Im new, Question about "Pear Shape"

S

slimmingmom

Cathlete
Stick with me as I give you a little backgroung info please.....I am what I guess you call pear shape. I've lost 33 pound so far with Slim Series, which I am very proud of. I want to lose about 20 more or so. [I'm 5'9" and 167 right now] I lost the weight so far with mostly the working out, but not to many changes with my diet. Stopped the snacking and ate a little healthier. Well, I'm bored with SS now and I found this site just after I ordered The Transfirmer. [which I have yet to recieve] I am going to start with that to get me introduced to step, and work my way up to Cathe. Oh by the way I gained some weight before, but I can thank my two pregnancies that were really close together for my body. My children are 15 months apart.


Now from what I've read so far on pear shape is that you have to control the weight loss from diet, so my question is, Which is the best way to go about this? From any other former pear shapes, what was your best way to lose those dreaded saddle bags!!! x(
I'll attach my pictures so you can see where I have come from to where I am. So you can see what I have left to get rid of too. :D
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks,
Kara

Visit My Trail
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Congrats on your success so far! You are doing great. What is the transfirmer?

So, there are many experts here far who are far more educated, but I am going to give you my take. The best way to lose weight, regardless of your body shape, is to eat clean, do cardio, and lift weights. The eating clean + cardio will do a lot in helping the pounds come off. Lifting weights and building muscle will increase your metabolism and help you reshape your body. You could definitely start with one of Cathe's newer beginner/intermediate workpits or order something advanced and go light on the weights or even cut out some sets if you need to. I think you'd really enjoy it!

Welcome to the boards, by the way.
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Thanks Gina,
The Transfirmer is from The Firm. It a step/sculpting program as well. I understand what you are saying about the doing cardio and lifting weights, that is what I have been doing. I'm well educated on the working out side of things. It's the eating part that I am clueless. Oh just to be difficult, I don't have a lot of extra time for meal prep due to having a 2 year old and a 1 year old. ;) I guess my real question is fro those who lost the lower body weight, what worked best for you eating wise, did you have to go low carb or what?
Thanks,
Kara
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Wow Kara...you have gotten great results!!! Congrats and welcome to the fourm!!! For pear shape sometimes the Freestyle approach works. I searched thru the threads and found this one about Freestyle that has alot of info

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?..._id=243752&mesg_id=243752&listing_type=search

The best way to eat is what you have done by cutting out the snacks. More water helps too. I'm sure other people with help you out here also...:)
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Hi Kara,

I don't have a lot of advice for you - I pretty much follow Body for Life because it's simple for me (although I'm just about to read Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle, so who knows where I'll be with my eating next!). BUT, I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! You look great. You've done a fabulous job! You should be very proud of yourself.

Oh - and my sister and I are 10 months apart, so I'm sure my mom would feel your pain. :)

Susan

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Thanks Carole,
I'll give that a read through. Oh and You don't have to worry about me and water...I think I'm part fish. I have always drank a lot of water, it's my drink of choice, almost a drug for me. If I don't have water with me I get really cranky and feel just wrong.
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Hi Kara, congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment! You've made tremendous progress!

What has worked for me are cycles of bulking up, leaning out, and maintenance over the course of a year. As a general rule, I use heavy weights for my upper body -- as heavy as I can manage. Carole mentioned the freestyle way of training for legs. Since I have bad knees, I can't work out my legs every day, but I took the idea of freestyling and spread out the work evenly over the course of a week using different kinds of workouts: endurance workouts, circuits, kickboxing, floor work, and no-weight drills like the leg conditioning drills in KickMax and the blasts in LowMax. I go with a moderate-carb way of eating more often. I believe in moderation and slow progression. It's easier for me mentally this way, and there is less chance of injury.

Good luck in your fitness journey. You're lookin' good!

Pinky
 
RE: Im new, Question about

I agree with what Pinky and Carole are saying about doing freestyle. I was originally pearshaped as well and still have work to do with my legs and now working legs everyday. Diet is something you have to master if you really want to get rid of the saddlebags. Try not to cheat with food too often. Try to substitute what you crave for something healthy. I try not to eat carbs too late in the evening, etc. Don't be impatient. This is going to take time, but you can do it!

Charlotte~~
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Kara,

Unfortunately, this is kind of a "do what works for you" thing. Many people say that a low carb plan helps them lose weight fast. Personally, I think a moderate approach is best. Choose something that you can live with, otherwise, you will end up "cheating" and feeling bad. What about a Weight Watchers kind of thing? Have you read any nutrition books?
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Kara,

You've received excellent advice already.

I just wanted to say you are doing an awesome job...keep it up...and know that good things don't really happen overnight. You'll reach your goals. Hang tough.
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Congratulations! You've done a great job! You've have gotten a lot of good advice here, but as a pear I'll add my 2 cents anyway. I have (had) a body type just like yours. In the past, my weight has yo-yoed a lot but my "shape" never changed. Once I discovered Cathe's workouts last year all that changed. I have lost 35 lbs and actually see some muscle definition for the first time in my life, but more than that my shape is much more balanced. While I have aquired ALL of Cathe's weight workouts over the past year, I definitely attribute my slimmer hips and thighs to the Kickboxing workouts (KPC and CTX Kickbox), LowMax helps too.

As for diet lower carb (or more importantly the right type of carb) is what works for me. I get my carbs from lots of fresh veggies, a little bit of fruit and whole grains (no added sugar, no white flour, etc.) it takes a while to figure out what ratio of protein/carb/fats works best for your body. And as tedious as it sounds, it really helps to keep a little notebook with you and write down EVERYTHING that goes into your mouth for a few weeks, You'd be surprised how it all adds up!

Sorry this is so long, best wishes for your continued success!
Sandra
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Thanks for all your help and compliments. I'm really looking forward to trying Cathe workouts. Too bad I bought the Firm first. Now I have to wait till I can afford to get my Cathe work outs. I hope that The Firm will be a good first step though. I consider myself in pretty good shape, but I don't know if I could make it through a Cathe work out yet!!! :D I bought a whole bunch of fruit and veggies when I went shopping yesterday, and I think I'm going have a salad with lunch from now on. I'm really happy with my progress so far, but I would sure love to be at least 10 pounds less for summer. We live on the lake, so we are in our suits all summer. Even if I don't lose any more before summer [which I will] I still look WAY better than last year!!! Ha Ha
Anyone elses 2 cents is still welcomed.
Thanks
Kara
 
RE: Im new, Question about

Slimmingmom...just wanted to say I think you look FABULOUS!! You've really accomplished a lot in a year. You have gotten a lot of great advice here. I, too, lift heavy for upper body and work my lower body everyday but use my own body's resistance instead of weights. I agree whole-heartedly with everyone that clean eating is critically important. I think whatever you are doing is obviously working for you though!!! :)
 
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