Help me build a plan!

Do you have a Wii?? There is a Zumba for Wii that's super fun. I'm sure it's not as fun as being there live in a class, but it comes with a belt that you can slip the wii-mote into so your hands are free. I really like it!

I am 3 months into my weight loss journey and have lost 35 lbs so far using Jillian Michael's DVDs. Currently, I have about 16 days left of Ripped in 30 and have no plan for what to do after that! I am getting slightly nervous since my burn numbers are getting smaller and I have to work intensely to get the numbers I was hitting which I don't mind. I am doing an hour or more of cardio a day on the treadmill or stationary bike (bad knee doesn't allow for everyday treadmill use). I am thinking about trying Zumba but there is no classes in our area. I love workout DVDs that I can do at home. I am not a fan of the gym. So I am looking for some EFFECTIVE ideas to get these last 20 lbs off before summer arrives. Ideas? Can you share with me your Zumba experience? Weight loss and/or inches? Pictures? Feeling a little lost with what to do over the next 3 months of my journey.

Your burn numbers will come down as you lose weight because you don't have that extra weight to carry around anymore. Pick up something that weighs 35 pounds and you will realize that was a substantial amount of weight to carry around.

For getting those last 20 pounds off I would suggest doing less cardio and more strength training. You don't have to have a gym to do that as you can get a great strength training workout using just your body weight. I posted some stuff about it in this thread -- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/201749-strength-training-help

The book I mentioned by Mark Lauren in that thread has changed my views completely on body weight exercise.

The other book I found that made a huge difference was reading about Metabolic Resistance Training. It is like Interval Training with strength building exercises either with or without weights. The best book on this that I have found is "Cardio Weight Training" by Robert Dos Remedios who you can find out more about at http://www.coachdos.com/

This approach to exercise will burn much more fat and maintain muscle, and I have seen people build muscle with it as well.

When a person is really overweight (obese) any exercise will help, but in the long run Cardio does not make you thin. All you have to do is look at the many people at gyms who have been doing long duration steady state cardio 6 days a week for years and are still looking like they have fat to lose. "Google sprinter vs marathoner pictures" and you will find lots of comparisons. The marathoners are skinny, but it is a skinny that most of us would not want, where sprinters are also skinny, but in a healthy toned way.

Bang for buck, HIIT and Metabolic Resistance Training are much more effective for fat loss. Now with your knee problem you may have to avoid certain exercises, you many not, as it depends on your specific knee problem. I have a tear in my meniscus which means there are certain things (long distance running among them) that aggravate my knee, but squats and lunges when I concentrate on proper form don't. In fact they strengthen my knee joint. Depending on your knee problem you may want to see a Physical Therapist to determine good and safe exercises that will build your strength and protect your knee.