I need your opinion

[Ryan.Stoeppel]

Okay, so as you all know probably the biggest struggle for me so far has been figuring out what role exercise should play. I started out with doing an hour, approximately 15 miles, on a stationary bike every day. Then I cut back just a little bit to doing that 5 days a week so I wouldn't get worn out. Then I switched to doing a 20 minute circuit video with Jillian Michaels of The Biggest Loser fame.

Since I started doing the Jillian Michaels dvd I've noticed that my stamina and such are better, but my weight loss has pretty much stopped. I'm wondering if it's just because instead of an hour of cardio I'm only getting 20 minutes of circuit training. So now I'm trying to figure out if I should go back to the hour of cardio on the bike, which obviously does more for my metabolism than a 20 minute video, but I also don't want to neglect the things that Jillian does in her dvd.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is should I just go back to the bike for the time being and pick up the dvd once I've lost some more weight, or should I try the bike and cut down the time on the bike to about 30 minutes and then maybe work in the video after that?

Any suggestions would be appreciated because I haven't really lost any weight in the last 2 weeks, and while I know it isn't about just the numbers on the scale moving, I can't help relating my lack of losing numbers on that damn digital scale to a change in my workout routine.

[ep611]

Re: I need your opinion

I personally like to mix it up - running most days, and some sort of cross training on an eliptical, mixed in with Jillian's 30 day shred or her 'No more trouble zones' dvd a couple times a week (some times weights at the gym, but not a huge fan). Those DVDs provide the strength training I am looking for with the added cardio benefit you get from her circuit training as well. Both cardio and strength training are important in weightloss and overall health.

I think at the end of the day it's up to you, finding what you enjoy doing and get the most out of, because that is what will keep you exercising. Also, give her video a little while, I think you had just recently purchased it (if I remember) so may be to soon tell.

One more thing....on the 'Biggest Loser', Jillian doesn't wait until her team has dropped pounds to pick up the weights....she gets them doing cardio and pumping iron right from the beginning, so I say if you are physically up for it, go for both!

[clogger]

Re: I need your opinion

Definitely do both. I would suggest adding in something else - like walking - as well. It is very good to have variety in your workouts for yourself (to avoid boredom) and your body (so it doesn't become used to your routine - I don't know how long it takes the body to get used to it two weeks?, three weeks?, six weeks?).

I love trying to workout 5 days per week (sometimes more). There are days where I'll do an hour in the gym before work (treadmill and lifting) and an hour clogging class at night, or days when I just do the gym before work or clogging after work, or days where I get in two fifteen minute walks during morning and afternoon breaks, or days where I do it all. I get in from 1/2 hour to 2 1/2 hours of exercise per day.

Find what works best for you and your schedule. You could...bike every other day and do the DVD the other days for a total of 5 or 6 days per week...or bike for 40 minutes followed by the DVD three days a week and walk two days per week...or bike 40 minutes followed by the DVD three days per week and then bike for 1 hour two days per week.

There a lots of possibilities! I try to move as much as possible.

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As far as weight loss goes most people will have pauses or plateaus (it isn't a stall unless no pounds or inces are lost for four weeks). Since my December 11 restart I've had two 10-day periods when I didn't lose anything even though I was on plan and exercising a ton. However, overall I've lost a good amount of weight despite the two 10-day pauses.

Take care and hang in there. You'll see a turnaround soon.

[rajenki]

Re: I need your opinion

I agree with the above posts...mix it up.

If it were me... I would alternate days, bike one day, dvd the next. Back in the day, I was of the belief that your muscles needed a day of rest between workouts to repair and rebuild. So in theory, you could use that "day of rest" as your cardio day.

Mind you, I know nothing about this video...so I don't know what body parts it's working out. When I was big into the gym, I would do cardio EVERY day, and then alternate upper and lower body workout days with the weights. With the alternating the mucles had their rest. Also...the one thing I remember the trainer telling me is that all muscles need a day of rest, except for Abs...you can work your abs every day.

Let us know what you decide.

[tuttifrutti]

Re: I need your opinion

Ryan, I would mix it up as well. Biking everyday (5-6 days a week) and adding in the Jillian's dvd a few days a week on top of that. On the days you do the curcuit, cut down your biking time to maybe 30-40 mins

[Ryan.Stoeppel]

Re: I need your opinion

Thanks for all the input. I'm thinking I might try to alternate day to day from cardio to the circuit training dvd, but on cardio days still try to incorporate some of the exercises from the circuit training as well, especially abs.

I've also been reading, on this site and various other ones, that it isn't totally abnormal to see weight loss decline or even stop for a few weeks following the initial loss during the first two weeks of induction. I think maybe I'd built up some expectations about what I could personally expect week to week, but as I am coming to realize (in spite of reading it all over the place) weight loss isn't linear, so to expect losses every week isn't realistic. I've lost 12.2 lbs total so far, and that is over the course of 20 days. That definitely is nothing to sneer at! It just gets you down a little to check your weight and not see it move at all after it moving so much in such a short period of time. I did check and I have lost an inch in the waist and chest since I started which is nice (especially in getting rid of the man boobies). I think part of my expectations come from reading some of these success stories on this board, which is kinda a bittersweet thing at times! I read some of these absolutely amazing success stories of people losing massive amounts of weight in a short period of time and in turn I expect the same for myself. Just have to keep reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race...and if anyone quotes that cliche about overnight (you know the one I'm talking about) I will find a way to make you suffer!!! Thanks for all the great advice and words of inspiration.

[tuttifrutti]

Re: I need your opinion

Ryan, I can tell how you are feeling by reading your post.
I honestly think as long as you are doing the plan right you are bound to see great success. I know some people have talked about the whoosh fairy (LOL) where they see little to no losses then a big loss after awhile. But another thing I was wondering is that I know you are doing extended induction...have you thought about moving up the ladder to Rung 1 for a week and see what happens? And you will hear this over and over...12.2 lbs is AWESOME! Think about where you would be right now if you didn't start this WOE. Would you be the same weight you were a month ago or even be a few pounds heavier? I read success stories on the board over and over again and find myself doing comparisons, so and so lost X amount of pounds in X amount of months and I get all these hopes that I will lose as fast as them. But then I remember everyone is different. I KNOW you will be one of those success stories...someone will be reading it a year from now and they will get inspired by YOUR story!