A dancer's journey on the road of serious fat loss

[LinzersMH]

I started a journal a few weeks ago, but I never took it seriously. This is my second attempt to go at it with a different perspective with no specific date set on when I would like to reach my goal. I just want decrease my BF% by about 10%. I am on a fat-loss diet that I found through hotnfit.com (thanks TerraCotta). I've been prepping for it over the weekend and it is very doable and it fits into my lifestyle. I dance twice a week, for an hour and half each class. I am going to be lifting 3 times a week doing a push workout, a pull workout, and legs on three separate days with one day in between for rest/cardio. I will be giving myself one day off a week, preferably Sundays, so I can catch up with laundry and chores around the house. My diet is 140-150 g. protein, 100 net carbs (give or take a few depending on my workout day), 45-50 g. fat, and 1400-1500 kcals.
I am:
5'6", 155 pounds, roughly 28% BF, maybe more, it's been a while since I've checked. Should be updating with the accurate measurements tomorrow.

My training schedule with go, Mon&Wed-dance/cardio Tues-Push, Thurs-Pull, Fri-Legs, Sat-Cardio, Sun-Rest.

My diet already consists of lean proteins like turkey breast, tuna, salmon, chicken breasts, whey and casein, nonfat milk, cottage cheese, eggs. I'm just a sucker for anything with sugar so I'm trying to ween myself off anything to do with that, like chocolate, starbucks, cookies, cake, ice cream. Everything I love to eat, basically. Buh-bye desserts!

So, here's to me and my new lifestyle and a new (sexier) me!

[HappySnowBunny]

Woohoo! Welcome back to the journaling! What dance classes are you taking?

[lululemon]

Originally Posted by LinzersMH

I started a journal a few weeks ago, but I never took it seriously. This is my second attempt to go at it with a different perspective with no specific date set on when I would like to reach my goal. I just want decrease my BF% by about 10%. I am on a fat-loss diet that I found through hotnfit.com (thanks TerraCotta). I've been prepping for it over the weekend and it is very doable and it fits into my lifestyle. I dance twice a week, for an hour and half each class. I am going to be lifting 3 times a week doing a push workout, a pull workout, and legs on three separate days with one day in between for rest/cardio. I will be giving myself one day off a week, preferably Sundays, so I can catch up with laundry and chores around the house. My diet is 140-150 g. protein, 100 net carbs (give or take a few depending on my workout day), 45-50 g. fat, and 1400-1500 kcals.
I am:
5'6", 155 pounds, roughly 28% BF, maybe more, it's been a while since I've checked. Should be updating with the accurate measurements tomorrow.

My training schedule with go, Mon&Wed-dance/cardio Tues-Push, Thurs-Pull, Fri-Legs, Sat-Cardio, Sun-Rest.

My diet already consists of lean proteins like turkey breast, tuna, salmon, chicken breasts, whey and casein, nonfat milk, cottage cheese, eggs. I'm just a sucker for anything with sugar so I'm trying to ween myself off anything to do with that, like chocolate, starbucks, cookies, cake, ice cream. Everything I love to eat, basically. Buh-bye desserts!

So, here's to me and my new lifestyle and a new (sexier) me!

Welcome back and goodluck (Im new to the world of journaling but just thought Id say Hi). Love your Avi btw!

[vanillabn]

Hey, good luck! I'll be following along. I also think your avi is great!! Your training schedule looks good!

[amj0883]

Hey!! Good luck - I look forward to following along as you reach your goals!! You have the right frame of mind not setting a set date...just work hard and it'll happen! It sounds like you've thought everything through and have a great plan!

[LinzersMH]

Aw, thank you all so very much for your support, it is greatly appreciated.
My avi was taken a few years ago actually. I can still do my extensions, but not hold them for very long. I'm just trying to get my center back so I can do my leg holds like I used to! I have a lot of pics that I need to put up, for inspiration purposes.
Right now I'm taking a jazz class through my JC, it's fun, but pretty basic. However, my teacher does a lot of variations for those that want a challenge, so that makes me happy.
On another note, I have an interview next Monday for an instructor position at a studio! I was a teacher for 2.5 years at studio in California, where I used to live. My BF and I just moved to AZ in December and I've been itching to get back into teaching, now I have my chance and I couldn't be more excited!
Well, I'm going to do some cardio before I have to leave for class tonight. I love the eliptical on cross country, it's a good butt-kicker, which is just what I need. Monday is my long night because I have rehearsal after class until 10pm and my school is about 45 minutes away from my house.

