Posts by emilym

Forum	Topic	Date	Replies

Fitness	Tips on maintaining muscle during a calorie deficit?	Jul 14 2007 00:04 (UTC)	2
spirochete, he didn't link to a deadlift demo. I've been doing them like this (the first set of 3 pictures): http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displayarticle. php?aid=116 Should I be doing stiff legged? I almost replied to your female lifter post but then thought I should probably hold off until I was lifting more than 20lbs :)
Fitness	Tips on maintaining muscle during a calorie deficit?	Jul 13 2007 23:10 (UTC)	4
Wow, thank you guys again, you are super helpful!! I looked at the dumbbell squat links, tgpish - it looks like the only difference between dumbbell deadlift and dumbbell squat is that with the deadlift, your hands are in front of you and with the squat, your hands are at your sides? Is that correct? By the way... I did squats on Wed. with my 10lb. dumbbells at shoulder level... holy sh*t!!! I see why you guys are laughing at my "resting squats" now! By the end of the 3rd set I just sort of collapsed on the floor and sat there for 5 minutes! I am measuring my weight & body composition on a Tanita 300 scale at a local clinic. I don't know how often they calibrate it but they have to get it out for me every time, so I don't think it gets a lot of use. I've done a few experiments with it and the BF% varies from moment to moment within 1 pound. If I increase my protein intake by grams, can I allow the protein % to increase also or do I need to eat more carbs and fats to match? I'd prefer to be around 1500 calories with 40% protein rather than 1800 calories and 55/25/20. I will switch some of my meals from meat to fish. Thanks very much for the fats & carbs info :) lol at making icky stuff tasty. My mom's family is traditional Chinese so there was plenty of icky stuff to go around! Oatmeal? Protein powder? Bring it on! smartjock, that's an interesting point about neuromuscular gains. You're right, my balance and form has improved a lot. spirochete, I saw your post calling for female weightlifters... hopefully in a few months I'll be joining you :)
Fitness	Is it possible to end the jiggling of the thighs?	Jul 13 2007 01:35 (UTC)	11
Yeah sorry bodyscience, it was simpler to say that it weighed more but you're right :)
Fitness	Is it possible to end the jiggling of the thighs?	Jul 13 2007 01:25 (UTC)	13
Everyone had great suggestions. Please do not be bummed if you gain a few pounds from doing the excellent exercises recommended in the replies... muscle weighs more than fat and your weight is so low right now that you may very well gain a few. But you will actually look leaner and you will be way more healthy.
Foods	how come somedays i can eat hardly anything and be fine and others im starved?	Jul 13 2007 01:19 (UTC)
I'm the same way. Some days I have to force myself to eat enough and other days my feet keep taking me back to the refrigerator before I realize where I'm going! I think it may be related to what I ate the day before. Like if I had a lot of sodium or carbs my body may crave more the next day... if I ate a lot of fiber I wake up in the morning totally not interested in breakfast?? I'm just guessing... It may also have to do with your activity level, I get around the same amount of exercise every day but if your activity level varies a lot, that would contribute to how hungry you are.
Foods	zero calorie sweets!	Jul 12 2007 23:41 (UTC)	2
Woah caramel pepsi?? Interesting... I might have to try that just for the novelty of it!!
Weight Loss	Today is just fruit and veggies...	Jul 12 2007 22:39 (UTC)	8
PS, If you look up "raw foods" online you'll see there is a movement of people trying to do exactly what you say... "eat just raw things how people did back in the day". There are hundreds of creative and tasty recipes for all sorts of stuff from salad dressing to full-scale dinners. Some of them get really complicated with food processors and dehydrators but there's plenty of easy, simple recipes that are really good and fill you up too. Good luck, I'm inspired to try a raw day too!
Weight Loss	Today is just fruit and veggies...	Jul 12 2007 22:34 (UTC)	10
Potatoes are a vegetable too :) And they really fill you up! Sweet potatoes are really good for you, I don't know about regular potatoes. Avocado? Beans? You can do all sorts of stuff with beans... hummus, bean salad, etc. Sometimes when I have a green salad I'll put a handful of no-salt kidney beans or garbanzo beans on top. I think beans are not technically a vegetable but maybe close enough? Those are all higher-calorie suggestions than lettuce and most fruit, so if you feel like you're going crazy with hunger, one of those should help. If you're going to grill tonight, mushrooms are yummy too.
