Help Pls! If I don't do more strength training...

MaiLinna
MaiLinna Posts: 580 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
...will I become this floppy flabby stick thing with skin hanging everywhere and the inability to lift a single potato?

Replies

  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    Probably.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    You remember in Toy Story when Mr. Potatohead tries to lift and his arms pop off? Yeah, that's what I envisioned when you said potato. :laugh:
  • Hbarry7
    Hbarry7 Posts: 24 Member
    I'm not sure the OP is genuinely asking a question.

    Are you a flabby stick thing right now? Are you lifting now? Are you getting results from lifting that are making you not a flabby stick thing? Have you been lifting long enough (6weeks or more) to actually feel changes? Go with your results and do something different if you aren't getting the results you want.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    ...will I become this floppy flabby stick thing with skin hanging everywhere and the inability to lift a single potato?

    Since you look pretty thin now, I would guess no. You don't have enough to lose to make loose skin much of a problem. Whether you need to do more strength training would depend on how much you do now, and what your lifestyle is like.

    You will be stronger and less jiggly with strength training, but if you lift, pull or push a lot of things in your daily life, you may not need much.
  • MaiLinna
    MaiLinna Posts: 580 Member
    I'm super sedentary. Walking to the store is a big workout for me (because I can't ever breathe. God damn these lungs.)

    And I don't look like I've lost any weight at all, even though I've gone from 164 down to 150. I'm afraid it might be all muscle and that I'm going to look hideous in 20 lbs.

    So far my upper arm area has gotten smaller, however, possibly thanks to the semi regular toning exercises I do for my arms.

    lol @ Toy Story.

    And I thought that about a really pretty girl in my high school, but after she lost a few pounds for cheerleading her arms got these flaps that looked like she could fly with them, and she'd only lost 5 lbs! That scares the crap out of me to this day.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If breathing is a problem, I'd suggest starting with light weights or resistance bands and high reps. You can firm up quite a bit with just this. Then, as you get more fit, add more weight and lower reps. Just work at your own pace.

    If you have a condition/syndrome/disease that affects your lungs, then I'd suggest talking with your treating physician to learn what is safe for you.
  • triniechu
    triniechu Posts: 50
    Yup definitely get some strength and weight training in! :)
  • NeverCatchYourBreath
    NeverCatchYourBreath Posts: 197 Member
    And I thought that about a really pretty girl in my high school, but after she lost a few pounds for cheerleading her arms got these flaps that looked like she could fly with them, and she'd only lost 5 lbs! That scares the crap out of me to this day.

    You must be overexaggerating what you remember from high school... even though I have no idea how long ago that was for you.

    If you don't do resistance training than you are at risk of having little muscle tone or very very little visible muscle tone (think, slim, tight arms). You are also at risk of greater chances of osteoperosis, injuries, and longer healing times after being injured.
  • MaiLinna
    MaiLinna Posts: 580 Member
    Don't have health insurance yet, so I haven't seen a physician since I was 8 years old. I hope I don't have any underlying problems aside from my underdeveloped lungs. O_O;;;

    I'll get some weights though.
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I literally did nothing other then running for an entire year, lost 60 pounds, and looked pretty damn good. I am starting weight lifting now because it will improve my skill as a runner. Check out my pics, there is a before and after in there. All my progress at that point was from running only.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Hit your calorie goal, stop the 1000 cal days, hit your protein goal - actually go over it, consider it a minimum amount and lift some heavy stuff. And start some cardio, start slow like walking but do something, you should not be winded walking to the store.

    Better yet read and do this:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • NeverCatchYourBreath
    NeverCatchYourBreath Posts: 197 Member
    Start with walking then once that gets easier go to a walk/slow jog, then just keep increasing similar to couch25k.

    And do resistance training.

