Give a noob a dig-out!

SecondTime

Hi Everyone.
First off, I'm new to all this so thanks for reading this and I'd be grateful for your advice/opinions.
I've lost just over a stone in the last 9weeks by cutting out sugar, reducing carbs and starting to exercise. My exercise consists of
1hour brisk walking every day (to or from work)
1hr salsa 1evening per week
45 mins swimming lessons 1evening per week
45 mins Pilates Reformer class 1evening per week
30 mins cycling 2 or 3times per week

I was wondering if it would be stupid to add extra weight to my backpack when I'm walking to/from work. I was thinking it could replace the stone I've lost and help maintain my weight loss momentum? But then it ocurred to me that it might just put strain on my lower back and lead to injury cos the weight would be concentrated in 1spot, whereas the stone was spread out over my body:o

Oryx

Dont add the weight, would be my advice. Walk faster, get your heartrate going.

If you want to add weights, do it in a structured weight training way.

Shurwhynot

What was your weight before you lost the stone?

I'd be interested to hear your diet as well? Trying to find a decent diet which involves cutting down on carbs

d'Oracle

SecondTime wrote: »

I was wondering if it would be stupid to add extra weight to my backpack when I'm walking to/from work. I was thinking it could replace the stone I've lost and help maintain my weight loss momentum? But then it ocurred to me that it might just put strain on my lower back and lead to injury cos the weight would be concentrated in 1spot, whereas the stone was spread out over my body:o

Its not a great Idea.
It promotes bad posture while walking.
Bad for your back unless your pack is fitted right.
And unless its a proper backpacking pack, It probably will not be.
You could mess up your back.

Better to do some weights or else some bodyweight exercises to strengthen up/ use some extra energy.

SecondTime

Thanks for the advice Oryx and d'Oracle. You've confirmed what I suspected. I was trying not to have to add any more time to my exercise schedule:) Sorry if this is very basic question(and if there's a sticky explaining it I'll go find it), but what are bodyweight exercises?

Hi Shurwhynot - if you pop across to the Food Diary section of the diet&nutrition forum you'll see my food diary and many others too. The ppl over there really know their stuff and can offer great advice (and encouragement). Best of Luck!

Oryx

Bodyweight exercises do what it says on the tin. Push ups, chin ups.. moves that involve using your own bodyweight.

SecondTime

Duh!:o, thanks Oryx:) I'm not in a gym - (lack of time combined with confidence issues) so chin-ups are probably out but I will start to add push-ups and I have recently nicked my son's 4KG free weights/dumbbells and I've started doing some arm work. Hopefully this will start to show results in the near future;)

Oryx

You can do lunges and squats with those weights as well, youll find theyre a bit more productive than say, bicep curls.

SecondTime

Thanks Oryx, I appreciate the advice.;)