Bikini on Labor Day weekend??

[fitoverforty]

I was just wondering if the lower fat is something I will just have to live with or is it possible to counter it with diet and exercise or even get flat

Sandi, girlfriend...what the heck are you talking about?! In your 2/3/10 bikini side shot, I'm seeing a trim, cut, awesome looking midsection that most women (myself included) would be thrilled to be even close to achieving! Your pictures are answering your own question. Yes, it is possible to achieve a toned, ripped, cut midsection. I do understand what you are saying, alot of us ladies gain a little "pooch" in our lower 's over the years and especially when we gain a bit of extra weight, and it is SO hard to get rid of, but it can be done, and the reason I know this is by seeing progress pics like yours and Bonnies and Cassies and other ladies here. Continued diet and exercise is the key, so I have no doubt that you will get the midsection you desire, but to me you look fantastic just as you are now. Did you say 113 lbs.? That's freakin' awesome!

[Bonnie]

Yeah I dont really see what she means either, looks good to me.I cant even show that far down, that section of abs on me is still covered with a slab of stretchmarked flab, u look fantastic missy !!

[Boss Man]

You are a beautiful married Lady, with a body to match. You have worked so hard for it and you can be very,very proud of it. Don't sabotage a thing with little insecurities and concerns, that look as if they're unfounded or just things that might be a trick of the eyes.

It is very difficult when you're very conditioned, to be more conditioned as the way to get more condition becomes much harder, but the hardest part is what you have already done, so don't let yourself become a martyr to the odd % of Fat, or the odd little pinch of skin, because you don't deserve to be putting yourself through that.

Keep doing the best you can, because despite the aging process, you look so youthfully mature, radient and in superb health.

You're doing brilliantly, so don't worry okay.

.

[sandigirl06]

OK, guys,I am being a whiney baby! haha. I think at the moment I am suffering from a bad PMS which is leaving me feeling yuk and bloated. Hate it! Of course on some days our bellies are flatter than others, right? Thanks for the cheering up, tho. You girls are fantastic!! You both look great and have really helped me along the way! husband is away at school for training for his Air Force job till the end of May. He is biggest fan and motivator so I am kinda lost. Also things are crazy for me as I am taking care of the 4 kids alone. I still manage to get workouts in even though it is a struggle sometimes with the kids and work also. I am going down to Fla to see him graduate in May and want to be in top shape for the beach and of course for hubby. trainer says that along with our weights I must do cardio so sometimes I even go twice in a day. At 5 a.m. to train then again after kids are in school or after work for cardio sessons. Yes, Lynne, I am at 113 lbs. Don't forget I am only 5' with a very small frame. When I started I was at 130! I don't think I even weighed that much when I was pregnant! Thank God I found this site because I have learned sooo much about nutrition and exercise. If not I would probrably be much more right now and feeling really misersable!! Being educated is the key! People ask me questions about food like, "Is white rice bad?" or "Can I eat fruit at mid-night?". They really don't know just like I didn't before I started new lifestyle. I love sharing what I know! When I look around and see how some people are eating even when they think they are eating healthy is hard for me not to tell them to switch things up. I keep quiet unless they ask me even though it kills me! They are eating high sugar yogurts and crappy breakfast bars. Anyway, Imma just gonna keep on keepin on and try not to be too hard on myself for the little imperfections. I am happy to have a wonderful support system at home and here on ShapeFit!!! Have a healthy day, all!!!

[swanso5]

still hot

[sandigirl06]

Thank you, Swanso! I really want to see some lower abs, tho! Any suggestions?

[swanso5]

the lastest is the hardest to lose

there's a probably a few things that need to be tweaked training and food wise

you'll have to give me a detailed outline of your current plans for them both

[sandigirl06]

Ahhhh, Swans, been around here long enough to know you would say that! Yes, you are probrably right about the tweaking. I have a trainer so I don't have to think about exercise routine. I have too many other things around here to plan. I have no idea what most of the exercises are called so writing them down is tough. As for diet, I pretty much eat the same thing everday, once again so I don't have to think about it. I am sure it could be better. Not a lot of cheats but most likely lacking in cals.

4:45 a.m. protein shake w/ff milk + 1 scoop powder. banana

6:15 a.m. post-workout-protein shake

7:30 a.m. breakfast-oatmeal w/one whole egg and two egg whites mixed in. drizzle sugar free maple syrup.