[twinnett]

Hi there!!! Impressive avi! I could NEVER do that!!! lol

[LinzersMH]

A little more info about me...
I weighed myself this morning and I was at 156. :\ BUT, it is really the measurements that count:
Waist (around the smallest part of my midsection): 28.25
Hips (my butt): 38 -
tummy (just below my belly button): 34 -
left thigh(the widest part, below my hips): 24.25 -
right thigh: 25.5 -
left knee(just above the knee, closer to my thigh): 17.5 -
right knee: 16.5 -
Biceps: 11.5 - 8
bust: 35 -

I've always had a small waist, big boobs, and a HUGE booty. You know that song "Baby Got Back?" Yep, that's me. "36-24-36" but more like 35-28-38. My nickname on my dance team in HS was Twinz. I'm the perfect hourglass and I hate it because it's almost impossible to find jeans that fit and dresses that fit. This is going to change!

My supplementation:
10mg Ephedrine 2x/day. I'm using coffee as my caffiene instead of a cap. I'll take a cap if I don't have time for coffee, or just don't want it.
Dicana 2-3x/day to help speed my metabolism. This stuff is awesome! It works great w/ the E/C stack, too. It's a nice non-stim if you want to boost your metabolism.
Note: I will be doing phases of the E/C for about 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off.
3Fish oil/3CLA/3 tsp. sesamin 2x/day
Calcium 2, 100mg tablets 2x day.
Universal Women's Fitness Pack- 28 days worth of vitamins and minerals specially formulated for active women, along with 8 pink packs during menstruation.

[amj0883]

I want a booty *pouts* lol!!

I can't ever find jeans that fit either...but my problem is that I have hips but no butt!

[LinzersMH]

Last night was great! I ended up not going to the gym for some cardio, but instead I stayed home and choreographed a jazz combination for my interview/audition on Monday. I went to school at 6 and I had dance for 2.5 hours. I had my jazz class first from 7-8:30, then rehearsal after that for an hour.
On my way home, I started sneezing like crazy and couldn't stop for about 10 minutes. I had NO anti-histimine medicine and the grocery store was closed, and the nearest pharmacy is about 15 minutes away. I didn't get a good night's rest at all. I did get some Tylenol allergy and sinus and I'm feeling better now. My nose is bright red though.

Yesterday's Food:


Breakfast-
Quaker Oats - Quick 1 Minute - Dry, 0.3 cup
Milk, nonfat, 0.75 cup
Strawberries, fresh, 5 medium
Egg, fresh, 1 large
All Whites 100% Egg Whites, 0.3 cup

Lunch-
Chicken Breast, no skin, 1 breast, bone and skin removed
South Beach Living Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, 1 serving

Dinner-
Apples, fresh, 1 medium
Turkey breast meat, 4 ounce(s)
Aunt Hattie's Low Carb 100% Whole Wheat Bread-1 slice, 2 serving
Dannon, Light & Fit Nonfat Strawberry Yogurt, 6 oz, 1 serving

Snacks-
South Beach Diet High Protein Cinnamon Bar, 1 serving
Optimum 100% Whey Protein: Extreme Milk Chocolate, 1 serving


Calories: 1262 (Waaaaaaaaaay too low!)
Net Carbs: 99
Fat: 25 (Needed about 20 more grams)
Protein: 145

[twinnett]

You better be eating right now!!! I'd be gnawing off my arm!

[LinzersMH]

Originally Posted by amj0883

I want a booty *pouts* lol!!

I can't ever find jeans that fit either...but my problem is that I have hips but no butt!

Be careful what you wish for...hehe!

[LinzersMH]

Originally Posted by twinnett

You better be eating right now!!! I'd be gnawing off my arm!

I just ate some chicken and I am currently eating some almonds. I'm making turkey meatloaf for dinner. Yum!

