Beginner Looking for Workout Routine Advice

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NekoneMeowMixx
NekoneMeowMixx Posts: 410 Member
edited February 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a 22 year old female, 5' 6", currently at 136lbs, hoping to drop down to about 120. I'm currently using a customized workout routine derived from Fitness Blender's full workout videos. I read in a few places that for best results, I'd want to be doing 2 - 3 days of strength training, and 4 - 6 days of cardio. I'm not so much looking to lose major weight or gain tons of strength as much as just tone up and lose a few inches here and there (primarily in waist, hips, and thighs). My current plan looks like this

Cardio Intervals and Upper Body Toning-- 10 minutes (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) (Tuesday, Thursday)
Body Focus: Upper, Total
Calorie Burn: 60 - 100
Workout Type: Cardiovascular, Strength Training, Toning

HIIT Like a Girl-- 22 minutes (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) (Tuesday, Thursday)
Body Focus: Lower, Total
Calorie Burn: 264 - 330
Workout Type: Cardiovascular, HIIT, Toning

Feel Good Stretch (Tuesday, Thursday) (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Body Focus: Total
Calorie Burn: 45 - 105
Workout Type: Low Impact, Pilates, Warm Up, Yoga/Stretching/Flexibility

Yoga Cardio Blend-- 15 minutes (Tuesday, Thursday) (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Body Focus: Total
Calorie Burn: 90 - 120
Workout Type: Cardiovascular, Toning, Yoga/Stretching/Flexibility

Goodbye Stress Yoga Infused Stretching Routine-- 13 minutes (Saturdays)
Body Focus: Total
Calorie Burn: 42 - 68
Workout Type: Low Impact, Warm Up, Yoga/Stretching/Flexibility

Relaxing Yoga Pilates Blend-- 15 minutes (Sundays)
Body Focus: Total
Calorie Burn: 49 - 79
Workout Type: Low Impact, Pilates, Toning, Warm Up, Yoga/Stretching/Flexibility


I don't have a lot of time during the day to work out, which is why I chose to do two shorter workouts put together each day that encompass most of what I'm looking for. I alternate workouts each week so I don't fall into too much of a pattern, and I get an equal amount of all the benefits.

My question is, is this a productive workout routine, and is it going to help get me towards the results I want (paired with a healthy diet of course!) In the next week or two, I'm going to be starting work in a distribution warehouse, so I'll be on my feet, loading and unloading up to 70 pounds 8 - 12 hours a day. Right now I'm a bit more sedentary, but I wanted something to get me used to moving, and something I'll have the energy to do once I'm working.

Note: I'm definitely *feeling* these. I almost struggle to finish them, but I manage to make it through with pretty good form and all. I sweat more and feel more worn out than I did while doing P90x though, so that seems like a good sign!

Appreciate all the advice in advance! links to these videos can be found in my first comment

Replies

  • NekoneMeowMixx
    NekoneMeowMixx Posts: 410 Member
    Each of these have a in depth detail on the workout in the description section, so you don't have to watch the whole video! :P

    Cardio Intervals
    http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/No-Equipment-Cardio-Intervals-and-Upper-Body-Toning-Workout/dg/


    HIIT Like a Girl
    http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Can-You-HIIT-like-a-Girl-22-Minute-Cardio-HIIT-Workout-Challenge/cd/


    Feel Good Stretch
    http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Feel-Good-Stretching-Workout-Calming-Evening-or-Morning-Stretch-Routine/dp/


    Yoga Cardio Blend
    http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Yoga-Cardio-Blend-Yoga-Inspired-Cardio-and-Toning-Workout/e0/


    Goodbye Stress
    http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Goodbye-Stress-Calming-Stretching-Workout-Full-Body-Yoga-Infused-Stretching-Routine/g3/


    Relaxing Pilates Yoga Blend
    http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Relaxing-Pilates-Yoga-Blend-Calming-Yoga-and-Pilates-Workout-for-Strength-and-Flexibility/gu/
  • tindy5799
    tindy5799 Posts: 221 Member
    depends on your goals, if you want to lose inches and build muscle then no. Look up starting strength 5X5 program and do that in a gym. You'll likely not lose weight but you'll look so much better and get smaller.
  • tindy5799
    tindy5799 Posts: 221 Member
    and buy new rules of lifting for women
  • Dino_bacon2112
    Dino_bacon2112 Posts: 341 Member
    My advice is to find something you like doing and stick to it but don't burn yourself out!

