Cardio vs weight training to loose weight?!?!
mymmsworld2
Posts: 9 Member
Help!! I have two trainers telling me 2 very different things! One says workout weights and HIIT cardio the other says don’t waste energy on weights, put energy into cardio until you drop half of your goal. I have a lot to loose, ideally 80 lbs so please help me figure it out! I am eating clean with only green carbs and staying about 1200 calories a day. Thank you
1
Replies
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Count calories to lose weight.
For your overall health, choose exercise that you will stick with. In an ideal world, you should be doing both strength and cardio, as well as stretching. In the real world, consistency is the single most important factor for your exercise program.
It should also be noted that starting strength training now will usually result in less muscle loss while losing weight.18 -
HIIT - (real HIIT that is) probably completely inappropriate for you - not required for weight loss.
Weights - not required for weight loss, but a good thing to do while losing weight (or not losing weight).
Cardio - not required for weight loss, but a good thing to do while losing weight (or not losing weight).
Eating clean - whatever that actually means it's not required for weight loss.
Only green carbs - why miss out on great sources of nutrition because some foods are the wrong colour?
The ONLY things required are a sustainable calorie deficit, time and patience.
I hope you realise that your very low calorie goal is plus exercise calories? (Your trainers won't know that by the way.)
If you realise that exercise isn't to increase your deficit then you realise that your choice of exercise comes down to what the fitness, health and enjoyment benefits are.
Don't make the process tougher than it has to be, it's far more important you get to goal weight and stay there rather than fall off the wagon.26 -
mymmsworld2 wrote: »I am eating... only green carbs
this bit just makes me sad14 -
TavistockToad wrote: »mymmsworld2 wrote: »I am eating... only green carbs
this bit just makes me sad
This ^^
I'm currently cutting weight and there is no way I'd cut out the foods I love. Limit yes but don't go without. There really is no need to.5 -
TavistockToad wrote: »mymmsworld2 wrote: »I am eating... only green carbs
this bit just makes me sad
What about red cabbage? Yellow peppers? Purple eggplant?2 -
mymmsworld2 wrote: »Help!! I have two trainers telling me 2 very different things! One says workout weights and HIIT cardio the other says don’t waste energy on weights, put energy into cardio until you drop half of your goal. I have a lot to loose, ideally 80 lbs so please help me figure it out! I am eating clean with only green carbs and staying about 1200 calories a day. Thank you
1. Ditch both the trainers.
Start a good structured 4 day a week strength program, track your calories, accurately, and set a reasonable deficit. with 80 lbs to go 1200 is probably way too low.
Make sure you're getting enough protein to support retaining the muscle mass you have.
Once you've been at the strength regimen for 6-8 weeks, add in some light cardio(running or elliptical or rowing). At about 12 weeks, taper back to a 3 day program and start C25K or another similar volume building program.
3 -
Calories to lose weight. The question doesn't make much sense in the context. It would have a different answer if it was something like this:
Which one will give me more calories to eat?
Cardio
Which one will make me stronger?
Weight training
Which one will develop my cardiovascular fitness better?
Cardio
Which one will help retain muscle better?
Weight training
...and so on. Identify what you want out of your exercise and you'll be able to focus on one or the other, although there is no reason you can't do both.9 -
HIIT - (real HIIT that is) probably completely inappropriate for you - not required for weight loss.
Weights - not required for weight loss, but a good thing to do while losing weight (or not losing weight).
Cardio - not required for weight loss, but a good thing to do while losing weight (or not losing weight).
Eating clean - whatever that actually means it's not required for weight loss.
Only green carbs - why miss out on great sources of nutrition because some foods are the wrong colour?
The ONLY things required are a sustainable calorie deficit, time and patience.
I hope you realise that your very low calorie goal is plus exercise calories? (Your trainers won't know that by the way.)
If you realise that exercise isn't to increase your deficit then you realise that your choice of exercise comes down to what the fitness, health and enjoyment benefits are.
Don't make the process tougher than it has to be, it's far more important you get to goal weight and stay there rather than fall off the wagon.
This!2 -
The other benefit of including weights in your workouts is that you will have more muscle, that in turn will result in more calories being burned throughout the day. I do workouts from The Firm, they are aerobics with weights workouts. I also do Leslie Sansone walking workouts, including one that has HIIT training in it. These are all solid fat burning workouts.
Definitely agree that you need to do something that you enjoy because then you will be more likely to stick with it long term. As we get older (I am 56) we do need to have some weights in our workouts to offset the muscle loss that happens to us each decade. I want to stay strong & have solid bones (which I do have), so that if I fall I am less likely to break a bone and end up in the hospital. I also want a higher quality of life, which you get from being physically stronger and able to be more independent as you get older.
