having trouble losing weight!!! page

[samira]

Hi! Anyone have tips on what I should eat to drop a few pounds? I'm doing about 3 hrs of cardio, plus light weights 5 days a week. I'm a grad student so I don't want to starve myself, I kinda need my brain ;-).
Thanks!

[zoebird]

you could read the primal blueprint and see what is what.

[i<3myshihtzu]

Do you know what Primal is all about? Zoebird made a great suggestion
Also a good start is to cut back on your cardio per day and remove all grains, sugars, and legumes...the book and here can get you the rest of the way.. Goodluck

[Damiana]

You might have more energy to study if you stopped doing 3 hours of cardio a day. I'd like to give you a serious response but I don't know if you're trolling.

[paleo-bunny]

The fact you are borderline underweight should be a clue. I agree with zoebird - read the PB.

[Dirlot]

Why would you do light weights?

[maclrc]

In brief:

1) You are not borderline underweight - although you are towards the lower end or normal (I am guessing you are looking to drop excess fat more than actual weight)
2) The book is not necessary, just check out the priamal 101 section of the site and explore from there
3) Use what you learn from the above to sort your diet, this is the most important factor.
4) Cut down the cardio (2-3 45min sessions a week is fine)
5) Replace the light weights with 2 or 3 heavy weight sessions a week. These should concentrate on compound exercises (high weight, low(ish) reps - 5x5, or 4x6 is a good start point.

Key compound exercises are variations on the following - deadlifts, sqauts, bench press, pull-ups, shoulder press.

The result of all the above, if done properly, should be a loss of excess fat and an increase in muscle mass (don't worry - you will look more toned as opposed to the Hulk on steroids!). You might actually find your weight goes up a bit as the new muscle will be heavier than the old fat.

[paleo-bunny]

In brief:

1) You are not borderline underweight - although you are towards the lower end or normal (I am guessing you are looking to drop excess fat more than actual weight)

112.5 lbs @ 5 foot 3.5 gives a BMI of 19.6, which is slightly underweight. Obviously, BMI alone is of limited value as body composition needs to be taken into account, but on that approximate measure that's considered borderline underweight.

ETA: I agree that adding muscle would be a positive.

[maclrc]

112.5 lbs @ 5 foot 3.5 gives a BMI of 19.6, which is slightly underweight. Obviously, BMI alone is of limited value as body composition needs to be taken into account, but on that approximate measure that's considered borderline underweight.

ETA: I agree that adding muscle would be a positive.

Sorry, paleo-bunny is absolutely right, fluffed my bmi calc somehow.

[paleo-bunny]

Sorry, paleo-bunny is absolutely right, fluffed my bmi calc somehow.

S'ok. I spotted it easily because I'm of similar height and aware of the approx range I should be shooting for.