A bet with my mom... any ideas?

C

curvie_girl

Member
I have a bet with my mother and cousin to lose 20lbs in 12 weeks starting next week before our Memorial day vacation.

I would of course like to do this in a healthy way but consistenly lose 2 lbs. a week of fat (not muscle) I currently do 30 minutes a day of cardio with alternate days of weight training. Does anyone have any tips for me? I don't want to do any fad diets, and because I essentially have a "second job" with school that I can only fit in workouts in the morning. Please help. This means a new wardrobe for me if I win. Plus spending $$ for our trip.

Thank you! PS. I have the Pyramid DVD -- just got it last week.
 
Increase your cardio to 45 minutes, and make sure you do it 4 times a week. Don't drastically reduce your calories, stay above 1200 at the minimum.

You can do it. Just don't get discouraged, because you probably won't see a change on the scale for a few weeks. When I was losing my 15 lbs., I started at the beginning of August and didn't see the scale change for probably at least 3 weeks. I had given myself a goal of Halloween and didn't quite make it, but I was close.

Also, I did meal replacement shakes for 2 months. I used Kashi Go Lean shakes, which are pretty good. I had a bowl of Kashi cereal for breakfast and a shake for lunch.
 
Try to increase your cardio workouts to 45 minutes a day. And fit in physical activity whenever you can (a 10 mn. walk at lunch time, walking from a distant parking space in the parking lot).

Cut out processed foods: white flour and white sugar.
Replace any sodas with water.
Make sure to start each meal with a fruit or vegetable (for nutrients, and also to reduce your appetite for higher-fat, calorie-dense foods).
Prepare healthy snack to have with you at all times to avoid temptations.
www.ediets.com could offer you some help. They set up sensible weight-loss diets based on your preferences.
Concentrate on full-body, circuit-type weight training workouts (or endurance workouts). (Something like Slow and Heavy could cause weight gain because of muscle, and since your specific goal for this challenge is weight loss, I would avoid it at this time).

2 pounds a week is a lot (the maximum of what is recommended for fat loss). But if you are heavier to begin with, you could probably do that more easily. 1 pound is often more sustainable.
 
Kathryn,

I'm not disagreeing with you about the circuits over S&H but what about that plan Cathe set up for I can't remember her name, that included double workouts. 3 wks of SH, 3 of PS, 3 wks of SH etc.....? I was just about to do that plan but if its not gonna work I'll have to rethink!

Also wanted to add, how would you put together a rotation? Circuits every day, 3x/wk alternating with pure cardio?
 
Throwing in my $0.02 on this one - I'm on the Cathe rotation mentioned in the above link.

If you have the time for two-a-day workouts, I've found it to be a sensible plan IF your diet is pretty clean and you'd rather lose fat and gain muscle by adding exercise - two sessions a day, especially the hour-long cardio, can burn a lot of calories. I have to drink lots of water and break my food into mini-meals to fuel myself for the workouts and the recovery/refueling after each. I'm really listening to my body and resting when I need to, incorporating lots of stretching and ab work, and eating clean and sensibly. I haven't started counting calories yet - I'm shooting more for fat loss over weight loss and if I lose the full 20 pounds that would put me at a pretty low weight for my frame and build. If or when my weight/fat loss plateaus, I'll start calorie-counting.

I'm on my fourth day of rest after the three-week intro period, so tomorrow starts the Slow & Heavy weeks. I've lost four pounds in those three weeks and it seems to be mostly fat loss - I've been able to increase my weights on strength work, and I'm down 1.5% bodyfat according to my calculations.

Allison
 
>I'm not disagreeing with you about the circuits over S&H but
>what about that plan Cathe set up for I can't remember her
>name, that included double workouts. 3 wks of SH, 3 of PS, 3
>wks of SH etc.....? I was just about to do that plan but if
>its not gonna work I'll have to rethink!
>
>Also wanted to add, how would you put together a rotation?
>Circuits every day, 3x/wk alternating with pure cardio?

I'm basing my recommendation on your bet that you will "lose weight," not just get in shape. Lifting heavier will build more muscle, which can keep your weight stable (or even increase your weight) even though you are slimming down.

For a circuit/cardio plan, I would do as you mentioned, alternate them every other day.
 
This thread sort of ties into one I started on the Ask Cathe board. I'd like to see a few more people weigh in on this issue (no pun intended :)
 
I wanted to thank all of you for your responses. Two things: Since Cathe is more Advanced Intermediate/Advanced I don't think I would be able to do her rotation yet that is something I would have to build up to. I notice many of those here on the board that purchase her DVDs/Videos are already "hardcore" in their workouts.

My second thing is, I have read that double cardio workouts are good for slimming you up quick but I only have about a good hour in the mornings only. I try to use the three evenings I do have off to do weight work before I start my homework or study. I would really like to win this bet.

Donna mentioned in her post 45 minute workouts -- is this sufficient if I did it 6 days a week with my evening weight training?

Thanks!
 
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