Foods	how do you brown chicken?	Jul 12 2007 22:20 (UTC)	10
What I do is bake normally on the center rack, covered, until the last few minutes and then switch to broil on the top rack, uncovered, for JUST a few minutes at the very end. Pan frying I do what hgielrehtaeh suggested, turn the heat up for a few mins to sear. Leave the lid on the pan to keep the chicken juicy.
Fitness	Is it possible to lose only fat and not muscle?	Jul 12 2007 02:57 (UTC)	1
And congrats on your weight loss so far, geistjagerin! I'm trying to do the same thing you are but it sounds like you're a little farther along, I just started lifting weights 1 month ago. I'm 22, 5'6", 152lbs. 31%BF.
Fitness	Is it possible to lose only fat and not muscle?	Jul 12 2007 02:53 (UTC)	2
I gotta say tgpish... you sure do have useful replies. I really admire your ability to keep giving thoughtful, clear, and super-detailed answers to what amounts to the same question over and over again (which I asked a few weeks ago too!!).
Weight Loss	is anyone else only 'dieting' for looks?	Jul 12 2007 02:38 (UTC)	9
Looking better is what motivates me most, but now health matters to me too. I mean if I was told that I could do all this diet and exercise, look exactly the same, but be way healthier... I doubt I would do it. When I was your age, health didn't matter to me AT ALL. I was only interested in being thinner, but I was unable to stick to a healthy lifestyle and keep the weight off. I'm 22 now and starting to truly realize that how I treat my body NOW will affect the rest of my life. But there was no way I would have really cared about that when I was 15. So I think it's great that you're losing weight in a healthy way and sticking with it, whether you're motivated by appearance or health!
Weight Loss	WW vs. CC...Save Your MONEY	Jul 11 2007 22:28 (UTC)	10
lol that's true too. I feel slimmer eating 40 points than 1400 calories. You get conditioned to anything though, someone on WW for a long time would probably have an immediate negative reaction to hearing "10 points" whereas I'm like hey there's only 10 of them! But definitely the smaller numbers make it easier to start with, which draws new people in. I don't know very much about the WW system so I'm hesitant to say that they don't emphasize healthy eating as well as just points. From the outside it seems like the emphasis is just on points rather than a balanced ratio of carbs, protein and "good" fats, and exercise. But I really don't know. Also there are plenty of calorie counters who just go by the number and aren't so concerned with total health.
Weight Loss	WW vs. CC...Save Your MONEY	Jul 11 2007 21:27 (UTC)	12
Haha, I was just thinking about this yesterday. I know a bunch of people on WW. Partly you're paying for convenience. It's easier for most people to remember a 5-point muffin and subtract it from 40, than to remember a 210 cal. muffin and subtract it from 1475 daily cals. Also like the other posters said, there's a built-in support group with WW. If you decide to count calories, you're more on your own as far as research and finding a support group. I feel like I've had to put in more effort with calorie counting, but have learned a LOT more about nutrition and how the body functions than if I had just been told "Here's your weight, here's your 40 points". I have a better understanding of anything if I have to figure it out myself. I know that I could have done the same research if I had joined WW but I just don't think I would have done it as long as I had someone telling me what to do. And YES - CC is FREE and I LOVE THAT!!
