Hi everyone! I feel like I'm a day late and a dollar short here, but even though I am 6 weeks into OPT, I'm starting a log. I welcome any comments and suggestions that are not too perverse.
Brief background- I'm a 31 year old woman, a pediatric physical therapist who does research for a living, a wife and a mom to a 15 month old daughter. In the past I have done everything from Krav Maga (Israeli self defense skills) to boxing to BFL (Body for Life) to my new obession- salsa dancing. Before getting pregnant, I had devoted 5+ hours a week to learning salsa and had gotten pretty good, but now that I am a mommy, I'm very limited with my time.
Gained 60 freaking pounds while pregnant, and I am just now back to my prepregnancy weight and fortunately, generally my PP fitness level, although I believe that my overall body fat level is higher than it was before I got pregnant.
193.5 lbs- up from 190 2 weeks ago before I started back on BC pills- effing unbelievable
31.4% body fat
Hips- 39.75"
Waist- 32.5"
Thigh- 27.25"
Calf- 16"
I'm pretty psyched about the loss in body fat. I have a nice Excel spreadsheet that shows the changes here:
Starting Statistics
Weight
198
lbs
Body Fat %
34.5
%
Fat Mass
68.31
lbs
Lean Mass
129.69
lbs
Current Statistics
Weight
193.5
lbs
Body Fat %
31.4
%
Fat Mass
60.759
lbs
Lean Mass
132.741
lbs
Results
Fat Lost
7.551
lbs
Lean Mass Gained
3.051
lbs
Weight Lost
4.5
lbs
Anyways, go me! I will update again on Friday when I take new measurements. Probably will post some pictures too
Goals for This Challenge:
185 pounds
Fitting into my size 12 jeans from pre-pregnancy easily
Able to do 10 pushups on toes
Run 2 miles easily
Ultimate Goals:
170 pounds or around 20% body fat
Fitting into my size 10 jeans from pre-wedding
Able to do 30+ pushups on toes
Run 5+ miles easily
Look HOT naked!
Look great in all my salsa dancing clothes and feel confident on the dance floor
Again, all suggestions, and especially compliments are welcome!!!
My husband and I dance too, but we do Country 2-step and do invest quite a few hours into it. Most weeks we dance 2x (about 3 hours each) sometimes 3x, and usually take a class also. It's amazing the calories I burn during during, and it's just fun to do.
That's one of my goals too, to look hot in my tight jeans and boots (I'll toss a shirt on just because...)
Oh, and I used to belly dance, always contemplating starting that up again....love those clothes.
Absolutely exhausted yesterday, so skipped my interval cardio session- will try and fit it in tomorrow morning and continue on with weights in the afternoon.
I have this crazy infected leech bite on my ankle. Am taking Keflex- you think being on an antibiotic inhibits fat loss or helps it? I bet there's research out there and I bet Leigh has read it! lol
Inflammation/infection in general can make you retain water, so needing an antibiotic can wreak some havoc. I don't know about the other though.
If you are really curious, start a thread over in Fat Loss Troubleshoot. I'm sure people will see and respond if they know
Well, I don't think I'm that curious actually! But thanks for the suggestion. I'll be done with the antibiotics in just a few days.
Today I'm doubling up- did only 25 minutes of intervals instead of the 40 this morning (makeup from yesterday) because I was feeling lightheaded, but I hit the gym for the B1 routine of OPT week 6. Fun stuff
Had a slight refeed this weekend- up a couple hundred calories each day, mostly because of just being super busy and poor meal planning as a result, but I think my NEAT was much higher than usual, which probably balanced it off some. Also missed my weights workout (B2) this weekend as well due to an unexpected visitor in town. Back on the wagon today!
Definitely need to weigh in tomorrow to see what, if any, changes occurred since last Wednesday! Hoping I had a whoosh.. I do feel a bit leaner.
Bit late to the party, but hi! Always nice to see another OPT sister.
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They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Thanks Scribess! You are a couple weeks ahead of me and doing great.. 10 pounds, right?
For me, I had a so-so workout yesterday. I had no child care, so I had to do it at night instead of right after work as I usually do. I only have 30 lb DB and 12 lb DB, and could not find my 8s or my 10s. Hmm... Anyways, I pooped out on the last set of T-ups and crunches.
Thank goodness that I can go to the gym tomorrow... plus, I'm going salsa dancing tomorrow night for some extra calorie burn.
Thanks Scribess! You are a couple weeks ahead of me and doing great.. 10 pounds, right?
For me, I had a so-so workout yesterday. I had no child care, so I had to do it at night instead of right after work as I usually do. I only have 30 lb DB and 12 lb DB, and could not find my 8s or my 10s. Hmm... Anyways, I pooped out on the last set of T-ups and crunches.
Thank goodness that I can go to the gym tomorrow... plus, I'm going salsa dancing tomorrow night for some extra calorie burn.
10lbs in theory. My body decided to retain water immediately after hitting that low, and so now I'm still 1.2 lbs higher.
