Weigh-in Week of January 15

[kelownagirl]

Little bit of trivia for you all. I participated in a research study that looked at metabolic hormone levels in highly active women and how they change depending on restriction of caloric intake. It turns out that the most efficient caloric levels for maintaining healthy metabolism and maximizing weight loss is 80% of caloric needs. That is, if I need 2000 cal per day to maintain my lean muscle mass and I burn 1000 doing exercise, the ideal amount for me to eat would be 2400 cal.

Just a little food for thought.

That makes sense to me. According to most online calculators, I should be eating about 1525 calories a day to maintain my weight, and not exercise. When I'm working and can't bike outdoors, I'm lucky to burn and extra 1000 calories in a week, so that would add about another 150 calories a day.

80% of 1675 = 1340 calories. I try to stay close to 1200 but I'm usually much closer to 1300-1350. Now I'll feel better if I want a little snack or a glass of wine in the evening. Thanks for the info!

It also shows me why I gain weight when I eat "normally." On my "bad" days, when I'm dieting, I can easily eat 2000+ calories without even trying.

[snowtulip]

Wow, surprise, surprise. I went to the gal doctor today and she has one of the fancy scales similar to what LBTC mentioned...it said I had 34% body fat!!!

I have always considered myself a muscular girl, I was shocked! Time to kick it into high gear!

[LBTC]

Snowtulip! Do not despair!!! 34% is not terribly high for a woman!!

Relax, treat yourself right, and get out and do some high intensity cardio! The fat will melt away and then you'll see those pretty muscles that are underneath!

Hugs and butterflies!
~T~

[Wahine]

Wow, surprise, surprise. I went to the gal doctor today and she has one of the fancy scales similar to what LBTC mentioned...it said I had 34% body fat!!!

I have always considered myself a muscular girl, I was shocked! Time to kick it into high gear!

15 to 25 % is pretty ideal but up to 35 % can still be healthy for a woman. but remember, if you were dehydrated or have dry callused feet, the scale will read higher than what your true body fat percentage is. The only way to get an accurate body fat measurement is to have a hydrostatic weighing done.

[SalsaMTB]

Wow, surprise, surprise. I went to the gal doctor today and she has one of the fancy scales similar to what LBTC mentioned...it said I had 34% body fat!!!

I have always considered myself a muscular girl, I was shocked! Time to kick it into high gear!

Don't fret, it'll come off once you focus on eating properly. I had the same thing happen. DH decided he really wanted one of the body fat scales, I wasn't so thrilled. I normally come in around 28-30%. It's depressing, but, it just motivates me to eat correctly

[aggiecorgi]

Those scales can measure incorrectly if you exercise more than 10 hours per week. Our Tanitia has an "athlete" setting. In the summer I use this setting, and usually see about 5 to 10 percentage points different between this and regular.

I'd like to join the weight loss thread as well. Yesterday I started Weight Watchers; I'd like to lose around 25 pounds.

[spokewench]

I'm always amazed at weight and what makes me lose, gain or just stay the same. Last year at this time of year, just like every year, I am at least 5-8 pounds too high. I'm 46 and each year it seems harder to lose that 5 pounds. Last year I took off about 3 pounds of the 5. However, it took me forever. I have to admit that I did actually get more toned and trim but only lost 3 pounds. I was out of shape at this time of year and then rode, rode and rode some more to get ready for Bicycle tour of colorado. and then rode the BTC. I only lost 3 pounds, I was fitter, my legs were tighter, my belly tighter, etc.; BUT

of course, those body changes are all gone again cause I'm not fit again. So, about 3-4 weeks ago, I started to ride my trainer about 2 times a week and started playing tennis. Playing tennis you say? Yah, I figured, no way am I going to lose weight playing tennis since I can ride hours and hours and hours and not lose but 3 pounds! But, lo and behold, I have lost 3 pounds, my stomach is flatter (can't say my legs are that much more toned yet) but I'm seeing some changes.

My theory is that it is such different exercise than I am used to that my body is actually burning calories doing it (it probably doesn't hurt that the building I play tennis in is really cold?). Anyway, the theory is I'm really efficient at cycling cause I've been doing it so long so the exercise does not burn as much calories for me. The new tennis is using muscles I usually don't use on the bike so I am burning calories.

What do you gals think about my theory? I don't know how else to make sense of it?

[snowtulip]

Ok, feeling better now, thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm going to blame on my very calloused feet (thanks for that info.).

I think the change it up to lose weight theory is right on the money! I don't really get anywhere weight loss wise, but when I started hiking again my body had to adjust and I think that's the only reason I'm starting to lose.

[kelownagirl]

Well nothing seems to be happening for me and I think it's because I've not been exercising. I find it hard to have the time and energy to exercise when I'm working. I have no trouble finding time to ride my bike because I'm going places, but exercising for exercise's sake is a struggle for me. This week coming week, I will try to do at least 3 cardio workouts and see if it makes a difference...