New member....gym rat but want to go further.....any advice?

[caligirl85]

No matter what plan you follow, I'd give it at least 4 weeks before making too many changes. I'd pay attention to how you respond...you may want to increase calories slightly, given the amount of training you're doing. Better to start higher and have room to move imho.

 

[jennifer778]

No, that deli meat is no good...sorry
Personally I don't limit vegetables at all no matter what the time. Limiting grains is enough that you really don't have to worry about vegetables.
Greek yogurt? I am not entirely sure, but if it is plain greek yogurt with no added sweetenings (fruit on the bottom or honey etc.) you should be OK. 1 or 2% milk fat is fine. There is a lot of protein in Greek yogurt, so a couple portions (1/2 cup I assume) should be fine.
Is your fat on your stomach mostly? You could indeed be sensitive to grains. I have to be careful with what I eat, just because if I even eat a little bit of rice or oatmeal I get bloated there.
For me, the trick is not to feel deprived, but also not to overdo it with calorically dense food (healthy fats like nuts and olive oil). As long as you measure and portion out those dense foods you'll be fine. I think unlimited vegetables are the ay to go, and at least one or two fruits/day like grapefruit, apples, or blueberries.

Alright jjtt...
I know I can't like spot lose weight (if that makes any sense)...any way to get rid of this belly fat for good? Will following the diet you gave me do that? Sorry for so many questions. Thanks for your advice!!

 

[jennifer778]

No matter what plan you follow, I'd give it at least 4 weeks before making too many changes. I'd pay attention to how you respond...you may want to increase calories slightly, given the amount of training you're doing. Better to start higher and have room to move imho.

Thanks caligirl..so it should probably take about 4 weeks or so for me to see a change right? I appreciate the advice! Keep it coming. You gals are fantastic!!

 

[jjtt]

Even if you are lifting heavy 3 x week, and doing HIIT 4-5 days a week, I would not go over 1800 cals/day if you are trying to lean out. If you are at 1600 and are not always starving, I would not increase calories at this point, especially if you have fat you want to get rid of. Do not go under 1500 though, or you will lose strength and your body will slow down.
Spot reduce? No, that doesn't happen. You just have to be patient. At 5'9" and 142, I can't see much muffin top happening, btw what's your body type- ecto, meso, or endo?

 

[jennifer778]

Even if you are lifting heavy 3 x week, and doing HIIT 4-5 days a week, I would not go over 1800 cals/day if you are trying to lean out. If you are at 1600 and are not always starving, I would not increase calories at this point, especially if you have fat you want to get rid of. Do not go under 1500 though, or you will lose strength and your body will slow down.
Spot reduce? No, that doesn't happen. You just have to be patient. At 5'9" and 142, I can't see much muffin top happening, btw what's your body type- ecto, meso, or endo?

I'm following the sample diet that you gave me (and not really adding anything to it or taking away from anything) so I would say I'm eating about 1500 calories a day. I definitely am not going to increase calories. I don't think I need to.
This is going to show my ignorance, and I will go google this so I can find out more about it..but I have no idea what type of body type I am. I have never heard of that before. Shed any light while I"m googling?

BTW..how was your weekend?

 

[jennifer778]

I'm following the sample diet that you gave me (and not really adding anything to it or taking away from anything) so I would say I'm eating about 1500 calories a day. I definitely am not going to increase calories. I don't think I need to.
This is going to show my ignorance, and I will go google this so I can find out more about it..but I have no idea what type of body type I am. I have never heard of that before. Shed any light while I"m googling?

BTW..how was your weekend?

Ok, from what I've read and a little quiz that I took on BodyBuilding.com I am a Mesomorph. What exactly does this mean? (I read up on it but I'm saying what does this mean in regards to lifting?) Any tips/suggestions?

THanks!

 

[jjtt]

Ok, from what I've read and a little quiz that I took on BodyBuilding.com I am a Mesomorph. What exactly does this mean? (I read up on it but I'm saying what does this mean in regards to lifting?) Any tips/suggestions?

THanks!

Hi, I had a great weekend! Did some fall clothes shopping which is always fun
It is just a loose body type that basically says you put on and keep muscle easier than other body types. Lucky you!

 

[dmk777]

Ok, from what I've read and a little quiz that I took on BodyBuilding.com I am a Mesomorph. What exactly does this mean? (I read up on it but I'm saying what does this mean in regards to lifting?) Any tips/suggestions?

THanks!

Hey !! I just dropped in on bb.com to do this test I got same results as you lol.

 

[jennifer778]

Hey !! I just dropped in on bb.com to do this test I got same results as you lol.

Good for you!! Great minds...right!? Ha. Not sure how accurate that test is but I'm glad I got a good result. How are you Donna? How was your weekend?

 

[jennifer778]

Hi, I had a great weekend! Did some fall clothes shopping which is always fun
It is just a loose body type that basically says you put on and keep muscle easier than other body types. Lucky you!

Fall clothes shopping sounds fun! I went to Atlanta Sunday and ran a 1/2 marathon so that was fun.

So I've got some 5x5 questions. Today was the first day that I started. I will do 5x5 three times a week and 4-5 days a week I will do some type of cardio. You've probably answered this but
1) how many minutes (how long) of cardio should I do those 4-5 days? I am going to do intervals most days but I have to give my ankles a break 1 or 2 of those days (too many years of running/gymnastics).

2) so when I'm not doing intervals what's the second best fat burning cardio to do? Time limit?

**seeing today was my first day to do 5x5 I went pretty light to just get form Down. Several questions here....

3). I have watched/read/researched proper form on BB rows. Anyone have any tips? They felt weird today although that could be because I'd never done them before. Do you grasp the bar wide or shoulder length? Do you grasp bar with palms facing outward? Any tips would be helpful.

Today was challenging. I kept feeling like I should be doing more exercises but I know that's just because that's what I'm used to. I just need to mentally change my mindset that it's quantity and not quality..right? (help me with my OCD please!!)