Arms, lower/upper back ( depending on where you grab the bar), it also hits your abs a bit

Thanks you too! I love Diet Coke the most, but all diet drinks!! I can't help it! Diet coke is calorie free, but the caffeine is no good at all, and the chemicals wooo!

Lol I had a crappy weekend, because its my weekend to get all the bad food out of the way before starting a fresh tomorrow (Monday) I have a yoga class booked for tomorrow and I packed a health lunch

I weighed myself at the gym this morning and I am down 2.2 pounds. I am 170 lbs right now but I am noticing my skin is toning up. I also have more energy, focusing better in lectures, and sleeping better now.

Chris,

what is the best way to determine maximum fat burning range for your heart rate? I know there are generic calculators, but I want it to be effective, that is the only reason I am doing cardio, to burn fat.

I did get a heart rate monitor and love it. The problem is I like to push it, and I know you can get into the more muscle building range, than fat burning.

Today was a good mail day (see WDYBT in Fashion Fashion). I'm a little sad though, because the skirt is a little too big (well, it actually fits perfectly but I'm worried it'll be too loose in spring) and the top is a little too small (fits fine, but I'll have to wear a cami underneath it and I always feel 10lbs+ heavier when I add a tissue tank).

I get bummed shopping because it's hard to find cute clothes that are my style (feminine/vintage/prep) because of my body type. I've got reallly broad shoulders, so I'll find a super cute top with cap sleeves or some sort of embellishment on the shoulder and I can't wear it Babydoll often looks like maternity ware too... Scoop neck/sweetheart often looks great, but it'll be so low that I can't wear it out in public.

There is a happy medium for fat burning, and when you go balls out its more for cardio.

Here is a great article to figure out what your heart rate should be for optimal fat burning

The Truth About the Fat Burning Zone - Your Target Heart Rate

Callire you look great! But I agree the skirt needs to come up. It's cool that you already have a style! Mine is somewhere between jean festish weirdo and lazy work out wear. Terrible, I know. I'm going to a b-day party tomorrow and think I have a great outfit... I might post

Ah! So I've been doing push ups! I started at 6, then 10, and tonight I did 3 reps of 5. hahah low, I know, but my arms and pecs are killing me. I'm so proud !!! My diet has been "good." Not great, but nothing that I'm not proud of. Over all I'd say I've improved a lot and have been really great about logging in my calories. Weight wise I'm down about 3lbs *I think* I'm going to do a proper weigh in tomorrow. This means I'm 7lbs away from my goal weight I'm already noticing a difference in how my pants fit (less muffin).

thanks Chris! I went to Barnes & Noble, trying to read a few books about it, but it seemed like there are a bunch of different philosophies

From what i hear, not much fat is burned during cardio. Instead it is burned throughout the rest of the day by your metabolism, and it would be advantageous to do cardio that will stimulate your metabolism (high intensity interval training) and early in the day that way your metabolism work throughout the day. Basically you sprint for 15 seconds and slow it down to a light jog or walk for 45 seconds and repeat for about 15 minutes.

Obvious you probably do not want to listen to me because I am trying to gain weight. 135 to 155 in 1.5 months, 5 lbs probably from creatine and the rest from newbie gains. Mind you i am 6 ft tall so i was SKINNY.

I'm down four pounds from my original weight... I've been loosing pretty slowly, but I think that's better than my initial 6 pound drop because I don't think I'll gain it back as quickly. Still 4 pounds away from my first goal... but it's pretty exciting!

Also: Wish me luck! I'm going home this weekend and its going to be really hard to stay on track since all my parents want to do is feed me We'll go out for chinese or something fun, but then I think I'll be able to hold back.

good luck! also remember, if it isn't your ideal situation, then try to keep your portions smaller and just enjoy the flavor, also with Chinese, sometimes I'll try to eat just as many vegetables as chicken or beef or whatever, just so that I can get satisfied on those as well

So I'm a little disapointed in my weight loss. I was hoping that by the end of january to be under a certain weight and I am not.

BUT, I am in pretty darn good shape! I've improved my cardio about 10 folds (i'm working on the elipitcal in the am and the treadmill at night). I've also been slowly increasing the numbers of push ups I can do. Because I still can't do a normal sit up I've started doing bum-ups to target my lower abs at least. I really want to start my pilates but I'm going to push it back 1 more week before I try. I don't want to make my injury worse!

I've also been excellent at counting calories and staying under x amount. I'm hoping to see some pounds fall off in the next couple of weeks

This week I am going to be lacking in the exercise department because I caught a cold and feel terrible. I also don't want to go to the gym and spead the virus else where. I am trying to eat my fruit and veggies, even though I feel blah and don't feel like eating.

^aww well rest is def most important for you right now!
poor sweetie! drink lots of juice!!! <3 hope u feel better!

I've actually been quite good w/ my exercisers I've ran twice this week! and I've been doing yoga in the morning! and I'm attempting to cut back on junk fo