I tried to go without eating when I lift (I work out in the mornings) but it negatively impacts my strength. It's weird but I only eat a protein rich "snack" but it makes a big difference in my performance. Although, honestly, I haven't tried to give it a whole…

The older you get the more important it is to lift weights because you lose lots of muscle each year especially if you are over 35. But it also depends on your goals and what you want to look like. I lost over 40 lbs when I started I did both cardio and lifted. But now that I'm at a comfortable weight (maintenance), I lift…

Hi Vismal, I haven't visited here in awhile. I've lost about 45 pounds in the last two years. I've gained quite a bit of lean muscle. I've done several lifting programs from 5x5 to Strong Curves. I'm in "maintenance" at the moment but I would like to lean out another 5 lbs by this summer. I'm only 5'2 1/2 so 5 lbs is like…

Thanks Elite and Erick. I have been lifting heavy for awhile and I often read that the weight should be lessened on a cut with high reps. For me, when I tried that, I lost my hard earned muscle which, for a female, is VERY hard to rebuild. Thanks for the correction.

I've been struggling for about 6 years with insomnia. I've done it all. I've seen sleep soeciaoists, lost 40+ lbs., etc. I fall asleep easily but wake up several times in the middle of the night. About 3 years ago, I waa diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I take meds for it. Apparently, insomnia is a symptom of hypothyroidism.…

I lift over at 24 Hour on NW side of town.

Thanks for your honest response on carb cycling. It's good to know that you were still able to lean out so well without carb cycling. As for the foam rolling my time is pretty limited at the gym, so I think I'll pass. Take care now!

Vismal, I enjoy coming back to this thread. I really like your "ask me anything" approach. I have a couple of questions about your leaning out phase: 1. Did you or do you carb cycle? Why or why not? I am considering doing so but I'm on the fence about it. 2. What's with the foam rolling craze? My time is limited at the gym…

@Sumiblue, I have the same issue. I like the Gorgeous Glutes workout on Strong Curves. I'm on week 6 and I can see more definition on my hamstrings and glutes. Not sure if you have the book but there are several "programs" to choose from. I do the G.G. which is like an "add-on" to your existing workout. It's simply 4…

Sounds yummy and easy! Thanks SO much for sharing it! I'm gonna try this fir me and my kids. I'll probably substitute with Stevia though because I'm still leaning out. Thanks again :)

Hi Dre, I hope Vismal doesn't mind if I chime in on your question. It stood out to me because I had the same problem when I started lifting about 11 months ago. I am able to build muscle very easily on my upper body but my butt and thighs take more work. I've lost over 30 lbs since then. I'm built like JLo if that helps…

.[/quote] It doesn't matter how much fat you eat so long as you are in a caloric deficit. Many people lose weight eating 40% or more of their calories in the form of fat. Just stick to your deficit and you'll be fine. [/quote] Thanks Vismal!

I was meaning to post this on your Calorie 101 not here. Sorry. Hope you'll still respond.

I'm struggling to get a straight up answer from the "experts" and there's too much ideology on this subject. Since I know you'll be honest and you've obviously done your research on this subject, I'm asking you what you think of the following or what has worked for you. I'm currently weighing 124 lbs and trying to "lean…

Hi. I just completed Livefit three times in the past 9-10 months. I lost over 25 lbs. I highly recommend it. I saw results and I'm a lot older than you ladies.

I think Vismal will probably tell you to make sure you weigh and measure and record everything you eat. And, after 2 weeks or so, if there is still no progress, create a larger caloric deficit. I had the same dilemma and that was his response along with, "do not eat back the calories you burn." I took his advice and…

SALYGIRL, you might want to have your thyroid checked out especially if you are over 35. I had a tough time initially losing the weight. I had to insist and insist to my doctor that there was something else wrong with me because the fatigue I was feeling was very real. After testing, I had an under active thyroid. I'm on…

Good for you. You were smart to make adjustments that worked for you. ☺

Perrfect response! I like structure and boudaries too. I also wanted to add to this discussion that I think it's very important that we keep in mind that 1200 or whatever formula you get based on your activity level, height and, yes, age is a guideline. And, that there's no size fits all. It's naive to tell someone that…

Forgot to mention that it does get easier. For example, I used to eat late at night while watching TV to de-stress from work. I no longer crave the late night binges. But it took about about month to get over that bad habit! That was a hard one for me.

Nope!! I still hear the witch, but I don't give in as often. It's a fight EVERY DAY for me but knowing that it is helps me plan ahead for it. I'm not fanatic nor have the time to plan my meals days in advance but on a daily basis, I do plan. When eating out, I also look at the menus on my phone before I even step into a…

SALYGIRL: You say the scale hasn't moved for you but have you lost inches? I weight train too and do cardio at least 5 times a week. I have an example of weight training with cardio vs. cardio only. A good friend of mine who is my height, 5'2. I am a year older than she is. We both have children. We both eat healthy. She…