130/120 Club?

I'm looking for a 130/120 club, but I don't see any topics started.

If anyone knows of the proper topic, would you mind letting me know?

Thank you :)

Here's a discussion topic:

So I know this has been covered time and again...but what are the ranges of calorie intake and burn that you guys are striving for?  I've been striving for a cal intake of approximately 1400-1500 and a burn of about 2000. That leaves me a deficit of the 400-500 cal range.  What about you guys?  Any suggestions to help boost the weight loss? (obviously, I know that working out goes hand in hand with calorie cutting. I do work out religiously, which provides a 300-400 calorie burn for me).

I've been trying to figure out what is the best range for me. My goal was to keep in around 1300-1400 on days where my workout is not vigorous and around 1500-1600 on hard workout days. My good workouts are around 400-500 cals burned. I have been eating 5-6 small meals a day and haven't been getting hungry with that. I have had a steady 1-2 lb weight loss for about 3 weeks now, so it seems to be working:) hopefully i'm not losing muscle mass though...it doesnt feel or look like it.

I had a terrible day yesterday...skipped the gym and decided to eat everything in my path. Im just getting so discouraged. I burn 300-400 calories at the gym 5 days a week, and eat around 1400-1500 calories a day...yet last week i gained...GAINED!! friday i was at 129.2, but im struggling. Maybe I should just relax and stop worrying about the last 4 lbs....

Leelee- Your diet sounds good of  “lots of egg whites, beans, veggies, yogurt, nuts, fish, and soy.”  I think low starchy carbs is good, unless you are feeling run down and your activity level demands more.  And you are getting enough fiber but you will know in a few days if this is the case. J   Cutting starchy carbs is a great way to cut calories (assuming you have already cut simple carbs, which should be the very first to go).  Especially cutting down on carbs at night is great. 

I actually do the opposite of you.  I start my diet slow, eating bread and fruit and sweet potatoes galore, then I slowly cut out carbs because if I do it fast, I feel deprived and binge.  I would say do what works for you, if hitting it hard up front makes it easier to stick to the plan later on b/c the new long term plan now seems easy in retrospect, go for it.  Diets are all about tailoring to specific needs and mindsets.  I think you have the main idea right.  High protein and good complex/fibrous carbs.

Simi - I also use Proactiv and BC really helped my skin.  Also making sure to not wear makeup when I workout makes a big difference.  Also taking Mega 3 suppl and drinking water helps me heal faster.  But my skin is still not perfect.  So best of luck, tell us if you find something.

Glaserou – Do not get discouraged.  Sometimes it takes awhile and the beginning is always the easiest.  It sounds like your calorie intake is good but what are your calorie sources and timing?  Because this is also really important.   Eating a big carb-loaded meal at night after fasting all day is horrible, but eating 5-6 protein rich meals with lots of fibrous veggies throughout the day may make the difference, though both may result in 1400 calories.

To all the other ladies –

Sorry I have been MIA, two fellowships to apply to and a very full load of classes, plus putting together a gallery show for my nonprofit and full-time work in my lab on my thesis.  I have not really been sleeping, let alone checking in.  Sadly I even missed my leg and shoulder workout last week (first missed workouts in 6 mo – very sad). 

So as you may or may not remember, I had been avoiding the scale because it was nothing but discouragement.  Then for the past 4-5 weeks, I have been eating 2,000-2,300 calories a day (a smidge under my maintaince with all my exercise).  But as of last Saturday it is 8 weeks until my Mexico vacation.  So I am hitting it hard again.  The time off was really nice and I feel refreshed and my metabolism is up (eating more and more hungry). 

I actually gained 4-5# during my time off but the scale does not say all because my bodyfat% is actually down 1.5%.  So do not get discouraged ladies the scale does not know all. 

I am putting myself on a very strict cut for the next 8 weeks (after some new progress pictures), no cheat meals.  Here is my plan:

1) I will be eating 1700 calories a day, on weekends 1400 because I do not do cardio on weekends.  Still 5-7 meals a day.  Still timing carbs around workouts.

2) I will still be following a 40/40/20 macro breakdown (40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fats). 