If someone begins to include some weights in their exercising, I do recommend taking it slowly at first so that you don't injure yourself. Also make sure that you are using proper form to get the most benefit from it, and not injure yourself. That is why I really like using DVDs that show proper form. There are so many DVDs out there on virtually any exercise you wish to do. I have been using these aerobic/weight and walking DVD workouts for the past year and I am in great shape.3 -
As long as you are doing the 3 main things you will lose weight. Exercise on a normal basis with consistency, eat properly, and sleep enough to fully recover. I didnt lose any weight til I started sleeping more even though my diet and workouts were very strict.1
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HIIT - (real HIIT that is) probably completely inappropriate for you - not required for weight loss.
Weights - not required for weight loss, but a good thing to do while losing weight (or not losing weight).
Cardio - not required for weight loss, but a good thing to do while losing weight (or not losing weight).
Eating clean - whatever that actually means it's not required for weight loss.
Only green carbs - why miss out on great sources of nutrition because some foods are the wrong colour?
The ONLY things required are a sustainable calorie deficit, time and patience.
I hope you realise that your very low calorie goal is plus exercise calories? (Your trainers won't know that by the way.)
If you realise that exercise isn't to increase your deficit then you realise that your choice of exercise comes down to what the fitness, health and enjoyment benefits are.
Don't make the process tougher than it has to be, it's far more important you get to goal weight and stay there rather than fall off the wagon.
This^ is all you need to know. /thread3 -
maineapple wrote: »The other benefit of including weights in your workouts is that you will have more muscle, that in turn will result in more calories being burned throughout the day. I do workouts from The Firm, they are aerobics with weights workouts. I also do Leslie Sansone walking workouts, including one that has HIIT training in it. These are all solid fat burning workouts.
Definitely agree that you need to do something that you enjoy because then you will be more likely to stick with it long term. As we get older (I am 56) we do need to have some weights in our workouts to offset the muscle loss that happens to us each decade. I want to stay strong & have solid bones (which I do have), so that if I fall I am less likely to break a bone and end up in the hospital. I also want a higher quality of life, which you get from being physically stronger and able to be more independent as you get older.
If someone begins to include some weights in their exercising, I do recommend taking it slowly at first so that you don't injure yourself. Also make sure that you are using proper form to get the most benefit from it, and not injure yourself. That is why I really like using DVDs that show proper form. There are so many DVDs out there on virtually any exercise you wish to do. I have been using these aerobic/weight and walking DVD workouts for the past year and I am in great shape.
Don't get me wrong - I love Leslie Sansone, but none of her workouts are hiit. The "hiit" DVD isn't even one of her toughest workouts. Hiit is the "in" thing right now and so many workouts labeled as hitt are not. Hiit is very intense, jogging in place isn't intense enough.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/335-leslie-sansone-walk-at-home
Workouts don't burn fat......calorie deficit does.3 -
Building Muscle increases your metabolism, which ultimately helps with calorie deficit. For me, the best fatloss method is weight lifting along with a calorie deficit. Cardio is not that great for weight loss, IMO. You get your calorie burn, then once your heart rate drops you're back to normal. However, Cardio is great for your heart and your body (skills) and your endurance. HIIT usually involves some strength training as well so you do get the after burn with that. That said, use judgement on your athletic skill set. I mean don't hurt yourself, perhaps start with Isometric holds, and dynamic stretching to see where you are at. HIIT probably has some too advanced move that you are probably not ready for. Eat smart with a calorie deficit but not crazy extremes And do any workout, but try to progress in difficulty. Do Strength and Cardio(movement oriented is better than machines) and also balance and isometrics as well as dynamic flexibility . Workout for total fitness and athleticism not the mirror. Abs are created in the kitchen, but make small adjustments at first. Don't make it so crazy you'll never stick to it. MEAL PREP!! make a plan. Make large batches of quality carbs with High fiber, like lentils and black bean or quinoa, that you can mix with a variety of dishes, like salmon slices or along side a spinach salad. Boiled eggs are a quality protein, make a carton it should last a week or two. Make a chicken stir fry and put in single serving containers, etc.3
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Thank you everyone0
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Thank you. I realize calorie deficit is the way. But for someone who is has never been around fitness or healthy eating as a priority it is all overwhelming. Not all of us have been educated to know what is best and look to those who have been for help. The process alone is confusing but add in everyone’s differing opinions and it becomes mind boggling. I relied on those who have the training to help me design a program that was effective and sustainable but feel uneasy about total elimination of carbs other than green. Could be because I am a sugar/ carb junkie idk but I am taking away from all of this that I should go back to basics and “eat the rainbow” including fruits? Limiting higher carb/ natural sugars to earlier in day? I do truly appreciate that all of you are taking your time to help. I enjoy working out again. I used to be super fit and run 6 miles a day but still didn’t eat good. Just burned off what I ate then life happened and I stopped caring for me. That is what I am changing most, caring about me. Although, exercise with 80 extra pounds sucks!!
