Gingernut's Shape Up - start pics page 1, finish pics page 6

Here is my Shape Up entry. I have already lost 24lbs over the last 5 months or so and am coming to the end of my fat loss plan. I intend to compete next summer so at the moment my goals are to get to a good starting weight for competition preparation, recover and maintain my weight trying gain a little muscle too. I have a history of losing weight, only to lose the plot and put it all back on again. So my main goal is not to undo the work I've already put in!
 
Photos
 
 
 


 

 

 
 
Stats:
 
Height 5'4" (just!)
Weight 9st 10lbs (down from 11st 6lb)
Bodyfat 19.3% 
Waist 29"
Hips (round top of pelvis) 34"
Upper Chest 37"
Under Bust 32"
Quads L 20.25" R 20.75"
Bicep L 12.25" R 12.50"
 
I am completely natural my only supplements will be green tea, CLA, protein powder and I may perhaps try a little creatine too.
 
Any constructive criticism or suggestions for areas for me to look at would be appreciated. I know I'd like to improve the way I stand for a start, so apologies for the poses!
 

good luck gingernut i wish u all the best off luck with your suc mind u with loosing 24 lbs in the past 5 months i think u don,t need luck pal welldone on that

good luck gingernut. hope you get those pics sorted

Good luck miss ginger nutty, you look gorgeous before you even start....nice quads by the way......

fabulous LEGS
 
good luck
 
gnarr im the blubberyist woman on the SUC so far...

Great shape already, good luck!

Great shape! Good luck

wow you look great already! definitely look like youve been training hard! i never imagined you look like that ...

gymbabeliz


wow you look great already! definitely look like youve been training hard! i never imagined you look like that ...

 
Thanks Liz, I've always trained on and off apart from a few periods when my alcohol problem took over when I susbsequently became weak as a kitten(not to mention a bloated mess). I try me best.
 
For now my training consists of 50 mins low intensity cardio 5 mornings per week, plus 4 afternoons lifting 40 mins followed by another 20 mins cardio again. Using a diet given to me by Healthy Action which is low carb, high protein with plenty of good fats. I cheat probably 2 evenings a week and was so tired last night I didn't have my cottage cheese at bedtime. I fell asleep in front of the fire and only just managed to get myself up stairs to bed. Bit stupid really since a detour into the kitchen would have probably meant a little more energy this morn!
 
 

Glad you managed to get photos sorted, good luck with this!

wow thats a lot of cardio - so you must eat a lot to stay so muscley?
 
keep on keeping on
 

Mergal
 
I had a lot of fat to lose, like 2 stones!!!!Hence the cardio, but yes I eat every 2-3 hours. Something like;
 
Cardio
Meal 1 8.30am
Mid morning shake + fruit 11am
Meal 2 1pm
Mid afternoon shake +fruit 3.30pm
Dinner 6 -7pm ish
Another shake plus a few other things 8.30pm
Then some slow digesting protein before bed
 
You can add in pre and post workout shakes on lifting days...................today I've felt terrible and was trying to talk myself into a cheat, but I really couldn't envisage eating junk at all - just wanted a shake and a yogurt and it's passed now. Very wierd indeed.
 
Oh and I've been oggling my back photos, didn't notice at first how much muscle is lurking there. Am pleased!

good luck and well done on already losing so much

I have just decided I have the smallest boobs of any of the female entrants I am going to be using my chicken fillets in my bikini, rather than eating them at this rate.

Good luck

gingernut


I have just decided I have the smallest boobs of any of the female entrants I am going to be using my chicken fillets in my bikini, rather than eating them at this rate.

 
Mine are fake

Mine are just as small, I just arch my back a lot!!!

I didn't expect you to look like that either! Great starting point!
Awesome Quads in particular, but clearly some nice width and thickness in your back
Only real area for improvement is a bit more Hamstring and Glute needed (only highlighted because your Quads are so flippin' awesome!)

Good luck matey!!!

flick161


Mine are just as small, I just arch my back a lot!!!

I didn't expect you to look like that either! Great starting point!
Awesome Quads in particular, but clearly some nice width and thickness in your back
Only real area for improvement is a bit more Hamstring and Glute needed (only highlighted because your Quads are so flippin' awesome!)

Thank you. I was flexing my back a bit, but not my hammies so that might be one reason for why they don't look as developed. I have actually been concentrating on leg size however it's been mostly quads, rather than the back I've been working on. Hopefully glute thrusts will help bring these up. Also wondering if my glutes could be flat because of the dieting, will find out when I have a rest in a few weeks.
 
Ta for all the nice muscley comments, means a lot because no-one says anything here. I'm usually the only female in the lifting room, and the blokes don't say a thing apart from one I banter with, but have missed him for a few weeks.

Guys rarely do.. incase you might shatter their ego's ;-)