What worked for you?
- Thread starter katia7
- Start date
honeybunch1
Cathlete
Cheez! Years of trial and error is what it took for me! You really have to try everything - follow the suggestions you read here, and go from there. And YES, eating is SO important, and I must add - clean eating with portion control. Because you can overeat ever the so-called "clean eating" foods. For example, I'm sure brown rice would make anyone's "clean" list, but you can't eat it till it comes out of your ears! Same with whole wheat bread.
I've finally where I want to be after 10 years of trial and error!
Just Do It!
I've finally where I want to be after 10 years of trial and error!
Just Do It!
milagrosepul
Cathlete
Switching from three days a week to five worked for me.
Clean eating.
Specific videos Muscle Max, Gym Styles (all of them), core max.
Mind you, I'm certainly not at my goal yet but I've definetly seen lots of result.
Clean eating.
Specific videos Muscle Max, Gym Styles (all of them), core max.
Mind you, I'm certainly not at my goal yet but I've definetly seen lots of result.
Ditto on the clean eating. I've been a gym rat for the last 16 years but definitely put on some lbs. after I turned 30. Went from being able to eat anything I wanted to having to watch every bite I put in my mouth.
Back to the question--the gym has always been very inspirational for me b/c of the people I meet there. Also it has a tremendous variety of machines & weights that keep me interested. I take my hat off to those of you who do it at home--if that were my only option it just wouldn't happen.
Back to the question--the gym has always been very inspirational for me b/c of the people I meet there. Also it has a tremendous variety of machines & weights that keep me interested. I take my hat off to those of you who do it at home--if that were my only option it just wouldn't happen.
I had the goal of losing fat while maintaining muscle. I followed BFFM, but to be specific, what really worked for me was keeping track of calories and strictly counting them. I simply needed to eat less. Also, to control my appetite and avoid cravings, I needed (and still do) eat low glycemic carbs like brown rice, oatmeal, and lean proteins, like tuna, chicken breast, etc.
In training, any kind of training seems to yield good results for me, as long as I focus and train hard. I don't seem to need much cardio to lose or maintain.
In training, any kind of training seems to yield good results for me, as long as I focus and train hard. I don't seem to need much cardio to lose or maintain.
Aquajock
Cathlete
I've never had any specific goals per se, except to maintain my current dress size and to continually build cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength.
That being said, I too am the product of years of trial and error; hopefully, the error portion has gone away (as in, overrelying on cardio and only one or two modes of cardio) and the trial part is more like refining and expanding on what I currently do.
I've developed a mix of cardio modes, including Cathe land cardio (steady-state, interval and circuit-style) at home, aqua fitness instruction and solo workouts at the gym, and power walking workouts at the office a couple/three days a week (have gotten a bit lazy about that these past 2-3 weeks or so). Also have developed my own weight-lifting routines for home and office that have put a goodly amount of muscle on this formerly unmuscled frame. The older I get, the more I rely on the cardio-muscle mix to keep me energized; I tend to get fatigued far more easily and quickly if I fall off my training program.
Overall, what worked for me was consistency, focus on increasing intensity within each of my chosen modes for cardio, muscle endurance and muscle strength, and willingness to make incremental, manageable and sustained changes over time. And a mix between home and gym as well. I have tried to maintain a moderately healthy diet (which I think I'm going to have to make somewhat healthier - grrrrrrrr - have noticed a bit of buttering on the midsection that's weirding me out), but I tend to emphasize exercise more.
A-Jock
That being said, I too am the product of years of trial and error; hopefully, the error portion has gone away (as in, overrelying on cardio and only one or two modes of cardio) and the trial part is more like refining and expanding on what I currently do.
