But I Like Cardio More
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Don't worry about it. I only did cardio - Zumba, cycling, and walking, and I have lost 25 pounds in 5 months. I have just started adding weight lifting into my routine because I felt like it. You do you. Whatever motivates you to move and whatever movement you do IS GOOD! The more you do it, the more you will do it, and the more you will try. Don't be so hard on yourself! It is a process for sure. A few years ago I was doing all kinds of crazy workouts and I tried everything. That made me happy then. I'm not as into it now. Whatever it is that you're doing is the right thing if you are doing it! I LOVE to ride my bike and walk. They are my go tos that never fail me. Sometimes I do yoga. Speaking of low funds, there are a lot of free yoga classes around. Bring a friend. It could be something you decide you like!1
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I have always hated lifting and never stuck with it. Now, I'm considering going back to it--and/or some other muscle-building activities for my upper body and core. My main concern as I age is mobility, but honestly, strength and flexibility (and balance and endurance) are all really important. Running, walking, and general activities help with most of those, but again, my upper body and core are really in lousy shape and I feel it in my back a lot. So, regardless of how I do it, I need to do it, so I'll start with the obvious and see if having well-defined goals and seeing results is enough.1
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I like both. Cardio in a gym is awful (boring) but my passions are hiking, kayaking, bike riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. I did start lifting in earnest a year or so again (in a gym) and now I feel so strong, which is awesome and amazing.
If you're not already doing single leg deadlifts, please consider them. You don't need any weight, an empty cup is perfect (because it forces you all the way down). Next time you're on your skis you'll thank me.
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NorthCascades wrote: »I like both. Cardio in a gym is awful (boring) but my passions are hiking, kayaking, bike riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. I did start lifting in earnest a year or so again (in a gym) and now I feel so strong, which is awesome and amazing.
If you're not already doing single leg deadlifts, please consider them. You don't need any weight, an empty cup is perfect (because it forces you all the way down). Next time you're on your skis you'll thank me.
Oh yes. No equipment needed. It has been one of the best strength exercises I introduced to support my running. I had to build up to it to protect my back, but it's very useful for training stability, core, hamstrings, and glutes all in one go without added strain on my back (I like exercises that train multiple aspects because it means shorter sessions). I don't have to like strength training to admit it's very useful in certain situations and in general.1 -
NorthCascades wrote: »I like both. Cardio in a gym is awful (boring) but my passions are hiking, kayaking, bike riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. I did start lifting in earnest a year or so again (in a gym) and now I feel so strong, which is awesome and amazing.
If you're not already doing single leg deadlifts, please consider them. You don't need any weight, an empty cup is perfect (because it forces you all the way down). Next time you're on your skis you'll thank me.
Never heardof these! Must Google...
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NorthCascades wrote: »I like both. Cardio in a gym is awful (boring) but my passions are hiking, kayaking, bike riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. I did start lifting in earnest a year or so again (in a gym) and now I feel so strong, which is awesome and amazing.
If you're not already doing single leg deadlifts, please consider them. You don't need any weight, an empty cup is perfect (because it forces you all the way down). Next time you're on your skis you'll thank me.
Like this?
https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/single-leg-deadlift0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I like both. Cardio in a gym is awful (boring) but my passions are hiking, kayaking, bike riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. I did start lifting in earnest a year or so again (in a gym) and now I feel so strong, which is awesome and amazing.
If you're not already doing single leg deadlifts, please consider them. You don't need any weight, an empty cup is perfect (because it forces you all the way down). Next time you're on your skis you'll thank me.
Like this?
https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/single-leg-deadlift
Weird thing: The video and text description show/describe something that doesn't match the still photos: Photo shows KB in hand that's on the side with the lifted leg. Description/video says the opposite.0 -
I keep trying to explain to a friend of mine that if she hates the idea of jumping jacks and crunches, there are other exercises she can try. I think she thinks exercise for adults is like being stuck in a middle school gym with a grumpy PE teacher and the wafting smell of 20 kids hitting puberty.
Maybe I should point her to this thread.....2 -
kshama2001 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »I like both. Cardio in a gym is awful (boring) but my passions are hiking, kayaking, bike riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. I did start lifting in earnest a year or so again (in a gym) and now I feel so strong, which is awesome and amazing.
If you're not already doing single leg deadlifts, please consider them. You don't need any weight, an empty cup is perfect (because it forces you all the way down). Next time you're on your skis you'll thank me.
Like this?
https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/single-leg-deadlift
Weird thing: The video and text description show/describe something that doesn't match the still photos: Photo shows KB in hand that's on the side with the lifted leg. Description/video says the opposite.
