Advice, please?

BreckGirl

BreckGirl

Cathlete
I didn't exactly think this was the "right" place to post this, but I didn't have any luck in the open discussion forum getting any comments. (had 93 views though!) ??

I'm trying to get to my next fitness level (after being at "this" one for far, FAR too long). I'd like some suggestions as to how to improve. If anyone could offer some suggestions, I'd truly appreciate it.

I don't want to make this post too long, so if you need more info, please ask.

Here is how I was thinking of setting up my exercise routine:

Day 1- legs, back & biceps (takes about 45 min); kickboxing (at the very least 30 min)

Day 2- chest, shoulders & triceps (takes about 30 min); IMAX 1 or 2 (at the very least 30 min)

Day 3- A-Jock Mish Mosh

Day 4- heavy lifting with trainer (this will be new - my first session is the first week of Jan)

Day 5- rest

Day 6- MIC or A-Jock Mish Mosh

Day 7 - rest

Whatcha think? Thanks in advance-
 
Without knowing what you're doing now, and how you got to your current fitness level, it's hard to suggest change, but one option would be to split your cardio/weight workouts so you'd have more energy for both.
 
Point well taken. Thanks for the suggestion.

I've always done cardio 4-5 days/wk. It's faiiiirly varied... in fact, I added some running last year and participated in some 5ks with not too shabby of times. Since then I've stopped the running (I was beginning to really feel it in my joints), although I thought perhaps I might need to take it up again for variety?? I work out at home (I let my gym membership go after I discovered Cathe challenged me quite a bit more than the classes at the gym)

I've been weight training consistently for 4 years, I guess. I worked with a trainer for about a year, and lifted quite heavily. I switched trainers after an injury and did a HIIT with her once/wk for about 2 years. She had me lifting lighter, but higher reps. She got another FT job, so that stopped.

I don't have THAT much weight to lose (maybe 10 pounds?), but my goal is to FINALLY get rid of this extra flab I'm carrying around and really see some stronger definition... ESPECIALLY around my midsection. I guess I'm what is referred to as an "apple." (although I hate that term)

My RHR is in the low 50s. My HR recovers quite quickly (which is why I'm really enjoying A-Jock's Mish-Moshes, because there ain't no chance of that happenin during those!). So I think I'm in pretty decent shape for the most part. I'm just READY to move on!!!

Hope this helps! My humblest of thanks, Kathryn.
 
For someone that says they are pretty much ready to move on, you sound like you "have been there & done that" a long time ago. Your fitness regimen sounds impeccable. If you get any higher than that, I'm afraid you might stroke out. So if that's the case & you still have 10 lbs, (which I have a feeling you're exagerating) then it's definitely your diet. In that case I would suggest Lean Bodies by Cliff Sheats.

And you know what? I'm also that dreadful Apple shape.

Marla
 
Cathe, an APPLE? Wow... there might be hope for me yet. (she crosses her fingers)

Marla - I WISH I were exaggerating (although you are quite clever, knowing me for so little time... I do have a flair for the dramatic). }( I know, I know, we're not supposed to look at the scale. I'm trying not to get on it so much (and I'm trying not to "worry so much" about the numbers, but I see the flab every day - it waves at me). But yes, I'm afraid 10 lbs is about right, and it's not an exaggeration (and 10 lbs is a little leniant - I should probably get to 15 lb loss to be really lean). I'm getting my BF measured by my trainer in Jan, so that oughtta be interesting... especially after the holidays. :eek: I just have this stubborn flab that insists on staying, and it is wearing me out.x(

It probably IS my diet, and a combination of my intensity of cardio. Since discovering Cathe, however (well, and A-Jock Mish-Moshes), that cardio thing isn't such a "need to improve" thing any longer. I just keep hearing A-Jock's words in my head: consistent, persistent, INTENSE cardio.

The diet. Hmmm. I'm really trying to find the right fit here. I FEEL like I eat clean. But it has to be SOMETHING. I'm not perfect 100% of the time (who is?). I'm struggling, though. I have a few books by Cliff Sheats, and while I eat "pretty much" that way, I have yet to follow it to the letter. Guess I should try it that way... I lost about 5-6 lbs awhile back staying between 1200-1500 cals. But then I kept hearing that perhaps I was not eating enough cals for my workouts. So I increased them - and lo and behold, here are those 5-6 lbs back. Could it be that my metabolism is just really low???? Even with all the working out I do???? ;(

I'd like to find somewhere locally that has the BodyGem. Anybody have any ideas how to find that? Is that something worth checking out?
 
BreckGirl --

I'm not aware of anyplace that does metabolic testing with the BodyGem. There is a trainer I know that works with the Grapevine Fire Dept that does metabolic testing. I can ask him if he knows of a place (or would be willing to travel to Frisco?).

In any case, how much protein (in grams) are you eating per day? I used to workout like a maniac and yet didn't really look like it until I started paying attention to my protein intake. I guess I wasn't giving my body enough to build any muscle. I try to get 1 gram per pound of bodyweight. Even while eating well over 2000cals per day (at 5'1"), I lost fat and gained muscle. Of course, your body is different and may react differently -- but if you're tired of doing the same things over and over...maybe try something different.

Shonie
 
All great advice - thank you all so much! Really!

Shonie - I'd even be willing to go to Grapevine. It's not that far, especially not for something I really think might help me determine what I need to do. Thank you for that!! :):) That's very kind of you, and I appreciate it so much!

As far as protein goes, I'm probably not getting near 125g right now. I tried to do that awhile back - it's hard! When I was paying attention most to grams of this and grams of that, I was probably getting 80-90 or so. Still way short, huh? Hmmm...

I'm also really scared to eat a lot more calories for TOO long of a time because I know how hard it is to drop those pounds. But you're _definitely_ right, I'm so sick of doing the same things over and over and not getting where I want to be.

If you get a chance and wouldn't mind, maybe you could give me an example of how you get all that protein in in a day - what do your meals look like? You can PM me with that if you'd rather (if you even want to divulge it).

Mostly, I just want to prove to myself that I can do this fine-tuning. I'm in good shape, I feel strong, but I'm tired of body parts moving after I've stopped. (wiggle jiggle wiggle) And I'm so tired of these abs/hips that well... that I'm out here begging for advice! :D
 
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