    For weight loss in general, you do not *have* to do strength training or cardio, it's simply calories out vs calories in. It is a good idea to do both--strength training for body composition and cardio for eating moar foodz! but definitely not required. Honestly, if there's anyway you can get to a gym, I've heard nothing but good things about Starting Strength 5x5 which is a strength training plan that you can find online. Also, check out the group Eat, Train, Progress for some inspiration and to ask any questions you have specifically about lifting if you decide to do so.
  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    Not true, you can lose inches and gain muscle doing HIIT, yoga, etc.

    My advice would be to try it for a while, and see if you are getting what you want out of it. If not, switch it up. If it feels like you are getting a good cardio workout, and the muscles are sore in the places you want them to be sore, then keep at it. No one can tell you ahead of time what the results of something are going to be because everyone is different and it depends on your body/effort/etc.
  • NekoneMeowMixx
    NekoneMeowMixx Posts: 410 Member
    My advice is to find something you like doing and stick to it but don't burn yourself out!

    For weight loss in general, you do not *have* to do strength training or cardio, it's simply calories out vs calories in. It is a good idea to do both--strength training for body composition and cardio for eating moar foodz! but definitely not required. Honestly, if there's anyway you can get to a gym, I've heard nothing but good things about Starting Strength 5x5 which is a strength training plan that you can find online. Also, check out the group Eat, Train, Progress for some inspiration and to ask any questions you have specifically about lifting if you decide to do so.

    I did find a 5x5 program, and it's all RAAAAAWWRRR MANLINESS! ADD 1,000,000 POUNDS TO YOUR LIFT WEIGHT EACH MONTH! RAAAHHHH! Is there a free version of this for beginners, or women? (Still searching, but wasn't sure if someone knew a good one to save me the trouble)

    I wouldn't say I exactly enjoy these workouts. I mean, they're kicking my *kitten*, and I definitely feel it, but I feel more winded and shaky than any real muscle tightness... The only reason I thought that yoga/pilates/cardio would be a good course of action is because like I said, I'll be starting in a factory soon. I'm going to be doing an unbelievable amount of bending squatting, and lifting. So it's kind of like my own personal gym in itself. Though I'm not sure exactly how heavy things are likely going to be most of the time. It's a Meijer Distribution center, so the heaviest thing I'd be lifting is probably like, dog food. But high reps, lower weight is always what our weight training teacher told us to do if we wanted lean muscle and toning...

    Perhaps that's something I should have clarified as well... Like I said, I'd like to lose a little weight (get back down to 120, if possible) I'm not so much concerned with growing big muscles. I'd like to have more endurance than strength, I think. I'm just looking to flatten my stomach (thus toning), and tone up my butt, thighs, hips. I mean, if I get ripped in the process, I won't complain :P

    Also, the clubhouse to our apartment complex does have a gym, but I'm sure how much equipment it actually has. A gym membership is certainly something to look into once I have money-- but in the meantime, I'm looking for the best plan for a busy girl who's too out of shape, looking to drop about 3 - 5 inches :)
  • Dino_bacon2112
    Dino_bacon2112 Posts: 341 Member
    You're eating a calorie deficit, so you won't "gain" muscle. You might retain water for a little while (almost guaranteed that you will) but you will lose weight and look freaking sexy.

    Check out this thread for some women on MFP who lift. Also, go at your own pace with any workout program. Just because the program suggests that you advance at a certain pace does not mean you will

    here's the thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/977538-halp-heavy-lifting-made-me-supah-bulky
  • NekoneMeowMixx
    NekoneMeowMixx Posts: 410 Member
    Awesome thread! Checking out some of the leads on those lifting programs! I'm thinking for now, I'll just stick with the workout I've been doing. Once I've started working and get to the point where I'm not horribly exhausted and sore after coming home from work (ie- when it becomes less of a challenge) I'll switch up my cardio routine and do that 2 times a week and start one of these lifting programs... It's going to take time, and lots of practice, whatever I end up doing.

    Thanks for all the tips! :)
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