Lukewarm's Weight Loss Diary

Blancita Thanks, I'm about to hit the store and I'll see if they have that sort, I am thrilled they taste similar, because I love peanut butter. I love peanut butter and corn. I love food. So that brings me to the whole 1700 calories/day thing. I truthfully don't understand how I'll still be able to lose weight on that many calories. I do see that I'll still have a deficit, so obviously I'll lose weight eventually but I'm trying to get over the 'I want it now' syndrome. I didn't lose any weight for an entire month eating 1600 calories/day, but I also wasn't going to the gym then. I was just trying to walk/jog on my treadmill at home. So I can say that my workouts have increased significantly, and also I wasn't doing any weight training. This is what she said:

For one if you go back my increase suggestion was higher then this and came with a certain style of training layout. You are not re-feeding your body, and while it may be fine right now, in the end you are going to make it harder on yourself. I am not sure though how lean you are looking to get in your ultimate goal, but I can say at this rate, you are likely to be meet head on with a stall and aggravated hormones. Point being it takes longer than 1 month and 1600 calories to reset your system. I am not though trying to upset you :) , just saying it seems as if you thought you followed that route, when you didn't go at it whole heartedly with a re-feed. That is 100% your choice, but the reason it didn't work is because
-not enough caloric increase
-incorrect exercise program
-not enough time allowance

So I am going to suck it up and do it. But I'm risking not losing at all for July. :( I just got home from the gym, I did the lifts I listed, and though I wanted to go into the free weight area I ended up using the squat machine. I forgot to take a little book and pen to write down numbers. I have the worst memory ever so I'll just have to look dorky writing down the amount of weight I used each time. Oh well...I'll be dorky with a hot body :) and spinning kicked my ass today. I'm gonna go eat.
 
I wouldn't last 10 minutes in a spinning class! I have the utmost respect for anybody that takes them. And on top of doing squats! Woooow! I wouldn't be able to move for a week. Good for you!
 
I'm thinking of trying spinning - what is it like?

Good luck with your goals! I've been really slack lately so you can inspire me :D
 
Kristi If I can do it, you can certainly do it ;) thank you though!

Lula You should try it! Every instructor is different. Which makes it fun. Basically you can make it as easy or as hard as you want. If you go hard you can burn 600-800 calories/hour. I come out of the class positively drenched in sweat. There is a resistance knob in the center which lets you ease off or add on. The idea is that the instructor takes you on a virtual outdoor experience with rolling hills (downhill= spin as fast as you can on low resistance, uphill= spin as fast as you can on high resistance), jumps (balancing and keeping your core tight as you interchangeably cycle standing up and then sitting down on moderate resistance) and hovers (spin as fast as you can on moderate resistance while hunched over the handlebars- it really works your butt) and other stuff they throw in to wear you out. Also they play great music so that you have a good rhythm to spin to. I LOVE THE CLASSES! Today 3 people were turned away because it's becoming more popular and there aren't enough bikes. Oh and my favorite part about it is that it's in the dark. The sconces on the wall are lit very low so you can just feel everyone's energy. It's sort of like dancing in a club. I don't know if all classes are dark though. I'll stop rambling.
 
They are in most gyms. Thanks a lot for that - I always wondered what happened. I don't think I could do 1h at 600/800... 45 minutes of cardio I can burn about 450-500 cal (also it varies with how heavy you are I guess) but after that I'm dead X_X

How long are the classes usually? I really want to give it a go and its really popular in my gym too. I'll try next week.
 
Lula oh cool! I can't wait to see how you like it! When you get in there if you need help adjusting the bike the instructor will come on over and probably tell you to just take it at your own pace the first time. I don't know if you cycle at all on a normal bike but I'd say be prepared for a sore ass for the first couple classes, but it totally gets better. Bring a hand towel and lots of water too. I have three 60 min. classes/week, and then two 45 min. classes/week. I'm pretty sure most are 45-60 mins.
 
Oh yeah I cycle everywhere - I can't drive yet and I hate public transport, so I only use it if it rains.

