How to get rid of fat layer

lily

Member
I have great muscles, thanks to the Firm, under a rather thin layer of fat. Currently I'm running 3 days a week and doing heavy Firm workouts the other 3 days, which are lower range cardio for me. Do I need to add more cardio to burn off that fat? I'm not going for as cut as you are Cathe- but just so I can see some definition in my arms. I'm wondering if I should get your circuit training video and the kickboxing one when they come out as I have your MIC and I love your off the box workout. I'm not that into step.

All help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Lily!

You are on the right track as far as doing cardio and weight training on a weekly basis.

Now I would suggest to shock your metabolism with another form of cardio. It is quite possible that your body has grown too used to running three times per week and needs to be challenged with something else. I'm not saying that you need to give up running, but instead cut back on it and also add other forms of cardio to your weekly workout. You may even want to add an extra day of cardio(just a suggestion).

You asked about Circuit Max since you don't enjoy step all that much. While I think that Circuit Max will provide an excellent cardio workout I must tell you that 3 out of the 6 cardio cycles involve the step.

We have Cardio Kicks plus one of the Cross Training Express workouts will also be all kickbox(and differ from the Cardio Kicks workout). These are the only two workouts that will not use the step at all. We will also have a Cross Training Express workout that is 10 minutes hi/lo, 10 minutes kickbox, and about 10 minutes of step(but again, there is that 10 minutes of step).

As for arm definition, I noticed a HUGE difference in arm definition just from the punches used in kickboxing. If these punches are done with all out intensity they are a super upper body conditioning workout, not to mention getting your cardio workout at the same time.

If you want to focus more on arm definition with weight training, I would suggest getting Pure Strength Back,Biceps,Abs(complete on one video) and the Pure Strength Chest, Shoulders, Triceps(complete on one video). I would do these two videos one time each per week with a medium weight(rather than a heavier weight). You should see a difference in your arm definition within three to four weeks of doing these workouts.

Obviously, a good healthy diet needs to accompany this fitness routine as well.

Hope this helps!
 
Metabolically Challenged? :)

Hi Cathe!
I seldom post, so I doubt if you will remember me. I haven't gotten any younger or thinner! LOL! I've gained a lot of strength, muscles, and endurance...but am still carrying around 20 to 25 pounds of excess fat. I'm 46, so I'm middle-aged, menopausal, and most definitely metabolically challenged. ;) LOL!!

I eat 5 to 6 small meals a day, balancing protein and carbs and careful with the fats. I do cardio 4 to 6 days a week (from 30 to 60 minutes/day) with a minimum of 3 days a weeks of serious weight work (30 to 45 minutes). *I must admit here that I too often tend to stuff carbs in my mouth when I get home from work (I believe due to exhaustion more than hunger), which I know is NOT helping. And yes, I drink at least a gallon of water a day. :)

Everything is around my MIDDLE. Big as life, can't get around it FAT. I've got a size 16 waist and the rest of me is a size 10/12. :(

Have you ANY suggestions that can help this poor blubber insulated soul? :)

Carol
 
I'm not Cathe but here's what worked for me..

Carol,
Like you I was in a similiar situation, doing the cardio and the weights and watching what I ate. I finally picked up the Body for Life book and began following the program. It's been about 6 weeks and I've lost 8% bodyfat along with a some weight (trying not to weigh so I'm not too exact on this).
When I first heard about the program I couldn't believe that something that requires only 20 minutes of aerobics 3X a week along with 3 very intense weight training sessions would work. Diet is really important and I've followed the book closely.
Best of luck in whatever you chose!
 
Hi Carol!

I'm not Cathe either, obviously LOL, but I just wanted to let you know that I can relate...

I've pretty much stopped seeing progress in the last few months no matter what I've done. I finally decided it was time to tackle the nutrition part of the equation! The problem is, I am just so overwhelemed with all the information that's out there, and I need someone to help me assimilate everything
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! I've made an appointment to consult with a registered dietician (thanks for suggesting this, Cathe!) and I'm really excited
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. I really think if I can get my eating habits shored up, I will get closer to that "ideal me."

Good luck to you--I know you'll reach your goals as well, because I can tell from your post that you're really committed to a healthy lifestyle!
 
Hi Anna!

Thanks for your suggestion Anna! However, I must admit I just finished 12 full weeks on BFL (4 weeks ago) and gained 6 pounds of muscle. LOLOL!! Yes, I did it by the book too. I did not give up, but continued on a modified version of the program. Amazingly, I have continued to gain weight. I started out at 158 pounds, and am now 169 pounds. My measurements have for the most part not changed, except for my arms (and butt! LOL) which have gotten larger. So there HAVE been changes, but just not ones you can really see or that are desirable (to me). I think I may have lost 1/2 inch off my waist in all this time.... not much.

So... the BFL program as it was designed, while it works for others, definitely was not working for me. I have incorporated a lot more cardio these days in the hopes of leaning down, and have also lowered the weights I use while upping the sets and reps.

I'm at a loss as to what I can do to get rid of this fat..... it is very frustrating, but I'm doing my best to keep it from "getting to me". :eek:)

Carol
 
Hi back at ya Jennifer!

