Weightloss....ugh!

OK... so I finally went and signed up for this new gym that just opened up around my way. The $19/mo special ends this week so the time has come for me to finally get up off my you know what and get the track body back that I miss so much. Although there are some problems.

I am not all big on that not telling your age and weight crap like most women so here goes to the world my weight journey.

Growing up... I couldnt pay anyone to make me gain weight, and my grandma used to say I had a tape worm because I ate so much and didnt gain any weight. But I ran track since the age of 4, so no matter what I ate, it was always immediately burned off. By the age of 15 I got the legendary Horton family track legs...but everything else was still skinny as hell on me as you can see here from my prom pic senior year. I got that dress taken in like 3 times, and that mess was still was too big the night of the prom. I think I was 131 lbs when I graduated from high school.In college I gave up on track, but the body still stayed throughout my entire 4 years there. I was at a steady 138 for most of my college years. This is 2003 in Miami (A couple weeks after I graduated from college)So even though I rarely worked out, and ate like a freakin horse the nastiest and greasiest food, because the cafe food at North Carolina A&T, although it tastes sooooo good, I'm sure has taken a couple years off all our lives. I still didn't gain not a bit of weight. Still skinny as all heck. The 6-pack lost most of its definition but the stomach was still flat. After college I started making a little money and didn't have to eat ramen noodles and the 99cent menu at Wendy's so I went up to about 143 by the middle of 2004.

Then I moved to NY in Labor Day weekend of 2004. Going from driving all the time, to walking all the time will make you lose weight. I think I went down to 138. In 2005, I went to the bahamas and I was still about that weight.Then I went into the New Year of 2006 letting the guy who I had been on and off with for, since the end of 2001, that I finally wasnt putting up with his ish no more... He was also a bit part of the reason I couldn't gain any weight all the stress he put me threw. Anyway, I don't know if it was a little bit of depression or the fact that I was still eating like I was in college and just didn't have a boyfriend stressing me out... but I gained a helluva lot of weight that year. I got to 165 pounds in 5 months because this picture was taken mothers day weekend in atlanta of that year.But I wasn't bitter at all, I was loving it. For the first time I had a little bit of boobs and I had got a little booty. You couldn't tell me nothing. The only thing is my 6-pack... gone! So I started working out just to tone, and not trying to lose any weight at all. I was liking my new bootylicious shape.

Actually that's a lie, I decided to take my mom to Turks & Caicos for Labor Day weekend that year so right after that pic was taken I started working out to get in bikini body mode. I think I did pretty well... and was about 150 when we went on the trip.














When I got back I refused to work out for a while. Then in December I decided to go to Jamaica in March of 2007, I think from January until I left for the trip the gym saw me about once of week. I was more like 157 on this trip. So as you can see the stomach was a little chubby.For the remainder of 2007 I think I topped off at around 160, and was about 157 when I went to hawaii last month. You already saw those pics so no need to revisit there. Then I had the flu a couple weeks ago and lost 7 pounds. That week I got off the flu the scale said 150. I was like whoa, that's all I need to lose weight is to get sick. Problem is... None of my clothes fit anymore. The sickness did not give me my 6-pack back... it took the little bit of booty I had away. I'm looking back there like what happened... NOOOO... all the cheeseburgers I ate to get that thing and one little sickness and its gone. I just weighed myself this morning and it says 155. So that means I gained some of my weight back now that I have an appetite again, but it aint where I want since my butt is still looking quite slim.

Makes me want to get that surgery where they suck the fat from the places you dont want it and put it where you do. I would get a little cellulite taken from my thighs and some stomach fat and have them put it right into my buttocks.

Anyway, anyone out there got any advice on how I can get my booty back without looking fat all over. I want to get the 6-pack back and tone the legs, since its about to be summer and I like to bring them out quite a bit during those months; but everytime I start working out, my booty is the first thing to go. Help please....

My height 5'8... Ideal weight for me right now would be 145 (So I have 10 pounds to lose) I want to tone my legs and stomach, but get the little bit of booty I had back. What do I have to eat and what should my work out regimen consists of?

