Just tell me what to do
skinnyjeansandstretchmarks
Posts: 43 Member
Here is everything I can think is important to add - give me your best advice, once I set a plan in place I can certainly stick to it, Im fully motivated and ready just need to know where to go
Hi, I'm Katy - I'm 26 years old.
I'm 5'11 and currently 198 pounds (27.6 BMI)
I was 237 pounds 8 weeks ago when I gave birth to my son
I have strong legs and weak arms (can do lunges all day can't do a push up to save my life)
I also have a 2 year old - and I do not have access to a gym.
I want to lose 40 pounds
Workouts must be done at home, but I can buy some equipment if needed ($200 budget)
I've only ever done cardio, never done any type of weight lifting
I have either 1 straight hour a day (5 days a week) or three separate 20 minute sections (5 days a week)
I have a kettle bell, running shoes, and a yoga mat - but have access to things like milk jugs, or even tractor tires?
Should I go with cardio or try some kind of at home weight program?
Or cardio 3 days a week and weights 2 days a week?
If you suggest weightlifting, please suggest something I can do at home
I will answer any other questions needed and THANK YOU in advance
Hi, I'm Katy - I'm 26 years old.
I'm 5'11 and currently 198 pounds (27.6 BMI)
I was 237 pounds 8 weeks ago when I gave birth to my son
I have strong legs and weak arms (can do lunges all day can't do a push up to save my life)
I also have a 2 year old - and I do not have access to a gym.
I want to lose 40 pounds
Workouts must be done at home, but I can buy some equipment if needed ($200 budget)
I've only ever done cardio, never done any type of weight lifting
I have either 1 straight hour a day (5 days a week) or three separate 20 minute sections (5 days a week)
I have a kettle bell, running shoes, and a yoga mat - but have access to things like milk jugs, or even tractor tires?
Should I go with cardio or try some kind of at home weight program?
Or cardio 3 days a week and weights 2 days a week?
If you suggest weightlifting, please suggest something I can do at home
I will answer any other questions needed and THANK YOU in advance
0
Replies
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And yes, I have got fully cleared to workout - and my diet is in check and 1 gallon of water daily0
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Oh, and yes - I do want to lose the weight quickly - thats what I'm looking of advice on - how to lose the 40.0
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Aim to lose 1lb per week, so set your deficit on MFP, and eat that number of calories.
as for exercise, C25K is good, and google bodyweight exercises for some strength/resistance training... you are your own gym is good.0 -
If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
0 -
healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.8 -
TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa0 -
healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?1 -
TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster0 -
healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster
which shouldn't be encouraged as its generally not sustainable!3 -
TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster
which shouldn't be encouraged as its generally not sustainable!
Why not?0 -
As a reminder, faster isn't always better.
Keep in mind the loose skin that comes with losing weight quickly, as well.
I'd recommend a mixture of cardio and weights. My arms look fabulous now with my bit of muscle tone, much better than my skinny-flab.0 -
Faster is not better. Trying to correct issues associated with fast weight loss using purely cardio is a bigger ball ache than just going slower and strength training from the outset.
I'd recommend Fitness Blender and invest in some adjustable dumbbells. 1lb per week is perfect.
If you are breastfeeding be sure to log it as exercise, there are entries for it (sounds weird but you need the extra calories to ensure milk supply).1 -
Strength training should absolutely be part of your plan. Lots of good things to follow in you are your own gym. Strength & cardio should both be used in a balanced program.2
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healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
bad advice. no reason to wait - start lifting now!3 -
healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster
which shouldn't be encouraged as its generally not sustainable!
Why not?
When you lose weight quickly and don't do any resistance training/have adequate protein, you increase the chances of more muscle loss. Since muscle is lean, you are actually making it harder to get a lean body, you are decreasing metabolic functions and your body fat level is reducing at a slower pace. People actually want fat loss the majority of the time (exception might be those morbidly obese). Fat loss is where you tend to notice the sweeping changes in the look of your body. Heck, I can show you women have had gained weight that are more lean than at their low weight.
OP, have a moderate deficit like 20% less than maintenance calories, lift some weight, throw in some cadio and eat adequate protein. There are some at home body and/or dumbbell routines in the link below. I would suggest getting on one of the structured programs to give you a solid path. You can also consider some of the books that are linked in there.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p15 -
skinnyjeansandstretchmarks wrote: »Here is everything I can think is important to add - give me your best advice, once I set a plan in place I can certainly stick to it, Im fully motivated and ready just need to know where to go
Hi, I'm Katy - I'm 26 years old.
I'm 5'11 and currently 198 pounds (27.6 BMI)
I was 237 pounds 8 weeks ago when I gave birth to my son
I have strong legs and weak arms (can do lunges all day can't do a push up to save my life)
I also have a 2 year old - and I do not have access to a gym.