[LinzersMH]

Done 4x in a circuit-
Bench Dips - 12, 10, 8, 7
DB Shoulder Press- 10lbs. 12, 10, 8, 8
Push-ups on knees- 12, 10, 8, 7
Incline DB Flys- 12, 10, 8, 6
Incline DB Press- 12, 10, 8, 6

1304 KCals, 109 net carbs, 45 g. fat, 144 protein (I didn't factor in my PWO shake)

[HappySnowBunny]

The interview/audition is for the teaching position, right? That's so cool! Jazz fascinates me. I cannot do it to save my life. LOL.

Nice workout last night!

[amj0883]

Very true!! I'll just wish for a small, round, cute booty

[LinzersMH]

Originally Posted by HappySnowBunny

The interview/audition is for the teaching position, right? That's so cool! Jazz fascinates me. I cannot do it to save my life. LOL.

Nice workout last night!

It is for a teaching position. The owner wants to see how I work and what my choreography is like. Jazz is my favorite because I get to be sassy or as one of my teachers puts it "luscious." haha

Originally Posted by amj0883

Very true!! I'll just wish for a small, round, cute booty

haha

[LinzersMH]

Calories:1,296
Carbs (total): 115
Fat: 42
Protein: 126

I had dance last night. I got somewhat of an anaerobic workout, which was good. Some of my classmates noticed that class was a lot faster-paced than usual, so we were all breathing a little harder. My macros were really low yesterday, I wasn't all that hungry yesterday for some reason. Good ole ephedrine! This week has been tough for me though. I am a sugar fiend. I haven't had any sugar this week, so I'm feeling very overwhelming sugar cravings. Coffee and South Beach Diet Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies are great replacements to ween myself off the refined stuff. Sugar-free gum really helps also. This weekend is going to be tough though because my BF and I are going to Lake Mojave with my parents. We have good meals planned out, but the alcohol and snacks are what will be challenge. I don't plan on drinking too much. Probably 2 drink max for the whole weekend, I really don't have the desire to drink, but knowing my mother, she will make me. lol I'm bringing my E/C and Dicana to keep my metabolism in check. Even though the water will be freezing, I'm going to try and swim for at least 30 minutes. There's a volleyball net so we can play that, too. The key is staying active and watching what and how much I consume.
Hope everyone has a great Easter weekend!

[LinzersMH]

Squat-70x12 80x12 90x10 100x6
Leg Curls- 60x12 70x12 80x10 80x8
Leg Extensions 60x12 70x11 80x11 90x8
Calf Press- 60x15 70x12 80x12 90x12

Macros:
Calories- 1,448
Carbs-101
Fat-53
Protein- 180
I had an extra chicken breast today because I was still hungry, hence the extra protein. I guess that was okay considering I didn't have a shake after my workout because I went straight to the grocery store afterwards. Not a good idea, btw. I wanted to eat everything in the store!

I'll be gone for the weekend. I'll be back Sunday. Have a happy Easter everyone!

[LinzersMH]

I'm back home from my weekend out with my folks! We had so much fun. Got some sun, played some cards, it was beautiful weather. Unfortunately, my allergies got the best of me and I could not go 15 minutes without blowing my nose or sneezing. Tomorrow I am going to go to Walgreens and get a neti pot because from what I hear, they are the best at relieving allergies.

As far as my nutrition for the weekend, I did not do my best. I ate cookies, drank beer and a couple rum and diets, white bread, and other yummy treats to go along. In situations like that, I am not going to be party pooper and say, "oh I can't eat that, even though I traveled 6 hours to see my parents that I don't get to see that often anymore." Excuses, maybe. But I see the glass half-full, and if I'm going to eat cookies they better be good ones! But now I am home and it's all business now. As far as my exercising goes, the water was freezing! My BF was crazy enough to get in and do some wakeboarding. The water temp was somewhere in the low 60s. Burrrrr!

Tomorrow I plan on doing pull because I haven't done it this week. My interview is tomorrow also, so wish me luck!!!!!!! Eeeek!

[LinzersMH]

Alrighty, I just got home from my meeting with the owner of the studio and I think it went well. She said she has a few more interviews this week and then she will call me by April 4th (next week). All I can do is just sit and wait now. I feel good though.

[twinnett]

Good luck!!!

Glad to hear your attitude about the treats! I had some too this weekend! No guilt and it's back to business today!

[GDigs]

Hey there! I am new to the journaling but I really enjoyed reading yours. I too am a dancer. I teach at a friends studio one night a week and am planning on opening my own this summer. I wish you the best with the interview, hope it went well.

