To summarise, I used to be morbidly obese (5 years ago). I started working out - 5 days a week cardio, weights, yoga. I got to a respectable size and weight, but just cannot shift the body fat around my ‘love handles’ and stomach.
I think I’m stuck in a rut where I have a routine of doing the following:
Monday
Arms and shoulders strength training - dumbbells / bodyweight
1 hour moderate rowing and cross trainer
1-2 4 mile outdoor walks
Tuesday
1 hour Yoga
1 hour high and moderate intensity rowing and cross trainer
1-2 4 mile outdoor walks
Wednesday
Core & back strength training - dumbbells / bodyweight
1 hour moderate rowing and cross trainer
1-2 4 mile outdoor walks
Thursday
1 hour Yoga
1 hour high and moderate intensity rowing and cross trainer
1-2 4 mile outdoor walks
Friday
Leg training - dumbbells / bodyweight
1 hour moderate rowing and cross trainer
1 or 2 4 mile outdoor walks
Saturday & Sunday
No workouts
Quite simply I stick to this as if I put on some weight when going away on holiday a couple of times per year, I just stick to the above and and it all comes off usually within 6-8 weeks, but I struggle to ever get rid of the flabby mid section I have. I have been doing this at this level for over 2 years now and just feel I’m missing something. I’m not sure if I’m over training, eating too much, eating too little, how to know if I am over training, OR maybe I’m not working hard enough.
Before changing my life in this way I was overweight my whole life (I’m now 38) so am terrified in doing any less, as I would much rather be as trim as I am with some excess than fat. According to my smartwatch I burn around 2-2.5k active calories per day when working out.
Other than a post workout (after the weights/yoga and cardio in the mornings) kiwi/banana, whole nuts and natural yoghurt snack, I eat the same as my wife who does zero workouts and is a very respectable size.
There’s other guys in the gym that are extremely buff, who I know only do their workouts first thing in the morning like I do, even though they do hardly any cardio compared to me. I know from experience if I don’t do the cardio the weight doesn’t fall off. I also do NOT want to bulk up and look like a Arnold Schwarzenegger, just trim and toned.
Any advise please? I’m desperate and don’t have the money to be paying for a personal trainer regularly - I’d like to do this and understand myself.