Encouragement please??

asilmegan34

So far I have lost 30 pounds with 40 left to go. I've been able to lose weight by counting calories, making a point to stay active through the day, and running with the couch to 5k program. As happy as I've been with my progress, I know I need to start strength training, but last time I tried my weight loss journey I didn't lose a pound during the eight weeks. I'm not sure if it was because of the heavy lifting or that I was doing something wrong (totally possible). I preach about the dangers of going by the scale and I know I need to practice it, but I am soooo scared, no TERRIFIED of dealing with stalled weight loss then giving up. Any ideas? Words of encouragement? Anyone notice programs like Insanity and 30 Day Shred helped with muscle building without weight stall?

thank you so much.

Jennloella

30 day shred will definitely tone you up!! just don't move to straight lifting, keep your cardio up!! you will be so happy though if you start some strength training congrats on the loss thus far!

bethvandenberg

I added weight training along with my cardio. You need more calories to keep a higher muscle mass going. I do not too heavy weights and do 3 sets of 15 reps each machine. I do arms/legs/core all on separate days. Good luck with the remaining part of your journey.

cjjones007

x2 for adding weight training... Don't be afraid of bulking up, you won't... the goal is to tone those muscles so that they burn more calories all day long thus creating a bigger deficit and faster weight loss - not to mention better health, posture, feeling better, endurance, etc...

AHealthierRhonda

Thanks to 30DS I have some serious definition in my shoulders! When I do use weights, I use smaller weights and more reps, that has always been my "thing". RIght now I am using 5lb ankle weights and doing leg lifts and all sorts of things to get myself back into weight training. I also have hand weights and weighted gloves I am going to try wearing as I do Zumba.

Triteacher

It seems that you have plateaued. Usually this happens anywhere from 20-30 lbs of weight loss. I have been there a few times and it is frustrating. Strength training also builds muscle which weighs more than "fat" so as you lose weight and build muscle you have a tendancy to remain stagnate which is where I am, and have been for awhile. My problem is that I have been training for triathlons so I have to sacrifice one for the other. Lose weight and sacrifice performance, or eat for fuel and maintain weight. Either way one is going to suffer; thus why I just joined this site. At 260, I need to lose weight before I can perform at the level I want for these events. Hang in there, in a few weeks you will notice another drop in weight. Sorry for the long post, but I see so many people get frustrated, including me, about plateauing and ultimatly give up. 30lbs. is remarkable! Great job and remember; You didn't put the weight on over night, so don't expect it to fall off over night.

weeziews

Strength training is going tone you and you wont regret it. Women build muscle much differently than men so you won't bulk up. Doing intervals (strength with Cardio) will keep the weight coming off. If possible see a trainer. The will show you proper form and what to do to keep burning the fat. Good luck!!

hazelnutflav

ok i hear you, i too have been successful in the past just by watching my nutrition and working out i saw the pounds came off but i would always get to a point where i would stop loosing wt its llike someone fliped a switch and no more wt loss, however during this entire time i NEVER lifted any weights or strength trained but time and time again my research would point out that you have got to strength train if you want the scale to start moving again, its so simple: build more muscle to burn more fat and the lbs will begin to drop off again.

however i would fight this like the flu, i never saw the point in doing it, i found strength training to be soooo boring and felt it was a total waste of my time, well i knew i had to try it again FIND A WAY to make it intresting and fun so i found mfp and learned to mix up all of my workouts and i try not to do the same workout in a month, not a problem between my sister and i we have at least 100 workout videos to choose from, so i came across a dvd from bob harper called pure burn it was suppose to have you work out with weights for abt a hr and make it such a challenge you were going to get that scale to move again, i really cant explaine it but this worked for me i went out and got the rest of his videos and added them to the mix, today i do strength training 3xs a week and i end every session in a pool of sweat, I LOVE IT the scale moved and i have gained muscle and burned fat every month since i started strength training, also i make a poster of what my physical successes are for the month, last mo. i lost 3 lbs,including 1 inch off my hips and droped 7% body fat i could not be more pleased, all in all the thing is i changed my attitude about how i felt abt wtrain and then found a way to make it work for me, maybe the bob harper videos is not for you, ok just keep searching until you find someone you like, here is a link to a website where you can preview workout videos before you buy it im sure you will find someone there that you like to get you started with strength training.

just dont give up,strenght training does works you have got to put in the time and earn it and you will see results im sure of it.

http://www.collagevideo.com/