Dear Chris:
I’m a 45 year old male and I work out in the gym six days a week. I do three weight training day’s using free weights and machines and three cardio days consisting of RPM and step aerobics. I try to watch my nutrition but apparently not enough. I’m 5’ 4’’ and weight 150 pounds. I would like to get as lean as I can and raise my metabolism, any advice?
George
Dear George:
It is very important to change the time and intensity of your cardiovascular work out every couple of weeks. Think of your body as a very complicated machine that will adapt to any work out you give it. Therefore you need to throw it a curve ball now and then. Most people figure that if they do a couple days of cardio a week they will get in shape. It’s not that simple. If you continue to do the same thing week after week your body will get used to your work out and your results will be minimal.
The problem with work out classes is that they generally don’t change that much. Therefore you may need to mix it up a little. Try using different modes of cardio such as the elliptical machine, the treadmill or the Stairmaster. These machines allow you to adjust the time and intensity so your body doesn’t get used to your work out. When your cardio work out becomes easier add 5 minutes or turn up the intensity a notch.
As far as your diet goes I would suggest consulting a professional. Book a consultation with a trainer. Most trainers would be glad to sit down with you to talk about eating properly. Let them decide if your diet is healthy. You may think your eating the right foods but maybe your not. You would be surprised at how many people tell me that they don’t understand why they can’t loose weight because they eat healthy. How do they know? Are they nutritionists?