still flabby :(

[kish]

I got back into cardio and weight training last march. I've been performing cardio at least 5 days a week, sometimes 6 for 30-40 minutes on my treadmill. I also get out and ride my mountain bike 2 or 3 times within a week. I hit the weights at least 5 days a week too. I've been doing most of my cardio in the mornings before work because I read that thats the best time if your main focus is to shed some fat. I lowered my calorie intake very gradually too, and I hardly ever over eat. Up until the past few weeks my fat reserves seems to be coming off at a much slower pace, if at all. I'm so close to my goal and my motivation is starting to slip a little.

I'm wondering if I changed it up a little and starting doing my cardio in the evenings, or every other day might that confuse my system enough to make it start burning fat back at a faster pace again?

 

[curgeo]

How long have you been following a hypocaloric diet? How far away from your ideal are you? If your cals drop too low for too long you thyroid hormone will be suppressed. It's the body's way of fighting to keep the last little bit of fat. Have you added any fat burners to stimulate the fat burning? Where do you store the last remaining adipose tissue? Have you lost muscle along with bodyfat? Have you ever tried sprint training instead of long walking? Do you up the intensity of your treadmill activity? Have you ever tried to walk on an incline to burn more calories?

If you can answer a couple of the questions, maybe I can isolate why your fat burning has stalled.

 

[kish]

I don't think that my calorie intake is that low? I mainly just cut way back on my bad fat intake since I began working out. I'm now eaching healthier foods, and more wisely. I'll still eat an occasional steak, or indulge in some pizza once in a while. But not nearly as often. No I have'nt taken any sort of fat burning stimulants. The majority of my remaining fat is around my upper and lower abdominal region. I have'nt tried sprinting. I pretty sure I have'nt lost much muscle tissue, if any. I think I've even gained some slightly In my arms and legs. I do increase the intensity on the treadmill, and I variate the speeds during each workout. And I've had the incline set as high as it will go since day one. I dont know what my body fat percentage is, but i can pinch about 1/2" of blub in the areas I mentioned, and it's keeping my abs muscles from making there appearance. When I started I had at at least double that amount. I hope this helps.

 

[curgeo]

You should probably start with finding out how many calories you are eating/day and /week. That way you know if your stalled fat loss is a result of thryoid downregulation or just a caloric surplus. Congats on losing the weight, it's hard to do and takes an effort to get there.

How long have you been watching what you eat? I would count cals for a week in a notebook and try and guage what is going on from there. If the last couple of weeks you have been taking in more calories, than that is your problem. If not, let me know and we can work from there.

 

[kish]

I hate counting though... I was hoping for some better news. Maybe I'll just start working harder. I usually burn tons even when I don't try. I'm a human garbage can when I eat well trust me, and I never gain alot. this time i'm stumped. Maybe I'm thinking too much about it? I'll post up my typical diet for you next time.

 

[Extra_Strong]

???

 

[harhar]

Sprints are better and you burn more fat in the end due to the elevated metabolism. Also, you retain much more muscle than with jogging where your body goes into a catabolic state.

 

[kish]

Would sprinting on a bike be almost as effective? I had a bad ankle injury last year and it still twists over if I'm not careful. I don't really want to risk breaking it again. Thanks for taking the time to read and post back guys.