Hi everybody, I'm new!

[trex74]

So, I am increasing my cardio to 3-4 x week, 30-45 min each time. I wasn't doing as much cardio as i could have, i'd mean to do it, but ended up just strength training.
I have those "problem spots" that I would like to see more fat loss on- especially on my abdomen, hips, and buttocks.
I realize that it takes time, and i have only been at it for 9 weeks. The thing is, I really don't have weight to lose per se, just losing fat and replacing it with muscle. I am thinking of getting a tape measure.
Will start adding in CLA to the mix tomorrow, and I started taking a high potency vitamin last week.
This week sees:
Mon: legpress ,calf raises, leg extensions, abductor, adductor, abs
Tues: dumbbell chest presses,chest flies, abs and 30 min cardio
Wed off
Thurs: dumbbell shoulder presses , flies, lateral raises. Triceps rope pulldown, triceps pushdown. 30-45 min cardio
Fri: Seated rows, cable rows, standing rows, dumbbell bicep curls, preacher curls, hammer curls, optional cardio
Sat off
Sun abs, cardio 30-45 min

 

[musclemom]

Oh, hon, the tape measure is critical, heck, callipers even. It's not hard to recomposition your body, especially when you're new to weights, but if you combine consistency, with new to weights with clean eating, the results are positively astonishing.

 

[bk_in_houston]

Hi Trex! Nice to meet ya.

 

[trex74]

Hi Trex! Nice to meet ya.

hi bk, welcome!!

 

[trex74]

Okay, I am not sure why I have been procrastinating on the tape measure, but I will get one THIS WEEKEND. If I write it, it's true. lololololol

 

[musclemom]

Okay, I am not sure why I have been procrastinating on the tape measure, but I will get one THIS WEEKEND. If I write it, it's true. lololololol

Just poking my nose in to say hey! (I've been under the weather for the past week plus).

Tape measure is WAY more reliable than the scale, especially when you throw weight training into the equation. It really is possible to do major body recomposition, especially when you first get into it and change up your diet. Plus heavy lifting will make your muscles hold water, which can throw things off, as well.

 

[trex74]

Just poking my nose in to say hey! (I've been under the weather for the past week plus).

Tape measure is WAY more reliable than the scale, especially when you throw weight training into the equation. It really is possible to do major body recomposition, especially when you first get into it and change up your diet. Plus heavy lifting will make your muscles hold water, which can throw things off, as well.

Hey back! Sorry to hear you're under the weather...
Good. I had been avoiding that scale at the gym, but I got on in a moment of weakness and saw a 5 lb increase!. My bf had just weighed himself and was stoked that he had gained weight. I had crazy thoughts, me.
I was also during "that time" which may have added water too. I know I bloat up because my rings no longer fit!
So, in a nutshell, I may never get on again!!!

 

[musclemom]

Hey back! Sorry to hear you're under the weather...
Good. I had been avoiding that scale at the gym, but I got on in a moment of weakness and saw a 5 lb increase!. My bf had just weighed himself and was stoked that he had gained weight. I had crazy thoughts, me.
I was also during "that time" which may have added water too. I know I bloat up because my rings no longer fit!
So, in a nutshell, I may never get on again!!!

Scales are evil, but if you're going to use one you have to be able to look at it pragmatically and remember that 16 oz is one pound, no matter whether you're drinking it or sitting it on a scale. Holding 1 to 3 pounds of water 24 to 72 hours after a heavy workout is not uncommon; holding up to 3 or 4 pounds of water before your cycle is also completely normal. In fact, if you get a really accurate scale and weigh yourself RELIGIOUSLY, the same time every day, you will see trends (remember, MM is slightly OCD). For example, I discovered ages ago my body gains nearly 2 lbs. before LOSING one pound (haven't figured out how that one worked yet).

Tape measure, mirror, fit of your clothes, those are better guides than the evil scale. Too many women live and die by the numbers they see on a scale, literally.

This is an interesting article that puts a little perspective on the absurdity of relying strictly on the weight numbers as a measurement of health and beauty, granted, it's primarily about BMI but since BMI is purely about height/weight then it's also about the scale:

Op-Ed

 

[trex74]

Scales are evil, but if you're going to use one you have to be able to look at it pragmatically and remember that 16 oz is one pound, no matter whether you're drinking it or sitting it on a scale. Holding 1 to 3 pounds of water 24 to 72 hours after a heavy workout is not uncommon; holding up to 3 or 4 pounds of water before your cycle is also completely normal. In fact, if you get a really accurate scale and weigh yourself RELIGIOUSLY, the same time every day, you will see trends (remember, MM is slightly OCD). For example, I discovered ages ago my body gains nearly 2 lbs. before LOSING one pound (haven't figured out how that one worked yet).

Tape measure, mirror, fit of your clothes, those are better guides than the evil scale. Too many women live and die by the numbers they see on a scale, literally.

This is an interesting article that puts a little perspective on the absurdity of relying strictly on the weight numbers as a measurement of health and beauty, granted, it's primarily about BMI but since BMI is purely about height/weight then it's also about the scale:

Op-Ed

Very interesting article!!

 

[musclemom]

Very interesting article!!

Oh I love it! George Clooney, Brendan Fraser and Bruce Willis are all obese, never forget that

And that's why a scale is full of complete shit.

I'm sorry, normally I have some respect for the CDC but this is one of the more lame comments ever released by a scientific organization:

"Overweight may or may not be due to increases in body fat. It may also be due to an increase in lean muscle."

A scale is a tool, but for certain subgroups it's a terribly flawed one, and one of those groups is people who train with weights seriously. You don't have to be an athlete, just have above average muscle mass for your height/weight.