Weightloss question

[Talya]

The trouble is with dieting too heavily is that your body thinks that it is starving tiself and will actually store the fat thinking that a famine is coming...quite logical when you think about it, it goes into self preservation. if you do lose weight this way, again your body will take the first food it gets and stores it, incase the 'famine' happens again.

 

So you need to be really sensible about how you do it. Secondly to be most effective you should be doing at least (and more if possible) of cardio work a wee, of a period of no more than 20 mins. As for weights. You will not build up bulk doing weights, it actually tones the body. You would have to do serious weights and a special diet program to really have bulk, and this is harder for women than men. But doing weights (on top of the cardio) produces a slightly different type of muscle, this muscle actually burns up more calories when you are resting, thus increasing you metobolic rate.

 

The trouble is we all get hung up on weight and why it is a good thing to be aware of, don't get hung up on it. Use guides, such as dress size and how you feel as to whether something is working or not.

 

Also vary your type of exercise, this is so your body doesn't get used to a certain type exercise and relaxes into it. Have a look at the classes your gym offers. If you are too worried about starting ballet classes try a salsa aerobics class, which is ore dancy than normal aerobics. For toning the waist I find running helps (be it outside or on a treadmill). Pilates is excellent too, but needs to extra to the cardio work that you do.

 

If you have a good gym they should be able to privide you with a good program which will involve, cardio, weights and stretching, so it might be worth having a word with them.

 

Personally I have never been able to diet, the only way I have lost weight is either through stress (don't recommend), or through exercise (I'm quite a healthy eater most of the time...except the chocolate ;))

 

I hope tis helps...and yes I have looked into this alot over the years.

 

The last advice I can give you Maria, is to enjoy yourself when you do it, I know  some don't like exercise but it can give you a buzz if you let it, plus it's a way to make new friends and can be quite social too.

 

Hope this helps :)

[Minuet]

I have done the yo-yo thing for a few years now. The longest I kept weight off and lost the most was when I did yoga. I did not diet other then I cut down on fried foods and ate more veggies. I also didn't go back for seconds. I lost 60 lbs. in 4 months and felt great. Seriously all I did was yoga. I use videos at home because I just felt too large and uncoordinated to go to the gym. It took me almost 2 years to put on 20 lbs of that weight when I stopped.

The second time I did the calorie counting working out 3-4 times a week faithfully thing. I starved myself and put on the weight immediately.

Currently I am working out at the gym. I do a 7 minute warm up on the cycle and do 3-4 of the strength machines. I then swim in a lap pool or just walk the pool. I reward myself with 10-15 minute in the spa. I was doing great till I injured myself and bruised some ribs at home. Nothing gym related.

The biggest thing is strength training. If you build muscle you burn more calories even at rest. You do have to pump a lot of iron and don't have to build bulky muscles. Just build up some toned muscles. The cardio stuff is great, but go easy because if you aren't use to it you can mess up your heart. I go easy on the cardio although I don't ignore it.

Always speak with your doctor because they can not only tell you what is best for you they can steer you away from the gimmicks and the wasting of money.