Oh wise people of MFP, I need your wisdom!

irunforcookies
irunforcookies Posts: 111 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone! I think I've got a pretty good grip on all of the info here, but maybe you can help me out a little. I am getting close to maintenance. Even though my weigh loss hasn't been dramatic (3-5 lbs a month) it is good for being 20 lbs overweight. I am leaving on my cruise in a month, and I was wondering what I could do to amp it up for the next 30 days. I eat between 1500 - 1800 calories a day, depending on my activity level. Right now, I do Insanity 3-4 days a week with a HRM - and it says I burn between 350-450, depending on the time and intensity. I'm 5'9, 158 lbs. I run 3-4 days a week between 3-5 miles. I usually burn 200-300 then. I know I need to add more strength training to get the definition, but what would be most effective for me? In my home gym, I have a Hoist H310 weight machine, a treadmill, and an elliptical that I never use. It's not an option right now for me to get a gym membership, or invest more money in free weights. Any suggestions? Should I cut down on the cardio and replace that time with strength, or keep the cardio and add strength? I can invest between 1-2 hours a day, I get my time in while my kids nap, and after they go to bed if needed. Thanks!

Replies

  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    Strength training is awesome, you should definitely keep doing some.

    However, true definition only shows up on your body after the adipose (fat) tissue is lost and reveals what is underneath it.

    So doing a bunch of strength training for 4 weeks before a cruise isn't going to make you look a whole lot better... right now.

    I would just keep mostly focusing on cardio and making sure you have a safe deficit (to avoid muscle loss). Other than that, there isn't some other way to lose weight faster or look better than what you're already doing in 4 weeks.

    Once you're back from the cruise, you can add some more strength training if you want. There are a lot of pilates and yoga videos you can do at home that use your own body weight, so you don't need to buy anything or get a gym membership.
  • irunforcookies
    irunforcookies Posts: 111 Member
    Thanks! Insanity is some strength training, just not defined muscle toning. I have lost a lot of fat in the last 5 months, so the muscles are peeking through, I will just have to give it more time.
  • STC1188
    STC1188 Posts: 101 Member
    No such thing as toning. Muscles grow more "toned" (defined) by being larger or by having less fat covering them. Thus, you either grow larger muscles or cut fat to "tone".
  • irunforcookies
    irunforcookies Posts: 111 Member
    I understand. I am still between 25-30% body fat, so I know I need to lose more fat before muscle definition will show.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    Like others said, just keep doing what you are doing. If anything when you get back, start doing Body Beast to get a good weight training routine down. You will see more composition changes by doing so.
  • irunforcookies
    irunforcookies Posts: 111 Member
    Like others said, just keep doing what you are doing. If anything when you get back, start doing Body Beast to get a good weight training routine down. You will see more composition changes by doing so.

    Ok, Sounds good! I will look into Body Beast. Thanks!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    Like others said, just keep doing what you are doing. If anything when you get back, start doing Body Beast to get a good weight training routine down. You will see more composition changes by doing so.

    Ok, Sounds good! I will look into Body Beast. Thanks!
    BTW, if you do beast and still need to cut some fat, follow the 3rd phase for nutrition. That is designed for the cut phase. You can use the whole program as a cut program as long as you don't eat a surplus.

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