Is yoga enough?

whatshedid

Is yoga (60 mins a day) enough to keep you fit? I'm having trouble losing my stomach fat (I know you can't spot reduce, although it would be nice if you could!) and I'm not sure whether it is because I'm not doing a hardcore work out. I hurt my lower back a few weeks ago and yoga helped when other exercise hurt. I also try to walk a couple of miles every day.

If it is not the yoga problem, I'm not sure if I'm not losing fat because I'm not having enough calories, but I find when I have over 1300 I seem to put on weight, some days I barely scrape 1000.

Thanks for the help in advance

EDIT: Forgot to include I weigh 110 pounds and am 5ft. Healthy weight but still need to lose my stomach fat!

steph2strong

There's a saying... Abs are made in the kitchen! meaning that abdominal fat and being able to see definition is very determinate on your diet. Yoga is not an intense cardio or strength workout, therefore it's not going to really help you shed pounds, but it can provide overall toning and a improved physique, stress reduction and improved flexibility. Loosing weight/fat is going to come from your diet. There is some research that suggests people who do you yoga regularly loose weight, more through becoming more mindful eaters, having decreased stress which leads to reduced calorie consumption, etc.

Working on your core strength will help tighten up your middle (it won't get rid of fat but you it can pull things in). Just because you are doing yoga does not necessarily mean you are adequately working/training your core or doing it properly. Improving your core strength will also help reduce your back pain and prevent further back pain recurrence. Core incorporates abdominals, back, hip/pelvic girdle and some include shoulder griddle too.

whatshedid

fernt21 wrote: »

There's a saying... Abs are made in the kitchen! meaning that abdominal fat and being able to see definition is very determinate on your diet. Yoga is not an intense cardio or strength workout, therefore it's not going to really help you shed pounds, but it can provide overall toning and a improved physique, stress reduction and improved flexibility. Loosing weight/fat is going to come from your diet. There is some research that suggests people who do you yoga regularly loose weight, more through becoming more mindful eaters, having decreased stress which leads to reduced calorie consumption, etc.

Working on your core strength will help tighten up your middle (it won't get rid of fat but you it can pull things in). Just because you are doing yoga does not necessarily mean you are adequately working/training your core or doing it properly. Improving your core strength will also help reduce your back pain and prevent further back pain recurrence. Core incorporates abdominals, back, hip/pelvic girdle and some include shoulder griddle too.

I'm also doing 2 miles of walking a day, and as for diet I'm never over my calorie goal (1400). Should I do more intense cardio?

Chieflrg

Is 60 min yogs enough to keep me fit? No, but I probably have different goals and health issues then you.

You don't have to do "hardcore" workouts to lose belly fat, only eat in a deficit.

How long have you kept at that calorie intake?

JoRocka

fit enough for what?
Enough to run a marathon? nope
fit enough to do yoga? yes

totally depends on your personal level of expectations in the "fit" department. For me that would never be enough. But for you it might be- are you satisfied with how you look and feel doing yoga only?

whatshedid

Chieflrg wrote: »

Is 60 min yogs enough to keep me fit? No, but I probably have different goals and health issues then you.

You don't have to do "hardcore" workouts to lose belly fat, only eat in a deficit.

How long have you kept at that calorie intake?

For 3 months. I also do 2 miles of walking a day.

whatshedid

JoRocka wrote: »

fit enough for what?
Enough to run a marathon? nope
fit enough to do yoga? yes

totally depends on your personal level of expectations in the "fit" department. For me that would never be enough. But for you it might be- are you satisfied with how you look and feel doing yoga only?

Fit on average. I do 2 miles of walking a day as well. I don't know what you're implying when you ask when I'm happy about how I look but I'm 110 pounds at 5 foot so I'm hardly fat.

To be honest I find the way you worded your question quite rude, you should reconsider the way you word things because it can be really upsetting to people who have previously suffered from eating disorders.

Hornsby

She wasn't being rude. She was just saying that people have different goals. Are you happy with your level of fitness? That's all.

cwolfman13

This would really depend on how fit you care to be. Yoga is great and I do it regularly, but it is only one aspect of my overall fitness

whatshedid

Hornsby wrote: »

She wasn't being rude. She was just saying that people have different goals. Are you happy with your level of fitness? That's all.

