lift weights?or cardio?

ardysedwardsmcgrath wrote: »

so lifting ill still lose? dont pay attention to the scale right? jus how my cloths r fitting.. OK thanks!

You'll still lose and you'll see it on the scale. If you were closer to your goal weight then you might not see much scale change, but for now if you don't see the scale moving it's a good idea to check to make sure your food diary is accurate.

In my opinion wieghts are what you should focus on. You have a sense of progression other than looking at a scale. Compound movements will burn more calories than cardio and make you stronger. Cardio is a good supplement to burn a few extra calories. I was 260lbs and dropped to 168 in a year and a bit. Now floating around 185 but that's beside the point. also diet will be the most important factor on your journey.

both. My "beginner program" Includes strength training, and cardio and stretching/yoga.

You really should do both. For me the fastest results have come from doing high intensity interval training. I do this when I do cardio and when I do strength training. For strength training I started with body weight exercises like push-ups, planks and the like. I've only just started incorporating free weights, 5 weeks into the process. I've seen my body change quite a bit. My clothes are looser and my strength and balance have increased. The scale is moving in the right direction but ever so slowly. I'm okay with that because I can see the other changes.

Both...as a matter of general fitness, cardiovascular exercise and resistance training of some sort are both important.

Listen to your knees.

If cardio hurts try a recumbent bike for the cardio. If the knees hurt while lifting, use the machines. They will protect your knees because they isolate the muscle groups. Avoid the leg press, leg curl, or leg extensions until your doctor clears you. If it is the weight that is causing the pain, he/she may approve it. If it isn't and you have damage in the knees, they may be banned. Look for exercises both weight and cardio that takes the stress off the knees for now. And do see your doctor.

Weight training will build muscle which does help burn weight. However, gaining muscle while you are burning fat may make it look like you aren't losing as much. You are. Remember the size of a pound of steak [muscle] vs a pound of lard [fat], Your size will change. That's why it is recommended you take measurements and place less attention on the scale.

Cardio helps burn the fat. It is suggested if you do them both on the same day that you do Cardio AFTER the weights because studies show that the weight workout starts the burning and enhances the cardio while doing cardio first doesn't add a thing. [I'm sure there will be a study later saying it doesn't matter but that's how it goes...]

My best results is when I do HIIT on the bike, however, it is the recumbent to protect my knees. They are basically shot due to my former job [I should have let the inmates escape...] The catch with HIIT is you have to be in good shape to tolerate it. You are going to stress your heart and entire body if you do it properly. Do not try it without the doctor's permission and maybe a stress test. I will also say doing cardio even in the Navy never had results like the HIIT does for me. However it may not be the same for every person. As I said, it works for me and it really works because Cardio bores me to death. With HIIT, I don't get a chance to get bored before I'm done.

ardysedwardsmcgrath wrote: »

is it best to lift weights when im 248lbs? or jus do cardio? i need to strengthen my knees.. ive got that problem.. im gonna buy a elliptical.. i wanna do in am & pm.. i was wondering if i should join a gym for the lifting but im afraid the scale wont move.. any suggestions?

If your goal is to strengthen your knees, I would lift weights. If you are experiencing pain in your knees, I would also eat in a deficit to lose weight as this helps many people as well.

If you are eating in a deficit, you WILL lose weight. Lifting or cardio has no bearing on weight loss on their own.

ardysedwardsmcgrath wrote: »

alot of different ideas thanks!
Whats HIIT?
IVE GOT ONE BAD LEG that doesn't like to bend so ive got alot of troubles going up&especially down steps.. biking&elliptcal seem to help.. i ve also got troubles gettin out of a chair or bed.. &im sure its all this weight ive gotten.. seems like a slow progress to get smaller&healthier.. i get impatient at times.. lol..

Me too, it takes me half to a full hour just to get out of bed and walk every morning...it can be done if you keep in a deficit regardless. That is how I got down to a 12% body fat at age 47. Just do right, and what your body as lows ypu today & worry about tomorrow when it comes.

ardysedwardsmcgrath wrote: »

is it best to lift weights when im 248lbs? or jus do cardio? i need to strengthen my knees.. ive got that problem.. im gonna buy a elliptical.. i wanna do in am & pm.. i was wondering if i should join a gym for the lifting but im afraid the scale wont move.. any suggestions?

Chances are good your knees will get better as you lose weight. Good luck,

Traveler120 wrote: »

WHY in the world would you want to lift weights when you have a bad knee and struggle to even get up from a bed or chair? Plus, assuming you're currently very unfit, this is a great recipe for getting injuries. All you need to do is low impact cardio like an elliptical. Keep the resistance up (if you can, without causing knee pain) so that you're burning lots of calories but protecting your knees. Safety first! Fat loss is based on calorie deficit and cardio increases your deficit, it's not just for heart health.

Agree!