Quote:
Originally Posted by Dyne
I'm ramping up my weekly regimen, because since last year I've tried running for 40 minutes every morning that I could, and I haven't seen ANY results, even with a drastic change in diet. No improvement in stamina or weight or anything, except meatier legs. I gave up last November due to school and started running again in April, harder and faster, STILL with no results, even though I can run without breaks (which I never even saw myself doing a few years ago). I heard so much about how exercising in the morning is good for you and how your metabolism benefits so much.
Anyways, it's July, and even though I've made major achievements in running, especially for a guy of my size, I have got to ramp it up. I started last week with DDR, which I used for a lot of the weight 4 years ago, and Bas Rutten's MMA workout. I'm doing it four nights a week, with Thursdays and weekends used for rest. As well, I'm running every morning (usually every second day) so that I'm able to to give myself that extra push for weight loss.
My goal is 180 pounds. I got there quite easily right after high school, but the weight has gone up in 10's since then. So, that leaves me with ~60 pounds to go, since I am currently 242, down from 250. I think 180 is a good benchmark because I started feeling freakishly skinny under 190 pounds, and the fact that it's just under the "overweight" category for my height at 5'11".
As well, I just finished week one of "One Hundred Pushups" which prides itself on the fact you'll be able to do 100 pushups in no time. I figure if I do this pushup plan after my DRR/stretching/MMA, I'll have the perfect workout. And who cares if I do it at night? Any exercise is excellent exercise, no matter the time of day.
http://www.hundredpushups.com/index.html
I usually do pushups anyways, and on my initial test, I scored a 32, which isn't too bad because I'm still above 240 pounds. I tried to do them on my knuckles like I used to, but I just can't do it on a concrete floor. But I'll try to find a pad or something, because it really improves your fists.
Anyways, who else wants to do this 100 pushups program with me? We can post our results every MWF and keep ourselves motivated to finish. |
Some people just have bigger builds, like me. I went from 160 at age 16, to 180 or 190 around senior year of high school. I started lifting around senior year, and I put on muscle mass like crazy, and it hasn't gone away. I haven't lifted at all this summer, I've mostly done cardio or not worked out because I'm a lazy ass who works all day.
Anyway, my weight fluctuations between 220~230. I have a pot belly, so I'm trying my best to lose it. The bad news? Belly fat is apparently the hardest stuff to get rid of.
What type of diet are you on? I would say continue doing the cardio, but mix it up. Run 3 days a week, for the other 3 days do the stair master (trust me it will kick your ass), bike, swim...and, if you feel compelled to, on the 7th day either rest or do a light jog/power walk.
I would say do some weight training...do some light upper body stuff, bench, biceps, shoulders, back. Don't focus on upping the weight, up the reps. Really, at your point in life no one cares HOW much you can bench...you want to go for tone and endurance. Plus, more reps will tone you, more weight will build mass.
Finally, DO LEG LIFTS. These things are super valuable. Do squats....they are pretty much the most valuable lift. But, do them right...consult a trainer. Apparently I have horrible form, and so does 95% of everyone else at the gym. You can also use the leg press machine, but doing real squats requires you to use your balance which will better train the muscles.
Finally, high protein diets build mass.
Oh...and if you have a belly, don't waste your time doing sit-ups/crunches. Everyone has a six pack. If you have fat over it, you can do a billion sit-ups and it won't do anything. You need to get rid of the fat first.
Diet + Cardio + mild weight lifting = win?
Even if you don't see massive drops in weight, you should become healthier, you should look more tone, and you should feel better.
Oh, and drink lots and lots of water...and no beer or soda.
Edit: I don't think I ever went for 100 straight push-ups, but at one point I think I could do 50. I used to do 5 sets of 20 every night after I ran. Push ups are a great compliment to bench, you will tone your chest nicely.