3) Part of my stricter plan now includes 10-12 oz of fibrous veggies a day

4) no carbs (not even complex) after 7:30 pm. 

5) I am also experimenting with a small protein-only breakfast before my morning bike ride followed immediately by a 35g carbs and 15g protein meal after.  (I am theorizing this may preserve my muscle while maximizing fat loss, we will see).  i used to have a .5 cup Oatbran with i scoop muscle milk before my ride in the morning.

6) I am also trying to be better about drinking water, shooting for 4 L a day, sadly I seem to do more like 3L.  No excuse here, I just forget sometimes but I really need to try harder.   

7) I also am trying to cut out artificial sweetners except for those in my protein shakes.  (ie no diet soda or splenda in my homemade protein bars)  This seems to cut down on bloating for me.

Yesterday my analysis on CC was not so bad, protein was high b/c I ate two cans of tuna.  It should be lower today.  (Note: I did not enter my Vit. Into my food log)

Fat - 21.6% (40 grams)
Protein - 45.1% (188 grams)
Carbohydrates - 33.3% (139 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,198 mg (good under 2400 mg)


Daily Sugar Intake - 41 grams


Daily Cholesterol Intake - 384 mg  (this is high over 300 mg because I had a whole egg, which is like 200 mg)


Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 9 grams (under 20 g, good)


Daily Fiber Intake - 28 grams + two fiber choice tablets = 32g (above 25 grams, good)

Happy Tuesday Ladies!  Here is to the long-haul and lifestyle changes.

jredig, thanks for the comments. I really think it might be the protein, I hardly get any. I'm not a big meat person, I'll eat it occasionally, but most days I don't. I was a vegetarian for 5 years throughout college, which was great for weight maintenance, but I always felt weak. So I started eating white meat, but I think I have fell back into my vegetarian ways only eating it if someone makes it for me. my goal for this week is to find other sources of protein that I like. I do make fruit/yogurt shakes sometimes so maybe I'll try protein powder, does anyone like a certain brand? good news though I broke the 135 mark this morning finally 134.8.. ha. hopefully tomorrow's weigh in will be better.

optimum whey isolate is good.  (No matter the brand, look for isolate, not concentrate it is easier on your digestive system and will give you less gas)

You do not have to eat meat either.  Tofu, beans, eggs whites, nuts, oatbran and other whole grains, soydogs/burgers etc, tempeh, sea vegatables (ie seaweed), miso, seeds, cottage cheese, nonfat yogurt, some low carb. tortilla brands (La Tortilla Factory) are all pretty good sources of protein. 

There are also casein (slower digesting, which may be good depedning what you want), rice, soy (gritty though) and egg ($$$) protein powders on the market too.

hey guys! so after alot of bumps in the road i am back. i weighed myself yesterday and i am 133.8! yay!

Hi, all- i'd love to join in on this thread. I have been hovering at 128-132 for a long time, and I know I would be more comfortable dropping 8-10lbs.

 I am 5'4", athletic, eat very healthy (need to cut out things like pretzels, though), exercise at least 4 times per week (alternate running ~3 miles, spinning, aerobic kickboxing, elliptical). I need to either bump up my exercise regimen or alter my eating habits I think to get this weight off and gone for good.

Any tips/comments are welcomed. I look forward to hearing what you all have to say in your day to day posts.

Welcome mcrouch! Your situation sounds almost exact to mine. I am about 5'4" and have been hovering between 129-133. The weight is beginning to consistently drop though. Continue logging and you will see a difference. Any quesitons will be answered on this thread, it is awesome!

SW: 133.5

LW: 131

CW: 130.5

well at least it's a drop.

 

denne - glad to hear you're getting back on track! good for you!

mcrouch - welcome! looks like you've already found an almost "twin"!

danielle - half a lb is half a lb! we'll take what we can get, right?

 

Weigh-in time...

SW: 144

LW: 132.5

CW: bad weekend eating + totm = 134

*sigh*

On the bright side, my mom said my arms have some noticeable muscle definition now! That's the first time anyone has commented on my appearance since I started my new diet/exercise plan six weeks ago. I've lost 10 lbs and you'd think that on a person that didn't have a lot to lose, that 10 lbs would make a big difference. Nope. Not really. I guess I hide my flab well.  Any other good flab-hiders around here?

