kirstyfairhead Member

Yep, weightlifting!! You can't really pinpoint love-handles, the only way you'll lose those is through losing body fat but a good all-over weight lifting program will cover all those other areas nicely.

Hi I'm 39yrs and 4' 11.5". I started at 168 and just hit 122. I have achieved most of my results purely through low calories and Zumba 3 or 4 times per week. I have often (but not consistently) fallen below the recommended 1200 cals per day and not seemed to have a negative response to this. I think this is because I am a…

Anyone???

A pause in weight loss is pretty normal so if it's just been two or 3 weeks then don't worry too much. Keep doing what you are doing and it will come off. If it really persists then try taking a break, go up to maintenance calories (but not over) for a couple of weeks and then cut back again. I can't tell you the science…

I think at this stage you listen to your body and what it is doing. Real life is the real test. If you do not want to lose more weight then you will need to establish your real maintenance level. In order to find your maintenance I would suggest you just increase cals by 100 per day for a couple of weeks at a time and keep…

If you have no experience I would recommend following a programme, I'm using New Rules of Lifting for Women but I work out at a gym, you may find others that are more appropriate for home workouts!! I have found it really helps to have a plan to follow and instructions on how to perform the various lifts. Good Luck!

I'm lifting heavy (BWx1 on squats and deadlifts) and still on a 300-500 cal per day deficit as I'm looking to reduce BF%. Mostly working on 300 deficit max on lifting days and up to 500 on non lifting days, but I've only got around 8lbs to go. Important to make sure you have the energy to do a decent workout but a deficit…

Not so sure the muscle relaxants and whisky are a great mix....sounds like fun though!! The only suggestion I can add is massage!! Try some deep, firm massage and then vigorous rubbing in the affected area for at least 15mins to improve blood flow. Then use the ice 20mins on 20mins off for as long as you can. I'm not an…

I agree it's really quite difficult, I'm approaching 40 and had put on 4 stone over the last twelve years (used to be quite slim and well into the normal BMI range). My original target was to hit a normal BMI again (125lbs just takes me in as I'm a real shorty). I would recommend that this is a good place to start and by…

Know just how you feel!! With the dead-lifts I've been doing the first set with maximum weight I can hold and then a couple of sets with straps so my forearms/grip is still being pushed. Don't know if this is the best theory but so don't want to hold up my dead-lift weight by having woosy hands! Not been doing pull ups yet…

Thanks :happy: I've got the same thing as you, with having almost equal dead-lift and squat numbers when most people have higher dead-lifts. I've been struggling with grip, just not able to hold on to the bar with more weight on it, so just got some straps. I know a lot of people don't recommend them but I'm working hard…

4' 11" 128lbs Deadlift and Squat - 130lbs x 10 Leg Press - 240lbs x 10 Doing sets of 10 at the moment with my program, drop to 6's next week so will see how I get on then. Have no idea of 1RM, still a newb and not tested yet!!

Are most people really saying don't do ab work or are they suggesting that folks should do compound lifts because you get ab/core strength as well as other benefits!!! I'm thinking that killing two birds, or in this case multiple birds, with one stone is a fairly good philosophy and a pretty efficient way to work out. I…

I just had cheeseburger for my dinner. Home made burger using extra lean beef, with onion and peppers almost dry fried and my 'bun' was two large grilled mushrooms. Pop in some low fat cheese and then mayo and chutney cos burgers not burger without sauce, add lettuce and fresh tomatoes and all done. It was fab and tasty…

Free Weights. But then again, I've never used machines. I'm not at a stage where I want to target a specific muscle group so it's all about compound movements for me!!

My sister had around 85lbs to lose, she lost 9lbs in the first week (clearly a lot of water) then 4lb, then 3lb and then steadied up at around 1lb per week or just over and has been losing this consistently for around 4 months. I think it is not so tough to start out with big numbers but a whole different thing to maintain…

When you say abs are your problem area, do you mean this is where you are still holding on to excess weight or that you are already lean and happy with your definition everywhere other than your abs??? I ask this only because a lot of people do ab work-outs assuming that this will get rid of their bit of tummy flab and…

I am just about to hit a healthy BMI (3lbs to go) and I've lost 40lbs to get here. It has taken me a year to do this although I had about a 4 month period, in the middle, of maintenance due to a car accident and subsequent injury/recovery etc..... so 8 months of actual calorie deficit. If you have 30lbs to lose then I…

What exercise are you doing?? If you are doing cardio then maybe try some high intensity interval training. You won't want to do any more than 30mins of this (I promise!!) and you will burn at least as many calories as an hour of traditional cardio (or at least I certainly do) If you are happy to lift then this will give…

You may be doing the wrong thing to achieve your goal and that is always going to be unsatisfying!! Maybe you should take some time to think about exactly what result you want and then put together a reasonable plan to get there. If you don't think you really need to lose much weight but feel like you are skinny fat then…

4' 11" Starting Weight - 168 Current Weight - 128 Goal - around 23% bf 1350 on cardio days (2 x week) 1350 on rest days (2 x week) 1500 on lifting+HIIT days (3 x week)

Calories, calories and then calories! Keep a weather eye on your macro's but calories has to be the big focus right now. I am at the body re-comp stage and although I'm now more focussed on my macro's, particularly on getting enough protein, I still wouldn't mess with my calorie level purely to hit my macro's.

Just had lamb shish kebab with a little garlic sauce, lots of salad and no pitta. Yum yum!!!

Hi Ya I would recommend locking yourself in a room for the week and paying someone to only pass lettuce leaves under the door!!! If this seems a little impractical however then I find a nice cup of tea helps!! Seriously though, I want to eat the world at that time of the month and it is hard to stay focussed, I find that…

Well I guess I would just have to stick to using my 4' 11" and 128lbs to intimidate you instead..... the guys in the weight room at my gym are way scared I can tell!!! :wink:

We have been openly oggled by men wherever we are for centuries so it's just your turn..... You can't be going and getting all fit at the gym then saying we don't get the chance for a quick sideways glance at least. :laugh: Actually we are mostly just working out too.....and maybe thinking you could have done a better job…

This. lol :laugh:

Some people prefer not to eat late but I don't think there is a huge amount of evidence to say that eating late would significantly inhibit weight loss. I've lost 40lbs eating whenever I like and fairly often that includes a snack before bedtime.

I'm not down to my last 5lbs yet, although I'm getting close, but don't lose hope, even 1lb in a month is a step in the right direction and all the time it is going down it means that eventually you will get there. I/2lb is a real victory when you are this close to goal so just be patient. It's taken me a year to lose…

Are you quite new to lifting?? I evened out for a few weeks when I first started lifting but then the scales started going down again. At the end of the day, as long as you maintain a reasonable deficit and keep at it, the weight will come off. You're doing great so far, well done!!