Lost 40 lbs but not stomach -HELP!

[mseyes79]

MrsRiley, Brat, ANYONE please help!!!

I had my BFs cousin (who's a competing body builder) give me pointers, plus the head trainer at Michael Jordan's gym got me on some fat burners and some eating tricks...

Started in Feb '04 @ 180 in size 18 clothes (have V-Day pics to prove it).

By June/July '04 I was @ 135 in size 8/10 clothes... GREAT!!!

Now it's Sept '04 and I'm still at size 8 plus my stomach won't go anywhere! Well, of course it has, because you can't lose 40 lbs in every area but there, but I still have that flat tire thing going on. (No such thing as spot reducing!)

I won't go into what I used to be doing, but I'll let you know what I've started doing and if anyone could let me know if my actions are in vain and give me advice, or...

I'm GONNA TROW IN THE TOWEL!

The past few wks I've done enough research on weight loss, body building, etc that I could write my OWN book, but I would like more info about regulating my diet. The info below is only what I've been doing the last wk. Please let me know if I'm on the right track or need to go a different direction.

Again, here are my stats:
5'2"
135 lbs
BMI - 24.7

Started New Workout Schedule 9/13/04 Mon to go along with a beginner Marathon program I started.

Mon
Abs - 10 sets - 200 total
Bi's and Lats - 3-4 different exercises, 3 drop sets (I make sure my first set I do 15 reps)
Cardio - ran 3 miles

Tues
Legs - 3-4 drop sets (always doing 15 in the first set)
Cardio - ran 3 miles

Wed
Abs - 10 sets - 200 total
Chest and Tri's - 3-4 different exercises, 3 drop sets (my first set is 15 reps)
Cardio - ran 3 miles

Thurs
OFF

Fri
Cardio - ran 6 miles

Sat
Abs - 10 sets, 200 total
Cardio - Cross train for an hr

Sun
OFF

The running mileage goes up each week.

To lose weight it's 90% diet and 10% exercise!

Typical Daily Eating Schedule:

I do take Fat burners daily and I consume approximately 88-100 oz of liquid DAILY- Green Tea, Whey Protein, & Propel, but also Chrystal Light & plain water. All bottles are 16.9oz:

3-5 bottles of Green Tea
OR 2 bottles (24g) Whey Protein/water & 3 bottles Green Tea
OR 4 bottles Green Tea & 1 bottle Propel

Breakfast - 8:45a - 9:30a
2 boiled eggs w/ a slice of cheese
OR 1 serving of oatmeal (cooked in water, nothing in it, unless I use Splenda)
OR 1 protein bar (Cal-230, 24g Protein, 16g Carbs, Total Fat 10g)

Snack - 10:30a-11a
1 can of tuna
OR 1 serving dry Special K cereal
OR 1 serving mixed plain nuts (soy nuts included)
OR 1/2 protein bar
OR celery/carrots w/ or w/o natural PB

Snack - 1p-2p
Half of whatever I'm having for lunch (ex - 1/2 sandwich (whole wheat bread, free mayo, lett, tom, turkey)
OR 1 can of tuna
OR 1 serving dry Special K cereal
OR 1 serving mixed plain nuts (soy nuts included)
OR 1/2 protein bar
OR celery/carrots w/ or w/o natural PB

Lunch 3:30p-4:30
1/2 sandwich, 1 serving soup
OR 6-8oz salmon & small salad
OR 1 piece baked boneless/skinless chicken breast & small salad
(sometimes I'm still hungry so I'll have some celery or nut mixture or 1/2 protein bar)

* If I'm running that day, I'll eat some carbs right before I run, like a piece of fruit (peach, nectarine, banana, apple) or 1/2 oz wheat bread (bagel or apple bread)

Dinner - 7:30p - 8:30p
1 serving soup w/ 1 oz apple bread (sweet tooth)
OR 6-8oz salmon w/ small salad or 1/2 C plain cooked veges
OR 1 piece baked boneless/skinless chicken breast w/ small salad or 1/2 C plain cooked veges
OR med/large salad w/ shrimp, chicken

What should I do differently? Am I eating the wrong things? Wrong amounts? Wrong times? I am, however, trying to tame my sweet tooth, which has gotten worse since I started eating right. I used to crave everything sweet, now it's mostly pastries. Sat or Sun are cheat days, depending what I'm craving, when.

