Cardio instead of weight training for weight loss?

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Replies

  • presbyreformed
    presbyreformed Posts: 36 Member
    This is such good information for me. I just restarted my program after a year hiatus and need to lose some belly, but I really want to get my middle-age body back in shape at the same time.

    I hear you:
    1) Eat your calories, don't deficit
    2) Do your cardio
    3) Strength training is extremely important
    3) Concentrate on measurements not weight

    Got it! Thanks!
  • mk9562
    mk9562 Posts: 186 Member
    Is your food diary accurate? If so you are not eating enough to fuel any sort of workout!

    Exactly what I was going to say. EAT!!
  • VpinkLotus
    VpinkLotus Posts: 849 Member
    General rule of thumb is you can't gain muscle while eating at a deficit.

    This sentence is confusing to me. I have just a few lbs left to lose so I AM counting cals right now. But also lifting. So does this mean that you cannot build muscle while trying to shed lbs? Because if I have to choose between shedding the last few and gaining muscle, I choose muscle. Can someone clarify this a bit for me? Lifting WHILE using a deficit is not adding muscle? Don't get it... :huh:

    Just from reading around, if you're not already really built out and if you have extra weight to shed you CAN build muscle and lose fat just not as much muscle as you would if you were focusing on bulking up.

    Thanks DC. That is what I was thinking. i can def see my muscles peeking out a bit. Okay, then i'll just keep doing what I'm doing I guess?
    muscles starting to peek out could just as easily be from fat being lost and existing muscle starting to show through better. have the areas that started to peak out grown at all? like your 12" arms became 13" arms or something like that? Otherwise it's unlikely you've gained anything.

    Also, when weight training your muscles will be trained to hold more water while in recovery and increase it's carb storage. Both will add a bit of size temporary, but does not mean there has been muscle growth.

    oh, :ohwell:
  • MyfavoriteMe
    MyfavoriteMe Posts: 14 Member
    Is your food diary accurate? If so you are not eating enough to fuel any sort of workout!

    I'm currently getting over calorie guilt and working to increase my calorie intake. I had a very bad period in my life about a year ago where I restricted my calories severely and got down to 172, but then naturally gained it all back. So I'm working on improving my diet as well :) Eating right and exercising is the way to go, but I found out the hard way. Ideally I want to be eating between 1200 and 1500 calories a day. (Today I managed 1400!!!)

    All of this advice is really helpful! I think I am going to stick with the 30DS, and maybe add in some walking, but I already walk for at least 30-45 minutes a day getting around town and to classes (pretty briskly trying not to be late). And if I'm not seeing the results I want, I will just have to add in some extra cardio doing some of the cardio moves from the 30DS I guess.
  • tinak33
    tinak33 Posts: 9,883 Member
    Check this woman out. She looks amazing. Granted, she is slightly more "muscular" looking than I would prefer to be (personally), but NO ONE can dispute her amazing discipline, dedication, and hard work! She is my inspiration!! :love:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/921892-no-gym-required?hl=no+gym

    She didn't use a gym either. Mostly just youtube videos!
    Might be something to bookmark for future reference. :flowerforyou:
  • MyfavoriteMe
    MyfavoriteMe Posts: 14 Member
    Check this woman out. She looks amazing. Granted, she is slightly more "muscular" looking than I would prefer to be (personally), but NO ONE can dispute her amazing discipline, dedication, and hard work! She is my inspiration!! :love:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/921892-no-gym-required?hl=no+gym

    She didn't use a gym either. Mostly just youtube videos!
    Might be something to bookmark for future reference. :flowerforyou:

    Wow! What an amazing figure! Thank you for sharing! She's surely an inspiration to many :)