Light diets

[candie13]

what's your magic receipt, when you want to shed those pounds that crept in on you?

 

most women have their own thing: some friends of mine hit the gym every other day, others skip dinner, other gf don't have alcohol until they reach their target.

 

Do you have your own proven "quick & efficient" disaster solving trick?

 

I've put on 10 pounds compared to last summer, which is 5 pounds under my regular weight. I know it sounds little, but given my body shape, the difference really is noticeable - let's say I'm attractive on the average, now, but without those 10 pounds, I am smokin' hot.

 

My issue is .. I am happy . My bf is crazy about my body, loves my (oversized I feel) arse, my boobs are bigger... but I don't like myself that much. On the other side, I do admit that I am spoiling him with nice dinners, and when we do see each other, even if we don't eat that much, we still have alcohol (I do my best to burn it by putting all my heart into sex, haha)

 

So, I want to start a diet that would softly make me go back to my initial weight - if not that from last summer.

 

I've heard of that diet that one of my gfs is keeping:

 

- every morning she has fresh fruit - or fresh orange fruit

 

- I day: only protein: she has meat - with salad, but only meat. nothing else, no milk in coffee, no other veggies, no sweets

- II day: only veggies. No rice or potatoes though.

- III day: diary products: cheese and milk-related product

- IV day: carbs. By carbs, she means pasta - with a little bit of tomato juice or pesto. No cheese or any other types of gravies. One is allowed a little bit of chocolate at the end of the day or a small cake

- V day: only fruit - as a cleansing day

 

She said that diet needs to be kept for at least a few months and that it's working great for her body - she is shedding pounds very easily with it. IMO, there's a "fish day" that's missing...

 

Personally, I think no diet is worth one's health, so I am totally against any strict or heavy or unhealthy diet. The one above looks ok to me - because it is varied, over the the week.

 

Do you see any dangers in adopting it, for a month or so?

 

I've started to be a lot more strict about going to the gym as well, so I know for a fact that even with no diet, I'll see some nice results by the end of May... but I just want to be sure. I'm lacking patience, I guess.

 

So let me know your tricks - no crazy "cabbage soup" or "milk only" diet, please... useful food associations - or food omission that you do - that pay off in 2 (maybe 3 ) months time!

 

thanks!!!

[Emilia]

If you want to keep some of your curves I think you are better off eating well but increasing the intensity of the exercise and squat with heavy enough weights. You get a decent butt and you lose pounds from your middle. This is what works for me best - coupled with hill running. Even just hill running (interval training rather than a steady slow pace) makes a huge amount of difference. I'm always hungry but my ass hasn't disappeared if you see what I mean.

[candie13]

Girl, I understand what my bf likes, but I don't really like those curves that much, myself. I'll always have an hourglass figure, I am at ease with that, but, to tell you the truth, last summer was the first time I felt (and looked) skinny.

 

Like I really didn't have to care that much about what I'd put on, because everything looked really great on me. I loved that feeling of feeling very comfortable with myself. It was the first summer when I didn't have to buy a lot of dresses, because I had my best accessory in hand: my "new" shape.

 

In a way, yeah, I know if I start running / to me swimming is the bomb - I'll start to see some results. But... deep down inside, I wanna get back on the "skinny b!tch" territory, ya know what I mean?

 

And I'm afraid to rely solely on the training, because the moment I stop training hard, my body will stop burning all those calories as much... So I feel a bit safer if I combine the two. I don't know, to me diet + exercise was the golden duo...

[candie13]

If you want to keep some of your curves I think you are better off eating well but increasing the intensity of the exercise and squat with heavy enough weights.

 

My other issue is that I've had a knee surgery last spring - ACL replacement, and my quad on my left is still weak. I've recently done the test that confirmed my assumption - so right now I am focusing on getting my strength back in my left thigh, without putting too much strain on my knees with weights.

[Emilia]

Girl, I understand what my bf likes, but I don't really like those curves that much, myself. I'll always have an hourglass figure, I am at ease with that, but, to tell you the truth, last summer was the first time I felt (and looked) skinny.

 

Like I really didn't have to care that much about what I'd put on, because everything looked really great on me. I loved that feeling of feeling very comfortable with myself. It was the first summer when I didn't have to buy a lot of dresses, because I had my best accessory in hand: my "new" shape.

 

In a way, yeah, I know if I start running / to me swimming is the bomb - I'll start to see some results. But... deep down inside, I wanna get back on the "skinny b!tch" territory, ya know what I mean?

The thing is that 'skinny b*tch' over time becomes skinny b*tch with flat ass. Glutes are the biggest muscles in your body, wish I had known this when I was younger. Having a firm, round ass will serve you much better long term than a flat skinny one. When you work hard with weights, you lose fat from everywhere but you maintain shape.