37 comments

i.can't.complain. March 15, 2008 at 11:19 AM

hey eb,

i do squats every other nite.

dunno if its working

but if u asked me

im looking a lil' more plump back there.

most of my male friends are gay.

and the majority of said friends have cheeks for days.

....but, im sure ure not trying 2 go that route.

lol.

hope the squats help.

-1-

Eb the Celeb March 15, 2008 at 11:23 AM

Girl,
I will take squats for 100 Alex... your other option ain't even an option... my behind has exit only tattooed on it!
But thanks though...LOL!

Jackie E. March 15, 2008 at 12:13 PM

LOL...at your last comment! Anyway, I can tell you for sure that one of the best exercises out there to tone up your butt and thigh area is squats. You don't have to lift too heavy if you don't want to and you can just hold some 10 or 15 lb dumbbells in your hands to start out with if you are at a gym and do about 3-4 sets of 10. The second tried and true exercise is lunges. Maybe use 5lb dumbbells to start out with, and step forward to a lunge on one leg, push back to feet together and then do the other leg. Keep alternating until you have done 6-8 each leg and try to do 3 sets. For your stomach area, aside from doing regular sit ups, if you are at a gym and they have swiss balls, have one of the trainers show you how to do some exercises on there. It really isolates your ab muscles and I think it's better than just regular sit ups. And then just for losing weight in general, aside from eating 4-5 small meals a day (speed up your metabolism), you have to do some type of cardio - stadium stairs if you have access, or run 100m, walk 100m for 4-6 laps (since you're a track girl), or if you're just in a gym, on the treadmill or bike, do like a fast 30 sec and then a slower 1 minute for recovery for about 15 minutes total time and then build up the time as you get more fit. Those are my best tips to start out with. Hope it helps!!! Sorry for the length of the post.

Brianna March 15, 2008 at 12:47 PM

Ok well Jackie already beat me to the punch as far as advice from a "track girl." :) so yea...what she says. And I would just say that along with squats even do single leg squats (one leg back on a bench or something) because that isolates the glutes even more. And have you ever heard of fire hydrants?...you look like a dog peeing...anyway, something you can even do at home but excercizes like that target that area.

Any type of "track" workout will tone you and give your stomach definition so if you are willing enough to visit the oval, do that. Aaaand, going up stairs, hills, etc. is always going to help out the legs and butt area...not to mention making you sore as hell!

Brianna March 15, 2008 at 12:59 PM

i forgot to say something about diet...

it's hard to say without knowing how your diet is now. but definitely DON'T starve yourself. more meals, smaller sizes, healthier options. and don't cut out carbs, but usually people eat too much of them.

Jackie E. March 15, 2008 at 1:36 PM

By the way Eb, I'm going to North Carolina A & T for a track meet in April. I was there last year, and that track was FANTASTIC. I wouldn't miss it for the world this year!

Anonymous March 15, 2008 at 3:25 PM

Shoot the last time I saw the 140s/150s was during my military days. I'm about to sign up for The Biggest Loser to get me in boot camp shape.

Until then...I'm just sticking to running. I usually run a 5k (3.10) three days a week. On my tired days, I just run 2 miles as fast as I can. I saw this great workout for the back area on t.v. the other day and it really burns.

You take a dumbell and hold it in one hand, lower that hand to the ground keeping on leg straight and kick the other leg out behind you. Lift the hand with the weight and lower your leg at the same time. Do about 3 sets of 10-15.

Another is to put your arms on (either the bed, table or something to keep you at waist level) kind of turn your body to one side, kick on leg out behind you and bring it back to touch your elbow, then kick it back out. Try for 3 sets of 10-15.

Hope you are able to get a good visual...lol. I've done both of these and felt it working something serious. Lunges and squats hurt my knees so this is the route I take. Best wishes.

Nicole March 15, 2008 at 3:35 PM

I agree with the others...running, lunges, and squats. They did it for me early last year until I hurt my knee and had to have surgery. It seems like you build muscle easily and shouldn't have any trouble. And maybe your 6-pack is still there but just a little hidden.

Anonymous March 15, 2008 at 4:20 PM

Chile, I know you looking for tips but a sista is gonna steal a few of these from ya. I started running last summer and when it got cold, I stopped. I wanna pick it back up this spring along with some other actual bonafide exercises.

