Please weigh in on my exercise/eating routine

Portae

Hi ladies! I recently got back into working out and have decided to do a total overhaul in terms of commitment to exercise and eating. Previously, I had been running a few miles and lifting weights each workout, 3 or 4 times a week. I liked the effects that the running had on my body and weight, but I felt like it was just too jarring to my joints. Anyway, here's my new routine. Please let me know if you think this sounds ok and if you have any suggestions.

Workout:
Monday-Friday: I do about 25 minutes on the elliptical followed by 30 minutes of leg and ab work (weight machines)

Saturday: 30 minutes on the ellptical, 15 minutes on the stairmaster, 10 minutes on the treadmill

Sunday: Not a damn thing!!!!

Eating:
Monday-Friday:
Breakfast-I eat a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit (usually a banana and a grapefruit), coffee (I know it's bad, but give a poor grad student at least ONE indulgence)
Lunch- a salad (with tuna added for protein) or a sandwich. I might have a small bag of chips with my lunch once a week; water
Dinner-Fish, rice, and steamed vegetables, OR a Lean Cuisine, water

Saturday-Sunday:
Breakfast-Turkey bacon, eggs, fruit (apples with a touch of cinnamon & sugar, banana, grapefruit)
Lunch-same as Monday through Friday
Dinner-Same as Monday through Friday

Snacks:
Granola bar, fruit (apple w. peanut butter, banana), sunflower seeds

Am I on the right track towards losing some significant weight and getting in good shape? I'd like to lose about 10-15 pounds over the next few months (I'm about 120 now) and maintain a slim, toned body.

Cherish

It looks good. Depending on what your weights routine consists of (really how intense), I would not do cardio on a leg day. Since you're using machines, this might not be a big deal.

Also, it's not advisable to do weights right after cardio. it's better to do a 5 min cardio warmup, then weights, then full cardio. Or put a long break between cardio and weights e.g cardio in AM, weight in PM

Food looks great to me. I don't see anything wrong with a cup (or even 2) of coffee daily at all.

HTH

Portae

Cherish,
Thanks so much for your suggestions! I usually don't like to do legs on a cardio day, but since I don't do super-intense weights for my legs, I've been breaking my rule.

I'm going to think about your advice regarding the cardio and the weights. The thing is, I HATE cardio (all forms) so I like to get it out of the way before I get to the "fun" stuff-i.e. weights. But perhaps I will have to rethink that.

And there is no way that I can give up my coffee. My days are far too long for me to try to get by without a bit of a caffeine kick. I figure that since I've basically cut out all other sugary drinks, I can indulge in a cup or two of coffee each day.

Cherish

Portae,

1-2 cups of coffee is actually what a lot of competitive types use to give their metabolism a boost, so it's known to be beneficial.

I'm with you on cardio. I don't like it at all and treat it as a necessary evil. Some things I do to keep it as short as possible is to jump rope or go for a short run. Neither is great for the knees, so like you I do have to hop on the elliptical. Another thing I do is to super set (working 2 different or opposing muscle group as a set so no breaks), which gives the feel of combo of cardio & weights.

More recently, I have been reading up on and practising a method that is supposed to be geared more towards the needs of women - freestyle weights - I'm trying to do that with minimal cardio since it involves a heavy workout load on the lower body. I did it for a week in december with interesting results, so I plan to start it back up again. I'll post more about it if it gets my seal of approval because it sounds like something you'd like.

SuZen

I'm not seeing any dairy in your diet at all, you might be pretty low in calcium.

spiderlashes5000

Can't say one way or another, but your hair looks great (Paul Mitchell Sculpt pic)!

Mochachino

Hi Portae,
It looks great, but you did not mention using weights for the upper body.


Cherish,

I am interested in your exercise plan. How were your results?

Cherish wrote:

More recently, I have been reading up on and practising a method that is supposed to be geared more towards the needs of women - freestyle weights - I'm trying to do that with minimal cardio since it involves a heavy workout load on the lower body. I did it for a week in december with interesting results, so I plan to start it back up again. I'll post more about it if it gets my seal of approval because it sounds like something you'd like.

Cherish

Mochachino,

I haven't started it back up again... I'm sticking with my normal routine right now, but hope to plan out something new and fun this weekend.

The one week I referred to was back in Dec, right before I went on vacation. I needed to tone up fast for the beach. I lost 5 lbs in that one week. I know taking out desserts and my other little treats had an impact, but it was interesting to see that much of a change in such a short time period. Usually if I need to lose a few, I lose 2-3lbs a week.

Mochachino

Hi
Thanks for replying. Could you post your old routine?

Thanks
Cam

Cherish

See me in your journal

Portae

Ok, why am I gaining weight????!!!! I know part of it could be muscle, but I was already above my normal weight when I started this routine, so I expected to lose a few pounds because of all the cardio I've been doing. I knew that I wouldn't lose a TON due to gaining muscle, but I haven't lost a single pound, and have actually gained two. Help!

Cherish

You could be retaining water if your period is close. But really as I was trying to explain, being a "cardio bunny" isn't necessarily the answer.

Can you describe your weights workout in more detail, and do you have access to dumbbells?

inheritedcurls

My weight has always gone up when I started a new workout routine. Usually you build muscle before the fat begins to burn. Don't worry, the weight will come down after a couple of weeks.

I wouldn't do a leg workout every day. Instead I would vary an upper body work out in. Maybe do legs twice a week at the most.

Do cardio,

For weights: Monday - Legs, Tuesday - chest and triceps, Wednesday - Shoulders, Thursday - Legs, Friday- Back and Biceps. This way you get a good total body workout.

Good Luck!!!! Your diet looks good. I agree to add in some dairy. You might also need some more protein considering all the cardio and lifting your doing. Be sure to vary it some or you might get bored. You can also splurge every once in awhile and it won't hurt.

JillC

I don't have any good advice for you, but I definately feel your pain. I started at the beginning of the year and just keep hovering around the same weight. I think that's pretty normal though. I think this is about the point when most people get discouraged and quit, but if you hang in there the payoff will be there soon!

If you read the "getting our hot bodies back" thread on the non-hair board, it sounds like a lot of people there are at the same spot.

Just thought it might help to know you're not alone.

disneylove

it looks good. i would be a little cautious about the daily eggs. they are very high in cholesterol and for years it was thought that no more than 2 a week was healthy. but a couple of years ago some know it alls said that no more than one a day (7 a week) is perfectly safe and healthy. personal choice which you follow.

Cherish

I never fell for the eggs caution, personally. I eat as many as 2-3 (with yolk) a day and my cholesterol remains perfectly normal. I believe there are other factors at play with those who suffer from high cholesterol, and I've yet to see conclusive research that bears out all these claims.

disneylove

yeppers. every possible product, nutrional advice, and food has both positives and negatives and a wealth of research in support of those positives and negatives. the same happened with cigarettes and asbestos with the not harmful yes harmful no conclusive evidence debate for decades. that is why i say it is personal choice which school of thought one believes. in my health regime i like to lean on the side of caution.