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Hello,
I’m a new member here and thought I’d introduce myself, describe my situation, and see what advice I could get from the more experienced members here.
I’m 42 years old, 5’2”, 134lb (size 2-4). My body fat is somewhere between 25-30%, depending on which set of calipers or scale I use (the bod pod is coming to my gym next week, and I’ll be taking advantage of that).
Back in January I had established a goal of competing in a local figure show in October. Since then, the goal has transitioned from figure to bodybuilding, which I find more appealing. I really don’t think I’ll be ready in October – which is fine, I can always do another show later. The issue is that my progress is *really* hard to judge, and it’s getting frustrating.
My weight in November 2009 was 142 (size 6-8), and in March of this year it was 136. So while there have been incremental improvements, I really expected more based on the amount of work I’m doing and my diet.
Workoutsd: I’m basically in a pre-contest mode right now, doing 30-45 minutes of cardio in the morning (treadmill or HIIT), followed by a group class at the gym in the evening (often a cardio/weight class, and I use as heavy of a weight as I can). On the weekend I typically do weights with my boyfriend, and I go as heavy as I can there as well. From January through March I was doing cardio in the morning, and a typical 5-day weight split at night (again, heavy).
Diet: My diet ranges from 1600-2000 calories per day – I don’t eat the same thing every day, though I try to be consistent with as many meals as possible. I find it hard to function on fewer calories – and my job requirements don’t let me get away with that. Protein is typically 130g per day, carbs are about 170-180, and healthy fats make up the rest. I was/am a vegetarian, though I’ve gone to using more animal sources lately (not really happy about it, but I’ll cope with that in my own way). I have a Bodybugg which I use to track the calories I burn and take in, though I’ve stopped using the meal tracker of late due to time restrictions, and being familiar with the macros of what I’m eating.
Supplements/etc: For medication I’m on birth control and thyroid replacement. Additionally I’m taking a multi-vitamin (currently on hiatus because I’m vitamin D toxic based on my recent blood tests, and my multi has a lot of that), Arson as a thermogenic (which I LOVE), DHEA (25mg per day), CLA, a nitric-oxide supp pre-workout and creatine post-workout. I started clenbuterol yesterday at 20mcg and we’ll see how that works – I got some mild shakes but nothing bad. I’m considering an anavar/winstrol combo at low dosages as well (10/10 per day? I need to research this a little more, I know).
History: I was anorexic as a teenager (that takes some dedication, let me tell you), and I was up to 196 pounds at 37. I am the ultimate yo-yo, which I’m sure has done nothing positive for my metabolism. It was at my heaviest that I got a lap-band. While I feel more in control now than I have in a long time, I still have it in there (loosened pretty much all the way so I can eat what I need to), and I’m sure it will look plenty bizarre when I get on stage for my first show (it pokes out pretty noticably). I actually use this to help guage my bodyfat level – the better I can see it, the leaner I am (ick, I know).
So, what now? I feel my diet is pretty good, though I know it can be improved upon. I’m just not sure how to bring the calories down much lower while still feeling satisfied. I feel my workouts are good – I’m plenty sore all the time, and I’m putting more of an emphasis on cardio to try to get to a baseline bodyfat level. I know I’ve already put on a good amount of muscle this year, but I want to be able to see it!
Well, thanks so much for reading this. Hopefully I gave enough details so that anyone with some ideas can chime in and help me out. I feel like I’ve been killing myself and I’m just not seeing what I had hoped for.
Thanks again!
I’m a new member here and thought I’d introduce myself, describe my situation, and see what advice I could get from the more experienced members here.
I’m 42 years old, 5’2”, 134lb (size 2-4). My body fat is somewhere between 25-30%, depending on which set of calipers or scale I use (the bod pod is coming to my gym next week, and I’ll be taking advantage of that).
Back in January I had established a goal of competing in a local figure show in October. Since then, the goal has transitioned from figure to bodybuilding, which I find more appealing. I really don’t think I’ll be ready in October – which is fine, I can always do another show later. The issue is that my progress is *really* hard to judge, and it’s getting frustrating.
My weight in November 2009 was 142 (size 6-8), and in March of this year it was 136. So while there have been incremental improvements, I really expected more based on the amount of work I’m doing and my diet.
Workoutsd: I’m basically in a pre-contest mode right now, doing 30-45 minutes of cardio in the morning (treadmill or HIIT), followed by a group class at the gym in the evening (often a cardio/weight class, and I use as heavy of a weight as I can). On the weekend I typically do weights with my boyfriend, and I go as heavy as I can there as well. From January through March I was doing cardio in the morning, and a typical 5-day weight split at night (again, heavy).
Diet: My diet ranges from 1600-2000 calories per day – I don’t eat the same thing every day, though I try to be consistent with as many meals as possible. I find it hard to function on fewer calories – and my job requirements don’t let me get away with that. Protein is typically 130g per day, carbs are about 170-180, and healthy fats make up the rest. I was/am a vegetarian, though I’ve gone to using more animal sources lately (not really happy about it, but I’ll cope with that in my own way). I have a Bodybugg which I use to track the calories I burn and take in, though I’ve stopped using the meal tracker of late due to time restrictions, and being familiar with the macros of what I’m eating.
Supplements/etc: For medication I’m on birth control and thyroid replacement. Additionally I’m taking a multi-vitamin (currently on hiatus because I’m vitamin D toxic based on my recent blood tests, and my multi has a lot of that), Arson as a thermogenic (which I LOVE), DHEA (25mg per day), CLA, a nitric-oxide supp pre-workout and creatine post-workout. I started clenbuterol yesterday at 20mcg and we’ll see how that works – I got some mild shakes but nothing bad. I’m considering an anavar/winstrol combo at low dosages as well (10/10 per day? I need to research this a little more, I know).
History: I was anorexic as a teenager (that takes some dedication, let me tell you), and I was up to 196 pounds at 37. I am the ultimate yo-yo, which I’m sure has done nothing positive for my metabolism. It was at my heaviest that I got a lap-band. While I feel more in control now than I have in a long time, I still have it in there (loosened pretty much all the way so I can eat what I need to), and I’m sure it will look plenty bizarre when I get on stage for my first show (it pokes out pretty noticably). I actually use this to help guage my bodyfat level – the better I can see it, the leaner I am (ick, I know).
So, what now? I feel my diet is pretty good, though I know it can be improved upon. I’m just not sure how to bring the calories down much lower while still feeling satisfied. I feel my workouts are good – I’m plenty sore all the time, and I’m putting more of an emphasis on cardio to try to get to a baseline bodyfat level. I know I’ve already put on a good amount of muscle this year, but I want to be able to see it!
Well, thanks so much for reading this. Hopefully I gave enough details so that anyone with some ideas can chime in and help me out. I feel like I’ve been killing myself and I’m just not seeing what I had hoped for.
Thanks again!
I'm getting alot of mixed info on this. I usually do 30-45 minutes on treadmill at high incline and moderately fast speed or stationary bike, elliptical and treadmill for 30-45 min.
