flygirlsarah
New member
what if i cut my workouts down to 40 mins (instead of my usual 1 hour).. but really worked out hard.. would that be better.. or worse???
better or worse? HELP
- Thread starter flygirlsarah
- Start date
missmelissa
New member
Interval
Totally go for the interval training. It maximizes calorie burn and helps build your endurance too!
Totally go for the interval training. It maximizes calorie burn and helps build your endurance too!
flygirlsarah
New member
thanks for the help guys!!
sirant
New member
Can you run?
Now don't take that the wrong way, obviously anyone can run with the right motivation (hungry tiger nipping at their heels for example), but are you able to run for fitness? Some can, some can't, some simply wont. Different strokes.
But I gotta say, I am finding the best success (2-4 pounds a week consistently) since I started running 25-30km a week. I used to hate the very idea of running and thought joggers were morons. However, based on soooooo many of the success stories here and other places, running seems to be far to valuable a tool to ignore. Since you are already closer to your goals than most, your body may be able to handle running easier than others. So far all the biggest success stories I have heard of incorporate running more often than not.
Now running is my primary exercise. I used to do tae bo 3X week, weight training 3X week, yoga and pilates and core exercises thrown in for good measure. I was working out 2-3 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whereas I felt good and was getting fitter, I wasn't losing weight as fast as I had hoped. However now I have pretty much stopped all of the above exercises in exchange for running 5-10km 5-6 times a week and have hit a weight lower than I have been in 25 years! I really believe running is making the difference.
Now like I said, running isnt for everyone. But after seeing how much you are struggling maybe it is worth a shot. Since you aren't obese your knees won't be at risk like bigger folk and it may just kick start things for you. I know for me running has changed my life, literally. I feel like a giant a$$ for not taking advantage of this exercise years ago.
Might be worth a shot.
sirant
Now don't take that the wrong way, obviously anyone can run with the right motivation (hungry tiger nipping at their heels for example), but are you able to run for fitness? Some can, some can't, some simply wont. Different strokes.
But I gotta say, I am finding the best success (2-4 pounds a week consistently) since I started running 25-30km a week. I used to hate the very idea of running and thought joggers were morons. However, based on soooooo many of the success stories here and other places, running seems to be far to valuable a tool to ignore. Since you are already closer to your goals than most, your body may be able to handle running easier than others. So far all the biggest success stories I have heard of incorporate running more often than not.
Now running is my primary exercise. I used to do tae bo 3X week, weight training 3X week, yoga and pilates and core exercises thrown in for good measure. I was working out 2-3 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whereas I felt good and was getting fitter, I wasn't losing weight as fast as I had hoped. However now I have pretty much stopped all of the above exercises in exchange for running 5-10km 5-6 times a week and have hit a weight lower than I have been in 25 years! I really believe running is making the difference.
Now like I said, running isnt for everyone. But after seeing how much you are struggling maybe it is worth a shot. Since you aren't obese your knees won't be at risk like bigger folk and it may just kick start things for you. I know for me running has changed my life, literally. I feel like a giant a$$ for not taking advantage of this exercise years ago.
Might be worth a shot.
sirant
sirant
New member
To a degree
I dont go to the gym anymore and do bench presses and flies and those kinds of things at all anymore. I do do pushups, crunches, squats and other home based body weight exercises however. But certainly I am not pumping iron as much or as regularly as I used to. I find the pilates and body weight stuff, 20 minutes, 1-3X a week or so is fine. I may start doing a little more again soon since it is going to get too hot to run daily here outside, so if I have to use the treadmill in the gym I will do a few sets while there.
But really, other than a few little things, yeah, I am off the weight lifting for the time being. I am losing weight sooo much faster now that I put my energy into running. Once I am down to my goal I will slow down the running and start pumping again to start scuplting and building. As Steve and so many others here have said, you cant build big muscles and lose weight at the same time. The energy equation simply isnt there. With all the running I am doing I am more than getting my leg, back and ab workouts anyways, so I am not too concerned about losing lean muscle mass.
I know many people think you absolutely must lift weights to lose fat, but I am seeing the exact opposite situation in my personal case. I used to weight train like a fiend with limited results(2-5 pounds a month). Now that I worry more about running than weights I am losing 10-12 pounds a month. Can't argue with results.... Soon enough I will be down where I want to be fat wise, then look out, bulking here I come!
sirant
Sirant: did you really cut out weight lifting
I dont go to the gym anymore and do bench presses and flies and those kinds of things at all anymore. I do do pushups, crunches, squats and other home based body weight exercises however. But certainly I am not pumping iron as much or as regularly as I used to. I find the pilates and body weight stuff, 20 minutes, 1-3X a week or so is fine. I may start doing a little more again soon since it is going to get too hot to run daily here outside, so if I have to use the treadmill in the gym I will do a few sets while there.
But really, other than a few little things, yeah, I am off the weight lifting for the time being. I am losing weight sooo much faster now that I put my energy into running. Once I am down to my goal I will slow down the running and start pumping again to start scuplting and building. As Steve and so many others here have said, you cant build big muscles and lose weight at the same time. The energy equation simply isnt there. With all the running I am doing I am more than getting my leg, back and ab workouts anyways, so I am not too concerned about losing lean muscle mass.
I know many people think you absolutely must lift weights to lose fat, but I am seeing the exact opposite situation in my personal case. I used to weight train like a fiend with limited results(2-5 pounds a month). Now that I worry more about running than weights I am losing 10-12 pounds a month. Can't argue with results.... Soon enough I will be down where I want to be fat wise, then look out, bulking here I come!
sirant
Bodyweight exercises can be a good alternative.
I wanted to mention that 2-4 pounds a week of fat loss is only possible on larger individuals for the most part. If a smaller person is losing that, dollars to donuts - they are losing muscle too. So, while for Sirant's body it may be possible - don't set that as a goal for yourself, or you will lose valuable muscle (and that would suck
)
I wanted to mention that 2-4 pounds a week of fat loss is only possible on larger individuals for the most part. If a smaller person is losing that, dollars to donuts - they are losing muscle too. So, while for Sirant's body it may be possible - don't set that as a goal for yourself, or you will lose valuable muscle (and that would suck
)Its possible now you are burning more calories then you did when you are lifting. I mean, You could possibly be exerting yourself in your running more so then you were in weights and cardio combined previously. Changing it up some has given you a lil "spark" if you will. Meaning your simply, maybe even unknowingly, eating better/exercising more overall then you were before.