Cardio or Weights
bowesjill
Posts: 2 Member
So I'm new to exercising and trying to loose about 15pounds. My question is should I be doing strength training or cardio?? I know that to loose weight you need to have a calorie deficit, but than I heard you cant gain muscle if your on a deficit. So what would be the point of lifting weights?? Someone help cause I clearly inow nothing lol
Edit:right now i do both but Im wondering if its pointless to do weights since the calorie deficit thing
Edit:right now i do both but Im wondering if its pointless to do weights since the calorie deficit thing
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Replies
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If your only concern is weight loss, the cardio will help more than the weights. If you want to be as healthy as you can be, you want to lift the weights, too. Why? Good for your bones. The muscles pull on them, which makes them start building themselves up.
You'll also have a more toned body if you lift the weights. It won't show up as much until the fat is gone, but it will later.
It's entirely up to you, of course. I'm not pushing one or the other, even if both is best.
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Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.0
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I would do both. Alternate cardio and resistance days. And try not to focus so much on weight and start focusing on body fat % and how you feel.0
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Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.0 -
Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
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I'm no expert on this, so don't take this as scientific fact, but here's my limited understanding.
CICO works because when you're taking in less calories than you burn (so in a deficit) your body makes up the energy from fats in adipose tissue, which is what results in fat/weight-loss. Your body also makes energy by taking protein from muscle. Therefore, a lot of people when losing 'weight' lose both fat and muscle.
To answer your question OP 'if its pointless to do weights since the calorie deficit thing', definitely not, lifting weight s and exercise while at a calorie deficit helps to retain muscle (as far as I'm aware), just not build it.
Also exercise and weight lifting etc can be done purely for fitness and health reasons, not necessarily weight loss. Wouldn't it be better to lose weight AND be fit and healthy? 0 -
Ah only saw that Malibu had replied after I'd hit 'post'! My bad.
Further more 'scientificy' explanation if anyone is interested http://www.coachcalorie.com/weight-loss-vs-fat-loss/ 0 -
It's not pointless. When you lose weight you don't just lose fat. You lose muscle too. Lifting and eating adequate protein will help you preserve lean body mass you already have -- you will look smaller/tighter at your goal weight if you include strength training. Not saying you won't be happy at your goal weight if you only do cardio but many people get to their goal weight and realize they either need to lose more weight or start strength training because their body fat is too high.0
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Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
If you lift heavy, then you need to lift after cardio. Why? Because you need full energy to lift heavy, if you do cardio first you won't be able to lift as much. You're also more prone to make mistakes or have bad form if you do your cardio first.0 -
Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
Heavy is relative. If you think it's heavy, it doesn't matter if anyone else thinks it's light.
As to when to do cardio -- it depends on what your focus is. Right now, I lift prior to cardio, because my goal is adding weight progressively. Sometimes, that's not my goal (sometimes I am trying to improve my run times) and do cardio before a heavily deloaded weight session.
Just starting is doing something right -- the key really is finding what you love and will stick with.0 -
itsfuntobenormal wrote: »Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
Heavy is relative. If you think it's heavy, it doesn't matter if anyone else thinks it's light.
As to when to do cardio -- it depends on what your focus is. Right now, I lift prior to cardio, because my goal is adding weight progressively. Sometimes, that's not my goal (sometimes I am trying to improve my run times) and do cardio before a heavily deloaded weight session.
Just starting is doing something right -- the key really is finding what you love and will stick with.
Thanks! Strength isn't my focus weight loss is, so I want to make sure I get that done first. I do the weights because I want to be strong and healthy, not just thin. Plus, I like the way I feel after even if it's soooooo sore!
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Lifting while in a deficit helps to maintain muscle mass. You get to ride the train of "newbie gains" for awhile, so can build a little muscle there, but that ride is short, so enjoy it. The cardio part is for your health and in my case, earns me extra food!0
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itsfuntobenormal wrote: »Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
Heavy is relative. If you think it's heavy, it doesn't matter if anyone else thinks it's light.
As to when to do cardio -- it depends on what your focus is. Right now, I lift prior to cardio, because my goal is adding weight progressively. Sometimes, that's not my goal (sometimes I am trying to improve my run times) and do cardio before a heavily deloaded weight session.
Just starting is doing something right -- the key really is finding what you love and will stick with.
Thanks! Strength isn't my focus weight loss is, so I want to make sure I get that done first. I do the weights because I want to be strong and healthy, not just thin. Plus, I like the way I feel after even if it's soooooo sore!
Thing is, we lose water, fat, and muscle in a deficit. Lifting helps maintain muscle so we lose mainly water and fat. If weight loss is all you care about, than that's fine. If you lift in a deficit you probably won't lose weight as fast if you didnt, but you'll effect your BF% for the better if lifting is part of your workout.0 -
itsfuntobenormal wrote: »Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
Heavy is relative. If you think it's heavy, it doesn't matter if anyone else thinks it's light.
As to when to do cardio -- it depends on what your focus is. Right now, I lift prior to cardio, because my goal is adding weight progressively. Sometimes, that's not my goal (sometimes I am trying to improve my run times) and do cardio before a heavily deloaded weight session.
Just starting is doing something right -- the key really is finding what you love and will stick with.
Thanks! Strength isn't my focus weight loss is, so I want to make sure I get that done first. I do the weights because I want to be strong and healthy, not just thin. Plus, I like the way I feel after even if it's soooooo sore!
Thing is, we lose water, fat, and muscle in a deficit. Lifting helps maintain muscle so we lose mainly water and fat. If weight loss is all you care about, than that's fine. If you lift in a deficit you probably won't lose weight as fast if you didnt, but you'll effect your BF% for the better if lifting is part of your workout.
