Post # 1
Member
120 posts
Blushing bee
Hi Bees…need your expert advice and stories!
I’m currently trying to lose weight after gaining a ton with my first baby. Before my baby, I was in good shape and had a pretty fast metabolism, so I did about 70% strength training and only 30% cardio and never had a problem. Now, its been rough for me to lose the last 20lbs so I think I need to rethink my strategy.
I am eating well but also BFing so cannot excessively cut calories. My supply also dips whenever I don’t eat enough. I am pretty well informed about diet/nutrition and totally believe that weight loss happens in the kitchen. However, I’d like to lose weight a little faster and exercise has always worked great for me.
Anyway, all that to ask if I should be doing more cardio now and less weights? I want to lose inches and fat. I take measurements and go by how my clothes fit more than the scale. But I also know that more muscle = higher metabolism.
Thoughts/advice? What worked for you?
Post # 3
Member
794 posts
Busy bee
Cardio burns more calories. A bigger calorie deficit means more weight loss. You still need to weight train, but cardio is more important for you to burn calories quickly. If you don’t weight train, your muscles don’t stay as strong for your workouts. You kinda need them for that lol. Alternate them on a schedule that works for you. 🙂
Post # 4
Member
225 posts
Helper bee
I always found that when I did interval training is when I lost the most “inches” and looked better in my clothing.. The lbs would come off the scale the more cardio I did, but I looked way better when I did interval training. I did “Tabata”.
Post # 5
Member
1684 posts
Bumble bee
Cardio is fast-burn whereas weight training is slow burn. The issue with cardio is that you are burning calories at such a rate that your body will demand more food to offset the deficit.
Weight training burns calories slower, over several days, so there is less of an effect on appetite.
Running won’t make you skinny. You should run for your cardiovascular health. Complexes are the best way to lose weight through exercise.
Post # 6
Member
1227 posts
Bumble bee
Weights and clean eating, perhaps some HIIT 2x/week.
Go to a gym and look at the physiques of the people on the cardio equipment, then look at the physiques of the people lifting heavy weights. There’s your answer.
Post # 8
Member
1227 posts
Bumble bee
I really like Jamie Eason’s 12 week live fit trainer. It’s not easy (as in it takes committment ), but it delivers results, and there is lots of information provided along the way. You can find it at BodyBuilding.com. There is a great facebook support group as well (search for it on FB with the same name)
My plan is to start it again next year, repeating phase 1 & 2 until I’m where I want to be a month before the wedding, then do phase 3 just before.
But that kind of training might not be your thing. (My goal is to be ripped for my wedding)
Post # 9
Member
499 posts
Helper bee
I would reverse your percentage if you want to burn and lose weight- 70% cardio, about 1 hour a day 4-5x a week combined with strength training 2-3x a week with lower weights. Also be sure to modify your diet, with lean protein, vegetables and a small amount of digestible carbs per meal. Eat 5x a day to get your metabolism back on track, the cardio will make you hungry but snack smart- small bags of vegetables, almonds, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. It’s tough but effective! I dropped over 25lbs doing the above and towards the LAST week before my wedding I bumped up my cardio even more to drop additional water weight. Like I said, not easy, but it’s your wedding! Stay motivated by remembering WHY you are doing it all. Good luck!
Post # 10
Member
120 posts
Blushing bee
Thanks for your replies, everyone! Very helpful.
@dsanchez: I had to google Tabata. Looks amazing! Did you do a class or DVD?
@SeaSalt: Thanks! What kind of HIIT workouts do you do? I will definitely check out Jamie Eason. My end goal is definitely to get my muscle tone back.
@ddavila2001: Wow, great job on the weight loss! What is your go-to form of cardio? Favorite type of carb? Thanks!
Post # 11
Member
1115 posts
Bumble bee
The only thing that worked for me was 30 mins of cardio and then weight lifting for approx the same time. I lost approx 10 lbs doing this workout. Good luck!! The weights totally made me lose inches not so much lbs but I could see a difference in my arms and my back!!
Post # 12
Member
1227 posts
Bumble bee
@RampagingZeebs:
Here’s some websites with info. My preference is for treadmill running HiIT workouts, but you can do it on a track/street/bike/whatever
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ultimate-8-week-hiit-for-fat-burning-program.html
HIIT Workout: The Best Cardio for Fat Loss
They aren’t easy, but they are short, and you feel soooooo good when they’re done (not in the “thank god that’s over” sense, but the “wow, I feel awesome” sense)
2-3 times a week, MAX because of the intensity.
ETA: I also find them far more interesting than spending 45 minutes running on a treadmill.
Post # 13
Member
225 posts
Helper bee
@RampagingZeebs: I learned how to do tabata at a nutrition and fitness center. But the youtube videos kind of show you how to do it. I did it at home, which was even better. All I had was a ball and some small weights. It really works though! PM me if you need any ideas!
Post # 14
Member
120 posts
Blushing bee
@SeaSalt: Wow, thanks for the links! Pretty sure I’ve spent the last hour on bodybuilding.com.
@sn2bmrsmntgmry: Congrats on the weight loss! That is amazing. What type of workouts did you do? Classes, dvds, etc.
@dsanchez: PMing you…:)
Post # 15
Member
1115 posts
Bumble bee
@RampagingZeebs: I did 15 mins of weight loss on the treadmill at a higher level and then 15 mins on the “stepper” thing (not sure what its really called) also on weight loss and a high level. Then I’d do weight lifting machines which I would switch up every few days or so. Mostly arms and stomach machines. This is what worked for me. I began working out over a year before the wedding and I did different routines (ie: just cardio for 45 mins to an hour, just treadmill, just stepper) but in the end the combo is what worked for me.
In the very beginning before I joined the gym I did Jillians 30 Day shred… did it for 2 months but didn’t see much of a result…that’s why I ended up joining the gym.
Post # 16
Member
186 posts
Blushing bee
@SeaSalt: +1!
I’ve also gone paleo – cutting out grains, dairy, legumes and processed foods. I feel amazing, and its really helps control bloatng. Been able to lean myself out and build muscle at the same time. I’ve never felt stronger – or been smaller.
