stop overdoing cardio and hit the damn weights!!!
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I love the way some people say the best way to burn more calories is to add more muscle, by lifting weights. Then others say, women don't bulk -- that is, they really do not put on much muscle when they lift.
Gah! I find myself wondering about this, too. Say if a woman wasn't aware of the impact nutrition could have on her results, decides to exercise by lifting heavy weights but not drop the calories, indeed you only build muscle in a surplus. Couldn't she then get bigger, more shapely muscles, but with the fat over them just appear bulkier? With cardio only they probably just wouldn't by smaller but the look of the muscles would not really change. But when some women say this is their experience they're told to shut up and only the ones who got sexy from lifting can speak. Also when people point out women who've indeed got muscly and ripped from lifting, they're told to shut up and leave those women alone.
Bulky or not has nothing to do with why I don't lift 140lbs, just thought the information out there can tend to be a bit one sided, and perhaps we let it be since lifting is, after all pretty great for your health0 -
Personally I don't like weight training. It isn't that I don't enjoy it, I have done it in the past and it resulted in me gaining a substantial amount of muscle. For a woman I have a naturally muscular body. I didn't look huge and bulky by any means but I did look masculine from weight training. Instead of weight training now I use my own body weight to tone and strengthen. I get a much nicer lean toned body that way without the extra muscle mass.
Some ladies look great from using weights, some do not. On the other end of the spectrum it annoys me seeing men that just do weights and no cardio. They end up gigantic muscle freaks with no flexibility. A good balance of strength and cardio is the key to a healthy body.
1) It seems like you do not have a basic understanding of how one gains muscle mass. It is not from lifting weights alone.
2) Ditto what Sara said- Freaks? Wut? :huh: Body-shaming is not okay, even when you're referring to people who are extremely built.
1) I do understand that it also is due to what you consume. I said that I have natural muscle mass and doing weights makes that more obvious. ie I look really muscular and I would rather not.
2) Lol I didn't say everyone who has muscle are freaks. I was simply trying to say there is that some people who purely do weights and no cardio or flexibility training which can also not be good for you. I wasn't aiming at offending anyone or body-shaming.
I am only saying how my body works. This whole topic is about people over doing cardio. You can over do weights too. Like I said above though, I like strength training. I just don't personally think you need to involve weights. I have nothing against people that do.
Maybe you should word your posts more carefully as the way you wrote it, you were body shaming.
I only do weights also...I also know quite a few guys who do not do cardio. Some even have large muscles. Are we freaks?
I apologies if what I said early offended anyone. I didn't mean for it to sound that way. So no I do not think you are freaks. Obviously I didn't take the time to work my post appropriately. I was just a little irritated by previous comments about cardio being pointless etc.
As I said above I don't have anything against anyone who chooses to just do weights. So people would just do weights shouldn't get so upset over people who just do cardio. At least both types of people are off their butts and doing something about their health. The way they enjoy most.0 -
The confusion is that a lot of people will pitch their own workout plan without listening to the poster's goals or desires. It's more of an ego thing that 'my workout is best.'
There are multiple ways to skin a cat when it comes to fitness. They all have advantages and disadvantages. The key is sticking to a plan that you will consistently execute and that will match with your fitness goals.
If your goal is weight loss, it makes little sense to attempt to bulk with weights. That doesn't mean there are no benefits to lifting weights while losing weight, it just means you have to decide which of the two goals you would prefer to achieve.
Lifting during weight loss allows you to retain more muscle while dropping fat. This gives you a better look at a heavier weight than you'd achieve with just diet or cardio alone. You may actually put on up to 5 lbs of muscle if you are completely untrained, which will (slightly) help your BMR get higher. But the act of traditional weight lifting doesn't burn many calories, particularly if you are a beginner starting with light weights (I'm talking about something like a starting strength or strong lift routine, not the aerobics class done with 5 or 10 lb dumbbells which will burn calories, but are ultimately ineffective at building strength). Your best bet is to not account for weight lifting at all until you have a few weeks of data on how it's affecting your weight loss, then adjust your TDEE accordingly.
Cardio burns more calories than lifting weights during a constant time period, provided you push yourself and aren't reading a magazine while walking on the treadmill. The benefits of cardio are that it burns more calories to contribute to weight loss, it improves muscle efficiency, and it improves blood circulation. But just like weight training routines, you need to select an effective cardio routine that will help you achieve your goals. Just hopping on a machine for 30 minutes (or even worse, 60 minutes)* with no plan is not going to get you from A to B effectively.
So, doing a very cardio-heavy routine will allow you to drop weight faster, assuming your workout time and diet remains constant. However, a higher percentage of that weight loss will be from lean body mass, which means you'll have to lose more total weight to get the body you desire. Doing a weight training routine means the weight will come off more slowly, but you will retain more muscle and thus have to lose less overall weight.
