Checking to see if I understand this correctly

Michelemybelle

Hi everyone! I joined LA Fitness yesterday and met with a trainer for 2 hours. We went over my diet (he said I wasn't eating enough) and he explained the benefits of strength training for weight loss.
The way I understood it, muscle burns fat, so building lean muscle will help burn fat more efficiently. Strength training burns calories for 12-24 hours but cardio only burns calories for 1-2 hours afterwards. Is this correct?
I plan on doing strength training for 30 minutes, 3 days a week (with a day of rest in between). I'm doing cardio everyday. I'm walking 3 miles everyday and doing 45 minutes of Zumba 6 days. After school gets out in June, I'll be able to spend more time at the gym, so I'll add a 4th day of strength training. Thought or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

Alysgrma

Bump

togden

Well what you have said is exactly what I understood the difference to be between strength and cardio

morganadk2_deleted

You should eat your calories from exersise back! on days i know i'm going to the gym, i log my exersie in the morning , then have bigger meals those days!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficit


This is just a part of it! please read the link above


Generally someone with a BMI over 32 can do a 1000 calorie a day (2 lbs a week) deficit
With a BMI of 30 to 32 a deficit of 750 calories is generally correct (about 1.5 lbs a week)
With a BMI of 28 to 30 a deficit of 500 calories is about right (about 1 lb a week)
With a BMI of 26 to 28 a deficit of about 300 calories is perfect (about 1/2 lb a week)
and below 26... well this is where we get fuzzy. See now you're no longer talking about being overweight, so while it's still ok to have a small deficit, you really should shift your focus more towards muscle tone, and reducing fat. This means is EXTRA important to eat your exercise calories as your body needs to KNOW it's ok to burn fat stores, and the only way it will know is if you keep giving it the calories it needs to not enter the famine response (starvation mode)



Good luck on your journey

♥_Ellybean_♥

Yup, makes sense! I also go to LA Fitness and strength train 3x's a week... I love love love the classes there... if you want a good strength training class try the Body Works Plus Abs class!

Michelemybelle

Yup, makes sense! I also go to LA Fitness and strength train 3x's a week... I love love love the classes there... if you want a good strength training class try the Body Works Plus Abs class!

Great - thanks!

gerbies

I've been given similar information before. While a session of strength training, itself, does not burn enough calories to lose significant weight alone, weight training offers a number of benefits integral in weight loss, weight management and overall health. The build of additional muscle is crucial in building strength, reshaping your body and creating more calorie-burning muscle mass; it also has a higher "after burn" effect than cardio. That is, creating muscle on your body allows you to burn more calories when at rest and/or after your workout is complete. Cardio burns more calories while you're doing it, but the "after burn" effect is not as long. That is, the amount of time your body continues to burn more calroies after the activity is higher with strength trianing than cardio. Essentially, you need a balance of both to burn enough carloes for weight loss, while creating a good muscle base to allow you to maintain and/or grow your overall calorie-burning muscle mass.

Hope that helps!

Michelemybelle

Yes, that does help. Thanks! BTW- my legs are so sore today I can barely move! LOL Must have been doing it right.