Weight Loss	seeked advice about my weight loss	Jul 11 2007 21:11 (UTC)	1
bunnyish - for the first few months nothing happened. Then I lost 10lbs./month for 3 months straight with no effort on my part. In fact I was eating more than usual and still losing weight. BUT once that 30lbs. dropped off, I gained 10 of them back because by then I was used to eating like a horse and losing weight, lol, that was my own fault! Since the shot is supposed to last 3 months, I would think that it would take at least that long for it to be totally out of your system. It also depends how long you were on Depo. My stepmom was on it for about 10 years and it took her a year to lose the 30lbs. I was on it for only 2-3 years. Good luck and don't give up - I know I felt like literally banging my head against the wall all the time I was trying and trying with no results, but it WILL clear up. Your doctor is right that everyone is different so maybe you will have quicker results than me :)
Weight Loss	seeked advice about my weight loss	Jul 11 2007 02:22 (UTC)	3
I gained 30 pounds on Depo. I was NOT eating more, in fact I was trying really hard to be reasonable and I swam and walked constantly. I feel your frustration!! Good news is that the weight really did just drop away after I went off the shot, without me having to do any sort of strict dieting. After the Depo, I became intolerant to other forms of hormonal b.c. so I got an IUD and love it. But yes, I'm in a long term relationship.
Fitness	Anyone using body fat % instead of relying on the scale?	Jul 10 2007 21:38 (UTC)	1
Me too! I definitely care more about body fat % than total weight! I go to a clinic once a month that has a Tanita scale. I've done a few little experiments with it and the BF% does vary from moment to moment within about 1 pound. 1 pound of variation really doesn't seem like a lot, but to me it makes a difference whether I've lost 2 pounds of fat or 3!! Is there another "consumer" grade scale called the Tamita, with an M? I hear people talking about it and I always assumed they were the same thing but maybe not.
Fitness	Tips on maintaining muscle during a calorie deficit?	Jul 10 2007 08:56 (UTC)	8
Thanks for your replies!! I didn't even think about adding weight to squats, but definitely should. It's like my "resting" lift right now!! Can I do it using dumbbells? The only examples I could find online use a barbell behind the neck. I don't have a barbell. Can I just hold the dumbbells like the starting position of the standing press? I've been adding sets and then weight every week (except this week, which is my second week at 3 sets/10lbs. - next week I'll go up to 3 sets/12.5lbs... and then I have to go get a new set of weights.) I can definitely increase my protein - it's around 25% now. Last week I started having a smoothie with protein powder, skim milk, strawberries and banana right after lifting. I think fruit is simple carbs from sugar though... will have to figure out how to fit complex carbs in there. I'm not sure what my stats on good fat are but I think I'm OK, I eat avocado, turkey and chicken breast, not much red meat or processed food, and almost no cheese (sadly). I had been wondering if increasing my calories would help. I'll try it. I'm eating around 1350 calories now. I can just add in a 2nd protein shake before lifting. I actually started wondering if I was eating enough because I was always full of energy after doing 6 days of cardio and now that I'm lifting for 3 days, I feel more tired all the time. Unfortunately I didn't track my weight at all before May (too scared to step on the scale, even though I'd been doing cardio since February!). But I have definitely noticed more muscle and less fat, especially in my legs, which is where I lose weight first. Funny that I've lost 7 pounds of muscle yet suddenly my (much smaller) legs are looking quite toned and I can actually see that yes, there is a muscle in there! Maybe even more than one! Thank you again for giving me so much help with this. It's GREAT to actually be doing something about it instead of just sitting around wondering why I never lose any weight! I'm really quite happy with my progress so far and doing even better will be awesome!
Foods	pb2	Jul 09 2007 02:36 (UTC)	2
You can order it on eBay if you want it to ship faster. It's more expensive though. I like how PB2 tastes but still like regular peanut butter better. The PB2 is good enough so that I eat it instead of regular PB 3 times out of 4. I mostly use it on sandwiches and apples. I tried mixing it straight with jelly and it didn't really work. I think it would make a great Thai peanut sauce.
Weight Loss	How many calories did you used to eat?	Jul 09 2007 02:20 (UTC)	17
I tracked calories for 1 month before making changes to my diet. I averaged 2500 calories per day. I don't know exactly what I weighed but somewhere between 160 and 170. I'm 5'6", female, sedentary.
Weight Loss	could I really still be hungry?	Jul 02 2007 08:19 (UTC)	2
If you've only eaten 1000 calories... then yes you are probably still hungry! Try eating something with more protein than zucchini... cottage cheese or a small piece of meat? Even a spoonful of peanut butter might do it.
