Obese and going to the gym weights cardo or?

Nymmyboo

Well I'm having some confusion and anxiety about going to the gym. I've downloaded the stronglift information after reading through threads on here. I'll probably attempt this.

My issue is I weigh 270lbs. I work at a desk most of the time. The heaviest and only lifting my body experiences in a week is bringing in the groceries.

I am not here to look better physically as I am happy with my appearance now. I'm here to get healthy.. I'm tired of being weak and I see people coming into work everyday morbidly obese can barely move around and I don't want to be that way.

Physically I'm healthy other than having one leg longer than the other scoliosis and some mild knee problems that only bother me when I put most of my weight on one leg instead of both.

My reason for this post is to ask what should I do at the gym stronglift or cardio or???? What would benefit me the most without being too overwhelming? I've never been to a gym unless it was high school and I was forced to per curriculum so dumb it down for me.

3laine75

Try to do both. Weights first

Cardio is good for your heart etc and the weights will make you strong (plus help preserve lean mass).

Carol_L

You might want to start with simple body weight exercises and work from there.

Since you're starting from square 1, don't worry so much about the weights. Body weight squats, push ups (start with knee push ups, or if those are too difficult, go with hands on a bench or wall) Lunges, Planks, Mountain Climbers. These kinds of exercises cover the major muscle groups and as you get stronger, you can start adding weight to increase the difficulty.

I'd start with New Rules for Lifting, or go to NerdFitness online to check out their community. There are a lot of people there who have started from a similar place and they have a lot a good workout ideas.

Best of luck.

Ainar

If you just wanna lose weight then you don't have to lift or do cardio. You just have to be at calorie deficit. All tho if it's hard for you to get in deficit then doing cardio will burn some calories so that you can ate more. Lifting generally burns less calories tho but both will also speed your metabolism what means that you can either ate more while losing weight or lose weight faster. For the most optimal results you should do both - cardio and lifting.

Doing cardio and having good muscle mass, apart from looks which you don't care about, also has many health benefits. For example they will decrease your sugar sensitivity which is good if you have blood sugar problems or to prevent them from occurring in future, etc.

Basically for health reasons I would just pick lifting since having good amount of muscle mass gives more health benefits than cardio does. But if you just wanna ate more calories while losing weight the pick cardio cos it burns the most calories. Of course doing both will be the best for your health and weight loss. But that being said, like I said, you don't have to do any of them to lose weight, just be in cal deficit with right diet.

sjaykay13

Start slow and get acquainted with your gym. I started with just cardio on the elliptical, once I got comfortable I ventured out to new things. I now do free weights, spin classes, zumba classes, arc trainer, running on the treadmill, TRX workouts, it's all fun! There's no magic formula. You've just gotta get committed and do it. I do have to say that my weighloss has accelerated now that I mix cardio and free weights.

marye2021

Yes to what everyone has pretty much said, your mild knee problems can resolve itself the less you weigh.

Start out walking at least 20 minutes a day then add weights! Using your own body as resistance is great if you don't ever lift. Start slow and ask at your gym if they have a consultant (not personal trainer unless you can afford it) because they can show you how to use machines and what to start out with!


Your appearance will change with you getting healthier, so that is something you should prepare yourself for, also depending on your bmi (anywhere near 40 or above)you might be morbidly obese (I was morbidly obese without realizing it)

Good luck on your journey! Stay strong and remember you are worth your goals!

4legsRbetterthan2

Both! Cardio helps you get more fit feeling and is a great way to burn some calories to help create a deficit. Lifting is great to helping you maintain lean mass while you lose and has all sorts of other health benefits, plus who doesn't want to be strong! If you don't know where to start then hit up the gym for a personal training session. They should be able to give you a nice routine based on your current fitness level and be able to run you through all the exercises in one session and then you can continue it on your own.

DavPul

Neither is overwhelming so do both. Most likely you need to improve your conditioning and the only way to stop being weak is to stay strength training.

Mother_Superior

Neither is overwhelming so do both. Most likely you need to improve your conditioning and the only way to stop being weak is to stay strength training.

This. The only way to be opposite something is to do the opposite of something. If you want to improve your cardiovascular health, do cardio. If you want to get stronger, lift weights.

If you're doing SL, then look at some HIIT or some kind of cardio that you like doing for 2 or 3 of your off lifting days.

hearthemelody

I am unsure which threads you are reading so here is one that is a very simple explanation of Stronglifts.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

I hope that is helpful!

Nymmyboo

I do have problems with cardio stuff. I get winded really easily and can only walk briskly. I'm probably going to mix it I think. I won't be doing much as far as weights for the lower body with doing the stronglifts just my body weight alone will probably be enough for now. Once that gets easier I'll add some weights.

I am mainly doing this for health reasons. I'm tired of being weak and worrying about my health. I'm on the cusp of being pre diabetic and before I know it I'll have high blood pressure diabetes and everything else. I only have this body and I need to take care of it.

Thanks for all the information it's all very helpful.