Weight Loss

[AmyT]

This question goes to Cathe and all you amazons out there:

I would like to lose about 40 pounds, and I'm currently working up to Cathe's videos. My problem is time! Because I work two jobs, I only have about an hour to workout, 6 days a week. Actually there is one day out of the 6 I could workout longer.

Would it be better to do 3 days of high intensity cardio and 3 days of strength? Or should I try to get more days of cardio and only do two days of strength?

I also wondered - has anyone else out there had success with more or less days of cardio? I love to hear everyone's success stories. Please share!

 

[Sabrina]

Workout Schedule

I know about not having much time, I was getting up at 5:30 a.m., working out by 5:45. I find what works best for me is 3 days of strength, I do Cathe's PS series breaking down body parts. One day of strength, one day cardio, next strength, then cardio. Hope this helps. All I know is you need that muscle to burn fat faster.

 

[AmyT]

Thanks Sabrina!

Glad to know what works for others. I know I need muscle, I just don't enjoy strength work as much as cardio, but that's what it takes!

 

[SusanR]

Some Suggestions

<center><font size="1" color="#ff0000">LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-00 AT 02:13PM (EST)</font></center>

There are a few different options you can try. Cathe always says it is a good idea to shake up your routine. So here are a few suggestions:

1) Do as you suggested, 3 days of cardio and 3 days of strength. Be sure not to do the same one (like cardio) 2 days in a row.

2) The next week do 4 days of cardio and 2 days of strength.

3) Do 3 days of cardio only and then on the other 3 days do 1/2 hour of cardio and 1/2 hour of strength.

The strength can be one body part per day.

These are just suggestions. You need to find what works best for you.

 

[honeybunch]

Great suggestions, Susan R.

My own two cents: I like the "one-body-part-per-day" concept, which you can work in with cardio quite easily.....EXCEPT on the days when you want to hit your legs hard like I do. Then it's legs only.

With a six day a week schedule, I like to do four days of cardio (crosstraining), and mix up the weights in between. This seems to be working out really well, and I find I have to spend less time on cardio when I crosstrain.

 

[Sabrina]

Strength Training

Hi Amy,
I don't like cardio, but love strength training, because like Cathe say wieghts do wonderful things for us. I find it totally reshapes your body, lifts those saggy area's etc. Although I don't like cardio, I know I need it as well.

 

[AmyT]

love it!

Good ideas! I am always the planner, but I get bored easily with the same routine. One question, with the one body part per day is it:

Back
Chest
Shoulders
Legs & Butt
Biceps
Triceps

and then abs 3 or 4 times per week?

 

[HONEYBUNCH]

That's the plan!

I find this routine so much more managable, and if your not gung-ho on weight lifting, it isn't a workout schedule that you'll dread. AND, it's much easier to fit in cardio if your time is limited!

Good luck, chick!

 

[SusanR]

Same Day

Doing abs 3-4 times per week is plenty. also if you want you can do back, chest and shoulders on the same day, and biceps and triceps on the same day.

Good Luck.