Hello, I'm Lizz :)

L

Lizz

0
Hey there, I'm Lizz.
I'm a 21 year old female who's about 5ft 4 and 113lbs. I'm looking to improve my body by reducing body fat and toning up while getting fitter. I have been healthy/exercising for a while but I really need the extra help to tone up. I'm sad to say I'm one of the women who are too intimidated to use weights at the gym, mainly because I don't know what I'm doing and there's lots of grunting men in that area!! So I'm a bit of a cardio junkie. I run outside and on the treadmill, I also use the crosstrainer. In addition I go to circuit training which I love, body conditioning classes and balance classes (my time to chill out and stretch).

My diet is pretty good (well I think it is?). I only eat wholegrains/wholemeal foods, along with fruit, veg and meat which is usually grilled. For snacks I usually have fruit, nuts, low fat yoghurt or a bar of some sort (normally an 'eat natural' or 'nakd' bar). My worst habit is that I am not a fan of water, it takes a lot of effort for me to drink it unless I'm working out. Otherwise I love tea, but I have cut it down to 1 or 2 a day and the rest are green tea or fruit tea.

One of my biggest annoyances in being healthy/fit is the stick I get from other people. e.g:
"You're crazy going to the gym so often"
"I think you can afford to eat unhealthy, look at you"

Do people not understand that I'm being healthy?? Trying to better myself?? I find myself thinking of comments to say to them about their diet/lifestyle but I'm not like that! It's only when you get into fitness/health that you realise how unhealthy other people are...

I thought I would just introduce myself. If anyone has any comments or just wants to say hello then please do :) Look forward to posting more.
 
How much cardio are you doing per week (hours)?
 
Hello Lizz :)

Most people will always try to ruin your healthy eating and working out because on some level they know that they should be doing it and if they stop you going they will feel better about them self.

I LOVE circuit training too, I'm actually trying to tackle one that's really tough at the moment because I'm used lifting heavy weights not the endurance side of things it's really rough haha.

You can drink as much green tea that you want its fine. I have only recently started drinking 3L + of water per day and I actually feel great for it, I just have 2 1.5L water bottles that i keep at room temperature and drink throughout the day but I find if I have to keep going to the kitchen and refilling a glass of water I forget so that's what is helping me :)

As for the circuit training sides of things I'm actually writing a blog at the moment and It's going to consist of a lot of free workout plans mainly circuits that I love doing.
 
Good for you Lizz!! It's awesome that you are trying to improve yourself and not settling!

You diet sounds like its on point. I'd watch out for the amounts of sugar in the bars. Be sure to eat 6-7 small meals per day every 2-3 hours, so that your body doesn't go in starvation mode. Everybody gets tired of the taste of water at some point. When that happens to me, I add a little Chrystal Light Powder to my water or frozen berries to add some taste and the water goes down easier.

I love cardio and circuit training too. And I like doing strength training exercises that use my own body weight i.e. pushups, mountain climbers, planks, burpees. You can also look on YouTube for some great circuit workouts.
 
I'm glad other people like circuits training as much as me, people think I'm crazy. The one I go to is intense but feel great after completing it. I'll keep a look out on your blog bonesaj, sounds good.

jpcollings53 - Probably about 3 1/2 - 4 cardio if I don't include body conditioning class or body balance, as they're more strength/flexibility.
 
Give me a run down on what's in (exercises) your circuits and the work/rest ratios also. The body conditioning and balance class, what do you do in them?
 
The exercises in circuits varies but things like squats, squat kicks, running on spot, push ups/variations of, burpees, star jumps, weight work and lots more. Usually a 5 min warm up and down, 15 min straight exercises, 1 min rest. Three 15min sets of different exercises.

Body conditioning is weight work or resistance bands mainly for arms, legs, bum and tum. Again, lots of different exercises - too many to list.

Body balance is a mixture of pilates, yoga and tai chi in a sequence to music. So different yoga poses/pilate stretches and tai chi aspects but constantly moving.
 
you are not going to get much stronger or tone with the type training that you are doing. I'm not recommending that you stop what you are doing but it is in need of tweaking.
Are you opposed to lifting weights?
What is your current body fat%
 
This thread is worthless without pics :D

My wife was also intimidated enough to not go to the free weight area in the gym. So what helped her to get over that? Me! I went with her until she got more comfortable. Took a couple weeks. So if you can recruit a buddy I bet that'll help.

It doesn't have to be a guy either, I know women who were intimidated and paired up and went together. That helped them alot, and they get spotter!

Other than that though, you can get a set of basic dumbbells to use at home. Using them in your own space can help you get to a comfort level that'll help enable you to move into the free weight area.

Lastly, you can work with a trainer. They are great at easing you into things. Once you are comfortable, you can go at it yourself.

And even more lastly, geez...have a snickers lady! You're making the rest of us look bad (that's a joke). If you want any more bright ideas, you'll have to send me a pic, no need to include anythign above the neck.