I'm thinking about doing a colon cleanser because I've been having serious problems with bloating and heartburn. Any tips?

I hope you guys can help me. I would and have done anything/everything I possibly could to get this fat from around my stomach. I want to show off my abs (because I know they're there - I can feel them!)

[Lady C]

Hello mseyes,
I will try to help you if I can. Here is my progress [5'-4", 120#, 16% bodyfat]. BMI doesn't tell you much - what is your bodyfat? This is a much better guideline.

It looks like you are doing ok on the diet but it is too hard to tell without specific P/C/F for each meal. What is your total caloric intake target? My first impression is you are eating too much protein and not enough fiber. I eat around 15-20g protein for each meal. You don't need more than that. Your largest meals should be before and after the workout.

Adding in many more veggies should help with the bloating if lack of fiber is the issue. I personally think you might eating too much. I target 1400 on workout days and 1200 on non-workout days. I would also dump the fat burners especially if you have been on them for a while. It will be hard to not gain some weight when you drop them later. You have lost a significant amount of fat already. You need to let your metabolism readjust to the new you without the fat burners.

Do you drink alcohol much? Do you have whole cheat days or meals only? Both can destroy your hard work easily on one day depending on how much you splurge.

Lastly, what is your goal? I see you want to run a marathon but you must have a longer term goal as well.

[CF-OC_gal]

Oh my god myeyes79 you are giving me a panic attack just reading your post!

SLOW DOWN !!!

I understand that you want to make changes and that is great but I think your goals and theories are competing with each other. You've got a "more is better" thing happening.

First of all 40-45 lbs lost in 5 months is no smal feat - congratulations! Then on top of it you've maintained that loss for 3 more months - again excellent!
As for your spare tire, give yourself time. Your skin needs time and patience to tighten up, it will on it's own time. You can't rush it.

I don't know what you are taking as Fat Burners but what ever it is get off them now. They are bogus supplements or illegal. In either case you need to be maintaining your weight loss by your own metabolism not some kind of "snakeoil".

Secondly stop obsessing with Ab training. You said you know you can't spot reduce so why are you spot training to excess? Besides ab work should be complimented with lower back muscle work.

I don't know what the purpose of your weight training is but you should really take a course or see a certified personal trainer. I can't explain to you on a message board how to use the information you've been reading. You need to set definable goals. If your weight training supports your marathon training then follow what the recomendations are for your running plan (no, 10x20 reps of abwork is not going to be there).

This is what I see.
1. You want more than anything to improve the look of your stomach.
2. You want to be able to run a marathon.
3. You want to work out with weights but you have no idea what your goal should be.

So now you have to choose.
What is your priority?
When do you want to accomplish it by?
Is it reasonable timeframe given your past experience and resources available?
How motivated or commited are you?
What are you willing to give up to reach that goal?

Once you can answer those questions then you are ready to design a program. Your eating plan follows suit to support your fitness and health goals.

I will tell you that you have some obsessive behaviour going on in the meal plan you posted for example.

I do take Fat burners daily and I consume approximately 88-100 oz of liquid DAILY- Green Tea, Whey Protein, & Propel, but also Chrystal Light & plain water. All bottles are 16.9oz:

3-5 bottles of Green Tea
OR 2 bottles (24g) Whey Protein/water & 3 bottles Green Tea
OR 4 bottles Green Tea & 1 bottle Propel

Sorry IMHO it's all crap, a waste of your money at this point. Green tea is great - brew quality stuff, don't buy bottled junk. Whey pwoder is for people who need extra protein. There is nothing in your plan so far that indicates you require it. It's excess calories at this point. Runners need to emphasize carbohydrates, not protein!

You eat like a bodybuilder with a heavier plan than you mentioned, you train like a runner (with an ab training obsession) and you write like someone who desires weight loss!

I'm not being mean - do you see what I'm getting at? Stop listening and looking outside for someone to tell you what to do. Decide what YOU want to do then question "how to do it". When you ask your BF's cousin for advice what's in it for him? Nothing - he has no obligation to have your best interests in mind.

Think about what I've said, take some time then come back and post your goals and your plan from what you know. It will be easier to give suggestions from there.

Don't give up on your health. You are moving in the right direction. I think you just don't realize how much you've accomplished already.

:

PS - Skip the colon cleanse.