    With the right diet your weight should come off and you should "tone up" in no time. Don't worry about the flabby cheerleader in high school.
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Yes, very likely.
  • NeverCatchYourBreath
    NeverCatchYourBreath Posts: 197 Member
    I literally did nothing other then running for an entire year, lost 60 pounds, and looked pretty damn good. I am starting weight lifting now because it will improve my skill as a runner. Check out my pics, there is a before and after in there. All my progress at that point was from running only.

    It's great that you were able to lose weight with only running. But bear in mind that you probably lost a decent amount of muscle doing it that way, too. Which also means decreased strength, increase chances of injuries, longer healing times and probably increases risk of osteoperosis. So good for you that you lost the weight but you may want to be careful advocating running only to lose weight as you could influence someone in the wrong direction. It is proven over and over again that a nice combination of cardio activity as well as resistence activity is the best method for losing fat. Not losing weight (muscle and fat).
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    I started weight lifting at 17. One of the best things I ever did.

    However, if I could have my time again I would start with body weight exercises. If you learn to master some basic key movements with perfect form and ingrain using just your body weight it will set you up for a lifetime of kicking *kitten*.

    It doesn't have to be strength training but it should be resistance training. Find a form you like doing and makes you happy.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    If you're worried about it, why don't you just start lifting weights?
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I literally did nothing other then running for an entire year, lost 60 pounds, and looked pretty damn good. I am starting weight lifting now because it will improve my skill as a runner. Check out my pics, there is a before and after in there. All my progress at that point was from running only.

    It's great that you were able to lose weight with only running. But bear in mind that you probably lost a decent amount of muscle doing it that way, too. Which also means decreased strength, increase chances of injuries, longer healing times and probably increases risk of osteoperosis. So good for you that you lost the weight but you may want to be careful advocating running only to lose weight as you could influence someone in the wrong direction. It is proven over and over again that a nice combination of cardio activity as well as resistence activity is the best method for losing fat. Not losing weight (muscle and fat).

    I'm not advocating it, I'm just saying it worked for me. When I did start strength training, I didn't have any trouble at all. I know that resistance training is important now so it is a part of my routine. But as for weight loss, all you need is a deficit. You CAN get good results without lifting.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    You are only 23 years old and you didn't have a lot of weight to lose. I wouldn't worry about loose skin.

    Strength training has a lot of benefits, especially as women age, it's never too soon to start laying a good foundation for the future.
  • MaiLinna
    MaiLinna Posts: 580 Member
    Hit your calorie goal, stop the 1000 cal days, hit your protein goal - actually go over it, consider it a minimum amount and lift some heavy stuff. And start some cardio, start slow like walking but do something, you should not be winded walking to the store.

    Better yet read and do this:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Bro if I'm nauseated from my period and this friggin bug I can't seem to get rid of, I ain't eatin crap. I've felt terrible for a couple weeks now. Bleh.

    Edit: Also, I'd rather not spend money on weights right now. Already splurged a bit and I don't wanna get yelled at. A $10 weight set could be that last little push over the edge, you know? :/
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Hit your calorie goal, stop the 1000 cal days, hit your protein goal - actually go over it, consider it a minimum amount and lift some heavy stuff. And start some cardio, start slow like walking but do something, you should not be winded walking to the store.

    Better yet read and do this:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Bro if I'm nauseated from my period and this friggin bug I can't seem to get rid of, I ain't eatin crap. I've felt terrible for a couple weeks now. Bleh.

    Edit: Also, I'd rather not spend money on weights right now. Already splurged a bit and I don't wanna get yelled at. A $10 weight set could be that last little push over the edge, you know? :/


    The Bro confused me for a minute :laugh:

    Ah, ok then. but my advice still holds true. If you can't afford weights try body weight exercises - google "you are your own gym"

    But if you can't afford to buy weights why did you ask about starting strength training?
  • MaiLinna
    MaiLinna Posts: 580 Member
    Because I was going to lower my weight loss goals and adjust for a time when I could afford to look better.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Because I was going to lower my weight loss goals and adjust for a time when I could afford to look better.

    You can do a lot with body weight exercises - especially while you save up for weights or a gym membership.

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