Too Radical? 500 calorie diet

[queenbee]

I really think I need to join the gym for classes. But I so don't want to join up for a year or anything. Classes are so expensive though if you don't sign up for ages aren't they!? I too love BODY PUMP!

[Aimz]

Queenbee - I pay $10 per class which I don't think is very expensive at all. The gym I go to isn't a big gym - it's called "The Health Temple" and they have a range of classes including pump, kickboxing, spin, aerobics, pilates and yoga which I think are fantastic. Usually gyms have 3,6 and 12 month class memberships which end up being good value. At my gym I can pay $80 for 10 classes (12 month expiration) so I can save 20%.

If I signed up for 3 months (about $120) I can go to as many classes as I want for those 3 months. I won't sign up until I am in a routine though because I wouldn't want to waste it!

[catherinemoses]

I really think I need to join the gym for classes. But I so don't want to join up for a year or anything. Classes are so expensive though if you don't sign up for ages aren't they!? I too love BODY PUMP!

I don't know. I paid the same price if I went to classes or didn't. You'd just have to suss it out. I know it is quite expensive to join and be a member of a gym, but if you are serious about it and dedicated you can't put a price on health and fitness. I found classes to be very motivating and highly recommend them

[C~Q]

Hi hon, have been meaning to come on and chat with you but it's soooo hot infront of my computer! Have you read any of my previous posts about the importance of the BMR?

If not let me know and i'll copy it all over. It's a great tool to have to work out roughly how many kj's per day you need - and if you are planning on getting out of bed, moving or even breathing on any given day then yes, you need a hell of a lot more than 500cals!!!

I also second whoever said classes (of course I would ) Pump is awesome for losing weight as it increases your lean muscle mass which has a higher metabolic rate than fat. Spinning to is fantastic and of course Combat - but i'm a little biased!!

If you do start classes and you don't do Pump then try and add a couple of resistance training sessions into your week. As I said before the more muscle (I don't mean Arnie muscles!) you have the more kj's your body is burning at rest.

Good luck with it all and pm me if you have any questions

[Aimz]

Would love the info on BMR CQ!!

I am starting classes again tonight. The spin class nearly killed me last time but now that I am feeling fitter (I have been walking every day for 3 weeks) I feel up to another session. Aerobics tonight and then spin next week. My gym doesn't have Combat but they do have Pump - so i'll give it a try.

If I wanted to work on my thighs - what are some really good exercises I can do? (Already doing squats and lunges).

[C~Q]

Ok, basically your BMR is your Basal Metabolic Rate which is the MINIMUM amount of calories per day that your body needs to sustain itself at rest. Any less than that and your body shut itself down as people have mentioned before, your metabolism will run and hide leaving you feeling drained. And then, when you increase calories, your propensity for storing fat will increase... BOOM, yoyo diet/crash diet effect in action...

The was a formula developed by Harris Benedict to predict your BMR...
Women: BMR = 655 + (9.6 X wt in kg) + (1.8 X ht in cm) - (4.7 X age in yrs)

Heehee - were you good at algebra at school (don't you wonder how these people worked this out!)!

So now you've got this number but your body's total calorie needs are never just the basic BMR level... Use a multiplier based on your lifestyle to calculate how much you'd actually need to consume (1.2 for relatively inactive, 1.4 for reasonably active (say 3 sessions of exercise per week), 1.5 or 1.6 for more active (say 3 or 4 sessions per week plus a reasonably active job) and even double for those who are extremely active). Create a calorie deficit by giving yourself a shortfall of 500 calories per day without going below your basic BMR... and bingo! Spread those calories over 6 meals a day and your body will never feel deprived...

What exactly are you trying to do to your thighs?! Do you want definition or lose fat? Unfortunately you can't spot reduce fat on the body If you want more definition then i'd recommend leg extensions if you have access to a gym the leg extension machine is awesome for toning your quads and leg curls are great for your hammys. If you don't have access to a gym then squats and lunges are great if you've been doing them for a while you could try adding some weight (held or on shoulders) or walking lunges or introduce some instibility ie put one leg up on a bench behind you and do one legged squats. This forces you to "switch on " your core working your abs as well (but only if you're confident doing them properly).

HTH