My intro...true novice here!

[curvymommy]

~

Wow, I never even knew forums like this existed! It has been so inspirational to read through all of the threads at the top and learn from all of you. I am going out on a limb here by posting because I feel pretty out of place. Hopefully ya'll don't laugh me outta here!

I am posting this as an introduction of myself. Three years ago I weighed in at 252. I am 5'5''. I was a size 24. I have had weight loss surgery. Gastric Bypass to be exact. It was done in December of '04. I am now 167 pounds and about a size 12. Then I got pissed and made a decision to really change and workout hard/often for the first time ever!

So, a couple months ago I was a 250 pound girl locked in a skinny suit. My brain had not caught up with the changes in my physique. I really wanted to wrap my mind around the fact that I have changed and I don't have to identify with morbid obesity anymore. I will still visit my gastric bypass friends online but want to concentrate on where I can go from here instead of dwelling on all of the problems of obesity.

I joined a gym. Well, I thought it was a gym but have since found out that it is not a REAL gym. It is more of a Curves type situation with many beginners and senior citizens. Well, I decided to make the best of it and to do all the machines there and to try to get my money's worth but already feel I am out growing the equipment they have there.

Last week while standing in front of the mirror looking at my profile I noticed something really weird! When I flexed my butt a certain way it pooched way out and it made my waist look skinner! It really freaked me out. It was like an out of body experience. I am building a freaking booty! Now since working out consistantly my butt is poking out more instead of growing wider and nastier. I yelled for my husband to come in and he was really excited too, LOL! Now he can't trying to spank it all the time.

Anyway, with that proof of what can happen with weightlifting and a concentrated effort I turned to be web to find out what else can be done and that is how I found this board.

I do have a couple Body For Life Books as well as a really nice set of free weights. I usually do the elliptical machine and really go hard and then do the circut training they have set up there. Should I just use the gym for cardio and then use my free weights at home. Also, there is a reconstructive surgery in my future and I want to have a lot of loose skin to remove and really get my BF down before I go under the knife. Of yeah, and I want to be a hottie

Just wanted to give a shout out and thank you for all your inspiration.

Thanks in advance!

Molly

Also edited to add:
This is what I am doing right ( I think, please critique though)
~main staples are lean proteins especially tuna and string cheese
~supplement with protein powder everyday 2X for life per Dr.'s orders
~take vitamins everyday
~drink at least 64+ ounces of water or Crystal Light a day
~Bought steel cut oats and yams but haven't tried them
~Been eating South Beach style for past almost 3 years.
~know about fitday and am going to use it again!



Also do a ton of stuff wrong as well...but am really excited to change!

 

[Bikini Mod]

First of all: WELCOME!!! I LOVE your screen name.

And yes, you are doing some things right but there is always evolution. I, myself, spun my wheels for YEARS so if there is a "wrong" way to do something - you are talkin to her.

It's GREAT that you joined a gym and that you know about the BodyForLife and Fitday.com. These are three valuable tools that will assist you to reach your short and long term fat loss and HEALTH goals.

I genuinely admire and respect people like you. I applaud your determination and your persistance. If only EVERYONE were as pro-active with their bodies and lives.

It's really early in the AM and I can't sleep. I will address your questions in much more detail in the AM (when normal people are awake LOL) but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to welcome you to the boards.

I've been here off and on for seven years and I can't tell you how much I have learned. I look forward to the opportunity to share knowledge and watch your progress.

 

[Tatyana]

Hello and welcome!

Firstly I just want to acknowledge you for taking on your body, and your mind actually, it is a package deal.

Just to let you know, some of the best and most successful female bodybuilders I know in the UK have had to lose massive amounts of weight before they got on stage and took the BBing work (here) by storm.

It does look like you are headed in the right direction with your diet.

I would keep trying out more whole natural foods, expand your diet to include more lean protein sources (chicken, turkey, eggs [more whites than whole eggs], low fat cottage cheese, plain low fat natural yogurt..........).

You are starting to eat more complex carbs, which is a good thing. I LOVE oats, I also eat buckwheat, barley, quinoa, wheat, spelt, rye and buckwheat flakes. If you find you like the oats, then you may want to try a few more of these.

This does seem odd, but fat is also important part of the diet, just healthy, raw, unheated fats. Olive oil, raw seeds and nuts, sesame seed oil, avocados, you may also want to supplement with some fish oils.

Looking forward to seeing your transformation!

 

[Gymgurl]

Welcome to ef! You know they always say the mind is that last thing to catch up when you lose weight. You have to start thinking like a thin person...You look awesome! I can't wait to follow your progress

 

[fit'in'romania]

Welcome and congrats on the transformation! Keep us posted with your progress, it's great that you joined a gym!

