Lula - Working it (or at least trying)

L

Lula3

New member
Age: 21
Height: 1.63cm/5'4
Occupation: Biochemistry student in London
Total Weight Loss to date: about 12kg/27lb/2 stone
Current body fat: 22%
Time it took: Since March/April 2007
Goal BMI: about 19-20 (I'll see how I feel and look by then)
Goal weight: About 52kg/115lb/8st - 4kg/9lb to go
Time Frame: No timeframe - it's not a race or a diet
Realism: I think it's pretty do-able :D
Reason: Put on muscle and lower body fat, to have a toned leaned physique, and also because I'm curious and see how much I can push myself in terms of building muscles. To maintain a permanent healthy lifestyle after all that weight loss, and keep health problems that occur later on in life at bay.

Methods

Eating Plan:
- Sort out my IBS by avoiding trigger foods
- Try eating enough when in pain/suffering from IBS
- Eat healthy
- Carry on not drinking fizzy drinks, caffeine or artificial sweeteners and ready meals
- Allow myself a bit of junk food, and plan ahead if going to a party/restaurant etc
- Not be too strict or neurotic about my intake to avoid getting obsessive, and not beat myself up
- Carry on being binge-free

Fitness plan
- Go to the gym 4 to 6 times a week, if time permits, and always cycle/walk to and from the gym
- Do 2-3 sessions of all over resistance training a week
- Do 2-3 sessions of high intensity cardio
- Avoid doing the same thing for too long and have a gym review every 4-6 weeks
- Try out new classes like yoga, pilates, body pump
- Cycle/walk everywhere

4 weeks working holiday plan
(going to Portugal to work in my uncle's bar)
- Try to join a gym for 1 month, otherwise:
- Swim in the sea, jog, run, walk (+ standing up working in a bar most of the day helps)
- Do pushups, crunches and other exercises that do not require equipment
- Avoidover drinking, and stick to light beers, white wine and pure spirits with mixers. Avoid creamy/sweet cocktails like the plague
- Avoid trigger foods (aka stuff that gives me IBS)
- Avoid putting on weight, maintain or maybe even shed a bit of weight (although I'll be on holidays - break time)

I'm going to Portugal in about 2 weeks. Cannot wait! Feel a bit... concerned about wearing a bikini, but once I'm there it's too late to worry!
 
Last edited:
Wait a second! I just saw your pics.

I didn't realize you were a hot chick! Wow, a hot chic that provides great information.... you're lucky I'm about to get married!

LOL :p

In all seriousness, welcome to the forum. It's very nice to have you here. :)

And you will be able to do some great things with your physique.
 
Steve said:
Wait a second! I just saw your pics.

I didn't realize you were a hot chick! Wow, a hot chic that provides great information.... you're lucky I'm about to get married!

LOL :p

In all seriousness, welcome to the forum. It's very nice to have you here. :)

And you will be able to do some great things with your physique.
Click to expand...

Teehee thanks you made me blush...

Thanks everyone for welcoming me :D

---------

I'm going to start this journal in style: yesterday I came back to London - no food in the house as I was away - and spent my whole day cleaning the house (not my mess - flat never gets cleaned when I'm away and I can't stand it), then running about like a headless chicken, trying to sort out my council tax before they start sending people after me. The bastards told me that I owed them £400/$800 from July 2006 to September 2006 when I technically wasn't a student as I took at year off in the middle of my degree. Thankfuly, you can only leave university for a year if you have some kind of medical problem, are pregnant, half of your family died etc, so when I left, I got a medical certificate saying that I was depressed thus needed to leave (partly true). In theory, if I can get my university to tell them I left on medical grounds, I don't have to pay. I don't have £400 anyway.

By the time I dealt with all that crap, all I had time for was drinking 2 protein shakes made with oat milk, one before I left to sort this out, one after I came back as I had to get changed and run to the pub to meet up with some friends.

I then proceeded to get drunk on 2 small glasses of wine (not enough solid food in my stomach), which to be honest is great news since last year, I needed at least 2 bottles and a few shots of some kind and was probably one step away from cirosis/alcoholism, but that also meant that as soon and my flatmate and I came back, we had the "booze munchies", so I found myself a handful or two of olives (in brine - not the oily ones), 2 oat crackers and a table spoon of peanut butter.

VERDICT: no gym, cycling to places for about 30 min, not enough food, poor food (no fruit and veg, not enough "real" food), alcohol but not over my units

To be honest I don't feel bad about it. I like being naughty every so often. Doesn't kill anyone and keeps me sane.

GOOD NEWS: got my chem exam provisional marks back - organic and physical chem. Thought I did really badly. Turns out I go an A and a B :eek2: this counts towards my final degree mark, and I don't have to do any more chemistry ever again!

----------------

Today's weight: 56.1kg
Body fat: About 22%
(I have one of these fancy scales - they're accurate enough for someone like me)

Today I woke up really late of course, still no food in the house, and as I'm writing this, it's lunchtime and I'm starving. I have the choice between olives, protein shake and oat cakes... GRR.

