I'm so proud of myself - gone to the gym every day for the past four and it keeps getting easier and feels good....
but I have some questions - I'm confused
Okay so, calorie count told me that if I'm exercising at the "moderate" level, that I should consume about 1600 calories a day. I'm 5'6 with a small frame. If I exercise 30 minutes every day burning about 300 calories, is that enough to be considered "moderate"? If I eat 1600 calories and burn 300 will I lose a pound a week? Should I bring it down to 1500 calories so that my intake is only 1200?
Also, I'm trying to tone my arms and shoulders. I carry most of my weight on my arms and legs. I'm worried that if I build muscle in my arms and don't lose the fat in my arms that they'll just look humongous.... Is it true that I should work out my arms every other day, to let them heal on the off days?
What do you guys think? Any comments would be SOOO appreciated!!!!
claire
Hi! I'm the same height and frame as you :D
I believe you're definitely moderate, if you aren't sedentary for the rest of your day. 300 calories is a lot, and everyday means that yes, you get moderately active often. This thread talks about the same thing, this will definitely help you, as this women is moderately active after work, but sedentary during. She also had a hard time determining activity level:
http://caloriecount.about.com/sedentary-light -moderately-active-ft160672
I think 1600 calories is fine, if your burn meter says you burn 1800 calories naturally, without imputing your exercise. That would create a 200 calorie deficit along with the 300 you burn which puts you at a daily 500, enough to lose a pound a week :) 1200 is tricky because you must make sure you eat only the best foods so you can get all your nutrients in so little food. I think with your activity level, 1200 is way too low anyway, the deficit would be too high for a healthy weightloss rate.
Yep, let your arms heal on the off days. I've found with my arms that toning shapes the fat and stops jiggles, and cardio takes it away. Combining both gives the end product nice shape, firmness, and (slight) definition.
Hope this helps! :D Good luck!
Wouldn't it be just great if we could exercise and determine how much weight we were going to lose. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If it was, I'd have lost every bit of weight that I want to lose a month or two ago.
You do lose weight though and even if you don't, you get more defined. You're not lifting heavy weights so I cannot see how your arms will become enormous. Putting on some muscle is one of the best ways of losing inches however.
beijingbelle and x-lawrence,
thanks for the tips and advice!! you've really clarified a lot for me :)
hey!
well done for staying in tune with the gym!
i am joining a gym near me tomorrow! im excited and ready to stay focused! i am going to try AT LEAST go 3 times per week..
i HATE HATE HATE my legs! lol... they need toning :)
you have inspired me to get to it!
just wanted to say -congrats- for sticking at it this week!
