looking for advice

[RottenWillow]

Hi Everyone,

I am 5'7 and weigh about 170lbs. I really want to get fit and have recently joined the gym. BUT I am really intimidated when I go there. I really want to drop weight and then work on getting lean muscle so for now I am just concentrating on cardio. I would love to go in the weigh room but I just can't. I'm hoping that if I can lose some weight then I might feel more comfortable. I hate asking this because I know that most of you work hard for how you look and there really isn't an easy way to do it, but is there any fat burners that are safe and would help me lost the weight faster. I have no problem doing the work, I just really want the results faster. I haven't been to the beach or even worn shorts in the summer in years. This year I would like it to be different, but I need to be somewhat fit to even consider it. I have already lost 15 lbs since January 1st, but I feel like I have hit a plateau. My diet isn't that bad, but probably not great either. I try to eat healthy but most days I do eat a frozen meals and barely get any vegetables.
So if anyone can tell me what I can buy to lose weight a little more quickly I would really appreciate it. I have tried to so some research myself but I find it quite confusing. Someone I know told me they he could get me something to help and he gave me Stanozolol. I was taking 20mg a day and ended up gaining 10 pounds in a little over a week. Needless to say I stopped taking it.

Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post.
Char

Char, I bumped an old thread, Glycemic Indexes and Loads, with you in mind. There's a link to a site that provides a large list of foods and their respective GI and GL's. Check that out.

 

[char78]

I am using the fit day calorie counter and I have not even been eating 1200 calories per day the past few days. I don't feel hungry cause I am eating every few hours, is this ok?
Here is my schedule and what I have been eating. I work at 5a so my first meal is usually around 530a.
530a - quacker instant oatmeal
830a - greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries
1100a - small portion of sweet potatoes, small ground turkey pattie, and 1/2 cup green beans
130p - same as at 11a
5p - small ground turkey pattie, green beans and .75 cups of whole grain brown rice

I also add a tsp of Becel margarine with my sweet potatoes and green beans.

I don't eat after 5p cause I usually go to bed around 9p cause I work so early.
Do you guys think this is ok? It doesn't equal 40% protein, 30% carbs and 30% good fats though.
It's more like 25% protein, 32% fat and 43% carbs.

Char

 

[RottenWillow]

I am using the fit day calorie counter and I have not even been eating 1200 calories per day the past few days. I don't feel hungry cause I am eating every few hours, is this ok?

For a few days, yes. However, staying that low for more than a few days will just have the effect of triggering your body's survival response to conserve it's calories and your fat loss endeavor will halt quickly.

Char since we don't know your age, activity level, or approximate bodyfat percentage, it's not possible to even begin to estimate your caloric need for body composition homeostasis (the amount needed to keep your current size/shape), but I'm sure 1200 calores daily is below that threshold.

Dropping cals well below that maintenance level is fine for a few days, but you need to make sure you raise your intake much closer to that threshold again by the 3rd day.

I don't eat after 5p cause I usually go to bed around 9p cause I work so early.
Do you guys think this is ok? It doesn't equal 40% protein, 30% carbs and 30% good fats though.
It's more like 25% protein, 32% fat and 43% carbs.
Char

Ok, but not ideal. Remember you're already fasting for 8+ hours when you sleep, so that's quite a stretch where your body is w/o protein it needs to maintain skeletal muscle. You really don't want to add to that by creating such a large additional window of no food intake before bedtime. Shoot for 25-30 grams of lean, high quality protein just before bed. I like a 93/7 ground turkey pattie (no bun) dressed up with some tomato, onion and spicy mustard with some fresh raw veggies on the side just before bed. About the time those aminos from the turkey are fully metabolized and available for muscle tissue repair, it's morning and I'm consuming a fast digesting protein shake to speed another dose of animos to the bloodstream.

This sort of protein consumption limits the amount of time your body stays in negative nitrogen balance, which is something you always want to do. Losing muscle slows your metabolism even more and leads to the soft, mushy "skinnyfat" look.

 

[Rachel...lol]

I was also going to chime in and say that is not enough calories per day - even not knowing your stats. I also know that with Fitday, it helps you calculate your MACROS as well as your calorie deficit to reach your goal - and I'm pretty sure if you put in there what you're eating it would tell you that your deficit is too much and not advised to do that. Girl if you don't eat enough it's going to save what you eat and store it as fat. I know it's tough to get it all down. Keep on working at it, can tell you're motivated. OH, get some protein in with your first meal.

 

[trex74]

Ok, I bought the food and have only eaten what was on that list yesterday and so far today. Coffee and green tea is Ok though right? I only have 1 cup each per day. I am very determined ladies. I can't wait to see results. I even sucked it up and went to weight room at the gym. I felt so out of place but I just did what I had to do. Thanks! I'll let you know how I make out!
Char

Great job Char!!!!!!
That's a great attitude, you are inspiring me too