Hiya, New Friend! :flowerforyou:

I left a message on your wall, but will share here, too. I was doing cardio on the days I didn’t lift when I first started out, and as the weights got heavier, I looked forward to my rest days. I have a chunk of fat around my mid-section and thighs that I am hoping to ditch in the coming months, so I do as much cardio as I feel that I can get in. Having been sidelined by an injury, I did a whole lot more cardio on the elliptical than I like (I hate to exercise…seriously…), but knew without my lifts, I wasn’t going to get a good calorie burn without it.

A lot of the girls who are really kicking tail and taking names have said that the heavier they lift, the less they feel like doing formal cardio. I, unfortunately, have not gotten to that point.

Welcome! I have had the best luck doing cardio right after my lifting sessions - but I also only do 15-20 minutes of interval training, so nothing too serious. Today was a rest day, but I really wanted to try out a hip hop class at my gym, so I went. I was tired, but had so much fun it didn't matter. Now, I don't think I have anything left for all the yard work I need to do, but I try to follow the if-you-love-it then do it rule. And I'll eat more to help my body compensate. I have a chunk of fat around my waist that I am slowly seeing evaporate. It's actually moving much faster than when I wasn't eating enough and doing only cardio and light weights!

Your body will tell you VERY quickly when you are doing too much! Just listen to it, and you'll be fine.

You're probably not going to gain muscle, but you can certainly lose fat while lifting on a deficit, maintain the lean muscle mass you have already, and gain a bunch of strength (and way better body composition).

Just FYI.

It's totally fine to do cardio before/after lifting, or on rest days in between, but how much of that and what kind will depend on your fitness level, your goals and your personal preference.

Welcome! I hope you'll end up loving lifting as much as we do! It's a blast!

I havent done any structured cardio since the end of February when I began SL. I do a short warm up on my exercise bike before lifting. This past month I didn't lose any pounds but I lost 6" all over which was way more than I ever lost with cardio in one month. I find I need my rest days and second what everyone else said about needing them when the weights get heavier and listening to your body. Also make sure you are eating enough. I eat between 1900-2000 cals on lift days and cut back on my rest days.

Welcome to the group!

@ soos - 6''?! Damn lady!! Can I please be you.

cardio - I do it as a secondary thing, randomly, like if I feel like it would be fun, if my friends are playing pick up frisbee/soccer, or if I want to eat more. I always lift first so I don't tire myself out for my lifts. Today I tried to do a circuit after lifting, and it was a total joke, I died after 2 rounds 'cause I was already worn out...

Also, welcome!! :happy: And I'm sure someone already said this but I forgot, make sure you are getting a lot of protein especially if you are on a deficit or doing cardio b/c you don't want to lose muscle mass just fat.

@FIsh- Only if we can trade biceps!

Hi, and welcome! We are at a similar weight with a similar goal weight

I do cardio after I lift. I do enough to round it out to 60 minutes. That ends up being 15-30 minutes depending on how my lifting went. I do interval cycling, and frankly it feels like a cool down after the weights. :bigsmile:

I sometimes/often go for a walk on the days in between lifting, but I don't really do more than that. If I do have to do something more strenuous, I take the next day as a rest day. Basically, I always have a Real Rest Day the day before I lift.

Eating at a good deficit is the real key to losing fat. Are you comfortable with your eating plan?

Elaine

I do not usually do any cardio, maybe 1-2 x a week walking at a moderate page with my docs up to 3 miles. Some yoga. I am SO exhausted after my lifting that I could not even imagine any cardio.

Victoriann the first time I read that I really thought 'wow her doctor is amazing to get out and walk with her'. I then re-read it this morning and thought 'hmmm, I wonder if that is "dogs"?'