shirleygirl1013 Member

I think I may try the 5/3/1 plan. That should fit my needs. I will let you guys know how it goes.

I do my long run on Sunday so that is the one day that I never lift. I usually do leg day on Wednesday and usually do an easy run on Thursday.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I find lifting more of a struggle the more I run. I don't want to give it up and lose my gains but I find it exhausting. Also, I do not want to injure myself. Currently, I was doing a 4 day split. And then running on off days and one easy run on a lifiting day. I will check out some of…

Thank you guys so much for your responses. I am going to look for a running plan that starts the long runs around 6-8 miles with maybe a day of speedwork.

It is not fitness snobs. Any woman that has spent time at the gym has heard from friends and family about how "toning is the goal" not "muscles" and then they give really awful advice about how to tone up. Usually, it involves high reps and baby weights. The word "toning" and the philosophy behind it has wasted thousands…

I run as well too and weight train 4 times a week. I attribute the weight training to the toned shape of my upper and lower body. I attribute the running to helping me keep my weight down and enduarance. It all works together. I dont believe that one can do one without the other. I reccomend doing a three day full body…

When I first started lifting, I tried to get my male friends to come with me too. I couldnt get anyone. I did a lot of research and came equipped with a plan too. I did the Jamie Eason Live Trainer. i just went through her exercises and started out very conservatively. I would watch a youtube video and mimick the actions.…

I went to my obgyn the other day and he told me that when I get pregnant that I need to focus on toning. I almost vomited!

After reading your post, I think that you would benefit most from lifting. The next time you go to the gym arm yourself with a plan and start slow. You will get stronger and will love the results.

First, I want to congratulate you on all the great work that you are doing. My friend is a dietician and I asked her advice and she said to have a day that you eat foods that you normally don't eat not on a deficit to jump start your metabolism. That is a great way to break a plateau.

I agree completely with martinel2099. There are tons of benefits to lifting weights. However, burning tons of calories as if you are doing cardio is not one of them. Good luck in your goals.

I am trying to stick with each program I do for about 3 months. I have been training for a tough mudder so I am focusing on getting stronger. The PHUL is fairly similar to what I have done. I will check out Sheiko too. I am always open to suggestions.

It is not accurate to count strength training as cardio. I got this off of women's health mag and it is pretty consistent from what I have been reading. There are benefits to both. Cardio Vs. Weight Training What's Best for Weight Loss: Cardio or Strength Training? An expert weighs in on how you should spend your gym…

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I am going to mix it up this week. I will keep focusing on compound movements.

I know, and I use the smith machine and it is just not the same. Weird positioning for squats.

What do you do on the other lower body day? I might try this one out this week. This looks like something that could work for me.

I tried to do 5x5 but I had problems bc first I am at planet fitness and they don't have benches and racks just smith machines and second I dont have a workout buddy or anyone to help. I can always switch and get a trainer but I am weighing my options now.

What compund lifts do you do on upper body day? I'm thinking bench press, incline press, shoulder press, any other ones you recommend?

Thanks. I will check this out. i know that every once in awhile we should mix it up. I dont want to plateau.

I agree that I need to look at other gyms. My opinion on deadlifts and some other exercises at planet fitness is that they do not have a lot of staff there and are afraid that people will get hurt if they do deadlifts and other more challenging compound movements. Also, they do cater to the casual gym goer that does not…

I will look at youtube on deadlifting with dumb bells. I am looking to build strength and I want to master some of these compound movements. Also, I like that the deadlifts hits so much of my body when I do them.

I started doing them with the preloaded ez bar that is 60 and noq I need to go up. I can already feel results even with just starting at such low weights.

I may have to switch in order to meet my goals. Especially if they are cracking down. They don't have a bar on the bench press i can remove. They only have smiths machines.

I do my bench press with the smith machine

Do you know of any exercises that are similar to a deadlift?

I agree. I think the biggest problem is that I'm exhausted. Its the one thing I don't want to admit. I would rather add a day of weight training then back off. I know thats crazy. I will check out those other programs too. I tried splitting up my training yesterday and doing some in morning and some at night and I went for…

I feel bad that you feel so insecure at your gym. And please don't let anything intimidate you. Before I started living a healthy lifestyle (diet, lifting, cardio), I was overweight and very intimidated by the weight section too. I also thought people thought I was fat and unhealthy and people were thinking negatively…

Thank you for the suggestions. I will check it out. :)

I just finished day 25 and love it. I admit that I haven't followed her diet but I do eat clean and a lot of lean protein a day. And I have been doing cardio. However, I have been seeing results in my arms and legs that I have never seen before. Good luck and keep going.

I feel your struggle. I am 5'10'' as well and have been at 160 and thought I couldnt be thinner and now with my current routine I am at 145 and feel great. I think the best thing to do is get a body fat analysis done. Mine is higher than average and I am ok gaining weight to be at an average If your body fat is witihin…