changing up my workout schedule

NYBoston05

I have been getting up at 5am 4-5 days a week for over 2 months now and going to the gym.  I used to be a runner but with 40+ extra lbs on me right now it's not happening- knees and shins are so painful that I stop after 5 min.  So I have been doing the eliptical for 45 min burning about 500-600 cals each session.  And watching what I eat.  Grilled chicken and veggies and salads and yogurt are my staples. Cut out all diet cokes & ice teas.  It's not working.  3 lbs is all I lost.

So this week I was talking to a guy who is really into fitness and told me to swtich to the 5 small meals a day thing and suggested the 30 day shred to get a few lbs off so that running might be easier on my achy knees.  I did the video (beginner) for the past few mornings and it worked up a real sweat.  But it's so sad that I struggled to ge through it.  My push ups are pathetic!

I have to do this.  I have to get this weight off.   Tell me it's going to make a difference. 

cwm11985

30 day shred is great- its HARD but it will be much more beneficial to you then the elliptical.  The problem I see with your current workout is that you are doing the exact same thing every day, using the same muscles.  It is imperative to switch which muscles you use daily (i.e. instead of the elliptical every day you should be adding in biking, walking, etc.).  Also, you don't mention any strength conditioning- this is what is really going to burn the calories and help you slim down.  You'll get plenty with Jillian Michaels, but if you quit 30 Day Shred and go back to the gym, every few days you need a good session of strength conditioning, not just cardio.

 

HTH! 

brewcitybride

Personal trainers would shoot me, but it's pretty much been proven that weight loss comes from less calories in, not from working out. It is much more in your control to control what you eat, then to figure out how many calories to burn with working out. Of course, the perfect combination is a perfect diet combined with cardio and strength training.

And yes, it will come off! It might take more time than you think it will take (I'm giving myself a year (it's been 7 months since I had my second baby), and I only have about 6 more pounds to get off, but it's a hard 6 pounds). I also love the mini meals all day long. It keeps up my energy so that I haven't been overeating at any specific meal.

cedenton

In my experience, while working out is important to your health, your eating habits will most impact weight loss.  I would also second Weight Watchers as a great tool, but if you don't want/can't spend the $, then try MyFitnessPal or SparkPeople. Good luck!  I'll be in your shoes in a few months and I plan to hit up WW as soon as feasible.

ksyknelvr73

I am about 10 days in to my 2nd round of the 30 Day Shred and I love it. I think you will be very happy with the way it changes your body. Although I will tell you, I didn't lose a significant amount of weight from doing it - but I did lose inches. I have lost most of my weight through what I eat. I don't like exercise but I can handle the 30DS since it's only 20 minutes at a time. I use My Fitness Pal to track my calories - you'd be surprised how quickly things can add up or how some "healthy" foods are actually sabotaging any progress you might be making. I don't think you need to eliminate your cardio/elliptical time, maybe you don't need to do it as much but it won't hurt for sure.

MamaAllison

I just started 30 day shred too! I was SO lucky in that I lost all my baby weight fast, BUT I started about 25 pounds overweight so I'm in the same boat as you! Are you doing any kind of dieting along with the shred? I have a very hard time giving up food, I love to cook, to eat out, and to snack!

azuremama

I agree with others that exercise helps, but 90% of it is really eating right.

BUT, I think Shred should be great for you.  Building muscle helps burn more calories and definitely will make you look better by tightening things up.  Plus, it's pretty fun and keeps things interesting.

I am in the same boat as you--I have been running or walking 5 times a week at 5 am since January (plus lifting 2x a week) and I'm only down a few pounds.  But I cracked down hard on the eating two weeks ago and have already lost 3 pounds!

KCD053109

I also highly recommend 30DS. My Fitness Pal and Sparkpeople are great resources for tracking everything. I just hope that you are actually consuming enough calories? tracking that on either of the mentioned websites will help you determine if you are eating enough or too much.

Good luck, hang in there - the pounds WILL come off with the right balance of nutrition and exercise.

2-Step

I disagree with the previous poster that said it's been proven that calories in is the only way to lose. Personally I can diet all I want, but if I'm not exercising I'm not losing weight and I'm also not toned and pretty flabby. I've tried and the most effective weight loss is always interval training with high intensity plus a balanced diet with high protein and complex carbs and no alcohol. Yes, what you eat matters a lot, but I know from my own experience that it is not everything.

brewcitybride

I actually said it's a combination of diet and exercise. But, overall, it's about diet.