I used to cycle 1h30 a day last year to and from work, and it was really hilly so my ass was so sore... lol. Now it's always semi-sore due to the squats/lunges so I'm used to it.

I totally need a towel haha sweaty, and I always drink A TON in the gym. I might drag my boyfriend along (trying to drag him to yoga).
 
Lula Absolutely drag your bf along. It's pretty sweet when guys take the class, because most of them, not all, but most are so off beat it's cute. haha you're going to love it then ;) lol I'm experiencing the pain that you're used to at the moment...I haven't actually done squats in forever. I can only imagine what tomorrow morning will feel like.
 
Absolutely have a beautiful day yourself!! Wow, spinning is not my forte but I'll try it sometime soon anyway!

Ha ha, here in Santa Cruz we've got peanut grinding machines!! Cement? NAH! It's good shit!! I'm extremely fond of raw almond butter. But it's $12.00 a jar :(
Good thing I have 2 jobs, eh?!

I like your weight routine--remember, lifting may make the scale go up a bit at first, but watch the fat disappear and the muscle grow, and all of a sudden you'll get toned curves that look sexy and sleek!

Hey, when we gonna get some pictures?!?! :confused:
 
Curvie I just bought the natural peanut butter, and stirred it up and I tried it and…it’s good! I was expecting the worst! I’ve never been to P’cola’s natural foods store, and it’s super cute, like a little market. I like it a lot. I almost bought some of that almond butter! It looks delicious but is definitely ($13 for a small jar) out of my price range. Thanks Valerie :), because I am very nervous about all of this change. It sounds so weak and shallow, but I’m going home in a month. July was my last month to lose a couple extra pounds, and with the calorie increase and weights, and rest day??? I’ll probably gain 9 lbs.

BUT I have really really wonderful news and I’m so grateful and surprised about this, Leigh P. has offered to train me for 3 months as long as I am honest and dedicated. What this entails is sending her pictures of me every 2 weeks, and basically doing everything she tells me to do, and if I mess up, I have to tell her. So I’m like a test. I think it’s the coolest thing in the world and I’m going to be SUPER meticulous. I’m buzzing with excitement, I can’t get over how great she is. She told me to think about it because she’s tough and it’s going to be hard. And I thought about it for like 3 seconds. You guys I’m excited! I am having my pictures taken in a couple hours when my sister comes over to send to Leigh tonight. Blech I might post them so you guys can tell me if you see a noticeable difference from my bday pic I have posted. I’ve actually lost 22 lbs. since then. If I don’t look all that different though I don’t want any nice reassurances, you can tell me the truth. It’s very hard to tell imo. OK have a nice night yall, I have to go to a job interview in one hour.
 
My trainer for spin class has a gel seat cover she gives to new people to use so their butt can get used to the bike, It only take a couple of classes to get used to doing the classes.

lukewarm remember as you build muscle the scales may not change much but your shape will.
 
Trusylver I sincerely hope so :) Thanks. My pictures surprised me. I'm much worse off than I thought. I'm not posting them as a result. They'll make great before pictures though. I can only imagine what I looked like 24 lbs. heavier.

Sunday
Lifting
-Leg Press - 3x12
-Step-ups – 2x12
-Overhead Press - 3x12
-Cable Pulldowns - 3x12

Menu Today
-Breakfast: WW English Muffin/2 Tbsp. Nat. PB- 310 calories
-Snack: 2 Apples- 250 calories
-Lunch:
Kashi Granola/0.5 Cup Light Soy Milk- 475 calories
-Snack: Apple- 125 calories
-Dinner: 2 Turkey Patties w/ 4 Tbsp Mustard- 470 calories

-Total Cals: 1630 calories
-Protein: 69 grams
-Sat. Fat: 11 grams
-Fiber: 38 grams
-Water: 3.25 L

Exercise Today: 2 hours tennis w/ Chels. Weights.
-Miles Today/Total Miles: 0/199
 
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I've just noticed that we're both 21 and 5'4. I'm sure you don't look nowhere need as bad as you think! I had about the same BMI as you have right now, so if I got rid of this weight, so can you, and you're made such a progress already! If you ever post these pics, I don't mind telling you the truth (sometimes I really want people to do so but they never do), so the good and the bad, as long as you're totally ok with it.

