Toning: too little weight?
somerisagirlsname
Posts: 467 Member
I have been told by many people that if I lift weights (light weight-many repetitions) it will aid in my weight loss. I am a 250ish pound woman, and I'm "the strong kind of fat." I found a two pound hand weight at a yardsale and I have been using it doing some bicep curls and laterals before I do my cardio. I do start to feel something after my second set of 20 reps, so I'm sure it is doing something. Is this good enough to start out with, or is the weight too little? When I used to work out at my old apartment complex gym I used 10 and 15 lb weights, but obviously didn't do as many reps. Any opinions?
Edited for typo.
Edited for typo.
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Replies
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It'll do something, but probably not what you want it to do. I have flabby pecs right now from not working them, and I could 'tone' them up with what you do, for instance. Or I could use heavy weights and get them there much quicker and even put on more muscle eventually if I keep bumping up the weights and eating enough protein (not sure about more pecs on me personally). I try to do them heavy because it's easier
I can always stop increasing the weights if I like.
Are the muscles you are working visible and just flabby? You could 'tone' them if you like, sure
If not, and you are doing it to gain muscle or keep the muscle you have as you lose weight, lift much heavier.
Edit: I might be lying. Two lbs might not even 'tone' my pecs. But you get the idea I hope 0 -
Are the muscles you are working visible and just flabby? You could 'tone' them if you like, sure If not, and you are doing it to gain muscle or keep the muscle you have as you lose weight, lift much heavier.
I'm trying to build/keep muscle as I lose weight, but I have been told (and it could just be a weird myth/old wives' tale) that if I lift too heavily while I'm still fat, I will build muscle under my fat and look even fatter. That sounds really weird now that I'm typing it out.0 -
Are the muscles you are working visible and just flabby? You could 'tone' them if you like, sure If not, and you are doing it to gain muscle or keep the muscle you have as you lose weight, lift much heavier.
I'm trying to build/keep muscle as I lose weight, but I have been told (and it could just be a weird myth/old wives' tale) that if I lift too heavily while I'm still fat, I will build muscle under my fat and look even fatter. That sounds really weird now that I'm typing it out.
if you are eating in a deficit you will not build muscle, the only exception to this is "newbie gains", which bases on your post may happen but it will not be that much. And lifting a two pound dumbbell at 20 reps is not going to bulk you up..
Is a gym membership an option?
Lifting weights will help you drop body fat and improve your overall physique ...
I would recommend a program of compound lifts and cardio ....but you are going to need more equipment or a gym membership for compound lifts...0 -
No, don't worry about that. It takes a lot of weight to have muscles get big enough to really notice them.
I have had my butt go up by a half inch before losing the weight there before (I was hitting growth there hard!). True. I didn't notice a half inch and nobody else did either, though! 0 -
if you are eating in a deficit you will not build muscle, the only exception to this is "newbie gains", which bases on your post may happen but it will not be that much. And lifting a two pound dumbbell at 20 reps is not going to bulk you up..
Is a gym membership an option?
Lifting weights will help you drop body fat and improve your overall physique ...
I would recommend a program of compound lifts and cardio ....but you are going to need more equipment or a gym membership for compound lifts...
I'm a student at a large university, so I have access to a really good gym. However, if I'm not going to build muscle while eating at a deficit, and I have to eat at a deficit to lose weight, should I...not lift weights? Or is it still going to benefit me in losing body fat/toning?0 -
And lifting a two pound dumbbell at 20 reps is not going to bulk you up.
Also, just so you don't think I'm stupid, it was 5 circuits of 20 reps, so 100 reps in total, and the only break was going from one arm/exercise to the other. Not sure if that makes a difference.0 -
if you are eating in a deficit you will not build muscle, the only exception to this is "newbie gains", which bases on your post may happen but it will not be that much. And lifting a two pound dumbbell at 20 reps is not going to bulk you up..
Is a gym membership an option?
Lifting weights will help you drop body fat and improve your overall physique ...
I would recommend a program of compound lifts and cardio ....but you are going to need more equipment or a gym membership for compound lifts...
I'm a student at a large university, so I have access to a really good gym. However, if I'm not going to build muscle while eating at a deficit, and I have to eat at a deficit to lose weight, should I...not lift weights? Or is it still going to benefit me in losing body fat/toning?
It allows you to:
1) Get stronger
3) Retain the muscle you have. Losing muscle while dieting is a big problem and results in a crappy aesthetic once you've hit goal weight. It also results in a crappy metabolism once you've hit your goal weight. Retaining lean body mass is a CRUCIAL part of losing weight.
2) Learn to use your body effectively and be injury free
D) Be awesome0 -
Lifting while on a deficit will help you to keep what muscle you have.