Well the way she said it hurt my feelings, I just wanted to advise her that wording things so bluntly may upset people especially on a site about weight loss which is a sensitive isssue to a lot of people.

whatshedid

cwolfman13 wrote: »

This would really depend on how fit you care to be. Yoga is great and I do it regularly, but it is only one aspect of my overall fitness

I'm being vain and mostly focused on the way I look. I want to lose stomach fat and a strong core, I have a big calorie deficit and just wondered if I needed to do more cardio (I do 2 miles of walking a day)

singingflutelady

She really didn't say anything bad at all. If you are happy with yoga and walking than that's enough. It's not enough for me as I love muscles so in order to meet my goals I lift heavy and I like long distance running so I run.

whatshedid

singingflutelady wrote: »

She really didn't say anything bad at all. If you are happy with yoga and walking than that's enough. It's not enough for me as I love muscles so in order to meet my goals I lift heavy and I like long distance running so I run.

I was just offended by how bluntly it was worded, and found it surprising on a website about weight loss which is a sensitive issue to a lot of people.

jofjltncb6

whatshedid wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

She really didn't say anything bad at all. If you are happy with yoga and walking than that's enough. It's not enough for me as I love muscles so in order to meet my goals I lift heavy and I like long distance running so I run.

I was just offended by how bluntly it was worded, and found it surprising on a website about weight loss which is a sensitive issue to a lot of people.

So we know, I'm curious how would you have phrased her answer such that it wouldn't have been insensitive in your opinion.

Verdenal

jofjltncb6 wrote: »

whatshedid wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

She really didn't say anything bad at all. If you are happy with yoga and walking than that's enough. It's not enough for me as I love muscles so in order to meet my goals I lift heavy and I like long distance running so I run.

I was just offended by how bluntly it was worded, and found it surprising on a website about weight loss which is a sensitive issue to a lot of people.

So we know, I'm curious how would you have phrased her answer such that it wouldn't have been insensitive in your opinion.

I'm curious, too, as I don't think the other member was rude.

jgnatca

There is no pooch eliminating exercise. But yoga must be great for flexibility and stretching out sore muscles. That walking, too, helps you be strong overall. Both should help you build a nice strong set of ab muscles.

Verdenal

whatshedid wrote: »

Is yoga (60 mins a day) enough to keep you fit? I'm having trouble losing my stomach fat (I know you can't spot reduce, although it would be nice if you could!) and I'm not sure whether it is because I'm not doing a hardcore work out. I hurt my lower back a few weeks ago and yoga helped when other exercise hurt. I also try to walk a couple of miles every day.

If it is not the yoga problem, I'm not sure if I'm not losing fat because I'm not having enough calories, but I find when I have over 1300 I seem to put on weight, some days I barely scrape 1000.

Thanks for the help in advance

EDIT: Forgot to include I weigh 110 pounds and am 5ft. Healthy weight but still need to lose my stomach fat!

You need to figure out how to estimate your body fat percentage and work on reducing body fat. As others have said, the primary tool is diet, but some cardio and strength training would probably help. Yoga is usually recommended for flexibility, balance, and mental conditioning. You do get a little stronger, but don't realize the strength gains you'd have with weights.

And as someone else also said, what constitutes being"fit" is partly subjective.

lorrpb

whatshedid wrote: »

Is yoga (60 mins a day) enough to keep you fit? I'm having trouble losing my stomach fat (I know you can't spot reduce, although it would be nice if you could!) and I'm not sure whether it is because I'm not doing a hardcore work out. I hurt my lower back a few weeks ago and yoga helped when other exercise hurt. I also try to walk a couple of miles every day.

If it is not the yoga problem, I'm not sure if I'm not losing fat because I'm not having enough calories, but I find when I have over 1300 I seem to put on weight, some days I barely scrape 1000.

Thanks for the help in advance

EDIT: Forgot to include I weigh 110 pounds and am 5ft. Healthy weight but still need to lose my stomach fat!

Ummm, do you see that you answered your own question? The reason you can't reduce is because you can't spot reduce. As for yoga, its contribution to fitness would depend on the type of yoga. There are relaxation/flexibility types of yoga and there are cardio/strength types of yoga. Most people would need more than yoga to keep fit.

middlehaitch

Are you doing the yoga at a studio or at home?
I have found trying to do yoga at home, especially before taking classes, that I don't engage or use the muscles correctly.
Good posture and engagement of the abs and obliques while completing each move will improve the core muscles.