Bf says he'll try both spinning and yoga woohoo.

I'd love to try almond butter too, but it's around the same price here, so I cannot afford it either :(

Very happy and envious that Leigh P. has offered to train you! Please please please set up a blog or something so that we can admire your progress!
 
BUT I have really really wonderful news and I’m so grateful and surprised about this, Leigh P. has offered to train me for 3 months as long as I am honest and dedicated.

I can't even tell you how excited I am for you! This is so great!:jump:

And I bet the current pics don't look nearly as bad as you think...and, even if they do, imagine how great it's going to be to have them to compare with the pics in a couple of weeks! Wow, yey for you!

edited to add: on the almond butter (it's yummy btw)...a lot of health food stores have grinder where you can just put in your nuts (gotta buy those of course) and it makes your nut butter for you...I only did it once, sadly it was so good that I kept going back for 2nd's and 3rds...kinda decided that maybe it wasn't such a good idea to keep (or try to keep) in my kitchen.
 
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Sara, that sounds exciting about having Leigh's help. I dont know much about her as I rarely frequent the Harsh Truth section, but sounds like she recommends higher calories for a while and that sounds like a good idea to me. What is the plan so far? Would love to hear what she recommends and how it works out for you. You're so dedicated Sara, that I'm sure it'll work to your liking. How'd the job interview go? Yay for you!
 
Lula Thanks so much, that means a lot. :eek: I'm going to be posting like crazy for sure. A blog is a neat idea but...I don't know how! haha I will post everything I can. I'm so thrilled and grateful!

Cym Thanks, I had my sister take my pictures and we laughed about it and everything but I'm trying very hard to think about further down the road. In my head I sort of want to just skip the 1700 cal part and follow through on the rest, but I know that her ambition is to prove that men/women can lose fat successfully on a higher calorie diet while lifting heavy weights, so not only would it be rude, wrong, and unfair of me to mess with the program but also STUPID. Must keep reminding myself that I can eat and still lose. Trust trust trust. I am enjoying 1700 calories. :)

Wow sorry for the rant. I'm about to go to the gym now.
 
Sara, for some of us (me) its a real struggle to eat just 1700 calories, so be happy its easy for you and enjoy! You deserve to be full and energized from food, not starved and forcing yourself not to eat (a necessary bodily function). Be nice to your body and it will be nice to you.

So if the plan is about using heavy weights, I would definitely agree that's the way to quick results. Reminds me to get back to the weights soon. But anyway, I've always done 2 sets of heavy as possible weights on all body parts and when I would leave the gym I could just FEEL my metabolism elevated and my muscles aching for calories to come feed them. Such a different feeling than the cardio or using low weights. Can't wait to hear about your program.
 
Blancita Although I'm not an expert, I firmly believe my metabolism is lousy because of my prior habits. I also believe you have a great metabolism, probably due to your years of weight lifting. I think that I probably feel as full at 1400 calories/day as you do at 1900 calories/day. So eating 1700 feels unnecessary for me, but that is just gauging my personal appetite (or maybe my determination to become thin kills my appetite a little bit as well), and not what's best for my body in the long run. Oh and thanks about my job interview, I talked to the manager and I'm going back to talk to him tomorrow afternoon.
 
Hey Sara! As I'm sure Leigh will tell you, if your metabolism truly is "lousy"...undereating (beyond a reasonable deficit) is a surefire way to make it even worse...our bodies are real "good" about eventually slowing down to meet chronically low food intake...you'll do just fine...trust, trust, trust (yep, I'm quoting YOU)...and good luck on the 2nd interview.
 
I'm also struggling to eat enough at the moment, but for other reasons (messed up digestion) - if I get cramps eating is painful, and I have no appetite. Right now I'm finally hungry though so I'll edit my post for the day and eat more!!
 
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