Weight Loss	does this happen to any of you ladies?	Jul 02 2007 03:32 (UTC)	2
My clothes fit looser the few days before and after my period (and during). I always thought it was weird. It's like I'm bloating the rest of the time, haha
Motivation	Give credit to your biggest IRL support HERE! :)	Jul 01 2007 11:18 (UTC)	2
yep, he's definitely a keeper :) For the prize... what about going on a mini vacation together, somewhere nice but nearby? Of course that brings up the whole "eating on vacation" issue but I'm hoping by that point I will have trained myself well enough so it won't be too big a deal. Actually I tend to stay so active on vacations that I don't gain weight... it's my 9 to 5 computer job that packs on the pounds! What my boyfriend really wants is a game room but I don't think I'll have saved enough to buy a bigger house for it!! Let me know if you have any ideas too! PS I just checked your profile - I'm a web designer too :)
Motivation	Scared of the way I look	Jul 01 2007 11:06 (UTC)	5
It's awesome you went for your walk today :) I agree the best way is to try to reinforce positive thoughts and minimize the negative ones, and keep making yourself get out there and walk as much as you can. You could also try doing a walking workout video at home like Walk Away The Pounds, for days you just can't make it outside. I run on the beach when I have time, but it was SO hard to get out there the first few times, feeling like I was huffing, puffing, sweating and jiggling in everybody's face (in reality nobody was paying any attention to me plus there were like 5 other people running too) I have a real problem with the mirror as well, so right now the only mirrors in the house are the bathroom mirrors and they aren't full length. I am telling myself that when I have lost 10 pounds I'm going to put pretty new mirrors in the house and use them to look at myself in a positive light. For me it is just as important to get over my self-consciousness and insecurity as it is to actually lose weight. I know this isn't true for everyone but I think a lot of people do feel the same way. Good luck and keep walking!!
Weight Loss	Weighing?	Jul 01 2007 10:53 (UTC)	13
I weigh once a month bc otherwise I get too obsessed. If I wasn't dealing with that, I would weigh once a week. Here's another post about this: http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/4289 1.html
Foods	top ten fav foods.	Jul 01 2007 10:05 (UTC)	23
ooooh what a thread... pizza (like everyone else!!) nachos potato salad eggplant parmesan tiramisu sushi vodka chili orange chicken huevos rancheros I just read over my list and had to laugh... no wonder I need to lose some weight!! Although honestly I had to think for a while to come up with some of those... it's been so long since I've eaten them!
Fitness	holy muscle	Jul 01 2007 09:54 (UTC)	1
yay! I'm so glad you got to see some positive change after your frustrated post the other day. Congrats on all the new muscle!! Measuring body fat percentage is definitely more useful than measuring body weight at your stage.
Motivation	my mums rubbing my face it it! AUGHH!!	Jul 01 2007 00:55 (UTC)
My first thought was, what a great opportunity for you to get her to exercise with you. If she keeps this up until you get better, try to get her to stick with it and you can do it together. Maybe you can turn something negative into something positive (or at least you can try, right??)
Motivation	How do you stay motivated when--	Jul 01 2007 00:48 (UTC)	2
I eat smaller amounts like karliann said. Usually it's a semi-potluck party at someone's house and I have the opportunity to bring something healthy like a big salad for everyone. So then I fill up on my big salad and still get to have a little bit of whatever they're having. Drinking lots of water helps too. I could never "just say no" haha... I would go home thinking about the food I missed out on and probably eat half a pizza the next day.
Motivation	Give credit to your biggest IRL support HERE! :)	Jul 01 2007 00:42 (UTC)	6
Mine is my boyfriend too :) He's just like yours chamomile... listened to me for years whining and complaining and saying I was fat, and when I finally committed myself to losing weight he kept pushing me to learn more about it, looked up tons of information for me, and now listens very patiently to me constantly talking about all my new health discoveries! He started lifting weights with me and occasionally goes for a run with me too, I even got him to try the whey protein powder I bought, lol. He always asks how I'm doing with my workouts and encourages me to stick with it when I feel like just sitting around. I've never once felt like HE needed me to lose weight or found me unattractive, just that he supported me wanting to do it for myself. When I reach my goal weight I've been planning to give myself a huge prize, I really need to give him one too!!

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