J3NZ0R Member

Your weight will go up a bit if you build muscle, and building muscle is the only way to look toned. That's why it's sometimes more important to focus on inches than a number on the scale (which can be quite arbitrary). For example, I'm 5'4 and weigh 142, but I'm usually a size 29 in jeans, and the tag on the dress I'm…

Classes, only because they force you to be accountable to something. And they're fun. I'm a BodyPump/BodyStep girl for life. I bought a treadmill a few years ago and never used it. Now, I go to classes four times per week and walk every day. Depends on you, I guess.

The disbelief at lifestyle changes reminds me of a great quote: "People will do anything to lose weight, except exercise and eat right."

Thanks so much for your awesome reply! 2000 sounds scary to me, so maybe I'll try 1800 and work my way up. 2000 just seems like a lot (even though it's totally normal). Sigh. It's so hard when you've been told for so long that deprivation/feeling hungry + over exercising = weight loss. No more!

I posted this as a separate topic, but it might fit in here! See below. --- I know this gets asked A LOT, but I'm mostly just looking for clarification: I am 5'4 and 144 lbs. I'd like to be 130 lbs. I work out five days a week, doing classes. Barbell weights, high-impact step aerobics, spin and the odd core class.…

Bump. I gave this a boring subject.

You might have gained an inch, but how much better do your legs and bum look? Honestly. I'm guessing they look great, tigher jeans and all. :) I, too, am a pear, and I'm all about squats and lunges. Personally, I'd take rock-hard quads and a high, round bum over a flat, saggy behind and pencil legs any day of the week. If…

Almond and soy are two different kinds of milk made by Silk. I'm a big Silk almond fan as it's way low cal (a cup has about 35 calories) but packed with nutrients. Dairy makes me bloated; almond milk doesn't. Plus, it's got a great flavour that adds lots to smoothies and oatmeal. And, if you buy unsweetened, there's no…

Lift weights! I guarantee you won't be "fat" at 128. Or even 138 or 148.

I'm 5'4" SW: 149 CW: 144 GW: 130 I've only lost 5 pounds, but man am I toning since I started lifting heavier. So, my GW may end up being irrelevant.

Oh, and my goal is 130. I have lost inches, but no pounds.

I'm 5'4 and started at 148. I only lost two pounds eating 1200/day for a couple months. I do high intensity work outs four or five times per week, though, so I think I simply wasn't eating enough. Recently upped to 1480; we'll see how that goes!

Strength training is a good thing to add to the roster. Not only will you see better results from all that work you're doing in cardio (ie. you will look more toned after weight loss instead of the dreaded 'skinny fat' because you'll have retained lean muscle) but you are also doing wonders for your skeletal system.…

This right here.

Yes it does. When you're creating too large of a deficit, your metabolism braces itself for trouble and slows right down. You need to change up your diet/exercise both after while, because your body will adapt and you will no longer get results. (And this is info from a professional, for the record.) The human body is a…

Lunges + squats + deadlifts = very nice bum. Trust me. :)

Maybe — but I think the shots were just a way to deal with the deficiency quickly. But yes, I seem to absorb B12 fine, which is great, because weekly needles the require a prescription are THE WORST.

I don't know — I got my diagnosis when I went in for chronic fatigue.

I had to get weekly B12 shots for about three months due to a raging B12 deficiency last year. Once my levels regulated, I was able to switch to a daily pill. That, combined with four to five hours of exercise per week, has done wonders for my energy. But B12 shots aren't the magic weight-loss elixir some people are…

I make plain oatmeal with vanilla soy milk and add 1/4 cup of raisins. Tastes like dessert!

Also, meal planning is huge. I am a journalist with a crazy, on-the-go schedule and I find I'm totally screwed if I don't make a plan and stick to it. In fact, I often fill out my journal for the entire day in the morning. Helps you stay on track.

I took a peek at your diary, and I think it's what you're spending your calories on. I saw a few culprit high cal, high sugar, low-nutrient foods that lead to energy spikes and crashes — and, in the long haul, actually make you hungrier. It's a vicious cycle — but the good news is is that it can be broken with a little…

I've done some research on BMI and it seems like a poor tool to monitor progress. It doesn't factor in muscle mass, for one, so many athletes index in the 'overweight' range. I know of a few people who stopped exercising for a few months due to injuries, saw their quads shrivel up and then were congratulated by their…

Just use a smaller bowl — tricks the brain — and eat a cereal that packs more punch per serving size. I eat a seeds/flax/blueberries one that has 220 cals per 3/4 a cup. Toss a 1/2 cup of soy milk on there and you have yourself a satisfying meal!

I assume you mean GoodLife's BodyCombat? Head over to the Les Mills website. They have average calorie burns for all their classes, including BodyStep, RPM, BodyPump, etc. These classes have high burns as they're intense; I know I burn up to 700 doing 50 minutes of RPM. Hope that helps!