However, the two are not mutually exclusive. Many people like to say that you can't/shouldn't do cardio and strength training in the same day. I think that is hogwash, I have seen many people do it and do it myself.
* Why is it worse? Because a key point of fitness is intensity. Doing an activity for 60 minutes at an easy pace is not the same as doing it really hard for 20-30 minutes, and people don't have the endurance to do an intense 60 minute cardio workout as a beginner. But many people fall into the trap that 'longer is better' for weight loss, which isn't true. What's better for weight loss is to get into shape, and to do that you need to go all-out, even if it's only for 15 minutes.0 -
Lift your weights. I'll do my cardio, but if the zombies start chasing us I'm tripping you.0
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Hey, buddy! :smooched:
It's just not something every damsel is cut out to do. Believe me when I say I've tried explaining the biz over and over to real life family and friends.
In this pic I look this way only because I'm flexin'. I'm otherwise, a very, extremely petite female with 6" wrists benching 115x5 when I weigh 118-120lbs. Squatting 135lbs 6-10x depending on whether or not my pinched nerve is buggin'. I still hope to progress.
Females still wanna spot train. That'll never change. Don't waste your breath more than once on the same person. Some girls goal really is to be stringy thin. That's their goal and we gotta repect it.
Eta: spelling
^^^I just want to start by saying that you are awesome!
Also, to the cardio bunnies in this thread that don't want to lift weights: That's great! More room in the weight section for those of us who do.0 -
The confusion is that a lot of people will pitch their own workout plan without listening to the poster's goals or desires. It's more of an ego thing that 'my workout is best.'
There are multiple ways to skin a cat when it comes to fitness. They all have advantages and disadvantages. The key is sticking to a plan that you will consistently execute and that will match with your fitness goals.
This. So this.0 -
I would rather "marry" the two, as I enjoy both!
I do Cardio on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and strength train on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
I do Cardio for endurance...I can go longer without tiring....weight lifting has made me powerful - stronger...and of course a bit more defined.
Why give up any? I see no need to.0 -
If you incorporate some sort of lifting you wil llose more body fat faster because you are turning that fat into muscle. Which kicks your metabolism into over drive. You dont need a gym membership to do it, Use your own resistance. Saqme effect. And not all gym memberships will leave you broke. Got any Planet Fitness gyms near you?
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Lift your weights. I'll do my cardio, but if the zombies start chasing us I'm tripping you.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely you'll be strong enough to put me down. Guess I'll stroll away leisurely-like whilst the zombies are feasting on your brains...0 -
Lift your weights. I'll do my cardio, but if the zombies start chasing us I'm tripping you.
Not really sure how being surrounded by bloodthirsty mindless sub-humans is any different than being in some of the gyms in my area.0 -
I love the way some people say the best way to burn more calories is to add more muscle, by lifting weights. Then others say, women don't bulk -- that is, they really do not put on much muscle when they lift.
Gah! I find myself wondering about this, too. Say if a woman wasn't aware of the impact nutrition could have on her results, decides to exercise by lifting heavy weights but not drop the calories, indeed you only build muscle in a surplus. Couldn't she then get bigger, more shapely muscles, but with the fat over them just appear bulkier? With cardio only they probably just wouldn't by smaller but the look of the muscles would not really change. But when some women say this is their experience they're told to shut up and only the ones who got sexy from lifting can speak. Also when people point out women who've indeed got muscly and ripped from lifting, they're told to shut up and leave those women alone.
Bulky or not has nothing to do with why I don't lift 140lbs, just thought the information out there can tend to be a bit one sided, and perhaps we let it be since lifting is, after all pretty great for your health
Here's what you're confusing. If you're eating in a deficit and not lifting, you're losing LBM along with fat. If you're lifting and eating in a deficit you're maintaining as much LBM as you can. You're not gaining muscle, you're maintaining what you have. So yes, it is extremely difficult for a woman to gain muscle mass and/or get bulky, but by lifting you're maining that muscle mass you already have, rather than losing both fat AND muscle.
It's not necissarily that the best way to burn more calories is to add more mass (as stated, it's really....really hard for a female to put on mass due to testosterone levels), it's to maintain what you've got.0 -
Lift your weights. I'll do my cardio, but if the zombies start chasing us I'm tripping you.
Not really sure how being surrounded by bloodthirsty mindless sub-humans is any different than being in some of the gyms in my area.
PLEASE just stay in the cardio section if that is your attitude.0 -
Stop watching what the hell I do and pay attention to your own damn workout.
