For the Girls - Toning, Diet and Excercise a very basic guide - Please read!!

Throughout the day I gain an inch or two (about 10-20lbs?) but I lose it all again the next morning but then gain it that night and so on, and so forth.

Is this normal or is there something very wrong with me?

You are probably not gaining 10-20lbs, it is just water weight and food - which is going to stimulate and be absorbed by the bowel - ie under the boobs and closer to the waist and hips - hence the discrepancy.

Don't worry about it.

I don't really have a question just wanted to say thanks for this thread its really usefull

But shouldn't you be able to lift your own weight with your arms?
I can't, I am feeble

Actually I can hang and get up but I can't hold it or do another one.

hi, im looking for some advice. im trying to tone up so want to introduce weights into my exercise regime. i do bicep curls, french press and squats with dumbbells - what kind of weights should i be lifting? at the moment i do 6kg bicep curls, 8kg french press and 10kg dumbbells with squats. i feel like it's not working though because my muscles never ache the next day or anything - do i need to increase the weights? im only 5ft4 and a size 8 so im pretty petite

I have a question about HIIT.

I started doing it last week:

30s sprint - 9.5mph
30s jog - 8.5mph

Repeated 8 times. Then repeated the whole sequence but at a slightly lower intensity (9 and 8).

Is keeping the sprint speed the same throughout OK? Because I can't run much faster than 9.5 at the moment, I think I'd die...

How do I lose weight on my thighs/tone them??? Perfect scenario I'd like a gap at the top lol but dont think that will happen....anyway yeah basically i hate my thighs, i have really toned calfs but my thighs are horrific any tips??

The jog speed should be much less than you are currently doing, even walking is ok.

Helloo.

Well I've had a good read through, and I think it's about time I changed my workout a bit. I've been trying to lose weight since Jan and I've lost a stone so far, mainly through diet and exercise. I'm running a lot as I'm training for a half mara in June, so tend to run about 3-4 times a week. I go to the gym twice a week and I'm really trying to get myself into using free weights, but to be honest I just get scared!

Anyway, I always seem to end up doing more running at the gym but I've been thinking for a while I should just swap it for HIIT, as that would help my running in general yes? I also don't want to get to the point where I'm doing the same old thing and not actually doing anything worthwhile.

Also, I tend to stick to resistance machines (when I can get to them), which is usually lat pulldowns, abductor and adductor, leg press and chest press. I've also started using free weights for my armies lately, so I feel OK with those, and I also do push-ups and sit-ups

Just wondered what I can improve on/change/include to make the most of it? I just get a bit intimidated in the weights area because of all the hardcore lifters who seem to stare me out

Okay, so I've searched and searched for a definitive answer but I can't find one. Do squats make the waist bigger? Specifically Tabata Squats. I've got a 31" waist which really needs trimming and I already go running 4-5 times a week.

Hi, currently I just do cardio but for fat loss and muscle gain I know I should be adding weights to my exercise.

I only have free handheld weights - is there a sample workout somewhere that only uses these sorts of weights and that I can do at home with no extra equipment? I think my body type is mesomorph if that's relevant.

If you are training for a half marathon you need to base your running around that, which is not HIIT – you can do HIIT after.

You should be aiming to use free weights in replacement of the machines. I can promise you a hardcore lifter will not even notice you as they are too busy doing their thing – just be brash and bold and go and lift weights.