Weight-Loss Dietary Help for Weight Loss and Building Muscle

[chelseasikoebs]

I am in need of some dietary guidelines to follow for weight loss. I've read some of the posts, but would like to still share what I've been doing and what my goals are and see what route I should be taking as there are a few conflicting opinions in the posts. That doesn't mean I won't get conflicting opinions here, too, I guess, but maybe with more specific details, there would be more specific answers? What I am doing currently is trying to keep my daily caloric intake right around 1,300, my sugar consumption at or below 5g per meal, and Weight Watchers points in the range of 26-31. (They calculate points by taking calories per meal divided by 50 plus grams of fat per meal divided by 12. If the fiber content is 3g (I think) or above, you’re allowed to subtract 1 point.) There are two times each day that I do not follow the sugar content rule: 1) when I eat a protein bar post-workout (18g) and 2) when I eat a popsicle as a snack before bed (12g). I have read that 30 minutes pre-workout you should eat a 3:1 carb-to-protein ratio meal, and post-workout a 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio meal. So, for breakfast I have grits and an egg, go workout, and then have that protein bar. But, I don’t know what to do with the rest of the day! Or even if what I read for eating before and after working out is appropriate. There are a couple obstacles for me: 1) I’m a vegetarian and 2) I’m a picky eater! Technically, I call myself a carbivore, because I really don’t like veggies. I just don’t eat meat. No fish or poultry either. I do, however, eat eggs and dairy. And, the veggies I do eat are the starchy ones (potatoes, carrots, peas, corn). So… my best bet is to just go by how many carbs vs. protein vs. fat I should be consuming each day and try to fit foods I will eat into that equation. I just don’t know what the equation is! My first goal is to lose 48 lbs and build muscle. I currently do an hour of weight-lifting with machines M/W/F and 20-30 minutes cardio T/W/Th. My legs, back, and abs are very strong; but my arms are not. I’m a 30-year old female standing 5’6” and currently weighing in at 247 lbs. What dietary guidelines would work best for me to shed those pounds and tone up/get stronger? Also, I would love to know why as well. For example, why should one eat a 3:1 ratio pre-workout and a 2:1 post-workout? How does it work? THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!!!!