[Valkyrie]

JujuFox, on 12 January 2013 - 09:58 PM, said:

I'm trying something new for my workout, and I wanted to know if anyone else does this or something similar...

My husband was talking to his friend about taking protein supplements, and he decided to try it out for a bit to see if it helps him. Since it's in the house and it's a giant tub I decided I might want to try some too and see if it helps me out. I usually workout at noon and have lunch after, so I've started having a small protein shake right when I get home followed by lunch. I'm taking it as an after workout recovery thing. I get so sore, and protein is supposed to help your muscles rebuild faster. I do feel a little less sore today, and I really pushed myself on Friday, so I'm hoping it had an effect.

Is anyone else using a protein supplement or something like that? Has it helped?

My dad does, actually. (I think he drinks something similar to Muscle Milk.) I'm pretty sure it helps, as long as you don't overdo it. In your case, it sounds like you're doing okay!


Started my weight-loss plan on Dec. 30. Lost 6.4 pounds since then. Sweeeeeet.

Kinda wish I could’ve lost more thus far, but eh, that’s what happens when one has to deal with illness, shark week, and plateaus in the same span of three weeks.

90.4 POUNDS TO GO. I CAN DO THIS. IT’LL BE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT TO MYSELF EVER.

[Yandere Emi]

Valkyrie, on 19 January 2013 - 11:33 AM, said:

My dad does, actually. (I think he drinks something similar to Muscle Milk.) I'm pretty sure it helps, as long as you don't overdo it. In your case, it sounds like you're doing okay!


Started my weight-loss plan on Dec. 30. Lost 6.4 pounds since then. Sweeeeeet.

Kinda wish I could’ve lost more thus far, but eh, that’s what happens when one has to deal with illness, shark week, and plateaus in the same span of three weeks.

90.4 POUNDS TO GO. I CAN DO THIS. IT’LL BE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT TO MYSELF EVER.

6 pounds is a lot! If you lose more than 2 pounds a week it usually doesn't STAY off, so I think you're doing fantastically!

[pyrrhicvictini]

I've been cutting down on weight little by little, but I still have to tackle that last roll around my stomach to no avail. However, small diet changes have helped a lot. (I buy things like canned tuna or yogurt & granola since my paycheck isn't that big. I also learned that if I simply don't buy the snacks, then there's no snacks for me to be tempted by! Imagine that.)

However, for those of you with lung problems like me, or even joint issues, try to go for low-impact sports. Running is a great workout, but it's definitely not for everyone. Swimming works out soooo many of your muscles, training you to breathe correctly. If there's not a nearby pool, biking would be my next suggestion. If you need to focus more on your upper-body, but don't want to run, then simply "stand up" while biking.

These two workouts don't make me lose my breath nearly as fast as running, where I'll start gagging from lack of oxygen. Asthma is no fun to run with.

Remember though! Weight loss isn't all about the numbers. Everyone stores fat differently!


(Answer: All of them.)

This post has been edited by pyrrhicvictini: 19 January 2013 - 03:32 PM

[JujuFox]

Valkyrie, on 19 January 2013 - 11:33 AM, said:

My dad does, actually. (I think he drinks something similar to Muscle Milk.) I'm pretty sure it helps, as long as you don't overdo it. In your case, it sounds like you're doing okay!


Started my weight-loss plan on Dec. 30. Lost 6.4 pounds since then. Sweeeeeet.

Kinda wish I could’ve lost more thus far, but eh, that’s what happens when one has to deal with illness, shark week, and plateaus in the same span of three weeks.

90.4 POUNDS TO GO. I CAN DO THIS. IT’LL BE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT TO MYSELF EVER.

Nice! Keep it up! Minor setbacks can be frustrating when you're trying to get into a workout routine, but just keep on going when you can until you get back on track. My husband started going to the gym more regularly, but he has surgery coming up next week that will set him back for weeks. You can't control things that come up like that, so don't get discouraged.

[NinjaJedi007]

JujuFox, on 12 January 2013 - 09:58 PM, said:

Is anyone else using a protein supplement or something like that? Has it helped?

