When will I see results?

J

Judecca

0
I've been sick of the way I look for years. I'm fat, I'm weak and constantly brushed off by girls because of it. Although I have a large build, I'm 17 years old, 5'6" and 200 pounds, and I don't like it.

So I decided to do something about it.

I joined the local YMCA, and I resolved that I was going to change myself. It took a while before I actually got myself to go regularly, but now I go three times a week and I love it. Nothing says self-improvement like buckets of sweat running off your face.

But when will I start seeing results? I've been on similar exercise regimens before and followed them, including working with a personal trainer. But I haven't seen any results then, and I don't know when I'll see them now.

My regimen is 3 times a week. Each session is 30-45 minutes of cardio, stretching and then weight machines. It varies from machine to machine, but I do about 2 sets of 10 reps @ 35 pounds per machine. The machines I use are:

Chest Press
Pull Down
Shoulder Press
Bicep Curl
Leg Extension
Leg Curl
Ab Crunch

Then I go swimming when I finish all of this.

My diet is decent. I've stopped eating anything high in fat, high in cholesterol, anything with saturated fat or trans-fat. I tend to eat mostly carbs, like bread and pasta interspersed with lean meat and fish. I'm perfectly happy with not eating any sweets or junk food, I've never liked it much.

So with all the variables I've listed... how long do you guys think it'll take me to get my extra blubber off?
 
Personally, I think it's hard to see changes if you are looking for them everyday. Try not to worry about actually *looking* for the results and you'll start to notice them subtly. How long have you been doing this routine 3 times a week? Have you lost any weight or lowered your BF% (assuming you measured it before)? Also, you mention that you swim after these weight lifting sessions. That will hinder muscle growth and all that weight lifting will goto waste, except for the few hundred calories you burned while doing it. If you're aiming to lose a lot of fat, cut all the carbs from your diet, cut back on weight lifting to 2 times a week, 30 min each time, and run/swim on the other days. I used to be in your situation, except at 5'11", lost about 40 pounds after 10 weeks of doing that routine. Only now am I focusing on gaining muscle.

Hope this helps, report back!
 
You sound like your definately on the right track...just keep it up and have patience often people give up expecting to see results fast but this should just be a way of life...it takes time...I'd watch your carbs. Good luck.
 
I just recently started my weekly routine.

But for carbs... I don't know much about exercise, but I've done research on Atkins. Simply lowering carb intake doesn't do anything for losing weight... you have to reduce it to a certain point so that your body stops using glucose as its primary fuel source, and switches over to internal body fat and dietary fat. This is known as ketosis. This is why people succeed on the Atkins, and people who cheat on Atkins get fatter...

Why does swimming ruin my muscle development?
 
It's not just how many carbs you eat - it's also the TYPE of carbs you eat. Stay away from processed carbs...such as white bread, regular pasta, things high in sugar. Eat whole wheat breads, whole wheat pasta, fruits...things like that. I'm eating according to the South Beach Diet and it's a really healthy, balanced eating habit.
 
it's also about calories...you can reduce carbs all you want and if you aren't reducing calories low enough/exercising enough you won't see results...
 
Try the following points:

- do your weights before cardio (you need your strength for the weights, and will use up the immediate carbohydrate stores so that the cardio will start burning fat)

- split your weights routine into different sessions, so you're not overworking yourself.
For example, split into two may look like this:

1. Chest press
Shoulder press
Pec dec/flyes
lat raises (arms out to the sides with dumbells)
maybe something else for triceps (eg. extensions)

2. Leg curls
Leg extensions
Squat/leg press (a good overall leg strength exercise)
Lat pulldowns
Biceps curls

That way you hit each muscle group more than once but don't work them 2 sessions in a row. There are lots of variations you can try, and other exercises you could include, like rows, but this is just an idea.

- Crunches and back extensions 2-3 times per week (these work your core muscles, the ones that stabilize your torso and stop you getting a herniated disc etc. - probably the most important exercises for preventing back problems)

- If you stick to the same weights for everything you aren't going to work each muscle group properly (eg. your legs are obviously stronger than your biceps). There are some corretc ratios you should stick to as well. Eg. hamstrings should be about 65-80% as strong as quads, so if you train them the same you'll end up with knee problems.

Apologies for lengthy reply. Good luck!
 
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if your weightlifting, you dont want to cut all carbs.
just control the intake of them .... u want a moderate amount ... not zero. carbs are important ... not only giving you the energy for what you want to do ... but to work with protein so that protein can be more effecient when building/repairing muscle.

not to mention that you can be losing weight in a certain area more at first ... so when your looking at your stomach everyday ... u could be burning most of the fat somewhere else on your body.

this sounds different --> but try not to look for the results for at least a week ... then look. maybe then you'll see ... its all about time.
 
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hmmm

well everyone seems to be giving u plenty of dietary, arobic and muscle building advice....now for some psych advice...

if u look everyday it appear that results just wont come, they will, but u'll get discouraged. take a picture of urself in ur underwear, from the side, front and back. put the picture away for three weeks, then look at it. i guarentee u will see results.

also, i went form being kinda chubby to being absolutely ripped except i didnt kno it. i worked out from fall to march and still felt like kinda a butterball (i was working out for sports not cosmetics so i didnt care how i looked). then i went on vacation in the carribean with my family and all of a sudden girls were all over me. i would get mollested by the eyes of everygirl on the beach and on one occasion a group of them took a picture of me when i wasnt looking. no, im not flattering myself, what im saying is...ur gonna notice a little difference then someday ull go to the beach or something wiht some friends u havent seen in a while and they are gonna keep talking about how much better u look. trust me, u can do this. just be patient.
 
Good Advise! I agree. I hadn't been to the gym in 3 weeks and thought for sure I was going to have gained weight...low and behold I lost a few pounds...Hopefully it isn't muscle!! will get back to the routine today!!
 
I seen good results in 3 weeks from home workout.
I started off being skinny so that would be a great factor.
 
Thanks for all the advice, guys :cool:

I've been hard at work, and although I don't see changes, I feel them. My legs are tighter and more muscular, my forearms are beginning to change shape and become more defined, and I can feel my bicep :eek:

It goes to show you that hard work will pay off, even if the results aren't outrageously obvious.

But there is one thing I've noticed... I've started eating much healthier, even healthier than before. I don't drink pop, I limit my intake of sugar as much as is possible in today's culinary world, eat small portions and eat whole wheat instead of white. But I'm gaining weight, even though I'm decreasing my input and increasing my output.

I've gone from 198 to 204 pounds. Would this be me building muscle, or is there something else up?
 
Yes, initially muscle growth outpaces fat loss for someone who just started working out...after that initial spurt you will start to burn fat like theres no tomorrow because that extra muscle needs fuel
 
I'd say be there for 45 minutes to an hour or more each time you go...and make it 3-5 times a week...15-20 on weights, and vary the cardio...treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, etc...
 
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