I just started a new weight loss and fitness plan 2 and a half weeks ago.
I am 23 year old female
I am 5'7
I started out at 275 pounds
I am currently at 269 pounds.
The first week I wasn't doing any exercising
The second week I started with 30 mins on an eliptical trainer 4 times/week
This week I upped it to 35 mins on an eliptical trainer and I have worked out everyday this week so far. And plan on giving myself on day off.
I also add two 30 minute treadmill workouts on two different days.
I plan on adding 5 minutes on the eliptical trainer every week
I also plan on doing intervals to burn more calories
The calories I burn on a 35 minute workout eliptical trainer are usually between 580-730
The calories I burn on a 30 min workout on the treadmill are usually between 300-350
I am not to sure about the amount of calories I am eating because it is so hard to keep track but I have cut out fried foods, pepsi, and junk food.
These are just examples of some of the things i eat. I don't eat all of this every day lol
breakfast-cereal with milk and sometimes toast
Lunch- salad and soup, or leftovers from supper
Supper- grilled chicken breast and boiled vegetables or/and brown rice, ww pasta and lean ground beef with light tomato sauce, or steak and boiled vegtables
snacks-fruit, vegtables, special k bars, flavored apple sauce or yogurt
I also began to drink 2 litres of water a day which I never did before
so the questions I have are
what kind of weight training do u suggest for a beginner?
with me adding 5 minutes to my workout prevent a plateau?
what kind of abdominal exercises to do u suggest for a beginner with alot of their excess weight on their stomach?

This is a fine start as I mentioned in your intro thread. Eventually you'll want to add resistance training into the mix. Is it necessary right now? Certainly not. Once you are comfortable with the cardio and made daily exercise a habit, than you can start modifying your approach.

Counting calories isn't necessary UNTIL you can't lose weight by simply 'winging it.' But you are losing, so I wouldn't sweat it just yet.

Once the time comes, you might want to check out something like FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal.

It's certainly a good start. Are there areas you could improve? Certainly. But again, it's a start, and more importantly it's working for you at the moment.

For starters I suggest simply practice. Don't worry about weight lifted until you've got the form down on any and all exercises you are going to use. It's a step many skip right over.

Once you are ready, I'd focus primarily on the lifts that call on multiple muscles and joints to execute (compound exericses). These will give you the most bang for your buck wrt your goals.

Your body will adapt to whatever you throw at it. That is why 'progressive overload' is necessary for continual improvement. This simply means you have to challenge your body with a 'stress' that it is not accustomed to if you want to force a positive adaptation.

So the answer to your question is, yes.

However, don't be afraid to up intensity instead of duration. Personally, I'd hate to be doing cardio for 60+ minutes. Hell, it's rare I go above 40 personally.

None really. I mean you can throw a handful of sets in a couple of times per week. But direct exercise of the abs is not going to shed the fat. You can't 'spot reduce.'

To me it sounds like you are doing very well though I am not a professional. You seem to have the right idea though.

thanks alot steve your advice has been of great value. I signed up at the fitday site and it is really helpful.

sincerely,
shey

Welcome and good luck!

Krazy your start and end rates are not that dissimilar to mine . If you'd like a PM diet buddy feel free to send me a PM!

Great advice as always steve.

Good luck!

Keep up the great work it looks like you are constantly pushing yourself a little harder every week but not overdoing it great balance KUTGW.

It looks like you are off to a great start, I am so excited for you!

WOW!, that's awsome. It sounds like you are on the right track. Steve said about all there is to say at this point. I just want to second using light weights when you add weight training. Your muscles need to time to learn the exercise before you actualy do the exercise.

You should definetly see results if you keep doing what your doing