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Me running/eating less calories vs me eating more/lifting

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  • Posts: 168 Member
    Bump!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
  • Posts: 1,413 Member
    Thank you thank you thank you.

    My bf KEEPS trying to tell me that lifting will make me look like him (very muscular under a layer of fat). He insists that he's right because he took nutrition classes for anesthesiology school. I've been looking for success stories and photos of women who lift to show him that I will NOT bulk out!

    He also insists that the *only* way to lose weight is to run, because that's "what worked for him". Sorry, but no. The only reason he lost weight is because the running burned extra calories and he didn't eat additional food to make up for it. Calories in < calories out!

    Great job! Keep up the hard work! Can't wait to recomp my body by LIFTING!!!
  • Posts: 552 Member
    bump
    need to read more about some of the programs suggested within this thread.
  • Posts: 10 Member
    Very Interesting!! Thanks for the inspiration! I was running to drop the weight and recently took up lifting.. Hopefully i get the same type of lean results!
  • Posts: 352 Member
    Excellent results, good on you!

    Lifting definitely makes big changes for me that running can't but I didn't want to give up running so I currently do both (and eat a ton, hehe).
    Scale weight has always been an annoyance in my life because my look does match the scale number.

    I tried to ditch it since I started lifting but haven't been able to do so, especially seeing those thin women who can do both: lifting weight while losing weight...I am so jealous...

    The after is 3.2 lbs heavier than the "before". So I think she ditched (or stopped minding) the scale for the most part :wink:.
  • Posts: 187 Member

    Scale weight has always been an annoyance in my life because my look does match the scale number.

    I tried to ditch it since I started lifting but haven't been able to do so, especially seeing those thin women who can do both: lifting weight while losing weight...I am so jealous...

    They are not losing a lot of scale weight. They're reducing fat and undergoing body recomposition.

    Typically, when lifting, you will end up weighing more (or close to your starting weight) yet take up less space.
  • Posts: 187 Member
    OP: Congrats on all the progress, that's awesome!

    For me, I think both running and lifting are complementary. My goal is not to get super shredded, but to be strong and have endurance as a runner. With more cross training, my running improves. Yes, I do see more definition in my muscles when I cross train more heavily than when I just straight up run all the time, but I don't think it has to be an "either" "or" kind of a choice.

    No, it doesn't have to be either or. We don't need to look further than the hotness of CrossFit athlete Andrea Ager to know that! ;)

    BUT. The problem is that most people do not know how to do both in an effective manner. It is more complicated and involved than one might originally think. It takes careful planning and strategy, and really knowing what you're doing.
  • Posts: 187 Member
    You're looking great! Congrats!

    I don't have pics, but I'm on week 2 of being focused on lifting, and I'm noticing the weight is coming right off. I've also noticed I'm having a MUCH easier time managing my calories. Here's my theory using #'s from MFP and Endomondo - my exercise trackers

    1 hour of lifting = 400 calories
    1 hour of running = 1,000 calories.

    The difference between the days I lift and don't is MUCH less than the difference between the days I run and don't.
    With running if my caloric intake can vary by 50%, that's tough for my brain and body to figure out - it's EASY to overeat on non-running days.... by 1,000 calories a shot!! That's significant.

    With 400 calories... I don't mind missing that, and my body won't hit me with hunger-smacks late in the day if I don't eat back those calories. So sticking to, or very close to my target calories has been much easier and I think THAT is a big part of my success.
  • Posts: 9,420 Member
    You're looking great! Congrats!

    I don't have pics, but I'm on week 2 of being focused on lifting, and I'm noticing the weight is coming right off. I've also noticed I'm having a MUCH easier time managing my calories. Here's my theory using #'s from MFP and Endomondo - my exercise trackers

    1 hour of lifting = 400 calories
    1 hour of running = 1,000 calories.

    The difference between the days I lift and don't is MUCH less than the difference between the days I run and don't.
    With running if my caloric intake can vary by 50%, that's tough for my brain and body to figure out - it's EASY to overeat on non-running days.... by 1,000 calories a shot!! That's significant.

    With 400 calories... I don't mind missing that, and my body won't hit me with hunger-smacks late in the day if I don't eat back those calories. So sticking to, or very close to my target calories has been much easier and I think THAT is a big part of my success.

    I do a modified TDEE, where I note the average number of calories a day I can eat if I consistently run, but don't add them to my diary until I get out there.

