Weights and Cardio Question

an_emfinger
an_emfinger Posts: 9 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
So, I'm 26/F and I currently weigh somewhere around 220 and I'm 5'6". I have somewhere around 80 lbs to lose to be in the healthy bmi range and I'm a stay at home mom.
My question is- in addition to eating in a calorie deficit (1440 is what mfp calculated for me) and drinking a ton of water how much cardio and weights should I be doing to lose weight? As in days per week?
I feel like I should do cardio 6 days/week but I've heard that that isn't necessarily true? Any advice?

Replies

  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited January 2015
    If you maintain that deficit you don't need to do any phys, however there are a number of benefits regarding the outcome you'll get.

    CV work will improve stamina, cardiac efficiency and other health benefits. Resistance work of some kind will help you maintain lean body mass, so helping reduce your bodyfat percentage as the weight comes off.

    For general, non specific, weigt loss I'd suggest three sessions of each per week. You're then onto a question of what to do? For minimum investment you could try running, swimming or something, complemeted by bodyweight resistance training, which can be pretty challenging.

    There is no right answer, per se, it really depends on what you want to get from the training.

    I was about 200lbs when I started running and watching what I ate, I've lost a lot of weight and am now in a marathon training plan.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    AshtonNichole2013 wrote: »
    So, I'm 26/F and I currently weigh somewhere around 220 and I'm 5'6". I have somewhere around 80 lbs to lose to be in the healthy bmi range and I'm a stay at home mom.
    My question is- in addition to eating in a calorie deficit (1440 is what mfp calculated for me) and drinking a ton of water how much cardio and weights should I be doing to lose weight? As in days per week?
    I feel like I should do cardio 6 days/week but I've heard that that isn't necessarily true? Any advice?

    Diet for weight control; exercise for fitness. There is no answer here because your weight loss is going to be attributable to your eating at a level that is commensurate with your goals, not what exercise you're doing or how often.

    For general fitness I would recommend about an hour 3x weekly for each...from there, your fitness goals should be your guild.
  • joneallen
    joneallen Posts: 217 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Diet for weight control; exercise for fitness.

    This.

    Start small. You're already on a calorie deficit. No need to do cardio 6x a week.
  • CA_Underdog
    CA_Underdog Posts: 733 Member
    edited January 2015
    All you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit--drinking a "ton" of water (be careful not to overdo this, see "hyponatremia"), weight-lifting, and cardio aren't required.

    Weight-lifting can make you stronger and more toned.

    The AHA recommends either 75 minutes of vigorous cardio or 150 minutes of moderate cardio per week for heart health. It's up to you how many days that takes. Personally, I do circuit training when I'm lifting weights, so all or most of my cardio is fulfilled without running.
  • an_emfinger
    an_emfinger Posts: 9 Member
    Thanks y'all :)
    I appreciate the input!
  • an_emfinger
    an_emfinger Posts: 9 Member
    Electrolyte imbalance :) I know, I'm a nurse too, just not working right now lol
    They don't exactly teach this stuff in nursing school though :/
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