Adam's Weight Loss Journal

[adamm]

Well since I posted on here, about over a month ago, I am starting to see some great results, and decided that I want to share the results with everyone. So I guess that I will start a journal.

Okay, I started working out, or seriously working out about 6 weeks ago. Started on January 15th. So this would be my 7th week.

Here is the routine:
Monday: Shoulders and Cardio (1hr cardio)
Tuesday: 1 to 2hr Cardio
Wednesday: Biceps and Triceps and Cardio (1hr cardio)
Thursday: Legs and Cardio (1hr cardio, or as much as my legs will take for me)
Friday: 1 to 2hr Cardio
Saturday: Chest and Back and Cardio (1hr cardio)
Sunday: Off

Okay, I know what you are saying, damn there is alot of cardio in there. And yes there is, and for a good reason, the weight loss. I'm interested in keeping the muscle that I have, but burning all the fat that is on my body.

When I started this thing, I weighed in at 207 pounds, and had quite the gut on my waist (lots of fat). Now 7 weeks later, I now weigh 195, and have noticed a huge difference in my gut!!! I've lost about 2 inches off my waist. Nedlessley to say, that i'm very happy with the results, and have noticed that my endurance has increased as well.

Another improvement that I have seen is that I can now run again. No longer that uncomfortable feeling of all that weight on my guy while i'm running. Plus I feel as if my asthma is improving as well.

My goal for the end of March, will be to have lost another 8 pounds, or try to get to 185. My long term goal is the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October. And a weight of 165.

[JWebb]

2 hours of cardio is waaaay too long IMO. When I first started, I did 30 minutes a day and that was plenty.

I now do about 20 minutes a day of HIIT style cardio on the treadmill and it is working even better than spending 30 minutes or longer doing low impact style cardio.

HIIT details: http://www.musclemedia.com/training/hiit.asp

I went from 265 pounds to now 195 pounds. Most of that was lost in the first 5 months. You might want to add some more lifting to your routine as well. It's also another great way to burn fat and of course build muscle at the same time.

[Nicko]

207 isn't that heavy, I'm 200, and and I don't have a massive gut that feels weird when I jog, how tall are you?

and I would agree with Jwebb 2 hours is kind of excessive, unless it is just a walk, you probably would be better off to shorten the cardio and boost the intensity

[adamm]

I understand your feelings on the amount of cardio. But right now i'm not trying to add any mass, just trying to keep what muscle that I have in the process. The reason for all the cardio is to get myself ready for a marathon in October. I have to be able to run for hours on end, and the days that I do up to 2 hours of cardio, are just to see if I can do it, and to burn those calories.

My height is 5 foot 5 inches, and yes when I was running at 207 pounds, it was very awkward with all that weight on my gut moving around. Now that i'm down to 195, i've noticed that there is less weight around my gut, and I don't see a loss in muscle mass. I have noticed that my arms, chest, and legs are more defined now. Plus it is easier to run now then before.

Each day that I have weights involved, I lift for about 30 minutes, doing about 3 to 4 exercises per body part, with 4 sets each.

Days that I just do cardio, I tend to run on the treadmill for as long as I can go, and do roughly 30 minutes, then I hit the eliptical for 60 minutes. With my asthma, I can do more on the eliptical than the threadmill at this time, but it is getting better. Just the other day I was able to run a full mile without stopping at 5 mph. That is a huge acomplishment for me.

You are probably thinking, asthma and a marathon don't go to well. But I know that I can do it. When I was in the Marines, I was running 3 to 5 miles a day with no problems. I know that as I get more in shape the asthma will improve.

Again, thanks for all the advice and comments, I appreciate the different ideas. And i'm open to any ideas that anyone can give.

[adamm]

I forgot to mention that all of my excess weight is in my gut. Probably about 30 pounds worth!!!

[Nicko]

ahhh if you are 5 5 that explains a whole lot. the rule of thumb is like 5 lbs per inch, so that would be like me weighing an extra 35 lbs anyhow if you are training for a marathon I still say you should thow some cardio sessions of less time, but more intense, that will help push back your lactate threshold and allow you to go longer, but still keep you long sessions

in e regards to your asthma, I probably had it a whole lot worse then you, I spent my first few years of life hooked up to a machine to help me breath and it almost killed me several times, I was still using the machine for a hours each week up till about 9 years old, most people grow out of it, and I am one of those people, I wouldn't worry about the exercise effecting your asthma, I would be more concerened if about how hot, humid, and smoggy the day is when you do enter the maraton

you should have said you were training fo a marathon lol, too completly different things

[JWebb]

[BabyArnold]

Abs are made in the kitchen. Your diet will make you lose faster than anything. You can run yourself to death, but if your diet is wrong then you are wasting your time.
_________________
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[adamm]

This was in my first post:

[JWebb]