Advice on a more effective workout routine

Alexandra289

Hi,

I've decided to start using this forum because I'm really struggling to lose my last few pounds.

For the last month I've been going to the gym 6 or 7 days a week doing quite intense workouts. After two weeks I hadn't lost any weight but was happy because I could definitely tell I'd replaced some fat with muscle. However, these last couple of weeks I've made no difference. I go to a lot of exercise classes and here is what I might typically do in one week:

Monday: Boxercise
Tuesday: Boot Camp followed by Aerobics
Wednesday: Boxercise
Thursday: A bit of cardio with a short kettle bell workout
Friday: Pilates followed by a Tone class (which includes some cardio)
Saturday and Sunday: One rest day and one day of weights machines and cardio
Plus around 30-60 minutes walking most days

I'm 169cm and weigh 141 pounds so I know I'm a healthy weight and don't have too much too lose - more than anything I want to lose all the fat which sticks out around my stomach! I eat quite a lot because I tend to be pretty hungry after the gym but 90% of what I eat is very healthy - very little dairy, no bread, pasta, etc. A lot of fruit, vegetables, eggs, stir fries, porridge for breakfast. Not sure where I'm going wrong!

I love going to the gym most days (it's exam time and it releases so much stress!) but I wonder if my routine is not effective or if I'm not giving my muscles enough time to rest between workouts. Any advice on how to change it would be really appreciated! Thanks!

SenseiCole

Not sure how much water you are drinking,if you hungry I would try drinking more water

has your body change sharp?

are you recording everything you eat and drink???

i cant see you diary

paniologal

Sounds like a plateau. I honestly don't know much about re-establishing a work out routine but I will share what I do know.

I've heard many people say that by simply doing something different than their normal routine they start seeing results again. I'm not sure what new exercises to recommend, but I'm sure a trainer or other members could help you out a little more.

As far as your eating habits go that's great if you're eating healthy. Do you drink soda much? And do you drink enough water? If I drink too much soda and not enough water I get very bloated in my midsection. I don't necessarily think NOT eating breads/pastas/grains is a good thing if you're working out a lot. Some people think cutting grains out of your diet is great and it works for some. Me, personally, I benefit from grains. They make me feel full and give me energy and the nutrients I need (whole grain of course). Also keep in mind when I say 'grains' in this case I'm referring mostly to bread and pasta.

And this is just a little food for thought, I'm not saying you should resort to this or that it would work for everyone, but when I eat breakfast I gain weight for absolutely no reason at all. It doesn't matter if it's healthy or if I stay under my calorie goal. A friend once told me that some studies suggest that some people benefit from not eating breakfast b/c their body is in a fasting state -which is good for them. I'm not saying this is true; I can't tell you how many sources say eating a good breakfast is essential for a balanced diet. But it seems to work for me personally. Just a thought I wanted to share.

phjorg

what are your lifting numbers? what are your calories and macros?

What i'm seeing for your routine is a crapton of cardio and no strength training. The lower body fats and athletic look will be very hard to get without a decent amount of strength training in your training template.

geebusuk

What calories are you eating?
Do you eat back exercise calories? If so, how do you work them out?

Considered looking at something like strong lifts/starting strength?

Alexandra289

Thanks for the replies!

Not sure how much water you are drinking,if you hungry I would try drinking more water

has your body change sharp?

are you recording everything you eat and drink???

i cant see you diary

I usually drink a cup of coffee in the morning, 3 cups of green/ peppermint tea and then maybe a litre and a half of water on top of that.

I haven't been recording what I eat but am going to start doing that to see if I'm overeating!

As far as your eating habits go that's great if you're eating healthy. Do you drink soda much? And do you drink enough water? If I drink too much soda and not enough water I get very bloated in my midsection. I don't necessarily think NOT eating breads/pastas/grains is a good thing if you're working out a lot. Some people think cutting grains out of your diet is great and it works for some. Me, personally, I benefit from grains. They make me feel full and give me energy and the nutrients I need (whole grain of course). Also keep in mind when I say 'grains' in this case I'm referring mostly to bread and pasta.

And this is just a little food for thought, I'm not saying you should resort to this or that it would work for everyone, but when I eat breakfast I gain weight for absolutely no reason at all. It doesn't matter if it's healthy or if I stay under my calorie goal. A friend once told me that some studies suggest that some people benefit from not eating breakfast b/c their body is in a fasting state -which is good for them. I'm not saying this is true; I can't tell you how many sources say eating a good breakfast is essential for a balanced diet. But it seems to work for me personally. Just a thought I wanted to share.

Thanks for the advice. I drink a lot of water but have cut soda out of my diet almost completely - only very occasionally when going to the pub or whatever. I avoid bread and pasta because I get very bloated. In fact, I get very bloated no matter what I eat (may go to a doctor about this because I can't find a way to prevent it) but especially bloated when I've eaten wheat or dairy. Haven't cut them out 100% though and maybe I should try eating a small amount of whole grains. I definitely need breakfast, feel sick without it then tend to overeat later!

what are your lifting numbers? what are your calories and macros?

What i'm seeing for your routine is a crapton of cardio and no strength training. The lower body fats and athletic look will be very hard to get without a decent amount of strength training in your training template.

I think this is good advice. Although I do a lot of exercises with dumbbells, kettle bells, etc which really work my muscles I don't do any strength training. Maybe I'll ask someone at the gym for some advice on what to do. Never done it before so don't know the correct way to lift weights, etc. Also, the weights section is so testosterone filled it's just intimidating but I'll have to get over this!
Thanks!