Cool, like I said though, I am doing both. I'm an advocate for doing both. But I really appreciate your info. It made me think of another question...
Because I'm a big girl, I'm already carrying around what I consider to be pretty thick muscles. Especially in my legs. I don't want to keep these. Will these thin out as I lose weight even though I'm doing weight training as well?0 -
itsfuntobenormal wrote: »Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
Heavy is relative. If you think it's heavy, it doesn't matter if anyone else thinks it's light.
As to when to do cardio -- it depends on what your focus is. Right now, I lift prior to cardio, because my goal is adding weight progressively. Sometimes, that's not my goal (sometimes I am trying to improve my run times) and do cardio before a heavily deloaded weight session.
Just starting is doing something right -- the key really is finding what you love and will stick with.
Thanks! Strength isn't my focus weight loss is, so I want to make sure I get that done first. I do the weights because I want to be strong and healthy, not just thin. Plus, I like the way I feel after even if it's soooooo sore!
Thing is, we lose water, fat, and muscle in a deficit. Lifting helps maintain muscle so we lose mainly water and fat. If weight loss is all you care about, than that's fine. If you lift in a deficit you probably won't lose weight as fast if you didnt, but you'll effect your BF% for the better if lifting is part of your workout.
Cool, like I said though, I am doing both. I'm an advocate for doing both. But I really appreciate your info. It made me think of another question...
Because I'm a big girl, I'm already carrying around what I consider to be pretty thick muscles. Especially in my legs. I don't want to keep these. Will these thin out as I lose weight even though I'm doing weight training as well?
I doubt your legs are as muscular as you think. Worry about losing the fat first, then if you have a problem with how your legs look, worry about that when the time comes.0 -
Both! That is all0
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itsfuntobenormal wrote: »Can you explain this muscle not building when you're on a deficit thing? cause I've never heard of that. I do both. I read you should do strength training before cardio, but I always do it the other way around. I don't really know why it matters either way.
In order to gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than you're burning. There are outlying cases where one can gain muscle in a calorie deficit (the morbidly obese and people who are brand new to lifting), but in general, lifting while losing weight will help you maintain and strengthen your muscle mass. And strength training before cardio is mostly because so people aren't too tired when they're lifting and end up making huge mistakes in form/unable to lift the amount set.
Thanks! I guess I'm one of those outlying cases because I'm morbidly obese. I just want to do things right, get strong while I lose weight. I don't lift heavy though.
Heavy is relative. If you think it's heavy, it doesn't matter if anyone else thinks it's light.
As to when to do cardio -- it depends on what your focus is. Right now, I lift prior to cardio, because my goal is adding weight progressively. Sometimes, that's not my goal (sometimes I am trying to improve my run times) and do cardio before a heavily deloaded weight session.
Just starting is doing something right -- the key really is finding what you love and will stick with.
Thanks! Strength isn't my focus weight loss is, so I want to make sure I get that done first. I do the weights because I want to be strong and healthy, not just thin. Plus, I like the way I feel after even if it's soooooo sore!
Thing is, we lose water, fat, and muscle in a deficit. Lifting helps maintain muscle so we lose mainly water and fat. If weight loss is all you care about, than that's fine. If you lift in a deficit you probably won't lose weight as fast if you didnt, but you'll effect your BF% for the better if lifting is part of your workout.
Cool, like I said though, I am doing both. I'm an advocate for doing both. But I really appreciate your info. It made me think of another question...
Because I'm a big girl, I'm already carrying around what I consider to be pretty thick muscles. Especially in my legs. I don't want to keep these. Will these thin out as I lose weight even though I'm doing weight training as well?
Mine did! A lot. I didn't do weights all the time, though. It's so excruciatingly boring for me that I'd quit, lol. Then I get feeling all guilty and go back to it. Even when I do the weights, I just do the machines or pool workouts with air weights and only enough to work the muscles. I am not trying to build muscle. I lost lots of muscle in my legs. Lots and lots. Had I not, I'd have ended up with gymnast-type legs (which are fine and great for those who have them and want them!) but I did.
Fwiw.0 -
If I had to choose, I'd pick strength training over cardio (and then increase my calorie deficit to make up for it). It's also possible for people new to strength training, or those without much muscle mass, to increase muscle and lose fat at the same time. Even if that weren't the case, strength training with adequate protein intake will preserve muscle mass while you're dieting, which will make dieting easier!
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TI'm no expert on this, so don't take this as scientific fact, but here's my limited understanding.
CICO works because when you're taking in less calories than you burn (so in a deficit) your body makes up the energy from fats in adipose tissue, which is what results in fat/weight-loss. Your body also makes energy by taking protein from muscle. Therefore, a lot of people when losing 'weight' lose both fat and muscle.
To answer your question OP 'if its pointless to do weights since the calorie deficit thing', definitely not, lifting weight s and exercise while at a calorie deficit helps to retain muscle (as far as I'm aware), just not build it.
Also exercise and weight lifting etc can be done purely for fitness and health reasons, not necessarily weight loss. Wouldn't it be better to lose weight AND be fit and healthy?
Thanks!! This is what I was wondering, I'll definetly keep lifting weights since I dont want to lose the little muscle I have haha0 -
So I'm new to exercising and trying to loose about 15pounds. My question is should I be doing strength training or cardio?? I know that to loose weight you need to have a calorie deficit, but than I heard you cant gain muscle if your on a deficit. So what would be the point of lifting weights?? Someone help cause I clearly inow nothing lol
Edit:right now i do both but Im wondering if its pointless to do weights since the calorie deficit thing
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Weights burns fat. You don't want to over train by doing both. Or do minimal cardio. If your trying to build. Also, to build, you need to eat a surplus of cals0
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