Encouragement Please...

[Liss]

I have been "toning" so to speak for months. I went from 235 to about 122 (not a healthy weight for me!), & was constantly having mood swings etc.

Right now I am 5'6" 138 lbs, sz 6. Muscle wise, my upper abs look pretty good and my arms look great. My Gluteous Maximumus could stand to be minimized a little, as could my inner thighs. (imho)

My question is.. have you ever tried to weight train or body build without telling your friends and family?

I feel like I am being scrutinized if I tell anyone I am working out, so I tend to keep it to myself, but then on the other hand, I really need the support.

I have 2 kids under the age of 5 and am working to get rid of that extra "baby fat" just below my bellybutton. No matter how much I try I can't seem to shake it.

Thanks in Advance for any suggestions or comments,

[MsFit]

Ok, give me room here lol. If anyone is negative to you in your decision to a healthier lifestyle, that's just their own insecurity. Working out (bodybuilding) is about you and what you want, not to satisify others opinions or views. If this is what you want, go for it.

You do not have to say a word to anyone. Just go in do you training and leave. It's no ones business. If they have issues with it, that's their problem, they will get over it.

Bottom line, keep up the good work and continue to make progress.
MsFit

[determined ms]

I decided that all my friends and family who chose not to support me were just jealous and that gave me a huge boost... the more disparaging remarks made... WHY do you have to DO that... WHAT are you trying to do... TOO skinny... just gave me more ambition and more power. Regardless the reasons they say what they do, or choose to say nothing at all - even compliment the results of all your hard work - turn it into something positive! I'm competitive by nature (not in bb) so anything i can have over them just gets me even more pumped! I've not been as successful as you have but I'm still going for it and nothing's gonna stop me now!! ttfn.

[Sweetness]

I know it is so hard NOT to share your positive experiences with your friends and family, but to have to worry about being judged is not a fun idea either. I hate this. I think it is an ongoing issue with most women who enjoy fitness, its like being healthy is taboo. What if bodybuilding was called something else? like "body sculpting" or "this is what models do". lol. You dont need to let them know, this is for you not for them. Then one day during bikini season they will notice how fabulous you look and want to stick their collective feet in their mouth. Have fun.

[wabney]

Hello

I am a man and I go through te same **** all the time. I have been considering not saying nothin at all. It sure is funny you can talk to your friends about almost anything else and it's cool.
The minute you start talking about the gym either they phuck with you about it or start offering some ingnorant advise on a subject they know nothing about. Especially about your diet more than anything else. It's just so hard not to talk about something that makes you feel sooo good. I think if these individuals have no Idea of what really "feeling good" is so there is no way they can relate.. I mean they they think they feel good eating Burger King ! ! !

So keep up the good work and phuck them ! ! ! ! !
You got support right here ! ! ! !

peace

[gymgrl]

It seems whenever I mention bodybuilding or weight training, I am never taken seriously. I'm a 5'4" 110 lb. girl, but it's all muscle. Most people laugh when I train hard, like I'm wasting my time, yet this is precisely the reason I'm not 20 lbs. overweight and sitting at home drinking slim fast all day in hopes to lose. God forbid I don't use one of the 2 lb. paper weights they have lying around.
Many don't realize it's the weights that help out so much with a physique. Mostly I just get "you have a fast metabolism", but mostly it's that way because I'm building up muscle. Hopefully one day I'll be able to gain a little more just to show everyone that I CAN go beyond and my training has done even more. Well, good luck to all u women out their weight training- stick with it and use all of the judgemental views to lift more!

[ScorpioGurl]

Lucky I have both my brother and my grandmother (yes, my gramma!! ) who are both into working out as much as I am.. I love working out, and I have both support and help.. since my bro has been at it much longer than myself.
Just a question.. from 235 to 122 ... WOW, that's a major drop! Just curious if you were taking a supplement.. or not.. ?
Training alone ( IMHO ) i would rather do that.. then you don't have someone who keeps talkin to you the whole time while your concentrating on your sets and reps.
You know that you have TONS of people here who 100% fully support you! ~~ :)
For the mid section, losing the excess baby stuff.. just keep the diet really clean and doing abs at home or the gym.. I have the same problem.. LOL but i don't have any kids... ah well, it'll go away in time i guess.. ;)
Later.... SG


Originally posted by Liss
I have been "toning" so to speak for months. I went from 235 to about 122 (not a healthy weight for me!), & was constantly having mood swings etc.

Right now I am 5'6" 138 lbs, sz 6. Muscle wise, my upper abs look pretty good and my arms look great. My Gluteous Maximumus could stand to be minimized a little, as could my inner thighs. (imho)

My question is.. have you ever tried to weight train or body build without telling your friends and family?


I have 2 kids under the age of 5 and am working to get rid of that extra "baby fat" just below my bellybutton. No matter how much I try I can't seem to shake it.

Thanks in Advance for any suggestions or comments,

[Telly]

Liss,

I can't believe what i'm reading. I can't believe that your family is naive above all to the health benefits of exercise, whatever it may be.