The visceral fat and organs beneath the muscles will be supported better and the subcutaneous fat on top of the muscle will improve in look.

Try working something like Nerdfitness, a complete body work routine into your routine 3 non consecutive days a week if you are exercising from home.

At 5' and 110 lbs why are you on a huge calorie deficit. That also indicates that you may be eating under 1200 a day.
Eat the minimum of 1200 and some of your exercise calories back. You are losing strength and muscle if you are under. Also consistently eating under 1200 could lead to health problems.

Cheers, h.

RebelDiamond

1. Fitness is subjective - it depends on how fit you would like to be. Opinions on "average" fitness vary greatly between different people.
2. Being blunt and being rude are different things. Blunt is straight forward expression, rude is thoughtless/purposefully hurtful expression.
3. If yoga is good for your injury keep doing it! If you feel like its getting too easy, do more or try a yoga style/class with higher intensity (vinyasa hot yoga, flow yoga or bikram yoga).

I love yoga, I go to vinyasa hot yoga once a week plus 3-4 days of various other exercise a week. Do what makes you happy and brings you the results you're looking for.

positivepowers

Verdenal wrote: »

jofjltncb6 wrote: »

whatshedid wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

She really didn't say anything bad at all. If you are happy with yoga and walking than that's enough. It's not enough for me as I love muscles so in order to meet my goals I lift heavy and I like long distance running so I run.

I was just offended by how bluntly it was worded, and found it surprising on a website about weight loss which is a sensitive issue to a lot of people.

So we know, I'm curious how would you have phrased her answer such that it wouldn't have been insensitive in your opinion.

I'm curious, too, as I don't think the other member was rude.

Me, either. I just took it as a way of assisting the OP to define OP's fitness goals.

whatshedid

To everyone who has criticised me - I find asking someone if they are happy with their appearance slightly rude, especially if someone has suffered with eating disorders.

I will never be happy with my appearance but that is no one else's business, and not part of my question as I asked about how to keep fit and lose stomach fat, not how to look a certain way.

I appreciate she meant well, I were just telling her that others may feel the same as me, especially on the sensitive subject of losing weight.

I appreciate that the comment will have little significance to most, but to some it can be really hurtful and I don't want anyone else to be hurt. No doubt people will criticise me for being overly sensitive, but I can't help how I feel and hope that at least one person will understand.

whatshedid

middlehaitch wrote: »

Are you doing the yoga at a studio or at home?
I have found trying to do yoga at home, especially before taking classes, that I don't engage or use the muscles correctly.
Good posture and engagement of the abs and obliques while completing each move will improve the core muscles.

The visceral fat and organs beneath the muscles will be supported better and the subcutaneous fat on top of the muscle will improve in look.

Try working something like Nerdfitness, a complete body work routine into your routine 3 non consecutive days a week if you are exercising from home.

At 5' and 110 lbs why are you on a huge calorie deficit. That also indicates that you may be eating under 1200 a day.
Eat the minimum of 1200 and some of your exercise calories back. You are losing strength and muscle if you are under. Also consistently eating under 1200 could lead to health problems.

Cheers, h.

I do it at home and I do find I'm not always holding myself correctly, but I was planning on joining a class when I move to a bigger town

Partly because I haven't got the appetite after being used to eating so little and partly because I was losing no fat when I was on 1200. But I will try and go back to 1200 again to see if I cana build muscle to help me lose fat.

Thanks!

whatshedid

Verdenal wrote: »

whatshedid wrote: »

Is yoga (60 mins a day) enough to keep you fit? I'm having trouble losing my stomach fat (I know you can't spot reduce, although it would be nice if you could!) and I'm not sure whether it is because I'm not doing a hardcore work out. I hurt my lower back a few weeks ago and yoga helped when other exercise hurt. I also try to walk a couple of miles every day.

If it is not the yoga problem, I'm not sure if I'm not losing fat because I'm not having enough calories, but I find when I have over 1300 I seem to put on weight, some days I barely scrape 1000.

