Working out question...?

Question

I got to the gym for an hour and a half. I lift weights, then I run. When I go home I drink protein mix, then eat in the afternoon. Am I on the right track to lose weight and gain muscle?

Answer 1

My ideas? Try to do 200 minutes of cardio a week. Remember fat does not turn into muscle, so you need to lose your fat while putting on muscle. Work hard, but don't over 60 minutes at a time. Do planks and other abs exercises on alternate days.

On training days, do 5-10 minutes of cardio to warm up, then do your weight training. Do 30 to 60 minutes more of cardio, then go home.

The best time to eat is just after your workout within an hour when your metabolism is raging. For your muscles, incorporate some isolated soy protein or whey protein. Whey is more potent but the soy tastes better!

Don't look at your scale as the be all and end all, but get a measuring tape to check your progress, and that will show more tangible results.

Read magazines like Shape, Womens Fitness, Fitness, etc to get tips and to stay motivated.

Good luck and stick at it. This plan has lost me 20 lbs in 12 weeks so far, just go for it!

Answer 2

Sounds good, be sure that you aren't working the same muscle group the next day, recovery issues. Give yourself one day off a week with no exercise at all, your body needs it.
Protein shakes are a matter of opinion. If you go to your search engine and type in "protein-how much do I need" you will find out some nice info about it. Fact is, if we're eating healthy we get more than enough and don't need the shakes. People stop drinking those after awhile and they're fine.
Combining the cardio and weights is ideal. Another way you could do it is this: Full body workout 3 days a week (every other day) and then the days you don't do the weights go run, but you're fine with the way you do it too, why fix it if it isn't broken lol

Answer 3

You are the guy who is 5'6" and weighs 142 pounds. I just saw another question from you. You need to stick with the weights, slow down on the running some and eat more protein. Rule of thumb is one gram of protein for each pound of body weight. So you need about 142. That would include all the protein drinks and your meat that you eat throughout the day. Depending on the body part(s) you are training, you may be in the gym for too long. Do you cycle on and off the body parts? Do you cram all your workout into 1 or 2 sessions per week? When do you lift? AM? before work/school, etc? There are a lot of factors involved.

Answer 4

Yes and lifting first and running will help. By lifting first you are causing your body to burn fat more efficiently during your run. Plus you are able to lift more efficiently. A lot of people do it the other way around since it seems easier, but if you deplete yourself running first, your lifting is less efficient. Also, it takes about 20 minutes before your metabolism shifts to aerobic (fat burning) mode, by lifting first, you are setting up the signals to your muscles to make the shift (due to pyruvic acid buildup from lifting).

The protein shake after your workout is good too. People use to go right for carbs after working out, but it turns out that protein and carbs together work best after a workout (hence the protein shake, which likely has some carbs in it). Just be sure to eat a balanced diet the rest of your meals (you still need fiber and some good fats). What you are doing has worked very well for me. Be sure to limit your fat and alcohol intake.

Answer 5

So far so good.A few pointers.Give each muscle rest.Lift every second day or when you become more advanced train part of your body one day and the rest the day after.It is best to eat smaller amounts more often.If you want to gain muscle you should be eating smaller amounts 6 times a day.Strangely enough this is also the best way to lose fat.

Answer 6

YES YOU ARE!!!

Here is what I do. I give this information of MINE to anyone seeking advice and help in the area.

Getting rid of fat in general,building lean muscle, and defining your physique is 60% diet, 30% exercise, and 10% mental thought. You must eat the right foods, exercise more often than you don't. Meaning at least four days a week, burning more calories than you consume. Also, thinking positive thoughts about yourself and not putting yourself down.

Portion control is key. You don't want to overeat.
A portion should be the size of your fist. You should have one portion of carb and protein per meal. A portion size for fat is a handful.

Carbohydrates:
Apples, Bananas, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Mangos, Pineapple, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Celery, Carrots, Broccoli, Asparagus, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Steel Cut Oatmeal, Whole "Grain" Bread.

Protein: Egg Whites, Salmon, Tuna, Halibut, Chicken Breats, Lean Ground Tukey, Turkey Breasts, Protein Powder, Protein Bars (Power Crunch Bar, Cliff Builder Bar) You don't want a high calorie, high fat, high sugar bar. The two I listed are good ones, and they taste great too!

Fat: Organic Peanut Butter, "Raw" Almonds or Walnuts, Balsalmic Vinagerette Dressing. (Just a handful of nuts, with your breakfast, lunch, dinner.) Fats help with digestion.

You want to have 4-5 small meals per day. 2-3 hours apart.
You will never go hungry and your metobolism will not slow down this way! Stop eating 2-3 hours before bed. (Also, get 8 hours of sleep if possible, this is also a major key to losing belly fat)!

Meal Planning: (Preperation is key)

Meal 1: Protein, Carb, Fat (1 bottle of WATER)!
Meal 2: Protein shake or bar (A glass of WATER)!
Meal 3: Protein, Carb, Fat (1 bottle of WATER)!
Meal 4: Protein shake or bar (A glass of WATER)!
Meal 5: Protein, Carb, Fat (1 bottle of WATER)!

Remember to drink half of your weight in oz of water per day.
(ex: 120lbs = drink 60oz. of water per day.)

Exercise: (Do this in whatever ruitine suits you best).

Mon- light weights upper body, 30-60 min cardio, abs
Tue- cardio 60 minutes (Power Walk, Run, Elyptical, etc.)
Wed- light weights lower body, 20-30 min cardio, abs
Thu- cardio 60 minutes (Power Walk, Run, Elyptical, etc.)
Fri- light weights upper body, 30-60 min cardio, abs
Sat- cardio 60 minutes (Power Walk, Run, Elyptical, etc.)

It's very important to sign up to a gym, it offers more motivation and try not to be shy about it. Also, when working out, get enough sleep so your body can repair itself!

This is my plan that I have made after doing research. It has worked for me, and I've helped friends lose weight this way!
You have to stick with it and make it a lifestyle. Only eat junk food in moderation. Eventually you won't even crave junk food. I say anything in a bag, box, or container is what's going to keep you from attainig your goal. Keep it natural!
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

yupp.....make sure you're eating enough protein and cut down on fatty food. sounds like you know what you're doing. you're doing cardio and weights....just like you should be. a few tips....drink lots of water, eat 5-6 small meals with protein. good luck

Answer 8

Yes, as long as you are eating healthy foods and plenty of lean protein. (You need the protien to build muscle)

Answer 9

Sounds like a good plan, as long as what you eat in the afternoon is light and healthy.

Good luck!