It sounds to me like envy. It's one of the worst aspects of human nature. They want to be like you, have a body like you, be motivated to train like you, but don't have the intestinal fortitude to be able to do it. So human nature being what it is, they will frown upon you and cut you down for doing it.

More power to you. Don't hide the fact you train, celebrate it. There are some things in life which you may need to hide, this is not one of them.

With regard to the babyfat on your lower abdomen, are you sure it's not just loose skin after losing all that weight. Just another thought.

All the best

[ScorpioGurl]

Originally posted by Telly
Liss,

I can't believe what i'm reading. I can't believe that your family is naive above all to the health benefits of exercise, whatever it may be.

It sounds to me like envy. It's one of the worst aspects of human nature. They want to be like you, have a body like you, be motivated to train like you, but don't have the intestinal fortitude to be able to do it. So human nature being what it is, they will frown upon you and cut you down for doing it.

More power to you. Don't hide the fact you train, celebrate it. There are some things in life which you may need to hide, this is not one of them.

With regard to the babyfat on your lower abdomen, are you sure it's not just loose skin after losing all that weight. Just another thought.

All the best

Excellent words!! That's what I was reaaally trying to say!! :D

[wabney]

applause. applause

I could not have said it better! ! ! ! !

peace

[stimpleo]

Liss,
I've had enormous luck with 2 things:
1- keep those abs tight. Tighten them while you're reading emails (are they tight right now?!), tighten them while you're driving, watching TV. And watch your posture.
2- gotta love pilates!!! Try some crunches on the therapy ball. I've also found the ab pikes on the ball to be great!

I started training 2 months ago @ 5'6", 172lbs, 37% body fat, size 14 pants (yuck!)
Now, with this very work out (plus more of coarse), I'm at 160lbs, 31% fat, size 10 pants (getting there!).

Maybe this will work for you too! Good luck!!!!!

Stimp.

[Mightymitegirl]

You go girl!!!!

I hear ya loud and clear. Just remember what really matters is what YOU want and how YOU feel. Nobody else can take away your dreams, goals and accomplishements.

During all this you will find out just what you are made of. Been there, done that! lol

[Liss]

Thank You all for your Reply's both on board and off, I appreciate the input.
Since my last post I have lost 4 more inches off my waist & I have thrown out my scale, LOL.

(Why? because according to "IT" , I am gaining weight and it messes with my head! ) <G>

For the past few weeks I have been using the following Ab Routine :

1. Hands to knees 12 reps/ 2 sets
2. Normal sit up 12 reps/ 2 sets
3. Bridging 12 reps/ 2 sets
4. Abdominal Crunch 12 reps/ 2 sets
5. Reverse Curls 20 reps/ 2 sets
6. Static Abs 1 minute, repeat 3 x's
7. Dorsal Raises 12 reps/ 2 sets
8. Lying Side Bends (obliques) 12 reps/ 2 sets
9. Hand to Knees (obliques) 12 reps/ 2 sets
10. Knee to Sides (obliques) 12 reps/ 2 sets
11. Weighted Side Bends 12 reps/ 2 sets
12. V- sit-ups 12 reps/ 1 sets
13. Plan Roll (using therapy ball) 10 reps/ 2 sets

I use this 5 days per week and the other days I concentrate on other areas, upper body, legs, Glutues MAXIMUS (lol). I start off by stretching all my muscles for about 15 minutes as a warm up and then get down to business working out.

My family knows that I am excercising because I am addicted now and workout 2-3 x's per day. My goal is to have a 6 pack by the time we leave for orlando, (in a few weeks). So Far I have a Four pack, LOL (all my upper abs show great, but I still have a tiny bit of fat to work off my lower abs). Having 2 babies will do that to ya!

I don't know what others use for supplements, or what their diet is like, but I have completely cut out Sugar, white flour, rice, pasta, starch foods like Potatoes/Corn/Cooked Carrots, Coffee, Tea, Cocoa. I thought that it would be difficult, but you know something, one evening I was feeling lazy, cooked burgers on the grill and was sick as a dog for 2 days after eating them.

You're probably wondering what the heck I actually eat, lol. Complex carbs (most veggies), Meat/ cheeses/ eggs/ and fruits (not a huge amount, no more than 2 a day).

If I need an energy boost in the morning I'll make a berry smoothie, 5 or 6 large strawberries, 1/2 c. Organic Papaya Juice, 3 or 4 ice cubes and 1/4 c. Raspberries or blueberries. ( more than 1x every Other day).

On a side note, my complexion has never been better.

I suppose I'd better stop gabbing! Thanks Again for your support.
~Liss

[Telly]

Great news Liss.

Let the mirror be your guide. The mirror never lies, and if you're happy with what you're seeing, then bodyfat calipers and the scales are irrelevant.

I admire your enthusiasm, but it sounds like you're training your abs too musch. Don't forget that abs are a muscle like any other, and they too can be overtrained.

