mereditheve Member

Protein helps your body rebuild muscle. It does not, by itself, make you lose weight unless you are eating fewer net calories. Protein is good both before and after a workout. I typically will have BCAAs prior to a workout and drink whey protein shakes after. However, unless you are exercising very intensely and working to…

Shoulders!

Aww come on, re-racking other people's weights is a big part of my workout routine! :) I would ask if they would let you out of your contract since they substantially changed the service they are providing you. Then find a gym that caters to people who lift and isn't likely to change their business model anytime soon.

Adding one more thing to the list I sent you earlier... Supersets - I do TONS of these (literally), especially when I'm working out at hotel gyms whose weights are limited to dumbbells and have nothing higher than 45 or 50lb dumbbells. It's a good way to keep your heart rate elevated and maximizes blood flow and lactic…

1 - no, you don't need steroids 2 - lift intensely enough to cause micro-tears to muscle fibers so your body rebuilds muscle, you may want to incorporate pre-workout or creatine into your workout regimen. Creatine, by the way, has a greater impact on women than it does men. Just be aware that you will also need to drink a…

Unless you are lactose intolerant, vegan or just don't like milk, the only reason to drink almond milk over regular milk would be: 1 - Fewer calories if you drink unsweetened almond milk (30 calories per serving, vs. 80 calories for skim milk) 2 - More vitamin E in almond milk than in regular milk 3 - It's not bad for you,…

Best parts about being single: - Traveling alone to adventurous destinations (I could still do this, but now I'd rather take my husband with me) - Talking to/meeting new people (used to do this more, but I think marriage made me less interested in meeting more people since my opening line usually needs to include "by the…

Thank you for sharing that -- I've always thought "how could anyone get that big?" I guess the truth is, everyone has different reasons, different catalysts, different stories. I am so glad to hear you found the motivation to lose weight and seem to be in a much happier state of mind. Congrats!

OP: what you're describing is absolutely doable. You'll just have to be more methodical about it than the people who bulk by eating tons of food and then cut later. 0.8g protein per pound of body weight is about the right amount to build muscle. There's no need to overdo protein intake. You'll also need to ensure you are…

Check out youtube for some good yoga instructional videos. All at your own pace and if you don't like a particular program, at least you didn't spend a lot on the DVDs! You might like a series by "doyouyoga" called the 30-day yoga challenge that is good for beginners and is a slower pace than the Jillian Michael's videos.

Weight loss itself will slow down your metabolism. A common myth is that thin people have a faster metabolism, but actually your metabolism is highest when you are at your heaviest. So expect that your metabolism will slow down as you lose weight simply by virtue of the fact that your body has less mass to maintain. That…

I travel quite frequently and use whatever is on hand for workouts at times -- including lifting my suitcase, doing decline pushups on hills, and pull-ups on tree branches. There will be plenty for you to do to continue lifting if you are ok foregoing a traditional gym environment for those 10 days. Here's a decent article…

Hi there and welcome! Work is one of the biggest challenges for me also. I work long hours and it can be pretty exhausting. I schedule my workout time the same way I would schedule a meeting -- you wouldn't miss an important meeting, so why miss a workout meeting with yourself? Stress eating can be a problem if your go-to…

Hi, I know just how you feel. I have a difficult time feeling hungry if I'm sad also. Easier said than done, but try not to dwell on it. Look forward, not backward. And realize that you will remember the past more fondly than it really was. What you have right now is TODAY, not yesterday and not tomorrow. Make the most of…

I fly a lot for work and the biggest surprise for me was how many calories are in those little snack boxes they sell -- nearly 800 calories!

You are my same height - 4'11" although you've got about 100 lbs on me right now. But the good part about that is you are probably already stronger than you think just from carrying that much weight with you on a daily basis. I am a big proponent of lifting, especially if you are already able to move a significant amount…

I don't really drink soda, not because it's *bad* for you, but because there's nothing *good* for you in it and I would rather drink water. If you enjoy it, I see no reason to avoid drinking it, as long as you are receiving adequate nutrition in the other foods/drinks you consume and you are brushing your teeth.

Actually by "bee pollen" I mean bee pollen. Bee pollen contains vitamins, lipids, proteins, minerals, etc. and is not sweet, so it should not be confused with honey. Honey does not contain bee pollen. You mention soy, although it does contain good cholesterol, it has been shown to have almost no impact on reducing bad…

I would get a second opinion. Vegan does not mean healthy or lower cholesterol. My former roommate was a strict vegan and a fanatic about eating unprocessed foods and no dairy products whatsoever. She constantly lectured me about how much whole milk I drank, and the fact that I eat foie gras and lamb. She had a stroke...…

Strong... because it's just so satisfying to be the little lady picking up heavier weights than the big guys. :)

I don't know why we even talk about these like they are real... don't get me wrong, I have nothing against pageants, and they are not solely physical competitions. Having been in pageants, most of it is fake. I would know -- I saw my fellow contestants pre-makeup and pre-body-enhancing-implements, duct tape and butt glue,…

He would benefit from thinking before he speaks... and adhering to the old adage "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all" I personally would not be with anyone who compared me to other women in such a crude and immature way. The only "comparison" my husband ever makes is to tell me how he's…

Yes, you absolutely can. I often work out before bed because sometimes it's the only time I can get a workout in... and I am right there with you on picking times when no one else is there so all the equipment is available. Sleep is critical for recovery after a workout, and it doesn't matter if you sleep within 2 minutes…

I've taken care of family members who were undergoing chemo and it is really difficult for them to keep their weight up to a healthy level. Additionally, chemo seemed to change their sense of taste, so it was difficult for them to enjoy eating, even foods that they previously loved. Ice cream always seemed to be a hit when…

Honestly, your weight amounts sound a bit off to me. Normally, I'd expect your bicep curls to be less weight than your upright rows. For example, if you do 40# curls (either 20# per arm dumbbells or a 40# barbell), I'd expect your upright rows to be closer to 70#. You mention you lift your kids, but that motion usually…

Good point!

**THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TONING** (not yelling, just emphasizing) You can do two things: - Build muscle - Lose fat That's it. There are no other options. I lift heavy... usually more than the guys I see at the gym. You can view my photos if you must -- am I "bulky?" If so, then don't follow my advice. There's a…

Pain is weakness leaving the body... keep it up!

Welcome to the world of lifting! This is also my passion and I'm glad you're enjoying it also. Here are my tips for starting out: 1 - Lifting is all about balance -- don't be afraid to lift heavy weights, but don't lift so much that you hurt yourself. Remember, you still need to work out the next day so don't overdo it…

Ok... let's slow down... I know someone very well who actually heard the same thing from her then-boyfriend. He told her she needed to lose 20 lbs before he would ask her to marry him. When I heard this, my reaction was, "who needs him? what a jerk!" I am happy to say that I was so wrong about him. They have been happily…