Moms (or non moms) NOT looking to lose weight?

twins_plus_one

Hi! I just joined MFP yesterday so I'm not really sure where I should post this but I was wondering if any of you are not looking to lose weight, just firm up. I've been researching an insane amount and it all just leaves me more confused. Do I need cardio? No cardio? Weights? How heavy? HIIT? Blaahhhhh! Could use someone with similar goals to help give me at least a bit of guidance. I'm also trying to figure out how to post my before pictures to sort of give an idea of where I am and where I'd like to be. Thanks so much for any help you guys can offer.

AmandaRhys

I'm still trying to lose weight....but I can tell you that EVERYONE needs cardio. You'll have to up your calories to prevent weight loss while doing cardio...but cardio is for your HEART, not just weight loss. I plan on doing some form of cardio and strength training for the rest of my life...not just while losing weight. How heavy your weights should be would depend on your current ability and how much you want to strengthen yourself... I'm afraid of getting bulky muscles rather than strong and lean...so I won't go heavier than 8lb weights for my arms.

3foldchord

Me. Sort of.,I did lose 10 pounds, but that was my weight goal and am now working on my fitness goal.
I have 3 boys. Not twins, but 3 in 3 years with autism spectrum disorders...but they are almost all growes up now! (16,18,19)

Feel free to add me to your friends list! I am slowly adding a bit more to my workouts. Hope to be lifting 'real weight' as soon as I find the time to drive to my dad's. (he lives closer than the gym and has free weights, as well as weight machines in his basement)

ndj1979

if you want to build strength, lose some body fat, and tone up...then you need to do strength training at least three days a week.

What kind of workouts do you do know?

You should build a program around deadlifts, squats, overhead press, dumbbell curls, chinups/pullups etc...

Diet is important too..if you want to lose body fat then you need to be in caloire deficit ....have you calcuated your TDEE?

If you are new to weight training then start off with a program that has you doing three day a week total body workout..and mix in some HIIT on rest days, but that is about as much cardio as I would go with ...

too much cardio causes you to lose muscle mass...

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I'm not a mom but I'm looking to gain. You don't need cardio. I do a little bit of walking and light running just for conditioning but I focus on lifting. Just eat and focus on the big six. If you're looking to gain strength check out 5/3/1 (my favorite), SS, or one of those strength based programs. If you're looking to add mass, try DC, HST, PHAT, or some other hypertrophy programs.

heyyoudontgiveup

Lift heavy things.

FitForLife81

I am in maintenance and a mom. I lost 30lbs and now am actually trying to gain a few pounds then into maintenance Weights is where it is at

dorothytd

Hi! I'm a mom, and at goal weight and always looking to be faster, stronger, better, lol! I do a mix of cardio and strength during the week. My best advice? Do what you like and what is sustainable for you. Strength, 3x a week, and more than 3-5 pound weights. Cardio IS good for the heart - walking, running, HIIT, low or high impact. There are so many choices! Do you have a routine or anything you really like to do now?

Crazy4Healthy

Lift, lift, lift!!

Cardio is fine, but I would recommend HIIT or no more than 30 minutes steady-state at at time (just for cardiovascular health). You could try something like New Rules of Lifting for Women (NROL4W), StongLifts, or Starting Strength. They are all good programs and you will find lots of women on here use them. They all basically incorporate compound exercises. Best of luck to you.

Oh, I'm a mom (3 kids, 2 grandkids), I did lose 40 but I'm in maintenance now just working on my body composition.

jimmie65

Has anyone suggested lifting yet?

twins_plus_one

Thank you guys! I'm not committed to any program yet. The only thing I've found that I enjoyed sine dancing in high school/college is a weights class at 24 hr fitness. Saw the best results with that. But the gym isn't really an option for me right now. Someone mentioned 5/3/1? What is that? I'm very excited to research some of these and give them a try.

I recently tried 30 day shred but have trouble working out every single day without break. Did Brazil Butt Lift a couple days as well. That one was much more enjoyable.

workout_junkee

I agree lifting would be a benefit. You could do 30 Day Shred 3 days a week I stead of every. Some other popular options are New Rules of Lifting for Women (book), Jillian Michael's Body Revolution, Chalean Extreme and Strong Lifts. Part of it depends on how heavy you want to lift.

I currently lift 3 days a week, run three days a week and do yoga/Pilates once a week. I am having great results with maintaining and toning:-).

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

Thank you guys! I'm not committed to any program yet. The only thing I've found that I enjoyed sine dancing in high school/college is a weights class at 24 hr fitness. Saw the best results with that. But the gym isn't really an option for me right now. Someone mentioned 5/3/1? What is that? I'm very excited to research some of these and give them a try.

I recently tried 30 day shred but have trouble working out every single day without break. Did Brazil Butt Lift a couple days as well. That one was much more enjoyable.

5/3/1 is Jim Wendler's program. I did it an my lifts TRIPLED in just FOUR MONTHS!! You can google 5/3/1 and easily find the guidelines for the program. It's a strength based lifting program and I found it to be very effective. I trust a man that squats 1,000lbs to know how to increase strength :laugh: