Finish weight loss before starting lifting heavy?

lauramblair
lauramblair Posts: 74 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm 40 pounds into my weight loss, hoping for ~10 more. I've been pretty much all cardio (running) all the time for fat burning. I've visited a gym to join to start working on resistance and heavy lifting, I have a free week-trial pass right now. I met with a trainer who gave me an assessment, and he thinks that because of muscle development, I may not lose all 10 pounds, but my size/shape will absolutely change.

So my first thought was - should I just keep up with cardio to get the last 10 pounds off, and THEN start working on strength? With the knowledge I may gain a couple pounds of lean muscle mass.. Or should I just jump into strength (and full recommended protein low carb etc) diet, knowing the loss will slow or stall? Maybe I just need to stop fixating on the "number" of losing 50 pounds. He said the 1200 calories I'm on will not be enough to sustain the muscle development and will be counter-productive, so I'm just nervous to let go of the path that has worked so well for me for the last 9 months.. Though admittedly while I am slim, it is still very flabby with very little muscle mass.

The end goal is not to be a body builder or anything, just have a toned physique (and maybe even wear a bikini) for the first time in my life.

Height: 5'5"
CW: 139
GW 129

Replies

  • hbwright74
    hbwright74 Posts: 36 Member
    Most likely those last 10 pounds are going to be coming off slowly anyway, why not just go ahead and get started with the heavy weights and go from there? I have a LOT to lose, but I don't want to end up losing muscle so I started heavy right from the very beginning. It may take me a little longer to see the pounds go down, but I know I'm making positive changes in my strength, health, and body.
  • rachjenn
    rachjenn Posts: 87
    If you start strength training you're likely to gain weight.

    You can do cardio and weights at the same time as this might aid muscle's to show once the fat has come off - rather than getting the fat off to then start the weights
  • BoiNeezy
    BoiNeezy Posts: 227 Member
    I would lift 1st then you can always shed feel free to add me if you want for advice
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    In my opinion if what you're currently doing is working and you are happy with the results then keep doing it. Don't try to fix something that isn't broken.

    But you said it yourself, if you no longer feel like the number on the scale is all that matters and you would rather be more toned than just lose weight then maybe it's time for a change.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I'm 40 pounds into my weight loss, hoping for ~10 more. I've been pretty much all cardio (running) all the time for fat burning. I've visited a gym to join to start working on resistance and heavy lifting, I have a free week-trial pass right now. I met with a trainer who gave me an assessment, and he thinks that because of muscle development, I may not lose all 10 pounds, but my size/shape will absolutely change.

    So my first thought was - should I just keep up with cardio to get the last 10 pounds off, and THEN start working on strength? With the knowledge I may gain a couple pounds of lean muscle mass.. Or should I just jump into strength (and full recommended protein low carb etc) diet, knowing the loss will slow or stall? Maybe I just need to stop fixating on the "number" of losing 50 pounds. He said the 1200 calories I'm on will not be enough to sustain the muscle development and will be counter-productive, so I'm just nervous to let go of the path that has worked so well for me for the last 9 months.. Though admittedly while I am slim, it is still very flabby with very little muscle mass.

    The end goal is not to be a body builder or anything, just have a toned physique (and maybe even wear a bikini) for the first time in my life.

    Height: 5'5"
    CW: 139
    GW 129

    Stop with focusing on scale weight and start lifting. It's also unlikely you'll gain a couple of lbs of muscle in a deficit and as a female.
  • Depictureboy
    Depictureboy Posts: 38 Member
    once you start lifting heavy, especially since you are so close to your goal, you should focus on the way you look and feel and less on what the number on the scale says. You may even be heavier than your goal weight, but look so much better than the cardio alone can provide.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Why wait?!

    Sounds like your trainer knows his stuff too - although I'm not sure about the low carb thing, that's not really necessary. However, he is right about you needing more calories and plenty of protein.
  • NJL13500
    NJL13500 Posts: 433 Member
    I lost all of my weight first through cardio (with a 1200 calorie diet + exercise calories). I got down to 127 (I'm 5'6") and was a size 2/4 and then started lifting heavy. I gained back 10 pounds over the course of 3 months, but I still wore the same jeans.

    In my opinion (as someone who has been where you are) you have to decide which method is going to "mess with your mind" more. Do you want to lose weight and be at your goal weight and then gain it back (hopefully as muscle) or do you want to slow your weight loss down and reshape your body as you go knowing that the number on the scale will go down at a snail's pace?

    Who knows...you may be at your right weight and just need to shift things around.

    I had surgery last summer and gained 10 pounds from not being able to work out for 6 months (I'm currently a size 4/6). Now that I have to get back to where I was (I want to fit into my cute warm weather stuff) I am going with the lifting as my primary focus instead of losing weight first and then adding muscle. I love how lifting makes my body look and I actually enjoy it more than I enjoy cardio.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Stop with focusing on scale weight and start lifting. It's also unlikely you'll gain a couple of lbs of muscle in a deficit and as a female.

    ^ Exactly.

    I've never quite understood the need to "wait" to start lifting (?)
  • ME0172
    ME0172 Posts: 200
    I disagree you'll gain weight if you start lifting. I reached my goal weight and started lifting heavy for 4 months now and have not gained weight. Women simply cannot gain muscle weight that fast. I have, however, seen a great improvement in my shape and my strength has greatly improved, and I finally lost another inch from my waist.

    Lift. You'll see improvements to your body shape, not just changes on the scale. And you'll start gaining back some of the muscle you lost during your weight loss. And I did lose another 4 pounds past my goal. I didn't change my cardio, only added weight training. But I simply love the shape of my body now and I've never thought that about myself my whole life - and I'm 42.

    You can do it.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    HI. Good for you on your loss.

    BUT, I think you are focusing too much on the number and you may be a teensy OCD about it. I say that with love, so don't get mad.

    Definitely get into some weight training. DEFINITELY! Also, don't take what the trainer says as gospel. Sometimes they can be totally off on their recommended suggestions of eating.

    You will see the shape of your body change in about 8 weeks or so. Don't be afraid of going higher than 5-7 lb dumbbells. When you get stronger, add a little more weight.

    If you want some info, goto fitnessblender.com and check out the videos they post where they answer questions from members. It's free! They are a husband and wife team who post workout videos for every level of training. They are wicked cool and open minded and very nice too.

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