Could cardio be slowing down weight loss?

I have lost 42 lbs over the last 6 months, everything going along great with a steady weight loss. I do a full body workout with a trainer twice a week and do cardio on M, T, Th, F. On Mondays I add weight lifting before 20 min cardio, on Tues and Thurs I do intervals (30min)on the elliptical and am exausted afterwards and on Fridays I usually do steady state cardio for 45 min just because it is friday and I am lazy. I actually hate cardio and would love to lift weights every day instead!

My weight loss has slowed down significantly and it is really messing up my motivation - could I be doing too much cardio? or should I increase my calories? Zig zag? I am around 1500 a day high protein, trying for less then 100 grams of carbs as day. So frustrating! I am 5'9" and 155 - I want to get down to the 140-145 range. Any thoughts?

the last 10lbs are the hardest. hmm, i would maybe try eating more too. 1500 for being active is not enough for me.  the body is a fussy little thing some times. if you hate steady state cardio there are quicker ways to work your cardiovascular system unless you are planning on doing a marathon or triathlon. there's no point in doing exercises you hate that you dont have to. and 5'9 at 155 is very good but we all know our own bodies, but your body is probably happy enough at the weight it is which is why things have slowed down. read through the posts here, there's plenty of info that supports what you want to do & accomplish on.

I wouldn't say you are doing TOO much, but you might not have to do that much if you dislike it. I'm starting to like it again so I'm trying to get in more while I do cuz I know it won't last long haha.....but generally the 20 mins on weight days and then 1 or 2 interval training ones at 30 mins should be enough!

That's just about what I'm doing now....20 mins of HIT 2xs a week and 2 days of 30 mins of either that or steady state....and then I throw in an extra day of 45 or more on one of my 'off' days.

When was the last time you took some time off (42lbs in 6 months? WOW!)? Your body just might need what I call a 'reset'....a few (more than usual) days off where you do NOTHING....then when you jump back into it (also might help haveing some time off from cardio for you), your motivation is back and your body is shocked again, helping to get over the plateau!

But octo is right....sometimes the body gets happy at certain weights even if WE aren't happy w it, so it might be real hard to get those last 10 off. Good luck! You've obviously been doing something right!

You can totally weight lift every day.  I do.  I just break up my muscle groups.  Upper body one day, lower body the next.  I only do about 60 min a week of cardio sometimes not even that cause I HATE cardio too lol. I only do cardio at all because its good for my heart and heart disease is the number one killer of women.   Usually HIIT training for 15 mins after weight lifting.  I lift heavy enough that my heart gets pumping and its and my heart is getting a workout that way too.  I have known people that don't do any cardio at all and look great although their heart would probably appreciate some additional attention.

Kettlebell swings, jump rope, kickboxing and plyometrics are good ways to get some cardio in and are not nearly as boring at the god-forsaken treadmills.  Ack

Also it never hurts to play with your calories.  Try eating more (like 200-500 more) for a few weeks in addition to some heavy weights and see if that does anything for ya. doing this I might actually gain a pound or two but I actually drop a pant size or two.

I do not want to sound like I am attacking you...but... 5'9" and 155 is NOT fat and only eating 1500 calories a day with as much activity as you do is starving yourself. Check out the book, The New Rules of Lifting for Women by Lou Schuller. You can also check out the group on cc under fitness, TNRLW. You can get an idea of the results to expect, etc. You may find that after following this training program (and eating program) that your body composition changes and that you are quite happy at 155 AND are eating more calories AND are more energetic! Good luck!

eat more, make sure that the actual activities change.  Your body can get used to the same exercises.  I do cardio about 3x/week for mental health reasons.

Try upping the calories and try cycling (road or stationary). 

Thanks! I think I will try upping the calories and maybe give up the boring Friday cardio. I sure don't think 155 is fat, but I can definitely become more lean - according to my wrist measurement I have a small frame. I am just happy I finally found something that works and that I like -  free weights are the best!

Original Post by 2manyshoes:

Thanks! I think I will try upping the calories and maybe give up the boring Friday cardio. I sure don't think 155 is fat, but I can definitely become more lean - according to my wrist measurement I have a small frame. I am just happy I finally found something that works and that I like -  free weights are the best!

yeah i have a small frame too, way to small for my hips, lol. i have to lose a couple more pounds from what ive gained back from the wedding & winter, to be within normal range again. and when i was within the normal range i too still needed to be a bit leaner.

but i concentrated more on body composition instead of weight (& low calories), its a bit slower but like mrsdagle said i had loads of energy & while my weight wasn't really dropping, my muscles were showing more definition (ie losing fat & putting on some muscle)