Beginner & Confused

[Beautflstrngr23]

Hi! I am 5'6 and weigh app 145lbs--body fat 26.2%. I am having trouble figuring out what the correct thing to do for the goals I wish to accomplish.

I am currenty taking HYDROXCYCUT, EAS MUSCLE DRIVE PROTEIN SHAKE, a low fat, low calorie, high protein (minimum of 145grams per day), and moderate carb diet.

I do a minimum of 45minX5day cardio, and minimum of 3 day weight training a week. (mostly machines at the max weight I can stand for 12repsX3sets.)

The look I want: "Wow, she must workout!", Demi Moore in "Striptease". I don't want the bulging veins & manly muscles, but I do want prominent definition and muscles.

Any advice greatly appreciated on whether it sounds like I am on the right track or maybe some other hints I might want to consider.

PS also--what do u think about Creatine for a woman with the goals I am looking for.

[Sweetness]

Hi there, I personally like using creatine. I think it gives me twice the results I get without it, so its faster for sure. Its still very very hard to get really big so dont be scared of looking like a man, it wont happen unless you SERIOUSLY punish yourself with weights.

-have fun

[Gizmo]

Lol, you need to punish yourself with weights.
4 out of a 100000 women have the potential to get BIG, so don't worry about it, all those bodybuiderchicks you see....steroids....
As long as you don't use em, don't worry about getting big.

Giz

[edreason]

I think your plan is headed in the right direction! The only advice id have is watch out for over training,results come in time(a lesson ive learned.)stick to it though and balance your weight training and cardio. Hydroxycut is one of the poorer selections to chose from when mimicking an eca stack. Id choose xenadrine.bye

[Telly]

Bump on all the above advice.

You want to be careful you don't eat away at your muscle stores. By doing that much cardio on top of your weights and on a moderate carb diet, you run that risk. It's a fine balancing act

The key to looking defined is in building muscle, no doubt about it. I know it's a big change, but you really need to ditch the majority of the machines you are using for free weights. I assume you go to a gym.

Free weights (ie dumbells, barbells) will do much more for you, in much quicker time as far as building muscle goes. Sure, dumbells and barbells are harder work than machines, but looking for an easy way out won't get you where you want to be.

As far as supplements go make the changes to your workout, prior to plunging into more supplements. Supplements are not the key. Training and nutrition are.

Let me know what your training is at the moment, and i'll try and re-gig your training

[Juggernaut]

Drop the hydroxycut and pick up some glutamine. Running before you eat in the morning would be KEY in losing weight. I've never had to worry about losing weight, just gaining, but from what i've read on the board here is that, running in the morning is infinately times better than running any other time. I'd say dont take creatine, that will just make you bloated and bigger.

[Beautflstrngr23]

First of all--everyone who has responded to my Beginner & Confused Thanks to all Iam trying to respond to everyones advice but only way I can figure out how to do this is to send a personal msg to everyone--unless if I see this shows up in the forum I guess I figured out a new way!!

Again thanks everyone & still chking regularly for new comments and or advice positive or negative.

Not doing to good right now though--had to go to chiropractor--over did it on the leg press--(what else is new I always get impatient & overdue things) hopefully this taught me my lesson about pushing ur body to far when it comes to working out--I took today (WEd) off but will be back full force with my cario tomorrow.

[SuperGirl]

My trainer just switched me from xenadrine to hydroxycut because I wasn't getting much in the way of results from xenadrine (not dropping fat). Sounds like y'all have had experience with hydroxycut. What didn't you like about it? Is it effective?