lulusmom

I do my best to save 200 calories for evening snacking.

Actually, the effect of age on body fat comes into play mainly because the same caliper measurements do not equal the same body fat percentage as you age. If I measure the same now as I did ten years ago, my body fat percentage would be higher.

The lowest body fat I've been at was 16% (at age 23) and it looked spectacular. Now (age 31) I would be very happy to be at 18% and try to maintain "anywhere under 20%." So, if you are at 19.6% you are in great shape for a woman your age. Maybe it is time to stop trying to lose weight and instead focus on increasing your…

I like soup. For this week I bought butternut squash soup, vegetable soup, lentil soup and split pea soup. One carton (two servings) is 200 calories and the perfect amount for me for lunch.

I really, really like the book Body Sculpting Bible For Women, because it has several different comprehensive weight lifting workouts written out week by week AND a corresponding picture and explanation of each lift that you can refer to as you go (until you learn the terminology). The first time I bought the book was in…

31 years old 5'7" 130 lbs with 24% bodyf at 1200 - 1500 calories per day Goal 125 lbs with 18-20% body fat I literally sit all day, every day. I'll start back into exercising in a month or so to shred down my body fat for Spring. I cycle purposefully.

If my effort just results in me maintaining, I'll take it. How's that for motivation...the worst you could do is stay comfortable? :)

The answer is not that simple for those of us (like the OP) that are passholders. I'm at Disneyland at least once a week. No need to make it a consistent "cheat" place.

AP here. Here are my go-to's if I don't pack food: 1) Tattoria -- Kid's Meal grilled chicken with veggies 2) Refreshment Corner -- Kid's Meal with turkey dog, apples and a water bottle 3) Big Thunder Ranch BBQ 4) Churro -- because I walked my *kitten* off and earned it. :P

When I eat out, I aim to go to places like Flame Broiler or Wahoo's Fish Tacos where I can get chicken and veggies (no rice). I like boiled eggs and cucumbers or carrots as a meal. I like soup (butternut squash or lentil for example) as a meal. Check out my diary. My weekday eating is better than my weekends. lol

I bumped my calorie intake up over the weekend and it REALLY helped.

Thanks for actually looking at my diary, to give suggestions! I drink copious amounts of water...I just don't log because it isn't an issue for me. I only drink water, tea or coffee...except for maybe 5 diet cokes a year when I'm working on a deadline (it's a weird association I can't kick lol). I think you are right that…

Thanks, that makes a lot more sense.

Okay, I'm still confused. If my BMR is 1300, should I be eating 20% LESS than that to lose weight? Because that makes my calorie goal under 1200.

Okay, based on that link, my BMR is at 1300/day. So, I'll bump my goal up a couple hundred calories per day and stop regretting being in the 1500 range this week. Thanks all!

I was put on topamax for ocular migraines that were rendering me blind for several hours a day. I was started on the lowest dose. Within a couple of months, I had lost my ability to do my job because I couldn't string together a coherent sentence orally or in writing. I mixed up words constantly and wrote/said things that…

The weighted vest suggestion explains why I was in such better shape when I was babywearing my kids all of the time. Too bad they grew up. haha. :)

I eat a token amount with the staff and a real meal at my deak. People don't get offended if you take a piece of pizza and eat half, quite like they do when you consistently refuse to eat the pizza. Same with the sweets...take a small piece and dump it when no one is paying attention.

I can never go wrong with a sports bra under a sports bra tank.

I lift (and have done so for 10+ years). I change it up every 3 months, because I get bored and the weather changes. Right now I'm in the middle of bikini season here in So. Cal. so I am following my most effective body-fat reduction workout via The Body Sculpting Bible For Women (all muscles 3 days per week). In the Fall,…

The luluemon website has a clearance section. Also, their retail stores have great clearance racks! I have also seen re-sell luluemon on my local craigslist.

Deadlifts are sneaky. When I am doing them, they seem incredibly easy (which tricks me into using heavier weights). Then I can't walk the next day. Be very wary of your form and muscle isolation. Keep your back flat and pull from your hamstrings (it helps to squeeze and hold your glutes for a few seconds at the top of each…

I have a friend who owns one of the major crossfit gyms in my area. She and her husband are in *amazing* shape. Amazing. But it requires a level of dedication and commitment I am not willing to do. haha. I'd rather be in not-so-amazing shape thankyouverymuch.

I very much agree with this, to the extent it needed to be quoted and repeated. Please do not run/jog while wearing your baby. You can walk and you can do weightbearing exercises. But nothing that will bounce the baby repetitively (e.g. jogging, jumping jacks, etc.)

Frozen chicken breast tenderloins Minute Brown Rice Green Giant Simply Steam Veggies (asparagus is our fav) Salsa Blackbeans

Do you babywear? If so, put the baby (securely) in a wrap or carrier and do some body weight movements (lunges, walk up stairs, etc). Or, keep a pair of dumbells handy and do three sets of the following each time you have a few minutes: bicep curls tricep extension shoulder press rows reverse flies squats lunges No need to…

Currently: Weights 20 minutes M/W/F, elliptical 20 minutes T/Th, long bike rides/walks with the kids Sat/Sun.

I love the book Bodysculpting Bible For Women, because it has an "intro to weightlifiting" workout, complete with a picture and description of how to do each exercise. I don't love the nutritional advice in the book, but it is WELL worth the purchase for the weightlifting stuff. Best money I ever spent on a workout…

Maybe try this: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

I lift as heavy as I can, keeping proper form and doing between 8-12 reps (closer to 12 on the first set and closer to 8 on the second and third set). For me that means 10-20 lb dumbells.