Lifting heavy too soon?

VincitQuiSeVincit
VincitQuiSeVincit Posts: 285 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
As someone with about 60 lbs I'd like to lose, I often wonder if I'm doing this the "right" way.

I feel good about my food intake, could be cleaner at times, but I'm pretty good about staying around 1500 net calories.
I workout 5 days a week, and am currently doing C25K and hitting the elliptical for 30 minutes on non-running days.

But I am also doing Stronglifts 5x5. I am worried that lifting heavy when I'm still so much overweight is actually a bad thing? I've been trying to do some research but I can't seem to figure out whether or not I'm on the right track...

Should I be focusing on cardio and resistance training for initial weight loss and delay heavy lifting if I really want to slim down? Or does it not matter? Will the muscles I'm building just look super awesome when I lose the fat?

Replies

  • abnerner
    abnerner Posts: 452 Member
    Muscles burn fat :) Lift away.

    But remember, if you are lifting AND running, you may need to eat more. MFP doesn't always give the best numbers for eating. Check this out, it was eye opening to me. I have increased my cals and have not gained

    http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    There is no reason not to lift. Your scale loss may be slower as you will retain muscle with lifting that you might otherwise lose with cardio alone. This is why taking progress pictures and measurements once a month or so become very important. You will be changing your shape more than you might think from looking at the scale numbers alone.
  • ChrisLindsay9
    ChrisLindsay9 Posts: 837 Member
    But I am also doing Stronglifts 5x5. I am worried that lifting heavy when I'm still so much overweight is actually a bad thing? I've been trying to do some research but I can't seem to figure out whether or not I'm on the right track...

    Should I be focusing on cardio and resistance training for initial weight loss and delay heavy lifting if I really want to slim down? Or does it not matter? Will the muscles I'm building just look super awesome when I lose the fat?
    I'm in agreement with the above comments. Lift heavy as early as you can. Building muscle and strength will help you in many different ways. It'll decrease the chance of injury (whether it's from strength training or cardio), it'll boost your calorie-burning when in non-active states, you'll help reduce any loose skin issues that sometimes affect people who lose weight through dieting, etc.

    Take progress pictures, and enjoy the transformation! Good luck!
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    You are doing it correctly as you are just starting. Those who never really lifted before (seriously lifted) can make amazing muscle gains while losing weight. Be warned though, anywhere to 6 months to a year out though you are going to see your lift progress start to taper off since you are on a calorie deficit. When you see that plateau hitting (for at least a month or longer) I would switch over to a push pull split at higher reps to attempt to keep that muscle you built up while that weight is dropping.

    You have to keep in mind that when you advance past beginner, doing cardio and calorie deficit is telling your body to adapt one way while doing a strong lift routine is telling your body to adapt the complete opposite direction. Your cardio and calorie deficit is going to win every time. You can only hope to maintain what you built at that point. That is not saying you shouldnt work your *kitten* of lifting....if you take it easy lifting then you are going to see that muscle mass and strength disappear.

    And yes, if you build up some good muscle before/during slimming your body down you will look a 100% better when the weight is off rather than just losing the weight.

    I'm not an expert but have my fair share of time in to learn some things.
  • Faery_Dust
    Faery_Dust Posts: 246 Member
    I asked the same question once and was told, nope, get to lifting soon as possible. Retain as much muscle during weight loss and it will help things out when I only have 10-20lbs to lose.

    Good luck!
  • VincitQuiSeVincit
    VincitQuiSeVincit Posts: 285 Member
    You are doing it correctly as you are just starting. Those who never really lifted before (seriously lifted) can make amazing muscle gains while losing weight. Be warned though, anywhere to 6 months to a year out though you are going to see your lift progress start to taper off since you are on a calorie deficit. When you see that plateau hitting (for at least a month or longer) I would switch over to a push pull split at higher reps to attempt to keep that muscle you built up while that weight is dropping.

    You have to keep in mind that when you advance past beginner, doing cardio and calorie deficit is telling your body to adapt one way while doing a strong lift routine is telling your body to adapt the complete opposite direction. Your cardio and calorie deficit is going to win every time. You can only hope to maintain what you built at that point. That is not saying you shouldnt work your *kitten* of lifting....if you take it easy lifting then you are going to see that muscle mass and strength disappear.

    And yes, if you build up some good muscle before/during slimming your body down you will look a 100% better when the weight is off rather than just losing the weight.

    I'm not an expert but have my fair share of time in to learn some things.

    I have been doing this for about 6 months, only recently started heavy lifting though. Before, I was doing the cliche more reps/lower weight routine that's been drilled into women's heads for years. I have certainly lost inches, but as you can see by my profile, I am totally avoiding the scale for as long as possible.
    I know that in order to lose wieght, a calorie deficit is obviously neccessary, but i know it is going to impact muscle development as well. I am just thinking I'd be happier as a toned size 6 than a flabby size 2

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