I need help y'all

banishthebuldge

My issue is I need to tone & lose some of this belly fat. I know that I need to do cardio for the fat and strength training to tone. Problem is...I just don't. I have all good intentions but for some reason I just don't follow through. This is the only area of my life where I do this. When I look in the mirror, that's my motivation to firm up, but for some reason I cannot do the work. Don't know why and it's frustrating.

Now, I'm not a total...whatever you wanna call it. I did P90X3 for all of a month or so, then I stopped. I think I got sick or off of my routine for some reason and then just never got back into it. Unfortunately that's my pattern. I'm good when I'm into the routine, but when I get off of it, it's a while before I can get back into it. Then I get mad that my thighs are still jiggly.

Help me someone please!!!!!

farfromthetree

So for me the trick was CrossFit. I am older than you (49) and my husband just started at 51. It is fun, and you are with a supportive group of people. It is always motivating to know I will see the same people.
It took my husband 2 months and I could notice a drastic change in his body...much more toned. For me it took a little longer but has paid off.
Really any group class will offer you the same things but I have tried everything and this is (hands down) what has helped me most.

WickedPineapple

You need a calorie deficit to lose fat. How you create that deficit is up to you (i.e., diet alone or diet + exercise). You don't have to exercise to lose fat.

SueInAz

OP, "belly fat" is just fat and your body determines where you lose lose or gain it. So for that part of it, losing fat through calorie reduction is the goal. Cardio exercise is not necessary to lose fat. If you really feel like you should be doing cardio, the trick is to find something you like. If you don't like P90X or another routine, you start to dread it and then avoid it. Cardio can be accomplished by walking, running, playing tennis, jumping rope, swimming, etc. Find something you enjoy and do it.

You should start strength training, though, regardless of whether or not you're doing cardio work. You'll lose more fat, gain a little muscle and firm up. Strength training isn't that much fun in itself so I almost always do mine with a buddy. We do the same moves and just switch off. Lifting involves rest time between sets so while I'm resting he's lifting and vice versa. We're chatting throughout the time. It takes no more time for two people to lift in this fashion than for one to do it and it's a much more pleasant way to spend the time. It also keeps us both accountable. I'm much less likely to decide I don't feel like it one day if I know I'd be letting my friend down.

LovingLife_Erin

Other than what's already been said about creating a calorie deficit, I'd also suggest not getting into such a routine. It might sound silly, but getting into a routine of doing the same exercise all the time might be leading to boredom, and then you stop. Try doing a few different things for exercise, and mix it up on different days/weeks.

For example, I swim a few times a week, plus aqua aerobics, walking, and hitting the gym for weights and cardio. Even at the gym, I change up my routine so I'm using different equipment constantly. If it's a nice sunny day, I might do some body weight stuff at home and go for a long walk instead of the gym. Because I'm not doing the same thing every day, or week, it keeps it fresh and fun. I think it also helps my body to not get used to doing the same exercises as well because I'm doing different things.

Try mixing things up more and maybe try out different activities/classes as you might find something that you really like doing that you hadn't thought of before.

Of_Monsters_and_Meat

Sign up for something. I do some races throughout the year. Having a tangible goal does it for me.

BrawlerBella

Sorry if this sounds harsh but "How bad do you want it?!" If you can't stay to one routine it's ok to do different workouts. I get bored easily. So I run, walk, do Zumba. If you get a chance listen to @ShaunTFitness amazing podcast on #Choices https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/define-your-life-with-shaun-t/id951195091?mt=2&i=339455004

banishthebuldge

i think part of it is that i do get bored......i've been switching it up lately and i'm still going.......

SueInAz

banishthebuldge wrote: »

i think part of it is that i do get bored......i've been switching it up lately and i'm still going.......

Boredom can be a problem. Glad to hear you're having some success. I agree with Of_Monsters..., set yourself some fitness goals.

I started running because I knew I could burn more calories that way than walking. My sister is also a runner so a few months after I started she convinced me to sign up for some races. Oh, boy did that make a difference! I ran my first half marathon the following year and now I've done over a dozen of them plus lots of shorter races. The races keep me motivated to do the training runs 3 or 4 times each week. Lately, I've been trying to shorten my 5K time and I've chopped off 2.5 minutes since January. It makes me want to get out there and run to see how well I can do each day and I think that's the key.

Good luck and best wishes!

banishthebuldge

thanks guys for your input....i really just needed someone who gets it to vent to....i've been doing well so far...i'll either hop on my elliptical and go for as long as i can (or time allows) or do a video. and since i've discovered that they have workout videos on-demand, i can change them up as often as i like and not get stuck 'knowing what's next' as is the case withe the T25 or the p90x3.

AllanMisner

The single most important thing that leads to success in fat loss and fitness improvement is to be committed. Just wanting something, doesn’t mean you’re committed to doing what it takes. When you’re committed, you do what you have to. You don’t let other things get in the way. You make time. You push through things you dislike (or that bore you) because you have to. You’re committed.

So, have you actually committed to a healthier lifestyle? Have you committed to yourself to be your best self?