I am responding through a blog post because my reply is too long and tedious and it just seems like a better medium!
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| I realized I fit in clothes for 11 year olds. |
I got your link from a common friend and I want to help out! Just to site my credentials/short history:
I started working out October 2010 with a personal trainer. I had two sets of sessions with her. Although I did not renew my contract with her, I will never regret that experience - where I learned that limits are imaginary and women can lift weights (sometimes heavier that other men).
I started with 28% body fat (same height as you, 4'11'', I weighed 110 lbs). With my trainer, I gained a lot of confidence working with free weights -- that became a big part of my fitness journey because I am a firm supporter of "more muscles = less fat" (muscles burn more calories and therefore passively, indirectly, responsible for fat loss).
It was only when I started working out without a trainer that I learned how to eat properly from a male, professional body builder whom we now look up to and address as coach. That proved to be the most frustrating part of my journey to fat loss because counting calories is difficult; counting daily macronutrients is f*cking frustrating.
And then it was only mid this year when I found my food/nutrition balance. Although I no longer count calories, I always have a fair idea of how much I eat at a time and in a day. I learned how to enjoy more food and because of a lot of previous research and experience in structuring daily foods: I developed the habit of keeping myself away from "plain junk". I also know what my plate should look like when I eat. I know that grilled chicken breast is healthful and awesome and really, really tasty when cooked well... but I also know that I can only have one serving of it because that's worth 20g protein already, and I only need around 100g of protein in a day.
I'm still on my journey to reaching 17% BF but I really feel like I'm close. I've spent a good part of the year on strength training and muscle building. I feel like I have a solid base on that part, which is why I am now focusing on fat loss and muscle mass maintenance. I am happy to report that I lost 2 full pounds since October (I am now at 103lbs) and I attribute it to my new activity: four morning runs a week.
Not jogging/running for the sake of cardio. It's actual training for races. If my health will permit it, I will run a marathon on October 2012. Only to prove to myself that I can.
Here's an example of my good week mileage: http://www.thingswelovetohate.com/2011/11/first-15km-run-training-week-2-mileage.html
And here's an example of my actual weekly workout schedule: http://www.thingswelovetohate.com/2011/11/first-15km-run-training-week-3.html
It's a full week, yes, and I do not recommend that you follow it (at least not now). My schedule looks like how it does because I progressed to it. And besides, I want [more] muscle mass, right at this moment it doesn't seem like you do (the "fat loss" part on your 100 day challenge kinda gave it away :P).
I just want you to know that I've had the same frustrations (early this year to be precise when my weight yoyo'd back from 104 to 110 because of bad diet) and that you're doing a great job! Keep strong - and please do post a sample of what and how much you eat in a day - don't cheat :P - fat loss is 50% exercise and 50% diet. Some people can get away with 20% exercise and 80% diet, depending on their body type and how well structured their diet is.
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