[lovelyivy84]

You're missing out on a LOT is you don't add weight training to your routine.

Weight training builds muscle and reshapes your body- the only way to really change it in the long run.

If you count on cardio and diet ALONE you will lose weight, but will also put it back much faster. If you build muscle then you can maintain those changes with a lot less work in the end (trust me, I haven't lifted in longer than I care to tell, but I still look damn good because my body has some muscle on it).


A good exercise plan for weight loss involves cardio and lifting AND diet to supplement both of those things.

Originally Posted by m0nkeys

This thread is long so I'm just going to put in my two cents, although it may end up redudant.

Personally, I do a lot of cardio, an hour each time: jogging, elliptical trainers, and dancing. The bigger you are, the more calories you burn. But if you're smaller like me, it takes forever to lose those last 5 lbs (i.e. why I do so much cardio). Too lose weight, you need to do 45-60 minutes of cardio, about 5 or more days a week. The USDA recommends 30 mins , but this is only to maintain your current weight (that's why many people don't lose weight, they're not doing enough cardio).

Of course, cardio is only 20% of weight loss. The rest is diet diet diet. I can't stress this enough. Eat according to your body structure and metabolic rate (the latter of which you can estimate by watching how your weight changes with certain foods). For some people, their genetics is the reason why they can't lose weight as quickly as others. Best diet tip: drink lots of water! Not only does it do your body some good, but it helps to curb your appetite if you drink some before a meal.

But in order to achieve any permanent weight loss, you need persistance and a lot of faith. Mind over matter -- if you know you can lose weight, your body will follow suit .

*Use this site to determine your overall body shape. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker3.htm
*http://www.naturalstrength.com/feedb...p?ArticleID=69
Good site about clean diets
*http://www.mypyramid.gov/
USDA info site.

Hope this helps

Many blessings and best of luck!