[xNotorious]

Hey all, I frequent these forums quite often and i've got a lot of good advice for my workout and dieting, but i'm looking for more specifics now that i'm trying to gear up to lose the last 30 pounds for my goal.

A little background -- I'm 23 years old and about 5 months ago I was 260lbs and looking to get into shape. After a lot of searching on the boards I decided to start cardio 5x a week and begin lifting 2x a week. The biggest change in my diet was to start eating sensible and using common sense with what I ate (no soda, snacks, etc). I began taking Hydroxycut Hardcore as a supplement to assist in my efforts.

My cardio consisted of 4 - 10 minute miles per night, and HIIT at least two nights out of the 5. Fairly simple. My lifting consisted of arms one night, chest/back the other. I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to lifting, I do whatever seems to make sense, and i'm consistant with my reps.

With this, i've dropped 45 pounds and i'm at 215 now. I'm looking to drop another 30 pounds to reach my goal of 185 by December of this year. 7 months. For some reason over the last few weeks i've seem to have hit a slump and I can't get below 215.

I've decided to change my workout regime, but i'm looking for advice or any suggestions from people who know what they're talking about. I've changed my cardio to 2 miles instead of 4, but i've drastically increased the speed at which i'm running them. Instead of 10 minute miles, i'm doing 7 minute miles and I feel like i've got a much better workout (tired) after i'm done. I've also got rid of the Hydroxycut and bought some Redline. I've been trying to eat 5 meals a day to get my ****bolism up. I'm not sure if any protein shakes are right for what i'm trying to do (ie lose weight, lean out) I'll stick with it and see where I get, but any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[bunzo7]

Originally Posted by xNotorious

I began taking Hydroxycut Hardcore as a supplement to assist in my efforts.

how well did hydroxycut hardcore work for you? just wondering

[xNotorious]

I liked hydroxycut, it definitely gives you more energy and if you can manage the side effects it's something I would recommend as a suppliment. I can't say how well it worked for me in terms of straight weight loss, just because I was doing a lot of cardio along with taking it, but it did motivate me to continue working out on nights I may have skipped a session.

[erco]

You're asking a question in the D&S forum, yet you decide to post your workout regime and not what you eat. Does that make sense at all to you? Please list what you eat in an average day so we can have a better sense of what's going on.

Regarding your exercise:
If you're going to run at a sustained speed and not do sprint intervals, run for 30+ minutes in order to maximize fat loss.

If you're going to lift at all, please go to the S&P forum. You really need to de-womanize your lifting, and do something that will work multiple large muscle groups. Squatting alone will help you lose a ton of fat.

Lastly, your post reaks of vanity and bodybuilding. So, ask yourself, are you dropping in weight to be better looking or are you doing it to be a better, more competitive combat athlete? If it's the former, please head to bodybuilding.com, they can help you better than we can.

[oyaji poi]

uhh...what he said ^^^^

And also, please read the FAQ in the S&P before posting, and decide if it is for you. Not that we wouldn't support you in finding a routine, but it might not be what you're looking for so far as purpose. The catch is, if you go to bodybuilding.com you will be told the same thing as you would here. Only in a different atmosphere. The basics are the same.

And if you go to t-nation.com and read some of the articles, you'll realize that lifting heavy with compound lifts (squats, deadlift, overhead press, Olympic lifts) are the corner stone of a training programme for changing your body composition. "cardio" or "hiit" or whatever come a close second. And what's the point of "losing weight" if you're not just losing fat, but also muscle? You'll end up skinny-fat.

So you might ask "what's the point then?". Well, that's where weight lifting comes in. If you go to the FAQ of the S&P, read up a bit, and post a routine that suits your needs and time (both equally important), they will help. And if you start a log, you will get constant feedback and support.

Good luck.

Sorry if this sounded condescending, but you seem to be missing some key information. What you do have though, is determination. You made it this far, but really you're just at the next big step.

[xNotorious]

Originally Posted by erco

You're asking a question in the D&S forum, yet you decide to post your workout regime and not what you eat. Does that make sense at all to you? Please list what you eat in an average day so we can have a better sense of what's going on.

Regarding your exercise:
If you're going to run at a sustained speed and not do sprint intervals, run for 30+ minutes in order to maximize fat loss.

If you're going to lift at all, please go to the S&P forum. You really need to de-womanize your lifting, and do something that will work multiple large muscle groups. Squatting alone will help you lose a ton of fat.

Lastly, your post reaks of vanity and bodybuilding. So, ask yourself, are you dropping in weight to be better looking or are you doing it to be a better, more competitive combat athlete? If it's the former, please head to bodybuilding.com, they can help you better than we can.

Thanks. I'm dropping weight to get in shape and start combat training, but as part of getting there is where i'm looking for guidance. If that makes sense. My food intake has been:

meal1 - granola/oatmeal and water
snack1 - bananna
meal2 - biggest meal of the day, usually chicken and rice or beef
snack2 - granola bar or tuna
meal3 - steak/pork/chicken with rice and a vegtable (corn mostly) or salad

I drink a lot of water and propel.

[Jeremey]

You need way more fruits and veggies

[erco]

Originally Posted by xNotorious

Thanks. I'm dropping weight to get in shape and start combat training, but as part of getting there is where i'm looking for guidance. If that makes sense. My food intake has been:

meal1 - granola/oatmeal and water
snack1 - bananna
meal2 - biggest meal of the day, usually chicken and rice or beef
snack2 - granola bar or tuna
meal3 - steak/pork/chicken with rice and a vegtable (corn mostly) or salad

I drink a lot of water and propel.

Add protein into your first two meals. Egg whites are low cal, high protein and a traditional breakfast food. You also need much more vegetables. Tomato slices with your breakfast or some spinach/onions in an omelette would be good. What exactly is meal 2? It's a bit vague. Also, when's your workout in relation to these meals and what supplements are you taking, if any?

About vegetables...corn doesn't really count. Eat some cruciferous greens, or some other dark green leafy vegetables. If you're absolutely desperate and are having problems actually eating vegetables, a greens powder would be a decent supplement to take. A serving a day to round out your intake should be enough.

[EclipsedAgent]

What type of rice? Add veggies.. snack on fruits..

[xNotorious]

Thanks for the advice. Meal2 would be lunch. I'll start adding lots of fruits and veggies to my diet. The suppliment i'm taking right now is Redline from VPX. I work out about 1 hour before my dinner, which is normally around 6pm. White rice normally, sometimes brown.