stop overdoing cardio and hit the damn weights!!!

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Replies

  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    It would take close to a year for a woman to put on enough muscle to actually become bigger, without testosterone supplements. The women who come on here and claim that they put on tons of muscle just by looking at a barbell are generally dealing with a body dysmorphic issue in their head, not reality.

    In other words, they just don't know what they're talking about. That's the attitude I'm referring to
    It's not an attitude. It's honesty. A normal woman (not a professional athlete) will be lucky to put on about 5 pounds of muscle in a year. 5 pounds of muscle spread out over the human body will not be noticeable to the naked eye. That's also eating a perfect surplus and heavy progressive strength training with numbers and progression hitting perfectly. Most woman will manage far less than that. It's a mental game. Body fat reduces, exposing muscle, and they immediately think they've built large amounts of muscle and are becoming manly and huge, even though all measurements have decreased. It's unfortunate, but the majority of people on the planet have zero understanding of how thir bodies actually function and look.

    Thank you....
  • brownbeauty2013
    brownbeauty2013 Posts: 50 Member
    I love doing both as well, the cardio and the weights! I do notice a difference with me lifting weights, not only do I feel stronger but I look better. It helps to tone and add definition so I definitely will keep lifting weights and doing cardio because I am trying to lose as well as tone. I would tell anyone if you are able to lift , give it a try! You won't regret it! Just look around the gym, You will notice the people that are very fit are doing more lifting than anything. First I had to educate myself by reading, designing a plan for myself and putting it into action. Everyone must do what works for them but sometimes a switch up is what your body needs! Hooorahhh!!
  • PudgyPlatypus
    PudgyPlatypus Posts: 6
    I like doing weights, but I'm much more interested in cardio, as it is more accessible for me (I only have a few sets of dumbbells at home and that's it), and I find it a lot more relaxing and fun in general. I love walking or running, it's more my style. Just because lifting is more your style of exercise, and cardio isn't, doesn't mean we should do things your way. It is your opinion. You do your exercise and I'll do mine! :)
  • suelegal
    suelegal Posts: 1,282 Member
    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.

    +1

    I'm just not interested in weight lifting at this time. Some people, girls and guys seem to talk about how "skinny fat" is just wrong, or something about how we look bad naked? Idk I get confused. Anyways, I am perfectly happy with "skinny fat" and I find cardio easier and more accessible, I can walk, jog, use elliptical, bike etc. whereas the only weights I have are 5lb hand weights. No gym membership for me. Out of our price range. Cardio is just easier, I may do some weight stuff later when I hit goal, but honestly, probably not.

    If you don't care now if you have muscle, I can tell you that you will care later on in life. It's much easier to maintain muscle than to build it later in life. Additionally, weight bearing exercise not only helps prevent osteoporosis and osteopenia - I'm a true example of that. I have osteopenia. I started lifting weights (New Rules of Lifting for Women) about 18 months ago and in that time my bone density has improved by 12%, 6.3% and 15.4% in my spine, hip and forearm.
  • momtastic2014
    momtastic2014 Posts: 99
    I used to do only cardio. I've been doing the kettle bell with my cardio a little over a week now and feel a major difference. My back does not hurt and I have more energy.
  • KnM0107
    KnM0107 Posts: 355 Member
    I lift weights. It is my least favorite part of my workout routine. I lift because it if effective. My main goal is increasing strength for my job and I have seen a big difference with lifting.

    I love hiking, boxing and yoga. These are some of the things that I actually enjoy doing.

    I think the most important thing is to just be active and there are many different ways to be active.
  • zoodocgirl
    zoodocgirl Posts: 163 Member
    I'm staunchly in the camp of do both/do what you enjoy/just do something..... but FWIW for those saying it's nearly impossible for a woman to noticeably grow muscle mass in a relatively short period of time, my n=1:

    I spent 3 weeks on a rescue medical trip where every 1-3 days, I had to haul extremely heavy anesthetic and surgical equipment in and out of two Penske trucks. It took roughly 3 hours to unload/load each time. I spent this entire 3 weeks in loose-fitting scrubs, but when I got home and put on real clothes, my biceps literally did not fit into my fitted shirt sleeves anymore. We ate well on the trip so I at first assumed I'd just gained weight, but when I checked, I had in fact lost about 5 lbs. I just turned into Popeye.

    That said, I didn't think it was a bad thing at all.
  • suemin68
    suemin68 Posts: 11 Member
    bump
  • KingofWisdom
    KingofWisdom Posts: 229 Member
    Some people just don't enjoy strength/resistance training. I do cardio because that's what I like to do.
  • Beet_Girl
    Beet_Girl Posts: 102
    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.

    Agreed. I very much enjoy running. I do not like lifting, and I can't afford a gym membership anyway. And, to be honest, I don't care so much whether or not I look "toned". I just want to be healthy, and I don't have a need for any additional strength.

    So don't tell me what to do.
  • DangerJim71
    DangerJim71 Posts: 361 Member
    I'm so sick of the cardio haters looking down their noses at me. Bite me already. If I wanted to lift heavy things I'd do it. But I don't. I do want to be fast though and I'll do just enough strength training to build a strong core an shoulders. Otherwise I'll do so much cardio it'll make your head spin.

    End of rant. Have a nice day. :-)
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    As much as I absolutely love lifting, I think it's important, when giving advice, to consider the other person's goals, current physical condition, and other physical and mental aspects of the person you're giving advice to. Context matters a lot.

