Having a problem

H

happy_mommy

New member
Hi. I was wondering if anybody could help me out.

Weight: 147
Height: 5'7
Age: 23

I started exercising around 2 months ago (with no diet). I did Tae Bo (35-45 mins/day everyday) for 1 month. I started off at 150 pounds. Then my weight went up to 156 pounds by the middle of the month and then 151 by the end of the month.

3 weeks ago, I started to eat healthy (1300-1500 calorie diet composed of roughly 55% carbs, 20% protein, 25% fat). And I started exercising on the elliptical 45 minutes/day 6-7 days/week. My heart rate was at about 130 for the whole time. And the elliptical recorded my calorie burn to be 360 calories average/day. I wouldn't really be sweating towards the end of the workout. So Ive been doing the elliptical for a little over a month now.

However my weight has been at 147 pounds for the past 3 weeks. I was thinking to start doing the elliptical for 30 minutes a day but keeping my heart rate at 150+. And doing an additional 20 minutes weight lifting each day. Is this a good idea?

I feel like my body needs lots of toning especially in the stomach area (i had 2 kids, youngest a year old, oldest is 3) and the inner thighs, and my backside.

Please any help would be appreciated. My goal weight is to my pre-children weight of 130.
 
you deffinatly should increase your exercise every week or so, i`ve only just started doing it but it makes sense. my weight lost so far has mostly been threw eating well and calerie counting.
 
How are you counting your calories? I've found that when I plateau, that my "calorie counting" has gotten pretty lax. Get a food scale and weigh your food if possible to make sure you staying within the calories you've set for yourself. I can't tell you how many times I had measured out a cup of cereal, only to weigh it and have it be almost 1 1/2 servings instead of just one. Those little underestimates can really hurt your calorie counting, especially when it's as low as what you're aiming for.

Getting your heart rate up a bit will help your cardiovascular health, and you should keep doing it, and change it up if you're bored, but really what you're eating has the most direct affect on what you weigh, so focus on that.
 
yeah, I agree with Bbuckeye... I find the same thing... I tell my wife.. "what the heck!? I am eating only 1600 calories!" and then the next day I go back to counting diligently what I eat, and find out it was more like 1800 haha. It's really, really easy to not really pay attention to portion size on things that are hard to measure. Things like meat that are calories/ ounce, cheese, etc. dressings, eggs, those are easy. That might not even be the problem, but start there so at least you have peace of mind and know that you are doing what you need to diet-wize!

-Mellon
 
Thanks everybody for the advice. As far as my diet I'm very careful with my food diary everyday. I read the labels and mark everything down, even the tiniest pinch of sugar. I think my body may have gotten used to the low intensity elliptical work outs. Im doing high intensity now for 30 mins/day and 20 mins/day light weight lifting. Is this the right way to go or should I be doing 50 mins intense cardio?
 
90DayGuy - That sounds very tempting, but I want a permanent weight loss solution. I'm willing to give it 4-6 months (although I would much rather do it in 3). I actually look forward to my exercise every day but it's the dieting that I'm not so happy about.
 
Am I the only one that feels like suggesting that a heart rate of 130 is really low for a 23 year old doing cardio work? I mean... I always push it beyond 150 and try to keep it around 170 for doing cardio work and both using energy, but also for increading my cardio health. 130 is like.. hmm.. well yeah I'd say go for beyond 150.

And if you're keeping a close eye on your calories then beyond either increasing work or decreasing energy intake there isn't really much you can do.

Well you can ofcourse ignore fad diets, but seems like you're already doing that so.. win.
 
Clever_plant: That's exactly what I thought might be the problem because I was reading somewhere that for people who walk everyday you lose weight in the beginning but then your body gets used to it and you stop burning fat. So ever since I read that (4 days ago) my last 3 exercise sessions on the elliptical i kept my heart continuously higher than 155 and i try to keep it at 160. I really sweat now by the end of the 30 minute session. And Im going to try to work my way up to keeping it at 170 like you mentioned. But I would like to know what will be better to do: an hour of cardio or 30 mins cardio/30 mins weight training/day.

Ive been doing this weight training for the past 4 days (all of the number 2's for 1 set of 16 reps):


Is that enough? It takes me 20 mins to get it done.

90DayGuy: Wish I could do it, but I love to eat so I COULDN'T (even if I tried) to sacrifice a meal for a shake although I do love cake :).
 
Last November I weighed 569lbs, and today I weigh 427lbs. I do use suppliments and won't spam the forum about it. I would like to say that for me personally the key thing I have done beyond exercise and plenty of water is eating clean. By that I mean cutting out processed foods and eating mostly all fresh fruits and vegetables. By giving my body the nutrients it needs, I feel awesome and still need a push to exercise from time to time, but feel I can make it to my goal. The thing to remember is if it does not challenge you, it will not change you. Also, it is a lifelong journey and will require just as much effort for me to keep the weight off as it does to take it off. Just my thoughts, and like I said this is working for me, not saying it is for everyone because there is no magic bullet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top