workout frustration

DresdenMN
DresdenMN Posts: 23
in Fitness and Exercise
Right now I do 45 minutes of Elliptical 5 times a week and only intake 1200-1500 calories daily . I am getting really frustrated and I need help. Instead of falling into my old patterns of frustration and sitting down and eating everything I can get my hands on, I am going to try and reach out.
I have been doing my routine for about 2 months and yes I have lost but every ounce has been a struggle. I know that I didn't gain the weight in one day and I can't expect to loose it in a day. I tell myself that every day. It took 30 years of unhealthy eating to get to where I am and it will take some time to get to my goal and a lifetime to sustain that goal.
I have decided to change up my routine. (Maybe I plateaued right away?) I just purchased a 10lb kettlebell and I would like some pointers on routines, reps(?), how long to do the workout for, ect.
Any and all information about kettlebells would be extremely helpful.

I wouldn't turn down words of encouragement either.

Thank you all!

Replies

  • medwards89
    medwards89 Posts: 97 Member
    I can't help you in the kettlebell department, but do you eat any exercise calories back? It could be that you're not eating enough otherwise.

    Try switching up your routine more also. Throw a swim in there in place of your regular workout. The kettlebells should be great strength training also!
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    I don't do kettlebells, but I think strength training is a great decision! It should really help you out. My other suggestion would be to eat more (yes, MORE). 45 minutes on the elliptical burns a lot of calories and if you're only intaking 1200-1500, I bet your net calories are really low. I can't recommend this video highly enough, I know it's long but it explains EVERYTHING about how much you should be eating, and it will do you sooooooo much good in the long run (not me in the video btw, just my favorite informational video):

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Iw1thBlLA

    There's a follow up here that answers questions:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypygfB3wKVs&feature=relmfu
  • DresdenMN
    DresdenMN Posts: 23
    Thank you both so much, Lauren, I am going to watch the video as soon as I get home from work. (Taking a few minutes out of work to write a post is easier than watching a 30 minute video.)
    It's good to know that I am on the right track with the strength training.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    It's supposed to be a "struggle."
  • sgthaggard
    sgthaggard Posts: 581 Member
    I would also suggest changing up your cardio. After doing the elliptical 5 times a week, 45 minutes at a time for 2 months, I would imagine that your body has gotten very efficient at it.

    Efficiency means that you are burning fewer calories doing the same thing. Try the treadmill. Try the stationary bikes. Do something your body isn't used to.
  • fitQueenbeast
    fitQueenbeast Posts: 298
    I would also suggest changing up your cardio. After doing the elliptical 5 times a week, 45 minutes at a time for 2 months, I would imagine that your body has gotten very efficient at it.

    Efficiency means that you are burning fewer calories doing the same thing. Try the treadmill. Try the stationary bikes. Do something your body isn't used to.

    YES YES YES! I do the elliptical 5 - 6 days a week in addition to P90x and had to start switching things up because I came to a dead halt for three weeks straight. I changed up the workout times as well as the length of the workout (can't change up P90x though). So, I no longer do the elliptical at the same time and I changed up the length of time on it. One day I might do 30 minutes, the next 60 minutes, the next 45, and so forth. I also changed up my meals and added new things to the mix. It's all about confusing the body and telling it it needs to get back to work!
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    It's supposed to be a "struggle."

    Did you even read the post or did you just see the title and assume a smartass comment would be helpful?
  • DresdenMN
    DresdenMN Posts: 23
    It's supposed to be a "struggle."

    If you took the time to read the entire initial post, you will see that I acknowledged that it is going to be a struggle and I know that it will continue to be a struggle. I am frustrated at this point, I don't need someone pointing out what I have already stated in a negative way. I was asking for pointers, advice, and a little bit of support. Not for someone to be a dink.

    There is no place for negativity on this site. Everyone is here for the same reason, to change their life. If you feel that you need to state obvious things in negative ways please go to the something awful forums and release your internet troll all over the place there. They welcome it. Maybe you feel like you don't need the support and are above helping others. If that is the case, why are you here?
  • DresdenMN
    DresdenMN Posts: 23
    It's supposed to be a "struggle."

    Did you even read the post or did you just see the title and assume a smartass comment would be helpful?


    Internet High 5
  • alaliberte
    alaliberte Posts: 205
    Yes, changing up your routine will help. Do you know what burns a crap load of calories and is fun? Spin classes. I take them on and off on purpose to challenge myself. And, even though I exercise 5-6 days a week (run, bike, swim and Yoga) I still find muscles I'm not using when I take a spin class. The point is to have fun...maybe Zumba is for you?

    BTW--losing weight is not a struggle for everyone. It depends upon your perspective. what goals have you set for yourself? Are you able to reach them? What specifically are you struggling with? The workouts or the eating? You pretty much should be able to eat what you want---it's the portions you need to monitor. Sometimes I'll crave peanut butter M&Ms...but, I take a couple at a time intead of devouring the whole bag.

    You can do this...add me as a friend if you want! :)
  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    It's supposed to be a "struggle."
    Okay this^^^isn't true.
  • DresdenMN
    DresdenMN Posts: 23
    I am thinking about taking the elliptical out of my routine and replacing that with a HIIT workout and adding the kettlebells. I think that may kick my body's butt into gear.
    Also I'm going to try eating my workout calories for 2 weeks for a net of 1200 and see what that does for me.

    How often does everyone else change up their routines?
  • gxdragon
    gxdragon Posts: 23 Member
    After reading another thread the other day about taking in too few calories, I changed my activity level from sedentary to lightly active. Because although I work a desk job I work out five days a week and teach speed and agility to my daughter's softball team three days a week and ride dirtbikes on the weekend. So I hardly sit around all day. The first day after adding about 200 calories to my diet I dropped two pounds. a couple days later I'm down another .6lbs.
    I always change up my routine at the gym. Mix it with weight lifting and cardio. The cardio varies from elliptical, treadmill, jump rope or stair master. Not only does it keep my body guessing but it keeps me from getting bored with the same routine.

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