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Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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22 Comments

  1. Roz@weightingfor50

    Yay for shakin’ things up Lisa!!!! Have a wonderful week!!

  2. Biz

    I am the queen of cardio, and know I need to add strength training – so my April plan is really going to switch things up. And I am giving up my beloved wine for the month of April – eek!

    We an do this!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Glad to know I am not the only one! I am definitely a cardio junkie. I do strength train but not nearly enough. I need to shake things up. And I’m with you on the wine. I decided I’m going to limit it to weekends the best I can.

  3. Cheryle

    YES! Definitely focus on weight training more – even though you don’t have any more weight to lose you will changes in your physique that you won’t get with cardio.

    I am a reformed cardio addict myself. I used to spend an hour doing cardio 4-6 times a week and yes, I did lose a little weight, but my body fat % was still too high. Then in December I started working with a trainer. He made me lift much heavier weights that I ever felt like I was capable of doing. Long story short, I am now a strength training addict and I have to force myself to do cardio! LOL! It will get easier once I can run outside again. 🙂

    As for switching things up – your article is so timely today. Tonight, I will be starting a ballet workshop! I used to dance when I was young but haven’t been inside a dance studio for at least 10 years. I am hoping that I will be able to regain some of the flexibility and balance I enjoyed when I danced regularly, and figure it will be a nice way to round out my fitness. I’m excited for class, but nervous too!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Thanks for the comment, Cheryle. It’s nice to hear from another cardio addict who DID give some of it up and saw a difference. I guess one of the things that has held me back is the unknown….cardio has worked, if I stop doing a lot of cardio will it change my body? Will I gain? Those are things I think about. But I truly enjoy weight lifting and I would like to do more of it, I’m just struggling to find the time with all my cardio days.

      That’s cool that you are starting ballet. I bet that will greatly improve your balance and flexibility–two things I don’t have much of!

  4. Jill

    I have been in quite a bit of a rut lately. Not a bad rut- just a rut. Moving to England is pushing me so far out of my rut I am not sure if I am seeing straight yet. I am so excited for this new adventure I can hardly stand it! I have to wait until June………… 🙂

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Moving will DEFINITELY get you out of your rut. It may be difficult to find your groove over there though. My suggestion is to make a schedule or structure. Like “I will walk on Tues/Thurs” or something. I imagine the disruption of your workouts/bike rides is scary too!

      1. Jill

        It is very scary. I really like your idea of a schedule for walking. At least until I find a gym or a bike path!!! 🙂

        1. Lisa Eirene

          Not only is walking a good substitute, it will give you a chance to explore your new environment! SO jealous about London. 🙂

  5. Miz

    I loathe change and yet I seek it out consistently.
    I guess some inner tinnnnny piece of me longs for it.
    and that piece is wrapped in someone who loves her routine 🙂

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Thanks, Carla. I like that. I like to tell myself that I am open to change but really I’m like you–wrapped in routine and schedules. It’s nice to be shaken out of that once in awhile!

  6. Alison

    I love cardio, but I love it because I always think that’s what I need to do to lose weight. I’m excited to try some biking this year – I need to be open to changing some exercise activities too.

    You’re absolutely right though, if it doesn’t work you can always go back. I think the key to success is you kept some things that you loved (swimming) so you’re in a good place to tweak those extra cardio days. Plus I know a lot of people who will do 10min of cardio just to warm up the body before doing a long weight session, so that may be an idea too.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I think you are right, Alison. I like the way you put that. I need to keep that in mind as I change things up!

    2. Jess

      My research has shown that weight lifting is more effective for weight loss than cardio, because lean muscle burns calories! So you lose weight while resting, as well as when you are exercising. Since cutting back my cardio I have had great results!

      1. Lisa Eirene

        I agree! It’s the one thing I regret about how I lost my weight–I wish I’d done more weight lifting from the start.

  7. Jodi @ Jodi, Fat or Not

    My (very cheap) gym offered spin classes for a few weeks and I fell in love with it, but then they decided to cancel them and I was so upset! It was a great form of cardio for me that wasn’t running. I’m terrible at doing strength, and it’s the one thing I really want to get better at right now. I also wish I could swim, but can’t afford to belong to a gym with a pool right now. I hope your plan works out – I’m a bit of a “zone out cardio” junkie as well and think I would miss it. Can’t wait to see the updates!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Thanks for the comment, Jodi! I am also a “zone out cardio” junkie. This morning I zoned out on the elliptical and watched two Curb Appeal shows on HGTV. I don’t even remember the workout. 😛 I think I need to “reconnect” with my working out and be present.

  8. Jess

    I used to be a cardio bunny and lost next to no weight. It sucked. This time around I am lifting weights 3 times a week and doing cardio 2-3 times a week. I am seeing great results (15 pounds lost as of this morning!) and I have found that I actually LOVE weights. I used to think I would get bored with them, but because I am changing what I do every 3-5 minutes I can’t get bored! I also do a new program every month, which helps with the boredom.

    I don’t think you will put on weight by dropping a cardio day, or two! You may notice a slight increase in the first few weeks, I did, but ride it out and I hope you will see some amazing results!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      That’s fantastic! Can you tell me which programs you have done? I’d love to get an idea of programs and ways to change things up in the weight department.

      1. Jess

        My gym designs a program for me, so there is no thinking involved. You can find my current program here: http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4800772

        Hope that helps a bit 🙂

        1. Lisa Eirene

          Cool, thank you for the link. I’ll check it out.

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