I've developed a mix of cardio modes, including Cathe land cardio (steady-state, interval and circuit-style) at home, aqua fitness instruction and solo workouts at the gym, and power walking workouts at the office a couple/three days a week (have gotten a bit lazy about that these past 2-3 weeks or so). Also have developed my own weight-lifting routines for home and office that have put a goodly amount of muscle on this formerly unmuscled frame. The older I get, the more I rely on the cardio-muscle mix to keep me energized; I tend to get fatigued far more easily and quickly if I fall off my training program.
Overall, what worked for me was consistency, focus on increasing intensity within each of my chosen modes for cardio, muscle endurance and muscle strength, and willingness to make incremental, manageable and sustained changes over time. And a mix between home and gym as well. I have tried to maintain a moderately healthy diet (which I think I'm going to have to make somewhat healthier - grrrrrrrr - have noticed a bit of buttering on the midsection that's weirding me out), but I tend to emphasize exercise more.
A-Jock
You ROCK...A-JOCK!!
I am in total agreement, that is basically what has worked for me as well...it's like you took the words right out of my mouth!!
~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme
I am in total agreement, that is basically what has worked for me as well...it's like you took the words right out of my mouth!!
~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme
Hi,
How do you like Aqua aerobics ? Do you think its a good form of aerobics to add on to your weekly plan or is that just an extra ? I thought of doing that too but didn't think it would be "enough" I guess.
Thanks,
Laura
Laura =)
251.5/135.2/141
Here is a link to my before & after photo's
http://www.picturetrail.com/gyggles1
How do you like Aqua aerobics ? Do you think its a good form of aerobics to add on to your weekly plan or is that just an extra ? I thought of doing that too but didn't think it would be "enough" I guess.
Thanks,
Laura
Laura =)
251.5/135.2/141
Here is a link to my before & after photo's
http://www.picturetrail.com/gyggles1
You're welcome! Hope you feel better soon...
Take care.
~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme
Take care.
~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme
crabbyella
Cathlete
1. Weight Watchers (portion control and journaling just works for me)
2. Loving exercise. Do something everyday.
KIM
2. Loving exercise. Do something everyday.
KIM
Aquajock
Cathlete
Hi, Gyggles / Laura! I've been an aqua aerobics instructor for over 8-1/2 years now, and it's still fresh, fun and totally effective. If I do say so myself, I'm a helluvan instructor, and over the years I've been able to get the most out of the pool environment that has nothing to do with traditional swimming.
I teach two classes per week, Wed. p.m. and Sat. a.m., and on Saturdays after class I put in some solo pool time just for me. I'd estimate water training, including the classes I teach (and I'm in the pool doing the class as well as leading it) and my solo work, comprises about 40% of my overall exercise program. So it's an integral part of my routine, not an extra.
IMHO, aquatic exercise in its many forms is a perfect cross-training mode, and actually is tailor-made for Cathe exercisers. There are many here who are concerned about impact forces, and the reduced-impact quality of traditional shallow-water aqua aerobics is a great alternative. And there is a great deal you can do, including traditional swimming, prone and supine kicking drills, and aqua jogging in a zero-impact environment as well. And of course the continual resistance AROUND the body makes it a looking-glass-world training environment. There's no way I could do the mish-moshes that I do on a regular basis if I didn't have the water stuff to complement things.
WHEW! Long answer to a short question. It can be "enough" IF you understand the water environment and how to manipulate your motions for maximum workload and resistance. It can be enough as a PART of your routine, but unless there is a specific orthopedic reason otherwise, I do not recommend anyone rely on water fitness alone for their exercise. You need the bone-density-promoting qualities of landed, weight-bearing work, and aqua is good for muscle endurance, not strength.
A-JOck
I teach two classes per week, Wed. p.m. and Sat. a.m., and on Saturdays after class I put in some solo pool time just for me. I'd estimate water training, including the classes I teach (and I'm in the pool doing the class as well as leading it) and my solo work, comprises about 40% of my overall exercise program. So it's an integral part of my routine, not an extra.