3 -
Don't worry about Green Carbs. Focus on reducing sugar and increasing fiber that will set you in the right direction for your carb intake. You absolutely need carbs if you are starting a work out regimen. The next question you need to ask is how many carbs. It depends on your lifestyle. if you are active, workout, and have a physical job, then 50% is probably correct. You are sedentary but work out 3 days a week, maybe shoot for 35% or 40%6
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When it comes to losing weight, the big thing is going to be eating fewer calories than you burn.
As for types of foods to get your calories, everyone will have different opinions and what does or doesn't work for them. For me, personally, I don't cut anything out of my diet - I just plan in the things I love, including pizza, ice cream, etc. Sure, portions may be smaller, or I may have really light meals earlier in a day if I'm wanting to grab a burger with friends that evening, but that's ME.
You may be happier on a different plan, or you may have "trigger" foods that you're just way to likely to binge on (one reason I don't keep chips and salsa/hummus in the house, because I will just pig out on it).
When it comes to exercise, at this point, find something you enjoy. Try some different classes. Try going outside (walking, hiking, biking). Try weight training. Find a few things you enjoy and go for those. There are benefits to both cardio type workouts and strength training, but the main thing to someone who's new to it all is to find something you ENJOY and will keep on doing even after the initial excitement wears off.
Others have discussed benefits of each type of exercise, but there are various ways to do both. Classes would be the easiest way to try some different things with some direction. Oh, and don't worry if you can't finish a full class - trust me, there's always been people who've had to leave early!5 -
*lose4
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mymmsworld2 wrote: »Thank you. I realize calorie deficit is the way. But for someone who is has never been around fitness or healthy eating as a priority it is all overwhelming. Not all of us have been educated to know what is best and look to those who have been for help. The process alone is confusing but add in everyone’s differing opinions and it becomes mind boggling. I relied on those who have the training to help me design a program that was effective and sustainable but feel uneasy about total elimination of carbs other than green. Could be because I am a sugar/ carb junkie idk but I am taking away from all of this that I should go back to basics and “eat the rainbow” including fruits? Limiting higher carb/ natural sugars to earlier in day? I do truly appreciate that all of you are taking your time to help. I enjoy working out again. I used to be super fit and run 6 miles a day but still didn’t eat good. Just burned off what I ate then life happened and I stopped caring for me. That is what I am changing most, caring about me. Although, exercise with 80 extra pounds sucks!!
It's okay to eliminate things for dieting purposes, but you need to know why and when it's a good option. If eliminating something makes it easier to diet, then that's a good reason to do it. Arbitrarily cutting out stuff and suffering through it is not a good reason to do it. You're finding this diet hard because it's restrictive, not because you're a carb junkie. If I was told to eliminate cheese I would feel restricted although I wouldn't call myself a cheese junkie. Just the idea of not being allowed to have something makes it more desirable to me.
You don't need to limit carbs, natural, or processed sugar to earlier in the day. You just need to eat in a way that feels comfortable to you. A way that makes sticking to your calories easier. Experiment and figure out the foods that find filling and eat more of those, eat less of the food that you don't find filling. Figure out what foods you really really like and are able to not overeat and keep them around, and what foods you tend to overeat and keep them away limiting your access to them. Figure out what foods are worth the calories to you and what foods aren't. It's a learning process. Tune out all the complicated noise outside: carbs aren't bad, fat isn't bad, it's okay to eat carbs in the evening, meal timing doesn't matter, types of food don't matter, types of exercise don't matter... none of that matters outside of the context of YOUR specific preferences and tendencies.
Basically, keep it to the basics for now and keep your eyes on one goal: eat within your calories. As you gain experience and gradually learn about yourself and your preferences, you'll be better equipped to customize your diet to your own needs (for example I find carbs filling so I eat more of them because that makes dieting easier for me, high intensity exercises make me very hungry so I don't do them because this makes dieting harder...etc). Don't rush it, customization will come with time. Focus on calories and calories only for now, and take note of how you feel and what you like.3 -
Yes I realize I misspelled it but to late to edit. Thanks for the insight3
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