AbbyPDX Member

We're pretty close! Age: 41 HW: 137 CW: 134 GW: 123 but mostly just to lose body fat/be toned

I think (especially) women tend to start out lifting way less than they are capable of. Is it possible when you started out you didn't know what it felt like to push yourself or max out? If so and you've gotten used to that, it might just be that you're getting more comfortable with lifting, form, being strong, etc. In…

I wonder what it is about that weight. 5'2" and been stuck at 132 for months... I should say that's my HIGHEST weight, not my lowest. But it crept up from a comfortable 125 and isn't budging no matter what I do (higher cal, lower cal, more exercise, less exercise, more weights, more cardio, blah blah blah). Glad to know…

I'm giving what I'm doing (as prescribed by Sara and Sidesteel) for another week and a half and if I see no change, I'll probably try out 5:2. I feel like I've tried every calorie amount across the board to see what works for me and none has my weight budging more than 2 lbs in 5 months (amazing!). My mother who is 72 is…

So it sounds like it's a matter of preference, so long as your numbers come to the same point and you're getting all your nutrients in. Good to know as a potential alternative. But I'll stick with one thing at a time. Thanks.

While we're here, as another option, any thoughts on 5:2 IF? My mother has been doing it and swears by it. I've been reading a lot about it on the forums here and all around the interwebs. From what I understand in terms of exercise (which I am not willing to give up) that if you can do your heavy workouts on feed days, it…

Fair point :-) The higher numbers (upwards of 2100) were a 'reset' I believe. The 1700 was supposed to be the cut. To be equally fair, I went running with a friend today who said although my measurements may be the same, I definitely look 'firmer'. I do think that may be true in the belly area although I never hear anyone…

Hm, the opposite of what dan says (eat a bit more or work out less). I love a conflicting result. Perhaps I will spend one more week doing as he says and if nothing changes, I'll swap over to your plan and see if that has an effect. I'm not big on the 'less exercise' because I do really enjoy it. But more exercise…

No thoughts still, huh... Perhaps I am just a snowflake. One more week at 1700 cals. Dropped down to 4 days work out instead of 5-6 to allow body recovery. No change as of this morning. I'm amazing anyone's weight/measurements can stay as steady as mine for this long with as many changes as I've made. Like a fortress.…

Last summer I was running a bit more in addition to the classes. During the time I gained the 5lbs (Sept-Dec) I'd say I was just doing the classes for the most part (winter) but also eating differently an was maybe going only 3-4 times per week. As of January I'm doing the classes still but more like 5-6x/week and around…

Hm, I'd thought I'd heard it all but 'slow carb' is new to me. I'd say I'm 95% that as well. Like I said, helped with the bloat but not body fat. Do you think the weight you gained was fat or water or...? I still haven't figured out what works for me. Trying to hit a sweet spot number-wise and haven't found out yet.…

Looks like I'm the 'winner' (winner winner chicken dinner!). I stopped getting my period abruptly at around 33. Asked my gyn about it... he told me I was 'stressed'. I told him actually, no, I'm pretty non stressed. This went on for about a year until I finally convinced him to test me. Levels were down to the ground and I…

Interesting. I cut down on my carbs big time between December and January and noticed a huge change in one thing - BLOAT. No more belly distention over my jeans randomly (sometimes it would be the next day). But no body fat loss that I know of. How low do you go for your carbs?

You folks are busy saving the world one lb at a time... you'll get no s**t from me :-)

Thanks! I don't know how to edit but I did NOT mean my fat is average of 90. It's probably usually around 65 or so sometimes going up as high as 80s. Sorry 'bout that.

Here is what Dan the Man told me for calculating what to eat on the 5 days: To do 5:2 correctly: Get calculated tdee and multiply by 7. Divide that by 5. Subtract 1000. That's your daily intake. For example: My tdee is 2400 2400x7=16800 Divide by 5=3360 Subtract 1000=2360 That's what I'll eat 5 days a week. The other 2…

I just took a look at the Venus plan... it doesn't talk much about what you should eat and makes a point to say they can work around any diet. What do you eat to make that change?? Is that transformation just from lifting?

Thanks all for your thoughts. I do weigh my food but was saying even for "1/2 cup quinoa" I see different calorie counts for dry on here. I guess I need to start taking a pen and paper to the grocery store and writing the content off the bulk section (where I buy the majority of my grains). I do weigh my steak, but my…

Funny this didn't get a lot of replies... I guess the answer is, "No, we can't really know. Good luck with that" :-)

this morning my boyfriend told me my guns are bigger than his ;-) Nice work! Keep up that running!

Instead of ice, freeze your bananas or other fruit and they will act like ice without adding the foam.

A tablespoon of this in your glass. I chug mine down! And I hate vinegar, this is just tasty and supposedly good for you. http://www.genkisu.com/

I was just looking for this exact wording to post it and here it is! Love that one.

I'm also knock kneed (thanks mom who I know is reading this!). When I first started working out I got terrible tendonitis, possibly because of it. What helps me was gentle strengthening of the muscles around and especially above the knee. Leg extensions (sorry guy above me - I used a machine) with a light weight to start.…

Not eating enough possibly, especially if you're getting exercise. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/943139-weight-loss-cheat-sheet-ipoarm

I use it for kale chips because it has a cheesy taste when cooked. Washed kale, dry well, toss in a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, shake on some nutritional/brewer's yeast, bake until crispy at around 400 degrees. Delish!

Extra sharp cheddar cheese. The medium stuff is fine, I'm not interested in it unless it's been aged for a decade! Then I'll nibble at it like a starving rat. and Chocolate Anything that's 'unhealthy' (ie trans fats, corn oil, deep fried, processed junk - gross).

All natural turkey jerky Smoothie (almond milk, fruit, protein power, nut butter, spinach) I find this is something I can have late at night that tastes like 'dessert' so I can get it down eve if I'm mostly full. I also make 'power pancakes' that I have in my refrigerator and can just heat up and munch on when I need some…

All natural jerky. I to turkey jerky. Not the nitrated stuff, but the naturally flavored/dehydrated stuff (we have a local grocery store that makes their own). I've been making salmon cakes out of canned salmon (but you can use fresh if you wanted). Salmon egg mayo or nayonaise a bit of worsteshire bit of mustard…

You're pretty much my twin except I have 4 years on you and no babies :-)