I do a lot of resistance training and it helped me with muscle building/recovery. Protein shakes are a very convenient way to get a lot of protein at once without too much carbs and fat. Currently I try to get my protein through food since regularly buying those 4 lb containers gets somewhat costly. Plus I don't mind some extra calories since I'm not exactly trying to lose weight.

Something to keep in mind for anyone is that supplements do just that... they supplement, not replace a healthy diet.

[rondo]

Start Jan 7th: 216
Jan 25th: 209

Changes to my daily diet and exercise both at work and at the YMCA has helped me make some strides. My goals were to be 210 by my charity stair climb (this Saturday, I'll see how close to 200 I can get...it'll help) and at 200 or below by ACen. If I can even maintain half this pace, I should be under more than I anticipated by ACen.

If I somehow get into the 170s in the future, I'll transition more from a losing weight routine into a muscle building routine and supplement/diet accordingly.

[Nicholas/Chaos]

I once again, started to workout, i managed to have good abs last year for my Natsu and my Tidus cosplays but i've gained weight and its time to get back in shape. XD especially since iam going to be natsu again. Any advice or a routine, for abs and pecs ?

[WatchJessieGo]

Going to start working out and hopefully tone up a bit for the con. I'd like some tone in my belly as well as my legs. College has been preventing me from working out like I was over the Summer (man, I was so fit and now I've lost all my tone), but I'm GOING to get to the gym. I'll just need to learn to manage my time better.

[MsLovelyCookie]

Update time! Well me and my friend tried to going to the gym on a Saturday morning. That parking lot was full but once the class started most of the equipment was free. Few of my coworkers are also trying to lose weight so having others wanting to lose weight at work is also helping me to keep focus on trying to eat healthy food at work. Buying more fruit to keep from unhealthy snacking in the late afternoon.

Keep going we are almost there!

[rondo]

MsLovelyCookie, on 28 January 2013 - 03:18 PM, said:

Buying more fruit to keep from unhealthy snacking in the late afternoon.

Keep going we are almost there! />

That's been me, bananas, apples, clementines, and fiber one bars have replaced most of the junk food I used to regularly consume.

[Saikyo_Master]

Nicholas, if you want better abdominals and obliques in terms of aesthetics, you have to watch what you eat. That's 80% of it. The other 20% is cardio i.e. exercises that raise the heart rate to a sufficient enough level to burn fat. There is no such thing as spot reduction, but those ab exercises DO build those muscles so do those as well because they'll make them look more impressive once you lose the extra body fat over them. Same with the rest of the body, really. You also would want to do more strength training with weights since more muscle equals more fat burned at rest.

As for me, May 8th of last year I was 140. Weightlifting every other day and eating more has brought me to 169.4 pounds as of today. I can still see my abdominals and obliques but I can start to see some fat try and cover them from the bottom up, so I'm gonna have to turn up the heat a little and get more serious. For my ACen cosplay, I just need to be slim with some midsection sculpting and a teensy bit of muscle, so for that I just need to maintain what I have and keep the BF% down. But I wanna kick butt now so that I look decent for my Adon cosplay later. Everybody keep it up!

[Phalio]

I'm trying to tone and lose weight before the con because I really want to cosplay T-elos (Xenosaga III) who's outfit is SUPER slutty. I mean, her whole booty is out, lol. And well, I'm being Thriller MJ again and his body is freaking tiny, so yeah. Damn. XD

This post has been edited by Phalio: 28 January 2013 - 05:24 PM

[NinjaJedi007]

rondo, on 28 January 2013 - 08:53 AM, said:

If I somehow get into the 170s in the future, I'll transition more from a losing weight routine into a muscle building routine and supplement/diet accordingly.

Muscle building now will only get you to 170 that much faster! Don't wait. The process will only take longer that way. More muscle = more calories burned (increased metabolism).

[Isamu]

NinjaJedi007, on 28 January 2013 - 07:53 PM, said:

Muscle building now will only get you to 170 that much faster! Don't wait. The process will only take longer that way. More muscle = more calories burned (increased metabolism).

Well that sucks, I really don't need my metabolism increased . At 137 I am taking in about 3500 calories a day. Hope to hit 142 by ACen.

[NinjaJedi007]

Isamu, on 29 January 2013 - 11:17 AM, said:

At 137 I am taking in about 3500 calories a day. Hope to hit 142 by ACen.

