On average, women spend a longer and harder time losing weight than men. Various factors can aggravate women’s weight loss journey, including genetics, hormonal changes, metabolism, and lifestyle habits. If you are a woman aiming to lose weight quickly, we have some tips for your workout strategy.
With a 4-week workout plan, you can kickstart a successful weight loss journey with an established plan of action and structure instead of getting tempted to give up after a week or two.
The answer is simple - yes, you can indeed achieve remarkable results in losing weight and toning your body with an effective 4-week workout plan. The main characteristic of a good exercise plan is the balance between strength training and cardio.Â
Both these types of exercises play a vital role in improving your health and helping you lose weight. While strength training (such as resistance training and weight lifting) builds muscle mass and helps your body burn fat even while resting, cardio exercises (such as running, biking, jogging, or swimming) promote calorie burning.
The American Council on Exercise emphasizes the following elements as crucial in a good weight loss program:
In order to achieve the results you desire, it is essential to follow a specific program for a minimum of 4 weeks. This consistency allows you to track your progress and adjust the program according to your needs. You may want to switch up your workout program, but doing so too often can actually slow down your progress and lead to plateaus.
Furthermore, by sticking to an effective workout program, you build and maintain motivation. As you start seeing the results of your 4-week workout plan, you will become aware of your accomplishments and stay motivated for further exercise.
A balanced diet combined with an efficient exercise program should help you lose around one to two pounds a week. This way, you can considerably tone up your muscles in a month but bear in mind that most people will realistically notice more evident results in six to eight weeks.Â
When you plan your weekly workout program, it is a good idea to split it based on muscle groups and movement patterns. The six basic movement patterns are push, pull, hinge, squat, lunge, and carry. For each day of your workout program, you can focus on one movement pattern.
For example, you can plan pushing exercises for your Monday workout round, including push-ups and shoulder presses. Tuesday is reserved for pulling movements, such as pull-ups and rows, and so on. Focusing on one movement pattern at a time allows you to practice their form and get better at each exercise. In order to avoid burnout and muscle fatigue, it is wise to focus on 3-4 muscle groups each day.Â
The 3-12-30 workout plan was invented by Lauren Giraldo, a 24-year-old YouTuber and social media influencer. The rules are simple: you should set a treadmill to a level 12 incline and walk 3 miles per hour for 30 minutes. This method has proven beneficial for women on their weight loss journey, but experts recommend adding other exercises for a complete workout routine.
Since this method relies on resistance training and brisk walking, it can improve your lower body strength and overall endurance. At the beginning of this routine, make sure to take things slow and aim for gradual progress to avoid injuries or overtraining. If you have any underlying conditions, talk to your health provider before starting the 3-12-30 workout plan.
With effective workout plans, losing weight and toning your body in 4 weeks is an achievable goal for women. The most important thing to do is prioritize your health in the process. We recommend you seek advice from a dietitian about sustainable ways to lose weight rapidly, lest you regain your weight in the long run.
