Jazzing Up My Workout Routine (Suggestions Please!)

Losing weight and toning are both largely functions of calorie intake, which you make no mention of in your post.

Maintain a modest calorie deficit to lose weight.
Start lifting to help focus on fat loss (rather than simple weight loss).
Add in cardio if you want, whatever you like.

if you are doing that much exercise and eating so little....how do you have the energy to continue? you need to consume 1200 cals net (consume - burn = net) at a minimum.

You feel stuck, you're not seeing results, you don't have any extra energy... what about that is "working"?

DaintyMonster wrote: »

Oh, right. I usually maintain about 900-1000 calories daily, except for Sundays. Sundays I don't really track at all and I suppose that could be a problem except that I read that cheating alittle is a good metabolism boost.

I hope this not true. 900 calories?? MFP says your estimated BMR is: 1,301 calories/day. Scooby agrees. Why are you eating so little?

www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator

scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator

Log a couple of your Sundays and see what it comes out to.

I'd say enter your info in MFP and set your goal for "lose 1 lb. a week". Eat back at least half your exercise calories. Aim for 1g protein per lb. of lean bodyweight, at a minimum. And start doing some strength/resistance training, whether weightlifting or bodyweight exercises. Have you thought about P90X? T25 also includes bodyweight and resistance band exercises.

Some ideas for changing up your routine:

I get bored on the elliptical and I do a circuit training type of routine to change up the monotony. For example, I will do 1 mile or 15 minutes on the machine then box for two minutes (I have fingerless gloves that I wear while on the elliptical to keep my heart rate up instead of stopping to put on gloves and I have a punching bag), then 25 kettlebell swings with a 15 pound weight, then 15 kettlebell rows on one side, 25 kettlebell swings, 15 kettlebell rows with the other arm, and then 10 pushups. I hop back on the elliptical and complete this cycle about 3 times giving me an hour long workout. Or, you can create your own circuit with the materials that you have on hand. Plus, kettlebell work can create a stronger core and better looking abs.

Try dancing DVD's like Zumba or bellydance to change up the pace. I like to bellydance on occasion and shimmy with my hip scarf on because it is fun and empowering. Have you thought about yoga or pilates for toning for your abs? Stability ball training can be helpful in ab training.

Try cutting some cardio workouts out and add strength training instead to start toning more. Check out Oxygen Fitness magazine or their website for some weightlifting routines that you can do at home.

Biking may be another option for changing up the pace and checking out the scenery.

If you belong to a gym, do they offer a pool? Maybe you can try swimming a day or two a week to help tone your arms.

On pretty days, I like to go outside and jump rope on my porch (ceilings in the house are not high enough to swing a rope). I then add in some pushups, squats, lunges, wall pushups to create a circuit and complete for 20-30 minutes depending on how I feel.

Hope this helps!