I'm a 5'8" female trying to tone up and lose 26 more lbs. I do core and toning exercises, but it seems that everytime I read a magazine there's a different set of them that will get you "celebrity abs" or something like that. How do I know which ones are the best, and which ones to stick to?
So frustrated....
- Thread starter kittyhartman26
- Start date
None of them. Magazines must grab your attention month after month. So they splash headlines "Best Ab Workout In 4 Minutes!" or something similar. The truth is the only way to get the body most people crave is to follow 5 simple steps:
1) Eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day. Each meal should be 2-3 hours apart. Each meal should contain one protein and one carb. The first meal should be eaten within an hour after waking.
2) Drink a cup of water at each meal.
3) Rest properly. This means taking at least 48 hours between strength training the same muscles, and it also means getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Lastly, it means taking 1-2 days off from exercising per week.
4) Cardio. This should be done at different intensity levels and different session lengths. Consider doing a low intensity/long session, a high intensity/short session and a few medium intensity/medium length sessions.
5) Strength Training. Strength train each muscle 1-3 times per week. You should lift a proper weight and perform the proper amount of sets/reps for your strength training method. If you need more guidance or exercise ideas you can head over
All of the above things combined will result in fat loss.
1) Eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day. Each meal should be 2-3 hours apart. Each meal should contain one protein and one carb. The first meal should be eaten within an hour after waking.
2) Drink a cup of water at each meal.
3) Rest properly. This means taking at least 48 hours between strength training the same muscles, and it also means getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Lastly, it means taking 1-2 days off from exercising per week.
4) Cardio. This should be done at different intensity levels and different session lengths. Consider doing a low intensity/long session, a high intensity/short session and a few medium intensity/medium length sessions.
5) Strength Training. Strength train each muscle 1-3 times per week. You should lift a proper weight and perform the proper amount of sets/reps for your strength training method. If you need more guidance or exercise ideas you can head over
All of the above things combined will result in fat loss.
Lynn,
First of all thanks for taking the time to reply. But I don't think I was specific enough in my thread. Really I'm just looking for some good ab/other toning exercises, since it's hard to sort out the hype when you're reading a magazine.
First of all thanks for taking the time to reply. But I don't think I was specific enough in my thread. Really I'm just looking for some good ab/other toning exercises, since it's hard to sort out the hype when you're reading a magazine.
Ok, I just realized there is a forum for toning, so I will post this question there.
Sorry.
Sorry.
I do cut and paste it. 
I only post it for newbies that obviously didn't read through other threads. I know it gets tiresome for regulars on the site, but it always-except in the case above!- helps newbies.
kittyhartman26, my point was that to "tone up" you have to follow those 5 tips. Which magazine should you follow? None of them.
I only post it for newbies that obviously didn't read through other threads. I know it gets tiresome for regulars on the site, but it always-except in the case above!- helps newbies.kittyhartman26, my point was that to "tone up" you have to follow those 5 tips. Which magazine should you follow? None of them.
Lynn,
Actually, I had read through the other threads, so I had read your tips a few times. I was just having a tough time finding workouts I could trust. I've been looking through your website though, and I think I'm going to start there. You seem to have helped a lot of people. With your strenght training exercises though, should I choose one or a few from each muscle group? Or them all? That seems excessive, but hey, I'm not fit so I don't know what excessive is
Thanks for all your help Lynn!
Actually, I had read through the other threads, so I had read your tips a few times
. I was just having a tough time finding workouts I could trust. I've been looking through your website though, and I think I'm going to start there. You seem to have helped a lot of people. With your strenght training exercises though, should I choose one or a few from each muscle group? Or them all? That seems excessive, but hey, I'm not fit so I don't know what excessive is Thanks for all your help Lynn!
I recommend doing a full body routine 3 days a week. Let's say Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I keep things simple. I pick one exercise for each muscle group and do 3 sets of 10 reps for it.
I warm up for 5 minutes, do 3 sets of 10 reps of one exercise per muscle group, then I do 10 minutes cardio and a cool down/stretch.
On Tues/Thurs/Sat I'll do 45 minutes medium intensity cardio. Sunday I'll rest or take a long leisurely walk.
Hopefully that'll get you started. As you progress, yu'll want to change things ups and go to a higher intensity program. But the above is a pretty solid beginning routine.
I warm up for 5 minutes, do 3 sets of 10 reps of one exercise per muscle group, then I do 10 minutes cardio and a cool down/stretch.
On Tues/Thurs/Sat I'll do 45 minutes medium intensity cardio. Sunday I'll rest or take a long leisurely walk.
Hopefully that'll get you started. As you progress, yu'll want to change things ups and go to a higher intensity program. But the above is a pretty solid beginning routine.
Agree completely with Lynn and her beginners routine.
Thanks again guys, can't wait to try it!
Trainer Lynn said:I recommend doing a full body routine 3 days a week. Let's say Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I keep things simple. I pick one exercise for each muscle group and do 3 sets of 10 reps for it.
I warm up for 5 minutes, do 3 sets of 10 reps of one exercise per muscle group, then I do 10 minutes cardio and a cool down/stretch.
On Tues/Thurs/Sat I'll do 45 minutes medium intensity cardio. Sunday I'll rest or take a long leisurely walk.
Hopefully that'll get you started. As you progress, yu'll want to change things ups and go to a higher intensity program. But the above is a pretty solid beginning routine.
Lynn,
since i unexpectedly took like a week and a half off from the gym...im going to use this new routine for myself, once i start back at the gym when it reopens on july 5th...cant wait..let u know about the results!
Best of luck with it