Need advice about cardio/strenght training

arh0117
arh0117 Posts: 185 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok so here's the deal: I have been counting calories for almost three weeks and have just started adding some cardio. I plan on joining the "3500 calories burned in a week" challenge for next week which will put me doing Zumba for 40 minutes everyday, or something at least similar. My question is should I also start incorporating some strength training/weight work now or should I just do the cardio as to not put too much on myself at one time?

My weight goals are listed below, but I also want to be tone, not necessarily with actual muscle definition, but at least enough that I am not squishy. I have also read that strength training/weight work will help the skin tighten up as you lose weight so that you don't look like a sharpei. (Sorry for the disturbing image; couldn't think of a better analogy, lol.)

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

Replies

  • yankeefamily05
    yankeefamily05 Posts: 657
    I have mostly been doing cardio also. BUT, I have added in dumb bells. I use the Bob Harper Boot Camp. I am also starting 30 Day Shred on Monday. More muscle you have, the more fat you can burn! Woot! So yes. Start strength training:)
  • aflane
    aflane Posts: 625 Member
    The sooner strength training is added to your workout, the better. Strength training is what will really boost your metabolism.
  • dominazian
    dominazian Posts: 2 Member
    Here's the science behind some of that
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/dominazian/view/benefits-of-being-educated-in-nutrition-and-exercise-128174

    Muscle burns fat, so the more muscle you have the more fat and calories you burn. Up the ante on weights and get toned. Muscle will also automatically speed up metabolism.
  • arh0117
    arh0117 Posts: 185 Member
    Bump for more opinions...
  • ginamc04
    ginamc04 Posts: 113 Member
    Definitely add strength training. When you do cardio, you burn calories while you are working out but with strength training, your body continues to burn calories for HOURS after you stop lifting. Lifting heavy weights (heavy for you, where it is difficult for you to do but still maintain good form) will tone & tighten your body & make you smaller faster than just cardio. Cardio only will give a smaller softer version of your current shape, its weights that will give you definition.
  • fionarama
    fionarama Posts: 788 Member
    yeah I have to say just for simple motivation, weights are great, if you do a really basic simple weight training programme, using large muscles, you will build muscle and notice the difference quite quickly. Its as gratifying seeing a bit of definition develop as it is seeing the fat disappear, you really change your body that way. Plus loads and loads of cardio can get stiflingly boring after a while! I think the plan of doing masses of cardio you can burn out really quickly.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Definitely add strength training. When you do cardio, you burn calories while you are working out but with strength training, your body continues to burn calories for HOURS after you stop lifting. Lifting heavy weights (heavy for you, where it is difficult for you to do but still maintain good form) will tone & tighten your body & make you smaller faster than just cardio. Cardio only will give a smaller softer version of your current shape, its weights that will give you definition.

    And I'd like to add...steady state cardio is actually detrimental to building muscle, and in my reading...is a very ineffecient way to burn fat. Interval cardio, particularly high intensity interval cardio...when combined with strength training is a very, very effective combination for fat loss. The hormones released during interval workouts and strength training shed fat, pure and simple.

    Read this:

    http://members.rachelcosgrove.com/public/The_Final_Nail_in_the_Cardio_Coffin.cfm

    There are before and after pictures in my profile, and on the link in my signature. I do NO steady state cardio...period. No running, no treadmill, no elliptical, and no walking outside what my work requires. My strength training is bodyweight, and I do it in circuit style...trying to keep my heart rate above 140. I've been doing this since early April...and have dropped from about 215lbs to 176lbs. That's almost 40lbs in 4mos, six weeks of which I was on a plateau from eating too little. Granted, I'm a guy...but even so, I'm sure your results would still be impressive.

    Now, understand, I'm not saying you should stop your cardio completely, unless you choose to. I'm just saying you could...and that adding strength training will likely be the single biggest boost to your fat burning program you could implement.

    Cris
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