Newbie needs advice

[redsquirrel]

Dairy IMO, is NOT beneficial for weight loss. For reasons mentioned above, 1) dairy has carbs...which would be ok if they were complex carbs. But they are not. They are processed as simple carbs, which is not what is optimum for weight loss. Your insulin will be spiked more and you will be hungry faster. 2) Dairy causes bloating and water retention. When I stopped eating dairy, 2 weeks later I looked more tight and leaner due to less water. I used to think the same as you. I now just follow a different philosophy. My husband trains females and males for some of our regional shows and he has never told someone to eat dairy..(other than whipping cream) in order to lose BF. Try it both ways, and see which works best for you.

AS far as your cardio goes, I mostly agreee w/ rubber. However, I would not increase the time to 45 min. I would increase the number of times you do it /week.

8-10% BF is not very realistic. Just think- 8% is what figure girls are on stage!! Most girls look lean and tight in the 12-14% range. Most fitness/figure girls are about 12% in the off season. You may be putting too much pressure on yourself and I think you would be pleased at what 12-14% Bf would get yoU!!

[xtreem-chic]

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Thank you again. I guess I need to be a little more realistic when it comes to my BF goals. I appreciate the insight.

As far as my "pitting" I am not sure if it is more noticable b/c my muscle may be getting larger (therefore getting closer to my skin) or what may be causing it. That is a very big hangup for me...sometimes to the point that I hate to wear shorts. I just hope that it goes away soon.

I will focus on doing cardio 5 times/week for 30 minutes, that should be ok, right?

Well hopefully someday I am as knowledged as you all are....thanks

[redsquirrel]

You'll get it down, sweetie!! Shit, I've been doing this for 4 years, and there is still stuff I don't know and there is still stuff I need to change. It's a lifestyle change, and it's not going to happen overnight. It takes patience and discipline.

As far as the "pitting" water retention can also cause some of that. You know how when women go get the body wraps they look all tight and less pitted? It's because when they do it, it sucks all the water from your skin.

That cardio regime is good...and as far as BF goes- don't beat yourself up! What is most beneficial to many women is to set small short-term goals leading up to the final long term goal. That makes it easier and seems more attainable when you don't put a time frame on such a huge goal.:cool:

[xtreem-chic]

You all are so motivational and so positive. I really can't say thanks enough....I can only hope that my dreams come true....

[bjj]

Xtreem-chick, your current diet is packed with processed foods, so I would definately suggest some changes. Redsquirrel's diet recommendation is an excellent one, but note a couple of things. According to my estimate, this diet allows about 1200 calories daily. This will help you accomplish your weight loss goal, but you will certainly need to increase calories once you get to the size you like. I will have to strongly disagree with the recommendation to cut dairy unless you are lactose intolerant. If you do cut dairy, calcium supplements will be a necessity.

Also, at 5'10, 145-150 lbs. @10% body fat sounds quite muscular, unless you are very large boned. If you're going for a lean, cut, slender build, keep doing what your doing and follow redsquirrel's diet, and you'll get there. If you want to keep some mass, add a little more fat and protein, and start lifting heavier again. Pilates is one of the best forms of excercise, but it promotes long, lean muscles. If you are going for a little more mass, stick with weights without neglecting a healthy amount of cardio (20-30 min 3-5 times per week).

Most importantly, try a couple of different recommendations and see what works the best with your body.