Posts by beastypixie

Hill sprint will increase your anaerobic (without oxygen) and aerobic (to some extent) threshold.  Your glutes and hamstrings will love you!  

I personally think most people benefit from a well rounded training program that includes some steady state cardio (like joggin) and some interval training (like hill sprints).  

Tabata sessions are awesome.  LOVE them!

Good information on eggs.  For me I limit yolks because of calories.  I like to get 20-30% of my calories from fat but I don't want it all to be from egg yolks.  Did someone say peanut butter???  

Your body could be retaining water for numerous reasons.  Make sure you are eating mostly whole natural foods without adding a ton of salt (You can add some, I'm talking excessive shaking of the shaker!).  Doing this and drinking A LOT of water (I drink a gallon) at least 12 cups should help you to release the water you many be holding.  It could also be the glycogen in your muscles if you are lifting.  Once again drinking a lot of water will help.  You need water to lose water.  I wouldn't go over a gallon though unless it's really hot out and you are sweating like crazy.  If you are eating right, exercising, and your clothes are getting tighter then I'd stay off the scale! :)  Easier said than done...I know!!  :)

You don't look boyish at all to me and you look like you have a long way to go before looking "buff".  (I don't mean that mean at all!)  Of course buff means different things to different people!!  

If you are happy with your current strength then stop adding weight.  Challenge yourself by trying new exercises.  Consider yourself lucky to be able to add muscle easily.  I've been trying to bulk up my arms and shoulders for over a year and the progress is slow.  Most woman simply cannot bulk up due to genetics/hormones.  

BTW you don't look like a man.  You are freakin' gorgeous!

Waste of money.  They don't really burn fat.  They give you more energy to push harder.  If you need an extra boost drink coffee before you workout.

Like others said you can't spot reduce.  

To see ab muscles you have to get to a low BF%.  Some people build abs easier than others.  People are always asking me about my abs.  My response is that, "abs are made in the kitchen."  I rarely train my abs specifically although I'm a big fan of planks.  Crunches in my opinion are a 2nd rate exercise.  I do a lot of compound lifts b/c they engage the core as well and generally give  you more bang for your buck.  Here's a blog post on compound exercises.  Also you may want to check out Crossfit.  I've done a few of their workouts and they are great.  A lof of MMA people like cross fit.  They post daily workouts and have a huge library of demos.  Good luck!  

The article was right your body doesn't need carbs to function.  It will (burn) fat for energy and when that's gone your muscle until there is nothing left to covert and you die of starvation.  That said, the question is what should you eat to make it function most efficiently?  I think it's fine to lower carbs a little on non-lifting days as long as you feel good but if you feel better with the same or more carbs on non-lifting days then go ahead and eat them and DON'T feel guilty!!!  

I've ate like you mentioned when I was cutting for a show.  It works but will you be able to sustain it???  If so as long as you are eating enough I don't think there is anything inherently unhealthy about this but most people just can't make it a lifestyle.   Something that works for me is to keep to find a place in the middle.  I eat whole grains with 2-3 of my 5- meals usually early in the day but not always.  I rarely eat just meat and almost always try to eat a bunch of veggies.    As long as you are eating enough you should preserve muscle.  Your body will burn fat as long as there is fat to burn before it will burn muscle.  Make sure you eat pre and post workout so your body isn't forced into muscle burning mode.  I'm skeptical about glutamine.  I've taken it but more for muscle recovery. 

They are better if they are NOT fried!!!  I love to make my own on the grill at home.  YUM!

IMO you need more fat and more protein.  :)  You need all types of fat except trans fats... avoid those.  If I were you I'd eat a little less carbs, more protein and more fat.  I'm NOT saying go low carb but a little lower carb will make room for more fats (and protein if you so desire.)  Good luck!!!

I lift heavy and most people wouldn't call my arms bulking.  They are 10" around at my bicep.  Nothing higher than 3 pounds is ridiculous in my opinion.  Most women have a hard time building muscle and it's nearly impossible for most women to bulk up.  I did say most some have the genetics/hormones to do so.  That said I don't think women have to lift like bodybuilders to get great results.  The key is to constantly challenge your body.  

Lift weights.   My guess is that you are thin without a lot of muscle.  Muscle is smaller and more dense than fat so it weighs more but looks better.  Start lifting a few days a week and stay off the scale.  Give yourself 6-8 weeks and see if you like the changes.

That's really cute!!!  CONGRATS on your progress.  That's AWESOME.

I'm always showing my hubby my muscles.  The other day he had this dream about me.  I thought it was so funny.

Yay muscles!!!!

I do the gum thing.  

If I'm CRAVING something crunchy I make popcorn.