Keep up the good work. I am going to follow your progress and hope it rubs off on me. Have a good day.

[LinzersMH]

I was overdue for some cardio, so that's exactly what I did! I gave HIIT a shot, and I just have to build up some stamina. I got up to 7 minutes when I got a major cramp in my right calf, most likely due to a lack of water. I jumped on the elliptical for 25 minutes on cross country while watching my favorite show, Friends.
From the gym, I went straight to my dance class at school, but I had some time to catch my breath and grab a snack because I had a 45 minutes drive.

Nutrition:
Calories: 1303 Carbs: 118 Fat: 32 Protein: 140
(I got new whey protein powder and I didn't count that in, so my protein and calories are higher)

[HappySnowBunny]

I hope you hear good news about the teaching position soon! How's the flexibility coming along? I found some stiffness in the deeper hamstrings after a strong leg w/o too...and am having to stretch more often, for a bit longer to combat that. Not that I mind. I love stretching. (too bad my hips have rebelled and wont loosen up as much as i would like...).

Don't you love the long drives to classes?

[LinzersMH]

Originally Posted by HappySnowBunny

I hope you hear good news about the teaching position soon! How's the flexibility coming along? I found some stiffness in the deeper hamstrings after a strong leg w/o too...and am having to stretch more often, for a bit longer to combat that. Not that I mind. I love stretching. (too bad my hips have rebelled and wont loosen up as much as i would like...).

Don't you love the long drives to classes?

I got a voicemail today while I was at work from the owner of the studio asking if I could substitute for a class this Friday. This is good news for me! She asked if I could sub for this Friday and a couple more Fridays in April. I think I got the job because she said she would contact me by April 4th and she wants me to teach after that time, so I feel really good about it. Yay!

The flexibility is getting better. Still not getting better, but I don't think I will back to how flexible I used to be. My hips are super tight also. I have no turnout and I drive my teachers crazy because of it. I took a Pilates class at school last semester and I learned an AWESOME stretch to loosen up the muscles in the hip area. I like my drive home from class better than on the way there. I like to wind down with some great music and roll down the windows and feel the breeze. Aaah!

[LinzersMH]

Lie on your back with one leg straight and one leg bent, so that it's opened to the side. (Like a passe) Place a small squishy ball (IE, tennis ball or handball) under your glutes of the leg that is bent. (If you right leg is bent, put the ball under your right glute). Roll around on the ball until you feel a tender spot and let your body melt around/into the ball. Hold for 30-60 seconds, then find another tender spot. Repeat on the opposite side.

This is one of my favorites and I can really feel my hips loosen up. This is a good stretch after you're very warm, like after cardio or a leg workout, because it is a very deep stretch.

[LinzersMH]

Yesterday was a long day at work. I got home around 5:30, ate a snack and went to the grocery store. We had very little food in the house because my boyfriend decided to eat most of it yesterday! hehe He actually sprained his ankle playing basketball Monday night and he can't walk and for some reason, that lead him to eating a LOT. He needs to go to the doctor, but he's one of those people that thinks it will get better in a few days. It's now Wednesday and his ankle is still swollen and is starting to bruise. :\ I hate seeing him limp around! Anyways, by the time I got home, ate, went to the grocery store, cooked dinner, it was 8:30, and my gym closes at 9. So I didn't get my workout in. I can't breathe all that well either from my allergies. I'm trying to do to everything I can to clear them up, but nothing seems to be working. As a result, I am not getting good enough sleep because I keep waking up to blow my nose.

[LinzersMH]

Today was my eating day, apparently. Well, I did start my period today, so that plays a major role in that. Thank god I bought tons of fruit and SF FF pudding yesterday to fullfill my chocolate cravings. I didn't go to class tonight because my allergies were so bad, I can't really breathe that well, and I can't step outside without my eyes welling up and sneezing uncontrollably. Work was NOT fun today (I work in an outdoor mall). To say the least, today was not a success. No workout to record.

Nutrition:
Calories: 1973
Fat: 48
Carbs: 164
Protein: 224

[GDigs]

Keep your head up Linz! Have you tried Zyrtec? I usually don't like to take anything for my allergies but that, I like.

As for the SF FF pudding, LOVE IT!

Have a better day today.