Current Eating Habits - Exercise

[ggsherma]

Hey all,

Right now, I am 5'7" and 182 lbs. I don't look fat because I do have a bit of muscle, but I do have a belly and I'm trying to get rid of it like before the college days.

I love sports -- and any time I can do them I do them. I play tennis when I can, but it's not often anymore. I'll probably pick it up atleast once a week.. Moved to a new area and it's hard to find people at my skill level (I play at a 4.5, 5.0 level so it's hard to find some decent players).

Right now, I am eating usually only lunch and dinner. I know that you are not supposed to starve yourself, but I rarely am hungry for breakfast, so I skip it and go onto lunch.

Lunch I consume two packets of Quakers Instant Oatmeal (mostly for the fiber) and add sugar to it. I make it with water and not milk.

Dinner I am usually eating Baked Chicken or Baked white fish (tilapia or something like that) -- Both are spiced up with herbs, not really butter or anything like that.

I also make corn or green beans for my veggie. I'm not much of a veggie eater, and those are the ones I like so I do those. I add butter to them, and salt and pepper.

Before eating dinner, right after work, I usually go to the gym and run on the tredmil. I'm usually running a mile or so at a decent pace (I think it's about 7-8 min miles).

I also lift some weights. I do it very casually every day. Maybe about 5-6 reps of 10 of curling. Nothing too streneous, but wanted to just give my arms some work. I also do some shoulder extenders with some weights.

I do 100 situps in the morning and 100 situps in the evenings.

Is this a decent work out routine? I would like to get some insight on what I can do to eat better without having the same food every single day. I do let loose sometimes on the weekends because I have events and friends who come over... but it should not kill me to do that once a week.

I have stepped away from coffee, sodas etc.. I usually only drink water or Gatorade.

Thanks,

ggsherma

 

[KaraCooks]

Lunch I consume two packets of Quakers Instant Oatmeal (mostly for the fiber) and add sugar to it. I make it with water and not milk.

Dinner I am usually eating Baked Chicken or Baked white fish (tilapia or something like that) -- Both are spiced up with herbs, not really butter or anything like that.

I also make corn or green beans for my veggie. I'm not much of a veggie eater, and those are the ones I like so I do those. I add butter to them, and salt and pepper.

That doesn't sound like a whole lot of food for someone who is doing as much as you are. It also sounds like a lot of starch and carbs, and not a lot of balance in your nutrients.

I'd suggest registering for a free site at fitday.com or thedailyplate.com and logging your food. That will help you to see how many calories you're getting and how your nutrients are balancing out.

Also "letting loose" on the weekends can be detrimental. It all depends on how much you let loose. I know some people who can consume 15000 calories or more on a weekend and that will totally destroy any loss you might have otherwise had. If you drink or eat junk food, then it's very easy to do.

As far as exercise, check out the sticky posts in the exercise area, and especially one called The Conceptual Side of Weight Lifting. There's VERY good information in that thread about how to create a balanced weight lifting plan.

 

[Jynus]

To add to what kara says, your weight routine is aweful. Full body compound movements are what should be the core of your workout. Google westside for skinny bastards 3, or starting strength. Or read "The conceptual side of weight lifting" in the exercise subforum. Pic one and this is your new resistance training template. So drop the curls and situps, they are garbage.

 

[harshathlete]

Hey all,


Before eating dinner, right after work, I usually go to the gym and run on the tredmil. I'm usually running a mile or so at a decent pace (I think it's about 7-8 min miles).

I do 100 situps in the morning and 100 situps in the evenings.

ggsherma

In my experience, doing 200 situps a day is a waste of time. You cannot spot reduce my friend! The only way you are going to get a flat tummy is by burning the fat stored over your abs. And for me, doing 45 mins to an hour of cardio 4-5 times a week has been the answer.

I don't have a six-pack yet, mind you , but I measure my waist every week and it has been consistently getting smaller with weekly cardio and of course a low fat diet.

You seem to be in a good place since you are running 7-8 minute miles. But you are only running a mile. I would suggest running for 45 minutes at a much slower pace ( so an not to injure yourself and also recover faster ). If you were to run at a pace of 10-12 minute miles, you could easily go 3-4 miles in 45 minutes. That's around 300-500 calories you will burn extra.

And make sure you eat breakfast. You might have a smaller lunch because you might be full from breakfast and that's OK.

Also when doing your resistance training, you need to train with purpose. ie. Dont just do curls, have a set plan and follow it. When the plan gets boring, change it around.

HTH,
Harsh