Oh to GRUMPY ONE
Sorry if I said "Ladies" I am sure I said it ... "BAD LISA"
Lisa (and others), It's okay. A guy that's on these boards for a while will encounter it enough to get used to it.
If no one minds someone doing things a bit differently with different goals, I'll keep posting. It would probably keep me honest. But I really don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.
My goals are to lose some body fat and to gain muscle. Specifically, to lose about 25 lbs of fat and gain 10 lbs of muscle before Sept. I started doing this about two months ago and am focusing on adding muscle first since its presence burns more calories and should account for a lb or two of fat lost through the summer by itself.
As summer hits, I'll most likely add pool work to my workout for cardio. Right now I'm doing a mix or stair-stepping and running on a treadmill for cardio.
I used to work out quite a bit until I was slowed by some injuries (caused by me being stupid) then moving around the world for work. I finally decided that enough-was-enough and that I needed to get back into working out again or I'd be a statistic.
I hit the gym three times a week. Well, I try to. I hit the office, do everything that can't wait then an hour or so later go to the on-site gym. Between 9-10:30 is its slowest time so that's when I prefer to go. I'm able to pick the music and normally don't have to wait for weights. Sometimes there are days when I just can't get out but those don't happen often.
My workout alternates. One day I'll do squats, benchpress and preacher curls and the next workout will be deadlifts, shoulder press and dumbbell flies. Every workout gets back extensions and situps. I've just noticed that I wasn't doing much with my calves so will be adding a standing calf raise.
I just noticed it this weekend and since I had to skip my workout on Thursday, I figured I'd give the calf raise a try on Fri. Today I could certainly feel where I was being deficient and expect that this will really help since I don't want to have gained muscle but still have skinny calves. Easily done at home with nothing more than a paperback novel if that's all that's available.
Because I'm lifting with the intent of getting stronger and building muscle, I've recently dropped the carbs and increased the protein. I'm aiming for under 100g of carbs per day (mostly in the first 8 hours) and 200g of protein (spread as evenly as I conveniently can) throughout the day. I'm aiming for about 2500-3000 calories per day for now, that'll drop once I've added a few more pounds of muscle. I also decided I needed extra vitamins and minerals. So, overall, I'm trying to drop about .5 - 1 lb /week at first, increasing later.
In the week or so since I've decided to drop the carbs and increase the protein, I've started making my own lunches as well. It used to be that lunch was usually leftovers but now I've started cooking for a bit on the weekend and freezing/refrigerating it until needed. Beef, chicken, pork, cauliflower, green beens and broccoli for now. Gonna get fresh spinach when it's available as well.
By making the components for my lunch all at once on the weekend, I'll spend more time figuring out what I want that day then I will getting it. There should be enough combinations that I won't get easily bored. And I'll have the flexibility of grabbing a bit more on workout days than on non-workout days.
I just lost 15 punds but when you are short, it makes a huge difference. Oh, and now I have bird legs! You know, the little old ladies you see at the beach who are thick through the middle and have stick legs? Well, mine are bigger than sticks but you get the picture!
Now all I need are a bunch of cats!
No offense to cat lovers - i love all animals!
. I've told my coworkers about this board and what a support it is for me. It's like being on a team and we're in it for the championships. 
Lisa I hope everything is ok with you and your entire family. I will pray for everyone.
GrumpyOne please do keep posting. You are doing an amazing job. Keep up the good work. You really inspire. 