[Only13]

You go to michael Jordans gym? so does my uncle

[mseyes79]

Sorry I sounded so spastic and desparate! I'm just tired of doing the wrong things and not getting anywhere!

Please BRAT BE MEAN! Wow. As I was reading your post, I was laughing my ass off. It's so funny because you hit it right ON the head! "You eat like a bodybuilder with a heavier plan than you mentioned, you train like a runner (with an ab training obsession) and you write like someone who desires weight loss!" I didn't realize that I was juggling so much, and everything is contradicting! I guess I want the 'workout body' so bad that I'm willing to do ANYTHING to get it, especially since I can actually SEE it's obtainable! If you would have told me this back in Jan/Feb, I would have LAUGHED my ass to the crazy bin! I was in a rough relationship and since I was already heavy (about a size 14), eating helped me out. I didn't have anyone to tell me to stop killing myself.

Yeah, I've been told by family and BF that I should be ecstatic that I've gotten this far. When I look in the mirror, I still see the fat girl in school. Even in HS, I was a size 12/13 but I was athletic - I played 4 sports all 4 years and was captain of most of them. Even in Jr Co, I played VB and SB and cheered and I could outlift most of the bball boys (it was funny!) So I'm trying my hardest to get over 'I'm still fat' when I look in the mirror. I guess I still think that because I still have the same shape. I was looking at Laura's progressive pics and I said 'now wait a minute, I have her upper body - her arms, shoulders, chest - but why don't I have her stomach?' You know those commercials where the screen is divided horizontally into 3 sections and they have 3 people standing there and they move the pics around, putting different heads and feet and torso on ea other? To me, when I look in the mirror, that's what I see - I have a workout upper and lower body w/ a couch potatoe's stomach!

Back to what I was getting at - I just moved up to Lombard about 1 1/2 months ago to start a new job. My family is in Southern IL. I've been home a couple times since then (I'm a daddy's girl) and some of the family hasn't seen me in a few months. Dad on the other hand has seen me the most. Labor Day wkend I was just feeling ok about myself. I haven't really gotten to the point of 'WOW, I used to have to shop at Lane Bryant's for clothes and would have to try them on, but now, I can go to any store and pick out size 8 and I know it's going to fit!' I realize that but it didn't sink in...until I went home. My family was really giving me compliments and telling me not to lose any more weight because I look great now and if I lose any more I'd look sick! Saying that made me realize that I should be proud of how I look and walk around with confidence! When I came back up here, my BF could tell a difference. He's like, what's going on with you? And I told him that I just realize that I look damn good now, I was pretty before but now I'm beautiful and I'm going to walk around with that confidence! He was like 'it's about time!'

"This is what I see.
1. You want more than anything to improve the look of your stomach.
2. You want to be able to run a marathon.
3. You want to work out with weights but you have no idea what your goal should be.
So now you have to choose."

Well, Brat and Lady, with that said, I know in order to get fat off you have to do cardio and you have to watch what you eat, so to keep me motivated (because I work better w/ goals, plus a coworker got me onto it) I started a beginners marathon schedule. I'm supposed to follow their 18 wk schedule, which includes running 4 times a wk, following the mileage on the schedule, plus 1 other day of other cardio for an hr. I figured that way, I wouldn't get bored of the 30min-1hr on the treadmil or elliptical, day in and day out. Do I want to be able to run a marathon? That would be cool but that's not my TOP goal...

I got turned on to weight training in school for sports. I really don't know what my goals should be for this. I do drop sets, 3 sets, with the first one always doing 15 reps. I don't know if this is a lot of weight but... last wk my last set, I finished at:
Leg Squats - 125 lbs
Leg Press - 185 lbs
With Dumbbells:
Bi Curls - 25lb ea.
Tri Pushback - 20 lb
Tri Pull - 30 lb
Can't remember the rest...
I do drop sets because I believe it keeps my muscles nice and big. I'm not really trying to bulk up, but I know that with more muscle mass you burn more fat. Plus, I like the definition! Is this my top goal, no...

