"Lifting Weights Is The BEST THING You Can Do"

kassiebby1124
kassiebby1124 Posts: 927 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
That is what someone at the gym told me yesterday. She was telling how she exercised for 2 years and saw NOTHING and then when she started lifting, the weight melted off. Had anyone else had these kind of "transformations"? I'm gonna start lifting when my trainer feels better.
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Replies

  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    I never had any time when I was stalled and then started lifting weights, cause lifting weights is what I started with. I definitely agree that it is the best exercise there is and should be done by every person physically capable (not disabled etc.) This is what serious lifting, proper eating, and some mild treadmil work tossed in did for me http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/699445-zomg-my-first-big-cut-is-over
  • KipDrordy
    KipDrordy Posts: 169 Member
    It's true. Nothing charges your metabolism like weight lifting. Check out PSNLuver83's profile. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/spnluver83

    She went all in. She has a youtube channel, and in one of her videos she talks about how the weight loss really kicked into high gear once she started hitting the weights. I'm a 210 lb man (down from 222) and she is currently eating more calories per day than I am. I think she said she's at 132 (from 190).
  • Anna800
    Anna800 Posts: 639 Member
    Yes I read a book called the Cardio Free diet and lost weight with it. Lifting weights increases your metabolism.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,956 Member
    Cardio only people don't like to hear it, but you can lose fat weight with just lifting alone, a moderate calorie deficit, and no cardio. Have had lots of clients do it.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    I agree. Lifting heavy has changed my body more in a shorter time than cardio alone. Cardio is good for you though, I recommend a mix. I don't do a lot of cardio, but I do still do it.
  • MariaLivingFit
    MariaLivingFit Posts: 224 Member
    I just started a good lifting plan, so I will share on MFP if I see any great changes! ;-)
  • squishycow7
    squishycow7 Posts: 820 Member
    So far so good with me.


    I do enjoy some cardio so it's not like I completely disregard it, but weights are where it's at. It's more fun, it's more measureable for progress (for me anyway), and it makes you firm vs flabby. Who doesn't want that :)
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    It's true. Nothing charges your metabolism like weight lifting. Check out PSNLuver83's profile. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/spnluver83

    She went all in. She has a youtube channel, and in one of her videos she talks about how the weight loss really kicked into high gear once she started hitting the weights. I'm a 210 lb man (down from 222) and she is currently eating more calories per day than I am. I think she said she's at 132 (from 190).

    Before I started lifting I was maintaining my weight (188 at upper 20s BF) eating around 1400-1600 per day. When I started lifting with no cardio, I was maintaining my weight eating 2600-2800 per day while losing fat. Eventually I stalled of course and had to go with a straight deficit to lose more fat.
  • addaline22
    addaline22 Posts: 114
    I agree. Lifting heavy has changed my body more in a shorter time than cardio alone. Cardio is good for you though, I recommend a mix. I don't do a lot of cardio, but I do still do it.
    I agree.
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    I kind of gave a half-hearted attempt for four years and got so-so results. Once I made the commitment to weight train, my body changed like nobody's business. On training days, I eat 2000-2100 calories and am leaner than ever. I also started weight training at the age of 39 (last year) so it's never too late to start.
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    I posted this on anther thread earlier: the only reason I do cardio is for cardio's sake to build endurance to run a 5k. The treadmill is where I do my running right now. But, if not for that, I'd only do strength. It builds muscle and burns fat. :)

    I'm loosing pounds, but it's the inches that are dropping like flies.
  • DoomCakes
    DoomCakes Posts: 806 Member
    I think balance is a good way to go. But it is true. You can lose with weights. Weights increase your muscle, and the more muscle you have the more fat it burns. Cardio is very heart healthy and can build up your endurance though. But it's more so on what feels better for you. Both are healthy and both involve you doing something active!
  • taylor5877
    taylor5877 Posts: 1,792 Member
    If I had to ditch either cardio or lifting, it would take me about 0.00001 seconds to choose to ditch cardio.
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
    Weight lifting, if you over eat, you build muscle, if you are in a deficit, you lose fat. It's like a magic pill that is really hard to pick up!
  • OnWisconsin84
    OnWisconsin84 Posts: 409 Member
    Cardio only people don't like to hear it, but you can lose fat weight with just lifting alone, a moderate calorie deficit, and no cardio. Have had lots of clients do it.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    I've done it. I used to be a 'cardio queen' but I've basically dropped all cardio & stuck with weights 5-6x a week. Have seen amazing results. Better than anything I'd ever seen with cardio.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    Cardio made me flabby. Strength training changed my body completely.
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    I have thyroid issues and edema and everything else, and New Rules is changing me. My shoulders are bigger, and the rest of me is shrinking. I'm currently on Week 6 of Stage 1. But I think my favorite thing is being able to carry gallons of milk upstairs to my apartment like they weigh nothing. Recently I bought a new freezer and helped my boyfriend haul it up the stairs. It's awesome.
  • karrielynn80
    karrielynn80 Posts: 395 Member
    I have a theory - and it's my own personal one; it works for me but I could be very wrong.

