[MiniMama]

As a longtime lurker on this site, I have wanted to post this question. However, I'm unsure if this is the place to do so....but here it goes.

I'm 5'5, 135 lbs. I eat small meals every 2-3-hrs....not always the best choices. Sometimes I give in to sugar cravings, especially ice-cream late nights, or a few chips. The later I'm awake the more tempted I am to snacking. I do good during the day however. I'm having trouble disciplining myself w/that. I know the more I give in, the more I'll crave....so who has a possible solution for that....besides just plain will-power & wiring my mouth shut after 7 (lol)?

I just learned about the HIIT on the tread, and have implemented that into my regular daily cardio. The majority of my workout is cardio. Twice a week I use 3-lb dumbells and resistance bands. The fitness ball bothers my back. Can't really lift heavy weight due to auto accident, and would not want to anyways because I've done the heavier weight under a certified-trainer, and I was looking like Baby-Swartzeneggar (sp). I don't like the bulk on me, it makes me look too masculine for my taste.

I'm interested in toning up more. But my main goal is to slim-down my naturally-muscular upper arms. I want the slender feminie arms that I had 3yrs ago. I am a female & I know that muscle is desirable for most due to many health reasons, aging, etc. But I still believe I can be healthy w/slender toned femine arms too.

I have about 1 1/2-inches of loose skin in the underarms. I am currently using the CLA & EC, ON Shakes & fasted-cardio. 60-min day on tread (30-mornings fasted & 30 evenings). Also difficulty falling asleep due to the caffeine I guess. I do take multi-vitamin, Omega-3,6,9 capsule & liquid, Biotin, iron, B-12, Vit-C, Calcium w/vit-D, 2-TBSP Flaxseed Meal day, tons of water (4 caffeine-free diet cokes a day also...I just gave up 6-8 caffeine diet cokes)....just empty calories there but I'm getting much better w/the sodas.

Sorry I can't post pics at this time. But can anyone suggest how I might accomplish my goal here? I think I would almost have to lose some muscle in the arms (scary thing to say on here...lol); or would I have to keep losing until desired weight is achieved, then tone the arms up? I'm fairly small & petite, but I have these big Serena Williams arms that I do not find attractive for my fairly-small frame. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

[acshadow]

to help with late night cravings, brush your teeth earlier and you will be less likely to cheat

[MiniMama]

Thx acshadow, that's a good tip....I'll do that.

[Arzi75]

Originally Posted by MiniMama

As a longtime lurker on this site, I have wanted to post this question. However, I'm unsure if this is the place to do so....but here it goes.

Hey MiniMama,

[Arzi75]

Originally Posted by MiniMama

Sometimes I give in to sugar cravings, especially ice-cream late nights, or a few chips.

That sounds awfully too familiar. Sweltering hot summer nights with a tub of ice-cream - a BAD combo, but it tastes so good!

In all seriousness, I have noticed that it takes will-power for a week or two - after you have managed to go week or two without, you'd amazed how quick your body will forget the addiction you have developed by making the choice to consume those snacks and acclimatized your body to that extra sugar.

By making the opposite choices your body will be become de-acclimatized - freed from that addiction - just as quick. But for that one or so week, in my mind, yes, you need to exert some will-power.

[CROWLER]

Do more cardio then if you do give into the cravings you haven't really made things as bad.


CROWLER

[stxnas]

Welcome!

Lots of good suggestions here.

If you do find that are cheating too often I would suggest trying some Healthy Cheat Foods Low Carb Chips: Low Carb Chip Mix (3 lb) By Healthy Cheat Foods

A little salsa probably wouldn't hurt either. This isn't an end all answer, but it will help on those nights that you cave to your cravings

[MakaveliThaDon]

You could also try popping some form of hoodia at night at around 7 or so.

[MentalTwitch]

DRink Green Tea alot. I was at 3 cups a day and noticed more tone. I was also at cardio 2x a week and a "lighter" diet, not much though.

EDIT: Not sure about Arizona and all those brands but i am talking Green Tea packets. Especially before a run, and then right after.