"What is your priority?" - To lose the rest of the fat off my body (I don't have too much other fat any where else besides my stomach and torso. My leg fat has drastically gone down the last wk from the running so my ratio there would be low. My arm fat, I don't have any. And I was sitting at a 40 D when I started, and now I'm in 36/38 B's so there's not too much other fat there and I pray to God he doesn't take the rest of THAT off! LOL

"When do you want to accomplish it by?" Is yesterday do-able? Well, I know it's taken me 4 months to get this far so I know it'll probably take me another 4 months. I would like to see a difference before I go home again though, which is Thanksgiving. But I might go home in a month. I know this is a slow process; I didn't get this way over night and I'm not going to lose it over night either!

"Is it reasonable timeframe given your past experience and resources available?" I believe 4 months is a reasonable time frame. But it would be nice to start the new year looking my best!

"How motivated or commited are you?" I'm extremely motivated. I've rededicated myself to my workout, pushing myself as if my BF is there pushing me. My biggest problem is the eating. My family likes to eat so it's hard to say no to things I REALLY enjoy, like chocolate, sweets, etc. The fast food thing is easy to say no to because I really don't enjoy it. However, I do love pasta and bread and that's been hard to give up. True, you're not supposed to give up an entire food group, but I knew I was intaking too many carbs this way, so I've backed down on them. I do know I need more fiber so I was going to get whole wheat/whole grain pasta and bread so I can kick the cravings (like when I want a sandwich). It also is hard when ppl at work bring in food, like bagels, cinnamon rolls, pastries, and oh yesterday was chocolate fudge brownies. But I had will power and didn't have any! I have heard though, that dark chocolate contains flavinoids which are good for you.

I've also found that I can do great with my eating, not giving in to anything, Mon and Tues. But by Wed and Thurs, it's like 'I've gotta have!' Friday can be so-so. Sat/Sun are my cheat days. I'm trying to cut back on them though. I know you're only supposed to have a cheat MEAL not a cheat DAY or WKEND, but going from eating whatever I want and then not being able to is REALLY hard - a constant struggle. So I try to be good during the wk and treat myself on Sat &/or Sun. But also, it's funny because it seems the more I eat bad on the wkend, the smaller I seem to be on Mon/Tues! Why is this? Is it because I'm shocking my system?

"What are you willing to give up to reach that goal?" I've already given up a lot, considering I was eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, to not eating those things at all, or at least 6 days a wk. I could take my cheat Wkends to Cheat Day... Even though most of the time, I don't really cheat on Sun. I might have a small blizzard from DQ that day and that's it. What do you think would be good to give up?

"1. You want more than anything to improve the look of your stomach. So now you have to choose." This is what I choose as my TOP #1 GOAL. I think my arms and legs look nice right now (of course everything could always be improved upon). But for now, that's what I want to work on. My #1 goal is to be able to see my abs! I want to be able to wear those low rise pants with the short shirts, showing off abs, like Janet Jackson! She has some killer abs! Like I said, I know they're there. I can feel them and they're pretty hard, but I have all this fat on top of them and I don't like it! This flat tire must be changed! It has to go! LOL

Thanks for everyone's help. It really helps talking to real females that have gone through or going through the same things! I was going to go grocery shopping - what should I be getting? Any suggestions on how to switch up cooking chicken, fish?

This morning, I had a serving of oatmeal w/ Splenda and an apple. I'm getting hungry now too! It's so hard to NOT eat because I think it's gonna make my body eat the fat it has already! Since I'm running around Sat/Sun, it's hard to get in all my liquids. Anyway, thanks and I look forward to hearing back!

What Green Tea do you suggest? I have been getting Lipton 100% Natural Green Tea or Celestial Seasons Green Tea. To me, it all tastes the same, but I was buying the cheaper stuff.

Thermo DynamX were the Fat Burners that I was taking but I'll stop if that's what everyone is saying to do!

I started back on Vit C and Chromium Picolinate. Is there any certain dosage I should be taking, or just what the directions say?

PS. ONLY13
I have friends that are trainers there. My BF worked there PT as a trainer for a min.

[Lady C]

It sounds like your main goal is to be a bodybuilder not a marathon runner. You can't do both. Choose one. Running develops slow twitch muscles (long and slender) and bodybuilding develps fast twitch muscles (bigger and more muscular). Again choose one. You can lose fat WITHOUT cardio. I do one or two sessions per week - that is it. Lots of cardio is counter productive to building more muscle mass.

I personally don't think you NEED chromium picolinate or green tea. I take two supplements - a multivitamin and protien isolate post-workout shake. That is it! The rest are personally up to you!!!! Plain old-fashioned water is the best.

