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Hello everyone
I am just introducing myself :0)
I am a FT student in Seattle Washington, and am planning on attending law school next year.
I am 24 now, and was a dancer at age 18. It was great, business was good...but I met a man...and you know...ended up not dancing anymore. Got married, had a baby, now divorced.
I am almost done with my degree,a nd my daughter is alomst 2 and I want to start dancing. I am now a single mom, and dancing is the only way to make the kind of money I will need, and with flexible hours.
This is a great forum, and Ive gotten a lot of great ideas from it!
My issue is that I need to shape up!!! Ive been working on it. I am a pretty naturally athletic person, I used to play competitive Volleyball, I belly dance and work out. But, since my daughter, it just hasn't been enough!
I am 5'11, long blond hair, and a natural 38DD. I am also currently wearing size 12 to 14. Now, I have a large build, I am completely Scandinavian and have broad shoulders, and a build similar to Anna Nicole Smith when she posed for playboy. At a size 7, which I was, I had big boobs, and my ribs stuck out...gross. I'd like to be a size 9, and I enjoy lifting weights so I am trying to firm up as well.
Any hints, or any advice from not super thin dancers, and those who don't want to be super thin...just in good shape for their size. Is a size 9 a good one for my height and frame? Not hating on you tiny dancers, you look terrific, but I just don't when I am too small.
Ok, this is a novel, but I am working hard, and hope to start dancing within 5 months or so.
;D
Bella
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Re: Hello everyone
Bella,
It sounds like you could step on the stage now. But I understand about for your ownself wanting to be in a little bit better shape. I am not super thin, I am 5'4'' and I am a size 2 or 4 depending on if I am bloated or not ;D Anyway before I auditioned I busted it on the workouts. I do go to the gym a lot. But I understand that may not be what you can do because of time constraints with your baby. I always keep about 3 work out videos around the house (aerobic, yoga, pilates.) Just do those or dance really hard for at least for 30 min. What also helped me was cutting down the carbs. I would have 1 piece of bread a day if I wanted it. I would save that for my eggs and toast in the morning. I would have a a piece of baked chicken with some soy nuts for lunch and for dinner a piece of chicken and some greens. That works for me because I have done it before and I know my body, but I don't know what exactly will work for you, but in general cutting the carbs will help you shed pounds. I also cut out any refined sugar treats. My treat was juicy plums. It worked for me...now I have not let myself totally go, but I wanted to be thin to get the job...I do continue to work out 4 days a week. And eat pretty healthy, I did just have a couple of chocolate chip cookies :-* But it sounds like you are not far from where you would like to be. Oh...also, I don't eat fast food! Avoid that junk for sure if you do happen to eat it. Good luck to you ;)
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Re: Hello everyone
Hi Bella! Glo here! Nice to meet you. I can relate to how you feel, when I first started dancing I needed to drop some weight myself. You can do it with dicipline and the right attitude. Having little ones sometimes makes it a tad bit more difficult than not(I was a single mom of two) I have to say carbs are to this day my worst enemy. I would rather eat a dinner roll than chocolate cake. (LOL) I guess I am as crazy as my kids say!:) I also found taking vitamins and a good calcium supplement helped me curb my cravings for carbs and dairy products. I also drank one cup of GREEN TEA every night and stoped eating after 8:00pm. I hope this helps! GOOD LUCK TO YOU! Have an AWESOME DAY/NIGHT!!
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Re: Hello everyone
Hi Bella,
I think I'm built about like you... I'm 5'11", 36D, broad shoulders, wide hips. Nice people say that I'm built like Xena :-)
I look best at about a size 8-10. Right now I'm a size 10- 12. When I want to lose weight I get up in the morning and do at least 20 minutes of some kind of cardio activity *right away.* This get's my metabolism up so that I naturally burn more fat all day long. Then I have a small protein meal. I try to eat six small protein meals a day, to keep my body feuled up. I stop eating 6 hours before bed when I'm not working. When I dance my blood sugar gets too low so I snack on peanuts (high protein, low fat, low sugar, low calorie) all night.
Why don't you start dancing now? Most people need to lose weight when they start dancing..
Lena
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Re: Hello everyone
Hi Bella,
This is going to be purely from a weight loss perspective, some of it may not be relevant due to your child and other factors. I am currently studying to be a personal fitness trainer, so this information is coming from that knowledge.
* Muscle burns fat. If you are starting an exercise regime, definately combine weight training with a cardio work out.
* Do your weight training BEFORE cardio work. The weight work will burn the sugars in your body. Then when you do cardio, that is burning up stored fat and not the apple you just ate.
* Do 15-30mins weight training. Use a light weight (eg 1, 2, or 3kg or a can of food!) and do a very high number of repetitions (12 upwards) with few breaks. This will tone your body, but it will not build huge muscles. Concentrate on your upper body, back, & tummy, (maybe your butt too), because your legs will probably get enough of a work out with dancing.
