Hi Everyone!!! Can I PLEASE have your support in this...

U

udderlymyra

Active Member
After a disappointing week, I learned that I was NOT pregnant after having a delayed cycle, I've decided to move forward and reduce my BODYFAT!!! For the last month, I've been using Cathe's PS SERIES & MIS & taking BodyPump for weights and I teach 2 cardio classes and walk/run 2x's a week. I'm very pleased with the muscle growth I've had and I haven't been more stronger in my life! I have all my exercise patterns established, now, I need to work on my eating habits. I'm eating whole foods and making nutritious choices, but it is hard and I need much more support in addition to my family who's rooting for me. Will joining in on the weekly check-in's be good for me?
If I'm not going to get pregnant, than I might as well be super FIT!!! My goal is stay with an 18%-20% body fat range and maintain it. I'm guessing that I would be over 25% right now, seeing as I was tested 4 years ago at 18.5%, but I didn't have the amount of muscle that I do know.....
 
Sorry about the big disappointment

Isn't it disheartening when so many people who don't want to be pregnant ARE, and the ones who want to be aren't? Sometimes I wonder who's in charge! Well, today (Good Friday) is, for me and many, a day for affirming faith in the face of death. So, among all the things in life we don't understand, there's still room for hope.

Back to the topic--about your bodyfat--I don't know what you're aiming for exactly, but 18-20% seems low--especially since female fat produces estrogen, which is advantageous to getting pregnant. Got a doctor's advice on this?

Healthy eating is always a good idea, though. And that, combined with regular exercise, will take your body to its own optimum weight and shape.
A check-in might be helpful, but a diary is better. Writing down everything (Everything!) you put in your mouth is an excellent reminder--and a way of figuring out where the problem areas are. I recommend it!
 
Hi Barbara! I'm gonna have to check on that Bodyfat testing now....

To be honest, I'm only going on the assumption of what I was close to 4 years ago...I'm going to do some research on that now, but I recall some article stating that a woman's bodyfat needed to be above 10-15% (?) in order to keep menstruating. But I will do some research today and maybe get a minute to get my bodyfat tested today at the spa. They use some sort of electical gadget...then I'll do more study of what my ideal should be. Thanks for your concern, it's brought me to some awareness of my lurking poor body image that pops up when I get depressed! Hugs, ~Myra
 
Great post Barbara!

And I used to wonder the same thing, especially after suffering three miscarriages. Luckily, we persevered and was able to complete our family. Hang in there, Myra!
 
Something my fitness instructor told me

Hi,

I don't remember the particulars of the conversation, but I remember the main points. My aerobic fitness instructor did a paper in graduate school (master's thesis?) about fitness and pregnancy. Either she had trouble conceiving or a positive test result never became a baby. Apparently, this happened several times before she conceived her child who is now a teenager. The point is that when she researched this subject she discovered that very low body fat and lots of exercise contributed to the absense of a viable pregnancy. She taught several aerobic classes a week BUT NEVER LOST HER PERIOD. Her research showed that a period isn't proof that you are not exercising too much or your body fat is too low. These factors can affect the blood lining. She was very angry that no medical person had told her this.

Everyone is different. But it is something to think about and ask your medical professional.

Helen Z
 
Something My Fitness Teacher Told Me

Hi,

I don't know why my header didn't show up but my post is here. Yes, I'm a newbie and I've posted correctly before. Darn!

Helen Z
 
Hello again, Myra

According to a lot of posts on VF--I know you're there--who could miss the cute cow??--those electronic gadgets are notoriously inaccurate. The desire for a pregnancy might be a big enough issue to warrant investing in a more accurate measure, such as water submersion.

However, as a non-mom, I'm the LAST person on earth to be giving this sort of advice. There are countless factors involved, and bodyfat may be the least important.

On the subject of body image, I'm more experienced. I've found that the best antidote to those pesky bad feelings is simply this: commitment, day by day, to healthy eating and exercise. At least I know I'm trying to be my best. After that, accepting the gift of the body I've got--a healthy one at that--in the shape it has (cellulite and all!) sets me free. Wishing you well!
 
Those weekly checkins...

Myra,
Jump on into a check-in! They are very supportive and motivating...just avoid the posts about MM's
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.

As far as the fat testing machine, I had one done recently too and didn't put a lot of stock in the results. If you are serious about wanting to know your true body fat, find a professional who knows how to work the calipers or look into having a water test...from what I have heard that is the most accurate.

Just out of curiousity I grabbed my ACE Personal Training Manual (I'm not a trainer, but use it for my own info) and looked up what they have as guidelines....Please, Educated people, if I goof here...correct me!

They list for women:
Essential fat- 10%-12% (now I am assuming that that is the bare minimum you should go)
Athletes- 14-20%
Fitness- 21-24% (probably most of us VFers
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)
Acceptable- 25-31%
Obese- 32% and higher

Now I was under the assumption..that as a woman ages...we are allowed more fat...gotta love it! So I don't know by just quickly pulling this out of my book (how irresponsible
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), if they went into the age thing or not.

Myra, if you are looking to get pregnant, just double check with your Doctor as Barb has said because that chart may get blown out of the water when it comes to women who want to conceive.

My own experience on slimming down and what has helped...lifting heavier, making sure I recover from the heavier training, cutting back on cardio(hard to do with new tapes!), eating healthy...the hardest part
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, and since this isn't VF...I limit the heavier starchy carbs...load on the veggies and protein. And I try to cut out all refined sugars...but &*$#@ it, I made those Rollo cookies this morning...so, I guess, every thing in moderation.

And Barb...if you read this..does that midlife fat cell book get into percentages at all??? I have been meaning to get that book
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.

nancy:O)
 
Hi, Nancy C

My Waterhouse book is on loan to someone, so I can't check on your question. Sorry. I think the ACE figures you quoted sound quite reasonable.

As for exercise, I tend to do better with emphasis on cardio. Running has always been a major fat-burner for me, and I'm trying to find the time more than once a week. Adding strength training at least 2x/week has been a great benefit.

I'm a veggie/fruit/protein eater, too. But yesterday at work, I succumbed to a "goodie day" and ate more sugar than I have in months. Yeechhh! I felt physically awful by afternoon! (But I gotta admit I enjoyed the cookies. And the Rice Krispies treats. And especially the chocolate).

See about checking out Waterhouse from the library.
 
Ultimate Fit or Fat

I am reading this book right now by Covert Bailey (since you all are an "educated crowd" you may have heard of this before) called the Ultimate Fit or Fat and it discusses levels of body fat in quite some detail. I'm at work right now so I don't have it with me, but you may want to check it out!

Good luck,
Jessica
 
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