Do I have to lift weights

Melissaol
Melissaol Posts: 948 Member
edited January 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I was wondering if I have to lift weights. I was thinking of just doing running. To lose my last 18 lbs. or should I do some strength training,.

Replies

  • a_vettestingray
    a_vettestingray Posts: 654 Member
    No, you don't have to lift weights.

    Would it be beneficial to strength train? Yes. Try an introduction program with three days a week of full body lifts. Something like StrongLifts 5x5 or Starting Strength.
  • thrld
    thrld Posts: 610 Member
    If all things were equal - Lift weights. Add muscle, which will be a big help when you go on maintenance.
    Otherwise, do what appeals most. You might as well enjoy the workout.
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    As you lose weight you also lose a portion of muscle along the way... lifting helps to lower/elimate muscle loss.

    WHat you think may be 18 lbs til your goal weight may not be depending on how much muscle you have. Building muscle changes the look of your body much more than 18lbs lost will.

    It's a personal choice for you. Proper weight lifting to build muscle will make you gain weight but look much much smaller.
  • Troublemonster
    Troublemonster Posts: 223 Member
    You certainly don't have to, all you have to do is eat at a caloric deficit. Weight training is only an option to fitness. If you're happy with running and eating right then go for it.
  • Jonesie1984
    Jonesie1984 Posts: 612 Member
    As you lose weight you also lose a portion of muscle along the way... lifting helps to lower/elimate muscle loss.

    WHat you think may be 18 lbs til your goal weight may not be depending on how much muscle you have. Building muscle changes the look of your body much more than 18lbs lost will.

    It's a personal choice for you. Proper weight lifting to build muscle will make you gain weight but look much much smaller.

    ^^ this is good advice. Personal choice. I can only say from experience that I kept dropping my "goal weight" by 5 more pounds because I didn't look like I wanted to and when I added weight lifting I'm not at the "goal weight" but my physique is much better.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    When we lose weight we lose both fat and muscle. Losing muscle is sad. Weight lifting minimizes muscle loss better than cardio.

    You can lose 18lbs with diet and cardio alone, but you might lose say, 9lbs of fat and 9lbs of muscle. Meaning that if you had wanted to lose 18lbs of fat, you'd still be left with 9lbs of it. If you lift weights while losing you might lose 15lbs of fat and 3lbs of muscle. Better right?
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    You don't have to do anything.

    However, lifting weights helps to preserve lean mass making your wieght loss more about quality than quantity. When not lifting weights you lose both lean mass and fat stores when you lose pounds. When lifting weights you lose fat stores and less lean mass per pound then you do without the strenght training.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    You don't have to lift weights to maintain muscle mass. You can do Yoga, or any number of bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, bodyweight squats etc and you can increase intensity by making the exercises progressively more difficult - squatting with one leg only for example.

    Look at a book, website and application called "You Are Your Own Gym" - loads of stuff there.

    Be aware though - progressive callisthenics can be addictive!
  • Melissaol
    Melissaol Posts: 948 Member
    The only thing is that I live in a small town. I have a gym to go to, but there is programs or trainers. So Im all on my own and I have no idea what to do and how to do it. That is why I was thinking I can run and lose that way. I want to do it the right way.
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    The only thing we have to do is pay taxes and die:)

    Personally running doesnt do a thing for my arms and shoulders. So, i'd at least do some upper body weights if you want to have nice arms/shoulders
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    add in some plain old pushups at the end of your run. thats enough
  • EatLiftRun
    EatLiftRun Posts: 24
    You dont need no stinkin gym or trainer. Push ups, pull/chin ups from a tree or playground equipment, walking lunges while holding heavy stuff, dips using whatever you can, chairs, a bench.
  • 4_Lisa
    4_Lisa Posts: 362 Member
    The only thing is that I live in a small town. I have a gym to go to, but there is programs or trainers. So Im all on my own and I have no idea what to do and how to do it. That is why I was thinking I can run and lose that way. I want to do it the right way.

    Check out the book New Rules of Lifting For Women, very informative program set up, it will also explain why lifting is more beneficial than running alone.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    You dont need no stinkin gym or trainer. Push ups, pull/chin ups from a tree or playground equipment, walking lunges while holding heavy stuff, dips using whatever you can, chairs, a bench.

    Don't hold back - tell it like it is! :laugh:

    You are right though.
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