IMHO, aquatic exercise in its many forms is a perfect cross-training mode, and actually is tailor-made for Cathe exercisers. There are many here who are concerned about impact forces, and the reduced-impact quality of traditional shallow-water aqua aerobics is a great alternative. And there is a great deal you can do, including traditional swimming, prone and supine kicking drills, and aqua jogging in a zero-impact environment as well. And of course the continual resistance AROUND the body makes it a looking-glass-world training environment. There's no way I could do the mish-moshes that I do on a regular basis if I didn't have the water stuff to complement things.
WHEW! Long answer to a short question. It can be "enough" IF you understand the water environment and how to manipulate your motions for maximum workload and resistance. It can be enough as a PART of your routine, but unless there is a specific orthopedic reason otherwise, I do not recommend anyone rely on water fitness alone for their exercise. You need the bone-density-promoting qualities of landed, weight-bearing work, and aqua is good for muscle endurance, not strength.
A-JOck
Aqua Jock / Annette,
Thank you for your time and your answers to the water classes, I think I am going to do some of them now I was just always afraid it would be a "waste" of a good workout. I did used to do it when I first started losing weight but then thought I needed more. I guess I could try it again and see how it works for me. Thanks again so much! Hope your feeling better today.
Laura
Robyn - Thank you for the compliment on the pictures
Laura =)
251.5/135.2/141
Here is a link to my before & after photo's
http://www.picturetrail.com/gyggles1
Thank you for your time and your answers to the water classes, I think I am going to do some of them now I was just always afraid it would be a "waste" of a good workout. I did used to do it when I first started losing weight but then thought I needed more. I guess I could try it again and see how it works for me. Thanks again so much! Hope your feeling better today.
Laura
Robyn - Thank you for the compliment on the pictures
Laura =)
251.5/135.2/141
Here is a link to my before & after photo's
http://www.picturetrail.com/gyggles1
martijean1
Cathlete
I did what many others have done, "mostly" clean eating, added supplements (omegas, multi and calcium) and started working out...Now, I'll tell you that I've tried to start working out many times over the years, and always quite...I finally realized WHY...I started with too much, too fast...This time I added slowly...Here's the breakdown...And I'll tell you right now, I always thought I disliked cardio...I LOVE kickboxing, and dislike step, SO....
*July-took the dog for a walk 3x's a week-weights 2x's a week (2 of the doggy days)
*August-got CTX, upped weights to 3x's a week, dog 3x's a week, added abs (wasn't doing them before)
*September-Got Body Blast, more variety...TRIED step, and haven't broken and ankle yet...Cardio's up to 4x's a week, and 2 days a week I have a "BIG" workout day (1 1/2 to 2 hours)...
*October-Bought more (ok, 10) in the sale...Same as September...Treadmill's here now...
*November-I feel great, and can't wait for Christmas! I want gymstyles and Kickmax for Christmas!! My "off" day is always Sunday, but for some reason I've been up at 5 lately...Have been doing and hour of yoga...
I've come to the realization that working out is like church to me...And it never was before...Before I HAD to do it, now I LOVE to do it...Everyone has their own way to exercise...Find yours...
MJ
*July-took the dog for a walk 3x's a week-weights 2x's a week (2 of the doggy days)
*August-got CTX, upped weights to 3x's a week, dog 3x's a week, added abs (wasn't doing them before)
*September-Got Body Blast, more variety...TRIED step, and haven't broken and ankle yet...Cardio's up to 4x's a week, and 2 days a week I have a "BIG" workout day (1 1/2 to 2 hours)...
*October-Bought more (ok, 10) in the sale...Same as September...Treadmill's here now...
*November-I feel great, and can't wait for Christmas! I want gymstyles and Kickmax for Christmas!! My "off" day is always Sunday, but for some reason I've been up at 5 lately...Have been doing and hour of yoga...
I've come to the realization that working out is like church to me...And it never was before...Before I HAD to do it, now I LOVE to do it...Everyone has their own way to exercise...Find yours...
MJ