Diet, Exercise or BOTH more effective ahead of holiday?

leandra23xx

Hi, I am going on holiday in 5 weeks time and would like to look extra trim. My goal each week is 1,370 calories as I exercise around 4 times week (HIIT, Bounce, Spinning, Gym - weights and jogging) and have been doing this for 6 months so its a way of life. However, I probably average around 1,530 over a week and am losing inches, despite the scales not really moving. My question is, ahead of this holiday, should I change my routine and focus onto either dieting and aiming for 1,200 calories consistently or up the exercise? Or both? I just want to look my best in a bikini - and that is slim and toned. What do you advise is most effective for the best results?

kommodevaran

As you lose weight, your optimal rate of loss per week, drops too. Use that information to make a decision.

LivingtheLeanDream

So you've basically been maintaining your weight. But if you are happy with inch loss because you are toning up then perhaps you need do nothing.
If you want to lose then you need to look at your intake and reduce it a bit.

h1udd

Both .. but try and ignore the scale number.

What I mean is, eat the correct amount of calories to drop fat at a sensible rate ..... but workout to encourage and plump up your muscles with a decent amount of glycogen so they help you look more toned. A full body workout will also start to improve your posture which will massively help with looking good.

the downside being, increasing your exercise will of course flood your muscles with water .. which will make gthe scale weight go up .... the trick is, understanding that this weight is not fat, no one knows how much you weigh and it doesnt matter, you are after looks not a number !

leandra23xx

Thanks everyone. I think I need to be sensible and yes stay away from the scales, eat a little less in the lead up to the holiday and to concentrate on the toning with full body workouts. Since I have started running recently and HIIT classes, the scales have gone up 1kg but clothes are fitting me well, so have to concentrate on the toning side of things. Mental challenge!

TavistockToad

leandra23xx wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I think I need to be sensible and yes stay away from the scales, eat a little less in the lead up to the holiday and to concentrate on the toning with full body workouts. Since I have started running recently and HIIT classes, the scales have gone up 1kg but clothes are fitting me well, so have to concentrate on the toning side of things. Mental challenge!

are you tattooing your weight on your forehead when you go on holiday?

if not i wouldn't worry about scale weight, losing inches is more important and is going to make you feel better in your bikini.

Maxxitt

My advice is to keep doing exactly what you are doing until your holiday, and then go and have fun.

jennifer_417

Whatever works best to keep you in a consistent calorie deficit.