How necessary is strength training?

nope not at all.

Later in life there will always be someone around to help you out of bed and open those most stubborn pickle jars.

You are on a program to lose weight and with that weight comes most likely a good deal of the lean mass you currently posess so unless you do something to combat this you will be on a lower calorie diet plan forever than someone who either never had a weight issue or someone who lost weight with some form of muscle retaining strength exercise. If this is acceptable to you then by all means go for it you can still be successful without it however your chances of success with it are probably higher long term.

lsutton484 wrote: »

nope not at all.

Later in life there will always be someone around to help you out of bed and open those most stubborn pickle jars.

You are on a program to lose weight and with that weight comes most likely a good deal of the lean mass you currently posess so unless you do something to combat this you will be on a lower calorie diet plan forever than someone who either never had a weight issue or someone who lost weight with some form of muscle retaining strength exercise. If this is acceptable to you then by all means go for it you can still be successful without it however your chances of success with it are probably higher long term.

That effect is not as pronounced as people imagine. It takes years and years of training to achieve enough muscle mass to make a noticeable difference in calories and most of it is often the product of weighing more. Also keep in mind that he does skateboarding (cardio) which is more than enough to make up for any calories lost by not gaining/preserving mass, and may even surpass the calories for those who strength train but hate cardio. Most people do strength training because they want a certain look, they enjoy it (or the aftermath of it), they want to augment their performance in another sport, or they are concerned about their bone/muscle mass. It's basically up to the person.

I second the suggestion to strength train specifically to improve skateboarding. You already have something you love you do; Just spend 30 minutes 3 times a week to improve on it.

First, good job. I recall someone saying if you don't think loosing 50 pound isn't an accomplishment, carry a suitcase around that weighs 50 pounds! I'm sure you feel the difference. Strength training isn't necessarily for builiding "lots" of muscle, but you obviously need your muscles active to assist in burning calories and good metabolism. I do a lot of Leslie Sansone workouts (walking--I have arthritis in both knees) and she suggests 2x per week in addition to the cadio. That's it! And you don't need to "pump iron" to get the desired results. My two cents worth!

There are a plethora of reasons to incorporate resistance training into your plan; 1. easier to maintain muscle than increase it later on when you aren't happy with your physique (fat loss > weight loss), 2. supports a strong body which prevents injury, 3. it will improve your performance in your sport, 4. supports metabolism and immune system, etc...


I will note, I know a lot of people who are upset they didn't start resistance training sooner. I don't know a single person who wishes they never did any resistance training.

middlehaitch wrote: »

You will look more like a smaller version of what you look like now.
If you find that acceptable you don't have to lift.
Lifting or some type of resistance work is encouraged to help with bone and muscle conservation.
There are no rules, so if your skateboarding satisfies you keep at it.

You never know you may, down the line, explore a programme that will enhance your boarding.

Personally I lift, but there again I am small old and don't want to have to shout 'help I've fallen and can't get up'.

Cheers, h.

This made me laugh. A relative asked why I was losing weight and this is what I told them.

Necessary? No
Beneficial? Absolutely

It really just comes down to what your goals are.

issiahs wrote: »

So, I've been dieting since the beginning of this year and lost 50 pounds. Still got about 40 more to go, but I'm stoked with the results already. I'm still overweight, but not like I used to be. I have done zero strength training though. My only exercise is skateboarding about an hour to two hours about 5 times a week. I enjoy doing it and that's why I've stuck with it. Strength training on the other hand bores me to death and I can't keep the routine of dragging myself to do it. I was kind of hoping that down the line that I would be more down to do it, but I still have no inkling to get into it at all. Is there anyone with success stories that didn't incorporate strength training? I'm not naive and think that I'll just turn out looking lean without it, but if I'm not going to look terrible then that would be nice news.

It really depends on your goals. If you simply want to weigh less then it's not needed at all. If you want to look pleasing in the mirror to yourself or to others (a girl perhaps?) then you're going to want to do some strength training. You don't have to lift heavy, simply do some bodyweight exercise if you want on a regular basis. Cover all of your muscle groups that you can and you'll be fine. Again, it all depends on why you wanted to lose weight. Is it the weight or health issues, or that you want to look better? All of the above? Food for thought.

Try a kettle bell workout, same benefits as lifting but works all your muscles together. Shorter workout time and to me alot easier to be motivated for

Glad to hear you heard what folks were saying.
I take it you skate board at or near a park. Check out if they have out door gym equipment, that can be a fun way to get some strength training.
Also a children's playground can give you a really good work out.

I'm sure there are example programmes for both on YouTube.
Think outside the box to find something that appeals to you.
Cheers, h.

issiahs wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice! Hearing like 20 people telling me how important it is might be the kick I need to just really commit and check out different forms of strength training. I've just been ignoring it because I tend to skate to exhaustion and convince myself I don't need anymore exercise. It's an addicting sport. Haha. Hearing that I only need to spend half an hour to an hour 3 times a week is a relief. I thought of it as more of a commitment than what it was.

Have you checked out skateboarding resources? You may be able to come up with a strength training plan that focuses on strengthening what needs to be strengthened for your sport, so you would feel like you are strength training for a reason and that reason is something you love.

whitpauly wrote: »

Off the main topic but I wanted to say that skateboarding is excellent exercise! My son lost 40 pounds when he and his friends started going daily,I was amazed

I would suspect your son ate considerably less during that same time. skateboarding isn't going to nullify poor eating and consistent over eating. Weight loss is mainly calorie deficit. Cardio is helpful, but relatively less of a burn than you would think. an hour of jogging might nullify that donut you ate.

Weight training builds lean muscle. muscle burns more calories at rest, more muscle can help in appearance, slightly higher maintenance calories and just the ability to live a more robust life long term.

Calorie restriction for weight loss does lower stored fat but unfortunately it also lowers lean muscle mass. You just don't lose the fat! The thing people don't get is they restrict calories and add no weight lifting and they lose the pounds on the scale and most likely look slimmer, but they also are now burning fewer calories at rest because they lost muscle in the process. Then they go back to "normal" or even less calorie intake levels than when they gained thinking they should be ok..but they aren't because their maintenance level is reduced.

weight lifting of some sort...is crucial..in my opinion to any weight loss program. IMHO.