    Just because someone's goals or preferences aren't your own doesn't mean that you're right and they're wrong (or visa versa).
  • Jennilyn79
    Jennilyn79 Posts: 30 Member
    I want to feel strong and look good naked, not feel weak and look good in clothes, buts thats just my goal :)

    ^This is awesome! It doesn't matter how many times you see posts on here about lifting weights and how it will burn more fat than cardio. It doesn't matter what success stories tell you about not starving themselves and using lifting to change the shape of their bodies. People believe what makes sense to them, even though they've never tried it themselves. If I had a penny for everytime I've heard "I need to lose the fat through cardio and starvation first, then I'll "tone" up"
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Nope sorry gone back to cardio. It's what I enjoy more. Am still doing strength workouts at home but doing more cardio than anything. Strength hurts me like crazy & makes it hard to do anything, cardio does not do that to me at all.

    Each person is different.
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    Nope sorry gone back to cardio. It's what I enjoy more. Am still doing strength workouts at home but doing more cardio than anything. Strength hurts me like crazy & makes it hard to do anything, cardio does not do that to me at all.

    Each person is different.
    mmk
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    I lift weights ( grain, haybales) in order to unload the grain sacks, pick up, load, stack, and later unload the hay bales. Why? Because it needs to be done. End of subject.
  • sjaplo
    sjaplo Posts: 974 Member
    I just send them this article:
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Seems to help explain most of it.


    Just WOW....i mean WOW.
  • manicmoriarty
    manicmoriarty Posts: 12
    if someone is happy with their life they don't need to lift weights.if they feel like cardio is all they want then cardio is all they need.it's not your place to judge women, or anyone, and how they choose to live their lives or what their beauty standards for themselves should be. if a person feels most beautiful only doing cardio and not doing weights, then that is fine for them and they don't need to change.
  • beaches222
    beaches222 Posts: 437 Member
    bump
  • ATGsquats
    ATGsquats Posts: 227 Member
    I wish more females would lift. They look so much better with tone muscle than a marathon runner who looks starved.
  • lexicon28
    lexicon28 Posts: 4
    Just started lifting with my BF and my roomie. I've noticed a difference in my arms for sure which I like. :) I'm not bulky at all just a little firmer. I've lost weight actually doing it too. I do enjoy some cardio though. For me that is my relaxation especially spin where the music is pumping loud and I can zone out. Finding the balance has been fun. :) Plus Nikki Blackketter is a huge inspiration for me.
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    I know some women who have rocking hard bodies and focus more than fifty percent of their workouts on cardio. I workout differently than they do and I would never tell them what they "should" do! They're awesome!!! Also, I realize that there are women out there who may be misinformed and you want to help them understand something, but some women want big masculine muscles! And it's ok to want that too. It can be done without steroids, it just may take longer.
  • rhondatime2chg
    rhondatime2chg Posts: 92 Member
    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.

    This exactly
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    Do what keeps you active. The end.

    I really don't care what you're doing, cardio, weights, combo, whatever. The main issue is going into a routine with a realistic expectation of the outcome.

    Ton of cardio = weight lost, smaller, not a significant change in shape
    Lifting weights = body recomposition and a significant visual change.

    To each their own. My only peeve is when people claim that cardio is the way to go for a lean, "toned" body.
  • klalsaleh
    klalsaleh Posts: 13
    I love lifting and love the look ive achieved lifting...i feel sexier...i can be at a higher weight and not look over weight or at a lower weight and not look starved. Muscle makes u look curvier in my opinion.i love my curves. My *kitten* and legs have never looked better.
  • ebayaddict0127
    ebayaddict0127 Posts: 523 Member
    What's wrong with cardio? It's for your heart.. hence "cardio." Heart disease runs in my family and my doctor strongly recommends cardio for me. I throw in some strength training twice a week and I'm losing weight and getting stronger. And some people aren't ready to lift weights or can't afford gyms. I still see exercise and diet (whether cardio or weights) as a step towards a healthier life. Why shame others? Isn't MFP here to help people get healthy?
  • ebayaddict0127
    ebayaddict0127 Posts: 523 Member
    As much as I absolutely love lifting, I think it's important, when giving advice, to consider the other person's goals, current physical condition, and other physical and mental aspects of the person you're giving advice to. Context matters a lot.

    Just because someone's goals or preferences aren't your own doesn't mean that you're right and they're wrong (or visa versa).

    ^^This
  • manicmoriarty
    manicmoriarty Posts: 12
    I wish more females would lift. They look so much better with tone muscle than a marathon runner who looks starved.

    well excuse me but women should do what keeps them happy and healthy, what they love, what they are passionate about.our lives do not revolve around being sexually appealing to YOU. we are not here for your purposes, we have our own purposes and a woman looks best when she is happy and living her life how she wants.we are not bodies to be gawked at, we are whole human beings. a woman does not look 'better' when she does any particular kind of work out, we all have our own ways we want to look, our own lives to live, our own aesthetic.
  • jaiblevins
    jaiblevins Posts: 15
    You stated that you are still trying to burn fat, and toning will come after that. Well, that's actually counterproductive. You will burn MORE FAT, but doing strength training, than by doing massive amounts of cardio. There are many studies to back this up, but I will just give you this one, and let you do the rest of the research for yourself. https://www.precisionnutrition.com/rr-cardio-vs-weights

    I'm not saying don't do any cardio, just that adding strength training (not necessarily weight lifting, I do a lot of body weight exercises), will accelerate your fat loss.
  • lemonshredding
    lemonshredding Posts: 71 Member
    bump

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