Questions in regards losing weight (95lbs) & weight lifting!

narwhalpr

Hi everybody,

I have been exercising around a week and a half doing cardio (step aerobics) and weight lifting. At first I was doing 3 sets of 10 reps for weight lifting... lifting the smallest amount available which is 5lbs. So I did that for say 5 days. Well, here's how it looked my days excercising.

[Sept 24] - Walked (20 mins)

[Sept 25] - Walked and eliptical (45mins)

[Sept 26] - Walked and eliptical/treadmill AND weightlifting Upper Body (45mins) - Started MFP logging food)

[Sept 27 - Oct 4] - Step Aerobic (30mins) AND weightlifting Lower Body, then next day Upper Body and the next day Lower Body and so and such

[Oct 5] I finally took a break from weightlifting, but did play Kinect Adventures for 30 minutes

[Oct 5 - 7] Step Aerobic (30 mins) AND went back to the weightlifting routine exchanging between Lower and Upper body each day

[Oct 8] - Walked 5 miles (2 hours) AND no weightlifting

I have lost 5lbs and around 3-4 inches from my chest and hips. I can see a slight progress in my body, here's the picture of 1 week progress. I can feel the slight progress in my clothing as well.

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb356/narwhalpr/week1.png

HOWEVER, I feel I have hit a plateau and my guess is that I am weightlifting too much and working out everyday. I have raise my weight to 10lbs and for the calf I raised it to 50lbs... so indeed I am building muscle... I am starting to consider a new schedule where I have 2 days of cardio only and 5 days of cardio and weightlifting.

So my questions:

1. Am I right, am I weightlifting too much without giving a break to my body to burn fat?

2. Is this schedule ok or should I have a break day from everything (cardio & weightlifting)?

3. OR am I rushing myself in assuming that I have hit a plateau?

I have my goal at losing 1lb per week, but working out this much I would expect to lose more than 1lb. If it helps, I am 5'2" and weight 233 lbs. My weight goal is 140lbs. I have figured out my TDEE/BMR.

Anyways, thank you for your input if any.

auddii

You have not hit a plateau after two weeks, and weight lifting is not limiting your progress. You may be retaining water, which is common with weight lifting.

That said, I'd work on increasing your weights. Most women's purses weigh more than 5lbs. You're stronger than you think. Keep the lifting (upper and lower splits are fine; you need rest days if you're doing full body routines everytime you lift) and try to add weight each week or so.

And don't ignore the weights; they are very important for retaining lean body mass (you aren't actually gaining muscle, but you are increasing your strength).

Lifting weights don't inhibit weight loss. Seriously. I started lifting in January. My numbers won't wow anyone, but I lift a lot heavier than you do, and I've continued to lose:

narwhalpr

Thank you so much, I sort of knew I was rushing to conclusions --- oh that patience of mine is going crazy!