I also think you are trying too hard. Back off some and relax a bit!

[CF-OC_gal]

....I was already heavy (about a size 14), eating helped me out.

You might be asking for help from the wrong person. I've been a size 12 most of my adult life. Occassionlly before kids I could manage a size 10 pant but not always. I have always been within the normal healthy range on weight charts, but once I got turned down for donating blood because my weight was too low for them. I was still a size 12 then.

Forget the clothing sizes and use the mirror if you are going for a fitness body look.

[mseyes79]

Ok. My decision is to body build, not run marathons. I think my body is more prone to building muscles than to be thin, but my #1 goal is to get the rest of this stomach fat off. I really need guidance on how much I should be eating, what I should be eating, and what I should be doing in the gym. Should I buy a kitchen scale to measure out food portions? Could you describe what you consume in a day? Is my running/cardio counter-acting my time in the gym? That sucks if that's the case! I thought cardio is how you got the fat off - by walking, running, etc.

I looked at Andre's pics of him and his wife and read some of his diet. That's amazing that it only takes a short amount of time! But he said she does 45 min cardio/ 45 min weights 6x a wk. If I start on a bodybuilding program (can anyone start me on one), am I going to lose the rest of this weight? I have measurements if that'll help. How do I go about getting my body fat measured?

I've cheated today and ate all the wrong things and plus my BF is sick so since he didn't sleep, I didn't sleep and then I got up early and fixed him breakfast and gave him some med. I didn't get enough sleep and I'm exhausted.

[sillyme]

Hi mseyes. I didn't read everyone elses post, so if this is redundant I apologize.

If you've recently lost a large amount of weight it may be just that your skin hasn't adjusted to your new body size.

[CF-OC_gal]

I've cheated today and ate all the wrong things and plus my BF is sick so since he didn't sleep, I didn't sleep and then I got up early and fixed him breakfast and gave him some med. I didn't get enough sleep and I'm exhausted.

Sorry, I don't believe you when you say you are ready for this or are committed to doing what has to be done to achieve your goals.

You are asking for us to do the work of a personal trainer. How could we possibly put all that together for you? We don't even know you? We are all different with individual genetic predispositions, physiques, metabolisms and demands in life.

Try this link to get an idea of where to start. http://www.room42.com/nutrition/basal.shtml
If you insist on doing high volume ab work at least do something balanced like a stability ball routine or a pilates for abs video. Kathy Smith has a pretty good one.

Take some time to read the information in the forum. Here are some other links to sites which can help you. I would suggest you just do what you are doing right now and put it all down in a journal like www.fitday.com . Then you can teach yourself how to understand and analyse what is right and wrong.

my #1 goal is to get the rest of this stomach fat off

If this is your number 1 goal then you must learn self control and respect for your body. It will come off at a genetically predetermined time. It may be the last thing. Also not everyone I'm sorry to say, will show a six pack at the same level/% of bodyfat. That's a genetic gift too. That doesn't mean don't try, it just means your results may look different than your favourite fitness model's abs (if her's have not been airbrushed or lipo vaccuumed to begin with).

Should I buy a kitchen scale to measure out food portions? I don't know. Why do you ask?
Could you describe what you consume in a day? No, what works for me won't work for you. We are 2 different people with different goals at different stages of life.
Is my running/cardio counter-acting my time in the gym? That depends on what you are doing. Remember we established that you aren't doing anything productive right now.

That sucks if that's the case! I thought cardio is how you got the fat off - by walking, running, etc. It is if it is combined with a proper diet

Back up and start over.
1. Set goals
2. Learn what it takes to reach those goals by doing research about nutrition and training for those goals. Then put together a plan based onyour ideas and ask for feedback or ask specific questions.
3. Commit to making your goals your #1 priority, ahead of your BF, ahead of your friends, ahead of partying , ahead of chocolate cake etc. If you can't do that you will fall short of your goals. It's called sacrifice.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by mseyes79

I looked at Andre's pics of him and his wife and read some of his diet. That's amazing that it only takes a short amount of time! But he said she does 45 min cardio/ 45 min weights 6x a wk. If I start on a bodybuilding program (can anyone start me on one), am I going to lose the rest of this weight? I have measurements if that'll help.

