We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Should i lose weight, then focus on muscles?

agooddaytodiesoft
agooddaytodiesoft Posts: 58
edited January 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm 19 and weighing in at 106 kg (233lbs) and i've lost about 40 lbs in 3-4 months, and but i started lifting last week, and someone told me that i should save it til'l i've lost all the dead weight, i have about 40 more pounds to go before i'm at my goal weight, so should i only do cardio from now on? till i've lost all of the weight, or should i mix it up? and how should i mix it up?

Replies

  • Vinyarddog
    Vinyarddog Posts: 67
    Nothing burns fat better than added muscle - do both.
  • Booksandbeaches
    Booksandbeaches Posts: 1,791 Member
    Do both. You'll look better when you get to your goal weight if you've done weight work otherwise you can end up with the "skinny fat" look.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    Don't take advice from whoever told you not to lift.
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    you do both. 50/50 time split. you need to lift to maximize fat loss.
  • violettatx
    violettatx Posts: 230 Member
    Don't take advice from whoever told you not to lift.

    This

    Lifting will help you maintain lean body mass while losing weight.
  • frood
    frood Posts: 295 Member
    You don't want to lose muscle mass as you are losing weight. Lifting will help you hold on to your lean body mass (and so increase your muscle to fat ratio). So it's never to early to start benefitting! :)
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Definitely lift. It helps you retain the muscle mass that you currently have and it's much easier to retain than to build it back once you've lost it. You're also losing weight too fast. Slow it down a bit and make sure that you're getting enough protein so your body is able to retain muscle.

    What are you doing now as far as cardio and lifting?
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Start lifting now. You'll have some newbie gains, you'll get stronger, and you'll lose more weight. If you don't, you'll lose muscle, get weaker, and lose weight more slowly.
  • 0OneTwo3
    0OneTwo3 Posts: 149 Member
    Look at it this way: even if you don't add any muscle (and i don't know if that will happen or not) lifting now will train your nervous system and increase your strength and improve your form. so when you do start gaining muscle mass you will gain faster and you will already know what you are doing.
  • wswilliams67
    wswilliams67 Posts: 938 Member
    Ugh. CARDIO BURNS LEAN MUSCLE!

    You need to lift and lift often. But do it with good form and control and don't 'bro' heavy *kitten* until you work your way up to it.

    Fat sits between your skin and your muscles (also actually in your muscle tissue as well). When you lift while losing weight you gain lean muscle. The more lean muscle you add the higher your BMR goes. The higher your BMR goes the more calories you burn just doing daily stuff. (I'm currently 260 at 33% BF. My BMR is about 3300)

    As you lift you are building the foundation for your physique. As the fat comes off you will start to see all the hard work you put in. Plus your skin will tighten up as well and you won't look doughy. So you may still be overweight but you look more solid rather than jiggly.

    Cardio is good for one thing... cardio. It helps your heart, lungs and vascular system. It does jack for your muscles. BUT cardio IS a good thing, but if you are lifting don't do HIIT. Just do brisk walking (3mph pace).

    Life's to short to spend hours on a treadmill man. ;-)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories