Cardio vs weights

Tsartele

I'm currently 220 and trying to get to 180, I'm a guy so most of my weight is in my belly. I have been doing cardio for the last month and dropped 11 lbs. I know that I eventually want to start lifting heavy but my question is when do I transition from cardio to lifting and building muscle because the nutrition is completely different.

MikePTY

Why do you feel like you need to "transition" from one to the other? Most people find that a combination of weights and cardio are the best mix. You want to start lifting ASAP in my opinion. You will not be gaining muscle mass during your loss if you are operating at a proper deficit, but lifting during your loss will help you retain the muscle mass that you do have.

kimny72

It isn't really an either/or situation. Cardio is good for your heart and lungs, and burns some extra cals to help you reach your deficit. Weights make you stronger and ensure your body prioritizes protecting your muscle. You can (and if you are concerned with overall fitness, you should) do both before, during, and after weight loss.

Nutrition doesn't really have to be different, maybe some subtle tweaking of your carbs and protein. To really focus on building muscle, you will eventually need to give your body enough calories to fuel that building.

TavistockToad

Do both

cwolfman13

As a matter of general fitness, it's not really a vs. kind of thing...both are pretty important. Not sure what you mean by the nutrition is completely different though.

sijomial

Start lifting now but carry on with the cardio too, it doesn't have to be one or the other.

Nutrition is only "completely different" if you either choose it to be or you are doing fairly extreme endurance cardio when of course the calories needs are far larger.

Perhaps you should expand a bit on what you believe the differences are?

sardelsa

Start lifting yesterday

knightreader

you should've lifted today. and the only thing that changed in my diet was i upped my protein a bit. and i'm not even sure why. get out from in front of your computer and go lift.

Duck_Puddle

Start lifting a month ago. Save every bit of muscle you have (by using it). Keep doing cardio because your heart is also a muscle.

What do you mean by completely different? Like higher calories for bulking? Or just higher protein? Or a bunch of random supplements? Or minutia about when to eat and recovery shakes and things?

Azdak

If you are just starting lifting, then, no, the nutrition is not “completely different”. Don’t overthink this. You are not an elite athlete (yet ;-). You don’t have to box yourself in trying to emulate one. If you do quality work and stay consistent, you will see results. You are not going to “build muscle” in a serious way at first anyhow. Just start lifting and work it out as you go along. In this case, “perfection” is an obstacle, not a help.

Oh, and keep doing some cardio too.

JBanx256

The nutrition isn't completely different though. Or at all, really, at least not until you're much, much more advanced. There doesn't need to be a transition. Just go do it.

Chelle8070

I haven't read any comments just yet but I like to combine lifting and cardio. I'm a woman so I know our body's work differently but I wouldn't transition. I'd add.

Or if you're bored with the elliptical/treadmill I'd try some HIIT/Crossfit. It's WAY more intense than you realize and will cover both cardio AND weights!

Crossfit is so lovely. I love doing it!