A dietician? One that specializes in Sports Nutrition? I wonder if I can even find such an animal......? That's an idea I've been toying with too, but am not confident that I'll get the help I need. The GOOD thing is that I've a full physical coming up in September so I can ask the doctor to run a few extra tests to see if I've got a "real" metabolic problem.

There is SOOOOO much conflicting information out there today..... makes it really hard to know what to try.... what will work....

There is one thing I've learned though: There is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" diet and/or exercise program. What works for me, may not work for you and visa versa. I just can't seem to find what works for ME! ':eek:/

Carol
 
ADA will help you

The American Dietetic Association will help you find a RD that specializes in sports nutrition. I think you can even do this through their website. Good luck.
Debra
 
Holy smokes! Never expected an answer from CATHE

Thanks so much Cathe. Unreal that you take the time to read these AND answer with such helpful info. I've never posted here but gave it a shot after watching your Cathe Cam class today. Watching your class today got me super motivated for my run. I will take your advice and add one more cardio day. I have to admit giving up running is not something I want to do right now as I'm training for my first 5K at age 45! As far as arm definition-if I read you right- it sounds like higher reps and medium wt. I ordered the kickboxing tape as I loved Taebo.

THANK YOU SO MUCH CATHE.
 
ADA

I second that recommendation about finding a RD through the ADA website. That's how I found the RD I'm going to see next week
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. And yes, I searched for someone who specialized in what I was interested in (fitness related nutrition and vegetarianism).

I got her phone # and email, so I sent her an email to inquire about times/availability for consultations. I told her that I wanted to make sure I was eating right to fit an active lifestyle and that I was considering becoming vegetarian, but wanted to get as much information as I could before I made that decision. She got back to me and was really nice, so I gave her a call yesterday to set up an appointment
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.

Hopefully it will be worth it!
 
Carol, have you read...

..."Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell" by Debra Waterhouse? I found it very interesting and helpful. It goes into great detail as to why women find it harder to maintain their optimum weight after age 35.
 
Hi Lily!

Just wanted to let you know that I was not aware that you were in training for a race(which is wonderful by the way). In that case you need to make training for your race a priority right now. That means DO NOT cut back on running and instead vary the frequency, duration, and intensity of each run. That will not only shock your metabolism but help improve your time, speed, and aerobic capacity. When the race is over, you can then again follow the advice from above. BTW, many runners have a tough time gaining size and/or solid definition in their upperbody. You can still lift weights while you are in training for your race, but I personally would recommend that you put your arm definition goal on the back burner until your race is over.

Good Luck in your race!
 
Don't Be Surprised-Cathe's Super and You're Smart

...for having the wisdom to plan a balanced exercise program and ask advice. I started running from ground zero so to speak 5 years ago (late 30's - we don't need to be any more specific than that) and, although I had previously done aerobics for years, but lapsed, I thought running would answer all my fitness needs. Congratulations to you for being so aware of the need to take care of your entire body. You've come to the right place - I'm pretty new here, but these people are terrific!

You will feel like a million bucks when you finish that 5K and rightfully so. The other thing it will do, if you decide you like running, is to get you thinking, "...well maybe I can do an 8K or a 10K."

To show off the arm definition you are going to get...when you order the T-shirt for your 5K, get a SLEEVELESS one!

Best wishes Lily and please report back on your 5K!

Janet
 
Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell

Yeeeup. I bought that book awhile ago, and it helped me come to a better understanding of what was going on in my body (I've got lots of other books regarding menopause too). Unfortunately, there are too many books out there with conflicting theories and different approaches to overcome the slowing of a woman's body for anyone to be able to make an easy decision regarding what is the best course of action. I keep on trying though! BTW.... how do you make those cute faces in the posts? :)
Carol
 
Cafitnut, Long cardio seemed to help me

I upped the length of my cardio after reading "Outsmarting midlife...". Like you I also had a size 10 body with a larger waistline. After going to 60 minutes of running and an occasional 45 cardio video I started to see fat moving off my body. I am actually starting to see some ab definition! Of course food choices are important, but if you basically have that down, and a good muscle base I think that long cardio may make a difference. Just thought I'd share my experience so far!
 
Running???......Groan.....

I tried really hard to incorporate running into my fitness regimen...but my arthritis hampered my efforts. I have osteoarthritis in almost every joint, but it is worst in my hips. When I ran, I had to "pay" for it for DAYS. I will try to do the "forbidden" longer cardio (BFL says no more than 20 minutes of INTENSE cardio intervals, 3 times a week) again and see if I see a waistline reappear! LOL!! ":)"

Carol
 
Keep at it

Carol,
Sorry that BFL didn't work for you. I think you're right about finding what works for you. I'm in my early 20s so my metabolism hasn't slowed down much. I had lost quite a bit of weight prior to BFL and had gotten stuck. I did that by doing a lot of cardio, some weight training, and really cutting back on the food. What about speaking with a personal trainer or a nutrionist? They may have some suggestions on how to get throught it. Your attitude is terrific-just hang in there!
 
Just in case...

I think we're talking about the same book, but I just wanted to point out that there are two separate books by Waterhouse -- Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell and Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell -- and it's the latter that deals more with maintaining a healthy weight as we age.

To make the smiley faces, you put a colon, dash and close parentheses and the system automatically changes it to a smiley.
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For a winky face, use a semi-colon instead.
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