cardio or strength

afbigg

Hello. As I am starting out a healthy lifestyle I joined a gym. Its a bit costly, but I think it's worth it. However, it is more than double the cost to have a personal trainer assist me at this gym, and although it may worth it in the long run, I cannot afford it at this time. My question is, if I am just starting out, should I focus more on cardio or strength training? My starting weight was 227 one month ago. I have lost about 6 lbs in the last 5 weeks, which I am happy about. I have read that bigger people, such as myself, lose weight a little faster at first because we have the extra weight to lose and our body burns the extra calories better than those who don't have the extra fat. I have seen many success stories where bigger women lost all their weight just by walking/jogging/running and doing nothing else. When I first started last month I was doing half cardio and half weight lifting and I got sick of the routine I had so I started doing just cardio (walking/jogging on treadmill) about 2 weeks ago, and it seems the weight comes off faster from the cardio. I don't want to lose weight and be flabby, so I know I have to do the strength training and toning at some point, but should I focus on weight loss/cardio first and then once I start losing the weight then start toning? My original thought was I should keep doing just cardio and then once I hit a platue then maybe add the weight lifting. Any advice? Thanks in advance, MFP and the community posts are what keeps me motivated!

BlueBombers

Cardio AND strength training is the way to go

daybehavior

both so you don't loss lean body mass while losing fat

Isakizza

Both.

jennegan1

If your gym offers free classes or whatever its called with a trainer take them. This way you can learn and then go on from there by your self. Or you can watch tutorial videos online especially you tube and learn from them

prdavies1949

In before the lifters,
I have lost over 100lbs in just over 1 year, and I haven't lifted a thing, however I do run 3/4 times a week. My doc tells me I have added 20 years to my life just by doing this.
However the lifters will be along in a minute telling you, you must lift heavy!!!

RGv2

In before the lifters,
I have lost over 100lbs in just over 1 year, and I haven't lifted a thing, however I do run 3/4 times a week. My doc tells me I have added 20 years to my life just by doing this.
However the lifters will be along in a minute telling you, you must lift heavy!!!

Caloric deficit helped you lose 100lbs.

Cardio for cardiovascular health and so you can eat more.

Lifting to increase strength and maintain muscle mass.

When you're in a deficit you lose fat, water, and LBM. When you lift in that deficit, you're maintaining muscle mass as best your body can.

CyberEd312

Do Both........

meshashesha2012

why does it have to be or? you can do both

janeite1990

You can and should lift without a trainer. Use those weights...you are paying for them!

jonnythan

No one here seems interested in the OP's goals. That, uh... matters.

OP, what are your actual goals?

lisalsd1

In my experience, to LOSE weight, eat less cals and add cardio. To get stronger, "toned," do strength-training. You really SHOULD do both cardio and strength-training for the best results, but cardio and joining a gym are a good starting point.

Your gym might have free sessions where the staff members take you around and show you the basic machines. Do this if it is offered. If your gym offers free classes (particularly ones that include weights), take a couple of those.

I know a personal trainer is expensive, but they might have options that are cheaper. My husband just met with a personal trainer 3 times for about $100. He gained A LOT of knowledge and confidence.

I spent a year and a half just doing cardio at m gym. I actually WATCHED a lot of other women, and I watched what exercises they were doing and what machines they were using. In fact, there is one woman (about my size, my build, my age), she was doing strength-training well before I started. I used her as a guide to figure out where to start with strength-training. Honestly if you want to use a machine and you see someone using it, just ask the person how it works. I've had a couple of people ask me how to use things, and it's no big deal.

Mr_Knight

No one here seems interested in the OP's goals. That, uh... matters.

You'd think...

Welcome to MFP.

RGv2

No one here seems interested in the OP's goals. That, uh... matters.

You'd think...

Welcome to MFP.

I guess I took the line

I don't want to lose weight and be flabby,

and stating they know they need to strength train to mean I don't want to be skinny fat and that the OP wants to make sure they have muscle definition.

crista_b

gmoneycole

Get in there and try a bit of everything. Find the things you like but show results. You need to do both. Great luck to you! Be patient too the results will come if you commit to this.

yepimonfire

Strength training and then cardio if you want. Screw a PT, google stronglifts.

Fredducharme

Cardio and strength, remember to focus on nutrition (keep your protein up) and drink lots of water. This will make sure flab stays away

goldthistime

My vote is for whatever makes you happy. I would worry less about what is the ideal exercise and more about what it is that you enjoy and will stick with.

amyk225

definatly both

Shetchncn1

All that. Just keep moving!