[rpen22]

Originally Posted by MentalTwitch

DRink Green Tea alot. I was at 3 cups a day and noticed more tone. I was also at cardio 2x a week and a "lighter" diet, not much though.

EDIT: Not sure about Arizona and all those brands but i am talking Green Tea packets. Especially before a run, and then right after.

Have you tried adding Liquid Sucralose to your GT? That's what I'm drinking right now.

[MentalTwitch]

Originally Posted by rpen22

Have you tried adding Liquid Sucralose to your GT? That's what I'm drinking right now.

No but maybe ill give it a shot....thanks man.

Are you just adding this for taste? If so I don't need it. I usually put the packet in my mouth after i drink th cupp to to get ALL of it...hahaha yea a bit crazy but its so pure. I almost ripped one open once and just ate it to see how it went....still havent tried it.

[MiniMama]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

This is great advice. I am going to follow all your suggestions as much as possible; I know you guys/gals are the real-deal. Thanks so much for all your suggestions.

ARZI75 I'm going to do my best to commit to exerting will power.....I know that's really key to getting & staying fit.

Makavelithadon I take it the hoodia is to help w/falling asleep? I've never tried it.

MentalTwitch...I completely forgot about the green-tea. I have plenty of the bags also. I'll start w/that tomorrow morning.

Crowler Pretty clever.....that's exactly what I keep trying to do....but I've been trying to burn the additional after cheating versus prior...right now I think I'm just breaking even, so now I'm going to follow your suggestion.

Stxnas Good looking out!!! I'll replace my unhealthy snacks w/a couple of healthy cheats....and hopefully I won't like them if I get that urge. I've cleaned-out my cupboards & frig b4 (of the unhealthy snacks), but only to replace them w/worse. So I'll try replacing my chips & ice-cream for healthier versions.....for now....just incase.

Hope I didn't miss ne1. I can't thank you all enough...really!!!

[MakaveliThaDon]

Originally Posted by MiniMama

Thanks for the warm welcome.

This is great advice. I am going to follow all your suggestions as much as possible; I know you guys/gals are the real-deal. Thanks so much for all your suggestions.

ARZI75 I'm going to do my best to commit to exerting will power.....I know that's really key to getting & staying fit.

Makavelithadon I take it the hoodia is to help w/falling asleep? I've never tried it.

MentalTwitch...I completely forgot about the green-tea. I have plenty of the bags also. I'll start w/that tomorrow morning.

Crowler Pretty clever.....that's exactly what I keep trying to do....but I've been trying to burn the additional after cheating versus prior...right now I think I'm just breaking even, so now I'm going to follow your suggestion.

Stxnas Good looking out!!! I'll replace my unhealthy snacks w/a couple of healthy cheats....and hopefully I won't like them if I get that urge. I've cleaned-out my cupboards & frig b4 (of the unhealthy snacks), but only to replace them w/worse. So I'll try replacing my chips & ice-cream for healthier versions.....for now....just incase.

Hope I didn't miss ne1. I can't thank you all enough...really!!!

No, hoodia is an appetite suppressant. You mentioned you had cravings late at night. So I thought maybe taking an app suppressent like hoodia at around 7 at night would help out those cravings at night.

[MentalTwitch]

Originally Posted by MakaveliThaDon

No, hoodia is an appetite suppressant. You mentioned you had cravings late at night. So I thought maybe taking an app suppressent like hoodia at around 7 at night would help out those cravings at night.

HAve you ever tried it? I am always curious to how good it is. Also there are so many manufacturers, does Extract % or anything like that get involved. I may give it a shot soon if its good stuff. For some reason i always doubted it....?

[MakaveliThaDon]

I have tried it. And to my surprise it really did work. But you have to take it fairly consistently throughout the day. Like for instance, one dose in the afternoon won't last you through the entire rest of the day and through the night until you go to bed. I took it morning, mid afternoon, and then AGAIN when I got home from the gym at around 7 or 8 to last me through the night til I went to bed.

Also I decided to do the mega hoodia from NOW foods, since I have always had good luck with there products. They generally make solid products IMO.

That's my two cents on it anyways