10:45 or so snack-greek yogurt & 22 almonds.

1:00 lunch-turkey or tuna wrap on whole wheat wrap sometimes with broth soup if I go out for lunch. Sometimes shrimp also.

4:00 snack-celery sticks with natural peanut butter.

6:30 dinner-sometimes I mess up here because I am tired....usually a protein shake made in blender w/2 scoops powder, ff milk, nat pb & water.
or maybe some turkey chili, tacos or grilled salmon.

8:00-2 lowfat cheese sticks.

Soooo, there is diet. As for workout I do fullbody workout 3x per week, intervals 2x per week, long steady rate 3-4x per week and one 20 min kick-boxing session per week.

Whatcha think?? Wait, I know...need more veggies!

[Bonnie]

You have a protein shake for dinner ?..

[swanso5]

there's plenty of ordinary trainer's out there, i wouldn't mind seeing what you're doing anyway training wise

go for the banana or the oatmeal at 4:45, not both though

chuck some more fruit in 7:30 meal and don't be afraid to go the whole eggs...i have 4 whole eggs a day...also add some veggies here (tomatoe, avocado, spinach etc)

do away with the yoghurt, to much sugar and not enough protein ad not filling enough...solid protein

again cut out the wrap, protein and veg only at 1

add protein to 4...if you're struggling have half a protein serve (1 sevre about 20g) in place of yoghurt and the othe rhalf here

organise dinner and have actual food, again solid protein and veg

you probabaly wonlt need anything after that

cardio plan seems excessive too....i'd do wts 3/week, intervals 2/week, steady state 1/week (doubling up on a wt day) and use the kickboxing as a steady state session (also double up on a wts day)

[fitoverforty]

I love love love egg scrambles. It's like an omelet but messier, since I can't flip an omelet. I like to add spinach, green pepper, broccoli, onion and sometimes some swiss cheese! It is a really sneaky way to get veggies!

I add fresh sliced mushrooms, diced green onion, and fresh chopped spinach to scrambled eggs with a little LF shredded cheese - yumm!!! This fills me up for hours!

[Fygle]

I like to slice up some turkeydogs, onions and paprika that I fry up real fast, add guram masala, a little bit of chili. Whip up the eggs, pour over, sprinkle over some chives and pepper. Oh, and no need to flip an omelete, just put on a lid and use low heat

[sandigirl06]

Ahaha...yes, Bonnie, a protein shake for dinner. I am not a dinner person at all so yes, I cheat with a protein shake. But noooo more of that!! I will go shopping for some easy stuff to make after work. Ok, Swans, I will ditch beloved greek yogurt for mid-morn snack. I have to come up with something that I can eat reeally fast when I am at work. Hmmmm??? Yep, I had a feeling diet was holding me back. As for cardio...I also had a feeling you would say I was doing too much. trainer says I have to burn 3,500 cals a week to lose 1lb so cardio is very important! Thx, guys for all of the food ideas. The omelettes sound yummy! Can't wait to try and make some! Well, I am in the homestretch of journey and I will not give up till I get there! lower abs are under there somewhere, I just know it!!!

[swanso5]

do they know that wts burn cal's too?

it's just not as simple as burn 3500 cals and lose 1pd

are you burning muscle, fat or carb cals?

are you loosing muscle, fat or water wt?

hmmm i'm doubting them right now.....you need a deficit, not just to burn x amount of cals

and you need some sort of progression which i doubt has been included

[sandigirl06]

Ok, guys. I made a real dinner tonite! Had grilled salmon and brussel sprouts. Was sooooo goood! Swans, thx for the suggestions. I really appreciate your time and effort. You told me to ditch mid morning yogurt. Can I have lf cottage cheese instead with some almonds?? I need something fast for that meal as I am working in a fast-paced office and hardly any time to eat. I know a lean meat and veg would probrably be better but I just don't have the time to eat anything I actually have to chew.....really!!! No more wraps! Today I had chicken with broccoli for lunch. As for workout....today I did a really tough leg workout. I can hardly walk. haha. You talked about the type of cals burned during exercise. How do you manipulate that to burn the right fuel? Such as fat vs carbs. Yeah, maybe a litlle heavy on the cardio, huh? I just love it, though! Well,I hope you all had a great first day of March. Spring is ever approaching!!!