Julie's new motivation tool

JtotheisHo · 02-06-2007, 10:17 AM

I've been thinking about starting my own journal for a while, but i finally decided to do it. Here's my story. I've been trying to get in a competition shape for more than a year now (with the help of a trainer) but nothing seems to work for me. I gain muscle, but my bodyfat never go below 20% no matter what I do or eat. We change my diet and program every month and a half, but we didn't find the right one for me yet I guess... I know my trainer is really good and she knows what she's doing, so I know it's not her fault, it's just my body who refuses to react. So... That's why I decided to start my journal, because I get the impression I don't improve anymore and I need a motivation to keep training...

Last time I saw my trainer, I was at 24% body fat. I gained 4% bf during the holidays, just by eating one cheat meal a week... (The rest of the time, i followed my diet.)

By the way, I don't diggest protein well, because every time my trainer try to increase my protein portions, I gain weight like crazy... Luckily, I'm able to gain muscle even if I don't eat that much protein.

JtotheisHo · 02-06-2007, 10:31 AM

Here's my diet:

Meal 1: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 scoop protein powder and 10-12 almonds
Meal 2: about 100g of meat, 300g of green veggies and a table spoon of olive oil.
Meal 3: a piece of fruit and 10-12 almonds
Meal 4: same as meal 2
Meal 5: A protein shake

JtotheisHo · 02-06-2007, 11:36 AM

Training: I do circuits, with 10 sec. of rest between each exercices and 60 sec. at the end of the circuit. Every circuit has a lower body, an upper body and a core exercise. It seems like my body react well to that kind of program. I don't do cardio since it doesn't change anything for me. I tried 20 minutes 5 times a week, 45 minutes 5 times a week and nothing at all and I didn't lose or gain more or less bf...

Today was day 1:

A1-Hack Squat 3X15 @ 70 lbs
A2-Standing BB lat pulldown 3X8 @ 40lbs
A3-Standing rope crunch with ABS 3X12 @ 60lbs

B1-Hip & ham raise + back extension 3X8 (let's say 3X2 for real and the rest, I only did half of it, because I just couldn't do it...
B2-Flat bench close grip tricep press 3X12 @50lbs
B3-Lying on bench hip elevation & twist 3X16

C1-Russian split squat @ low pulley 3X10 @ 50lbs
C2-Alternated DB shoulder press-prone-standing 3X16 @ 15lbs
C3-Russian twist on ABS with DB 3X16 @ 10 lbs

twinnett · 02-06-2007, 11:36 AM

That seems really low in calories..do you know the macros?

JtotheisHo · 02-06-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinnett

That seems really low in calories..do you know the macros?

No, I don't know... But I do know that I'm not hungry and that the minute I eat more, I gain weight... I've been on that kind of diet since last July... Now, I'm starting to think that my body just got use to it... Is it possible???

twinnett · 02-06-2007, 11:49 AM

could be...that's why a lot of people use carb and calorie cycling..keeps the body guessing

toronto2006 · 02-06-2007, 01:12 PM

Hello, welcome to the boards!
I use fitday.com to track my macros and calories and it has really helped me out!

Mango · 02-06-2007, 01:24 PM

Good points from twinnett!! I wouldn't start cal or carb cycling right now, though.

Hmmm, I roughly estimate you are eating about 1000 calories a day. Don't change what you eat right now, but check on fitday or nutridiary how many cals that really is, if you can't calculate it yourself, and use that as a base number from which you need to increase your cals. I'm learning the hard way that starvation has no place in a bb'er's lifestyle!!

Also, why are you doing such high reps for your movements?? What are your goals?? I've got quite a few reservations about using high reps for fat loss, if that's your goal!!

Congrats on the new journal!! I'm sure you'll find it helpful.

mcj · 02-06-2007, 01:34 PM

Bump to what all these girls are saying....

Let's just say 'one's' maintenance was about 2000 cals
and they are eating only 1200 cals and still would like to shed bodyfat....

Where do they go from 1200 cals?? 900 cals?? Now we're getting into starvation....and not getting the nutrients you need.

If you start too low..you will have nothing to 'cut' so to speak. This is all very 'simply' and summarized majorly.

I agree with Krista, input your data in fitday or somewhere like that, see how much you're eating. Then we can help you out with your diet a little better!!

Good luck! Subscribed!

SexyBack · 02-06-2007, 01:51 PM

Just thought I'd pop in to say hi. I'm thinking of starting a journal too so I thought I'd read a few first.

