When trying to lose weight....?

Question

I know u have to eat right and work out. My question is how much do u need to work out in order to see results fast. My husband is overseas and should be home in 3 months. I would like to lose at least 15 lbs by then if not more. How often should i work out and how long each time? Also should i do more cardio to burn fat or more weight lifting to build muscle?

Answer 1

If you make no changes in your diet, you'd need to burn 681 extra calories a day to get to your target. (That's 4086 calories per pound of fat, times 15 pounds, divided by 90 days, if you want to set up an Excel spreadsheet to monitor your progress. :-)

Shouldn't be that hard to do. Yesterday I cranked on the cardio machine for half an hour at varying rates. The elliptical machine told me I burned 356 calories in that half hour, so that suggests about an hour a day to get to your 15 pound target. (Now, that's for my age, weight, condition, etc; you'll have to check your own figures for yourself.)

As for doing cardio or weight lifting -- I do both, and my doctor agrees that it's a good thing. I start with 30 minutes on the cardio machine, then do about a half-hour of weights -- high repetitions, moderate weights. The idea is to keep my heart rate going with the weights (lots of reps) while keeping the exercises in balance (arm/chest/back exercises as well as mostly leg exercises on the cardio machines). Also, there is some evidence that it's a more effective exercise for the heart to do 'explosive' weight-lifting type exercises, from time to time, in addition to the long-term, consistent 'endurance' exercises like running, cycling, etc. So I do both.

Anyway, if you can work out for a solid hour you'll hit your target, IF you make no other changes in your diet. On the other hand, if you can pull back even 350-400 calories a day (don't know how much you're eating now), you can get there faster.

Answer 2

Hi
Try this plan it really worked for me so here goes,
If you are serious about losing weight, the calories in the food you eat should be less than the energy you use. You will have to increase your metabolic rate now, and plan your diet carefully.
Formulate your own weight loss plan and you will lose weight faster. More details available at http://tinyurl.com/m7ckx

Good luck

Answer 3

I never had a weight problem but when I started running 30 miles/wk
5 yrs ago I noticed the weight drop in 2 months. In my experience, you don't have to work out for hours and hours. If you want to see results fast, intensity is the key. Start out with something you can stick with and enjoy, i.e. like walking everyday and as your fitness level increases you can build the intensity from there. Diet has to be combined with exercise for faster results. Bottom line: You can work out for 30 minutes at an intense enough level where you're slightly out of breath but you have to be consistent with it and remember to do it at least 3-4x a wk if you can.

P.S. cardio is the best workout for losing extra fat and should be done at a mimimum of 3x wk for 30-45 minutes. It's best if it can be combined with weight training for at least 2x a wk to keep the metabolism running in high gear.

Answer 4

3yrs ago, I joined weight watchers and lost 45 pounds. At wwatchers, I learned to eat right and what type of exercises to do. Mostly I use the eleptic machine for at least 25 minutes 3 times a week which helps burn the fat. Weight lifting builds muscle and I do this to twice a week. Good luck! If you set your mind to succeeding you will.

Answer 5

Cardio - 1hr a day, 5 days a week
Weight lifting, at least three days a week (light weights, lots of reps)
Decrease your sugar intake and anything that breaks down to sugars, such as pasta and bread.
Drink 10 8oz glasses of water per day, no soda or sweet drinks.
Protein and veg at each meal.

You will loose weight quicker than you think.

Answer 6

You need to jump start your system to get the weight off. The south beach diet or a "modified" atkins diet will jump start you off. The important thing about these diets is that people forget to exercise. Make sure you combine exercise with this diet particularly after the first week and a-half. Limit the carbs and sugars. Eat 6 small portions a day.

You will see very quick results!!!

Answer 7

Walking is not stressful enough on your body to lose a significant amount of weight.

I suggest cardio or aerobics. Go out to the mall and buy a fitness DVD. They work pretty well.

Also, try running. It's fast, easy, and cheap! And it gives fast results.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I have lost weight recently and haven't even changed my diet. If you have a bike, find a route that you like and do it everyday once or twice. Also do some sit ups, as many as you can in a row and build up from there. Good luck.

Answer 9

Work outs recommendations vary according to your goals. Weight loss recommendations are to do something aerobic for over a half an hour . . . preferably an hour. I always recommended daily aerobic exercise unless alternating with strength training. It is best to include strength training for your flexibility. Healthier muscle leads to improved posture and shape.

Answer 10

there is a pretty simple stomach exercise you could do that very quickly tucks that tummy! lay on your back on the floor and raise your legs over your head, repeat! 4x a week 15-20 reps, that will slim your waist in almost no time, running a mile or two 3x a week will also greatly help your trial but you have the right idea, you want to balance your weight lifting to your cardio, that was the trick for me! hope i helped