Exercise clueless- what should I be doing?

kddruckenmiller

Hello! I am very clueless when it comes to working out so I hope someone can help me. I am 5'1, 102 pounds, and eat about 1400 calories a day, for background info. I got up to 114 a couple years ago and although I've lost most of that extra weight, I now have a tummy pooch and bigger thighs than I used to. (I do not think I am fat or anything by any means, just not currently happy with my body).

I just completed the 30-day shred and am now wondering what to do next. Yesterday I did another Jillian Michael DVD (No More Trouble Zones, focuses on strength) and today I did a Billy Blanks Tae Bo Cardio Circuit DVD (cardio, obviously).

My question is, should I be focused more on strength or cardio? Or both? I would think cardio since I have a little bit of fat I want to lose, but I also want to build muscle. I'd like to lose 2 or 3 pounds and be 99-100, and thin but strong. I hope someone can help me and I apologize for my exercise ignorance.

BrianSharpe

How about a combination of the two?

Cardio builds endurance (I tend to ignore the whole fat burning thing as it's badly misunderstood and misrepresented) and promotes cardiovascular health.

Strength training will help you build muscle and improve your body composition.

Perhaps some time spent with a personal trainer would be productive.

ptjolsen

How about a combination of the two?

Cardio builds endurance (I tend to ignore the whole fat burning thing as it's badly misunderstood and misrepresented) and promotes cardiovascular health.

Strength training will help you build muscle and improve your body composition.

Perhaps some time spent with a personal trainer would be productive.

The last line.
We (personal trainers) are here to keep you motivated, but all of the good ones will educate you on a good base to follow after just a few short months.

kddruckenmiller

How about a combination of the two?

Cardio builds endurance (I tend to ignore the whole fat burning thing as it's badly misunderstood and misrepresented) and promotes cardiovascular health.

Strength training will help you build muscle and improve your body composition.

Perhaps some time spent with a personal trainer would be productive.

The last line.
We (personal trainers) are here to keep you motivated, but all of the good ones will educate you on a good base to follow after just a few short months.

I would LOVE to have a personal trainer but I guess I should have mentioned that I'm a full-time student plus I work 40+ hours a week. I don't have the money for a gym membership and I have at most 2 hours a day to work out, on a good day. Thanks though! I will probably keep alternating cardio days and strength days like I'm doing now and see how that goes.