Hi girls, so no good news this morning.

LW: 135

CW: 134.8

Now that it's nice out I'm trying to walk after work along with my usual 6am routine. I hope this will kick start the weight loss. I can tell my clothes are fitting a little better so that's good, but the weight just won't drop? I'm not going to weigh myself again until next Wednesday hopefully it will be a nice surprise.

 

Happy Wednesday ladies!

No good news from me either. LW 123, CW 123. I deserve it though, I haven't exercised in 2 weeks. I think I'm undereating too, because I can't get myself out of the 1200s more than once a week. Time to get a little stricter I think.

lol I hide my flab pretty well wonderswhy, I like to think I do anyway. Except the arm flab - damn you summer tank tops!

Original Post by sauciedj:

Except the arm flab - damn you summer tank tops!

 Amen! hahaha

First off I would like to say:

Mrseric17 - You and I are in the same boat.  I have had a terrible few days and I'm super frustrated.  I skipped the gym yesterday and I also (like you) ate everything I saw, at least it felt that way.

So it's my TOTM and I have never NEVER had cravings or problems eating like I do right now.  I feel like I am thinking about food all the time and I want to eat all the time AND I have never been so bloated.  After I lost my first few pounds I could really tell in my mid section (which has always been nice and flat) and now it pooches out over my jeans and this all happened in a matter of days.  I'm smart enough to know that 1.  I'm emotional and crazy right now.  2.  There is no way that it is a permanent gain in just that short amount of time.  But it's still so hard. 

I'm proud of myself for getting this far (eating well for four months now) but I'm starting to get frustrated  and mostly discouraged.  Things were going so well and now ... my weigh in this morning was 130.  That is two pounds above what it was last week and you guys know me, my weight never fluctuates that much.  Does this just happen with weight loss or should I be changing things.

I'm eating from 1100 on a low day to 1500 on a high day, and most of what I log is graded A from the food analysis.  I eat veggies each day for lunch with maybe a cookie (told you this week is bad, when I get pms I bake!) and a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread in between breakfast and lunch.  Breakfast is oatmeal made from half milk half water and whole grain oats. Dinner is prob. chicken tonight with another cookie (is that what is killing me?!) and tons o water.

Jen - Thanks for the long update it's good to hear you are busy (being busy means you are needed and wanted and important!).  I look forward to hearing about your stats, I don't know how in the world you stay on such a strict eating schedule.  You amaze me.  I recently started washing my face with and antibacterial as well as proactiv, we will see if it helps.  I might just go to the dermatologist.

Was it Mrseric17 that was my twin?  Someone...

5'7'' I started at 132 and as of this morning was 130 but I have seen the glimpses of 127.  My end goal is prob. 123 or so.

Anyone else with stats similar?

Original Post by simignonne:

5'7'' I started at 132 and as of this morning was 130 but I have seen the glimpses of 127.  My end goal is prob. 123 or so.

Anyone else with stats similar?

 Hey simi. I'm pretty close to being your twin...except I think you're a slightly smaller build and it would seem you also stole the boobs I was supposed to get.

I'm 5'7 and started at a higher weight (144) but am aiming for about the same weight: 122-126 (room for fluctuation).

Can I say that I'm glad other people are on their totm and eating like fiends as well? Don't get me wrong - I wish you ladies all the success in the world, but the unsuccessful company is welcome. I've been having a horrible time the last few days. Ugh. The "there's always tomorrow" placation only goes so far...

Part of the reason I want to be thinner is because I'm going somewhere very hot and humid this summer. Am I deluded, or would having less insulation mean feeling cooler? I can't figure out how metabolism fits into that equation, and whether all the exercise will cause my body to feel even warmer...

At least I know that I won't have stomach rolls for the sweat to hide in. Ew. That was kinda graphic.

Hi gang, my turn...

SW- 148

LW- 132.4

CW- 131.5

I know the last 10 #s are the hardest to lose, but this is just ridiculous!  :0  It takes so long!  I always tend to read through all though "lose fat quick" ads in the magazines....I know, I know....no such thing as a quick fix....but I can't help wishing there was!  Next weeks goal 130.  Happy Hump Day!