We should hit up the buffet in the casino to kick off ACen weekend then!

[Isamu]

NinjaJedi007, on 29 January 2013 - 07:08 PM, said:

We should hit up the buffet in the casino to kick off ACen weekend then!

Sounds like a plan.

[Dr. Genius]

I've been following a friend's weekly running plan who is training for a half marathon (I've got a quarter marathon coming up this summer myself) but I've pushed myself too hard and developed shin splints : ( I did this to myself while training in the fall too... But this time instead of continuing and probably eventually hurting myself on the treadmill I'm going to do my miles on the elliptical which is way less impact. And still kind of counts.

My fitness goal for ACen is to FINALLY have myself some yummy lady abs and toning in my arms (as well as slimming down overall). I'm going to start going to different yoga classes at my gym this month and have also considered starting up Insanity at home as a friend burned me a copy... Er, I mean I totally legally acquired it. Also a friend offered to send me her favorite high heeled Pilates workout which has me entirely intruiged!

Also one of the greatest lessons cosplay has taught me is that no one will ever know your "numbers" from a picture. It's really helped me focus my attention and energies elsewhere as opposed to how many lbs I weigh. I've driven myself crazy over weight in the past and have a history of abusing food to try to lose it. Focusing on how you feel is a much healthier way <3

[rondo]

Dr. Genius, on 29 January 2013 - 11:05 PM, said:

I've been following a friend's weekly running plan who is training for a half marathon (I've got a quarter marathon coming up this summer myself) but I've pushed myself too hard and developed shin splints : ( I did this to myself while training in the fall too... But this time instead of continuing and probably eventually hurting myself on the treadmill I'm going to do my miles on the elliptical which is way less impact. And still kind of counts.

My fitness goal for ACen is to FINALLY have myself some yummy lady abs and toning in my arms (as well as slimming down overall). I'm going to start going to different yoga classes at my gym this month and have also considered starting up Insanity at home as a friend burned me a copy... Er, I mean I totally legally acquired it. Also a friend offered to send me her favorite high heeled Pilates workout which has me entirely intruiged!

Also one of the greatest lessons cosplay has taught me is that no one will ever know your "numbers" from a picture. It's really helped me focus my attention and energies elsewhere as opposed to how many lbs I weigh. I've driven myself crazy over weight in the past and have a history of abusing food to try to lose it. Focusing on how you feel is a much healthier way <3

Shin splints are the reason why I don't hit the treadmill anymore for running. I find that my legs like the ground better so when I run, it is either outside or at an indoor track at the Y.

As for building muscle, I haven't shied away from it. It is the focus is more heavy on the cardiovascular side but I still get the aches from the 3 days per week I hit the free weights.

I don't know if it is just the exercise or a combination of things but wow, I have alot more energy than I normally do lately.

This post has been edited by rondo: 30 January 2013 - 08:32 AM

[Valkyrie]

My body seems to be hovering between just shy of 209 and 211. Been working out every other day, but I can see the fat from my face and waistline slimming away bit by bit. Hrmm. Guess I can't complain since I need to build and tone my muscles.

1/31: HA. Take that, plateau. Down to 208 even!

This post has been edited by Valkyrie: 31 January 2013 - 11:51 AM

[rondo]

Well, the stair climb came and went and it was so very tough, for me.

Since that has passed, I've changed up my routine and diet a bit.

M-W-F are weights days
M-T-Th-F are 20 min cardio days as well
W is stair day

Added:
3 segments of protein shakes, 25g morning, 40g postworkout, and 25g bed. Trying to have a staple of lean beef/fish at night with a green vegetable and some cottage cheese. Way it is looking.

7:30 - 25g Protein Shake
10:30 - Greek Yogurt (Strawberry)
12:30 - Chicken/Turkey focused lunch
15:30 - Protein Bar/Fruit
18:30 - Preworkout Supplement/Postworkout 45g Protein Shake - Hydro
21:30 - Beef/Fish focused dinner
23:30 - 25g Protein Shake

I think I've got a pretty good plan going.

[Level-5]

Going to work out 20 minutes a day doing running in place/push ups/sit ups/stretches/etc. until before ACen.