I'll have a shake, get dressed, run around like a headless chicken again to get that bloody form saying I left for medical grounds, tidy up before my friend Shid comes over from Kent and do some washing as there is no way I'm going comando tomorrow/wearing my knickers the inside out, go FOOD SHOPPING!! and HOPEFULY I'll make it to the gym on time. GRR.
 
Last edited:
I am NOT going comando!! Even if the washing machine breaks on me I have a backup plan ;) ... got tons of bikini bottoms that would do just fine!

Comando + skirts outside the bedroom = not a good look unless you want to market yourself as a cheap tart...
 
Hi Lula, glad you have a diary here. It will be interesting to get your take as a biochemistry student on all this stuff. You have a very scientific mind, and I really appreciate that. Have a great weekend!
 
Thumbs Up For Clean Undies!

Hi Lula!
Congrats on the progress so far. It looks like you have everything really mapped out for your fitness goal. Keep It Up!:)
 
Hello ..
Welcome to the forum and your journal. You have a wonderful plan there. You will def meet your goals.

Whats funny is my sister was away to Portugal on business, and she was a biochemist. She did explore and find something unique in the world. And she decided instead of doing biochemistry (however she is thinking of doing it again) to market and sell the products they make. They find cures for cancer, she had cancer when she was fifteen ..

but it truly is very funny the way that adds up ..

Anyway best wishes on reaching your goals and I will check into your diary every so often ...

always
natalie jo :) ((big smiles)) Welcome!!
 
Thank you :) I'm finding it a bit hard to locate your journals as there are so many - need to bookmark!
--------------

Yesterday - continued:

Food:

1 protein shake - 200 cal // no food in the house
1 protein bar - 200 cal // no time to eat

Japanese restaurant:
1 shashimi bento box: sashimi 200, rice 150, salad, veggies, pickles 50, dumplings 200 - 600 cal
1 eel nigri - 100 cal
1/4 sake - 200 cal?

Cuban bar - no cocktails!
1/2 pint San Miguel - 100 cal
Glass white wine - 120 cal

Total of about 1500 calories. Need to eat more. Never thought I'd get the problem of not eating enough for more than 2 days.

Could have been a lot more damage for a night out (like getting lashed and buying a kebab on the way home!!). Didn't want to drink last night to be honest, but I got given the beer (a whole pint but couldnt drink it) and the wine, and my friend had never been to a Japanese so he wanted to try sake.

Activity

Cardio at gym + abs and stretching. I was quite tired, probably because I hadn't eaten enough. I must have burned 400 calories, but I dont pay much attention to it, as long as I feel I've done enough (sweaty, tired, out of breath) and because really it depends how heavy you are.

Dancing in the evening, and walking around for 1-2h.

-------------

I don't feel too good today as I was kept awake until 5 am, ended up smoking a few ciggies (smoking ban tomorrow woohoo) and woken up at 9am and forced out of bed to have breakfast out. I managed to get myself out of it and stay in bed, as I wouldn't be able to eat anything really anyway if we got breakfast somewhere (can't do diary, gluten, fried food etc), and after last night, having drank alcohol and eaten "IBS unsafe" food and alcohol, I feel like shite. It's 5pm and I'm still in my PJs, having woken up 2h ago. I managed to throw some Oatibix in my throat.

------

Tonight have to go out again. Cannot be arsed. I don't understand how I could do it so many nights in a row last year. Maybe I'll cancel tonight. I hardly drink anymore, and I'd rather avoid it to be honest.

-------

Tomorrow is the smoking ban - cannot wait. I find it very difficult to go out in places where people smoke as it makes me want to smoke again. I finally went FOOD SHOPPING! so I can start eating properly.
 
Last edited:
Lula you're doing great. I know smoking is ridiculously difficult to quit, especially in social environments. I've cut myself off from going out for a while or else I could never accomplish this stuff. But when I do have to go out, I'm on the dancefloor and nowhere else...dancing is fantastic exercise so if you do go out, avoid the bar and hit the dancefloor which it sounds like you're doing anyways. Have a nice day..or evening I believe?
 
Evening :D Very good advice on going out... I just don't go out much nowadays. I've calmed down a lot! I did enjoy my hectic party days though - was very shallow but very fun at the same time.

---------------------------------
Weight: 56kg

Food - not hungry: 950 cal

Breakfast - 160 cal
Oatibix with oat milk

Lunch - 450 cal
Fresh basil, mixed herbs and avocado chicken with lemon juice dressing
Strawberries

Dinner - 200 cal
Protein shake again
Goat cheese - 150 cal

Stomach hurting you see. I'm guessing the beer didn't help, and whatever I ate last didn't agree with me: either the salad (raw veggies/insoluble fibre), something in the protein bar (although it did not have artificial sweeteners), or just plain simple alcohol.

Activity: Nothing - day off. GRR. I woke up so late anyway I would have never made it to the gym on time as it closes early on sat.
 
Last edited:
I think you are doing great, keep up the good work:jump: and away from the cigarettes :mad:
 
I'd love to live in Australia. I've done the East coast and I might do my working visa when I graduate next year! You're right cigarettes suck, but we're catching on here - today smoking is officially only permitted in homes or outside. Yep no pubs, bars or anything! Very happy.

