Need clean eating advice to define muscle

SRP

Cathlete
Hi, ladies. I just really feel frustrated here and would like a little input. I understand the concept of clean eating. I've read "Eat to Live" and think it has some good advice. I read everything posted here and value what's been said. My problem is, I'm having trouble implementing it.

I'm a vegetarian and eat eggs and dairy. But I'm also contemplating veganism - I've been cutting back on the animal products but haven't eliminated them totally. Also, I know veganism isn't necessary to obtain my goals. I just don't feel comfortable eating animal products.

I am 5-4 and weigh about 127,within a pound or two. I don't know my body fat percentage. I do know what I want to lose is the stubborn stuff on my hips and thighs. Doesn't everyone? There's not that much of it... I'm thinking if I could lose 5-7 pounds, that might take care of it. I hope.

It isn't absolutely necessary, I suppose. I'm not obsessed. It's just kind of that next fitness goal. I have a decent amount of muscle, but it is not defined.

So, all that said, can you give me some advice about what you might do in my shoes? He're are some menu samples:

B - 1 c lowfat yogurt and fruit; soy milk
OR -1 c steel cut oats with walnuts, a bit of Smart Balance margarine and 1.5 spoons of sugar
OR - on weekends, 2 eggs, 1 muffin, OJ
L - right now, following Eat to Live advice, a big leafy green salad with lots of raw veggies, occasionally beans
D - cooked veggies, grain of some sort
OR veggie soup with TVP or tofu added
I like to have a slice of homemade bread with butter.

I include nuts and dried fruits regularly. I really like PB but am trying my hardest to cut back. I'm working to cut out store-bought bread. I like potatoes, and used to eat them more than I do now. As for cheese and eggs... I used to eat cheese, probably 2 servings a day. I haven't in a week or so. Eggs usually just once on weekends, plus whatever are in baked goods, such as the muffins or cornbread I make. I really, really like bread, especially with PB on it. But like I said, I'm working on that one.

My goal is one dessert a week, but often I eat more. Bad, bad girl.

;-)

I feel like I eat healthy, but I need to do something different. Veganism may or may not work... but I've been fairly close to it for about two weeks, maybe a bit less, and don't feel much different.

Okay. That's the end. Thanks, everyone.
 
Your menu doesn't sound too bad. Still looks like you need some more protein (protein bar or shake, maybe). Dessert I would have maybe once a month. You know, a nice yummy protein shake with strawberries and such could be a terrific dessert. JMHO.

Charlotte~~
 
Hi Shannon,

I really don't know alot about veganism so I can't offer you any information/advice on diet. However, when I look at your food intake, it seems that you are really, really low on protein. I know a lot of people think that protein is only necessary for adding muscle, but I have found that I need it for definition as well. So I would try to incorporate some protein from the food sources that are available to you.

That's just my 2-cents worth...


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(fitxme)
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I should be getting plenty of protein, actually. There's quite a bit in vegetables and grains, as long as you make sure you get enough of each so that you're getting all the amino acids. Vegetarians and vegans very rarely suffer from a protein deficit.
 
Shannon-
I have never 'seen' you but your weight seems like it is in good proportion to your height. I did listen however when you said you wanted more definition.
Any way here is a suggestion or two.

I have had good success with having two pieces of fruit every afternoon. It keeps me full and those loaded veggie dinners with some protein keep me full until the next day. (Very late at night I am hungry but I am so tired I just go to bed!)

I would drop the bread and butter with dinner. Starches can to make your body hold onto fluid and so if you minimize them, you may see better definition.

No matter what your breakfast is keep fruit in it.

Are you willing to try a fruit smoothie?

My basic smoothie is very easy-

Blend all of the following-

2 cups frozen fruit slighty thawed in microwave
1 cup light soy milk ( I use 8th continent light) 50 cal. 6g protein
6 oz. light tofu (I use Mori- nu light)
1 TBS ground flax seed
1 tsp vanilla
this makes a filling breakfast that takes me right to lunch with no snack.

I would also ditch the dried fruits; they are calorie dense and don't fill up your stomach.
Lastly keep the nuts 1 oz per day PB to 2 TBs per day. They are good for you but are also calorie dense.


ETA- I'm no expert and this is just my opinion.

Judy "Likes2bfit"


If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.
Success is acheived by early preparation


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Judy -
Okay, I'll ditch the bread. It's going to be hard, but I'll try it. I'm trying right now for at 3 pieces of fruit a day - fresh, not dried. The problem is, fruit doesn't stick with me very long. Dried I eat mostly if I have an attack for something sweet, and it's either raisins or cranberries.

I guess if I try the smoothie I'll have to buy a blender, huh? Don't have one of those.

Keep me posted on your ETL results, will you? Thanks!
 
Hey, I made hummus without the blender. I used one of those hand wisker thingies and also mashed the heck out of the beans with a pastry blender. Nothing I'd want to take to a potluck, but it worked fine for me and tasted good!
 

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