Strength training and weight gain. I'm confused.
- Thread starter bookmonkey
- Start date
Well, that's actually NOT me above (the starter of this thread), but I think you're a cute girl! I don't think you're fat, but (like every single one of us here!) could benefit from a cardio/strength combo.
To correct something that I think PMDilly wrote earlier about my stats (and maybe he was actually simply describing a hypothetical situation), my weight right now is 108, not 120. It was 110 when I began this thread, but I worked my ass off these past few weeks, and think I might have made a little progress.
So based on what everyone else's helpful replies, I have decided to try this plan out:
6 days cardio/week, 30-45 min. each
3 days weight training, 20 min. each
1300-1400 cals/day
I know that I am not doing a lot of strength training, but I am trying to "cut" now and not "bulk." I do have much more definition in my arms now since I started weight training last summer at 3x a week for 30 min. each, so I am grateful for that, and now want to focus on removing the layer of fat on top of my muscles through rigorous cardio and diet.
Also, I am going to heed Malkore's advice (on someone else's thread), and eat my grainy carbs in the morning, limiting afternoon/evening carbs to veggies. That's a tactic I haven't tried before, we'll see if it works.
So, here's an example of my meals today:
PRE-WORKOUT SNACK: 130 cal protein bar
BREAKFAST: Turkey/salsa taco + sf hot chocolate, 135 cals total
SNACK: 100 cal-bag popcorn + 60 cal string cheese
LUNCH: tomato soup + turkey slices, 270 cals
SNACK: one carrot + lowfat cottage cheese, 130 cals
DINNER: I don't know yet. I'm thinking something involving Egg Beaters.
To correct something that I think PMDilly wrote earlier about my stats (and maybe he was actually simply describing a hypothetical situation), my weight right now is 108, not 120. It was 110 when I began this thread, but I worked my ass off these past few weeks, and think I might have made a little progress.
So based on what everyone else's helpful replies, I have decided to try this plan out:
6 days cardio/week, 30-45 min. each
3 days weight training, 20 min. each
1300-1400 cals/day
I know that I am not doing a lot of strength training, but I am trying to "cut" now and not "bulk." I do have much more definition in my arms now since I started weight training last summer at 3x a week for 30 min. each, so I am grateful for that, and now want to focus on removing the layer of fat on top of my muscles through rigorous cardio and diet.
Also, I am going to heed Malkore's advice (on someone else's thread), and eat my grainy carbs in the morning, limiting afternoon/evening carbs to veggies. That's a tactic I haven't tried before, we'll see if it works.
So, here's an example of my meals today:
PRE-WORKOUT SNACK: 130 cal protein bar
BREAKFAST: Turkey/salsa taco + sf hot chocolate, 135 cals total
SNACK: 100 cal-bag popcorn + 60 cal string cheese
LUNCH: tomato soup + turkey slices, 270 cals
SNACK: one carrot + lowfat cottage cheese, 130 cals
DINNER: I don't know yet. I'm thinking something involving Egg Beaters.
Too much cardio. The diet will handle 95% of your fat loss. Jacking up cardio that much isn't going to help with further fat loss and will very likely hamper your attempt to hang on to muscle tissue.
3x/week is plenty.
The strength training is where you'll see the real benefits on the exercise side of the equation. Don't underestimate it.
3x/week is plenty.
The strength training is where you'll see the real benefits on the exercise side of the equation. Don't underestimate it.
So I'm mostly writing to absolve my guilt. Damn, dieting is hard to do!
Cardio this morning, 30 min., weights 20 min.
TONS of walking on campus today
By 7:00, I had consumed 820 cals with a good dose of protein at each meal and snack. And then...I went out for sushi with my friends.
Ate 6 pieces (some were simple nigiri, some were WAY more indulgent), plus edamame, plus a small glass of plum wine (which probably contains about 1000 grams of sugar), then enjoyed a dark chocolate truffle. At least it was a small truffle, and not those gigantic Godiva kind, but still?
Then got home and had a 50 cal snack (turkey) before bed.
So, even though I resolved like, 2 days ago to keep my grainy carbs (such as rice) in the morning, I do have to say that the sushi was SOOOOO satisfying tonight.
I was on Cloud 9 afterwards.
Cardio this morning, 30 min., weights 20 min.
TONS of walking on campus today
By 7:00, I had consumed 820 cals with a good dose of protein at each meal and snack. And then...I went out for sushi with my friends.
Ate 6 pieces (some were simple nigiri, some were WAY more indulgent), plus edamame, plus a small glass of plum wine (which probably contains about 1000 grams of sugar), then enjoyed a dark chocolate truffle. At least it was a small truffle, and not those gigantic Godiva kind, but still?
Then got home and had a 50 cal snack (turkey) before bed.
So, even though I resolved like, 2 days ago to keep my grainy carbs (such as rice) in the morning, I do have to say that the sushi was SOOOOO satisfying tonight.
I was on Cloud 9 afterwards.