Weight Loss and Lifting

nolypoly1
nolypoly1 Posts: 6
in Fitness and Exercise
I am looking for some confirmation on what is best to do to gain further weight loss. I joined MFP 2 weeks ago and have lost 10.5lbs in that time through calorie counting and attending the gym for Body Pump classes 3 times a week and yoga once a week. I was reading NROLFW and was really interested in starting this but have read some reviews that it stopped weight loss so i am not sure if I should leave it till I am closer to my target weight as I want to lose about 60lbs.

Just wondering what the thoughts on this are?

Replies

  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    It might have stopped weight loss temporarily as you have some "noob" muscle gain as well as water weight gain that comes with lifting as your muscles retain water for use in repair.

    Only eating too much will completely stop weight loss.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    It may slow down or stop the scale for awhile. however, that doesn't mean you'll stop losing fat. As was stated, you may experience some small muscle gain at first, which would show up on the scale. Then, as you continue lifting, you'll retain more muscle. When you lose without lifting, you tend to lose lean body mass along with muscle, so the number on the scale will drop faster. When lifting, take measurements and photos as well. If you can get a caliper bf% test at your gym, do that now and again in 6 weeks as well. The scale is only one tool to measure "success". Think of it this way: would you rather lose weight or lose fat? If you lose "weight", you could end up as a smaller version of your former self (that's what happened to me), still a bit flabby.
  • gigglybeth
    gigglybeth Posts: 365 Member
    I haven't lost really anything since the fall- a whole .4 pounds and that was after gaining 2 pounds. But in 7 weeks, I've lost almost 3 inches off my waist, 2 off my hips, my butt is looking awesome, all my tops are looser and I dropped a pants size. And I've lost 2% body fat.

    So it may slow down the number on the scale down, but the body fat loss shows up in other ways.
  • bullygirl979
    bullygirl979 Posts: 19 Member
    I haven't lost really anything since the fall- a whole .4 pounds and that was after gaining 2 pounds. But in 7 weeks, I've lost almost 3 inches off my waist, 2 off my hips, my butt is looking awesome, all my tops are looser and I dropped a pants size. And I've lost 2% body fat.

    So it may slow down the number on the scale down, but the body fat loss shows up in other ways.

    This is me as well. I've gained weight since lifting but it is all muscle. I've lost several inches around my waist and hips and my body fat % has decreased. OP, don't be afraid to lift. The numbers on the scale may not go down, but you will be losing fat for sure. I take measurements every six weeks and have my body fat checked with calipers so I can keep track of my progress.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Do you care about the number on the scale or how your clothes fit?

    If the first, do minimal exercise (and what exercise you do should be fairly moderate intensity) with no lifting and eat right.

    If the second, then a good mix of higher intensity cardio and strength training (boot camp is probably fine, as is NROL) and proper diet is always the answer.
  • nolypoly1
    nolypoly1 Posts: 6
    I just want to be healthy to be honest. I am not looking to be a certain size I just want to get into better shape. I put on 4 stone after I broke my leg and I just want to lose that and get back to being active. My target weight is what I was at before I had the accident.

    If I was looking at just losing a few pounds I would understand advising not to look at the scale but when I am so overweight I am looking for something that drops my weight to a healthy level as well as reduces body fat and I don't think it should be a case of having to decided between them.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I just want to be healthy to be honest. I am not looking to be a certain size I just want to get into better shape. I put on 4 stone after I broke my leg and I just want to lose that and get back to being active. My target weight is what I was at before I had the accident.

    If I was looking at just losing a few pounds I would understand advising not to look at the scale but when I am so overweight I am looking for something that drops my weight to a healthy level as well as reduces body fat and I don't think it should be a case of having to decided between them.

    Just diet and a caloric deficit will do that. Lifting will maintain muscle mass while you shed fat in a caloric deficit. You will have some water weight that will stay on due to water retention that the muscles use for repair post exercise...it happens.

    I think what people are saying is....lifting will help lower your weight as well as reduce body fat as part of your caloric deficit, but don't be surprised if the scale doesn't move how you want it.....even though your BF% is dropping and you're losing inches off your waist/body.
  • rabblerabble
    rabblerabble Posts: 471 Member
    Remember that a pound of fat takes up 5 times the space of a pound of muscle. Trading a lot of fat for an equal amount (by weight) of muscle will mean a huge difference in how clothing fits and how you look.
  • nolypoly1
    nolypoly1 Posts: 6
    The internet is bad!!! It done nothing but confuse me today... However after all your help I am back to my original plan if following stage one in the book and I will be continuing with Body Pump class for cardio as I really enjoy the class. I will add some more HIIT cardio in as well.

    Thank you for all your help today guys!!!
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    The internet is bad!!! It done nothing but confuse me today... However after all your help I am back to my original plan if following stage one in the book and I will be continuing with Body Pump class for cardio as I really enjoy the class. I will add some more HIIT cardio in as well.

    Thank you for all your help today guys!!!

    Remember though, you will lose lean muscle mass unless you lift some how....some way to maintain it. If you don't, once you lose the weight you'll be back asking how to "tone".
  • nolypoly1
    nolypoly1 Posts: 6
    The internet is bad!!! It done nothing but confuse me today... However after all your help I am back to my original plan if following stage one in the book and I will be continuing with Body Pump class for cardio as I really enjoy the class. I will add some more HIIT cardio in as well.

    Thank you for all your help today guys!!!

    Remember though, you will lose lean muscle mass unless you lift some how....some way to maintain it. If you don't, once you lose the weight you'll be back asking how to "tone".

    As I said I will just be going with my original plan of following stage 1 in the book and will see how it goes from there.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    The internet is bad!!! It done nothing but confuse me today... However after all your help I am back to my original plan if following stage one in the book and I will be continuing with Body Pump class for cardio as I really enjoy the class. I will add some more HIIT cardio in as well.

    Thank you for all your help today guys!!!

    Remember though, you will lose lean muscle mass unless you lift some how....some way to maintain it. If you don't, once you lose the weight you'll be back asking how to "tone".

    As I said I will just be going with my original plan of following stage 1 in the book and will see how it goes from there.

    My bad...misread. :drinker:

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