Gym -How long before I notice the effects??

BLUis

Thanks everyone for your advice and support. I will update you when I lose some more!!

I wish I was a size 12 sugarwalsh, let alone a size 8!! lol

I just want to be able to wear shorts and skirts and jeans that look nice. We are going to Italy on honeymoon, I really want to look good in my clothes and bikini!

Idiophreak

As wanchai says...You're doing really well! 1/2 a stone already!? I don't know what more you're expecting to see in terms of results.

I get quite cross with shows like the biggest loser when they all look down their noses at the other contestants when they "only" shift 6lbs in a week. For most people loss at that rate is either impossible or frankly just dangerous.

It sounds like you're doing very much the right things - but remember that the key to weight loss is keeping your heart rate elevated into the "weight loss zone" (you can read about this online - it's a proportion of your maximum heart rate) for as long as possible. And there's a lot of evidence to suggest that anything beyond 45 minutes is especially beneficial. With that in mind, and the fact that you want to focus on your legs, I'd drop the weights you're doing and replace it with even more cardio. Do 20 minute blocks on the treadmill, xtrainer (which is really good for you, I have to say) and bike - and try and transition from one to the other as fast as possible so as not to let your heart rate drop too far. Swimming is also good if you can stretch out the number of lengths you're doing so it's around another 20 minute block.

Also think about how you could try and achieve this in other parts of your life outside the gym - if you could do a 2 hour cycle ride on the weekend, that would really help - or a hike, or anything else that gets your blood pumping a little faster than usual for as long as possible...

In order to stay motivated and see your progress more objectively, get measuring. Measure your weight, waist and any others you fancy (thighs / arms?) each week and plot them on a graph. You'll soon see a downward trend and you could even add to the graph a straight line to your target weight - so you can make sure you're on track.

Despite what your BMI may tell you, you're not crazy massively fat for your height, so don't expect to lose 1/2 stone every fortnight - you might manage that for another couple of weeks, but it will start to get tougher after that as your body starts to lose fat reserves (and, bizarrely, as you burn less calories through simply weighing less).

wadewadewade

JOHN1982 wrote: »

Apologies, I didn't mean to mislead. I simply meant that the exercises should be tailored towards toning (as you say, losing fat) and not towards muscle growth (in size, body building sets for instance!). There's no point in doing a load of aerobic in the hope of losing mass on your legs if you then get on a leg-press machine!

I see where you're coming from, but women have less ability to naturally build muscle - plus on a calorie deficit, she won't be in danger of building huge muscles!

BLUis

Idiophreak wrote: »

As wanchai says...You're doing really well! 1/2 a stone already!? I don't know what more you're expecting to see in terms of results.

I get quite cross with shows like the biggest loser when they all look down their noses at the other contestants when they "only" shift 6lbs in a week. For most people loss at that rate is either impossible or frankly just dangerous.

It sounds like you're doing very much the right things - but remember that the key to weight loss is keeping your heart rate elevated into the "weight loss zone" (you can read about this online - it's a proportion of your maximum heart rate) for as long as possible. And there's a lot of evidence to suggest that anything beyond 45 minutes is especially beneficial. With that in mind, and the fact that you want to focus on your legs, I'd drop the weights you're doing and replace it with even more cardio. Do 20 minute blocks on the treadmill, xtrainer (which is really good for you, I have to say) and bike - and try and transition from one to the other as fast as possible so as not to let your heart rate drop too far. Swimming is also good if you can stretch out the number of lengths you're doing so it's around another 20 minute block.

Also think about how you could try and achieve this in other parts of your life outside the gym - if you could do a 2 hour cycle ride on the weekend, that would really help - or a hike, or anything else that gets your blood pumping a little faster than usual for as long as possible...

In order to stay motivated and see your progress more objectively, get measuring. Measure your weight, waist and any others you fancy (thighs / arms?) each week and plot them on a graph. You'll soon see a downward trend and you could even add to the graph a straight line to your target weight - so you can make sure you're on track.

Despite what your BMI may tell you, you're not crazy massively fat for your height, so don't expect to lose 1/2 stone every fortnight - you might manage that for another couple of weeks, but it will start to get tougher after that as your body starts to lose fat reserves (and, bizarrely, as you burn less calories through simply weighing less).

I know I shouldnt lose the weight too quickly, I am trying to lose 2lb a week, but as the fat turns to muscle, it weighs heavier. I dont expect to lose half a stone each week, that would just be dangerous.

I will do what you suggested and measure rather than weigh. I am sure I can feel some results already, but I just cant see it!

I know I am just being impatient and I have only been going to the gym for 2 weeks.

Idiophreak

BLUis wrote: »

I know I shouldnt lose the weight too quickly, I am trying to lose 2lb a week, but as the fat turns to muscle, it weighs heavier. I dont expect to lose half a stone each week, that would just be dangerous.