    I started lifting about 2.5 months ago & yes, i'm seeing inches "melt" of so to speak... my weight not so much - but when you start to see contur in your body, it's really easy to ignore the scale.

    Theory: when a person does mainly cardio, it's easy to plateau... you get results up front (b/c it's all new to your body) but continue doing the same endurance / stress level to your body & eventually you level off... Although when I was a runner I felt GREAT about myself - more energy, less bloated (even if i didn't diet properly), but I wasn't loosing after months of it like I was in the begininng;

    With weight training, you are forced to note everything you do, & your goal is to do more each week - you get more instant results due to muscle swell after ea lift, which encourages you to keep going...

    I think if a person approached cardio more like they do weight training & pushed their body everytime, over all cardio would see consistant results....

    Personally, I've come to appreciate both - but weights more.
  • Spartan_Maker
    Spartan_Maker Posts: 683 Member
    My metabolism has skyrocketed -- more so than any study ever suggested it should or would -- by doing all of the major compound exercises in the 5 - 12 repetition range. The positive hormonal response has been manifestly obvious as well.

    If I could only do one exercise, it would be deadlifts; alone, it has done more for me than everything else combined.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    That person is exactly right.. while I like running, lifting weights is so much better.

    Last time I weighed 150, I was wearing a size 10... this time around at 150 I'm wearing a size 4, and getting smaller.

    It's awesome!
  • Jesi0725
    Jesi0725 Posts: 92 Member
    Lifting weights has changed my outlook on exercise. I started off doing only cardio in May because I was scared to try lifting weights. My go-to machine was the treadmill, and I was working on the C25K program week 5. I lost weight (calories in vs. calories out), but my body shape didn't change. I was just a smaller version of the heavier me. Plus, I ended up with horrible shin splints.

    I started lifting weights about a month ago, and I have seen a change in the way my body looks. I am stronger, and my muscles are firmer. I have lost inches and pounds. I still do some cardio, but it's not my sole purpose at the gym anymore. I decided to run the other night just for the heck of it, and I was very surprised that I could run for many minutes straight without being winded or having my legs hurt. Lifting weights has made me a better runner.

    So I agree. Lifting weights IS the best thing you can do. I did take advantage of two free sessions with a personal trainer to find out how to use all of the weights and to develop a plan of action. That got me over the initial nervousness. Now I lift no matter who is at the gym, and I love every minute of it. It's the only form of exercise that I will crawl out of bed at 5am for. Just sayin'. :happy:
  • kelleygi
    kelleygi Posts: 583 Member
    Yes!! Lifting transforms your body!! I am living proof and I LOVE IT!! I don't have gym membership but use dumbbells. All of a sudden I started getting really nice arms (which I have NEVER had) and I find it almost therapeutic!!! :smokin:
  • kclarkss
    kclarkss Posts: 69 Member
    So what should I be doing? What kind of weights? Should I use machines? Should I use free weights? What is the best plan or routine to follow? I would like to start lifting. I do some machines, but I feel I get nowhere. I probably am not doing it right. By that I mean not lifting enough or reps or something of the sort.

    I am a type of girl that needs to follow a plan. Are there any apps, websites or books to follow from?
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    I was an absolute skeptic about resistance training but now I'm a convert.

    I just do some bodyweight stuff at home (push ups, pull ups, squats, etc) but it's working for me. Never been in a gym.

    I like low level cardio (i.e. walking) but I do it more for pleasure than fat loss.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I'm starting weight lifting because of all of the incredible results I've seen on here.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    I agree. Lifting heavy has changed my body more in a shorter time than cardio alone. Cardio is good for you though, I recommend a mix. I don't do a lot of cardio, but I do still do it.

    yup. i was doing great with cardio, mostly cycling, but when i started strength training, i really noticed a huge difference.
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    I cannot agree enough with that statement.

    That is exactly what happened to me. And chronic cardio just made me crave sweets.... then hate myself.

    Weightlifting has not only changed my body, but changed my mind. It has helped me feel powerful.

    I wish more women would find their own power under the barbell.

    ETA: Don't get me wrong, I LOVE running! Love it. But it is not the best tool if you want a strong powerful body. It is only one small tool. Not the ONLY tool.
  • Jules2Be
    Jules2Be Posts: 2,238 Member
    So what should I be doing? What kind of weights? Should I use machines? Should I use free weights? What is the best plan or routine to follow? I would like to start lifting. I do some machines, but I feel I get nowhere. I probably am not doing it right. By that I mean not lifting enough or reps or something of the sort.

    I am a type of girl that needs to follow a plan. Are there any apps, websites or books to follow from?

    Starting Strength...simple straightforward...build your strength gradually
    New Rules of Lifting for Women...a good read...excellent program...more complicated than the above but well worth doing.
  • Madux1818
    Madux1818 Posts: 307 Member
    Weight lifting, if you over eat, you build muscle, if you are in a deficit, you lose fat. It's like a magic pill that is really hard to pick up!


    You nailed it, dead on!!!!
  • DixiedoesMFP
    DixiedoesMFP Posts: 935 Member
    I've noticed a huge difference in the appearance of my body since I started lifting, and I'm only giving it a half-hearted attempt some weeks.

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