New, slightly despondent

LysDaisy
LysDaisy Posts: 3 Member
in Introduce Yourself
My New Years Resolution is to lose 10lbs. I'm reasonably fit. Since the middle of January I've been exercising 5-6 times a week, mostly cardio with barre workouts for toning and endurance. I've never really bothered with counting calories before, so that's going to take some work! I currently weigh in at 129lbs, 5' 7", so my weight is healthy but I'd like to be a little trimmer in time for summer. Short skirts and bikinis feel so much nicer when I don't have a podgy belly and thighs! :laugh: Gym membership is so expensive these days and I hate the endless MTV videos on the oversized television screens, so I use exercise DVDs. It's much easier to stick with my exercise regime when all I have to do is walk to the living room and put on a DVD.

I'm feeling a little disheartened because I've actually GAINED 2lbs since I started in mid January. I keep telling myself that this happens to most people when they start/restart a fitness routine. I hope that now I'm watching calories it'll get easier.

All encouragement will be gratefully received! Look forward to seeing you all on the boards.

Replies

  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    129 at 5'7" is pretty thin....perhaps you should consider lifting weights instead of dieting/cardio....just a thought.
  • LysDaisy
    LysDaisy Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks Lupercalia. Why lifting instead of cardio?

    My target loss is 10lbs but I'll stop before then if I get the visible results I'm after, it's not set in stone. Heck, if I can reduce my mid section by an inch or so and only lose 5lbs, that's fine, I'd be quite happy.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    Because I'm guessing what you're unhappy with isn't your weight, but your body composition. I think you'd probably like the look of your body better if you lost fat and strengthened your muscles. The number on the scale means absolutely nothing--what matters is how one looks, how our clothes fit, etc. Those things are always improved with building strength. The other benefit of strength training is that it is just plain good for you, especially as a woman. Fights osteoporosis, keeps us more mobile as we age, etc. etc.
  • carly_am
    carly_am Posts: 145 Member
    Sounds like you just need to tone up? There's a tonne of posts on here about why strength training is good. In my personal experience I have barely lost any weight on the scale but have lost inches and a dress size. I do mainly strength classes like body pump and kettlebell but lots of people recommend focused lifting and strength training.

    Have a search through the forums :)
  • LysDaisy
    LysDaisy Posts: 3 Member
    Okay, thank you both. I'll have a hunt around.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Because I'm guessing what you're unhappy with isn't your weight, but your body composition. I think you'd probably like the look of your body better if you lost fat and strengthened your muscles. The number on the scale means absolutely nothing--what matters is how one looks, how our clothes fit, etc. Those things are always improved with building strength. The other benefit of strength training is that it is just plain good for you, especially as a woman. Fights osteoporosis, keeps us more mobile as we age, etc. etc.

    this this this!

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