longer term cutting diet

[strongchick]

okay. I'm getting a little nervous...I'm so close to my goal and I'm noticing that my fat loss is slowing down, even with Adipo and one hour of cardio 5 days a week.
If I eat less I can't lift heavy or do my cardio! Maybe it is _what_ I'm eating...

So...

....I've looked around this and other forums and there is no consensus on diet for cutting.

My stats....I'm 5'8", about 145 lbs...I refuse to weigh myself, but it is a very good guess. I have no idea my body fat percentage, but my lower body is a little fatter than I want (I can grab a half fist of blubber on my inner upper thigh and lower abs--gross!). Upper body is just right (as far as fat is concerned).

The only diets I've seen on other boards are pretty extreme and seem unhealthy and are for contest prep...I have plenty of time, but I my goal is 12-14 weeks or less for complete satisfaction.

A good sample day of eating for me is:

1. banana or Metrx or 1.5 cups oatmeal + banana

2. 1 can tuna and a bunch of veggies

3. Metrx--every other day.

4. soy patty and veggies
5. half medium chicken breast or tuna and rice cakes (before 3pm)---I only do this meal every 3 days or so, to vary my daily caloric intake.

6. 1 can tuna and leafy green salad (or workout then protein bar--usually PureProtein)


I am very consistent eating wise, and very consistent workout wise. I am pretty muscular...people look at me in surprise if I dress with fitting clothes...so I don't mind if I lose a little bit of it--I think I'm an endo/meso body type. I don't take pictures...too insecure.

Anyways....I need to cut up but I have to THINK so no carb is out of the question.

At the rate I'm going it will be six months to complete my goal, when I want to be completely cut (meaning, can't pinch an inch anywhere, NOT contest shape) by the end of summer.

Is it possible to cut up before summer is over without a harsh no carb diet? I'm not on gear.

Thanks!

Maybe I'm ridiculous, but I don't count calories and this "eat so many grams of whatever for every pound" just leaves me with that Homer Simpson gaze into outer space. go ahead laugh. but please help me.

 

[supergirl]

ok chicky... i get questions from women just like yourself everyday in the gym and i have found that most of my cliets train hard, but lack in their diet... so i agree with your thought that it must be your diet... And yes you can do it without completely cutting out your carbs, rather you need to limit them to mornings and early afternoons. Also looking at your sample diet, you are not getting enough protein... i know you mentioned that trying to figure how much per gram/pound gets you mind boggled, but you do need to pay attention to your protein intake. Protein is the building block of muscle and you need to get 1gram per pound of LEAN body mass... to get that number, go get your bodyfat tested. Getting the extra protein you can resort to shakes, bars etc... but every meal should consist of protein, never eat your carbs alone. Also you might want to start adding flax seed oil and fish caps to your diet... that will also help speed along the fat loss process. But to get potent results, you must have a potent approach... slacking is not an option

SG

 

[keiko]

I keep track of what I eat so that I know I'm eating enough. I use an on-line site where I plug in what I eat, and I get all sorts of cute little charts. When I started I wasn't great at eye-balling my food and knowing how much I was eating. Now it's easy. Here's the link, but there are other sites around if you search:
http://www.fitday.com

I'm 5'9', 160 and have 20% BF% which is high for me, but not in general. I've lost 17 pounds since Feb., and it wasn't muscle, but fat. I went from a 14 to a 10.

Looking at your diet, I'd say you don't eat enough. If you don't want to keep track every day, plan your food in advance, make it up in advance and eat the same thing everyday.

I eat Isocaloric which is explained by my post on the Diet Board "Diets that Work" which is probably a month old. Basically , I eat 33% of fats, carbs and protein. I go between 1500 to 1800 a day, with a big day once a week. I do 1 hour of cardio almost 6 days a week, and lift on 3.

 

[new@gettinbig]

You need more FOOD!! That diet is not allowing you enough food....Add more chicken, turkey breasts, fish, lean red meat!! You also need some fats, like flax oil or olive oil etc. Have you ever tried rotating your carbs? Make sure you are getting plenty of veggies and drinking tons of water. Replace some of your shakes with real food!! The less you eat, you slow your metabolism down.....keep your food intake consistent and training and cardio and you will see changes....add the fats you need fat to lose fat!!

 

[Sassy69]

Cutting carbs -

Just to try a week w/ lower carbs I've cut out my sweet potatoe and have been getting NASTY foot cramps at night. I get potassium in my vitamins & multimineral caps, but still got some painful cramps last night. So I threw 4 oz of sweet potatoe in the microwave and felt much better. Didn't even realize it....

Just a thought on carb cutting...

 

[strongchick]

okay...I hear you--eat more. Since several of you mentioned fats...I forgot to mention that I've started taking flaxseed capsules...can't do the liquid (gag).

How many flaxseed pills should I take? Each one is one gram.


I eat sushi once or twice a week, I forgot about that...maybe I should get a log.

You guys are great. Thanks for the 'tough love', supergirl. (picture a woman dragging her feet to the caliper dude at the gym).

the fitday link looks really good...I will experiment with that soon.

P.S. you know...I go to the bathroom twice a day, if you know what i mean...does this mean i have a fast metabolism? does more mean faster?

 

[Temple]

Flaxseed Oil + Apple Cider Vinegar+Celery Salt+Onion Salt+Garlic Salt = A really good salad dressing
Start with 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 oil to start and adjust the ratios to your taste, keep it in a shaker as it will seperate.
Natural Peanut Butter is also a great source of fat and tastes good.

 

[supergirl]

hey strongchick... lol.. toughlove is right lol... good luck with everything

SG