I want to lose 40 pounds
Workouts must be done at home, but I can buy some equipment if needed ($200 budget)
I've only ever done cardio, never done any type of weight lifting
I have either 1 straight hour a day (5 days a week) or three separate 20 minute sections (5 days a week)
I have a kettle bell, running shoes, and a yoga mat - but have access to things like milk jugs, or even tractor tires?
Should I go with cardio or try some kind of at home weight program?
Or cardio 3 days a week and weights 2 days a week?
If you suggest weightlifting, please suggest something I can do at home
I will answer any other questions needed and THANK YOU in advance
You listed a $200 budget and need to exercise at home.
You might check Craigslist and Freecycle for give away treadmills and other equipment. Some people get new equipment especially at Christmas or the new year and give away the old or sell it for almost nothing.0 -
Home workouts on a budget are best done with simple, versatile tools and body weight. Grab a sandbag and a cheap TRX clone (called a suspension trainer) and look around for bodyweight exercises and yoga plus sandbag, kettlebells, tire and TRX. If you want to really work your upper body you can grab a sledge hammer and use it on the tire as well. You just have to be creative.
You just have to get creative but you can get a great workout with those items.1 -
Eat to lose weight. Exercise to look good.
Get yourself into a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day. With younguns you probably need to set your activity level one notch above sedentary. That will have you losing about 1 lb per week, with the caveat that women's weight is maddeningly fluctuatious what with ovulation and menstruation and stress and salt and muscle injury from crazy workouts.
Be patient and persistent.0 -
healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster
which shouldn't be encouraged as its generally not sustainable!
Why not?
When you lose weight quickly and don't do any resistance training/have adequate protein, you increase the chances of more muscle loss. Since muscle is lean, you are actually making it harder to get a lean body, you are decreasing metabolic functions and your body fat level is reducing at a slower pace. People actually want fat loss the majority of the time (exception might be those morbidly obese). Fat loss is where you tend to notice the sweeping changes in the look of your body. Heck, I can show you women have had gained weight that are more lean than at their low weight.
OP, have a moderate deficit like 20% less than maintenance calories, lift some weight, throw in some cadio and eat adequate protein. There are some at home body and/or dumbbell routines in the link below. I would suggest getting on one of the structured programs to give you a solid path. You can also consider some of the books that are linked in there.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
thanks for the link! Such great info.
Can you elaborate on the bit about "exception might be those morbidly obese"?
Is this to say that strength training is not the best "start" for losing weight for someone like me, over a hundred pounds?
I have already lost over 50 (not the right way always) and would like to do strength training. With the amount I have to lose would it be best to stick to cardio and then turn to strength training later on?
Any advice is appreciated and taken with a grain of salt!
1 -
Arm strengthening/toning can be made into a game with the baby if you're comfortable doing it. When mine were that age, I would lie on my back with the baby over my chest and bench press them up in the air. You can do as many reps as he's enjoying "flying" but NEVER do this right after his meal--or you'll be wearing it. The baby (and your toddler as you get stronger) get to play a game with you, you build muscle in your arms, you expend calories for the deficit. Result is everyone is happy.0
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healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster
which shouldn't be encouraged as its generally not sustainable!
Why not?
Because it doesn't make sense to lose muscle just to lose weight quickly and then have to eat at a surplus to gain the muscle back.
Better to lift now & do cardio (could be walking with 2 yr old in stroller) & preserve the muscle she has.
The goal should be to lose FAT not weight. Appropriate deficit, accurate logging & consistent exercise will get you there, OP. Body weight work can be a good start.4 -
healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster
which shouldn't be encouraged as its generally not sustainable!
Why not?
When you lose weight quickly and don't do any resistance training/have adequate protein, you increase the chances of more muscle loss. Since muscle is lean, you are actually making it harder to get a lean body, you are decreasing metabolic functions and your body fat level is reducing at a slower pace. People actually want fat loss the majority of the time (exception might be those morbidly obese). Fat loss is where you tend to notice the sweeping changes in the look of your body. Heck, I can show you women have had gained weight that are more lean than at their low weight.
OP, have a moderate deficit like 20% less than maintenance calories, lift some weight, throw in some cadio and eat adequate protein. There are some at home body and/or dumbbell routines in the link below. I would suggest getting on one of the structured programs to give you a solid path. You can also consider some of the books that are linked in there.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
thanks for the link! Such great info.
Can you elaborate on the bit about "exception might be those morbidly obese"?
Is this to say that strength training is not the best "start" for losing weight for someone like me, over a hundred pounds?
I have already lost over 50 (not the right way always) and would like to do strength training. With the amount I have to lose would it be best to stick to cardio and then turn to strength training later on?
Any advice is appreciated and taken with a grain of salt!
People that are morbidly obese can often have more health concerns related to their health. So aggressively cutting calories, to reduce the impacts of obesity, may be seen as a priority to them and their doctors. So short term, they may be ok with losing muscle and fat just to see improvements in metabolic markers.