 

Not just any running: interval training, preferably hill running as it works your legs and butt like nothing else

And I'm afraid to rely solely on the training, because the moment I stop training hard, my body will stop burning all those calories as much... So I feel a bit safer if I combine the two. I don't know, to me diet + exercise was the golden duo...

Sure, you need good diet too: cut out sugar, as little alcohol as possible, not much fat, don't eat fast foods but eat sensible, fresh food.

 

If you diet too much and exercise you lose muscle and you lose volume. Mainly fat will remain (harder to get rid off than muscle) and that means over the years you will get that skinny fat look

[Emilia]

I mean some people know how to follow a strict diet while exercising and lose mainly fat but those guys really know what they are doing, focus on protein, time their carbs differently, etc. It's difficult.

[Emilia]

My other issue is that I've had a knee surgery last spring - ACL replacement, and my quad on my left is still weak. I've recently done the test that confirmed my assumption - so right now I am focusing on getting my strength back in my left thigh, without putting too much strain on my knees with weights.

 

Of course, that's understandable. What physio have they arranged for you?

[candie13]

I mean some people know how to follow a strict diet while exercising and lose mainly fat but those guys really know what they are doing, focus on protein, time their carbs differently, etc. It's difficult.

 

I know !!! it's a science in itself, I feel!

[candie13]

The thing is that 'skinny b*tch' over time becomes skinny b*tch with flat ass. Glutes are the biggest muscles in your body, wish I had known this when I was younger. Having a firm, round ass will serve you much better long term than a flat skinny one. When you work hard with weights, you lose fat from everywhere but you maintain shape.

 

Not just any running: interval training, preferably hill running as it works your legs and butt like nothing else

 

Sure, you need good diet too: cut out sugar, as little alcohol as possible, not much fat, don't eat fast foods but eat sensible, fresh food.

 

If you diet too much and exercise you lose muscle and you lose volume. Mainly fat will remain (harder to get rid off than muscle) and that means over the years you will get that skinny fat look

 

My knee still hurts if I'm running too much. I've heard great things about interval training, I'll try it, once my quad is strong enough and my knee stops hurting from doing simple trainings.

[candie13]

Of course, that's understandable. What physio have they arranged for you?

 

This is the tricky part. The physio gave me a set of exercises and asked me to train my left leg exclusively - since the strength in my left is 50% less compared to that of my right.

 

So I was doing my routine at the gym when two personal trainers approached me (go figure ). Anyway, they both offered to do a training with me in that specific purpose - strengthening my left quad. However, both of them said I should work both legs, while focusing on my left...

 

So I've already had my first session with the first one - bloody hell, amazing difference! I am going to the gym, but I'm more of a cardio and fitness classes sort of person (bodyjam, zumba, body combat sort of stuff). It changes a LOT to do the machines, and especially to have a professional to guide you and explain at least three sorts of different exercises on the same machine. I've never really considered having a personal trainer before, but this guy made me grasp the advantages... plus, he pushed me, which is something that I can't say I'm all that familiar with . I mean, I usually break huge sweats with cardio, but I never push myself on the machines.

 

and... surprise surprise, he made me work on my glutes - also my butt looks perfectly fine (to me, anyway).

 

I dunno, I feel a bit defocused: I for sure am doing physio for the next 5 weeks, going to the gym to work for my quad. But then, I also want to loose weight - but not body mass. Certainly not muscles... and I sort of want to do that in one two months...

 

I'm decent, when it comes to eating - I never have fast food, I don't usually have a sweet tooth... I just enjoy eating well, I love expressing myself through food. And I always do that, when I'm in a relationship. Last summer I didn't even use the oven. I was living with salads and my grill, that's it.

 

I swear, I'm totally defocused, because I have no idea where to start cutting or on what to really focus to make a difference.

[Emilia]

This is the tricky part. The physio gave me a set of exercises and asked me to train my left leg exclusively - since the strength in my left is 50% less compared to that of my right.

 

So I was doing my routine at the gym when two personal trainers approached me (go figure ). Anyway, they both offered to do a training with me in that specific purpose - strengthening my left quad. However, both of them said I should work both legs, while focusing on my left...

Absolutely. Some of the advice people get from physios...

plus, he pushed me, which is something that I can't say I'm all that familiar with . I mean, I usually break huge sweats with cardio, but I never push myself on the machines.

This is part of my point. This is how girls train in my regular gym (not in my weightlifter one) and they completely waste their time. Their body shape doesn't change, nothing.

and... surprise surprise, he made me work on my glutes - also my butt looks perfectly fine (to me, anyway).

I'm sure it does. It's not just about look, it's a powerhouse. Strong glutes mean support for strong legs and strong back, correct pelvis alignment when your abs are equally strong, etc.

