Hi...

This isn't really a question...just something I'm putting out there to get some opinions on. I know that logically if you want to lose weight or drop bodyfat then you must cut your calories, eat the "correct" foods and do plenty of cardio.

But...for those of us who LOVE to cook and really enjoy eating must we give up our love and only eat raw veggies? I know that is an exagerration but it seems so difficult to find a compromise between great (healthy) cooking and our exercise goals. What does everyone here do?

I don't just want to eat egg whites, plain chicken and raw vegetables in order to look better but is that what it really comes down to? I never eat fast food (gross) but I miss things like good cheese and wine...cornbread...etc. etc...

I just thought I would put that out there...

bmamba

I don't beleive in cutting out the things you enjoy, simply have them less often or reduce how much of them you have at a time. Alternatively you can experiment with their ingredients or cooking methods to try and make them healthier.

The biggest hurdle in losing weight - or not gaining fat - is the total calories consumed versus calories burnt. If you are eating less than your body uses, you will lose weight. Also split up your meals and eat 5 or 6 smaller meals a day as opposed to 2 or 3 large ones.

The problem is calcuéating the calories conusmed and the calories lost

There are plenty of web sites that have calorie calculators for physical activity. One site I found once actually had you log in the time spent doing everything you did in a day and gave you a total daily calorie burnt figure.
You can find your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) on many websites - this is the calories your body uses just to function, based on height, weight, age, basic activity level, etc. Simply add to this the calories burnt through exercise using various lists and charts found on the web to get your daily calorie usage. All of these figures are an educated guide as we all burn calories differently.
Use a calorie counter on the net or buy one at a bookstore to monitor your calorie intake and make sure you are burning more than you are consuming. I know counting calories is a boor but a couple of weeks counting calories can really show you where you are going wrong and give you an idea of where you can 9or should) cut back.

I know that when I really pig out one day, I fast the next day (it's really not that hard) and keeps my weight in check. The next day after fasting, my appetite is really suppressed too!

I know that if I am really craving something, I eat it early in the day and don't eat a lot at night--that works for me!

I know that when I really pig out one day, I fast the next day (it's really not that hard) and keeps my weight in check.


I would be curious as to what your bodyfat percentage is? Afterall, weight is really a useless number.

IMO, I think this is a great way to stall metabolism, and put your body into a starvation mode.

I would be curious as to what your bodyfat percentage is? Afterall, weight is really a useless number.

IMO, I think this is a great way to stall metabolism, and put your body into a starvation mode.

It's quite apparent (some) people have a really skewed perception of what body fat is and how it is affected through nutrition and exercise.

To the original poster - calories do not affect your body fat. It will however affect your metabolism by slowing it down if you eat too few, which will result in a loss of lean muscle tissue and a gain in body fat. The only way to obtain permanent fat loss is through raising your resting metabolic rate ... which is through strength training and cardiovascular exercise.

Also split up your meals and eat 5 or 6 smaller meals a day as opposed to 2 or 3 large ones.

also don't eat your meals too late at all. your metabloism is slowest at this time and so your food is more inclined to be turned into fat rather than energy. also, logically speaking you're not gonna be up long enough to use the food for energy at all, because you'll go to bed! your metabolism is highest at about 9am, so eat a slightly bigger meal at breakfast time. and obviously you'll have the whole day to burn off the calories. i guess what they say about breakfast being the most imporatnt meal of the day is true!
:)

Remember, the trick is not to starve yourself! :cool:

^Why not?

What do you guys think of the diet where you drink gallons and gallons of water to keep filling yourself up and a little bit of food at mealtimes?

I'm not sure what my body fat percentage is. I do a stationary bike 4 times per week for 45 minutes at target heart rate. It is good for firming your thighs. I use a 5 pound dumbbell for arm exercises.

I think I will start weight training also when I get the money to join a gym.

I stand roughtly 5'6-1/2" tall, weigh 135 pounds, and my waist is 24 or 25 inches--can you tell body fat by that?

I want to get down to 125 pounds.

I do low carb pretty much most of the time.