If you want a little more weight just buy a gallon of water at the store for a buck and change. You can then make it weigh anything up to 8 pounds by adding or removing water. But honestly I'd suggest using your university's gym and use however much weight keeps you at less than 20 reps (and probably more like 5-8, depending on your goals.)0 -
As others have said...a progressive lifting program will
1. Increase your strength
2. Preserve LBM/provide noob gains so that as the fat falls off you are left with sexy pants
3. Provide a whole bunch of other benefits related to age related pain and just provide an overall positive well being0 -
the people above me said it well
Got to your gym and pick up a barbell... i AM SO SO SO happy that I came here to MFP a year and a half ago( i had other accounts so dont go by my join date)
I am 42 year old woman who didnt start this until i was older, so imagine what YOU are capable of achieving at you age.
I asked questions like you did...i read a lot of topics on lifting, and I decided i was going to be smart.
I lifted heavy(for me) and added a little to the bar each time to challenge myself. This allows you to retain as much muscle as possible while you lose weight(like they said up there) and THAT my dear is what helps you look better naked when you get closer to where you want to be.
Me:
me now:
I've got more work to do, but I have surpassed what i thought i was EVER capable of, and it feels amazing.
Dont be afraid to push yourself, hell you might have a love affair with the iron like I do.0 -
You have to work your way up. I started with a 5 lb weight and now I'm using 30lb or more.0
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the people above me said it well
Got to your gym and pick up a barbell... i AM SO SO SO happy that I came here to MFP a year and a half ago( i had other accounts so dont go by my join date)
I am 42 year old woman who didnt start this until i was older, so imagine what YOU are capable of achieving at you age.
I asked questions like you did...i read a lot of topics on lifting, and I decided i was going to be smart.
I lifted heavy(for me) and added a little to the bar each time to challenge myself. This allows you to retain as much muscle as possible while you lose weight(like they said up there) and THAT my dear is what helps you look better naked when you get closer to where you want to be.
Me:
me now:
I've got more work to do, but I have surpassed what i thought i was EVER capable of, and it feels amazing.
Dont be afraid to push yourself, hell you might have a love affair with the iron like I do.
You look AMAZING, and I can't believe you're 42! Thank you for the encouragement and motivation!0 -
PM me if you have any questions, or want to chat lift. And thank you for the compliment.:flowerforyou:0
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Your purse weighs more than 2 pounds. A half gallon of milk weighs more than that. You're absolutely wasting your time.0
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think you could rephrase that and actually give examples of what might be good instead of being...THAT person?Your purse weighs more than 2 pounds. A half gallon of milk weighs more than that. You're absolutely wasting your time.0 -
I could, sure. Plenty of people in the thread already have. I spend plenty of time not being "this" person, one can only take so much.
think you could rephrase that and actually give examples of what might be good instead of being...THAT person?Your purse weighs more than 2 pounds. A half gallon of milk weighs more than that. You're absolutely wasting your time.0 -
Your purse weighs more than 2 pounds. A half gallon of milk weighs more than that. You're absolutely wasting your time.
Yeah, well, as previously stated I did a total of 100 reps of each exercise on each arm, so "wasting my time" was probably not exactly accurate.
Also; I don't carry a purse. Props for recognizing that I was the woman in the pic instead of the furry man though.0 -
really? because unlike some OPs, she has asked some good questions and been open to the idea of lifting...i am pretty excited because you rarely see this happen.
I could, sure. Plenty of people in the thread already have. I spend plenty of time not being "this" person, one can only take so much.
think you could rephrase that and actually give examples of what might be good instead of being...THAT person?Your purse weighs more than 2 pounds. A half gallon of milk weighs more than that. You're absolutely wasting your time.0 -
the people above me said it well
Got to your gym and pick up a barbell... i AM SO SO SO happy that I came here to MFP a year and a half ago( i had other accounts so dont go by my join date)
I am 42 year old woman who didnt start this until i was older, so imagine what YOU are capable of achieving at you age.
I asked questions like you did...i read a lot of topics on lifting, and I decided i was going to be smart.
I lifted heavy(for me) and added a little to the bar each time to challenge myself. This allows you to retain as much muscle as possible while you lose weight(like they said up there) and THAT my dear is what helps you look better naked when you get closer to where you want to be.
Me:
me now:
I've got more work to do, but I have surpassed what i thought i was EVER capable of, and it feels amazing.
Dont be afraid to push yourself, hell you might have a love affair with the iron like I do.
Listen to her because she is smart for real.0 -
I think what she is trying to say is that lifting weight that little is not an efficient use of your time when it comes to lifting, and she is right, but I didnt care for the approach...really the fact that you are interested is the best part.Your purse weighs more than 2 pounds. A half gallon of milk weighs more than that. You're absolutely wasting your time.