I dunno, I feel a bit defocused: I for sure am doing physio for the next 5 weeks, going to the gym to work for my quad. But then, I also want to loose weight - but not body mass. Certainly not muscles... and I sort of want to do that in one two months...

 

I'm decent, when it comes to eating - I never have fast food, I don't usually have a sweet tooth... I just enjoy eating well, I love expressing myself through food. And I always do that, when I'm in a relationship. Last summer I didn't even use the oven. I was living with salads and my grill, that's it.

 

I swear, I'm totally defocused, because I have no idea where to start cutting or on what to really focus to make a difference.

Why don't you ask your personal trainer? He knows what you do in the gym exactly and what he thinks is achievable for you as a combination of food and exercise.

[candie13]

well, I didn't decide on having a personal trainer yet - but in the light of the last gym session, I do feel that the advantages to that are self imposing.

 

oh, and I really hated your comment about those girls working hard and seeing zero results... because I am one of them! Knowledge is power and having the will to take action and put in practice that knowledge... that's a whole different thing.

 

I'm on the verge, not really decided on how it's best to go forward - or maybe it's just the inertia, keeping me on the spot. as usual, I'm thinking too much, instead of just jumping in.

[Emilia]

oh, and I really hated your comment about those girls working hard and seeing zero results... because I am one of them! Knowledge is power and having the will to take action and put in practice that knowledge... that's a whole different thing.

No no, you misunderstood. I meant they didn't work hard enough. Spending long time in the gym but not pushing themselves, not learning to mix up the exercises to challenge their bodies etc. I'm sure you want to learn to use your time there effectively and you said you worked hard during cardio at least.

I'm on the verge, not really decided on how it's best to go forward - or maybe it's just the inertia, keeping me on the spot. as usual, I'm thinking too much, instead of just jumping in.

It's a challenge but it is hard to give advice without seeing you (not saying you should post a photo or anything like that) and knowing what you can and can't do and what your diet is like exactly. It is a big thing to change habits, especially when your knee is not functioning 100%.

[candie13]

No no, you misunderstood. I meant they didn't work hard enough. Spending long time in the gym but not pushing themselves, not learning to mix up the exercises to challenge their bodies etc. I'm sure you want to learn to use your time there effectively and you said you worked hard during cardio at least.

 

It came out wrong without the smiley, after my comment - I meant I was sweating my arse off and still, the results were minimal compared to the effort I was putting in. I understood by then that I wasn't doing something right - and that something was pairing my good cardio session with some muscle building activity. Which I have no idea how to do... and I also sort of hate .

 

the purpose of this thread isn't really about me - also I do appreciate that maybe it should be, if I really want to make a difference to my body.

 

The purpose of this thread is what worked for you:

- for instance, assuming you would go to the gym three times a week, you've discovered that training in the morning, without eating and avoiding to eat cheese helped you loose weight faster.

 

or everytime you feel you want to shed 5 pounds, you go eat Herbalife. or you start eating five times a day (what?) instead of three.

 

This type of tricks... for my own education. I'm almost sure I'll take those classes with the guy who trained me yesterday. Sh*t, that was hardcore!

[Emilia]

the purpose of this thread isn't really about me - also I do appreciate that maybe it should be, if I really want to make a difference to my body.

 

The purpose of this thread is what worked for you:

- for instance, assuming you would go to the gym three times a week, you've discovered that training in the morning, without eating and avoiding to eat cheese helped you loose weight faster.

 

or everytime you feel you want to shed 5 pounds, you go eat Herbalife. or you start eating five times a day (what?) instead of three.

 

This type of tricks... for my own education. I'm almost sure I'll take those classes with the guy who trained me yesterday. Sh*t, that was hardcore!

 

Ah sorry! Slow on the uptake

 

So what works for me:

 

I love working out hard and I do both high and low intensity. If I did low only, very quickly I'd miss the high. I can't imagine sitting on a bike reading a book or a magazine. I've sort of mentally trained myself by running on tired legs for example that I can cope with a lot of fatigue quite happily.

 

I've cut out sugar from my diet more or less, don't drink much alcohol and I watch soya milk (oestrogen hormone!) but I make sure I eat enough carbs to fuel exercise and not to waste away! I eat protein, carbs and greens. You need ruffage to make sure it all goes through your body nicely.

 

Training with other people works if you look for motivation. This is why I like boxing and weightlifting: other people push you

[candie13]

Training with other people works if you look for motivation. This is why I like boxing and weightlifting: other people push you

 

that's a great hint !!! My issue is, I usually train hardest of all my gfs... I think I should train with people at the gym, more, they have their own separate clique... and they seem to be working hard!

[Emilia]

that's a great hint !!! My issue is, I usually train hardest of all my gfs... I think I should train with people at the gym, more, they have their own separate clique... and they seem to be working hard!

