running vs. powerwalking
 

I'm trying to blast the fat off my lower body (mainly butt and thighs) and i get contradictory advice on which is better. when i run, i notice that the area between my thighs and hips shrinks considerably, but when i walk i notice that my legs get firmer. which regime should i stick to? or should i switch it up (i.e. 5mins running 5 mins power walking 5 mins running repeat...)

To note, I'm thinking of doing yoga after the run/walk to tone. Anyone have particular recommendations on what yoga routines are best?

i think doing intervals would be great. you could also do HiiT, high intensity interval training.


sorry, can't make any yoga sug. i'm a noob in that area.

are you sure HIIT can help muscular legs? i'm more chunky than flabby :(

http://cathe.com/which-is-better-for...y-state-cardio

there's also lots of youtube videos of how to do HiiT at home.

When you run you burn muscle, hence why your legs are getting saggy.

I'm not sure what kind of "look" you're going for especially since you're already within the healthy weight range. With your goal being 115, you're going to have a very hard time having much muscle at 5'6". But if you're looking for muscle tone, then you'd be better off ditching the cardio and going for strength training. If legs are what you want, then lots of squats, lunges, deadlifts, etc. HIIT is good for fat burning. You'll also need to make sure you're getting proper nutrition, if you don't you'll be unable to build muscle. Good luck.

ETA: At your weight and height you may want to focus more on body recomposition rather than weight loss.

omg i tried HIIT last night and it was painful o_o but i definitely think it worked, i lost a pound and am at the lowest weight i've been for a few months, thanks! i think i'll do it about 2 or 3 times a week and powerwalk on the other days. TYSM!!

well don't get so excited yet, that sounds like just fluctuation. to lose a pound of fat we have to burn 3,500 calories. at your small size, doing HiiT meant only to be performed short periods- 30min max, burning 3500 calories in one workout sounds really unlikely.

wow that reads really negatively, but most likely you just sweated a lot, then tomorrow it would be right back and you would feel all disappointed, but now you know it's just water, so you didn't 'mess up' and have to wonder how you 'gained' a pound again.

i'm happy you found a workout you like.

there's also plyo both HiiTand plyo work your fast twitch fibers. make sure you let your body rest at least one of those days. or possibly some yoga or pilates? you don't want to do the same thing for too long. you'll be bored and your body will adapt to it. def. you want to limit doing HiiT 1 or 2 times a week. or you could do HiiT once and plyo another day during the week.

try watching cathe friedrich's HiiT workouts, for ideas of moves. and STS plyo. clips of both workouts are available on youtube or on the cathe website. she also has many different rotations/routines set up. you can look through those and get some ideas of how to arrange your workouts through the week or month.

i don't want you to feel sucked in to feel you have to buy the dvds. i'm just suggesting you watch the clips, try to educate yourself. i simply take notes on what they are doing, make a routine for myself. then throw on some music to do it for FREE!

ahh ok i guess nothing comes fast in this department huh :/ i had my cheat meal today too T_T

thank you sooo much for all of your help, can't wait to redo my old boring workout!!