Let me know how it goes cuz I'd like a lil more junk in my trunk.

I'm 5'7" and last weigh in was about 145. I'd like to shave off another 10 though.

Keep me posted. Good luck!

Brittany March 15, 2008 at 4:35 PM

Wish I wasn't so lazy. I need to tone up a bit too. I need a workout partner.

A Beautifulstruggle March 15, 2008 at 7:03 PM

Omg I just posted about this. I don't have any suggestions. I'll just steal yours.

The Jaded NYer March 15, 2008 at 8:30 PM

squats? WORD? I'm all over it...

Eb- 10 lbs, girl...you got that. don't even sweat it (says the girl taking too long to lose 15...)

Eb the Celeb March 15, 2008 at 9:29 PM

@jackie - yeah they re-did the track when I was there... the best traction and resistance of any track in NC in my opinion

Desy March 15, 2008 at 11:24 PM

i have been the same since around junior year in high school- but i ditto britt... definately need to tone up

Ms.Seven Supa Sized March 16, 2008 at 12:39 AM

Ohhh the struggle. I agree with the above. Squats and lunges do it. The elliptical machine will do it too.

G-Sweet March 16, 2008 at 12:47 AM

*perverted stare* in the direction of the 165 lb. EB

personally i dont think u need to lose any weight... ur good... just tone up what ya got...

145 seems too slim... but i know u know ur body better than me!

and yea squats seem to be the word on the street... get it!

Eb the Celeb March 16, 2008 at 9:03 AM

I completely forgot about fire hydrant. ewe I used to hate them damn thangs, but they definitely might just do the trick

@Seven- the elliptical machine is what I live on at the gym... me and treadmills have a hate relationship... reminds me to much of running and doing that crap all my life makes me hate running with a passion now. The elliptical though, I can go to work on that thing all day

@Smitty - yeah the brothas was feeling me back then, maybe that's the reason I aint got no man now... but if my mama saw the pic she would call me all kinds of big...lol

and we know... mama is always right!

Brianna March 16, 2008 at 1:01 PM

Eb...if you do the elliptical (which I also prefer to the treadmill), try doing it at the higher inclines, this will target the glute area more and firm it up.

Sweet Intent March 16, 2008 at 1:55 PM

Girl, you don't know skinny...I graduated from high school at a whoppin' 115. I didn't hit 130 until I was a junior in college and like you, I was so happy to finally have a little booty.

I hate to repeat what everyone else is saying but I do squats with weights every other day. I also do the stepmaster at the gym! Hard work but does wonders for my figure! I have been slacking for the last 2 weeks but your post has inspired me to get back in the gym!

Mizrepresent March 16, 2008 at 5:56 PM

This is all great advice Eb, especially the squats stuff, like you, i was sick with a stomach virus first and the flu right after and have managed to lose 10lbs...now it's 10 i don't mind losing, but then again, all my pants are baggy now, i dropped from a size 10 to an 8...had to go out and buy new stuff, nothing wrong with it, except...i miss some things, so i got to work on some things for awhile to feel like myself again. Go'on girl, you can do it, but i say toning is more important now than losing weight!

Adei von K March 16, 2008 at 6:31 PM

squats and sit-up. squats for the booty, sit-ups for the tummy. i think those are the only exercises black women should do!

Eb the Celeb March 16, 2008 at 6:42 PM

@brianna - yeah I usually do 1 mile flat, 1 mile on incline, and my last mile flat again... I gotta push myself to do the incline more definitely

@simply complex - girl I ran track so it was all muscle and muscle weighs more...as you can see from the pics (especially the prom one) I was a toothpick... and never looked like I weighed 130...but its was muscle on top of bone...LOL

James Tubman March 16, 2008 at 10:33 PM

i think you look cute as a big gurl

Eb the Celeb March 16, 2008 at 11:48 PM

@G-Sweet- Aahhhhhhhh.... I did, OMG... I am so so so sorry... doing too many damn things at once... with a million windows open commenting on others peoples and checking mine at the same time.

PLEASE FORGIVE ME BABE... you know I got nothin but love for ya... I should go back and delete it but its kinda funny..LOL!

I will take sleeping on the couch tonight for that...LOL

Eb the Celeb March 16, 2008 at 11:54 PM

DAMN I CANT BELIEVE I DID THAT...

