Okay Callie, I just got your reply in my gym log and I'll do my best at giving some advice. The only thing I can really suggest is doing what I did in the beginning of my weight loss journey - which is about where you are at now.
When I started I did mostly cardio and almost everyday. I would walk/run on my treadmill (I think the eliptical would give the same benefits) for at least 30 minutes constant. I would wear a heart rate monitor to confirm I was working out hard enough for the entire 30 minutes. I always try to keep my heart rate between 125-145bpm (beats per minute). If I was walking and my heart rate was only 115, I'd run until it got up to 145, then walk again until my heart rate dropped again, then run again. The longer your workout, the easier it is to keep your heart rate up. After 20 minutes of this, I could maintain a 145bpm by just walking. Now I run the entire 30 minutes - but it took me a while to work up to that. And yes, I did start exercising the first day I started Atkins and I don't think I could have lost as quickly or as much if I didn't workout consistantly.
After my 30 minutes of cardio (NOT including a warmup/cooldown) I would do about 10-15 minutes of weights. Just a simple free weight routine - like bicep curls, tricep extensions, shoulder raises and bench pressing. I lifted weights 2x per week - one day would be upper body, the other day lower body which consisted of squats (#1 exercise in my opinion) dead lifts, hamstring curls and inner thigh squeezes with an exercise ball. FYI, when you do lower body, always start with squats - don't do squats last, or you will struggle.
And that's it. Nothing complicated, no secret routine, just the basics. I strongly recommend a heart rate monitor for cardio sessions though, just to make sure your working hard enough for it pay off. You can't just go for a leasurley walk and expect to get into great shape. Everytime I hop off the treadmill I am dripping with sweat.
I know a lot of *experts* will say cardio is a waste of time for weight loss - but I totally disagree. I do way more cardio than weight lifting. Currently I don't even lift anymore, I've just been doing pushups - like over 150 a day, but its simple and effective. Some people may need more weight lifting and not so much cardio, but I'm a big girl (or was a big girl) and tend naturally have a lot of muscle, I've always been *stocky* so when I lift more weights, I do tend to bulk up - which I dont' want. I'm not sure what your body type is, but if its anything like mine - you're going to want to run your tail off with lots of cardio.
Sorry this got so long. I wish I would have started my gym log earlier in my weight loss, but I think I started it after already having lost 40 some pounds, so I was already working out for quite some time. Good luck!!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
EDIT to add: When I lift weights, I use a heavy enough weight to do 12 reps. If you can do more than 12 reps, you need a heavier weight. And I would do 2-3 sets of each exercise. Except for squats - I try to do 6 sets of 15.
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