Realistic Goals?

[Tink85]

I have to admit I dont know the first thing about fitness. I'm 21 and never had a problem eating what i wanted and sitting on the couch all day until the last year, maybe 2 years. I am 5'4, 155 lbs now. My problem areas now are my stomach and hips... guess I am bottom heavy. I got a membership at a gym about 2 weeks ago, I have gone 5 days a week (so far, i plan on continuing this pattern). I usually do about 30-45 minutes of cardio, and then work on my abs mostly, but arms and legs I rotate days. anyways, the point of this thread was to ask what a realistic goal would be. I am trying not to use my weight as a goal, because I know muscle weighs more... but I would like to lose 35-40 lbs. I want to lose it quickly, as most people do. I planned on 5lbs a week, but then that doesnt seem very realistic. I am just wondering what is a realistic goal that I can stick to?

Thanks

[Lady C]

Healthy weight loss is 1-2 lbs per week. More than that it is probably not all fat and there is the tendancy to regain it.

Your diet is important for you to reach this goal. What do you eat in a day?

[Tink85]

I slip up now and then but I mainly eat grilled chicken for dinner, lots of fruits, veggies, cereal, soup. I eat a lot more frequently now, but smaller portions. I hear that helps metabolism. When I feel like snacking I have nutrigrain bars, or popcorn.

[Lady C]

Does each meal have protein, carbohydrates and fats? How many times a day do you eat?

[SarahPT]

I agree that 1-2 pounds a week is healthy. Don't push yourself to lose fast. Slow and steady weight loss stays off.

Are you working all your muscle groups? You said arms and legs. How about back, shoulders, chest?

Sarah

[Tink85]

I guess I dont watch what I eat that closely... Im not sure I get all that I need. Im new to this, and I guess you could say I currently have a stupid girl mentality, I just want to lose it and rush it. Thats why I came here, to get some real insight on how I can do it right. I probably eat about 5 times a day... light breakfast, snack, light lunch, snack, light dinner. I really dont eat any meat besides chicken, I eat a lot of broccoli... fruits... yogurt. Things like that.

[Lady C]

Give me an example day of eating. What time, how much and what? I will help you make it better for your goals.

[Tink85]

Ok, shortly after I wake up in the morning, I usually have some light yogurt, or cereal. Probably around 11am I might have a nutrigrain bar or grapefruit. Around 12-1 I'll have soup, or a PB sandwhich. Again, a couple hours later, maybe around 3-4pm, I have another snack, either fruit, nutrigrain bar. Then dinner, I always have grilled chicken, Seasonings vary... and broccoli or rice. If I eat after that, its usually popcorn. But I try not to eat after dinner.

[LiftGirl]

Nutrigrain bars are pretty high in sugar for the nutrition they offer. I would switch that to a fresh veggie snack.

As LadyC pointed out each "meal" "minimeal" "snack" whatever you want to call it needs a protein, carb and (healthy) fat.

I understand you want to lose the weight quickly, but it doesn't happen overnight. You didn't gain it overnight, so you won't lose it overnight either.

But you've come to the right place for help!

[Lady C]

You are not eating enough especially in the AM. I suggest a much bigger breakfast. You also should eat real food instead of the nutrigrain bars (mostly processed stuff). Eat meal should have protein, complex carbs and fat.

I would try something like this
M1: light yogurt with cereal Or eggs and toast
M2: grapefruit & protein (hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, protein shake)
M3: soup, or a PB sandwhich (Ok as long as soup has beans and veggies) Add veggies to sandwich like a side salad
M4: veggies & protein
M5: grilled chicken, broccoli or rice
M6: protein like cottage cheese or protein shake

Try this out and see.

Also your meals should be bigger before and after the workout. So if you are working out between meals 4 & 5 then those meals should be bigger than what you have listed.