Even so, I would always recommend weight training and adequate protein (~.8 to 1g of protein per lb of lean body mass) to encourage muscle retention (which helps maintain metabolic functions) and focus on fat loss, even with those who have 100+ lbs to lose.
Also, quite often, people complain and wish they would have started weight/resistance training sooner than they did because it's a lot easier to maintain muscle than it is to gain muscle. And people really start seeing visual changes much faster doing resistance based training than they ever do with just cardio.3 -
Put some music on and dance with your baby. Nursing will suck the weight right out of you. If you have access to a tractor tire, you may have an ax or hatchet, and stumps or wood lying around. I've been chopping up stumps from bushes I cut down with a hatchet. It's a great upper body, upper back and bicep workout. Wear eye protection. Put a scarf over your mouth if the air is too cold.0
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mgalovic01 wrote: »Put some music on and dance with your baby. Nursing will suck the weight right out of you. If you have access to a tractor tire, you may have an ax or hatchet, and stumps or wood lying around. I've been chopping up stumps from bushes I cut down with a hatchet. It's a great upper body, upper back and bicep workout. Wear eye protection. Put a scarf over your mouth if the air is too cold.
i've seen you posting this about breastfeeding and how good it is for losing weight a few times, but please remember that not all women can breast feed, and not everyone automatically loses weight just because they are breast feeding.3 -
healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »If your aim is to lose 40 lbs quickly, I would suggest : skip weight lifting for now and focus on cardio as cardio burns a lot more calories and to lose weight , you need to burn more calories
that's bad advice IMO, as resistance/strength training help retain muscle, meaning you look better as you lose weight, instead of just smaller and still squishy.
She can start resistance training after she looses the 40 lbsa
of course, but as i said, if you do resistance training as you lose weight, you are more likely to retain muscle, and not look squishy at a lower weight. i don't know many women who don't want to look 'toned' when they have lost weight?
Well yeah , but she implied that her aim is to lose 40 lbs QUICKLY so i think that her primary concern should be burning more calories to lose the weight faster
which shouldn't be encouraged as its generally not sustainable!
Why not?
When you lose weight quickly and don't do any resistance training/have adequate protein, you increase the chances of more muscle loss. Since muscle is lean, you are actually making it harder to get a lean body, you are decreasing metabolic functions and your body fat level is reducing at a slower pace. People actually want fat loss the majority of the time (exception might be those morbidly obese). Fat loss is where you tend to notice the sweeping changes in the look of your body. Heck, I can show you women have had gained weight that are more lean than at their low weight.
OP, have a moderate deficit like 20% less than maintenance calories, lift some weight, throw in some cadio and eat adequate protein. There are some at home body and/or dumbbell routines in the link below. I would suggest getting on one of the structured programs to give you a solid path. You can also consider some of the books that are linked in there.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
thanks for the link! Such great info.
Can you elaborate on the bit about "exception might be those morbidly obese"?
Is this to say that strength training is not the best "start" for losing weight for someone like me, over a hundred pounds?
I have already lost over 50 (not the right way always) and would like to do strength training. With the amount I have to lose would it be best to stick to cardio and then turn to strength training later on?
Any advice is appreciated and taken with a grain of salt!
People that are morbidly obese can often have more health concerns related to their health. So aggressively cutting calories, to reduce the impacts of obesity, may be seen as a priority to them and their doctors. So short term, they may be ok with losing muscle and fat just to see improvements in metabolic markers.
Even so, I would always recommend weight training and adequate protein (~.8 to 1g of protein per lb of lean body mass) to encourage muscle retention (which helps maintain metabolic functions) and focus on fat loss, even with those who have 100+ lbs to lose.
Also, quite often, people complain and wish they would have started weight/resistance training sooner than they did because it's a lot easier to maintain muscle than it is to gain muscle. And people really start seeing visual changes much faster doing resistance based training than they ever do with just cardio.
thanks! once again I love the link it is so helpful!!1 -
^^^true. I breast fed my daughter for 17 months. The weight did not come off from breastfeeding. I wasn't tracking my calories at the time and even after I went back to the gym (sporadically) the weight did not magically fall off. I started walking a lot with my kid in a stroller and I did get back to pre-pregnancy weight/size. But I didn't like my body composition until I started lifting consistently.1
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JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Eat to lose weight. Exercise to look good.
Get yourself into a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day. With younguns you probably need to set your activity level one notch above sedentary. That will have you losing about 1 lb per week, with the caveat that women's weight is maddeningly fluctuatious what with ovulation and menstruation and stress and salt and muscle injury from crazy workouts.
Be patient and persistent.
This, 100%. Weight loss starts in the kitchen, not the gym.0 -
Body weight training will work too if you don't have access to variable weights for progression. Start working on that pushup! Theres your first goal 1
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Did someone say tractor tire!?! You can create a couple 10-minute tractor tire circuits. Use it for box jumps, dips, sledge hammer, push-ups, flips, step-ups, frontal jumps... 0
This discussion has been closed.
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