[mandy1974]

Hello.
I've been doing 35 to 40 minutes of cardio and 20-30 minutes of strength training 4-5 days a week and have been watching what i eat and have lost about 33 pounds in the last 3 and a half months but i've been stuck now at around 200 for the last three weeks!
I was reading somewhere that doing your strength training first will help you burn more fat calories while doing the cardio. I'm not sure what else to do to restart the weight loss efforts! still need to lose another 50 pounds and getting frustrated!!!
Thanks if anyone has any thoughts or ideas about all this.

[Lynniee]

I've always heard that it's really good to switch around your workouts when you plateau during weight loss. As in, trying a different routine completely. I would recommend talking to a trainer at your gym and ask them if they have any suggestions for you. Try switching from weights to yoga instead for example, and see if that helps. A lot of intense yoga is strength related.

[mandy1974]

thanks for the advice. i'm gonna talk to one of the trainers and check into the classes they offer. i'm not very coordinated so i don't do the classes normally. everyone just seems so fit and put together in there. afraid i'm gonna look like a clumsy slob. lol

[fitmom]

Also, try some HIIT cardio - that jump-started my metabolism after a short plateau.

[freedomreins]

Mandy, if you do decide to start yoga, I'm sure you won't regret it. Of course there will be those in your class that might be really good at it and fit and etc, but I took a class the other day with a 70 year old woman who had never done yoga in her life. She was a real inspiration and I have a lot of respect for her because she was really trying her hardest! Beginner's courses are a great place to start (without shamelessly plugging myself, I have written about my most recent experience on my blog in my signature if you're interested) and I would highly recommend them. Yoga makes me sweat without even realizing it, and it's fun too. It might be just what you need to get your weight loss moving again, and have some time to relax after long day (or before one) as well

[fitness4life]

There are different theories when to do cardio with weight training. Both give strong reasons for before weights and for after weights. I think everyone is different so do your research and follow what you think would work for you.

I also have a different suggestion. Why not do cardio on different days than weights? 20-30 min of weights may not be enough, but it depends on what you're doing. My full body weight training takes at least 90 minutes, 3x wk, and that's really bookin'. Lift heavy.

On recovery days, do longer bouts of cardio, perhaps. Careful that there also exists a theory that cardio short changes weight training efforts, so again, do your research and decipher what fits for you.

My theory on yoga is, sadly, it's a waste of time for someone in your position.

You've exibited a mental ability to really push yourself. While yoga will cause you to focus on stability, flexibility and endurance, I don't see it as a weight loss or strength gain answer.

Yes, it's good to mix it up. But in your case, even at 200, you're beyond getting weight loss bennies from it, IMO. Maybe try kickboxing or mixed martial arts? Boot camp/p90x/insanity workouts are going to be beneficial as well.

Not to diss yoga. It has it's place in fitness. But I feel at this point, it won't get you over the hump.

Just my opinion.

[tec4cleveland]

My trainer always said weight work first. Weight work builds muscle. Cardio can take it down, depending on how long and hard you work. Besides, I always put my all into cardio and when I was done, I didn't have the energy for weights. YMMV.