-------------------------

Weight: 55.8kg :jump: under 56kg
Calories: 1550 cal - need more fruit and veg
Activity: 1h15 weights + 40min cardio (intervals then medium-high intensity), cycling round town

Food

Morning - actually ate a proper breakfast without forcing myself!
Oatibix with skimmed milk (lactose free - my new discovery) - 265 cal

Snack
Ryvita with peanut butter - 250 cal

Lunch - OK OK I'm rubbish: another shake
Protein shake with lactose-free milk
Green veggies
Fruit - 300 cal

Dinner
Roast chicken breast with avocado hummus and steamed greens x2
Strawberries - 270 cal
Milo with lactose-free milk - 200 cal

Naughty Snack - haven't had milk chocolate for ages
Chocolate - 250 cal

-------------

Workout - 15x3 of:

- calf raises
- dumbell squats
- lungues
- dumbell chest press
- dumbell bicep curls
- lat pulldown
- weighted swiss ball crunches
- criss-cross

-----------------------

Quite a good day! I'm getting enough soluble fiber, enough protein, and enough carbs, although I only had 4-5 portions of fruit and veg, and I had a protein shake again instead of a meal. Is it that bad for me?

Today I did loads at the gym - sweated my way through the weights (Stevie I think my dumbell squats are a lot better now - still not 100% sure it's correct) and abs (did less - once again thanks Stevie), and because today I felt really good and not tired, due to my digestive problems getting better, I did quite a bit of cardio afterwards. I can sense the sore ass and legs tomorrow!

------------------------

Seems to be a lot of bickering going on here on this forum - bad atmosphere sometimes. There is no point in my opinion arguing on what I consider trivial (most people here are not athletes/body builders so getting into the nitty gritty is pointless right?) - as long as everyone agrees on the general principles, how is the rest useful? Can't people argue by PM/agree to disagree?
 
Last edited:
I was thinking about that too today. There are a couple threads where I was wondering why everyone was attacking each other. But I realized that since there is so much bad information floating around on the internet that people want to make a definitive distinction between correct/incorrect information. Especially on a weight loss site where people come for advice and direction. I learn a lot from reading the bickering, though I feel bad that it is at the expense of someone who probably either doesn't know better, or is trying to spam. I think the reason for it in general is to help so it might be necessary.

Anyways, thanks for posting in my diary ,you are a huge help. Your diet and exercise are right on, you're doing such an amazing job.
 
lukewarm said:
I was thinking about that too today. There are a couple threads where I was wondering why everyone was attacking each other. But I realized that since there is so much bad information floating around on the internet that people want to make a definitive distinction between correct/incorrect information. Especially on a weight loss site where people come for advice and direction. I learn a lot from reading the bickering, though I feel bad that it is at the expense of someone who probably either doesn't know better, or is trying to spam. I think the reason for it in general is to help so it might be necessary.

Anyways, thanks for posting in my diary ,you are a huge help. Your diet and exercise are right on, you're doing such an amazing job.
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

My problem really is that when 's done in an aggressive, unfriendly way - more like an "I'm right your wrong" bashing comp - it's not the most constructive way of doing it. Not everyone is always right and vice-versa, and people who are trying to help can be corrected in a nice way right?
 
BMI soon to be under 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rotflmao:

Today: 55.6kg / 122lb
Wooohooo haven't been that slim since for years!! Bloating almost gone, and stomach is better :) it looks soo flat.

Total Calories: 1700 cal (enough)
Workout: Bit of abs, cardio and stretching - not very motivated as I was upset (silly argument with bf - we never argue)

Food

Breakie: Shake, fruit - 250 cal
Lunch: Roasted chicken, caramelised onion, sugar snap peas and buckwheat salad - 600 cal
Post-bf argument comfort eating: chocolate frog, shake - 350 cal
Dinner: Sushi 500 cal

Got my tape measure out: 34-25.5-35 (major boob shrinkage though, but you can't have it all!)
Measurements in April 2006: 35-31-36 (I'd lost a fair bit already. Interesting - I don't put that much fat on my hips)

I just tried a Miss Sixty dress on that I love, that I only wore once due to feeling like a beached whale. I look quite good in it now if I may say so :) even my chunky legs look good! I don't hate them so much now. Forgive the hair - took it just as I got out of bed!

The dress - size Medium. Thank god not all brands do vanity sizing.

Another before pic - my 20th birthday (I'm 21 now)

Shoes are so comfy (for heels!) and were a complete bargain at New Look, from the Lilly Allen collection.
 
Last edited:
Well done Lula you are doing a fantastic job.

I think the bickering is mostly pointless, many of the issues argued over both sides can be right, the one approach does not suit everybody and it comes down to what works for the individual.
 
I might remove my before and after page as apparently it's offensive as it's an "insult to people who are actually fat".

I'm sorry I was only overweight and not obese, and that to be worthy of posting "before" pictures you need to be heavier! I can see how it could be upsetting to people who are heavier than me, but then I could say the same about people who were always fitter than me on this board.

Should I remove them? Are they offensive and insensitive? Am I over-reacting?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top