Lose weight then tone or tone as you go?

hismrs021511

I'm trying to figure out what's best. I'm doing cardio right now to get to my goal weight. But of course as the weight drops, I become fluffy. lol. I was wondering what some people think about that. As much as I love my cardio, I want toner arms and legs. A lot of people say that muscle burns fat quicker. So what are your experiences? How often do you do strength training? Do you incorportae cardio with strength training? And if so, how often?

wellbert

Tone comes from fat loss, so you automatically tone as you lose weight

But you should definitely start strength training right now.

If you are doing a linear progression program like Starting Strength or Stronglifts, I would suggest cardio on days you AREN'T doing it. If you are just mucking about in the machine area, do a little cardio warmup and cooldown around it.

hismrs021511

Thanks. I will.

SpunkBean

Yes, start adding strength training to your cardio now!! The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn and the faster you lose weight. Plus when you reach your goal weight, you'll already look more defined and have less loose skin to firm up

Chief_Rocka

I'm trying to figure out what's best. I'm doing cardio right now to get to my goal weight. But of course as the weight drops, I become fluffy. lol. I was wondering what some people think about that. As much as I love my cardio, I want toner arms and legs. A lot of people say that muscle burns fat quicker. So what are your experiences? How often do you do strength training? Do you incorportae cardio with strength training? And if so, how often?

Start lifting now.

I don't do any cardio, but I don't recommend that as a strategy for everyone.

emmeylou

I think it depends on how much weight you need to lose and your personal preference. I waited until I lost the majority of my weight (so around 100lbs) before I started *really* exercising. Before that it was just long walks and stretching lol. I have been really happy with it. Yes, I have loose skin. But honestly, after this much weight loss... I was going to have the skin no matter what. I lost it "slowly" (around 2 lbs average a week) and that is supposedly the best at helping.

I would say if you are looking to lose 50 lbs or less, then I would jump into the exercise. The last thing you want is to get to your goal weight, and realize that you actually lost a lot of muscle and hardly any "fat". I would highly suggest checking your body fat percent (about 30 dollars to buy the little machine to have at home) and going off of that as well as the scale. Even if it isn't completely accurate, as long as you use the same machine under the same circumstances you'll be able to track the difference.

marathonmom72

Absolutely 'tone as you go' - strength training is never a waste of time, and the more muscle you build, the more you boost your metabolism, and the more effectively you lose fat, the stronger you get, the greater effort you can give in your cardio workouts. Win, win, win.

lizziebeth1028

Like everyone has said.........Start strength training now!!!

HaleyAlli

Do strength training, but start into it SLOWLY. I made the mistake of going whole-hog and doing too much in the beginning and I'm still recovering from complete burnout. Start by doing some pushups and squats, then add in more body-weight strength exercises one by one and don't overstrain yourself. It has to be gradual if it's going to be a lifestyle change

NocturnalGirl

Definitely start lifting weights now.
Might want to look at things like Stronglifts, Starting Strength or New rules of lifting for women

hismrs021511

I have 16 lbs left to lose and I'm losing at a steady 2 lbs a week so it probably is best that I go ahead and start. Thank you for your input.

n0ob

I'm trying to figure out what's best. I'm doing cardio right now to get to my goal weight. But of course as the weight drops, I become fluffy. lol. I was wondering what some people think about that. As much as I love my cardio, I want toner arms and legs. A lot of people say that muscle burns fat quicker. So what are your experiences? How often do you do strength training? Do you incorportae cardio with strength training? And if so, how often?

Start lifting now.

I don't do any cardio, but I don't recommend that as a strategy for everyone.

I do, **** works...

micheleld73

When I was working with a personal trainer he would have me do 30 minutes cardio and then 20-25 with weights, alternating upper and lower body (but always working the abs!).

hismrs021511

Definitely start lifting weights now.
Might want to look at things like Stronglifts, Starting Strength or New rules of lifting for women

What is Stronglifts, Starting Strength and New rules of lifting for women? I only first heard of them when I logged onto this site.

WendyTerry420

Don't wait! It will actually help you lose so that you look toned when the fat comes off. If you just lose weight without exercise, you will look the same, just smaller. You have to exercise if you want to look your best.

DrMAvDPhD

Tone as you go. It helps you retain muscle as you lose weight, because it is a lot easier to keep muscle than try to build it later.

Ta2dchic20

I'm not big on strength training, but my goal is to start this week. I think you can also strength train while doing cardio. Increase your resistance on the machines (bike, elliptical). My opinion only.

Chief_Rocka

I'm trying to figure out what's best. I'm doing cardio right now to get to my goal weight. But of course as the weight drops, I become fluffy. lol. I was wondering what some people think about that. As much as I love my cardio, I want toner arms and legs. A lot of people say that muscle burns fat quicker. So what are your experiences? How often do you do strength training? Do you incorportae cardio with strength training? And if so, how often?

Start lifting now.

I don't do any cardio, but I don't recommend that as a strategy for everyone.

I do, **** works...

It's probably hard for many women to create a large enough deficit from lifting and calorie restriction alone

Ta2dchic20

I'm trying to figure out what's best. I'm doing cardio right now to get to my goal weight. But of course as the weight drops, I become fluffy. lol. I was wondering what some people think about that. As much as I love my cardio, I want toner arms and legs. A lot of people say that muscle burns fat quicker. So what are your experiences? How often do you do strength training? Do you incorportae cardio with strength training? And if so, how often?

Start lifting now.

I don't do any cardio, but I don't recommend that as a strategy for everyone.

I do, **** works...

It's probably hard for many women to create a large enough deficit from lifting and calorie restriction alone

^ This guy rocks!

hismrs021511

So what is a good cardio/ strength training ratio? Should I do more cardio or more strength training a week?

kaervaak

Definitely start lifting weights now.
Might want to look at things like Stronglifts, Starting Strength or New rules of lifting for women

What is Stronglifts, Starting Strength and New rules of lifting for women? I only first heard of them when I logged onto this site.

They're beginner lifting programs developed by pros (well SL5x5 is just a modified SS). They focus on heavy compound lifts that use many muscles at once and are designed with new lifters in mind.

kaervaak

So what is a good cardio/ strength training ratio? Should I do more cardio or more strength training a week?

If you do starting strength, it will have you lift 3 times per week for about 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes per session depending on how much rest you need between sets. After that, just do whatever cardio you feel like on your off days.

wellbert

You'll figure it out. Some people run 3 miles then do heavy squats. Others can't do them within 72 hours of each other.
Start easy, then make it harder.