MY PLAYA SKILLS ARE SLIPPIN!

Unknown March 17, 2008 at 10:48 AM

*taking notes*

Girl I'm trying to tone and get a booty too...lunges and squats seem to be where its at!!

12kyle March 17, 2008 at 11:26 AM

I think all of the ladies have made some valid points. I agree with G. I don't think that you need to lose weigh...just tone it up. But you know your body better than anybody else. Everybody has laid out the format. You know what to do. Do it. You have our support.

Shai March 17, 2008 at 2:03 PM

Gurl, I hate those weight charts. Ugh I am a lil over 5'6" and I was between 125 and 130 when I graduated. I was a stick! Folks thought I weighed less. LOL. I did not have a gut and it was not flat.

So 2 years later I get pregnant. My starting weight was 138, still nice size. I gained liked 30lbs pregnant. I had only 10 left to lose after birth. I gained instead of lost and now I am around 180. Folks still don't believe it. I don't look my weight at times.

My weight should go no higher than 167 and that weight looked good on me. Trying to lose 10-15lbs for me is no joke. I never had to lose like this.

Good luck to you.

CassavaLeaf.com March 17, 2008 at 4:26 PM

Im vegan....and a couple of my friends joined me and it works!

Still Patrice March 18, 2008 at 8:55 AM

Squats huh?! I need to lose about 15-20lbs before i go to New Orleans in 3 weeks. So that's what? 5-7lbs a week. I'll be hitting the gym like crazy. Otherwise I'd be an oompa loompa by time i get through eating! lol

so keep us posted!

CC Solomon March 18, 2008 at 11:19 AM

Sorry I hope I'm not repeating any advice but I couldn't read all the comments right now. But I say, cut back on sweets, and do high impact cardio mixed with weights for about 45-75 minutes 3-4 times a week. You'll see best results if you do a set of cardio stop and do weights then do cardio and end with wieghts/toning (the airball is great for stomach excercises). that worked well for me. I dropped 15 pounds (just 10 more to go) and increasing my cardio helped (I tried to start running, emphasis on tried but have leveled off at a three minute run, 1 minute walk rinse and repeat).

The Fitness Diva March 18, 2008 at 12:46 PM

Hey, Eb, thanks for stopping by my Sex and Fitness blog. All the stuff I put on there is the real deal and it works.
It's so funny that you mentioned hydrants, because I had my morning conditioning class doing them today. It was a throwback to the "Buns of Steel" videos, and we joked about how horrific when we did them for the first time!
Another thing that will tone you up besides the lunges, squats and various other things mentioned is kickboxing. The real kickboxing, not Tae Bo. Impact makes all the difference. Years ago when I was looking to lose weight, I joined karate school and then got into straight KB. It was then that I noticed the biggest difference in the shape and tone of my legs.
I was hitting the boxing gym 3 to 4 times a week. That was all it took. Toned up my whole body something fierce!
Good luck to you on your mission.
You'll get it done, I'm sure!

LadyWritesTheBlues March 18, 2008 at 4:33 PM

I'm with you, I need to lose about ten, I think (smimsuit season is unforgiving!)

I don't know if I've ever had a stomach like yours -guess I should've run track, eh? lol.

I think squats will do the trick for the bottom....

Monie March 19, 2008 at 2:49 PM

Good luck with this Eb! Imma try these damn squats. Since I started losing weight my booty has been lacking too. Jesus wept.

Suite B March 21, 2008 at 5:19 PM

I wanna slap you for this post. I should post a pic of my stomach and I bet that would scare your behind to the gym. I don't mind my arms, I'm love my legs, but this stomach of mine looks like something on a 40 year old man that likes donuts and beer. Thanks for the post it is going to make me go and work out TODAY...O.K. MAYBE TOMORROW

Suite B March 21, 2008 at 5:19 PM

I wanna slap you for this post. I should post a pic of my stomach and I bet that would scare your behind to the gym. I don't mind my arms, I'm love my legs, but this stomach of mine looks like something on a 40 year old man that likes donuts and beer. Thanks for the post it is going to make me go and work out TODAY...O.K. MAYBE TOMORROW

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