    So I'm eating more-or-less the same number of calories a day, but in the red on the days I don't run and am below on the days I do.
  • Posts: 1,001 Member
    You are my hero. Amazing job????
  • Posts: 4
    Amazing difference...
  • Posts: 36 Member
    This is amazing, looks like I need to change my exercise plan!! Well done.
  • Posts: 1,163 Member
    Well done, more girls need to see how good lifting can be for them. Its such a shame that its seen as a man's sport (typically).
  • Posts: 758 Member
    Thank you for sharing this! I'm getting sick and tired of the low calorie diet and cardio routine too - although it's what helped me get slim I feel like I wanna try lifting. I think I'm addicted to the scales getting lower and lower and I like the feeling of being a low weight and BMI.

    I'm a complete noob when it comes to lifting and stuff and would have no idea where to start so I'm gonna look more into it.
  • Posts: 15
    Keep up the good work! Lifting FTW
  • Posts: 282 Member
    interesting thread, I do both and enjoy both equally
  • Posts: 480 Member
    Way to go girl! I soooo love this.. have really just gotten more into lifting and feel strong and love seeing the changes! Bought my own bar for at home and look forward to seeing even better results! Even though I am still running 3 or 4 x's a week, (I like to run though) I am running better being stronger!
  • Posts: 4 Member
    bump
  • I needed to read a comparison like this. I dropped a lot of weight running distance and eating 1400-1500 calories, but then I got pregnant with my 3rd baby (had him 2/2014), and I have 5-10 lbs. to go to make it back to pre-pregnancy weight. Running is not my thing anymore. I think I want to be skinny, when actually I am content with myself. Instead I want to feel strong, so I have been looking into lifting.

    This post has convinced me I'm doing the right thing making the switch. THANK YOU!

    And you are doing fantastic! Keep up the awesome work.
  • Posts: 1,882 Member
    How DARE you call them MAN pushups. :laugh:

    Amazing job!
  • Posts: 391 Member
    I love this so much!! Your progress is awesome and you are so great for sharing this!
  • Posts: 62 Member
    Thank you thank you thank you.

    My bf KEEPS trying to tell me that lifting will make me look like him (very muscular under a layer of fat). He insists that he's right because he took nutrition classes for anesthesiology school. I've been looking for success stories and photos of women who lift to show him that I will NOT bulk out!

    He also insists that the *only* way to lose weight is to run, because that's "what worked for him". Sorry, but no. The only reason he lost weight is because the running burned extra calories and he didn't eat additional food to make up for it. Calories in < calories out!

    Great job! Keep up the hard work! Can't wait to recomp my body by LIFTING!!!

    Hi - Check out this blog, she post great pictures of her at the same weight but looking totally different just from lifting, It was what really introduce me to the idea of lifting heavy for women two years ago, after I say these I started New rules of Lifting for Women. Good luck - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn?page=3
  • Posts: 79 Member
    Bump for later reading.
  • Posts: 2
    This is great info - how often do you lift? How long are you lifting for?

    Great progress too.
  • Posts: 1 Member
    Tq for the informative post. Bump for my reference.
  • Posts: 453 Member
    What is your routine?? I mean you don't get a flat stomach from lifting, are you doing something else as well?
    Very well done! You inspired me :)

    You get a flat stomach from fat loss. And lifting causes muscle gain, which in turn, causes the bod to burn more calories in the form of fat. Yes indeedy do.
  • Posts: 453 Member
    QUOTE: Hi - Check out this blog, she post great pictures of her at the same weight but looking totally different just from lifting, It was what really introduce me to the idea of lifting heavy for women two years ago, after I say these I started New rules of Lifting for Women. Good luck - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn?page=3
    [/quote]

    It is NOT only from lifting. At the top of the blog she states she also runs 2-3 x per week for 3-6 miles each time. That's a lot.
  • Posts: 2,524 Member

    Hi - Check out this blog, she post great pictures of her at the same weight but looking totally different just from lifting, It was what really introduce me to the idea of lifting heavy for women two years ago, after I say these I started New rules of Lifting for Women. Good luck - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn?page=3

    honestly don't see much difference but I am sure the blogger knows what has changed. :) she looks awesome from day one.
  • Posts: 129 Member
    This is awsome! Im still at the point where my brain tells me that if i haven't done a load of cardio i haven't exercised. I have recently started lifting using the machines at the moment as I dont have the confidence to go in the free weights room (yet). I want to be strong not skinny fat and these pics definitely help with motivation.
  • Posts: 200 Member
    This is AWESOME! I started weight lifting about 2 month ago, just to add on my weight loss plan, didn't think much about it. A few weeks ago, my husband looked at me and said " wow, those work out paid off, you have abs now" Me? having abs?????? it was a very very very pleasant surprise! I am now trying to get weight lifting into my work out. I am still intimidated to go to the weight area but I am working on it.

    Thank you for posting it, I have seem lots women here with success stories on weight lifting and I love how they look! Very inspirational and I am going to work on weight!!!

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