is cardio alone enough?

That's strength training though - you don't need to pump iron. Pressups, assisted and then free Pullups, Squats and chair Dips are all fine for finding your body's strength capacity and maintaining it.

Oh - and if you find a good Yoga teacher who can challenge you safely, then you are away!

Well.. if you have the muscles you want under your fat, there is a chance you could start to see them more as you reduce your body fat. But, if you are maintaining such a large caloric deficit and only doing cardio you are more likely to lose lean body mass as you reduce your weight. A smaller daily deficit over a longer period of time plus a bit of strength training would be your best bet.

Become one with the barbbell. Strength training is boss.

I do mostly cardio, but I also stretch every day. I don't have any weights to lift...:(

The advice given above so far is on the money, cardio alone is not great to change your body shape. As noted / said already - cardio alone will produce a smaller you but you'll lose muscle and fat.

So if you weight train and that means lifting to maintain muscle not gain muscle, then you'll lose fat, have great shape and be all round in better shape.

Take a look at this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/761241-for-those-who-get-mad-when-they-only-lose-a-pound

Check out the difference between fat and muscle - I'm sure you see why you want to keep muscle rather than cardio it away.

muscle is the source of metabolismm, bone density, and joint strengh. Without it, cardio alone will deteriorate your body from the inside and lead to other problems.

Im curious about this subject too..for instance when I work on the elliptical considered cardio...it feels like im working and building muscles in my legs...cant this also be strength training? or no?

Im curious about this subject too..for instance when I work on the elliptical considered cardio...it feels like im working and building muscles in my legs...cant this also be strength training? or no?

No.

You have to have strength training to tone, firm or build. Cardio works heart muscle and lungs, circulatory system etc., not muscle.
Strength training will firm or build you depending on what you want. Light weights, more reps equals toning. Heavy weights, less reps done slowly equals muscle growth. You also build bone density with lifting and a happier brain and a smarter one. Less memory loss with strength training. Plus, as one ages, one loses 1/2 to 1% of muscle mass a year. This means in 20 years you'll lose 10 to 20% of your muscle and 10 - 20% of your ability to burn calories. Add another 20 years and do the math. You just can't do enough cardio to stay lean as you age. For best health you have to do strength training. Start now.

and what defines strength training?? Does it have to include a barbell???????

Yes. And I'm assuming you'd enjoy using a pink one.

I did mostly cardio for months, I lost most of weight just by diet and cardio, I'm very unhappy with the way I look now. I joined a gym 2 weeks ago, I cut way back on the cardio and I'm focusing on weight training...I love it and I'm already starting to feel different.

I was in a plateau from late June until last Friday....the weight training helped me break through it :-D

I'm the same!! Except I wasn't at a plateau, but I lost mostly from cardio & diet & unhappy with the way I looked. Bought a barbell & bench 2 weeks ago, cut back on the cardio & I already feel different!

That's strength training though - you don't need to pump iron. Pressups, assisted and then free Pullups, Squats and chair Dips are all fine for finding your body's strength capacity and maintaining it.

Oh - and if you find a good Yoga teacher who can challenge you safely, then you are away!

Ditto!!!