Start Weights, Less Cardio?

Fabulous_Fit
Fabulous_Fit Posts: 25
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey! Thanks for reading! :)

I am trying to start strength training, and if I am being honest, I am not into this heavy lifting weight thing. Please do not hate, and do not give me your opinion and try to persuade me to do so. At this time my mind is set, I don't want to do light weights with high reps like the past fad, but rather just doing a semi difficult weight and a few sets with 8-10 reps, etc.

Anyways, I am a HUGE cardio junkie. I LOVE it! I generally elliptical, treadmill, or run, walk, or stairmaster 5-6 days a week for atleast 30- 35 minutes each time. This generally will put me in a deficit from atleast 200- 300.

If I start weight lifting and cut out cardio, I worry that I will not burn as near as many calories and therefore not lose weight. Did anyone else face this problem? How do I overcome that fear or problem? Advice concerning this please?

Replies

  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Maybe try workouts that combine the 2, like 30 Day Shred, Insanity, Ripped in 30 and such.
  • QueenofScott
    QueenofScott Posts: 305 Member
    When I added in strength training three days a week (doing aout what you are describing, as far as weight and reps go), I kept up my cardio (same six days, same amount of time). I don't know what the "right"answer is, but it worked for me.
  • jamimari777
    jamimari777 Posts: 101 Member
    I thought the same thing when I started lifting. I did a lot of cardio, and then got a trainer and started lifting, and the more I Lifted the more I shrank! My weight stayed the same but inches came off. Stay consistent! You'll do great :) just find something that works for you.

    I'd lift three days a week, and days you lift do 30 minutes of cardio following. Days in between do 60 minutes of cardio. Go get 'em!
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Weight lifting actually burns a lot of calories because your muscles continue to use calories for 24 (maybe even 48?) hours after a lifting session as they repair. Cardio burns very few calories after you get off the machine. You could always just scale back on the cardio. I run occasionally...usually I do a brief cardio warmup (20 mins or less) before I hit the weights.

    Also, check out HIIT. You should see better results with HIIT over steady state cardio.
  • Fabulous_Fit
    Fabulous_Fit Posts: 25
    Thank you for the comments! If I start with a ten minute warmup and then do weights and hen finish with a 20 minute cardio session could that work?
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Thank you for the comments! If I start with a ten minute warmup and then do weights and hen finish with a 20 minute cardio session could that work?

    Sure! Although you might find you don't have much energy left after lifting haha. You could also do every other day: lift, cardio, lift, cardio, lift, cardio, rest day, repeat. Since this is a life long project, you'll have plenty of time to find what works for you. ;)

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