TONING under all this fat... waste of time??

raerae514

I keep hearing and seeing amazing results from P90X, Insanity, Ripped in 30, then Jillian Micheals kick your *kitten* thing... Honestly I've never heard a bad thing about it. Sounds fun (especially the variation since I get bored easily). But I'm still about 50 lbs away from my goal weight, kinda flabby, and I was wondering if there is any point in doing these programs. I know the P90X will tone you really well but will it be visually noticeable? Should I wait until I've lost more weight?

PS Can anyone recommend an inexpensive HRM that will count my calories burned?

waldo56

I keep hearing and seeing amazing results from P90X, Insanity, Ripped in 30, then Jillian Micheals kick your *kitten* thing... Honestly I've never heard a bad thing about it. Sounds fun (especially the variation since I get bored easily). But I'm still about 50 lbs away from my goal weight, kinda flabby, and I was wondering if there is any point in doing these programs. I know the P90X will tone you really well but will it be visually noticeable? Should I wait until I've lost more weight?

PS Can anyone recommend an inexpensive HRM that will count my calories burned?

Strength training burns a ton of calories, every bit as many as running does.

And HRM's are terrible at estimating it, they miss low big time. HRM's only measure aerobic calorie burn, the majority of calorie burn from strength training is anaerobic exercise and recovery, neither of which a HRM measures.

erickirb

The best time to start lifting weights is yesterday, even if you have a lot to lose, as opposed waiting until you are at your goal weight. The main reason is that when you are in a caloric deficit, you will lose muscle and fat. By strength training with heavy weights, and eating enough protein, you will retain most of the lean muscle you already have.

What this means is that if you strength train the whole time you will have a lower BF% at your goal weight then if you didn't, as you would not have lost as much muscle.

wellbert

weight loss is toning.

leslisa

Don't know about the HRM, but I'd check Amazon.

About the muscle. Muscle at rest burns more cals than fat at rest. Google it. So I'd say, yes, start toning now .

Good luck.

CCJ13

I have a long way to go before I reach my goal & I definitely am working on toning now. I love 30 day shred. I can see muscles in my arms already. And my legs look a lot better too! The only thing I hate is that I am losing way more inches than lbs. But I know they will come off. My clothes are way bigger & my brand new bras are too big. I am on the smallest hook now & I think I can go down a band size. So I say start toning now. I bet you will be able to notice a difference.

ashreynolds09

I don't know what inexpensive is to you - but I have the polar ft4 and love it!

And I did p90x at 30+lbs away from my goal and while I personally didn't see a difference I got compliments from my husband all of the time about how I looked. (which is huge since he doesn't compliment often)

Plus strength training builds muscles and muscle burns fat! It's win-win!

skybird455

you will lose weight so much quicker if you incorporate toning or strength training right away, and you will be losing the flab at the same time!

My favorite saying: good girls tone, bad girls lift. I lift, heavy and I love it!

Jess

cOOkieLpX

I have been doing p90x for close to 6 weeks and I have 70 lbs to loose (personal goal but in actuality its more like 90). The weight is coming off super slow but I have been reassured that im gaining muscle weight and probably losing fat because I have lost tons of inches in only 10 lbs of scale weight This is from my experience. Try it out but don't be discouraged when you only see 1 lb lost and 2 weeks of p90x pain.

SparkleShine

Strength training...now!!!! I have a Polar HRM and have been very happy with it. You have to get used to the chest strap. I find once I'm working out I don't even notice it. Good luck girlie!

ironanimal

Weight training will reduce your bodyfat and help to preserve lean mass, including muscle mass.

Sound like a bad deal?

Linbo93

Your weight loss will appear to slow down when you weight train at the same time, but that's because as you're burning fat you're gaining muscle. Listen to the above posters, they have it right! You will notice inches drop! That muscle will burn more calories and you will be able to eat more and still lose and/or maintain weight. You won't see the muscle at first, but once your body fat drops enough, it will be there!

I highly, highly recommend that you start now!! It will pay off big time!

Good luck!

Linda_Darlene

NO! It is not a waste of time! :bigsmile:

monty619

if ur 50lbs away its ur diet that is going to change how you look not some gimmick workout routine like p90x, insanity, 30 day shred etc...anyone can jump around in their living room LOL. just start walking each day, eventually start running, then join a gym and hire a trainer to show you how to use free weights then use them to build muscle.

raerae514

The main reason is that when you are in a caloric deficit, you will lose muscle and fat.

Thanks dude, I had no idea about the losing muscle. I definitely don't want to get MORE flabby!

megleo818

NOT a waste of time!

BrianSharpe

The best time to start strength training is today.

Although your "new and improved" muscles won't be obvious until your total % of body fat is reduced you will reap benefits almost immediately. You'll feel better, your posture will improve and muscles is more metabolically expensive than fat so your BMR will increase ultimately making it easier to achieve your weight goals.

Steph13RN

I'm so glad you asked this! Great advice!!
AS for monitor - check out the Polar 4ft or 7 ... people here gave great reviews on both. The 4 is around $60 where the 7 is higher.