Oh, a little info, I DO work with weights, I just don't pay attention to what other people are doing because what they do is THEIR business, not mine.0 -
Umm, no. I will not hit the weights. And not because I think it'll make me bulky.
1. I don't want to.
2. I reeeaallly enjoy walking and jogging.
3. I have no intentions of paying for a full gym membership to have access to weights.
4. I'm still working on losing fat, toning is for when I'm closer to my goal. I can barely do many squats or lunges right now.
I don't get why so many people think everyone should lift. People are going to do what they enjoy.
you can do full body workouts at home. Many DVDs can show you how. The problem with limiting yourself is you will end up with back problems, poor balance, lack of flexibility, instability. How do I know this? Because I am living it from doing the exact same thing you are 30 yrs. ago. A little of everything is the key.0 -
I love lifting but I also do cardio because I like that too. I love running so that's my cardio of choice.
I lift every day and I run 4x a week with one day on the Arc Trainer.
It's what I personally like to do and it works for me.
My goals aren't the same as your goals, or her goals, or his goals and vice versa. Until you know a person's specific goal then you really can't say what they should or shouldn't do. My husband was talking to a 'personal trainer' at a bar last Friday and she asked him what he does at the gym for exercise and he told her. Without even asking him what his goals were her response was "You shouldn't be doing that. THIS is what you should do instead."
OP, you're basically doing the same thing.0 -
Lifting weights doesnt make you big ....lifting cakes on the other hand ......
If it's a multi-tiered pound cake am I 'lifting heavy'?0 -
I think I would rather chew glass than do any other exercise besides running (I kid. Mostly.). I need to do a TON of toning and strengthening.. I am flappy and weak. But I cannot get into it like I can the running. It's done wonders for my legs, but the rest of me is in dire need of help. I keep reading all of these posts thinking it will get me excited about weights, but no. It just makes me want to go run. We have weights at home and a gym membership. I have no excuse! I thought using the elliptical would help my arms, but there really isn't much resistance there at all. Bleh.0
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4. I'm still working on losing fat, toning is for when I'm closer to my goal. I can barely do many squats or lunges right now.
Guess what will help you lose fat.......building lean muscle.
Guess what will help you build lean muscle.......lifting, weights, etc.
Cardio helps you burn fat now, while lean muscle burns fat while you're not working out.
Just my two cents......thanks.0 -
To read later....I gotta go lift!0
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This may totally open up a whole 'nother argument, but why do you have to go to a gym? For me push ups, planking, wall squats, lunges, etc. build muscle and give definition. I personally don't think you need to spend gym money to get definition. I love to run and I love the cardio workouts. You can do lunges all the way to the kitchen to get a drink of water while you break from the cardio. just sayin0
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Umm, no. I will not hit the weights. And not because I think it'll make me bulky.
1. I don't want to.
2. I reeeaallly enjoy walking and jogging.
3. I have no intentions of paying for a full gym membership to have access to weights.
4. I'm still working on losing fat, toning is for when I'm closer to my goal. I can barely do many squats or lunges right now.
I don't get why so many people think everyone should lift. People are going to do what they enjoy.
I have to agree with you. I really hate weights in any form, resistance band, free weights and I also have a free gym membership. I have faithfully walked/jogged 4 miles at least 4 times a week for over 28 years. It's all in what you are going to do long term.
~*~*~*Amy ~*~*~
Save a Tree, Save our Planet, Recycle, Think Organic
_______________________________
Humorous Thought of the day:
Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.0 -
I think I would rather chew glass than do any other exercise besides running (I kid. Mostly.). I need to do a TON of toning and strengthening.. I am flappy and weak. But I cannot get into it like I can the running. It's done wonders for my legs, but the rest of me is in dire need of help. I keep reading all of these posts thinking it will get me excited about weights, but no. It just makes me want to go run. We have weights at home and a gym membership. I have no excuse! I thought using the elliptical would help my arms, but there really isn't much resistance there at all. Bleh.
If you say that you would like to tone and strengthen then I know you must realize that running and the elliptical are not going to help with that.....right?
I am not saying anyone HAS to lift weights, to each their own. I am saying that if those are the results that you want then that is the best recommendation that anyone can make.0 -
How about doing both? Or let's be honest, stop judging others workout routines. I love to lift and hatehatehate cardio, so that's what I do. My friend is the opposite, and that's what she does. The important thing is to exercise and eat healthy, and people should do what they are going to stick to over the long term, regardless whether it's cardio or weights.0
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OK, this seriously cracked me up! :drinker:Lift your weights. I'll do my cardio, but if the zombies start chasing us I'm tripping you.