I can see what you are going through, I feel the same way sometimes. Perhaps your metabolism is damaged and needs a bit of repairing before your body will let go of any fat. Could you slowly up your calories to a level where you just maintain your weight and body fat for a few weeks to repair your metabolism and then drop back down again to see if that helps and you start to lose again?? I'm thinking of doing this myself. Tricky thing about it is that it's hard to not go over. I'm thinking if you say you gain weight easily, there is likely a fine line between maintence and weight/fat gain. Just my $.02.

April

JtotheisHo · 02-06-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toronto2006

Hello, welcome to the boards!
I use fitday.com to track my macros and calories and it has really helped me out!

Thanks a lot Toronto 2006. I will try it right away!

Everybody else: Thanks a lot for your suggestions and comments!

JtotheisHo · 02-06-2007, 02:32 PM

I just checked on fitday and I'm at about 1400 cal./day.

toronto2006 · 02-06-2007, 02:34 PM

I weight about 5 pounds more than you and eat 1600-2000 calories depending on what my goals are at the time. If I want to lost boday fat, it's about 1600-1750.
IMO you should eat more, but it's best to get lots of opinions.

JtotheisHo · 02-07-2007, 11:51 AM

Today was day 2:

A1-Walking side lunges-BB 3X12 @40lbs (I tried 45 for one set, but it's too heavy for my litttle weak legs...)
A2-ABS DB pec press 3X8 @30lbs
A3-Reverse bicycle crunch with 2 DB 3X30

B1-BB good morning-wide stance 3X8 @70lbs
B2-fat grip DB hammer bicep curl 3X8 @15lbs
B3-QL elevation 3X8

C1-leg curl with plyo balls (that i couldn't do because no balls were available...)
C2-DB bent over rear delt raise 3X8 @10lbs
C3-Horstance-shoulder tap across 3X8

I did 15 minutes of cardio after, because I was a bit early and I had time to kill...

JtotheisHo · 02-08-2007, 09:16 AM

Today's my day off at the gym... It feels good to sleep 1 1/2 hrs more in the morning! I'm going to the restaurant for lunch with people from the office. I'll try not to ruin my diet too much, since I'm going out of town for the weekend with my boyfriend, so i'd like to keep my cheat meel for saturday night...

toronto2006 · 02-08-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtotheisHo

Today's my day off at the gym... It feels good to sleep 1 1/2 hrs more in the morning! I'm going to the restaurant for lunch with people from the office. I'll try not to ruin my diet too much, since I'm going out of town for the weekend with my boyfriend, so i'd like to keep my cheat meel for saturday night...

The dreaded work lunch, I hate it! It's so hard to find something okay on the menu, and then everybody makes fun of me for it. I try to avoid work lunches at all costs!

JtotheisHo · 02-08-2007, 12:37 PM

Finally, I had grilled tilapia with vegetables and I drank water. No entree, no bread, no dessert!

Bravo Julie!!!

JtotheisHo · 02-08-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toronto2006

The dreaded work lunch, I hate it! It's so hard to find something okay on the menu, and then everybody makes fun of me for it. I try to avoid work lunches at all costs!

I'm lucky, my coworkers don't make fun of me about what I eat. (Or don't eat ...) I've been on a diet for so long that I guess they got use to it. At the begining though I heard a lot of funny stuff like: "You eat again? You're gonna gain weight!" Like they know what they're talking about... Strangely, all the people who tell me what I should do or not do are overweight...

toronto2006 · 02-08-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtotheisHo

I'm lucky, my coworkers don't make fun of me about what I eat. (Or don't eat ...) I've been on a diet for so long that I guess they got use to it. At the begining though I heard a lot of funny stuff like: "You eat again? You're gonna gain weight!" Like they know what they're talking about... Strangely, all the people who tell me what I should do or not do are overweight...

That's funny, I get comments all the time about how often I eat. Especially when I'm at clients since they're not used to it. They're always asking how I eat so much and stay in shape (they say this while they're eating their macdonalds and I'm eating my can of tuna! hehehe...

SexyBack · 02-09-2007, 09:38 AM

I have coworkers that try to convince you that one donut or cookie is okay. I say, I don't look this good by eating that crap!

toronto2006 · 02-09-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SexyBack

I have coworkers that try to convince you that one donut or cookie is okay. I say, I don't look this good by eating that crap!

You know what really pisses me off? All the people that say "Look at you, you can afford it!!!!!!!!!!
Lately I've been saying "there's a reason i look like this you know". Might be a bit rude but I got so sick of hearing it!!

SexyBack · 02-09-2007, 09:45 AM

I know! sometimes I just want to say, if I eat like you, I will look like you and you don't look good! but i bite my tongue!

