what good is weight training

It made me not skinny fat anymore

I'm far from being an expert but I have to tell you -- start weight training now. Keep doing it. It will reshape your entire body. I'm 66 years old and went from a US size 16 to a size 2/4 Petite. Lost 51 lbs while weight training along with some cardio and eating in a deficit. The weight training has totally reshaped my body. Listen to the experts here on MFP when they tell you to start weight training now while you're losing weight. It will help to minimize the amount of lean body mass you lose while also losing fat because you're in a deficit.

cheesyP wrote: »

Thanks for the tools! What area of my body should I start with?

Work your whole body. Don't concentrate on one area until you are much closer to your goal weight. One thing, if you start a weight training program, take accurate measurements before you start and continue to track them. This is because you might find that the scale isn't moving as much as you like. That's because you are replacing fat with muscle. The measurements will help you see your progress even if the number on the scale isn't going down.

First off good for you...getting started is the hardest part!!

cheesyP wrote: »

Thanks for the tools! What area of my body should I start with?

trina1049 wrote: »

I'm far from being an expert but I have to tell you -- start weight training now. Keep doing it. It will reshape your entire body. I'm 66 years old and went from a US size 16 to a size 2/4 Petite. Lost 51 lbs while weight training along with some cardio and eating in a deficit. The weight training has totally reshaped my body. Listen to the experts here on MFP when they tell you to start weight training now while you're losing weight. It will help to minimize the amount of lean body mass you lose while also losing fat because you're in a deficit.

I'd find a program that works your total body if it were me, but you may hear from others with way more knowledge than myself who might say to split your workouts with alternating upper body / lower body workouts. I did the whole body thing.

My experience is with Les Mills Body Pump classes at my gym. I'd never lifted weights before and the instructors are very good at making sure you have the correct form. I started with the bar only then worked my way up to more weights. Once you have more experience you might want to move on to some other programs. I lift heavy for me so 30 lb squats, etc. right now (I'm really short & old).

The Body Pump classes are what changed my appearance -- eventually I plan on lifting heavier by working with a trainer on form and heavier weights.

Hopefully the long time MFPers who do really heavy lifting will chime in. If you're not using a gym, the book New Rules of Lifting for Women is a good place to start.

So everything that @cwolfman13 said.

Here's what I know from experience... Once I was weak.. very, very weak from illness and hip replacement surgery... Not I am strong! Cardio got me back up on my feet from a wheel chair, strength training got my muscle mass back to something others are noticing now! All in less than a year! Muscle burns fat! Hands down, end of story! It takes a lot more body energy to maintain muscle then it does to maintain blubber. Bulk up! Women will not get muscle bound like guys, we don't have the hormones for that unless you take steroids, we just get strong, toned, and very well structured!

The most important thing to do if you really want to gain muscle is to get into a good structured lifting program.

I would recommend "Strong lifts 5x5," "Starting Strength" or "New Rules of Lifting for Women"

These sort of good structured programs get you working your entire body and will be the most efficient way to gain strength and to help you maintain muscle as you lose weight.