20 lbs down, 20 more to go-what kind of exercises?

cynthiaj777

I'm nearly 20 lbs down. I wanted to wait to start working out until I had lost 20 lbs because at the beginning, I wasn't seeing a result (plus the whole discrepancy betweent eat your workout calories or not). It just wasn't working. I stopped working out and stuck to 1200 calories (most often around 1000 though) -BAM 20 lbs in 9 weeks compared to 5 lbs in 2 months when working out (and no my clothes were not fitting better).

So, why question is, what kind of exercises should I do when I work out in order to TONE and jump start the next 20 lbs I want to lose? I have been struggling to get the last 5 of my first 20 off for 2 1/2 weeks...I've been plateauing. I know I'm going to need help getting the next 20 off. Also, should I just stick to 1200 calories (and eat all 1200) and work off around 200-300 calories, which will put be netting around 1000 like I haven normally been eating. Should I even be burning calories really if I want to tone? Should I just do light weights, lunges, sit ups...etc to tone?

I can't run because I can't do high impact. I am looking around for a bike though.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Buppie

I am in the same boat, lost 20, need to lose 20 more. I just started the Couch-to-5K program (and I can't run much either), but it allows you to walk the entire way. It helps to do the program, because it makes you get out there, meet people and gets you moving. Here in GA, it is HOT and I sweated more last Thursday than I ever have in my life. I am hoping this will jumpstart my metablism (I have been in a plateau) and tone at the same time.

SparkleShine

Walking!

smuehlbauer

I can't do high impact either but I found that you can modify almost any exercise to be low impact.
I walk almost every day - getting my heart rate up so I'm sweatin - no sissy walks!
I also do Jillian Michales DVD's. 30 Day Shred, No More Trouble Zones gives you both cardio and weights. (you only need 3 lb hand weights). I also do her Yoga Meltdown and just got Banish Fat. All awesome work outs that even I can do. (FYI - I have arthritis in my foot and had a joint replacement in my big toe in Jan, and looking forward to surgery three in December because of the pain)
You can modify. As long as you're moving, that's what counts!
And I never eat all of my exercise calories. Usually only about half. What ever I'm hungry for.

dinos

I started out walking, but ended up riding the bike. No impact and its fun

Azdak

For one thing, I would have your body fat % checked, if that's possible. Either a high-end commercial Tanita scale (with hand sensors as well as the scale footpads) or skinfold calipers (used by someone who knows how). It would help give you a more realistic idea of what your ideal weight should be.

I would increase your overall calories to about 1500/day and see if you can tolerate some higher-intensity workouts. You can do some intense workouts without running--but it helps to have some guidance for the movements and to ramp up gradually.

I am not sure that riding a bike (stationary) will be the best choice for you right now. Don't be afraid the lift some heavier weights--if you keep the total volume (i.e. number of sets) lower, you will be fine. Just waving around light weights will probably not be productive.

The closer you get to an "ideal" weigh, the less you want to rely on a low-calorie eating plan. If you stay at 1500, you can try not eating exercise calories and see what happens, but I don't think 1000-1200 will work that well for you at this point.

edinbors

Good job! Thats is awesome!!! I am down 22 with 20 more to go!! Keep it up!

GetFitE

I suggest maybe doing a walkers to runners program. No one just JUMPS straight into running. You might not be able to handle high-impact workouts now, but you might be able to with time--you just have to get used to it by starting off with the baby steps. So I suggest like if you are doing a mile workout--walk 0.75mi of it and run 0.25mi of it and then with time you would increase that--you'll be surprised with how quickly you get into running.

I also suggest a dance class. I know in GA there is a dance studio for adults (which I tried for the first time today) and they have A LOT of different classes for beginners from ballet, to jazz, to hip-hop dancing to what I did today, the 1000 calorie burn class. That class was a combo between cardio (jump roping, jogging in place, and jumping over a small cone) and strength training--so I would suggest something like that. Dancing is pretty low impact cause you only have to go as far as you're comfortable with.

Also, if you DO want to bike, I DO highly suggest supplementing it with walking every other day and/or strength training. I do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video and it's a GREAT workout.

The key to prevent plateauing is constantly changing up your exercise routine and to make sure you modify your diet--continue to eat healthy, but don't always eat the same thing, e.g. if you usually eat chicken, eat fish every now and then.

cynthiaj777

I'm going to buy a mountain bike for leisure but also because it is a good work out. It won't be a stationary bike, and it is extremely hilly around here, so it will get my heart rate up.

I can run on a treadmill all day. I can't run on the ground because it makes my throat hurt from the air passing into my mouth (through my mouth or nose) and dries it out. On the treadmill, I don't have the wind passing by.

cynthiaj777

For one thing, I would have your body fat % checked, if that's possible. Either a high-end commercial Tanita scale (with hand sensors as well as the scale footpads) or skinfold calipers (used by someone who knows how). It would help give you a more realistic idea of what your ideal weight should be.

I would increase your overall calories to about 1500/day and see if you can tolerate some higher-intensity workouts. You can do some intense workouts without running--but it helps to have some guidance for the movements and to ramp up gradually.

I am not sure that riding a bike (stationary) will be the best choice for you right now. Don't be afraid the lift some heavier weights--if you keep the total volume (i.e. number of sets) lower, you will be fine. Just waving around light weights will probably not be productive.

The closer you get to an "ideal" weigh, the less you want to rely on a low-calorie eating plan. If you stay at 1500, you can try not eating exercise calories and see what happens, but I don't think 1000-1200 will work that well for you at this point.

Oh it is possible. I'm EXTREMELY short. I'm just slightly into the normal weight range now according to the doctor. So, 20 more lbs puts me more toward the lower end of the range. My range is 101.2 - 136.7 lbs. My BMI is 24.3% right now. So....I'm still very much FAT.

cynthiaj777

I started out walking, but ended up riding the bike. No impact and its fun

Stationary or free riding? I'm looking for a real bike. I can't wait to start riding on cool evenings and into the fall/winter months.