Why does it take so long to figure it out?!

S

step_a_holic

Cathlete
3 years...it took 3 years to finally figure out what my body needs! I'm just venting here.

For years I've been focusing on cardio. If I didn't do 60 minutes 6 days a week I felt like I was "cheating". I'd wear my HRM and make sure that I burned at least 500 calories. In May of '06 I started incorporating strength training when my DH bought me the Intensity Series (love PUB/PLB!). In December I decided to totally reverse the amount of cardio & strength I was doing just to see what would happen. I've been doing 2 days of cardio, one HIIT, one steady step or kickboxing, and 4 days strength (GS rocks!). I am seeing a huge improvement already in fat loss and muscle definition.

I'm thankful that I finally figured it out, for now anyway. I'm sure I'll eventually hit a plateau and have to switch it up again. I just wish it didn't take so long!!

Thanks for letting me vent!

Melissa
 
Melissa...sometimes we just need a knock in the head!!! I know just how you have felt. But hey...it really feels good when you figure it out..Congrats on your new found fat loss and muscle defintion!!!....:)
 
Oh, brother, I wish I knew how many years it took me to figure it out! I think you just have to try everything until you find out what works for you - we are all different, after all, and we have to be open minded enough to try it all. The way I work out now is way different then how I worked out just a few years ago, and if you told me then what I'd be doing now I would have said "no way!"
 
Melissa-
I am right there with ya! I have found the same thing true for my body... For me its just that old habits die hard! I grew up in the cardio craze of 70's - 90's and it took FOREVER to get this old dog with the program! I LOVE that I no longer have to do up to 2 hours of cardio 4 days a week and see much longer leaner me in the mirror! GREAT job on sticking with it until you found that golden gem of knowledge!
 
Melissa,

Im with ya too!! I spent countless years doing all cardio-I am now 35 and in the best shape of my life thanks to Cathe! The weights made a huge difference in me too but I do love my cardio so I have to remind myself to back off on it and do more strength training.

Lisa
 
When the student is ready, the teacher appears. I, like many here, used to think cardio only was the way to go; started to see the light re weight lifting in 2000, and am miserable if I go even one week without my heavy set.

Keep up the good work, Mel!

A-Jcok
 
Really? hmmm...maybe I should try that. I'm doing 4 days cardio and 2 strength and still trying to lose fat on my muscles.

Tina
 
Tina, just try it for a little while, maybe a four week rotation, and see if you notice any changes. I've been alternating between S&H, PUB/PLB and just added GS BSB. I also started eating 5 small meals throughout the day. And that's a change for me, so that might be a part of it. I think the two together is what's really working.

I think the worst part is getting it through my head that cardio only a couple days a week is OKAY!!!!

Good luck!

Melissa
 
I was thinking the same thing today! My yoga instructor said that yoga was just as good as strength training because it uses your own body weight. I gave up consistantly lifting for about 2 years. I am now back to strength training 3 times a week and noticing big differences in stamina and strength. Hopefully the scale will start becoming a little more user friendly.

Cheryl
 
Nice thread, :) I just had to add my 0.2cent I am a Cardio freak I do more cardio than strength training. As of today, I’ve decided to cut way back on cardio and increase, weight training. I’m going to try it four weeks, starting tomorrow x( x( x( x( :eek:

To tell the truth it’s really going to be hard to do, mostly I workout twice a day morning and evenings, but changing my rotation a bit, If I go with more ST I only have to workout once a day and to tell the truth that's scary for me, I guess I'm just use too working out twice a day,huh Good Luck!!!

Teddygirl~
 
I hear ya!!! I always did 5-6 days of cardio per week. When I cut it down to 4 days per week, I notice some results. I then cut it to 3 and got better results. Now I am in the middle of a P90X rotation and in the first few weeks did cardio only 2X per week - and am getting the best results ever!! Makes me happy because I would much rather lift weights or do yoga than cardio!

Monica
 
I'm also a cardio freak, so it's a little hard to understand what you all are talking about. For my sake (sometimes I'm a little slow) could someone put in a rotation so I can see on paper what is being said here. I would love not to do so much cardio if at all possible. I love weight training better, so this sounds ideal for me. At least I could try it. Perhaps a rotation for cardio and then to see the difference a rotation for weight training. To see both on paper at the same time would be great. I know it is a lot to ask, but I do want to understand this. I don't want to waste my time when I don't have to. It's too precious to me.

For all that work, I would be more than willing to send someone a sourdough culture.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible.

http://www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey
 
I'm trying to put together a four week rotation starting on tomorrow. What I've come up with it this, to do cardio 3x legs3x and UB 4x a week. Is that to much?

Which mean I'd have too do doubles a few days a week. I'm thinking to put cardio & legs on the same day, Upper Body & abs. Any comments?

Teddygirl
 
Ditto, Janie -
I would love to see a Rotation....(I'm a little slow w/ ya...LOL)

I love the Pyramid Dvd, S&H, & GS. Would you alternate these weekly, meaning do Pyramid one week, and so on??
TIA


"Today is a Gift, Have Fun"

~Jennifer~
 
Jen,

I'm going to choice 3 UB, 3 legs, 3 cardio workouts and stick with them. This way I can tell which workouts are giving me the best results. I probably do something like this not sure this is kind of new to me.

D1: UB & Abs
D2: cardio of choice & legs
D3: UB & Abs
D4: cardio of choice & legs
D5: UB & Abs
D6: cardio of choice & legs
D7: Rest


This could be to much I have to put it on paper and the workouts I will be using from week to week. Time for me go home have a great weekend everyone:D


Teddygril~
 
I am a cardio freak, too. I'd love to see a rotation with strength. Why do I think I need a lot of cardio to lose weight?
 
This is very interesting to see so many folks get results with LESS cardio. Hmm. After I finish the January rotation, I'm going to rethink my approach. Thanks for this thread!

Cathy :)
 
After I complete P90X I plan to do something close to the following:

M: GS Legs & Abs
T: KPC
W: GS Chest & Triceps
R: IMAX 2 or 3
F: GS Back, Shoulders & Biceps
S: Yoga (Power or Ashtanga style yoga)
S: off

Monica
 
>I am a cardio freak, too. I'd love to see a rotation with
>strength. Why do I think I need a lot of cardio to lose
>weight?


I think we are all conditioned into thinking that we need cardio to lose weight. Its a terrible cycle.
 
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