New member...Hello

[tuffenough]

Hello everyone,
This is my first time on a board. I'm interested in dropping 20lbs. I've been doing cardio for about 8yrs and lifting on and off for about the same. I want to get serious, lose the weight and get firm. I've been dating someone that is into body building and he suggested I do a cycle. I'm don't know anything about this and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for me. He wants me to start my cycle in a week so if you can help I would apprieciate it. If you need to know the dose and what he is going to give me let me know and I will find out. Help...tuffenough

[Gator_Mclusky]

Welcome!

This place has some diet Gurus that are extremely helpful.

Ull like this place

Gator

Welcome to the board. I don't know what the person you are dating is up to, but no way would I recommend you do a cycle without at least learning about what you're putting into your body. You can make a lot of progress naturally, before you need to resort to those measures. Why not give the board community a try, then if that doesn't work out, try the other guys plan. My guess is, you'll get better results here...

[StrappingYoungLad]

Losing weight and getting firm IN NO WAY indicates the need for a "cycle".Unless you are a competitive athelete or a law enforcement officer,perhaps,I see no reason to put male hormones in your body.I think you might want to take a harder look at this person you're dating.

[jjfigure]

I want to get serious, lose the weight and get firm. I've been dating someone that is into body building and he suggested I do a cycle.

You absolutely should NOT take this advice. If your goal is to lose weight, you need to straighten out your diet - steroids are used for muscle development, not for weight loss. Bodybuilders who use steroids typically take steroids to build muscle in the offseason and to help maintain muscle during extreme diet conditions. Not to mention steroids are illegal - not something to screw around with unless you've been lifting for years, have hit a muscle growth plateau, and have done a ton of research before consciously making the decision to cross this line to continue muscle development.

If you really want to lose weight, the first issue you must address is your diet. The second issue is your training frequency, consistency, and intensity. If you want to post up details about your diet and your training, we'll try to help put you on a reasonable path.

[tuffenough]

I don't want you to think he is forcing me to do a cycle. I'm a big girl and I can say no. I've been frustrated and I know he did a cycle and it helped him. In no way is he pushing this on me. If you have any suggestions as far as diet and weight training go, I would appreciate it.

[tuffenough]

I usually have a protein shake for breakfast and lunch. At dinner I have a well balanced meal. I'm not a big meat eater so the protein shakes have been very helpful to me. I can eat chicken and sometimes pork tenderloin. I'm not into sea food at all. I love most vegies. I do like sweets. Sugar is my downfall. Other than that I'm OK.
I jog on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day with 1-2 days off, I also go biking. In the past I've been using a bowflex but recently I've been going to the gym to use free weights. It's hard for me to get to the gym (I'm divorced with two boys) that's why I've been working out at home most of the time. I lost 45lbs eight years ago and can't seem to get the last 15-20lbs off. Any help would be great.....Thanks

"...and can't seem to get the last 15-20lbs off."

Of COURSE you can!

"...Sugar is my downfall. Other than that I'm OK."

You sometimes MISS sugar in your diet, but stop telling yourself it's your downfall--because if you continue to tell yourself that, it will continue to be true. AND "other than that" you're not just "OK," you are DYNAMITE!

[jjfigure]

First thing you should do is keep a diet log. From your lack of diet specifics, I have a feeling that's something you probably don't do. Keeping a diet log forces you to have a very strong understanding of what exactly you're putting in your mouth. Yes, it's a pain in the butt, but breaking plateaus usually means taking measures that might inconvenience you.

Same with training - how intense are your jogs? How intense is your weight training? Losing stubborn fat is difficult, and you have to step up your training intensity. You should consider incorporating sprint work, which allows your body to burn more fat at rest. You should also have a specific weight training workout; has your boyfriend helped you put one together?

[tuffenough]

I will ask my boyfriend to put a weight training workout together for me. Do you think I can get a good workout on the bowflex? There are some days I can't make it to the gym and if I could also use that it would help.
My boyfriend has talked about sprint work and I've started to incorporate that into my workouts. This is all new to me and I need alot of help. Are there any books or sites you recommend?
I will get started on a diet log today. Thanks for all your help.