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Maureen Healy's Bio

I was never what you would consider an athletic child. I took some dance classes on and off throughout middle school, but never played a team sport, and once I got to high school, I quit dance. The only form of exercise I got was walking to and from friend's houses-which stopped when we all got driver's licenses. No one in my immediate family was health-conscious, so working out was something that never even occurred to me.

 

A few years and many, many fast food meals later, I entered college at about 170 pounds. With a few minor changes in eating habits and some regular workouts during my last two years there, I graduated at about 145 pounds. Later, as an editor at Shape for a couple years, I formed healthier habits and found friends to work out with. I even worked with a trainer for a couple of months and became smaller and more fit than I'd been at 130 pounds.

But, during the last 10 years, I've indulged in high-fat convenience foods and traded workouts for couch time, resulting in a 45-pound weight gain. My cholesterol was borderline high for a while, and walking up a simple flight of stairs was taxing.

As a single woman, I'd like to settle down and eventually start a family, and let's just say I'm not at a "fighting weight." Also, my fatigue, disappointment in myself, and the ever-expanding sizes in my closet have really gotten to me, and I've made it my mission to regain my former figure.

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READER COMMENTS

my weight is 141lbs this is normal with my hieght but after deliverd my child my tummy was very over my diet is just 1 loaf in a day so why my is over

— sania

Trish - thanks for the suggestion about eating tons of lean protein. Your recommendation, though, means I'd only be eating fewer than 4 oz of protein per day, and that seems really low. I think I'm missing something. is the ratio of grams of protein to oz of protein the same? Would 454 grams (1 lb) of chicken breast translate into 454 grams of actual protein? Would appreciate a quick math lesson here :)
— Molly

Tee,
I am a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and I highly suggest eating TONS of lean protein in your diet to build muscle. Figure out your weight in kilograms and multiple your weight by 0.8-1.0. This is the low-high end of how many grams of protein your body needs. Chicken is a great way to get this protein. Chicken has a lot of protein, and when you eat skinless, boneless baked chicken there are little calories! Turkey is another great low cal high protein food. Be careful of peanut butter. It has a lot of protein, but a very high fat content! And protein shakes are okay, but try to get your nutrients from food first! Good luck!
— Trish

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