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View Full Version : Overwhelmed with Info, looking for some advice...



Chicki
03-06-2012, 08:34 PM
Hello everyone :)

So I've been doing a ton of research, specifically on low-carb/keto and I think I've pretty much just overwhelmed myself and I'm looking for some advice.

I had a baby 8 months ago, during my pregnancy I had symphasis pubis disfunction, which made pretty much any movement really painful. Because of that, I lost a lot of muscle in my once killer legs and bum. I'm 5'1, 139 pounds (ouch that hurts to admit), and my body fat percentage is high, around 30% last time I checked.

So, I want to lose some weight and tone up again. I truly don't care too much about the number on the scale, I don't actually look that big (very little fat on my stomach etc). But I want my old muscles back, and I want my fat percentage back down to 22-25%.

I love working out, so no issue there, and most of my weight workouts will be geared to rebuilding my legs and bum (beachbody brazil butt lift workout, chalean extreme, and other exercises with barbells and dumbells) with 1-2 workouts a week geared to full body. Cardio will consist of hill sprints and walking on the treadmill (depending on what I feel like). Or should I focus on cardio and losing weight first and then do things to rebuild muscle? or do both along the way? So confused!

My issue is diet. I know keto is good for slimming down, but I do want some muscle gains as well. There is so much conflicting info on if its possible to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time, and gain muscle on keto. The other thing too is that I generally feel better with less carbs.

So with what I want, is it better to to stick with a 40% carb/40%protein/20% fat kind of diet? Or should I go with 65%protein/30%fat/5% carb?

and calories... I've been eating 1200 a day, but not really losing much, I'm wondering if thats actually too little and its making my body not want to release the fat?

Sorry for the long post, I truly appreciate anyone who took the time to read that, and any advice given :help

Frostbite
03-06-2012, 10:35 PM
I'll try to help as best I can. Just a newbie myself ( 3-4 years in the gym , 1-2 years of reading and gaining knowledge.) If I make a mistake the people here have a ton of knowledge and will correct me and we can both learn.

Loosing fat and gaining muscle usually only happens to beginners picking up weights for their first time. So If you are xperienced with exercise ( I'm guessing you are you said you love working out )this will be difficult or impossible to gain muscle and lose fat.
I would focus on losing bodyfat first. Than gaining muscle. Higher bodyfat % makes it tougher to build muscle.

Keto diets are great for losing weight and avoiding muscle loss. Not great for building muscle since your not getting an insulin rush post workout.

1200 calories to me seems like way too little. with 30% of that 1200 being fat you are only getting roughly 45 grams a day. Which is too low. I aim for 80 grams/day myself.
If you are going Keto than you know to keep carbs low to 50 grams /day and under. With a cheat meal once a week to store carbs for your workouts for the week. For advice stick to professionals and books, no "bro-science". Internet can be hit and miss with good info. These forums are a great source of info, great and smart people.

Best of luck.

Praetorian
03-06-2012, 10:36 PM
Hi Chicki,

Welcome to CBB...yes there is tonnes of info out there not to mention misinfo...and it can be tough to sort it all out. For someone of your body composition especially after pregnancy fat loss would be the best route in order to get back on track health and hormone wise as well as to set you up to be in the best position to gain muscle once you reduce body fat. It would not be ideal or efficient to try to do both not to mention you would be fighting against your body as opposed to working with it...ie higher BF %, lower insulin sensitivity, lower thyroid production, higher cortisol levels, estrogen and progesterone issues...the list goes on. By running a diet specifically keto you will be able to improve all these scenarios and once you get to your goal BF level you would be in an ideal position to add lean muscle and stay lean doing that.
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Chicki
03-06-2012, 11:03 PM
Thank you so much Frostbite and Praetorian!

Ok, I will stick with keto and focus on fat loss first. I think I'm going to up my calories to 1400 and see how that goes, I did a calculation and it said to maintain my weight I'd be eating about 1700 cals a day, so I think that maybe 1200 was too drastic.

I'm so glad I found this site! so much great info :)

Praetorian
04-06-2012, 08:06 AM
I would suggest doing a search for women's keto diet by Dave Palumbo and going by that. Your current diet does not sound ideal. Start cardio (brisk walking outside before breakfast) at 20min once per day and increase every week or two by 5-10 min....avoid any higher intensity cardio while on keto.
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Chicki
04-06-2012, 10:01 AM
Thanks so much Praetorian!

I'm going to follow this:

http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/showthread.php?17343-Dave-Palumbo-ketosis-diet-for-a-female

Do you think this ideal? Also, is it ok if I substitute chicken for the white fish meal? (or tuna?) I'm not a fan of fish lol and what is the best way to prepare the chicken? I'll likely grill it, but slow cooking would be convenient.

I have a lot of reading to do, sorry if these questions are found easily, I want to start asap lol