Honestly I'm glad to be done with the T-ups, but of course that means I need to continue them after I finish OPT.
Enjoy the gym and salsa dancing!
__________________
They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Hi yourself, Gen! Thanks for stopping by! Extra water is frustrating, but I'm trying to get over it and move on.
Today I weighed in at 197 again, but yesterday I was 193. Last night I took a salsa class and got really sweaty, and didn't eat or drink enough afterwards, so probably my ele ctrolytes are a little screwy.
Here are my current stats as of yesterday though, and although I'm not sure how accurate they are given my scale fluctuations, I am feeling really happy.
Starting Statistics
Weight
198
lbs
Body Fat %
34.5
%
Fat Mass
68.31
lbs
Lean Mass
129.69
lbs
Current Statistics
Weight
193
lbs
Body Fat %
28.7
%
Fat Mass
55.391
lbs
Lean Mass
137.609
lbs
Results
Fat Lost
12.919
lbs
Lean Mass Gained
7.919
lbs
Weight Lost
5
lbs
Anyone have an opinion? I wonder about accuracy... I do feel much leaner, but almost 8 pounds of muscle gained? That doesn't sound right.
Ugh. Off weekend- complete refeed. As a result I am all stopped up, nauseous, bloated, and yup. Its about to be that TOM.
That being said, I'm back on today and feeling motivated to finish up the remaining 5 weeks of OPT stronger than ever! Complete clean eating today, and I'm going to reduce my calories to 1500 this week to help regain some of my deficit.
Ugh. Off weekend- complete refeed. As a result I am all stopped up, nauseous, bloated, and yup. Its about to be that TOM.
That being said, I'm back on today and feeling motivated to finish up the remaining 5 weeks of OPT stronger than ever! Complete clean eating today, and I'm going to reduce my calories to 1500 this week to help regain some of my deficit.
Women have to fight their physiology extra hard at that TOM. Thermogenesis sees a pretty marked increase, somewhere around 300 calories or more based on the research, and the body tends to adapt to a more 'carbohydrate' metabolism, hence the cravings. The problem is that appetite tends to way outpace the increase in thermogenesis.
As a long term strategy you want to periodize your nutrition so you're eating at or above maintenance the week leading up to your period. It could prevent binge episodes. Or, you could schedule some refeeds to kick your overall calories up for the week.
Well, I've been a good girl all week. TOM came and even still I was careful with what I ate, I tried to drink post workout electrolyte drinks, and made sure I ate as much whole food as possible (verses processed).
Am up 0.5 lbs to 194.5. Its hot as hell this week... I wonder if that is causing more fluid retention.
At any rate, I'm going away for the last time this summer to a hotel with a nice gym and pool, so hopefully the stars will all align and I'll get in great workouts, good eating, and avoid vacation pitfalls as much as possible. Next week is week 9 of OPT, a recovery week from exercise, and an increase in carbs to 50%, which I will probably really enjoy
Hi...thought I would add my own two cents to your log. I'm outgoing that way. Anyhoo, TOM often causes me to retain an enormous amount of water and hot weather only aggravates it. I try not to weigh myself at all during TOM as it depresses me which in turn affects my motivation. Congrats on making it through the week and good luck sticking to your vacation workout plan
Thanks for the two cents and commiseration Add to the frustration of TOM, hot ass weather, and cravings--- my Precor elliptical (the one that I spent two years paying off!) broke yet again. Just had the thing fixed a couple months ago too.
I put on my new salsa shoes though (anniversary present from DH) and practiced my basics in front of the sliding door. I'm sure the neighbors had a good laugh, but I got my workout in!
Very strange eating this weekend because of travel and a birthday party, but at least I did get in a decent workout at the hotel gym. This is week 9 of OPT, and an exercise rest week, but I really need to hit my calories accurately this week because I'm spinning me wheels here. I have 4 weeks to hit it hard, then a week off, then I start OPT again to keep on going. I need to lose about 20 pounds of fat still to get to my goal body fat percentage of 20%.
I empathize with you regarding plateaus. It seems my loss has slowed every other week since week 8. I finally concluded I just need weekly refeeds/diet breaks to keep my body from slowing down its metabolism. If your weekend was back at maintenance calories, maybe you'll start dropping again.
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They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Well, lets just say that I'm not deluding myself into thinking my calories were at maintenance. I ate some serious junk food, so at best I hope I stay the same. That being said, I'm really going to try harder to hit my deficit for the rest of the time. I have no weekends away or parties coming up to throw me off.
Are you all done with your first round of OPT? Well, I think I'll pop by your log to find out for myself
Okay, I've done a quick search and can't find what the acroymn OPT stands for. Would you be so kind as to share?
Weekends are my biggest downfall. I can keep myself on track during the work week, but once Saturday rolls around it's a free for all. This weekend was the first in a very long time that I didn't eat fast food. I am quite proud of myself. I only hope I can do that same this upcoming weekend.
Becoming a HOT Salsa Dancer again...
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