* Do 30-45mins cardio. Do whatever you enjoy, as long as it gets you puffing and panting for a solid 30mins.
* If possible, do your workout before breakfast, or after a very light snack like a piece of fruit, 5 days a week. If you don't have enough time, skip your weight training.
* Always eat breakfast
* Eat 5-6 small meals per day.
* Cut out carbs after 3pm (unless you have something on late, in which case cut them out after 6pm).
* Eat protein with each meal, whether it be lean meat, eggs, tofu, nuts & seeds, or dairy.
* Eat low fat dairy foods.
* Eat heaps of veges, some fruit, some grains, and a little fat.
If you would like, I can give you a daily meal example. Let me know. But the main thing is it takes some trial and error, as everyone is different and that includes what they need to do to lose weight.
Hope this has been helpful.
:-* Claire
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Re: Hello everyone
And water! Water, water, water.
Add something if you don't like it. Squeeze of lemon, lime, a dash of cordial, any (small) thing to help you drink it.
You will get used to the volume eventually and stop peeing quite so much! :)
x C
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Re: Hello everyone
Thank you all so much! What terrific advice!
Lena, I loved the Xena comment...I refer to myself as that all of the time :0)
I have been losing weight, slowly, but it's coming off. The hard part is taht I am already really active, and my body gets used to that, so I need to shake it up.
I jog or walk daily, I drive but bus to work and school and end up walking close to 45 min a day. I do aerobic videos and bellydancing.
What I need to do mroe of , is lifting weights, weight training. Ive also been cutting carbs.
I don't have weights and stuff at home, so I am joining a gym a block away. I dont have time, especially with work and school, but Ill make it. I can put my daughter in the gym daycare (its very good) for that hour or so..to work on myself.
I love water now, and have been drinking 2 to 3 sodas a week...THAT was my downfall!! My carbs are lower than they have ever been, but I think I need to get them down more. I eat tons of veggies and fruit, but I don't like meat very much so it's hard to get that protein.
I like my shape, I am very hourglass...and would consider dancing now but I am h olding a bit of weight in my lower stomach..you know...the baby pooch :0) Until that goes down a bit, I wont be confident enough. PErhaps once I get down to a size 10 or so, Ill consider it. I know that I will have to lose all over body fat to get rid of it...*sigh*
So, I am going to keep up with my active life, add in an extra few hours of cardio a week, and begin weight training every other day or so.
Oh, and Claire....a sample menu would be great! I love salads, veggies, asian stirfry..I eat those types of food...not too much standard American fare.
Again, thank you ....I appreciate the help, and just a place to talk about this stuff. I cant really talk about it much in my real life!
;)
Yvonne
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Re: Hello everyone
woops...signed with my real name :0)
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Sample Meals...long
Hi Bella,
Great work so far! I'm Australian, so don't stress about American type fare! :) (On an odd note, Americans stress about eating too many carbs, whereas Australians stress about eating too much fat.)
Meal One
* 1/2 cup oatmeal or porridge
* 1 medium piece of fruit
* Protein (eg protein shake, protein powder or seeds & nuts added to your cereal)
(split Meal One up if you must eat before your workout)
Meal Two
* Egg white omlette with spinach & other veges
* 1 piece Toast
Meal Three
* Peanut butter/Avocado on rye crackers
* Salad
Meal Four
* Salad with LOTS of variety
* No fat dressing (eg balsamic vinegar & lemon juice)
* Sprinkle with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, avocado
Meal Five
(Choose from: )
* Tofu/Chicken/Other Meat stir fry
* Soup & salad
* Eggs & salad
(basically anything that is healthy and NOT carbs, including no potato)
Notes:
* Meals 2-4 are interchangable.
* If you can't eat that regularly, use a meal replacement bar or drink for meals 3 &/or 4. (ensure that the replacement has balanced ratios of protein:carbs:fat in around 40:40:15).
* Nuts & Seeds: full of protein. I have a small container that I make a mix in. I carry it around and nibble whenever I feel the need. I include sesame seeds, linseeds, sunflower seeds, sultanas, peanuts, pinenuts. (I'm not a fan of nuts, but if you are you can include almonds, cashews, etc)
* Ensure you have heaps of variety with veges and salads. Lettuce, capsicum, carrot, celery, cucumber, aubergine, mushrooms, snowpeas, beans, peas, corn, sprouts, spinach, garlic, onion, chillies, lemon, lime, orange, bok choy, leeks, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage...
* Add herbs & spices (plus onion & garlic to as much as you can) for flavour and interest and their health benefits! (and carry breath mints :) !)
* If you do get a protein powder, go for one that is almost pure whey protein concentrate. You can then sprinkle it on anything, from over cereal, to in juice, on salads, in stirfrys etc. You won't have to stress too much about getting enough protein when you don't like meat.
