stop overdoing cardio and hit the damn weights!!!

trisH_7183

How about we accept that everyone is different and that we join MFP for a variety of reasons. I don't lift, can't run/ jog. I eat pure (most days ) enjoy my early morning walk becasue it clears my head and centers me. Love my zumba class becasue it makes me feel vital and sexy. I don't have rock hard abs or steel biceps~ that's okay (with me). We can't all fit in the same mould, let's be as supportive as possible and try to stop being so judgemental :flowerforyou: :heart ...to each his/her own...

This

lauren3101

To the OP: cardio has its own benefits, and some people simply don't LIKE lifting. I think it's far better to do some form of exercise that you enjoy and will stick at than something you hate and will eventually give up. I do cardio AND I lift, by the way, so this is a neutral view.

Well I'd lift if it was not going to injure my back some more. So I do cardio instead.

You can't know why people can't lift. Yes some people CAN NOT LIFT at all.

I don't know exactly what your back problems are so I could be speaking well out of turn, but I just wanted to say that I have a history of back problems, and once I got my form right, lifting has actually really helped it.

Not for me. The main reason for me losing weigh is so there was no extra weight on my back. Lifting weights just puts that back on while lifting them.

Same reason I started to lose weight - mine was muscular, and one day it just 'went' (no way to describe it) and I was in complete agony and couldn't get off the floor.

Lifting weights helped because although I was adding weight, it was strengthening the muscles that caused me issues in the first place. I still have occasional problems, but it's a lot better than it ever was before, even with weight loss.

If your issue is muscular and not spinal it may well be worth looking into some sort of lifting technique. I'm no physio though - just giving you my experience!

My0WNinspiration

Cardio bashing is getting old. Do whatever you enjoy doing.

mcibty

I look better and I love being stronger

This. I also adore being stronger than everyone else!!

lauraspberry

Honestly if I dont have a bad knee I will do lots of lifting. I hate cardio but I'm forced to do it since it's safer for me. I do strength training but only light ones. heaviest was like 10lbs barbells and 1kg leg weights LOL

majica8

I'd rather not thanks. For a start I can't afford weights and certainly can't afford to join a gym (and wouldn't anyway, they are overpriced.) Secondly I wouldn't enjoy it, whereas I love the cycling I do every day.
If I get to the stage where I think lifting will benefit me then I might look into it again, but for now I'm still losing weight and inches by just doing cardio so I'm going to stick with it.

ironanimal

Cardio bashing is getting old. Do whatever you enjoy doing.

Agreed, but at the same time the advantages of progressive resistance exercise as a part of a well rounded exercise programme need to be emphasised. Women's media is a bizarre thing, and one of the ideas it has embedded into a lot of people's psyche is that lifting weights or other equivelant exercise will turn you into Ronnie Coleman over night, and that being strong is somehow something only men should aspire to.

jazi719

For those of you stuck on cardio and didn't look at the link at the beginning of this thread, look at it!! Here it is again: LOOK AT THE PHOTOS!

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Here's another one:

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/yahoo-spotlight/why-your-cardio-routine-making-you-fat

I always looked 10-20lbs lighter because of weight lifting. I do not lift heavy, I do not do it at a gym. I have free weights at home and I do it to a DVD, although you don't need a work out DVD. Did you know that weights makes you a better runner too?

No one is telling you to stop your cardio routine, just start using weights in place of it for 2-3 days a week. If I had my choice, I would never do cardio and only do weights. Did you know that lifting increases your heart rate too?

Forget the scale. When my scale said 150, I was in a size 8 jeans and no one could believe I was over 135.

And no, don't wait until you get to a certain size to tone up, lifting will help you burn faster and even well after your done working out.

Try it for 6 weeks, 30min three times a week. See how your clothes fit.

Fit_Canadian

For those of you stuck on cardio and didn't look at the link at the beginning of this thread, look at it!! Here it is again: LOOK AT THE PHOTOS!