You may outrun me, but if I catch you, I can dead lift your @ss and toss you into the pit. :laugh:0 -
I think I would rather chew glass than do any other exercise besides running (I kid. Mostly.). I need to do a TON of toning and strengthening.. I am flappy and weak. But I cannot get into it like I can the running. It's done wonders for my legs, but the rest of me is in dire need of help. I keep reading all of these posts thinking it will get me excited about weights, but no. It just makes me want to go run. We have weights at home and a gym membership. I have no excuse! I thought using the elliptical would help my arms, but there really isn't much resistance there at all. Bleh.
If you say that you would like to tone and strengthen then I know you must realize that running and the elliptical are not going to help with that.....right?
I am not saying anyone HAS to lift weights, to each their own. I am saying that if those are the results that you want then that is the best recommendation that anyone can make.
Oh, I'm aware. 100% aware. I just don't LIKE it. (at all). I found something that I really love to do, that also happens to be considered a workout and has helped me shed quite a bit of weight, and now anything else feels like punishment. Which is necessary, I get that. No pain, right?
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I want to feel strong and look good naked, not feel weak and look good in clothes, buts thats just my goal
I spend more time dressed than undressed. But maybe that's just me...
I also spend more time dressed than undressed. But I don't think I'd look bad clothed in the body that was smokin' hot naked. I want to look good both clothed AND naked. I don't lift, but I know I should. I'm pretty sure I can still improve my naked appearance without lifting, and, well... priorities. I haven't made lifting one of them, yet.0 -
This may totally open up a whole 'nother argument, but why do you have to go to a gym? For me push ups, planking, wall squats, lunges, etc. build muscle and give definition. I personally don't think you need to spend gym money to get definition. I love to run and I love the cardio workouts. You can do lunges all the way to the kitchen to get a drink of water while you break from the cardio. just sayin
All these things can build strength whilst they still challenge you to do them in low rep ranges. Once you've become stronger and adapted to them, then you will no longer make you stronger.
You then need to change to do harder bodyweight variations (pistol squats, for example) to progressively challenge you and force strength adaptions. It's possible to get pretty strong without ever touching a weight.
But, of course, it's easier to do (and you'll get stronger more quickly) if you use some equipment.
There's a massive number of ways to keep progressively overloading your muscles to force strength adaptions (intelligent bodyweight routines, kettlebells, dumbbells, sandbags, barbells, etc.). The key word is: PROGRESSIVELY. What you suggest doesn't really have a progressive component. For that you need a routine designed by someone who understands strength adaptions.0 -
I think that it's important to find an exercise you enjoy, because that will help you actually WANT to do it. I know lifting isn't for everybody, just like running isn't. OMG, I WANT to like running. 5K's are fun, but it would be SUPER if I could actually run one all the way through without stopping, but that requires, yanno, running more often, and I just can't get into it.
That said? I did find an exercise I enjoy, and that happens to be lifting weights. I didn't wait until I lost all my weight and got closer to goal to start to tone up. I said screw it, and jumped straight in with 5x5 three times a week in mid-February, and I haven't looked back.
Yeah, occasionally I do some cardio, but for the most part it's the weights. I've recently PR'd in my squats, deads, and bench press, and a couple of weeks ago I hit my goal weight of 150#, and decided to keep going. I'm not bulky, but I can pick up the heavy stuff at the home improvement place, here at work, etc. and not bat an eye.
I'm not gonna bash anyone that won't lift. Like I said, it isn't for everyone, but if you're thinking about it and are waiting until you drop the weight? Why wait. Think of how much further along you'll be if you start now. :flowerforyou:0 -
Lift your weights. I'll do my cardio, but if the zombies start chasing us I'm tripping you.
Not really sure how being surrounded by bloodthirsty mindless sub-humans is any different than being in some of the gyms in my area.
PLEASE just stay in the cardio section if that is your attitude.
Not exactly sure what you're trying to say here, but if you want to go to a gym that is pretty much a meat market, more power to ya.
As for me, when I want to work out, I want to work out, do my thing and not be hit on.0 -
This may totally open up a whole 'nother argument, but why do you have to go to a gym? For me push ups, planking, wall squats, lunges, etc. build muscle and give definition. I personally don't think you need to spend gym money to get definition. I love to run and I love the cardio workouts. You can do lunges all the way to the kitchen to get a drink of water while you break from the cardio. just sayin
true.
my husband has been a tae kwon do instructor for 25 + years.
He's almost 50 but has the body of a man 1/2 his age (actually, even better than most men 1/2 his age).
PLENTY of definition.
He doesn't lift weights. (although, admittedly, we DO have some heavy trash bags from time to time... grin)
AND... he has found something that works for him long term. His workouts are a blend of resistance (like the ones you mention and others) and cardio.0
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