I think thats about it. For now, anyway! :)
x C
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Re: Hello everyone
I knew there would be more, sorry for all the clutter guys!
If you find you're not reaching your weight loss goals fast enough, then cut out 2 meals & graze all day on fruit, nuts & seeds. The aim is to eat a little bit, very often, to keep that metabolism burning. Because I don't know exactly how much exercise you're doing, the meal plan above may be too much food for you.
Test it out, though!
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Re: Hello everyone
your cardio workout should be longer then 30 minutes cause your body doesn't begin to burn mostly fat for fuel until after 30 minutes. a longer cardio workout at a lower intensity will burn more fat. you should be working hard enough that you don't have enough wind to sing but not so hard that you don't have enough wind to talk. making your cardio workouts 45 minutes to an hour at a lower intensity then a 30 minute workout at a higher intensity will give you faster and better improvement. it should also help you stick to your routine cause you won't feel that you're torturing yourself doing a higher intensity workout.
vary your cardio workouts to aleviate bordom... bike one day, jog the next, rollerblade the next, etc. don't do a type of cardio workout that you don't enjoy... you'll count the minutes till it's over and eventually stop doing it... i hate jogging or running so i walk, dance, rollerblade, bike, etc.
i've never liked eating meat. although i will probably never eat red meat, for the past couple years, i've been making myself eat more chicken. disguising it as something other then "flesh" helps a lot. i've also been eating more eggs but giving the yolks to the dog (but only one a day... the others go down the sink... no fair clogging his arteries to spare mine). ease up on nuts and seeds as these have tons of fat and calories as well as cholesterol... peanut butter is considered a fat just like butter and mayo... don't think of it as a protein source even though it has protein in it. if you aren't much of a meat eater, consider protein supplements. i prefer them over tofu and most soy products because of taste and cost.
sit down and enjoy your meals. don't eat over the sink, watching tv or while on the phone... ever polished off a pint of ice cream while chatting on the phone and can't remember eating it? sure, often you have to eat on the run, but psychologically, it's more effective to make the effort to have every meal you can as more of an event in and of itself... sit down at the kitchen/dining room table and use china, utensils, napkins... pretend you're in a restaurant. meals you can hardly recall eating can fake you out to think you never ate them thereby making you believe you need something to eat when you don't.
cut down on your salt intake, not just because of your heart but because too much salt makes you retain water thereby making you look chubbier and may make you feel bloated and sluggish. drinking more water actually makes you less bloated by flushing out salts and toxins (that's why when you first start drinking a lot of water for awhile you feel like you're needing to pee all the time... you're actually flushing out the water you've been retaining... enjoy all that peeing cause you're flushing out retained water, toxins and other impurities). drinking a lot of water is also the greatest thing you can do to noticably impove your skin.
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Re: Hello everyone
Thanks Claire and Alanna. I will be stepping up the workouts.
The menu is great, I eat most of those foods very frequently. I love oatmeal, and carry around bags of nuts, etc.
In the past 2 weeks, I have lost close to 5 pounds, and it seems to be coming off. I am more interested in losing inches in general.
But, I need to start more cardio and weights
I am printing this thread out for inspiration!
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Re: Hello everyone
You go girl! :)
Try eating low fat, natural yoghurt as well (can be counted as a protein source).
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Re: Hello everyone
Just a suggestion..... try Xenadrine or Hydroxycut
ONLY if you don't have health or heart problems. Go to
GNC and ask about it, but there is a good website called
www. Nutritionalsupplements.com
Taking this, eating right and excersizing will help you get to your goal. I lost 25 lbs with this stuff, and have another 10 to go before I strart auditioning.
The website is set up similar to this one where everyone can post their opinions, success stories and horror stories. It does have some side effects which are different with each person
Like I said.......just a thought
Good Luck
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Eek.
Eek.
Not trying to be disrespectful, but unless those are digestive enzymes you shouldn't take them. digestive enzymes will help you lose weight over a long period of time (between 2 and 6 months) and are healthy additions to your lifestyle regardless. This is the only "solution in a pill" - and of course it is not a stand alone solution. Essentially the enzymes work the way the so-called "negative calorie diet" works - it speeds up your metabolism (the rationale they give you on the website is false, but the diet works, so people don't seem to care). Diets that are high in meat, bread, pasta and anything that is not raw vegetables don't enable your body to make enough enzymes to properly digest your food. Most people (and I'm a vegetarian) don't want to eat raw vegetables exclusively. And eventually you might suffer deficiencies in B12 and iron if you did not have enough dark leafy greens. Anyway digestive enzymes will essentially take more from all your food (undigested meat in your stomach!) which will give you a more natural metabolism. So these are good for you, and will help you lose weight over a period of time - but they are not "skinny in a bottle).
Any diet that is trying to sell you "effortless insta-slim" is not right and not healthy.
Jenny