This is an EXTREME case with strict doctor's monitoring. I would not consider it the norm. I personally started out doing the "Body-for-Life" by Bill Phillips routine and diet. Go to your local bookstore or library and buy/read the book. It will give you a good understanding of where to start. If you are ready to do this then you will be hungary for more understanding and results after reading that book.

ONLY you can figure out what your body needs and if it is working right. Unfortunately, there is no wonder drug or perscription! Hard work and persistance. Do a search on this site you will be able to find may sample diet plans to choose from.

Originally Posted by mseyes79

How do I go about getting my body fat measured?

Most gyms will do it for you. Some charge, some don't. Check one out in your area. I bought my own bodyfat calipers and do it myself!

[ajarvis]

MSEYES, my input for you is regarding whether or not your running is counterproductive to a bodybuilding plan. I'd have to say yes. I did a similar program in january through to April and was lifting weights one day a week full body workout so I wasn't sore for my runs. I did see some improvements in weight but it leveled off a few weeks after starting, and I didn't see a lot of muscle gain(noticeable as in bulky). I did gain weight but dropped pant sizes. Hope that helps somewhat and is not too confusing!

[MrsRiley]

wow it looks like everyone else has given you some great answers already. (I must say I was a bit flattered that you'd direct questions to me!) Anyways I totally agree probly the most important thing to do is to come up with a specific goal...that way you'll know which direction to take in your eating and workouts. It's sounds like you might be having some trouble with motivation ..that is the hardest part for me as well...life gets in the way and sometimes it's unnecessary and really just an excuse and sometimes it really is something that can't be avoided. By setting a specific goal it will be easier to resist those excuses! I also agree that the supplements aren't necessary. I take a multi-vitamin and also use the protein powders but anything else is usually just hype and doesn't really work without eating right and working out ..which will work just find without them! Doing cardio seems to be a personal preference...I like cardio so I do it pretty often but I know alotta people get results with little or no cardio even. It really depends on what your body responds to!

[Amkey]

MSeyes,
I am in the same situation and have been for a while. I used to weigh 215 in a size 18 and then I lost a lot of weight and now I weigh 155 and I am between an 8 and a 10 depending on the clothing. My stomach bothers the HELL out of me and I have been doing this going on 2 years. I finally came to the conclusion to take some of what everyone tells me and apply it to whatever works for me. People say not to do cardio after weight training. Well this works best for me in weight loss and it makes me feel good. People give you this ratio of carbs, but that is for them not you. I set an amount of carbs and every two weeks lower them until I see results that I want to see. All the carbs I take in are fiborous carbs and not breads and refined stuff. I take in 1.5 grams of protein per LEAN body mass and base my calories on that based on I want them to be 40% protein. I have taken on a whole new training method that meant taking my weight down quite a bit. I feel great these past couple of weeks and starting to notice results. Remember this takes a lot of trial and error so do not expect perfect results in just a couple of months

[mseyes79]

My BF took me shopping yesterday because I was alittle depressed - I measured and my stomach measurement went up about 1/2". So he took me to get my hair done and clothes shopping. I really haven't gone clothes shopping since I've lost weight. He picked up some 8 jeans at Gap and I was like 'You need to grab the 10s'. Well, I tried them on and looked in the mirror and was like WOW! I really looked good (compared to my size 18 jeans)! But I really was impressed that I actually look 'normal' and was glad to be able to go into a regular store and buy regular clothes. Ya know, that's the 1st time I've bought jeans in Gap?
I asked about the kitchen scale because some things are measured in grams and stuff.
I don't have any loose skin on my stomach. Thank GOD!
I started a new diet:

Today
Breakfast - 10a
1/2 C cottage cheese
1/2 peach

Snack - 12p
3 C spinach salad

Snack - 2p
1 C veges
1 slice Fat Free cheese

Lunch (around 4)
turkey sandwich on wheat

Snack (before run)
1/2 peach

Dinner (around 8:30)
1 chicken breast, 1 C veges, 1 1/2 C spinach salad

Plus I've changed my workout in the gym, due to posts up here. Thanks guys!
I'm going to switch to light weights/more reps and cardio (I enjoy the running! AJARVIS are you running?) I ran 3M today and did light weights in the gym - chest and tri's). I will try this out for a month and see what happens.

Again, thanks for information from everyone! LadyC, MrsRiley, Amkey.