[CoiI8XIj]

Was going to start a whole new thread but didn't think it was necessary after reading this one.

Been hitting the gym for the last 6 months, and been hittin' it hard. But I still feel like my progress isn't as good as it should be.
Stats-
Height: 5'7
Weight: 167 lbs.

I have only lost about 5 pounds in the last six months, but I must be doing something wrong. My goal is to lose 17 pounds total and be "defined" (not really crazy about big muscles).
I do around 35-40 minutes of cardio per day, and some chest, legs, abs and arms alternately.
I DO see some progress, especially around my belly, shoulders chest and butt, but I know for a fact that my eating habits aren't optimal.
I did get some tips from a friend, and he said: eat nothing but proteins and amino acids before and after working out, and have a small dinner, which I haven't really done- and he also said: 20% is about the work out and 80% is about what you eat.

So, yeah... Basically, I would like a little guidance, tips, dos, don't dos, anything is welcome.
Thanks in advance!

S.

[maxfreemann]

You need carbs after a workout with your protein in order to refuel - it'll help your body do the most with the protein you're having and make the most of your muscles as they're rebuilding. And you should have something with complex carbs an hour or so prior to working out - starving your body of this kind of slow-burn energy will mean you can't push yourself as hard when exercising. In fact, if there was only ONE time when I'd advise eating carbs (and there isn't - everything in moderation!), it would be around your workout.

I don't think it matters how you structure your meals in terms of when to eat more, but you should focus on getting the right things before and after your workouts. Have a good sized, balanced meal about an hour after exercise, but recharge immediately after (have a banana or something). Get plenty of lean proteins, minimise refined carbs, eat your greens, stay hydrated, and get enough healthy fats!

Perhaps you've plateaued? You could try switching your routine, upping intensity, upping weights, etc. Anything to challenge your body and break it out of its usual routine.

Also - 'defined' requires muscle, and if you're looking to build a little muscle as well as lose fat, it's going to take a little longer than just doing one or the other. Don't lose heart!

[Njxatsbf]

I really want to do this:

http://www.harbortothebay.org/

But I am not sure I could raise $500, as much as I'd love to help out. My friends, much like me, are hardly wealthy. Maybe I'll just bike it by myself sometime.

[24MurinivaMak]

I just have some milk with whey powder immediately after to tide me over while I make food.

I do that.

But I also love coconut juice. Too expensive to get too often but OMG IS IT GOOD.

[Ngwkgczx]

After being pretty consistent with working out for a good period of time, do you still have exercises that are difficult for you? I primarily do interval or circuit training at home. I try to mix it up regularly to "surprise" my body and while I do see improvement, some days I feel like I will never be able to master a good strong set of mountain climbers, push ups or squat thrusts, etc.

How do you push yourself to fight through the exercises that feel like they might kill you?

[Grenader]

can i gripe about lack of motivation? seriously, i cant be arsed to go my cycle class because the music sucks. lame excuse or what?!!

a lot of times, the group exercise (read: fux n sux is competitive) component motivates me to dig in and push through hard stuff (mountain climbers for sure, weird ab exerciess) but i suck at being motivated to do those on my own. or to do challenging things consistently. so the answer is i dont really have a good answer

[Ngwkgczx]

True to the group exercise! That would require building in extra time into my work out schedule which might potentially end up being my lame excuse. There is also the fear of pushing too hard and injuring myself. This body takes longer to heal these days and I do worry about risking it and not being able to work out at all. Another lame excuse? I'm so not a boot camp type mentality. If someone was in my face yelling I'd surely kick them in the shin.

Guess you're stuck with the cycle class music? That does make it challenging. Nothing like being annoyed when you're gasping for air.

[educationonlines]

I'm almost in tears and doing plenty of whimpering as I type this. T and I did our first workout in our new regimen last night, which was about 30 minutes of resistance exercises (lunges, squats, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.). I am in so much pain right now that I can't even put it into words. When I went to the soda machine this morning, I dropped a quarter and left it on the ground because it hurt to much to pick it up.

HELP ME! Is there anything I can do to alleviate the pain in anyway? Although my upper body is sore as well, it's my extremities that are in excruciating pain. I had to walk down a flight of stairs this evening and it literally brought tears to my eyes.

[secondmortgagek]

^I usually resort to a very hot bath, deep stretching, and rest.

goals? being able to hold the following poses with relative ease for at least a minute:







let me be clear - I'm nowhere near this level yet! hopefully someday.

[!!Aaroncheg]

My friend set a goal for herself to run 100 miles in 6 months, or something like that. Which inspired me to set my own goal. 50 miles walked/ran on the elliptical by the end of the year. I'm already halfway to my goal.

I've had to be a self motivator. I started out working out with a friend but she's been so completely flaky lately that I can't count on her anymore, but have stayed motivated to do it on my own. (I got to a private gym for free in the fire dept and am usually by myself, which I think helps me because I don't have to work out in front of a bunch of people.) I don't know quite where the motivation is coming from but I've been going strong for 2 years now.

[Optipitle]

Okay, I did not want to start a new thread for this, but one of my fitness goals is to simply tone up before I go to "Southern Decadence" in September. I want to get a bowflex. Has anyone used one before? I realize that working out in a gym may be more cost efficient, but I know myself too well, and I will never go to a gym on a regular basis. I also use my other exercise equipment on a regular basis, so I don't predict that the bowflex will simply collect dust. I just want to make sure that it does provide a good workout.

[Ngwkgczx]

JayPea, Ibuprofen helps me when I'm that sore. And sometimes some light moving. Even just walking. It seems to help loosen it up a little.

Crow pose is one on my list as well, carol. Some of the variations on that pose are nuts. I've been told it is more about the balance than the strength but I haven't quite found either yet. ha!

[Njxatsbf]

I'm trying to bike ten miles every morning. So far, so good (for the most part).

[Dildos]

I've been swimming at the Y for a few months and before I got this job I used to go for an hour at a time. Then I dropped down to 30 minutes, because I'm usually a wreck after work. But I managed to do 45 the other day, so I'm not a total waste!

[Assauraarguck]

I just can't seem to get going again after a few weeks off. I am made entirely of mush as a result and I am sick of it.

Jaypea, eventually your body will loosen up and feel better. Hell, sometimes I think getting back to a workout when I hurt makes me feel a bit better. There have been occasions when I've been crawling down the stairs on my bum, though, and have needed help getting on the loo. It's hilarious/awful.

[haudraufwienix]

Checking in: going to burn some fat off on the stairmaster today.

[brorwargy]

[UJRonald]

I am going to lose this 15 pounds if it kills me.

[barsikjal]

let me be clear - I'm nowhere near this level yet!

And you are not alone!

[rXpX]

With Science as my witness, i will go to the gym again! Sometimes...later...this year, i hope. I need a trainer, this ain't working.