Yay Wonders!

I thought I read something about someone who was 5'7''.  You are where I started out... about.  I weighed myself once in Jan and it happened to be 132 which totally could have been a good day.  I'm glad I found you!  I hope that we will be able to give each other some good advice.  I was thrilled when I got to the 120's but now I'm having a harder time getting to 123.

The boobs... I don't know where they came from, my mom is an A cup, I'm a D right now.. hoping they go down a bit when I lose weight... on a skinny girl they stick out lots but thanks!

Thanks, Jen and everyone for your input on my change in diet.  Unfortunately, this weekend disrupted the whole eating "clean" thing because I went home to see a concert and ended up going out to eat and...you know how it goes.  So, I definitely didn't expect a loss this week.  But, I'm getting back to eating the right foods because I feel so much better when I do.

SW: 143 (August)
LW: 134
Today: 134

Sorry about everyone's TTOM!  Only a few more days, right? :)

Wonderwhy – champion flub hider, checkin’ in.  Only comes out with short, shorts but then ewww, watch out. 

Mcrouch – welcome!

Danni – congrats on the weight

Simi- You should be proud of yourself, you have made great progress and are doing good things for your health.  And thanks for the welcome back.  My advice:  you are already lean, my guess low 20% bf maybe below.  This is a hard place to drop weight.  I personally HAVE to be as strict as I am being in order to drop below 20% because calories are not the end all.  Timing carbs and cal sources are so important.  What you listed so far I do not see you eating more than 20g of protein until dinner and 20% of your calories are coming from cookies on your low cal days (simple sugar and saturated fat).   Also most of your fats appear to be saturated, not the good kind.  If you do do cookies do one for breakfast and the other immediately before a workout to minimize fat storage.  I also make an effort to eat 75% of my calories before I get home from work (I then eat dinner and have a bedtime snack totally 300-400 calories total).  In otherwords the bulk of your cals should be taken during the day.  Also tapering down carbs at night is often a good idea.  Now I am sure I am being overly critical of your diet and you may eat differently normally.  Feel free to post you diet and I will give you my 2 cents.

Now all of this depends on your goals, there is a give and take between enjoying food and reaching some ideal body and you must decide what that balance is.  Personally my changes have been small over a long time, so it does not feel like as much of a sacrifice as it once did.  Like I no longer miss b. sugar in my oatbran and I like my coffee black now.  I do however miss chocolate sometimes but everything in moderation, right?   And in 8 weeks I will go back to having chocolate once a week.

I am also 5’7” and avoiding the scale but mid 130s.  Long term goal I want to be a very cut 130.  I could also use some boobs but atlas that is never happening so instead I am seeking the perfect a$$.

Burnyh – congrats on the weight

Ok so I am not weighing in but am focusing on weekly bf test instead, so no updates since Monday.  So I will just update with what I can. 

1)      I am finally not sore from my leg workout I did on Sat.  yay!

2)      Sunday was chest/tri – still a little sore from that.

3)      Tonight is shoulders followed my 20 min walk on the treadmill set at max incline.

4)      Yesterday my carbs were a little high making up for monday a bit (some accidently carb cycling) but overall not bad.  Besides 3 tbs terriyaki sauce, none came from refined sugars.  I do need to cut out my sauces next but not yet. Fat - 25.2% (48 grams), Protein - 31.2% (134 grams), Carbohydrates - 43.6% (187 grams). 

Simi - Thank you, at least I know I'm not alone while I eat everything!...  I've done better yesterday and today, however:

LW  129.8

CW  129.4

My goal is 125 ish...and Im 5'5".  I have a medium build, pretty athletic.  There is no way i can go below 125, which im good with, but it seems like i'll never make 125 lbs.  At least im not giving up.

Also, I have a question/situation.  I have alot of "belly fat".  Im not really sure why, or what to do about it.  I have just grown really accoustomed to sucking it in, but i guess im just wondering if anyone else has that problem.  I just dont know how to get rid of it.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.