In need of serious motivation

S

shammy902

Cathlete
I'm about ready to throw the towel in. I've been an avid exerciser for the past 10+ years and I think I must be doing something wrong. I'm not noticing any type of strength gains, no muscle definition, and I can't lose my middle. (I had my 2nd baby one year ago). I've been doing a combination of Firm tapes and the Cathe strength tapes, or CTX. The only "cardio" tape I use from Cathe is Interval Max. What the heck do I need to do? I don't eat the "cleanest" diet - but I don't think it's too horrendous. I'm 5'10" and weigh about 160 - but I can't seem to tone my middle section at all. I've got a tummy, big & jiggly butt. Do I need to concentrate on lower body more? using heavier weights? Right now I can do squats with 10 lb. dumbbells, or if I use a barbell it's about 25lbs. I've just re-started a slow/heavy/interval max rotation. Should I add in another day of lower body (i.e. Leaner Legs, PS Legs, Power Hour legs?) Any and all advice is appreciated! Thanks! :)
 
If I were you, I would heavy up on the weights, especially since you are doing S&H in your rotation. You are probably stronger than you think and can handle more! This really tightens things up in the lower body.

As to the problem "middle" are you doing planks and core exercises? They have helped me a lot, but I do hate them--they are terribly difficult! My whole body shakes.

Make one or two healthy changes in your diet--eat two extra veggies and/or fruits per day. Skip the afternoon candy and chomp on some high fiber cereal insteat. Though small, they really make a huge difference for me.

Look at the bright side, even if your middle does not slim down, you have two beautiful children!

Good luck.
Cruncholi
 
Every now and again this issue of working hard without getting the expected results comes up. You may want to check out a thread titled "Frustrated" that startedon June 24, 2002 by Chloe. It demonstrates that you are not alone! Jeanne
 
small changes

If you can, I'd add more cardio and stick to a specific strength rotation for awhile.

3 things I do:
1. Whenever I get bored or plateau, I mix things up. I find that mixing up cardio works well for me. I do Cathe and other cardio tapes, spinning, kickboxing, or running. It's good to do a few tough workouts and a few easier ones. Even if you only have 30mins, just do part of a tape or go on a fast walk. And if I'm just not into it at all, I take a week off but am very motivated when I start again.

2. I set my goal to be something I know I can achieve. Some people can do 5-6 days of cardio which for me isn't gonna happen. I used to get upset if I didn't workout this much. Now, my goal is just 3 days a week (and to make sure I push myself), which I know I can do. This way, I don't get upset from not meeting an unpractical goal, I feel good about myself and I often exercise more than my goal. Pick a goal that works for YOU.

3. Dieting sucks. I can't do it. Just try to make little changes because they DO add up. Skip the doughnut, don't get the large fries, etc. Think about why your snacking. If you're hungry, eat. If not, don't. Sounds simple, but it's not since most of us just want that candy bar!

If you just try to make small changes, such as adding a day of cardio one week, cutting back on fast food the next, etc., you'll not only feel better but also probably look better. It takes time though. Good luck!
 
I 2nd going heavier on your weights. I use to have a horrible looking lower half, complete with jiggly, mushy skin and covered with dimpled cellulite until I heard Cathe say, "don't be afraid to go heavy, it'll do good things for you!" And it did! My lower half actually responded quicker than my top half, and I have almost no cellulite (except for a reluctant portion of my upper inner thigh that taunts me!). But I was covered with loose, jiggly skin and heavy lower body lifting toned me right up, and rather quickly. Although it was difficult initially, I loaded my barbell at 35# and refused to go lower! The next thing I knew I was adding 5# every 4-6 weeks or so.
I agree that you are probably stronger than you think, and challenging your muscles with heavy weight should produce some sort of results, if no more than "shaking up" your normal routine.
As for your middle, do you do any kickboxing? My middle is far from perfect, but it has improved tremendously from both plank work and kickboxing.

Donna

p.s. and NEVER throw in the towel, you can dance on it a little, but don't throw it in! Visible results or not, you're doing something wonderful for your inner self, and that's worth it! :)
 
Everyone is saying to "go heavy", but can you?? I mean, is 10 lb dumbells for squats very challenging or are you sticking with a lighter weight simply because you don't want to "bulk"?? If you answer yes to the latter, I would say definitly heavy up. But if you are not ready yet for the heavy poundage, of course, work your way up.

Again, diet is everything. It also sucks. I hate it too. My diet is VERY healthy so I also would say it is not "horrendous", but I will tell you right now I eat way more than I should to obtain a fitness model body. It is a matter of whether you want to make all those sacrifices or not. Is having a tighter butt worth giving up pizza every month?? And that is IF you actually LIKE the way you look after all that deprivation...I agree with the others here, take out little things. In my case I eat very clean without snacks really. My snacks are already fruit and vegetables. In this case, you will have to modestly cut portions. That is the only way I can ever lose weight. Good Luck to you and I hope it works out...DON'T throw in the towel........then you will know how miserable you can feel!!!
 
I definitely agree with the previous post regarding lifting heavier weights. I have noticed that it is beginning to work for me, I am 5ft and I lift more than you for the squats (nearly 35lbs). I find that if I try to Cathe where ever possible (except for the bicep work because i don't want to have that much muscles).

My weight workouts usually leave exhausted the next day and I find that I cannot do another unless I leave a day in between. I have to do a Cathe step tape that is pure cardio.

I have only used MIS, PH and BodyMax so far combined with running 3 times a week. I have not started a PS rotation because I find they work the whole body in one workout, unlike PS which works a different body part a day.

Keep going and don't give up. I can honestly say I understand exactly how you feel as I have been there so many times myself. The trick I have learnt is always challenge your body, if you find something is getting easy then go up - either run harder and faster or heavy up the weights.
 
Thanks for all the tips everybody. Yes, I CAN lift heavier than 10 lb. dumbbells - I just don't want to bulk up my thighs. Maybe that won't happen anyway???? I did S/H Bi & Tri this AM and my barbell was 26 lb. for bi and I did tri's with a 12 lb. dumbbell, 8 lb. for kickbacks (went down to 5 lb.). I will add Cardio Kicks into my rotation as a cardio workout alternating with IM. I also just got Ab Hits DVD yesterday and will incorporate an additional ab workout in the evening. Thanks again guys!
 
Aquajock has this interesting theory on bulking thighs when going heavier. It goes something like this (and I find it is true for me too-I build muscle easily)...You may initially bulk a little, but your muscles will eventually pack themselves down, leaving tight, smaller muscles in the legs. Maybe if she reads this, she will chime in!
Linda
 
Are you nursing? I wasn't able to lose more than ten pounds after I had my son until he was completely weaned. Within a month, I had lost another ten pounds. (I was doing mostly Firms at the time and walking a lot.)

I don't know what to say about mushy middles. I have the mushy middle genes, which means that my middle will probably never be as tight and firm as I'd like it.
 
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