Keep it going, i can feel your enthusiasm in your post and it sounds like you have overcome many of the frustrations evident in your first post.

Best wishes

[Liss]

Hi telly,
Thanks for your reply! How should I gauge whether I am overtraining my abs? I'm almost never sore the day after I workout, (except for the day I worked out, then raked my 1.2 acre lawn, LOL) .

I sort of figured if I wasn't sore it was safe to keep working them.

TIA,
liss

[Telly]

It depends on whether you're making gains or not at the end of the day. If you're abs are progressing then fine, if they have stagnated then you are probably overtraining.

For most, 23 sets per day, 5 days straight is way too much. When i used to do abs i did 8 sets per week and they grew fine.

Don't forget that you also use your abs in other exercises you do.

Abs are no different to other muscles, and therefore, i don't think should be trained any differently. Everyone has abs, the key is to show them by stripping fat from the abdomen, which it sounds like you've done.

experiment by cutting back, and remember that muscle soreness is not really a gauge as to whether your muscles are growing or not. Your abs would have adapted to the workload by now, and are probably geared towards endurance.The only muscle group that is sore for me after working out is legs, but the rest of my body is growing fine as well.

Don't be afraid to continually experiment, Liss, and remember that spending more time in the gym is not necessarily going to be more productive, especially from a muscle building perspective, which i assume is what you're looking to achieve, along with keeping fat off.

Happy to hear your comments

[Liss]

I hadn't really come across abdominal growth stagnation, my waist is shrinking considerably. What I have noticed is that I've needed to increase the weights I use to 10lb & 15 lb in order to get any muscle fatigue after 2 sets.

There are days that I switch to the little 5 pounders just because I don't really feel like working.

Stripping the fat off my abdomen seems like the hardest thing for me, I still have about 2 inches to lose from my waist. Any ideas??

Liss

[Telly]

Hey Liss,

Just keep doing what you're doing. The last traces of fat are the hardest to get rid of, but keep working hard in the gym, and keep refining your diet and you will strip it off.

The key is diet, because as you know, you can't spot reduce reduce in particular areas.

Here are a few tips, most of which you already know.

1. Perform your cardio in the mornings. That is when your body will burn most fat. If you drink caffeine prior to your morning cardio work, it has the effect of boosting the fat burning process.

2.Never overdo cardio because if you do too much, it can have the effect of slowing your metabolism down, believe it or not. I would say 4 sessions per week of about 30-40 minutes high intensity.

3. Eat plenty of fibre. Fibre has the effect of blocking carbs from getting into the bloodstream which prevents fat build up.

4. Make sure your carbs are eaten in the morning or after working out. This is the time that carbs are least likely to be turned into fat.

5. If you feel you need to use supplements, the most common used are ephedra based, make sure you check your heart first and use under supervision. Mahuang is the herbal equivalent of ephedrine and i suggest you use that rather than ephedrine. Mahuang will help speed up your metabolism, but as i said, keep your heart under close monitoring. It's not for evryone.

6. Train with weights twice a day, but only short sharp workouts. Training with weights twice a day will again help speed up the metabolism. Don't do more volume, just break your normal day's session into two workouts. Always be conscious you're not overtraining.

I know it's all common sense, but keep working at it. By the way, if you want to PM me your weights routines i'd be happy to take a look at it and see if i can make any suggestions.

Bye for now Liss.

[dondons1984]

I am in the same boat. I am 26 and not very healthy. I always have lacked the motivation to workout. It starts off good and then I just lose it for some reason. I know it is lack of motivation cause nobody knows that I am doing it. I have to live with my family so money is tight since I am supporting them and with that I dont have the money to go out and buy supplements and I dont have money for a gym membership. It really sucks. So, I have my barbell and dumbells in my room and do what I can. I am here to tell you that anyone can get rid of the fat. I have the gut and I am determined now to get rid of it. I am discovering that telling people what you are doing is a motivator all in its own cause the people who judge you are believing you cant do it. I say lets prove them wrong. Keep it to yourself if you want and then at the end show them that you have done it and that they can kiss it. lol. Lets train and show the world

[ironbelle]

I have to live with my family so money is tight since I am supporting them and with that I dont have the money to go out and buy supplements and I dont have money for a gym membership. It really sucks. So, I have my barbell and dumbells in my room and do what I can.

I'm in the same boat, trust me. You don't need every supplement out there. I keep the staples around. A good protein powder, glutamine for recovery, fish oil tablets and I like a pre workout stimulant like superpump250. The online store here has good prices and alot of specials where it's cheaper to buy two products for the special price. I mean 5lbs of protein for 40.00 or 2lbs of another brand for under 25.00. There are prices for every budget. Your eating regular food along with protein shakes and MRPs so your not blowing through your supplements. Yeah long ago I looooved to try supplements but then just started keeping the few that I use and stopped trying everything. Just my .02

[Miranda]

22 january 2002.