I need to loose 4 inches of my hips and butt Pliz help!!! (new on board)

[Hipps_depressed]

This January I was 35 and 1/2 inches on my hips and butt area. I had been looking for a job and since I couldn't find anything in my field, I started to eat a lot of junk food (coz I was stressed). I have gained 4 inches and have been working out for the last 3 months and have not lost a single inch.

I was taking the spin cycle class 4 times a week and I ended up gaining half an inch so I stopped taking the class and opted to use the elliptical cross trainer. I also have been doing the machines that work the inner thigh and outer thighs 200 reps on EACH machine at least 3 times a week and I still have no results.

I am so depressed since none of my clothes can fit me right.

Diet wise I feel I have been doing OK. My typical day I eat

Breakfast: 2 patties of whole grain cereal with 1 cup of milk and 2 teaspoons of splenda

Lunch: Rice and Beans

Dinner: 1 carb 1 protein 1 Vegetable

Snack: 2 handfuls of raisins

I also have been taking 3 tablets of CLA per day.

I need help. Someone please give me a tip on what I need to do to regain my figure. I want tips on how to be trim on my thighs. I normally hear that the reason that I have gained 4 inches is because I am gaining muscle. I really don't buy that. And if it is the case, I really don't want the muscle. I just want my hips back. Please help me I am desperate. I am unemployed at the moment and I already feel bad that I don’t have a job. I really don’t want to feel twice as bad because I have gained butt and hips. There is so much going on in my life right now that I at least want to see progress in this area.

Also any tips on diet are also highly appreciated. Just remember that the diet has to be affordable since I am jobless. I can’t stress enough about how I need help and starting to feel hopeless.


Thank you advance for all your help.

[TrainingGirl]

I'm sorry to hear about your job situation. I hope that turns around for you soon.

I want to start by saying you cannot spot reduce. Doing that thigh machine is not going to do much IMO. It sounds like you belong to a gym? Is that correct? Maybe start with something like a circuit training class...one that alternates step along with some basic weight training. Or, do a weight training program that incorporates more weights than just using a few machines to target that specific area, along with cardio.

As far as your diet...you are not eating enough! Your body is probably holding on to everything it has so it can survive. If it does not get nutrition from the outside, it will hold on to what it already has. I know it sounds weird to hear me say eat more to lose bodyfat, but I think it's what you need. I don't see that you are getting any fats in your diet either. You need to add some fish, nuts, olive oil.

[Hipps_depressed]

Thank you very much for your input (training girl) and you definitely have an amazing body.

Also thanks for the job well wishes

I just copied and pasted this from the gyms website on classes that are offered

They offer

Kick boxing
Group power (which I also think is called body pump)
Athletic conditioning (also known as boot camp) I take this class once a week


And thanks for the nutrition tip. I will def add those to my diet as well

[Lou Schuler]

Hi Hipps,

I won't claim expertise in training women (actually, I don't train men, either, although I write about it). But when it comes to losing fat off stubborn areas, I believe it's best to use the "afterburn."

That is, you have to train with enough intensity to keep burning calories for hours after you're finished.

One time Mike Mejia designed a program for a guy at MH who tended to accumulate fat around his hips and thighs. (Not a girly-man; the guy was big and athletic, but had that weird propensity to put on fat there.) He had him do a very tough lower-body workout, with high-rep sets of squats, lunges, step-ups and leg presses, then do intervals on a cardio machine (30 seconds all-out, then a minute easy, and repeating that 5 or 6 times).

In 8 weeks, the guy went from 22 percent body fat to 14 percent, IIRC. (I can't remember the exact starting number, but I do know he lost 1 percentage point a week.)

For your diet, remember 1 word: protein. Have a substantial portion of protein at every meal. And never EVER have a meal or snack that's all carbohydrates.

Drink plenty of water, stay away from junk food, and you should see the results you want.

Good luck!

[Craig]

Don't waste your money on CLA either.

Craig

[kmfisher]

Didn't Jeff Volek recommend CLA in the latest Men's Fitness? Like 5 mg/day? I'm confuddled.

[Craig]

I believe there is a lot more research showing it does not work.