Hi Deandra!
<center><font size="1" color="#ff0000">LAST EDITED ON Mar-08-00 AT 00:14AM (EST)</font></center>
LAST EDITED ON Mar-07-00 AT 06:18 PM (EST)
I had glanced at this threads title but never got around to pulling it up. Now that I finally did, boy, do I feel guilty about how long I have taken and how patiently you have "hinted" for a reply. I wish I could answer every single question for everyone but unfortunately it just isn't possible.
Okay, back to the issue here. Waitressing....
I do remember someone posting a question of this nature some time ago. So you may also want to click on the find icon(flashlight above)and do a search with the keyword "waitressing".
Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to your question. Also, even though waitressing is an on your feet job that will burn calories, it is not a non-stop cardio activity and will, therefore, not provide you with the cardiovascular conditioning/benefits of a true cardio workout. So as a cardio substitute I would not recommend it.
However, as far as toning the muscles, yes, in the beginning you will probably get some nice results(especially firming of the butt, thighs, calves, shoulders, back and biceps) because you are in essence shocking your body with a new activity(by using new and old muscles in different ways). But after a while, your body becomes very used to this activity and would require much more to bring on continued improvements.
So in the end, the only thing you can really rely on waitressing for(besides a source of income)is an additional form of a calorie burner. However, if you do not want to lose weight(which you mentioned), then be sure to replace this calorie burn with healthy food choices. But typically, for most people this additional calorie burn goes unnoticed due to the amount of nibbling that goes on during breaks and/or during the entire shift.
I recommend keeping a full workout schedule (which is probably not what you wanted to hear). Believe it or not, I think that you will be surprised at how much more energy you will have for work, especially if you workout prior to going in. I waitressed for 10 years(high school, college, and early years after college)and I found that working out gave me a real boost of energy before my waitress shift. It also made my backaches(from lifting heavy trays) and my lead legs (from walking hours on end on tile floors) go away. So quite honestly I would suggest keeping up with a regular fitness program(lifting 2 times per week and doing 60 minute(approx.) cardio workouts 3 to 4 times per week) and look at waitressing soley as a source of income.
Now there are always exceptions to every rule. If you honestly watch what you eat(no nibbling on nosh at work)and work in a super busy facility that has you carrying super heavy trays, walking ramps, and rarely allowing an oppurtunity for a break because the place is just too busy, than thats obviously going to burn some real good calories and tone some muscle. In this case, although I wouldn't substitute cardio and weight training with waitressing, I would definitely cut back a bit. For instance, you can do 20 minutes of cardio before each waitress shift and one 60 minute cardio(spin as you suggested is great)on one of your non waitressing days. For weight training you can do just one day of a total body workout using medium poundage. This schedule will not only provide you with mental and physical strength for work but allow you to maintain all of your hard earned health benefits too.
In any case, nobody knows your body better than you do. Regardless of all of these suggestions, please be sure to listen to your body. If it screams for a rest day or a cut back, be sure to respond accordingly.
Sorry to ramble!