JtotheisHo · 02-12-2007, 10:20 AM

Happy monday everybody!!!

I had a really nice and quiet weekend up north with my boyfriend! There was a little gym there, so i managed to train and i followed my diet the whole weekend, except for a well diserved cheat meal on saturday night!

I figured out that there is officially something wrong with my body. For the past 2 weeks, i've been gaining weight like crazy, which is not normal considering the way I eat and train... All of my clothes don't fit me anymore. My stomach look like i'm 6 months pregnant. I'm always tired and depressed and the only thing I want to do is cry because I feel so fat. It is really hard to stay motivated, since all my efforts are vain... I have an appointment with my doctor on March 5 and I will tell her "You better find out what's wrong with me, because i'm not leaving this office until then!"

I went to the gym this morning anyways and I felt better while I was there...

irish0418 · 02-12-2007, 10:55 AM

oh I feel your pain! I am the same way! Work out and eat clean but yet I can't lose any body fat or lbs.!!!!! It really sucks!!!

I had my thyroid checked and it was fine...maybe you should look into that!

I'm at the same point: depressed, feeling fat and discouraged! I say the same things, "What's wrong with me?!"

Especially when there are people that look awesome and don't work out as hard as me or eat like me!!!

very dissapointing!

JtotheisHo · 02-12-2007, 11:38 AM

Thanks for stoping by Irish0418!

I went to take a look at your journal and yes, I think we are struggling with the same issues! I agree with you that it is unfair that some people eat crap and are in a better shape than we are... I don't know that many people who have my dedication, but you just couldn't tell by looking at me!

For the thiroid, both of my sisters have thiroid problem, so i get checked every year. It's always ok, but i'm suspecting that it might be borderline... (I mean that maybe they don't see anything in the blood test, but it's not perfect either...) I'll ask my doctor again when I see her!

toronto2006 · 02-12-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtotheisHo

Happy monday everybody!!!

I had a really nice and quiet weekend up north with my boyfriend! There was a little gym there, so i managed to train and i followed my diet the whole weekend, except for a well diserved cheat meal on saturday night!

I figured out that there is officially something wrong with my body. For the past 2 weeks, i've been gaining weight like crazy, which is not normal considering the way I eat and train... All of my clothes don't fit me anymore. My stomach look like i'm 6 months pregnant. I'm always tired and depressed and the only thing I want to do is cry because I feel so fat. It is really hard to stay motivated, since all my efforts are vain... I have an appointment with my doctor on March 5 and I will tell her "You better find out what's wrong with me, because i'm not leaving this office until then!"

I went to the gym this morning anyways and I felt better while I was there...

Your weekend sounded great! That must have been awesome.

My stomach looks like that too, but I have found that if my macros are off that happens, I don't know why but it just seems to work that way.

I always feel fat too. You look good in your Avi, you don't look fat at all!

I'm glad you are going to your doctor, maybe you have depression, it's pretty common, I have been on medication for over 10 years and will be for my whole life, but it works so I don't care.

Try to cheer up and have a great week!

JtotheisHo · 02-12-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toronto2006

You look good in your Avi, you don't look fat at all!

Thank you soooooo much!!! It is a picture from last summer. I have more muscle now, but about the same bodyfat.

I'm already in a better mood!

toronto2006 · 02-12-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtotheisHo

Thank you soooooo much!!! It is a picture from last summer. I have more muscle now, but about the same bodyfat.

I'm already in a better mood!

I'm glad it made you feel a bit better, sometimes we need someone else to tell us we look great becuase our own image of ourself is so skewed (at least mine is for sure)

SexyBack · 02-12-2007, 02:04 PM

are you drinking enough water? maybe you are just retaining water.
how is your sleep? that can set you back if you aren't resting enough. Or maybe you are overtraining and you need to take a break for a bit. I know that can be scary, but everyone needs it for your body to catch up.

JtotheisHo · 02-12-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SexyBack

are you drinking enough water? maybe you are just retaining water.
how is your sleep? that can set you back if you aren't resting enough. Or maybe you are overtraining and you need to take a break for a bit. I know that can be scary, but everyone needs it for your body to catch up.

It is possible that I don't drink enough water... I try to drink a lot, but let's say I sometimes forget... From now on, I will try to drink more and I will even write in my journal how much I drank! My sleep is fantastic. But it seems like I'm always tired... I never go to bed past 10:30, I wake up at 6 and I'm still tired... I could be overtraining too... I never took a break for more than 2 years, but as you said, it is kind of scary to think about taking a break... I'm sure I would feel like all my muscles would disapear in a week!