When starting to lift...

acarmon55

I think I have decided that I have lost plenty (i can see my ribs) and want to start lifting. I looked up stronglifts 5x5 and I am interested in it but do not go to a gym. I have a cheap weight bench in my basement that I am storing for my brother-in-law to get started. Should I up my calorie intake to maintenance before I start? Should I devote only to lifting or can I continue with treadmill? Is stronglifts 5x5 a good place to start or should I try something else?

jacksonpt

Increase your calorie intake when you want to stop/slow weight loss.

You can certainly continue with the treadmill if you want.

5x5 is a reputable beginner program, but you have to have the equipment to do it. There are other good programs out there, too, if equipment is a problem.

Lofteren

Stronglifts 5x5 is a good place to start.

If you feel that you have lost enough fat and would like to build some muscle then you should up your calories to (at least) maintenance. Slightly higher than maintenance would be ideal so you can build some muscle.

You can and should still do some cardio along with stronglifts. Just make sure you're not doing too much exercise altogether because you do need some time to rest and recover.

All you need to get strong is a cheap weight set, a bench and a rack.

Unknown

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branflakes1980

jacksonpt wrote: »

Increase your calorie intake when you want to stop/slow weight loss.

You can certainly continue with the treadmill if you want.

5x5 is a reputable beginner program, but you have to have the equipment to do it. There are other good programs out there, too, if equipment is a problem.

This, and I stress the correct equipment part not only to be able to do this program correctly but also for safety sake. Someone else to spot you is pretty important too. Good luck.

Ambrosia29

Hmm...I've been adding weigh-lifting to my regimen too. Is it possible to build lean muscle this way while losing fat? I've heard so many different things on the topic. How would you recommend lifting weights with limited equipment? All I have right now is two 5 lb handheld weights.

esjones12

If you want to stop losing weight then you need to be eating at maintenance whether you are lifting or not. Eating at a deficit will cause you to lose weight.....

Lofteren

Ambrosia29 wrote: »

Hmm...I've been adding weigh-lifting to my regimen too. Is it possible to build lean muscle this way while losing fat? I've heard so many different things on the topic. How would you recommend lifting weights with limited equipment? All I have right now is two 5 lb handheld weights.

You can't build muscle with 5lb handheld weights. If you don't have any equipment then you'd be better off doing bodyweight exercises for the time being.