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Here's another one:

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/yahoo-spotlight/why-your-cardio-routine-making-you-fat

I always looked 10-20lbs lighter because of weight lifting. I do not lift heavy, I do not do it at a gym. I have free weights at home and I do it to a DVD, although you don't need a work out DVD. Did you know that weights makes you a better runner too?

No one is telling you to stop your cardio routine, just start using weights in place of it for 2-3 days a week. If I had my choice, I would never do cardio and only do weights. Did you know that lifting increases your heart rate too?

Forget the scale. When my scale said 150, I was in a size 8 jeans and no one could believe I was over 135.

And no, don't wait until you get to a certain size to tone up, lifting will help you burn faster and even well after your done working out.

Try it for 6 weeks, 30min three times a week. See how your clothes fit.

Again , it worked for you but why does that give you authority to tell other people that they shouldn't be doing cardio if that's what they truly enjoy. It's their choice, trying to dissuade other people from doing what they like makes no sense to me.

I also agree with some of the comments above, cardio bashing is so old and pointless. Some people can't afford the gym or purchasing weights for the home, they may not have access to the equipment but at least they are getting up , moving around and exercising.

Shreddingit84

I need both!! Cardio makes me feel happy and up beat. I dont lift too heavy but enough to have changed up by body, its firmer than 4 months ago and I have tons of pics to prove it to myself.

chocco8

It amuses me how passionate people get about this (I'm no exception).

Do whatever you enjoy, moving in some way is better than sitting on the couch watching tv!

I do allsorts at the moment weights, spinning, metafit, yoga & pilates....I love them all!! But then i get bored and change my routines.

But i do have to say I always do weights because they make my *kitten* & abs look awesome

MelodyandBarbells

+1 don't lift weights because I don't want to. I think it'd be boring and I wouldn't keep with it. I do BodyPump three to four times a week, but the thou shalt lift weights nazis consider that cardio with weights. Bottom line, I do what I like. I already like my body and weak I've pretty much never been.

Indeed I also spend more time clothed than naked. Yeah, that gave me a laugh :laugh:

lovemuffin6

I think a lot of people don't understand how intimidating it is for a woman to start lifting. I do some body weight exercises at home and will work on weight machines in the gym but the free weight room is full of huge guys, I just don't feel welcomed and my efforts were sometimes laughed at. Additionally I feel to properly lift heavy you really need instruction, or can risk some serious injuries, and I definitely cannot afford a personal trainer!

lauraspberry

I think a lot of people don't understand how intimidating it is for a woman to start lifting. I do some body weight exercises at home and will work on weight machines in the gym but the free weight room is full of huge guys, I just don't feel welcomed and my efforts were sometimes laughed at. Additionally I feel to properly lift heavy you really need instruction, or can risk some serious injuries, and I definitely cannot afford a personal trainer!

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!!!!

starrylioness

Right now, I'm only doing cardio because I still have quite a lot to lose but once I'm closer to my goal weight, I'd like to start doing some lifting, because I do want to tone up what years of being fat did to my body. But then that's just me. I know everyone has different goals...

lynn1982

I do both - but I also really enjoy cardio and I enjoy lifting weights. Lifting has completely changed my body composition and helped me blast through a 10 pound weight loss this summer when I had all but given up...

millerll

I do weights and cardio. I'm not a big fan of cardio, but I do it because it's good for my heart. Same with resistance training. Even if you don't love it, you should do some type of resistance training for your bone health. Resistance training helps stave off bone loss, which is a big issue for women as we age. So forget about looking good naked and all that if that's not your priority, but do consider your bone health and add in some resistance training.

VelveteenArabian

Make the guys in the weight section of the gym less creepy and weird and more women will want to go there. I don't lift because I am usually either oogled or hit on and neither are welcome!

teecee60

I am actually doing three forms of exercise and loving it. For cardio, I am either swimming, fast walking or doing elliptical most days of the week. I am going to the gym and doing lifting three days a week. And I recently added yoga for one hour per week for flexibilty. The only problem I have is finding the right workout for my lower body. I have bad knees and cannot do lunges or squats. Anyone have any ideas to help me out?

