dragonbug300 Member

So, the people above are quite right: you can't spot reduce, you need to lose overall fat before the shapely muscle is noticed, "abs are made in the kitchen", and you should talk to a medical professional, etc. All that being said, I would highly recommend Pilates for light midsection toning. Generally you can take…

Yes, but I try very hard not to over-estimate how much I burn through exercise. For example, accounting for walking breaks during a long run, or accounting for the minute rest between sets of weight lifting, Or, if you go to a fitness class recognize that there's a 10-minute warmup, water breaks, and a 10-minute cool-down.…

My mother swears by Bob Greene's Best Life Diet. It helped me figure out healthy portions and foods when I was younger. I read it in book form, but I bet you can find the general guidelines with a little snooping around the internet.

Of course! But that doesn't mean you need to feel dejected. 20 pounds is a lot to lose, just imagine how much better you look in those pictures now than you would have if you hadn't been working so hard the last few months. Don't be ashamed to join gyms or fitness classes. The fitness classes I've been to always have a…

Don't worry about your metabolism. Unless you have a pre-existing condition, your metabolism will balance itself out pretty quickly. It probably already has. Your body is pretty great like that. I had anorexia for 5 years and upon recovery ended up becoming a terrible binge eater. Your mind is consumed by fear, and the…

When you let it sit long enough it doesn't feel mealy. There's a little texture, but not a bad one (then again, I love flax bread). I don't know what you would define as 'slimy'. I mean, it's pudding. It has the texture of pudding, which to me is pretty slimy to begin with. I would say try a little if you're curious and…

I experienced a similar reaction 2 years ago after a week in the hospital for cellulitis. I couldn't walk for 2 weeks and couldn't run or jump for 2 months. While I was in the hospital I gained 10 pounds partially due to the saline solution that they pumped into me all week. I was panicked and terrified. The water weight…

I could go on forever about bodyweight routines, I have a thousand, but I'll give you one that I've been doing while studying abroad. (fyi there is no "best" that's entirely too subjective, I just like this one a lot and it's easy to modify) warm up with 10-15 minutes on your stationary bike (or run 1 mile). There are 5…

Honestly, it's normal for your body to avoid bowel movements as it loses weight. If you're going at all, drinking and eating right, you should be fine. But, if you insist, it could be helpful to do a veggie diet ("cleanse" if you prefer) for a few days. Basically, you take veggies high in fiber and nutrients: Kale,…

There's nothing wrong with working out two days in a row. Plenty of people have only one rest day a week. If you're talking about strength training alone, just be sure to not do the same workout at the gym twice in a row. It's boring and it's not allowing you to hit all of the muscles that you could--also could lead to…

Definitely try yoga. If you're anything like every person I've ever known, you'll probably hate the first class and then love the feeling afterwards enough to go back. Forewarned is forearmed. "Does anyone incorporate it as part of their fitness routine?" I do! As often as physically possible! However, I do not consider it…

I don't think that consistency logging into MFP is a good measure for consistency in diet. I only use MFP when I'm in situations that are difficult to control food-and-exercise-wise. I use it like a tool: I pick it up when I think I might need it and put it down when it's no longer necessary. Now, as for sticking to diets…

Hi ianthy, I'm studying abroad in Guatemala for the same amount of time. I've been here almost 3 weeks, and here's what I've found: I am able to do bodyweight workouts in my bedroom (I, too, live with a host family). I told my host family that I'm very active and that I'd like time to myself to do yoga and workout, and…

Heavy lifting is great for muscle building and maintenance of a great figure, but it's not imperative for health. There will be some people who will bash all forms of functional fitness and moderate lifting, and then there are those who dismiss heavy lifting and go for functional. It all depends on your philosophy. What it…

^ This. 100% I know it's based on a classic novel... that doesn't make the ending any more satisfying of worthwhile.

Get it boy! That's spectacular!

Solid, thanks guys! :happy:

Cool deal. It doesn't really matter what anyone's definition of 'heavy lifting' is, just as long as you're feeling a resistance/burn in what you do. And good for you for finding something you can maintain whilst moving countries! That's got to be tough. Heh, and yes, that is me. I'm a yoga instructor in my spare time.…

Awesome. Tabatas/HIIT are the best. I would still *try* to go a bit heavier with the weights each week, but your plan looks well-rounded overall. And thank you ;) I'm fond of choosing pics that walk the line between silly and impressive.

Looks good to me. What's your rep/weight ratio?

Full-body strength training is where it's at. It'll make your upper body look more proportional and your lower body more toned. I recommend weighted lunges, squats, bicep curls, tricep extensions, etc. Mixing it up is good, too. I recommend pilates if you're new to exercise, and yoga if you find yourself low on endurance…

Once you feel well enough to exercise, start lifting weights. Hit the gym, the exercise, with a maintainable ferocity and don't let go. Don't do it for the pant sizes, don't do it to lose weight, do it because after a workout you have accomplished something to be proud of that day. If you start exercising with that kind of…

So, as a lactose intolerant person, I LOVE soymilk. I will drink that stuff up, and I have been for at least 20 of the 21 years I've been alive. I've tried the alternatives (almond, rice, coconut) and they just don't measure up taste-wise or nutrient-wise to me. FULL DISCLOSURE: Soy does contain phytoestrogens, which may…

Pick a maintainable diet and exercise regimen and STICK TO IT FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The only changes you should make are those that help you in the right direction, not lead you off the path that would lead to your goal. The people you see who are able to maintain awesome bodies are the ones who stick to the plan. That…

I'm 5'6" and 145lbs my boyfriend is 6'2" and 170lbs. He's all sinew and no fat, whereas I have a lot of muscle for a woman but big thighs and some unflattering rolls about the belly. He likes to grab my biceps and tell me I have "BEASTLY WOMAN ARMS" which didn't flatter me at first, although he refers to me as "petite" and…

Bunny rabbit.

Both. Always do both. Find a routine that works for you, depending on your current level of fitness. I've seen the best results by doing 30-45 minutes of intense cardio 4 times a week, 3 days of some light cardio (which includes active jobs, long walks, yoga, sports, etc.) and strength training 3-5 times a week. When you…

Mine is Katherine. I always disliked how common it is. Still do. I would have loved a unique name like Sheriden, Kerrigan, or perhaps something a bit more creative. Still, I wear my name well. It comes from the greek word for purity, which is a character trait that nearly everyone who meets me automatically assigns…

Squats, lunges, all that jazz. The more advanced you are, the heavier weights you can use. If you want a more well-rounded strength workout (arms, legs, core) I highly recommend looking up Zwow on youtube. Zuzka has some excellent workouts you can do with just a couple weights. Also, Bodyrock.tv has some awesome workouts…

Dem calves. Also: Yes.