how much gym work and how much riding?

[Zen]

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Eat, don't drink, your calories, unless it's a protein shake after weight training. Watch the cookies, they can set off cravings.

I wouldn't drink a commercially produced protein shake. Chocolate milk just is fine.
and if I want a cookie or five I will have them. life is too short to deny yourself small pleasures.
I do tricep pulldowns and skull crushers too. I do not want bingo arms.

Everything in moderation.

This page can be extremely helpful.

[Dogmama]

I wouldn't drink a commercially produced protein shake. Chocolate milk just is fine.
and if I want a cookie or five I will have them. life is too short to deny yourself small pleasures.
I do tricep pulldowns and skull crushers too. I do not want bingo arms.

Everything in moderation.

This page can be extremely helpful.

The page you linked to has a section on weight training http://exercise.about.com/cs/weightl...r_weight_2.htm and they recommend compound movements for weight loss. I think the original question was about losing weight. I do a few single muscle exercises, but the majority of my lifting is compound. If time is short, I drop the singles.

BTW - don't you mean tricep pushdowns? Pulldowns are usually lat pulldowns, for the upper back.

I agree that most protein shakes would gag a maggot. There are a few, though, that aren't too bad. I mix it with chocolate soy milk so I get protein and carbs. Chocolate milk is supposed to be good too & certainly cheaper. Protein powders are sometimes supplemented with glutamine & other nutrients that help with muscle recovery. Since I work out often, I need to get nutrients back into the muscle quickly. Chocolate milk doesn't have as high a level of whey protein, which is the protein that is used quickly.

I think it all depends on your activity level & your basic outlook on life. I love cookies, but they set off cravings, so I have to be very careful. I hate waking up with a sugar hangover.

[Zen]

In reality I don't do half the weight training i used to except for my arms and shoulders and that's purely for vanity. Everything else is on the stability ball or yoga.

I linked to that page because it's a good site and provides links for many fitness related subjects. I'm sure there will be lurkers who find it useful.

[deedolce]

To answer part of the op's question, this is what my 'routine' is:

Monday - spin 1 hour/ weights afterwards, 15 minutes.
Tue- 2 hours of tennis, doubles. Not a lot of cardio, but I play with men, so it's hard hitting and running around playing out points. Enough to leave me panting.
Wed - 1 hour tennis practice, singles
Th - same as Tue
F - NOTHING
Winter Sat/Sun - Spin class and lifting on Sat, 35-40 easy miles/social ride on Sun.
Spring-Fall Sat/Sun - Sat solo ride, about 50-60 miles, pushing myself. Sunday, easy 35-40 mile social ride.

...and I still gain weight, if I eat what I want. I love bread and Cheez Its.

To not gain weight, I have to watch what I snack on, and feel hungry at night when I go to bed. And eat one plate of food, not two because it tastes SOOO good. Right now, I'm not resisting very well, and slowly gaining a pronounced pouch on my belly!

If I want to lose, which I usually do in the Spring/Summer, I drink lots of fruit smoothies instead of snacking on Cheez -Its, and eat more salads. When it's cold outside, I want heavier fare and I get the snacking compulsion. I also stop lifting in the warmer months, because I'm out of the gym, and I DO bulk up across the back and shoulders, as little as I lift. I might also do a weekday ride or two if the day is too beautiful to resist! And I bike commute everywhere.

Right now in the winter, I'm 5-8 pounds heavier than what I usually am in the summer.

I'm older (49), so my metabolism is slower than most.

[OakLeaf]

Can someone explain to me why some women don't want beautiful defined muscles? I honestly do not get this, never have.

[deedolce]

I don't mind defined muscles. I have them. It's the bulking up I don't like. For hill climbing, I DON'T need added weight on top. I climb best when I'm about 110, but then I'm hungry all the time. 113 is a happy medium. Now I'm 117-118. 5 or so pounds I don't want to haul up on climbs!

[OakLeaf]

I don't mind defined muscles. I have them. It's the bulking up I don't like. For hill climbing, I DON'T need added weight on top. I climb best when I'm about 110, but then I'm hungry all the time. 113 is a happy medium. Now I'm 117-118. 5 or so pounds I don't want to haul up on climbs!

Okay, that I understand. I'm just not used to women using the phrase "bulk up" when that's what they mean. Sorry!