i am confused....

[tuffgrl]

I know that in order to lose fat, you are supposed to burn more calories than you consume. I only burn roughly 300 calories on the precor machine. I have a sedentary job, so the majority of my calorie burning comes from what I do at the gym. Does this mean that I should only eat less than 300 calories a day? I really don't think so. Somebody please explain this to me. I had surgery about 2 months ago, and every since I have put on 15 pounds!!!!! I am so disgusted with myself. I can't even fit into any of my clothes. Its so hard to get back into it again. I need to burn some mega fat....and fast.
:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Lady C]

Be specific about what you are doing (exercise) and what you are eating. That way we can critque what you are doing wrong.

[tuffgrl]

6am
1 cup total w/ splenda & skim milk

8am
fig newton bar

10am
apple or orange

12pm
spinach salad w/ tomatoes, cucumber, 2 grilled chicken tenders, cheese, f/f 1000 island dressing and croutons

2pm
small handfull of wheat thins

4pm
banana

6pm
chicken stir-fry w/ brown rice or noodles
-or-
2 grilled chicken tenders w/ brown rice, sweet potatoe, or black beans, and veggies
-or-
fish fillet w/ 2 of the same sides listed above

I pretty much eat the same thing every day, so that is my diet......

Now here is my training schedule..........

monday
legs

tuesday
shoulders

wednesday
back/biceps

thursday
chest/triceps

I workout every day from 4:30-5:30. Right in between my banana and my dinner.

[threenorns]

the majority of your calories do not come from what you're doing on the machine, but on the raised metabolism that lingers after. the higher the intensity at which you work, the longer the metabolic after-burn and the more calories you burn going about your daily activities.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by tuffgrl

6am 1 cup total w/ splenda & skim milk

8am fig newton bar

10am apple or orange

12pm spinach salad w/ tomatoes, cucumber, 2 grilled chicken tenders, cheese, f/f 1000 island dressing and croutons

2pm small handfull of wheat thins

4pm banana

6pm chicken stir-fry w/ brown rice or noodles

You are not eating anything substantial until noon. Change your morning meal to contain some grains or other starchy carbs like oatmeal, whole wheat bread and eggs, etc. You need more protein in your diet. Every time you eat fruit, you should include some protein too. IMO, I would snack on fresh veggies instead of wheat thins and fig newtons.

[threenorns]

oh yes, another thing: even if you're sedentary, you're burning a fair number of calories just existing. have you determined what your approximate caloric needs are? dig around - there's a recent post (last day or two) in which cursor's got a way nifty spreadsheet that will give you a much clearer picture of how much you need to be eating accomplish your goal.

[tuffgrl]

okay...so no more wheat thins....maybe some carrots and broccolli w/ hummus? I can't eat them just plain. Is hummus okay to eat every day? I know its good for you but its kind of high in fat. I think its good fat though. And do you think yogurt is a good source of protein? Maybe I can have that instead of a fig newton bar in the morning.

[Lady C]

Yogurt is fine if it is plain (unsweetened) otherwise it has alot of carbs. Hummis is great stuff but just be aware of how much fat is added (olive and tahini oils) and you are intaking. Eat chicken, tofu or a protein powder for breakfast, if you don't want eggs or cottage cheese.

Eat more than just yogurt. That is not enought to jump start your metabolism. Eat a sandwich of some kind (egg/fish/chicken/natural peanut butter).

[KittyKat]

Hummus can be really healthy if you buy the right kind (just like peanut butter). Better yet make your own! Ground up chickpeas and add however amount of olive oil/tahini and other spices as you like so you know much fat content there is. There are some excellent Hummus recipes out there. :

[CF-OC_gal]

Back to your original question, you have a resting metabolic rate. That is the number of calories you need just so that your body can live and breathe throughout the day even if you were to just lie in bed. That is going to be up over 1200 calories so no, less than 300 calories per day is not the answer.

You metabolism needs a kick in the arse or you thyroid needs to be checked. Sometimes it's not what you are eating and you can drive yourself crazy thinking it is. If your surgery affects you hormone levels or you ability to workout intensly then you may be fighting this too.

I don't see why you should switch from eating Total to oatmeal. The only thing I would offer is to eat an egg or egg white omlette in the morning. Skip the fig newtons and eat some lean meat instead at that time.

Why do you need to burn off fat fast? You are recouperating from surgery. There is lots of stuff going on in your body that maybe you can't see. Perhaps your first concern should be to stop the weight gain then tackle reducing.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by threenorns

oh yes, another thing: even if you're sedentary, you're burning a fair number of calories just existing. have you determined what your approximate caloric needs are? dig around - there's a recent post (last day or two) in which cursor's got a way nifty spreadsheet that will give you a much clearer picture of how much you need to be eating accomplish your goal.

Exactly sure youwill burn 400 -800 calories at night just by sleeping

[candyass]

The average person will burn around 90 calories an hour just sitting doing nothing.

[tuffgrl]

Wow, I didn't realize how many calories the body burns doing....nothing! I don't really need to lose fat FAST....i just want to. I have become very self concious about my body ever since I gained all that weight in such a short time. Its stressing me out. I feel like a slop. But I will definately take all of the advise you guys gave me to heart. Thank you for the help.

[CF-OC_gal]

I just looked up a previous post of yours. I would venture a guess that with the type of surgery you had, you have a lot of fluid retention and it could be affecting the scale. Let your body heal and adapt.

My Mom took a whole year for the swelling from her operation to go away (kind of the opposite one).