Mahek's 4-Day Weight Loss & Strength Building Plan
Program Overview
Goal: Lose 21kg (from 76kg to 55kg target) while building stamina and strength
Duration: Each session 45-60 minutes
Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Rest Days: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
Weekly Schedule
Monday: Upper Body Push + Low-Impact Cardio
Strength Training (30-35 minutes):
- Dumbbell chest press on bench (15lbs): 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Dumbbell shoulder press standing (10lbs): 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Dumbbell tricep overhead press (10lbs): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Dumbbell lateral raises (5lbs): 3 sets x 12-15 reps
- Dumbbell front raises (5lbs): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Exercise ball push-ups (knees): 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Exercise ball plank: 3 sets x 20-30 seconds
Cardio (20-25 minutes):
- Elliptical: 20-25 minutes at moderate pace (upper body recovery-focused)
Tuesday: Lower Body + High-Intensity Cardio
Strength Training (30-35 minutes):
- Dumbbell goblet squats (15lbs): 3 sets x 12-15 reps
- Dumbbell lunges (10lbs): 3 sets x 8-10 per leg
- Dumbbell Romanian deadlifts (15lbs): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Dumbbell step-ups on bench (10lbs): 3 sets x 8-10 per leg
- Dumbbell calf raises (15lbs): 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Dumbbell wall sit with weight (10lbs): 3 sets x 20-30 seconds
- Exercise ball wall squats: 2 sets x 12-15 reps
Cardio (20-25 minutes):
- Treadmill intervals: 5 min warmup, then alternate 1 min fast walk/30 sec recovery x 10 rounds, 5 min cooldown
Thursday: Upper Body Pull + Steady Cardio
Strength Training (30-35 minutes):
- Dumbbell bent-over rows (10lbs): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Functional Trainer lat pulldowns (start light): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Dumbbell reverse flies (5lbs): 3 sets x 12-15 reps
- Dumbbell bicep curls (10lbs): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Dumbbell hammer curls (10lbs): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Functional Trainer face pulls (start light): 3 sets x 12-15 reps
- Exercise ball dead bugs: 3 sets x 10 per side
Cardio (20-25 minutes):
- Rowing machine: 20-25 minutes steady pace (complements pulling movements)
Friday: Full Body Circuit + Active Recovery Cardio
Circuit Training (35 minutes):
Complete 4 rounds, 45 seconds work / 15 seconds rest:
Round 1-2:
- Medicine ball overhead press (6lbs)
- Dumbbell thrusters (10lbs)
- Exercise ball mountain climbers
- Dumbbell renegade rows (5lbs)
- Medicine ball Russian twists (6lbs)
- Dumbbell squat to press (10lbs)
Round 3-4:
- Medicine ball standing rotations (6lbs)
- Dumbbell burpee with weights (5lbs)
- Exercise ball knee tucks
- Dumbbell alternating lunges (10lbs)
- Medicine ball wood chops (6lbs)
- Dumbbell deadlift to upright row (10lbs)
Cardio (15-20 minutes):
- Stationary bike: 15-20 minutes easy pace (active recovery after intense circuit)
Weight Progression Guide
Starting Weights (Week 1-2):
- Light exercises: 5lbs (lateral raises, front raises, reverse flies, renegade rows)
- Medium exercises: 10lbs (shoulder press, bicep curls, lunges, rows, most circuit work)
- Heavy exercises: 15lbs (chest press, deadlifts, goblet squats, calf raises)
- Medicine balls: 6lbs for most exercises, 4lbs if 6lbs unavailable
- Progression: Move up in 5lb increments when current weight becomes easy
Progression Rules:
- Week 3-4: Increase by 5lbs when all sets completed easily with 2+ reps left in tank
- Week 5-8: Continue 5lb increases or add 2-3 reps before moving up weight
- Month 2+: For small muscle exercises (lateral raises), consider adding reps (15-20) instead of weight if 10lbs feels too heavy
Cardio Intensity Guidelines
Intensity Levels:
- Moderate (Elliptical, Bike): 6-7/10 effort, can hold conversation
- Steady (Rowing): 7/10 effort, breathing harder but controlled
- Intervals (Treadmill): Fast intervals 8/10, recovery 4-5/10
- Target Heart Rate: 120-150 bpm (60-75% max for her age)
Cardio Progression:
- Week 1-4: Focus on consistency, maintain prescribed times
- Week 5-8: Add 5 minutes to steady cardio sessions
- Week 9-12: Increase interval intensity or add extra interval rounds
- Month 4+: Consider adding 10 minutes to any session
Important Guidelines
Rest Periods:
- Strength exercises: 45-60 seconds between sets
- Circuit training: 15 seconds between exercises, 2 minutes between rounds
- Between strength and cardio: 3-5 minutes
Form Priorities:
- Squats/Lunges: Keep knees behind toes, chest up
- Deadlifts: Flat back, hinge at hips
- Rows: Squeeze shoulder blades, control the weight
- Presses: Full range of motion, controlled movement
Weekly Schedule:
- Monday: Upper Push (arms/chest will be sore)
- Tuesday: Lower Body (legs will be sore)
- Wednesday: REST
- Thursday: Upper Pull (back/biceps work, chest recovered)
- Friday: Full Body (lighter weights, metabolic focus)
- Saturday/Sunday: REST or light activity
Expected Timeline:
- Month 1: 3-4kg loss (initial water weight + fat)
- Months 2-4: 2-3kg loss per month
- Months 5-8: 2kg loss per month
- Months 9-12: 1-2kg loss per month (final 6-8kg)
Success Tracking:
- Weekly: Body weight (same day, same time)
- Bi-weekly: Body measurements (waist, hips, arms)
- Monthly: Progress photos and fitness benchmarks
- Daily: Energy levels and how clothes fit
Rest Day Activities
Light movement options:
- 20-30 minute walks
- Gentle stretching with yoga mat
- Light household activities
- Swimming (if available)
Nutrition Support
While this is an exercise plan, remember that weight loss is 70% diet. Consider tracking calories and focusing on whole foods, lean proteins, and staying hydrated for best results.