Losing Weight/Toning

[Narcotic]

I was just wondering if any fitness gurus in here could help me out.

Basically Im trying to lose some weight before summer but its not working at the moment. I mean Im not fat or anything but I havent got the flat stomach I crave.....

I cut down on snacks etc and started doing push-ups and sit-ups at home because I havent got a gym local. So will these exercises tone up the stomach and arms which is what I want, and what else can I do to help it along besides running? I mean when I tense my stomach its pretty firm so Im thinking that I have toned up but theres still this annoying belly in the way ?:rolleyes:

I looked on the net for long term eating plans but they are all so different! I just figure that if I cut down on fatty foods, puddings etc and stick to the fruit and veg thats a good start?

[clara]

yeah sticking to healthy food is good, also cutting back on alcohol... :p

if its fat on your tummy that you want to lose, it doesnt matter how many sit ups you do, it wont get rid of it... you need to do aerobic exercise to use the fat.

how long are you running for? idealy you should keep your heart rate above resting for at least 20 minutes, after this point your body starts using fat stores as a source of energy for your muscles. do this about 3 or so times a week, but dont over do it, start off slowly:)

keep up with the sit ups etc though-thats good for your muscle tone

good luck
:)

[Narcotic]

Thanks Clara

Aerobic exercises are cycling, running etc right? It is annoying not being able to go to the gym but Im determined to lose this weight before hitting the beach :) I am running for over 20 minutes yeah, going a little bit longer every week and other than that just the sit-ups and press-ups every morning/night.

Is that going to be enough to get a flat stomach? I mean is the gym THAT necessary or just a good way to get yourself into getting some exercise?

[clara]

Originally posted by Narcotic


Is that going to be enough to get a flat stomach? I mean is the gym THAT necessary or just a good way to get yourself into getting some exercise?

yeah aerobic is cycling, running-which raise your heart rate.. you could try swimming because this is good for toning as well as being aerobic, it also supports your joints:)

i really dont think the gym is neccessary. i had free membership to a gym, and i found it SO boring! most the equipment in a gym can be mimicked at home.

also, its not like we are having bad weather at the moment so there is no excuse not to go out for a run or whatever!

for stomach exercises have you ever heard of, or seen a medicine ball i think theyre called? theyre big ball things that you can do various sit up exercises...

a couple of useful threads:




about losing weight (http://vbulletin.thesite.org.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26993&highlight=medicine+ball)

about balls :D (http://vbulletin.thesite.org.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27067&highlight=medicine+ball)


:)

[clara]

ooo and finally...

another about getting a flatter stomach (http://vbulletin.thesite.org.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28368&highlight=medicine+ball)

:)

[Narcotic]

Thanks for all your help Clara :D

One more point though- what happens in the first 20 minutes of the exercise then if only after 20 does the real action take place.

[clara]

Originally posted by Narcotic
One more point though- what happens in the first 20 minutes of the exercise then if only after 20 does the real action take place.

for approximately the first 20 minutes of exercise the body is using the glucose and carbohydrate stores in it for respiration of the muscles cells. after this point, is when the glucose is no longer used and when fat starts being used as a respiratory substrate for the muscles cells instead.

this is why (i think) that exercise is most efficient for fat burning when youve not eaten in a few hours because there is only a small amount of glucose to be used, to fat is more readily used. however, it is really dangerous to exercise without having eating and if you do this, youll end up really tired so be careful:)

(also dont exercise too soon after eating because you need to let your body have time to digest the food properly:) so leave about 1-2 hours)