Weights do you need them?

cheeksv

I lost 10 pounds in one month just dieting and running. I am going to have full access to a gym once school starts again in September and was thinking about lifting a bit. It never really appealed to me but then a few people told me I " had" to or I would never loose the weight. I think it is a bit silly since I obviously did loose it w/o lifting as much as a pound. But, whats the word? Is lifting weight something you should do in a fitness plan?

kmeekhof

you'll tone up and possibly lose more inches than you already have. Adding muscle will also help you keep the weight off.

lausa22

You can lose weight only doing cardio, but more than likely, it'll plateu earlier than you'd like. Also, you won't tone up and get frim arms/tummy/legs!
You don't have to 'lift weights' to continue weight loss. Medicine balls are a good way to begin with strength (good during ab workout!), light hand weights involved with cardio to help your arms, or ankle weights when you're jogging are also good for helping to tone legs.

jipper44

I think that at a certain point, the cardio-only method is going to start having less effect on your weight loss. It will work for a while, and you'll feel great! But when your heart and your muscles get used to the cardio, adding a good weight routine along with a bit more protein in your diet is a great next step.

fridayjustleft04

Adding weight training builds muscle, which burns more fat. Also, if you want to change the shape of your body, weight training is key.

dawnw30

I am not an expert but I can tell you my experience. I have lost some weight and until a couple of weeks ago I only half heartedly added weight training maybe once a week. I think it was a big mistake because now I just have loose hanging skin everywhere...I started weight training routines 6 days a week now and it is slowly tightening up with the weight training...but I am thinking it wouldn't have gotten so bad if I had been doing that all along. I can also tell muscle definition and it looks alot better than before. So while it isn't something you absolutely have to do to lose weight ...it does make you look better overall in the end.

rachmaree

Lift weights for sure, you will see a huge improvement in body composition, especially if you lift heavy. I wasn't even trying to lose weight and I dropped some fat from my stomach as soon as I upped the weights and got more serious. 3 days of weight training with a couple of cardio sessions and eat clean as much as possible.

Check out this article:

http://articles.elitefts.com/articles/training-articles/what-women-should-never-do-but-often-do-while-trying-to-get-in-shape-part-1-of-6/

cheeksv

Thank you ! This was very helpful. I had a indifferent attitude toward the idea but I think now I will work it into my routine as soon as I can and start slow.