Just another bit of advice - don't give too much consideration to the weight of your muscle...obviously it's important, but in weight-loss training it's unlikely to be a significant factor.

Body builders work hard at focusing key muscles to gain an extra pound or two per week - and they have to add a serious amount of protein to their diet to allow it. If your target is to lose 2lbs a week, I'd be very surprised if gaining muscle ever counteracted that by more than, say, 1/2 a pound.

Muscle is only heavier than fat *for the same volume* anyway - and I'm fairly sure you're not keen to be exactly the same size as you are now, but all made of muscle instead of fat...;) Also, logically, muscles burn calories all day every day - so if you gain some muscle, that should in fact help your weight loss, not hinder it.

Being blunt, the muscle>fat thing is something people on the internet (myself included) trot out why they can't explain why they didn't shift as much weight as they expected in the last week/month. A more likely reason is just natural fluctuation in how your body works, to be honest.

Anyway, just food for thought

BLUis

I can honestly say I am now completely befuddled!! lol

Alibear

Just my two cents' worth...

if you've got a pair of jeans which currently fit ok, use them as a guide, the looser they get, the more bulk you're losing! I always found that a good baromiter.

Is there a personal trainer or adviser at your gym? Ask for a session or a few minutes with them to ensure you're using the equipment right so you're getting the most from your workout. Even if you have to pay for a 30 minute session or something, they would tell you how to use new equipment or your own body for resistance to lose the inches where you want to. I learnt a fantastic couple of exercises to tone my legs and bum earlier this week. It also strengthens by back, which I also have a problem with.

At my gym they'll work out tailored programmes for you. Eg if you tell them you're getting married in May and want to lose 3-4 stone they'll create a programme to make it happen (providing you eat right of course, which you are!) - maybe you could ask for the same?

Classes are also good - does your gym have a spinning class? It sounds like it could work for you if you like cycling - I hate cycling but still enjoy it! It's brilliant - I noticed a difference after three sessions. Body pump is also great. I find if you do one of these kind of classes per week instead of your usual programme it keeps your schedule fresh and helps with toning.

Saying all this, though, I think jtr (post 19, I think?) is right, don't do too much too soon, or you'll 'crash and burn'.

(Sorry, turned into more than two cents' worth, just wanted to tell you you;re doing brilliantly and wish you good luck, more than anything! I'm sure you'll look amazing come May.)

BLUis

Alibear wrote: »

Just my two cents' worth...

if you've got a pair of jeans which currently fit ok, use them as a guide, the looser they get, the more bulk you're losing! I always found that a good baromiter.

Is there a personal trainer or adviser at your gym? Ask for a session or a few minutes with them to ensure you're using the equipment right so you're getting the most from your workout. Even if you have to pay for a 30 minute session or something, they would tell you how to use new equipment or your own body for resistance to lose the inches where you want to. I learnt a fantastic couple of exercises to tone my legs and bum earlier this week. It also strengthens by back, which I also have a problem with.

At my gym they'll work out tailored programmes for you. Eg if you tell them you're getting married in May and want to lose 3-4 stone they'll create a programme to make it happen (providing you eat right of course, which you are!) - maybe you could ask for the same?

Classes are also good - does your gym have a spinning class? It sounds like it could work for you if you like cycling - I hate cycling but still enjoy it! It's brilliant - I noticed a difference after three sessions. Body pump is also great. I find if you do one of these kind of classes per week instead of your usual programme it keeps your schedule fresh and helps with toning.

Saying all this, though, I think jtr (post 19, I think?) is right, don't do too much too soon, or you'll 'crash and burn'.

(Sorry, turned into more than two cents' worth, just wanted to tell you you;re doing brilliantly and wish you good luck, more than anything! I'm sure you'll look amazing come May.)

Thank you

My gym does have a spinning class and body pump, but at the moment, I dont feel that I am fit enough to be able to do it. I think I might have a heart attack if I tried that yet!

I put my jeans on last night, no change yet!

jtr2803

Completely agree with Idio. In regards to the Muscle V Fat weight, did you ever get the trick question at school, what weighs more? A tonne of feathers or a tonne of bricks? Answer is that they both weigh the same but have different masses. In the first few weeks when I only lost 2lbs I realised I had lost about 4 inches from my butt/hips/thighs.

I don't know if it is your sort of thing but I really recommend Zumba. I've never stuck to any classes or exercise regime before but I've built myself up and it seriously makes me sweat, plus all the moves are great for legs/bum and stomach. My favourite class is in an old warehouse where the lights are dim and we have disco lights :rotfl:

Murtle

When I joined the gym the body pump class seemed right up my street, I hurt for three days after wards and I used the lighter weights!

Slow and steady wins the race, but like you I am impatient about improvement, but when it comes you'll be floating on air and have another load of motivation.

Good luck with your weight loss and getting fit.