That is why I gave up jogging -- Dr. said it was the worst possible exercise for my knees and to absolutely not do it. :frown:

meerkat70

such delight to see this topic. again.

Sarauk2sf

I think a lot of people don't understand how intimidating it is for a woman to start lifting. I do some body weight exercises at home and will work on weight machines in the gym but the free weight room is full of huge guys, I just don't feel welcomed and my efforts were sometimes laughed at. Additionally I feel to properly lift heavy you really need instruction, or can risk some serious injuries, and I definitely cannot afford a personal trainer!

You were laughed at?

I have never been laughed at (that I know of). Usually I have found guys to be pretty encouraging.

Kotuliak

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 used to think all those things. Then I started lifting, in moderation, and now I enjoy it. And I like the changes it's making to my body.

It really is kind of like eating healthy. If your *only* goal is weight loss, eating healthy or lifting is not required.

Leadfoot_Lewis

such delight to see this topic. again.

...and again, and again...

I'll give my usual comments to the topic that a good fitness routine includes both lifting and cardio. The problem with cardio is people get carried away with it & believe it's the only route to fat loss which is false. On the flip side, people who lift think they're muscle is going to go bye-bye if they do a little cardio, which also is false. People forget the heart is a muscle too, and the most important one at that.

I personally lift 4x a week & do cardio x1 a week, x2 if I can fit in my schedule. On days I do cardio I simply eat more. I personally don't want to be that person that looks great but can't run a mile without dying.

micheleb15

I think a lot of people don't understand how intimidating it is for a woman to start lifting. I do some body weight exercises at home and will work on weight machines in the gym but the free weight room is full of huge guys, I just don't feel welcomed and my efforts were sometimes laughed at. Additionally I feel to properly lift heavy you really need instruction, or can risk some serious injuries, and I definitely cannot afford a personal trainer!

You were laughed at?

I have never been laughed at (that I know of). Usually I have found guys to be pretty encouraging.

This. I work out at Gold's and I have never had any issues - a lot of the anxiousness you feel is in your head because it's something new. Once you get over that intimidation, the empowerment you get from progressive lifting is amazing. I honestly don't talk to anyone at the gym - I nod to the people I see every morning, but everyone does their own thing.

Not to mention, some of the "huge guys" have really bad form.

joannadalina

I just recently started strength training / weight lifting and I can't wait to see the results! Especially since I have zero upper body strength! LOL!

flannery2012

Read later

mcibty

I think a lot of people don't understand how intimidating it is for a woman to start lifting. I do some body weight exercises at home and will work on weight machines in the gym but the free weight room is full of huge guys, I just don't feel welcomed and my efforts were sometimes laughed at. Additionally I feel to properly lift heavy you really need instruction, or can risk some serious injuries, and I definitely cannot afford a personal trainer!

I hate myself sometimes for not hitting the weights at the gym. Am I scared of the guys? F-no. I have to chuckle to myself when I see a guy struggling to bench LESS than what I can. So, why do I lift at home? Because there I can curse and pull faces to my heart's content!

Do wish I could get over myself and join them, though, eventually my weights at home won't be heavy enough.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

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Squats 110# and deadlifts 145#. Also runs on occasion.

Rynatat

I couldn't read thru all the pros, cons & whatnots so I'll just add in my side:
If I hadn't been lifting weights before getting pregnant earlier this year, there is a 95% chance I would have been on bed rest by 6 months due to the weight in my growing belly & damage from the neck down from car accidents. As it is, my back went out only 4 times, I dealt with it, got it back in place & life went on. I'm at 39 weeks as of today (for those who don't know, that means I'm a week or less away from meeting my Son face to face!).
I looked bulkier when I tried just cardio years ago that when I started weight lifting. Before prego-ness, I was benching 70 & squating 100+. Plan on going back into it as soon as Doc give me clearance as I MISS the endorphine rush of pushing those weights around!!
In the meantime, my "gain" has been mostly belly so my prior weight training means I'll be back in shape quicker & stronger than ever before within 6 months - maybe even less :happy:

firstsip

<-- Look at how manly lifting made me I sprouted antlers!