Yeah, well, as previously stated I did a total of 100 reps of each exercise on each arm, so "wasting my time" was probably not exactly accurate.
Also; I don't carry a purse. Props for recognizing that I was the woman in the pic instead of the furry man though.0 -
Listen to cranq. She's not just smart, she's also super hawt. Literally, seriously, no downside to taking what she says to heart.0
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I think what she is trying to say is that lifting weight that little is not an efficient use of your time when it comes to lifting, and she is right, but I didnt care for the approach...really the fact that you are interested is the best part.
Yeah, I mean I felt pretty silly when I picked it up, and I asked if the lady had any others, but my mom was doing a "fill a box for three dollars" deal, so I just threw it in. As aforementioned, when I used to go to the gym I used 10 lbs for biceps and laterals, and 15 for that-one-you-do-with-both-arms-behind-your-head. (I learned that in a health class but can't for the life of me remember what it's called.)0 -
I love the changes lifting heavy is giving me. I never believed it until I tried it. My husband won't stop grabbing my *kitten* because it pops out now from all my weighted squats and lunges.0
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If a two pound weight worked for "toning" then mother's with babies and toddlers should be hard as a rock. Sorry, but high reps with light weights don't "tone" (a made up word by the fitness industry to fool women into lifting weights) muscle. It's builds muscle endurance.I have been told by many people that if I lift weights (light weight-many repetitions) it will aid in my weight loss. I am a 250ish pound woman, and I'm "the strong kind of fat." I found a two pound hand weight at a yardsale and I have been using it doing some bicep curls and laterals before I do my cardio. I do start to feel something after my second set of 20 reps, so I'm sure it is doing something. Is this good enough to start out with, or is the weight too little? When I used to work out at my old apartment complex gym I used 10 and 15 lb weights, but obviously didn't do as many reps. Any opinions?
Edited for typo.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
LOL sounds like an over the head triceps extension.I think what she is trying to say is that lifting weight that little is not an efficient use of your time when it comes to lifting, and she is right, but I didnt care for the approach...really the fact that you are interested is the best part.
Yeah, I mean I felt pretty silly when I picked it up, and I asked if the lady had any others, but my mom was doing a "fill a box for three dollars" deal, so I just threw it in. As aforementioned, when I used to go to the gym I used 10 lbs for biceps and laterals, and 15 for that-one-you-do-with-both-arms-behind-your-head. (I learned that in a health class but can't for the life of me remember what it's called.)0 -
Cranq, So bottom line, that stuff about muscle-under-fat-bleargh is untrue and if I lift there's a much better chance I'll get a body like yours?
in for lifting. Now I just have to make myself go to the gym, which will be the hard part. Will it matter if I do lifting only at the gym, and cardio at home, or do I need to do my cardio closer to when I'm doing my lifting?0 -
Will it matter if I do lifting only at the gym, and cardio at home, or do I need to do my cardio closer to when I'm doing my lifting?
Doesn't matter. Most people tend to do cardio on days opposite to their lifting days.0 -
Will it matter if I do lifting only at the gym, and cardio at home, or do I need to do my cardio closer to when I'm doing my lifting?
Doesn't matter. Most people tend to do cardio on days opposite to their lifting days.
Cool deal. I was told previously to lift before my cardio to maximize fat burn, but if I can just lift at the gym I'll be happy. Lifters are less judgmental than treadmill/elliptical girls.0 -
^thisWill it matter if I do lifting only at the gym, and cardio at home, or do I need to do my cardio closer to when I'm doing my lifting?
Doesn't matter. Most people tend to do cardio on days opposite to their lifting days.
Bottom line( in my opinion) is that DOING is the most important part...dont get caught up in the minutia. I prefer lifting and cardio on separate days because I love to give every ounce into my lifts, and believe me...it is enough for that day.
i dont always get to cardio( i usually walk at home), but i NEVER miss my lifting session...i feel like a friggin super hero and like i could conquer the universe...blast my music and GO.
sorry for the babble.
OH and yes the whole muscle under fat thing people worry about is BULL... Do i LOOK bigger? the heavier i have gone the smaller i look because i am eating at a deficit...lifting is great for fat loss0 -
I apologize for assuming that you carry a purse.Your purse weighs more than 2 pounds. A half gallon of milk weighs more than that. You're absolutely wasting your time.
Yeah, well, as previously stated I did a total of 100 reps of each exercise on each arm, so "wasting my time" was probably not exactly accurate.
Also; I don't carry a purse. Props for recognizing that I was the woman in the pic instead of the furry man though.0
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