TeachTheGirl

I think it's strange how we put things off until we lose more weight. I was the same way about rollerskating. And then I realized something...why was I putting off something that could HELP me lose weight?

Toning or not, it is still going to help you in the long run. Any workout that improves your core and strength of your muscles will help your long term goals.

dmpizza

muscle burns calories all the time.

Boron00

So I made the mistake of not adding a significant amount of weight training until recently because of my work schedule, and as a result I have a little more loose skin, and even closer to my goal weight I still look a little bigger because I haven't tightened up the skin and maintained all of my lean muscle. Luckily I do eat a lot of protein and healthy fats, as well as lifting things at my job, so my muscle retention is still okay. Weight lifting will not be very encouraging on the scale, but in the mirror it will certainly benefit you. Tightening up loose skin and retaining muscle are two very important things when going through a lifestyle overhaul, and lifting accomplishes those goals.

nreamon

if ur 50lbs away its ur diet that is going to change how you look not some gimmick workout routine like p90x, insanity, 30 day shred etc...anyone can jump around in their living room LOL. just start walking each day, eventually start running, then join a gym and hire a trainer to show you how to use free weights then use them to build muscle.

I agree!! I would start by walking/jogging if you can. Get in the right mindset. Maybe add in a little strength training and then shoot for the stars when you feel u are ready. Those videos are great but I wouldnt want to stick to any of them if I wasnt ready for it.

SPNLuver83

YES it's completely worth it! Stronger muscles means more calories burned, which means more fat burned, which means you get leaner faster.

Sharyn913

I keep hearing and seeing amazing results from P90X, Insanity, Ripped in 30, then Jillian Micheals kick your *kitten* thing... Honestly I've never heard a bad thing about it. Sounds fun (especially the variation since I get bored easily). But I'm still about 50 lbs away from my goal weight, kinda flabby, and I was wondering if there is any point in doing these programs. I know the P90X will tone you really well but will it be visually noticeable? Should I wait until I've lost more weight?

PS Can anyone recommend an inexpensive HRM that will count my calories burned?

Strength training burns a ton of calories, every bit as many as running does.

And HRM's are terrible at estimating it, they miss low big time. HRM's only measure aerobic calorie burn, the majority of calorie burn from strength training is anaerobic exercise and recovery, neither of which a HRM measures.

Careful on the advice... Everyone has a different body, for example, when I run at 6.0mph on the treadmill, I burn approx 700+ calories an hour. (I'm 5'2" 175lbs) Lifting weights in not even close to that number. I still lift 2-4x per week, and I would say on average, I burn 6-8cal a minute, which would put me between 180-240 cal for 30 mins, compared to 350+ for running.

LorinaLynn

Weight training will reduce your bodyfat and help to preserve lean mass, including muscle mass.

And as a result, you'll very likely reach your goal body long before you reach what you thought was your goal weight.

I'm about 135 pounds. And I'm able to wear the same clothes as I did 10 years ago at 120 pounds. Except that those clothes are now very much out of style. :grumble:

contingencyplan

Toning is weight loss. However one suggestion I have is that I would wait until you are closer to your goal weight before starting anything high impact or super high intensity in order to avoid injury. Do something lighter until then and be sure to keep your nutrition right. No amount of exercise can make up for poor nutrition. I recommend you emphasize proper core training in whatever workout you do try to tackle because most high intensity workout programs you will eventually want to do require a high degree of core strength going into them as core strength is what allows you to maintain proper form doing most of the exercises they will push you to do.

mewaybright

I have a long way to go before I reach my goal & I definitely am working on toning now. I love 30 day shred. I can see muscles in my arms already. And my legs look a lot better too! The only thing I hate is that I am losing way more inches than lbs. But I know they will come off. My clothes are way bigger & my brand new bras are too big. I am on the smallest hook now & I think I can go down a band size. So I say start toning now. I bet you will be able to notice a difference.

So tell me which is more noticeable and more ego boosting... losing weight or losing inches and fitting into that little bikini and looking good in it? People constantly mistake the number on the scale for being a sign of fitness and accomplishment... I would rather be smaller and toned than 10 pounds lighter... just food for thought. Btw I am smaller now (with muscle) at 175 than I was in my younger days at 165.

AmyW4225

Check out bodytronics.com for HRMs. Use the code, "popo," to get a discount. I got my Polar FT4 on there, cheaper than I found anywhere else. I LOVE mine!

Jaxper

In addition to what the others have said, the scale won't move as quickly, but you will look a lot better as you lose the weight. In my opinion, weight isn't as important as body fat percentage, so the toning as you lose the fat is definitely a huge boost.

CountryMom03

Strength training along with Cardio is an excellent combination to burn fat, plus it helps to tone the body as your loosing. A friend of mine on here bought a HRM from Walmart.com for about 30 bucks and she loves it!:)

Chrissy_Michelle

Check out bodytronics.com for HRMs. Use the code, "popo," to get a discount. I got my Polar FT4 on there, cheaper than I found anywhere else. I LOVE mine!

I LOVE my Polar FT4!!! I spent $80 and it was totally worth it!! MFP calculates too high on the calories burned for exercise. My HRM is more accurate.