Hello,

I am a 5'5 female and weigh 120 lbs. I would like to tone up my body (especially my buns, thighs, and abs) and lose some weight. I've been alternating my workout routine: I run on my treadmill for 35 mins, do taebo (ultimate upper/lower body), do the 8 mins exercise tapes (with jaime brenkus), and 3 days ago, I started using the ab revolutionary.

Am I trying to do too much? It seems that I have all the latest "fabs" and yet I don't see any results :confused: Do you know when can I expect to see real results (I've been doing this for about 1-2 weeks).

Your replies and suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

It will months rather than weeks. One thing that we have a tendency to do is to start an exercise routine, and then if we're not wearing our "skinny jeans" within a couple of weeks, then it's not working. Diet and exercise for weight loss and/or toning is not a quick fix. You are re-educating your body and muscles, and that takes time.

I first started working out and watching what I ate last February. By August, I had lost 15 pounds and gone from a size 12 to a size 8 (relaxed fit LOL). I primarily did Pilates and walked on my treadmill, with 1-2 days per week of strenthening exercises. Then I got pregnant with my #4 baby, who was born 2 months ago, and I'm basically starting over now - although I expect to get faster results this time since my body was conditioned and "trained" before I got pregnant.

Don't get discouarged. Be patient. Keep it up, be consistent, and you will see results. But don't give up if you don't have your dream body next month.

Lori

BTW - that sounds like a good routine you are doing. I don't think it's too much.

Dear Lori:

Thank you for your response! and congratulations on your new baby!

I know I have a tendency of starting an exercise routine and then if I don't see results soon, I give up. I hope that I can be as motivated as you have been. I know that there are a lot of people like me out there, what is it that keeps you exercising, even if you don't see results quick enough? :)

Thank you for the congratulations. :)

I would have to say that the #1 thing that keeps me motivated is how good I feel after a workout. It takes 21 days to develop a habit, and by the time you have finished that 3 weeks, you will realize how much more energy you have and how good you feel. When I started feeling that, I exercised for that feeling, and the toning and dropping pounds became a perk. When I work out in the morning, it gives me an energy high that lasts the rest of the day. On the days that I skip, I don't feel as motivated and I don't get as much accomplished.

Don't get me wrong - fitting into a size 8 pants for the first time in years felt fantastic, and it was much more pleasant to look at myself in the mirror, but that truly became the icing on the cake.

Try looking at it from that perspective. Analyze how you feel after a workout, and the difference between workout days and days off. I really believe that those who exercise regularly because they really love it are much more successful at meeting their goals than those who are only doing it to get their "dream body." I think the reason for that is because the enjoyment aspect of it is immediately tangible, where the dream body takes so long to get. Does that make sense?

Anyway, hope it helps. Have a great day!! :)

Lori

Thank you Lori for your insight :)

I'm going to try to work out in the morning (since you say you have more energy) vs night time. The reason I usually work out at night is because I don't have enough time in the morning to put in an hour....Does it really matter what time of the day you work? I read that the best time to work out is mid afternoon....Anybody have any thoughts on that?

Anyway, thanks for your reply, you're very supportive :) Good luck with your work out, Lori!

Canny

Thanks, Canny. Good luck to you as well. I don't think it really matters what time of day - whatever works for you.

Lori