mbcieslak87 Member

I agree that taking a look at Stronglifts 5x5, or a similar program would benefit you. Its nice to have a specific program to follow and it takes all the guesswork out it. Stronglifts even has an app that keeps track of exactly what you should be lifting each time on each exercise and tells you how much to deload if you…

I definitely dealt with this too - it took me a long time to find the motivation to get back at it after our wedding... I think maybe having a specific goal in mind might help, as that obviously motivated you for your wedding, or finding a program you really enjoy. For me personally, I ellipticalled 90 minutes a day before…

Exactly what TeaBea said!

In general I would not use strength training as a way to "earn" extra calories for the day; there is just not an accurate enough way to nail down what you actually burn. Also Heart Rate Monitors are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to strength training, or any activity that stops and starts a lot. And MFP's estimates…

You will get lean from a calorie deficit - how you create a calorie deficit is up to you, but most people would agree that you can't out-work a bad diet, so definitely start there if you're trying to lean out. That being said, both cardio and lifting serve their purpose and I think that people have different experiences…

I work full time and go to class til 10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so the only time I can fit in a full session at the gym on those days is the mornings, so I devote those to lifting days, as well as Sundays. On Monday, Wedneday, and Fridays I just see how I feel; they are cardio days and I typically do better with cardio…

Yes, a digital scale can make all the difference in the world! And luckily they're very cheap - 15 -20 dollars at my local grocery store, I know. Don't lose hope just make adjustments until something works and do your research - are the methods you "think" are "healthy" actually backed by scientific proof? And also, be…

If you tend to be super hungry on rest days, save your calories for those days... a weekly average is fine as long as it's still a deficit. I find if I work out in the morning, by the evening I'm usually really hungry but if I work out in the evening it might not hit me until the next day, which is often a rest day or at…

I find myself getting very hungry for a day or two when I ovulate and then some months right before I start. However, I weirdly find that I'm not usually overly hungry and that my BEST workouts happen when I'm actually on my period - maybe because I feel bloated. Regardless of my hunger level, I always feel bloated before…

I agree with many above me - I use them when I am pressed for time, such as days when I need to run errands on my lunch break and forgot to pack a lunch (I typically go home and cook on my lunch breaks though) or occasionally when my husband is out just because they're an easy single serving (although who are we kidding, I…

This! Don't buy the stuff you don't want to eat regularly - if its carbs that you are looking to limit, don't buy them! Then they are an occasional treat when you're out, instead of a regular thing. I still maintain that you don't have to limit your carbs to break your plateau, but I do follow this advice and buy mostly…

I agree that protein and fats will help you feel full longer often... but that doesn't mean you're not still practicing CICO... you can eat low carb if it helps you achieve CICO, but it's still CICO. Taking out carbs and replacing them with fats and proteins will not help this person break his plateau if he eats more…

As people have said before, it's really all about CICO... I've never had a problem losing weight if I keep my calories in a deficit. That being said you have to remember that your intake needs to be adjusted every 5-10lbs you lose to maintain your deficit keep losing. Also keep in mind that weight loss is not always linear…

Fat causes health problems and loose skin does not... so for that reason alone, don't let a fear of loose skin hold you back... especially because genetics plays a huge role and you may not have any issues. Furthermore, if it bothers you a lot, once you lose the weight, give yourself a "keep it off" time period, where you…

I only get nervous after I've had a splurge (or many) - basically I never weigh myself on Mondays and let myself even out from the weekend... but in general, weight fluctuates and as long as the trend is down, I don't get too bent out of shape anymore.

I mean IMO pushups are so incredibly difficult until you build up some arm and chest strength. I would try to do them in p90x and constantly hurt my shoulder. Once I started benching I was able to work up to push ups with good form, but if you think about it your arms are holding approximately half your weight in a push…

Yeah, I agree with those above me; many people can drop several pounds first week of a new plan, so 8 lbs in a month, especially compounded by being sick, is definitely not unheard of, or even unlikely. I would bet it tapers off to 2-3 lbs a month, especially since you're pretty close to your goal. Good Luck!

Exactly - I don't know if even The Rock eats 35,000 calories in 3x days, let alone above and beyond maintenance.

Unless you ate 35,000 calories over your maintenance, then you didn't really gain this. I easily fluctuate 5-7 lbs with a bad weekend but it usually is back down to normal by Wednesday. Drink a lot of water and forgive yourself.

YES! Definitely increase your weights as the program prescribes. I personally haven't done ICF 5x5 but did do Stronglifts and it had us increasing every workout by 5lbs for squats, bench, OHP, and bent over row and 10lbs per workout for deads until failure. By the end of month 3x I was deadlifting 190 and squatting 160 and…

Exactly what I was thinking - you're undereating and over-working your body. I have never heard of a tried and true full body weight-lifting program that prescribes lifting 5-6 days a week. Your body need to recover. That being said, you're not gaining... fat or muscle... To to OP - I would seriously cut back on the…

Everything that was said above - especially consistency and a food scale! But also, keeping in mind that this is a lifestyle change, and that with life comes exceptions and special events... learning to not beat myself up over slip-ups was the hardest part for me...

I would definitely ask your doctor; A LOT of data/research recently points to dietary cholesterol having very little impact on blood cholesterol levels overall. I would think that cutting major calories like you've done is much better for you overall than worrying about your cholesterol intake. But ask your doctor (and…

I run on my off days, and especially during stage one and didn't have much of a problem doing so, so you should be fine... the only thing I sometimes struggled with is running the day after deadlifts, because my calves were sometimes dead. As far as diet, I tried to a 30:30:40 goal for macros but that put my protein at…

It seems like you are just replacing your third day of lifting each week with a different lifting program - body pump... I have no issue with cardio or pilates/yoga type workouts on off days, but why add a different weight training program into an already dynamic program?

Sounds like your parents need to do some research. Also use a food scale - they're cheap and they help soooo much. That being said so much affects the number on the scale - I can literally vary more than 5 lbs in a day, no problem. One morning I'll weigh 141.2 and then the next morning under the exact same conditions I'll…

Weight loss is about calories - so if you truly hate exercise then don't exercise... However that being said, I don't think many of us started this journey thinking "I just love to exercise" because if we did, most of us wouldn't be here. So, in that frame of mind, find something you like! You don't need to do these super…

I just suggest googling "healthy recipes with ______" and and ingredient you like... the internet is full of great ideas (or pinterest) and it's tough for us to give you recipe ideas without knowing what you like and what you currently eat. Besides the length of preparation, number of ingredients a person is willing to…

Welcome both of y'all! I know when you're new it can be a bit daunting but some of the best things I've ever heard on here include: -Read and learn to differentiate the science from the "bro-science/BS" - there is so much information out there about how best to lose weight, but in the end, its just about burning more than…

Just finished stage 1 yesterday - have AMRAP tomorrow and Thursday and then a week off from lifting where I will just focus on light cardio and yoga - so excited. I have noticed general tone everywhere increase but especially in my stomach... granted I have always slimmed down in my stomach first, but lately had been…