So far I did one day.....and barely made it. I can't change my diet until I go to the doctor for a CT scan and see what's wrong with me. I did cut down on the fast food compared to before but its really hard to cut out on eating fried oysters.

This post has been edited by Level-5: 07 February 2013 - 05:27 PM

[WatchJessieGo]

Going to the gym tonight. Unfortunately, there's only two of my favorite bike machine there, one of which is broken. Hopefully the other one will be free. I prefer biking to walking/running, and it burns more calories anyway. In an hour, I can do up to 21.5 miles. Doing that on the treadmill would be boring.

Here's hoping for a toned tummy and legs. (Tip: if you bike while sucking your tummy in, it'll train your belly muscles. =w=)

[Isamu]

Added an inch to my arms.

[JujuFox]

Isamu, on 08 February 2013 - 12:07 PM, said:

Added an inch to my arms.

Wow that is an achievement! Good work. I'm trying to loose an inch of my arms!

[Isamu]

JujuFox, on 08 February 2013 - 01:04 PM, said:

Wow that is an achievement! Good work. I'm trying to loose an inch of my arms! />

I recommend dips and kickbacks for 12 rep sets.

[WatchJessieGo]

Found out my waist is half an inch smaller than I thought it was. Very nice surprise. XD

[Valkyrie]

Level-5, on 07 February 2013 - 05:25 PM, said:

I did cut down on the fast food compared to before but its really hard to cut out on eating fried oysters.

My husband and I don't go out to eat nearly as often (since 95% of the places we'd go to before would kill my diet in one sitting), but we do have places we will visit when I get cravings - which, conveniently, tend to come along every two weeks or three. If I have a craving for something cheesy, we go to Taco Bell - two Nacho Cheese Dorito tacos (with just cheese, meat and tomato) will settle that perfectly. If I'm craving sushi and potstickers, we go to Japanese Kawa in Grayslake - their sashimi is awesome, and their shumai is my favorite appetizer. If we decide we want pizza, we get Little Caesar's - it's inexpensive, but it won't have the caloric punch that Pizza Hut or other places would have. And if I'm careful, I'll still stay well within my calorie budget for the day.

Update time for me! Been about six weeks, and I've lost 11.3 lbs! Woo!

[Kii]

I'm back again this year! Haha, just like every year.

Time to start shedding my winter body and tighten my tummy for ACen and swimsuit season. @_@ Oh boy. Although I am only about 2 lbs heavier than I was last year when I basically walked around in a bra, so that's somewhat comforting. ._.;

My routine right now and for the next week is:
100-200 sit-ups/general ab workouts
50 squats
50 tricep dips
50 lifts
calf lifts until I get tired

And for cardio I dance wildly for about 30 minutes. Right now I'm doing 40 hours a week of clinicals for my CNA, so I'm basically doing laps around a huge nursing home for 8 hours a day. However, when I graduate the week after next I'll be moving back home and joining a 24 hour gym so I can get some more cardio and targeted toning. Finally! I miss my rowing machine. :c

My diet has consisted of no red meat and little to no dairy, except on days when I take a "break" (like one day every two weeks). I eat fruit for breakfast, and fruit and veg for lunch, and for dinner I usually have grilled fish or shrimp with rice and if I've got the calories left I'll have some avacado in it. <3

But yeah that's about it. I follow it as strictly as my poor self-discipline allows.

Also, congrats. Valkyrie!

This post has been edited by Kii: 12 February 2013 - 10:14 PM

[Kii]

pyrrhicvictini, on 19 January 2013 - 03:24 PM, said:

Remember though! Weight loss isn't all about the numbers. Everyone stores fat differently!

This is very true. It's good to know your body and have realistic weight goals so you don't end up looking malnourished.

[Valkyrie]

Thanks, Kii! <3

I'm actually tacking on a new challenge for myself. I'm not Catholic, but a friend of mine who's trying to lose weight has decided to give up eating out for Lent. So, I decided I'd join him, and throw in no soda as a bonus. (Granted, he doesn't drink it anymore, and I only drink it sparingly now, but hey, why not?) This'll be a fun 40 - technically 46 - days!