Personally, I lost a lot of weight just by running and eating smaller portions. However, the best routine is the one that you can sustain. It doesn't do you any good to lose a bunch of weight on a fad diet then gain it all back once you stop.What's important is that you find something that works for you that you can keep doing. Here's a few tips though.
First, get it out of your head that carbs are bad. Carbs are both good for you and delicious, especially complex carbs. Instead of low carb, why not switch to whole grain? You can enjoy a bagel or pasta and you'll have plenty of extra energy for your workouts.
Focus on cardio but mix in a little work on your muscles from time to time. Cardio is the most effective way to lose weight because it burns the most calories. However, a little weight training or pilates will help give your body a nice shape and make you look thinner. Furthermore, having more muscles raises your metabolism which will help you lose and keep weight off.
Mix your workouts. When you do the same routine all the time your body starts to get used to it and adjusts its energy consumption accordingly. By keeping your body guessing, you burn more calories.
Finally, and most importantly, have fun. You'll be more likely to keep going and you'll actually see better results.
Good luck and hang in there.
Ive had some success with a low carbohydrate diet, the federal recommended daily amount of calories is about 200g and I'm down to about 20g. with moderate exercise included. I saw some good results in a few weeks, nothing to brag about but hey. If you do plan to lose weight you have the general rule of don't eat junk food, but also try to not tell anyone you plan to lose weight.
Let me tell you what has worked for me. I'm really not that into counting calories, but I might try it soon to see if it works. Here's what has helped me so far, and I think it can help you too:
- Drink a cup of water before every meal. This will rehydrate you and convince you that your hunger is mostly thirst.
- Three meals a day, one snack (<200 cal) preferably fruit or nuts. No eating after dinner.
- When you eat, eat consciously. Taste every bite and chew slowly. Enjoy what you're eating, and you will eat less.
- Get adequate fiber and protein with every meal. They fill you up faster than carbohydrates and keep you fuller longer. Example: shredded wheat for breakfast; salad with half a tuna sandwich for lunch; chicken and steamed vegetables for dinner with a pear and cookie for dessert.
- Do not punish yourself if you slip up one day. Just continue with your new eating plan the following day.
log your calories you eat in a day! If you want, logging exercise is helpful too!
Choose the love em carbs over leave em carbs. (Choose whole wheat bread over white bread. Bagels are actually leave em carbs).
Drink water!- Sometimes when you're hungry, you're actually just thirsty and water will do the trick! Plus, other drinks have those extra calories in it that you can just cut out.
Cardio is good for losing weight. Play sports to make it fun! Tennis is really good because you're always moving.
Eat healthy snacks if you're hungry! Otherwise you'll just overload at meals. Just make sure they're healthy (reach for fruit and veggies)
If you go out to eat, save half of your supper for lunch the next day, don't feel like you have to eat it all at dinner.
That's just what I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck!
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Make sure you're not cutting your daily calories to around 2000, at that point your body enters starvation mode - which is not good.
You're well on your way to your goals. Drink plenty of water, it helps. Also, if your diet is high in sodium, reduce the sodium your consuming because sodium increases the water retention of your muslces which results in some 'water weight' and mass.
One thing I'd say is screw walking, if it's calories and fat you want to burn, then do sprinting. For example; 30 seconds flat out, 1 minute rest, repeat. OR you can apply the same thing to the elliptical machine; 30 seconds flat out, 1 minute at a 'resting pace' (a speed you're comfortable with), and repeat. If you do say 10 sets of the sprinting and rest then you should be well and truly shattered.
I lost a lot of weight going vegetarian, the last 10% of my my body weight to get to my goal. A friend lost even more weight than me by going vegan but it's a hard diet to stick to, I can't do it. Also cut out processed foods, desserts, and avoid white flour because whole wheat is so much better for you. Hope this helps!
The exercise 'here and there' won't cut it. It doesn't have to be much, but it should be routine. You'd be surprised what an hour to an hour and a half 4 days a week will do.
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