very disappointed on gym what's your thoughts ???

I've lot just over 100lb so far, the first 80lb(or so) I lost in 8 months just eating less and doing a lot of cardio (and generally becoming more active), the other 20lb I've lost over 4 months, cutting back the cardio, eating more and focusing on strength with some high intensity classes and running(if you can call my super slow pace running). The thing is, my actual weight loss may have slowed (but is still pretty good) but my body has changed drastically over the last 4 months, with the inches melting away and my body shape looks so much better. It is possible to build muscle while losing fat, I've dropped a lot of inches without dropping a lot of weight, which is because muscle takes up less space than the equivalent weight of fat. But, on average, I eat close to maintenance (around 250 deficit) and am happy to take a couple of years to lose the last 40lb.

My only regret, not focusing on strength sooner, my weight loss may have been slower but I might not have been dealing with the amount of loose skin I have right now and I might be even stronger.

I've lost 60 pounds through weight training and only now am beginning to add in cardio. The key for me was reigning in my diet because I was eating way more calories than I thought I was. As I have built more muscle my metabolism has increased which allows me to eat more food and still lose weight, which is awesome! Don't listen to your trainer if they say you cannot lose weight strength training alone. If they believe that then they probably shouldn't have been hired as a trainer in the first place. Regarding your weight training focus on compound movements such as bench press, push press, squat, and deadlift as they will build the most muscle spread over your entire body. The more muscle you have the faster your fat loss will be. However, it is important to note that your weight loss will be slower because muscle is heavier than fat. But you will look better and feel stronger faster by doing so.

I'm usually about an hour when I hit the gym. I split it mostly evenly between cardio and strength training. I eat at a deficit every day, and have lost 74lbs in a little under 8 months, so an hour can do the job. I'm no Adonis, but I am definately more muscular when I started, so, in my experience, one can add muscle while dropping fat.
Another option is to see if you can pick up a used exercise bike or treadmill. They can usually be found fairly cheap. That'd let you do more weights at the gym, and cardio at home after the kid(s) go to sleep, if that is something that interests you.
At the end of the day, as mentioned before, all you need to lose weight is the calorie deficit. Weights and cardio help improve overall health, and will let you eat a bit more while keeping the deficit.
Good luck

TavistockToad wrote: »

Look at your calorie deficit. If you're not losing weight it's because you're eating too much!

^^^ That's the #1 reason, you can run a full marathon every day and still not lose weight if you're eating too much. Weight loss happens in the kitchen, exercise is for fitness (studies have repeatedly shown that people who exercise on a regular basis are more likely to keep the wight off in the long term, but that could be correlation rather than causation)

Personally I'd recommend doing both, weights for strength and maintaining lean muscle mass & cardio for cardiovascular health.