 

[claire]

Welcome to EF. Congratulation on your amazing transformation!

 

[LuluDeren]

Hi Curvvymommy! An Absolute fantastic transformation. Welcome to Elite, there are many great ladies here possessing a wealth of information. You're in good company.

 

[curvymommy]

First of all: WELCOME!!! I LOVE your screen name.

And yes, you are doing some things right but there is always evolution. I, myself, spun my wheels for YEARS so if there is a "wrong" way to do something - you are talkin to her.

It's GREAT that you joined a gym and that you know about the BodyForLife and Fitday.com. These are three valuable tools that will assist you to reach your short and long term fat loss and HEALTH goals.

I genuinely admire and respect people like you. I applaud your determination and your persistance. If only EVERYONE were as pro-active with their bodies and lives.

It's really early in the AM and I can't sleep. I will address your questions in much more detail in the AM (when normal people are awake LOL) but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to welcome you to the boards.

I've been here off and on for seven years and I can't tell you how much I have learned. I look forward to the opportunity to share knowledge and watch your progress.

Oh WOW!!! Thanks so much. I am running out of the house right now with my 3 and 5 year olds but really look forward to updating you all as I go along. They nap in the afternoon. And I have a LOT of questions but am also trying to be resourceful as I go along as to not waste anyone's time!

A resounding THANK YOU!

 

[Bikini Mod]

Follow the advice for devising a mealplan here:

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/w...g/simple-guide-devising-meal-plan-569406.html

You will see that it shouldn't deviate too much from the BodyForLife (I've not read the book personally but from what I have heard it is fairly similar). You NEED to incorporate more slow burning complex carbohydrates. A diet that is all protein and very little carb is not good. Your body needs ALL THREE macro-nutrients for proper function. This includes ALL THREE: Protein, Fat AND carbohydrates.

I am not familiar with South Beach either.

Honestly, you really don't NEED to take protein supplements. And Fat is NOT evil, just as carbohydrates are not evil. It is a matter of combining the macronutrients properly, adjusting them along the way and also adjusting your physical activity as the human body adjusts very quickly.

How many weeks would you say you have been relying primarily on cardio for your chief source of activity? I know you are sorta "stuck" as far as your gym. Does it have a pool? What are the specifics of your contract, that is, if you wanted to cancel and join another is that feasible for you?

I genuinely enjoy helping others, if I can. You can "thank me" by reaching YOUR goal!

 

[curvymommy]

Follow the advice for devising a mealplan here:

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/w...g/simple-guide-devising-meal-plan-569406.html

You will see that it shouldn't deviate too much from the BodyForLife (I've not read the book personally but from what I have heard it is fairly similar). You NEED to incorporate more slow burning complex carbohydrates. A diet that is all protein and very little carb is not good. Your body needs ALL THREE macro-nutrients for proper function. This includes ALL THREE: Protein, Fat AND carbohydrates.

I am not familiar with South Beach either.

Honestly, you really don't NEED to take protein supplements. And Fat is NOT evil, just as carbohydrates are not evil. It is a matter of combining the macronutrients properly, adjusting them along the way and also adjusting your physical activity as the human body adjusts very quickly.

How many weeks would you say you have been relying primarily on cardio for your chief source of activity? I know you are sorta "stuck" as far as your gym. Does it have a pool? What are the specifics of your contract, that is, if you wanted to cancel and join another is that feasible for you?

I genuinely enjoy helping others, if I can. You can "thank me" by reaching YOUR goal!

Ok, great stuff! I needed to hear that about the slow burning carbs. I have been low carbing it so long that I forget now that I am working out I should feed my body! YAY! So, I already took your advice and ate oatmeal for breakfast with my kiddos. They have never seen me eat it and were very curious as to why mommy suddenly "liked" oatmal. They eat it and I always gnaw on string cheese while they do. Although I fed them the packets and made mine from scratch and added protien powder cause I was out of splenda. So, that was fun. Will continue on that track you suggested in your previous thread. And yes, that is what my Bill Phillips BFL book says too! So, cool.

Also, I am gonna have a heart to heart with my DH and tell him about the gym contract I am in to see if he can help me get out of it. He's savvy at that stuff. Anyway, in the mean time I will use the gym for cardio and free weights at home (?). I just need to figure out how to get a good lower body workout without machines. Lunges? Lean my Big plastic ball on the wall and do squats? Hmmm...

Oh well, thanks again. Oh yeah, and South Beach Eating is lean dense protiens usually grilled or sauteed in healthy oil, and lower carb veggies. No pasta, bread ect. Not that you care but it is a pretty healthy way to eat but probably too low carb for lifting weights. So, that is fun and different for me! Wow, see what getting active can do? Now I "can" and should eat a greater variety of food groups so that's a big win.

Molly