Just starting - is this normal?

[cw801]

Wonderful!! Thank you! I finally feel like I have something I can actually incorporate! I have been careful with what I eat for a long time, but have never tried to actually transform my body, so the macros and percentages are exactly what I need! I also like the idea of stepping up the calories gradually - I do think my metabolism has been slowed for a loooooong time - it will be good to get it back up again. I think doing it gradually will keep me from suddenly gaining and freaking out and derailing my whole program!

Thanks again - this is great - I am putting all this in my Blackberry right after I post this!

 

[musclemom]

Wonderful!! Thank you! I finally feel like I have something I can actually incorporate! I have been careful with what I eat for a long time, but have never tried to actually transform my body, so the macros and percentages are exactly what I need! I also like the idea of stepping up the calories gradually - I do think my metabolism has been slowed for a loooooong time - it will be good to get it back up again. I think doing it gradually will keep me from suddenly gaining and freaking out and derailing my whole program!

Thanks again - this is great - I am putting all this in my Blackberry right after I post this!

Here's some things you might want to consider:

1. Buy a digital food scale. Splurge a litte, expect to pay in the range of $30. It is sooooo much easier to weigh food down to the gram, takes the guesswork out of EVERY thing. Once you get used to knowing what portion sizes look like you'll be able to eyeball any amount of food within a half ounce or so.

2. Buy a tape measure and take THOROUGH measurements, start with your neck, work down (i.e., neck, chest, bust, upper arm, waist, hips, mid thigh, calf). Recheck these numbers every month or so.

3. If your personal trainer does caliper skin fold measurements, those would be great and is a reasonably accurate method of measuring body fat.

4. Don't be too hard on yourself. You might go up a size or two, maybe more, in clothes. You really need to hold onto the big picture and remember what you ultimately want to look like and do what is necessary to get there. If you want some muscle, you might gain some thickness. Focus on the overall aesthetic and end result.

 

[cw801]

Checking out scales tonight.....!! Getting measured on Friday for body fat.....and the tape measure.....that is on my list of things as well!

A size or two? Permanently?

 

[superqt4u2nv]

Checking out scales tonight.....!! Getting measured on Friday for body fat.....and the tape measure.....that is on my list of things as well!

A size or two? Permanently?

Probably not muscle is more dense and compact then fat so once you put on muscle then you can focus more on taking off the fat.

 

[cw801]

Whew!

 

[cw801]

Well, got my scale, and I was surprised to see how much chicken is actually in a 3oz serving!! I have been underguessing that for a while now!

 

[cw801]

Well, thought I would post a little update.....I have been eating as carefull as I can over the past month or so, and going to the gym pretty much religiously every morning. When I travel for races, I scope out local gyms in whatever city I am in, and try to fit in workouts when I have a couple of hours free. So far I am still able to wear my jeans/pants and haven't had to buy a size up, but it's getting close - lol! And.....I haven't given up on the process because my clothes are getting tighter - which is a huge mental step for me! I can tell a big difference in the muscles in my arms and legs - wish I could see a bigger change in my butt muscles, but I will step up the leg/glute exercises and see what happens. I have worked hard on my macros (I check daily during the week, throughout the day, to see where I'm lacking and what I need to do to balance it out for the day) and on eating enough, and I am actually getting hungrier throughout the day than I ever have been. I am taking this as a good sign......hopefully my poor, almost stopped metabolism is ramping up.......

I am still struggling with my calories, but usually eat around 1600 per day. I am trying to up that to 1750, but...baby steps. I feel stronger, and I like how that feels.....

Quick question for you ladies.......how long do you build before you go to a cutting stage? I don't have a competition date to work for, but I am still training like I do......I don't want to build indefinitely, and I don't want to spend too short of a time building before I start focusing on cutting out the fat....any suggestions?

 

[trex74]

Thanks for the update-we're close in size so i'm following your post
I can't answer your question, but i too am intersted in any answers. What I was going by was when i look like i have a lot of muscle (proportioned well though), then i can trim off any extra fat.
I haven't been seeing any increase in fat though...

 

[cw801]

I haven't really been seeing an increase in fat - more an increase in mass....with that fat I had previously on top, maybe? I definitely like the muscles I am seeing/feeling.....that is very motivating for me!

 

[cw801]

Well, I thought I'd post up an update....since I have been actively lifting weights, and most importantly, watching my macros and eating as clean as I possibly can, I have been seeing some real changes. And the really fun part is.....so have some of my peers who haven't seen me in a couple of months! I have recently switched my focus from building to cutting, and watching my carbs and eating lots more proteins.....and I can't believe it, but the fat is actually coming off, and I have some nice muscles starting to show! I love wearing strapless anythings now, because I love my arms/shoulders.....and for the first time in my life, I am really starting to like my legs! I have probably lost about 5 lbs from when I started this whole serious training business - and it is all fat, since I have also put on a bit of muscle since I started, as well!

I am soooo excited! It just makes me want to be even more strict with my diet/training and step it up even more! I also have some of my guy friends asking me workout/diet tips now.....that, to me, is a huge compliment! Thanks to everyone on here who has helped me out with my macros and workout tips.....I know that some of that input was very much a part of the results I am seeing!

I will update again in a while.....in the meantime - thanks again!!