 

I train with people who are present at the gym. Both boxing and weightlifting gyms are set up that way. It's different from ordinary gyms but maybe they will let you join them?

[candie13]

hum... I'll use my trainer in order to slowly move in on them . they're ok, approachable, but there are hardly any women around - occasionally one or two. That wouldn't be the problem, in itself. The issue is... I've never really weightlifted, so I don't want to look like a total loser, no knowing how to make my way around those machines / bars. It's not just about being shy, I fear being ridicule, haha! I've taken boxing classes before, so I'm a bit more at ease there. My future trainer will sure have to work for my money )) !

[Emilia]

The issue is... I've never really weightlifted, so I don't want to look like a total loser, no knowing how to make my way around those machines / bars. It's not just about being shy, I fear being ridicule, haha! I've taken boxing classes before, so I'm a bit more at ease there. My future trainer will sure have to work for my money )) !

It's definitely good to have someone explaining these things to you then. Correct posture, etc are very important to avoid injury and to train the right way.

[clia]

If I was looking to drop five or ten pounds quickly and efficiently, this is what I would do, and would result in a loss of about a pound a week.

 

For me, it is all calories in v. calories out. So, I track everything I eat (MyFitnessPal has a great app) and I monitor my cardio exercise with a heart rate monitor to track how much I burn.

 

Exercise:

 

I would exercise first thing in the morning six days a week for 30-60 minutes. My main focus would be on cardio -- that's how I drop weight fast. I would likely run 3-8 miles 3 or 4 times a week, and also do some DVDs that incorporate cardio with bodyweight exercises (i.e. squats, push-ups, lunges) and/or light weights. My favorite DVDs are Insanity, Turbo Fire, and Jillian Michaels. I don't typically eat first when I exercise at 6 a.m. before work, but if I needed something I would eat a cheese stick.

 

Nutrition:

 

My goal is to net approximately 1200 calories. That means whatever I eat - how many calories I burn exercising that day = 1200. This results in me eating about 1500-1700 calories per day, depending on my workout. If I net less than 1200, it's not a big deal, but I don't starve myself and I don't believe in fad, goofy diets. I never eat less than 1200 calories per day.

 

I focus on eating lean meats (chicken and fish), fruit, and vegetables. I do like my sweets, so I always make sure to leave 100-200 calories at the end of the day for some Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Edamame Beans (so good!) or a small scoop of ice cream. It's all about moderation.

 

I aim for 100g of protein per day, and try to limit carbs from bread.

 

A typical day would be:

 

Breakfast: Greek yogurt and/or a scrambled egg.

Lunch: I'm bad at lunch because I don't like packing a lunch. It's really surprising though what you can find to eat that isn't too bad caloriewise from chain restauraunts. I know all the good ones around my office. My go to lunch is a salad from Chipotle with chicken, veggies, mild salsa, hot salsa, and cheese for 390 calories. High on sodium, but filling and delicious.

Dinner: Usually some combination of lean meat (or quinoa or black beans) and veggies. The easiest meal ever is grilled chicken and vegetables. You can also get really creative with salads. I love Bolthouse Farms yogurt based dressings. They taste just like the real deal for 35-40 calories a serving.

Snacks: I'm a big snacker, so key for me is having healthy snacks ready to go. I rely on fruit (strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and grapes), vegetables (cucumbers, bell pepper, carrot sticks), and protein bars.

 

I try to stick to no alcohol, but I'll usually allow myself a glass or two of red wine each week, provided I can fit it into my calorie allotment.

[candie13]

I really appreciate your post, thx, clia !!!

[Jane2011]

Of late, I have been eating the same things every day:

 

-- some marinara sauce with mozzarella and parmesan cheese (no pasta, just the sauce)

-- two pieces of chicken (dark meat)

-- an avocado (usually in the form guacamole, but it's pretty much one avocado w/ some chopped onions and chopped tomatoes, which are like nothing, ultimately)

-- one mango

 

Every few days I also eat green salad (but it's all the leafy greens, no other veggies)

 

It's keeping me pretty slim. Those things I mentioned above are my three favorite "flavors" of late. So each day, I feel very satisfied. I'm a big advocate of eating the flavors you are REALLY craving because you feel very satisfied with just a little of it.

 

You end up eating less.

[Jane2011]

Also, sometimes the chicken is salmon instead.

[pink_sugar]

For me, I've kept the pounds off by just making better food choices and watching what and how much I eat. I am not restricting myself, (In fact sometimes I have a small cupcake or slice of cake here and there). I admit, I haven't exercised as much as I'd like, but for the most part your weight is based off of your diet. Establishing a similar long term pattern of healthy eating will keep the weight off.

[Enema]

I eat a bit and drink a lot.

 

So if I need to lose pounds, I just go hungry