Thanks for the help in advance

EDIT: Forgot to include I weigh 110 pounds and am 5ft. Healthy weight but still need to lose my stomach fat!

You need to figure out how to estimate your body fat percentage and work on reducing body fat. As others have said, the primary tool is diet, but some cardio and strength training would probably help. Yoga is usually recommended for flexibility, balance, and mental conditioning. You do get a little stronger, but don't realize the strength gains you'd have with weights.

And as someone else also said, what constitutes being"fit" is partly subjective.

I know my body fat is 20%, not bad but could be lower for my height. I would like to get weights but I'm a bit short on money at the moment, is there anything which helps you gain strength as much as weights?

neela1880

Do bodyweight excercises like pushups, squats and planks. These are strength training excercises.

RoxieDawn

Yep, bodyweight exercising, convict conditioning and even go here to this site, read up on the ideas laid out in this article. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker20.htm.

Get creative but using things around your house to use a weights (fill milk jugs/water bottles up with dirt/sand), and also make use of the kitchen chair (you can bench dips for example). You will surprised what you can use around the house to use as a weight. Also a$20.00 to 30.00 kettlebell will surprisingly do a lot of things to get you fit and build some muscle.

However you will not build any muscle at 1000 calories a day, I still question why even at your height and weight why 1200 calories is weight gain for you.. I think the calorie allotment intake needs to be re-evaluated.

middlehaitch

I mentioned NerdFitness in my post up thread. I used it and found it very effective in muscle retention. It also improved my strenght, so moving to a weight lifting programme wasn't too difficult.

here is the link: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

cheers, h.

yoginijenc

Maybe up the intensity of your exercise. In addition to what you are already doing, go for a jog a few times a week. Maybe for only a short time. 15-20 minutes. See if that helps.

sheermomentum

jofjltncb6 wrote: »

whatshedid wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

She really didn't say anything bad at all. If you are happy with yoga and walking than that's enough. It's not enough for me as I love muscles so in order to meet my goals I lift heavy and I like long distance running so I run.

I was just offended by how bluntly it was worded, and found it surprising on a website about weight loss which is a sensitive issue to a lot of people.

So we know, I'm curious how would you have phrased her answer such that it wouldn't have been insensitive in your opinion.

The phrasing implies a stance that "its not good enough for me but it might be good enough for you if your standards are lower than mine." The perceived meaning would have been different without the phrase "For me it would never be enough. but for you it might be." That said, I'm not a huge fan of the "MFP is supposed to be a safe space" philosophy. Just a fan of linguistics.

OP, phrasing aside, the question Jorocka asked is a good one for your consideration. It does seem as if you must be dissatisfied with your results if you're here asking for advice. Perhaps its time to change it up.

JoRocka

whatshedid wrote: »

To everyone who has criticised me - I find asking someone if they are happy with their appearance slightly rude, especially if someone has suffered with eating disorders.

I will never be happy with my appearance but that is no one else's business, and not part of my question as I asked about how to keep fit and lose stomach fat, not how to look a certain way.

I appreciate she meant well, I were just telling her that others may feel the same as me, especially on the sensitive subject of losing weight.

I appreciate that the comment will have little significance to most, but to some it can be really hurtful and I don't want anyone else to be hurt. No doubt people will criticize me for being overly sensitive, but I can't help how I feel and hope that at least one person will understand.

I think that's a fairly reasonable question.

One can be unsatisfied with the way they appear and still be comfortable with who they are as a person. I am not satisfied with my appearance. - I want bigger shoulders.

if you were truly satisfied with your performance and your appearance then there would be no question at hand- but you DID indeed ask. And further more- you left it pretty open ended- is this enough?

Well enough for what- and really what's your goal.

So if you are satisfied with what you look like- then yeah- it very well could be good enough. It has nothing to do with me looking down on someone else- it's simply a fact- you either are okay or are not- and if you aren't- what steps are you willing to do to acquire the change you seek.

If you want big shoulders- then yoga probably won't do it.

none of what you read was judgmental or hurtful- but pragmatic about how to accomplish a goal. I'm sorry you're feelings were hurt- but we can't help you if we don't know what you are thinking.

Good luck.

paulandrachelk

Jorocka was not rude and you never mentioned a disorder. You have good answers so you can meet your ends.