Loose weight then tone???

King3027

I have lost 40 lbs. in the last 3 months... I have 20-30 lbs. to go! Should I start lifting or wait to reach my goal? I need your input!! Thank you!!

kathrynjean_

Start lifting now (actually, yesterday) to retain as much muscle as possible while you lose the last 20-30 lbs.

Congrats on your loss so far!

AnvilHead

It's a lot easier to retain what muscle you have than it is to gain it back after you lose it. Start lifting.

MissusMoon

Start strength training now. I've actually retained all my muscle mass and had a small gain. Nothing a lifter would brag about, but to have a small gain rather than epic loss in lean mass while losing over 100lbs is miraculous. I'm so glad I'm seeing muscle now that so much fat is gone. It makes the burns better, and makes me look better. Feeling strong is indescribably wonderful. go for it!

One thing: If you're new to strength training, DO EXPECT a temporary water weight gain for muscle repair. Give yourself a few weeks to level out. You'll likely be sore, you'll see either a stuck or rising scale, but it all comes out in the wash. You won't regret it in the long term, I promise.

sijomial

Do you want to retain your muscle or risk losing it?
Do you want to be stronger or weaker?
Do you want to look the best you can when you get to goal or do you want to wait?
Do you want to build the habits that will help you maintain now or later?

Start now - can't think why you would wait!!

rybo

Should have started 3 months ago. For others reading this post and wondering... do not wait to start strength training.

kathrynjean_

rybo wrote: »

Should have started 3 months ago. For others reading this post and wondering... do not wait to start strength training.

If the question is "When should I start strength training?", the answer is always "Yesterday!"

Cherimoose

Start now, but follow a good, proven strength program like NROL4W, not Pinterest workouts. If you don't have much equipment, try the Nerd Fitness beginner program.

By the way, it's lose, not loose.

King3027

Thank you @kathrynjean_ great input!!

crazydogladyjess

Definitely start now, you can lose weight and tone, and strength training is an important part of a fitness and weight loss regimen. Great work so far in achieving your goal

psuLemon

You should also consider slowing down weight loss. You are losing just over 13 lbs of month, which is fairly aggressive and will make it harder to get adequate calories/protein to sustain your muscle mass. If you have a goal of being lean and defined, than the amount of muscle you have will greatly influence it. So if you aggressively cut calories, don't get adequate protein and don't have a progressive overload program, than you will lose muscle (which means lower fat loss and higher body fat %).

The below thread might be helpful for you to get started with a good program to help you reach your goal.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

trigden1991

Start lifting asap. It will help your body composition.