Noob here...some advice would be greatly appreciated

[cammi]

Hi everyone!

First off, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Cammi. I guess I should start with my basic stats.

Ht: 5'7
Wt: 180
BF % 39 (according to my scale, but who knows how accurate that is)

I still need to do measurements. I keep forgetting to buy a tape. Anyway, here is a bit of background. I just had a baby 2 1/2 months ago and while I was pregnant, I was on bedrest. The sucky kind where you aren't even allowed to sit up. It was boring to say the least, and unfortunately, I spent most of the time eating. I ballooned up from 135 and 19% BF (professionally tested) to where I am now.

The Issue: Before I got pregnant, I was set to join the Navy EOD program, which is like the military version of bomb squad. The problem now is I need to be at or very close to 145 in 3 months or else I'll need to retest, get re-cleared medically, etc. It's a very tedious process and if at all possible, I'd like to avoid it. I'm not sure if it's a doable goal or not... I also need to be able to pass a fitness test that consists of at least 7 pull-ups, 60 push-ups in 2 mins, and 75 sit-ups in 2 mins, along with a run and a 500 meter swim. The only thing I can still do is the swim.

I was hoping you gals could tell me if these are attainable goals, and how I should get started. As weird as it sounds, I have no experience being this unfit so I'm kind of at a loss. Thanks so much in advance.

 

[AFeedz]

Hi everyone!

First off, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Cammi. I guess I should start with my basic stats.

Ht: 5'7
Wt: 180
BF % 39 (according to my scale, but who knows how accurate that is)

I still need to do measurements. I keep forgetting to buy a tape. Anyway, here is a bit of background. I just had a baby 2 1/2 months ago and while I was pregnant, I was on bedrest. The sucky kind where you aren't even allowed to sit up. It was boring to say the least, and unfortunately, I spent most of the time eating. I ballooned up from 135 and 19% BF (professionally tested) to where I am now.

The Issue: Before I got pregnant, I was set to join the Navy EOD program, which is like the military version of bomb squad. The problem now is I need to be at or very close to 145 in 3 months or else I'll need to retest, get re-cleared medically, etc. It's a very tedious process and if at all possible, I'd like to avoid it. I'm not sure if it's a doable goal or not... I also need to be able to pass a fitness test that consists of at least 7 pull-ups, 60 push-ups in 2 mins, and 75 sit-ups in 2 mins, along with a run and a 500 meter swim. The only thing I can still do is the swim.

I was hoping you gals could tell me if these are attainable goals, and how I should get started. As weird as it sounds, I have no experience being this unfit so I'm kind of at a loss. Thanks so much in advance.

So you want to lose about 35lbs. in 3 months? I definitely think that's attainable. That's barely more than 10lbs. a month, which I think is a fine goal, though I'm not sure if others will agree or not.

I can't help with any advice on getting in shape enough to pass those physical tests, but there are someone women who have amazing amounts of knowledge in that area, so I'm sure they'll chime in with some pointers.

I can help you with weight loss, though. I'm 5'6 and recently finished losing 75lbs. The confusing thing about weight loss is that you're going to find a hundred different opinions here on the most efficient or proper way to lose weight, but weight loss is very personal. Ways to go about weight loss don't work the same for everybody, so my best recommendation is to read all the different ways people do it on here and try them all out til you find the best way for you. It may take a little trial and error, but you'll know when you've found the best way for you.

That being said, here's a summarized version of how I achieved my goals.

First, though I'm not really an exercise buff, fasted running was my best friend. Every day I wake up before work and would go for a jog before eating breakfast. When I added that to my workout routine, fat came off much faster.

As for dietary advice:

I drank only water. I'd recommend not drinking milk or really consuming any dairy at all. Personally, dairy ruins me and the day I cut my dairy to a minimum (I still sometimes eat nonfat vanilla yogurt, mmmmm) there was a noticeable different in my weight-loss efforts. My diet consisted mainly of fruits and veggies, occasionally adding in baked chicken or fish. There are some amazing vegan recipes and such out there. I think it's important to not think that because you're trying to lose weight, that your food needs to be bland. Of course, my step mom is a chef so I'm lucky with advice for created delicious-ness out of nothing. I could PM you some great recipes if you'd like.

Anyways, I didn't eat many carbs at all, but they're important to have so I wouldn't cut them out completely, just make sure they're balanced and more importantly, remember that all carbs are not created equal.

Everything is really about balance more than anything else. Also, I'd like to say that, crazy enough, many people's problem when trying to lose weight isn't that they're eating too much, it's that they're eating too little. Losing weight isn't about eating less, it's about eating well.

Anyways, there's plenty more to say but I'm still on my morning cup of coffee, so I'm sorry I didn't give you more helpful advice like a breakdown of what I'd eat on an average day, maybe I will later this today.

There are so many ways to go about this, though, like I said. I'm sure someone will comment with their own strategy. Try them all out, it may be a combination of different things on here that works for you. My best advice is to read around...the more weight loss strategies you read about, the more things you'll have to try and the more likely you'll be to find out what the best way for you is.

But I definitely think your goal is within reach.

 

[musclemom]

Hi Cammi, welcome to the forum and congrats on the new baby.

Unfortunately, your situation is not the same as someone who hasn't just given birth. My first question is are you breastfeeding? Assuming not you can jump right into a diet/exercise program but if you're breastfeeding then it's a whole other ball of wax.

Additionally, some women's bodies just take longer to re-regulate their hormones after pregnancy. Some women have zero problem losing baby fat, others can take six months or even up to a year to get back to pre-pregnancy shape.

BTW, how old are you?

 

[RottenWillow]

Hi everyone!

First off, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Cammi. I guess I should start with my basic stats.

Ht: 5'7
Wt: 180
BF % 39 (according to my scale, but who knows how accurate that is)

I still need to do measurements. I keep forgetting to buy a tape. Anyway, here is a bit of background. I just had a baby 2 1/2 months ago and while I was pregnant, I was on bedrest. The sucky kind where you aren't even allowed to sit up. It was boring to say the least, and unfortunately, I spent most of the time eating. I ballooned up from 135 and 19% BF (professionally tested) to where I am now.

The Issue: Before I got pregnant, I was set to join the Navy EOD program, which is like the military version of bomb squad. The problem now is I need to be at or very close to 145 in 3 months or else I'll need to retest, get re-cleared medically, etc. It's a very tedious process and if at all possible, I'd like to avoid it. I'm not sure if it's a doable goal or not... I also need to be able to pass a fitness test that consists of at least 7 pull-ups, 60 push-ups in 2 mins, and 75 sit-ups in 2 mins, along with a run and a 500 meter swim. The only thing I can still do is the swim.

I was hoping you gals could tell me if these are attainable goals, and how I should get started. As weird as it sounds, I have no experience being this unfit so I'm kind of at a loss. Thanks so much in advance.

With the possible exception of the pullups, which is bodyweight dependent, the strength levels you are likely to regain quickly, considering your former fitness levels.

MM asked if you are breastfeeding. That is likely to have a substantial impact on the rate at which you can drop body fat. If you are still lactating your estrogen level will be below normal and you are likely to be able to lose that fat faster. Make sure you are eating a sufficient amount of calories and at regular intervals throughout the day.

As for the bio-electrical impedance fat scale, don't trust it. Just buy an $8 body mass tape measure with a spring loaded reel in it that is made to use one-handed.

 

[superqt4u2nv]

Welcome to Elite Cammi please use the free platnium membership to search the forums.