A Few Questions

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone!

I must also concur with the women who don't post much but read read

read - you women are amazing and a great support for those of us out

there trying to do this! Thank you so much!

I have a few questions:

First one: I'm on C2W5D2. On the first challenge, I lost about 15

lbs - starting at 176 ending at 161 (I'm 5'5 " ). On this one I've

lost another 4-5 lbs (I don't check frequently - but did for the

first time before my last free day). Overall, I'm pretty pleased

but I'm feeling like I'm stalling out a bit (and it could be my

expectations are not matching my reality). One of the things that

I'm doing is taking dance classes 5 days a week on top of the HIIT

and the weights (which I do religiously). I haven't really adjusted

the amount of food I'm eating that much but I'm wondering if I

should add a little bit since I'm pretty active. About one day a

week, the dance class is pretty hardcore intensive - lots and lots

of sweating. I only ask because my energy level isn't quite where I

like for it to be (I have to keep up with my very active 5 year old -

and we're homeschooling - so I REALLY need my energy). What I'd

like to add to my nutrition is more green veggies - would that

help?

Second: I had been eating protein bars every day and I recently

read (on this group) that sometimes those bars can hamper progress.

So, I am currently phasing out the bars and going to more whole

foods. Does that sound like I'm heading in the right direction?

Third: My husband and I are going to try to conceive in a few

months - I want to be in optimal shape preconception - and stay in

shape throughout the pregnancy (I'm a wannabe midwife (one day I'll

get there) and know that good fitness leads to easier (and possibly

shorter) labors). So, all that said, I'm trying really hard to

phase out all processed foods, including protein powders and the

like and go with more whole, organic foods. Any suggestions in that

department? So far, I'm doing more cottage cheese and using cottage

cheese and yogurt as a shake base for the protein.

And Lastly: In my first challenge, on my LBWO, I used the machines -

but now I feel ready to move on to free weights. I was thinking

about doing the squats on the squat bars but am pretty unsure of

even where to begin weight wise. My highest weight on the leg

extension (Body Masters) was 100 pounds - 110 pounds on the leg

curls. Any advice you women could give would be sooooo appreciated!

Thanks for reading this tome!!!

Peace,