48 y.o. F seeking to increase strength and lose 20 lbs in 5 months

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For diet, cutting carbs/ sugar really helps. I didn't have too much weight to lose, but my body was hanging on to those last 5 pounds from pregnancy and no amount of exercise was getting rid of it. I went on Mark Hyman's 10-day detox diet, and lost 6 pounds in 10 days. Now that the detox is over I have resumed a regular diet (brought back the sweeter vegetables such as squash & carrots, lentils, beans, moderate amounts of dairy etc) but just don't feel like eating bread, cereal, pasta, & rice anymore. So I do a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and just normal food like stir-fries and curries for dinner, but I swap out rice or noodles with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Basically, keto. Our American food is full of sugar. We got duped into being afraid of fat instead of sugar and carbs.

Cut the carbs.

[Anonymous]

Barre is amazing for women in their 30s and 40s. You build core and leg strength and there is virtually no impact on your joints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Barre is amazing for women in their 30s and 40s. You build core and leg strength and there is virtually no impact on your joints.

I’d choose solidcore over barre; just as safe for your joints, much more effective at building strength.

[Anonymous]

pilates on reformer 4x week. no wheat, sugar or dairy. 25 lbs in two months.

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update, more for myself to keep track than anything. I’ve lost 5 pounds by cleaning up my diet and not eating after 7 pm. Been working on strength and today did a proper plank for 60 seconds, which I haven’t been able to do for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update, more for myself to keep track than anything. I’ve lost 5 pounds by cleaning up my diet and not eating after 7 pm. Been working on strength and today did a proper plank for 60 seconds, which I haven’t been able to do for a long time.

Meant to add— my goal is to take Solidcore but you have to be able to do a plank for a minute.

[Anonymous]

Keto diet. HIIT cardio and weights six days a week.
Alternatively you could try Jillian Michaels DVDs (lots of used ones floating around) as long as you follow those meal plans to the letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a 52 year old woman and lift 4 times a week. It is so helpful being strong. I would encourage you to try intermittent fasting. Working out on an empty stomach makes my cardio miserable but makes lifting easier and my improvement has gone through the roof! Something about human growth hormones released during the fast according to one book I read (if accurate).But make sure you have your meals planned before the day starts or you will lose control after lifting from the uptick in your metabolism.

Any tips on getting started? (not OP)

I started on the weight machines at a cheap gym. I watched other people first, then read the instructions on the side of the machine, then start at low weights and work up. 2 sets of 10 reps. I never had a trainer. I work my legs one day, then arms and shoulders another, then chest and back the third day. Never the same muscles two days in a row. I have thought about moving up to the free weights but have always managed to not get injured this way so will stick to it. Others insist the machines don't work, but they work for me. I always lift after cardio although others do it differently with success.

NP. I promise I'm not trolling. How do you decide/know which machines to use? I'm so clueless and intimidated of that section.

[Anonymous]

I think the gym is boring and cross fit is miserable, personally. Yoga will build a ton of strength, too and you could have a few weights at home to supplement. Do you like yoga? I mean a hard class-like hot 26 or similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update, more for myself to keep track than anything. I’ve lost 5 pounds by cleaning up my diet and not eating after 7 pm. Been working on strength and today did a proper plank for 60 seconds, which I haven’t been able to do for a long time.

Meant to add— my goal is to take Solidcore but you have to be able to do a plank for a minute.

Congrats, OP, and thanks for the update!