That's another little jokey poo.

Best of luck.
 
Hi Lizz. Its always good to meet new people and listening to their experiences. I am sure this forum would be useful for you as well.
 
Hi guys thanks for all the advice and tips.
I'm planning on putting up some pics to monitor progress shortly. I am now changing my fitness routine.
I still do circuits on monday as I love it and it works me hard, body conditioning (slightly easier but still weight training), another circuits on my own, one run and one personal training session a week. Body balance on a friday night if I feel like it too (which I usually do).
My nutrition/eating has always been pretty good but I'm starting to take a photo of everything I eat and log it to keep tighter track. My sister's getting married end of April so I'm hoping to see some improvement by then, only if a little.
 
Hi Lizz
For girls, light exercises suits best. Below is given some of them.

Running
It gradually burns the fat. Running in the early morning is very good for weight loss as at at that time, the tummy is empty.

Cardio workouts
Cardio vascular workouts are advised to lower the fat deposits from the belly area. Cardio workouts consist of swimming, dance, kick-boxing and biking. Cardio works out enhances the metabolic process rate, thus burning the calories.

Squats
By flexing the knees all pressure gets moved to the thighs. Put all your weight on the knees so that you could feel pressure on your toes.

Bike workout
Just fold the knees and attempt to hold the knees as closer as possible to your breast. Shoulders likewise get extended when you try to touch the knees. Attempt to touch your right knee with your left elbow.

Kicking
Kicking in air helps in reducing calories from your thighs. The faster and greater the kick more is the quantity of fat burned.

Push-ups
Push ups are the most effecting method of burning the body weight. It is finest method for reducing fat near the belly location.
 
rahul2330 said:
Hi Lizz
For girls, light exercises suits best. Below is given some of them.

Running
It gradually burns the fat. Running in the early morning is very good for weight loss as at at that time, the tummy is empty.

Cardio workouts
Cardio vascular workouts are advised to lower the fat deposits from the belly area. Cardio workouts consist of swimming, dance, kick-boxing and biking. Cardio works out enhances the metabolic process rate, thus burning the calories.

Squats
By flexing the knees all pressure gets moved to the thighs. Put all your weight on the knees so that you could feel pressure on your toes.

Bike workout
Just fold the knees and attempt to hold the knees as closer as possible to your breast. Shoulders likewise get extended when you try to touch the knees. Attempt to touch your right knee with your left elbow.

Kicking
Kicking in air helps in reducing calories from your thighs. The faster and greater the kick more is the quantity of fat burned.

Push-ups
Push ups are the most effecting method of burning the body weight. It is finest method for reducing fat near the belly location.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with the above, there is no reason why women should not train hard and lift large weights. The key to any success si progressive overload so the resistance you overcome needs to keep on increasing.

Squatting should never be doen with the weight on the toes. The weight should be through the heels and the knees should never pass over the toes. You should go as low as possible (unless you feel pain/discomfort in your knees) to activate the hamstrings and glutes.
 
Hi guys thought I would update you all :)
Since I posted I took up a personal trainer who is amazing and I have seen amazing results. As you say 'Wardy257' .. there's no reason why girls shouldn't train hard or lift heavy. I do a lot of cross fit type sessions, and improving my lifting e.g. deadlifts, bench press etc. My abs are improving and my PT believes I'm on my way to a six pack. Everything is just so much more toned and I've lost inches in most places.
 
View attachment 5949View attachment 5950

Another update.. this is me before and after weight training.

It took me about 8-12weeks training and eating well to do this. I exercised about 6 times a week.

Sunday - Run 5k
Monday - Circuit training
Tuesday - Personal training (cross fit type intense training with weight lifting)
Weds - Day off
Thurs - Weight training upper
-Friday - Weight training lower
Saturday - WSX class (intense circuits with weight lifting, e.g. clean and press, shuttle runs, burpee variations, deadlifts, rip training, kettle bells, squat variations, battle ropes etc)

And don't forget the healthy eating.

I was eating about 1300 calories. All food was fresh or un processed. No wheat.

Typical breakfast options
Overnight oats (oats soaked in juice with natural yoghurt and fruit added in the morning)
Porridge with water or almond milk, sprinkle of cinnamon
Omelette (if I had time)

Lunch
Chicken and veg
Salad with egg or meat + pulses

Dinner
Fish/meat + veg + wholegrain rice or sweet potato or quinoa (this can all be varied in different ways, e.g. stir fry, tray bake etc.) If I needed oil I used coconut oil.

Extras
Protein shake after working out
Dried fruit/nuts
Fresh fruit
Raw fruit bars
Oat biscuits (If I have a carb craving)

I'm not saying the way I did things is the best but it definitely helped me get into shape.

Sadly I've been v unwell recently and haven't been able to go to the gym for three weeks. My diet has been particularly bad too. But I went back to the gym today for the first time, and looking at these photographs I am confident I can get into shape again!
 

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