My PT made it sound like it's the same exercise, but using the opposite leg is the more difficult variation.
This is a great exercise to improve balance and ankle strength, there are moments on Nordic skis that feel very similar. Turning quickly involves putting most or all of your weight on one ski in a manner that feels almost exactly like SLDLs.0 -
Exactly, except I'm 31 years younger than you and we can add cycling in there (though not as much as I'd like). The only even kind of easy way to get me to do real strength training is in the form of physical therapy and even then it's like pulling teeth.Here's some heresy:
I hardly ever lift. (It's not very fun, to me, and I'm an evil wicked hedonist). Mostly, I do some vaguely strength-y "cardio" (man I hate that term "cardio" - waaaay too broad). Specifically, I row: Boats when I can, machines when I must. Boats are fun (to me).
Periodically, I poke at actual strength training, because I know it's the right thing to do (I always tell others to do it ). For me, it rarely lasts long, sadly. That's a fault.
I don't have bodybuilder/weight-trainer muscles, but I don't have zero muscles, either. I don't think I lost much muscle during weight loss . . . I certainly don't "suffer from muscle atrophy" (!), even at age 63.
I'm hoping to start climbing on a regular basis in the winter because it will be significantly easier to get myself to do that than to do any sort of strength training. I climbed competitively when in my pre-teens/early teens was very strong. That was without doing any strength training and I was in no way an anomaly. Conveniently it will also probably complement rowing well, especially given that my hands historically skip any form of blistering and go straight to calluses 3 -
Have you looked at the nerd fitness site? MIght appeal to your gamer side.
I love your Judgy Cat. I have 2 who judge me, but I don't let it get to me.
Other than that, agreed with all of the above. Don't do what you don't want to do, no need to lift if you don't like it (but it DOES have health benefits such as bone density). Just play Beat Saber and there you go. Worked out. For free.1 -
This thread has inspired a lot of googling by me. I ended up running across videos of strength training using a sledgehammer that actually looked more fun than traditional gym sessions.0
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Man...just exercise. You're working some muscle somewhere, unless you're really trying to grow a specific muscle, you're doing a net good regardless. If you like cardio, you're working our that heart, and your likely very increased lifespan will thank you.
People will say cardio is a waste of time when their goals aren't overall fitness, but perhaps just efficient muscle growth. That and it's very easy to burn yourself out with cardio; it uses a lot of calories. This can make building muscle a bit more tedious, especially in a calorie deficit. However, unless you're a very low body fat, or simply aren't eating enough at all (this amount being up for heavy debate), I would never say it's a waste of time.2 -
My exercise strategy is a bit dis-organised, but it's to move around a lot. This may be climbing, lifting, hiking, yoga, swimming, kettlebells, scuba, badminton or anything else that strikes me as entertaining.
Is it "optimal", and would I be better off following one programme with less variety? My aim is to move around a lot, and so as long as I find everything fun, it meets my objectives. If I don't enjoy it, then I will do it less frequently and eventually give up. I could certainly get stronger if I lifted more and did less miscellaneous cardio, but I wouldn't enjoy it as much.2 -
I also HATE weightlifting. I love cardio! but I like the way I look when lifting heavy things. I have been thinner from cardio, and not liked my body near as much as when I was heavy lifting. No one can make you do it, but I see the best results when I do both.0
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The other time I was in a similar shape as I am now, I currently lift, I was doing ballet and triathlon. Just to echo what others have said, you do not have to do weights, but mixing up your cardio is a good way to geta variety of strength in. Adding something like swimming or rowing that has upper body involvement is a good idea (your boxing video would count). Also things like plyometrics and power moves I find way more fun that straight lifting. box jumps and jump squats and jumping lunges etc are super fun for me. You might look for online exercise routines that incorporate moves like these.2
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I'd rather be running, biking or swimming than lifting weights too but there are certain things we do (like eating broccoli) because they're good for you.
I'm going to assume that you're not competing in any endurance events so the injury resistance angle might not appeal to you. You, judging by your profile picture, also have youth on your side but as we age strength training becomes critical to maintain lean muscle mass (men start losing it around 40, for women the loss becomes more pronounced with menopause) and bone density. While it's not the fountain of youth consider the fact that much of the frailty suffered by the elderly could have been mitigated with 90 minutes or so a week spent in the gym lifting.
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my cat judges me
That's always the case, my cats constantly judge me when I workout at home. I started with <50lb adjustable dumbbells and now can bench 1.5x bodyweight, squat & deadlift 2x bodyweight and they're still not impressed.
Lifting embodies everything that drives me away from physical fitness: boring repetition of exercises for the sake of exercise
Most people do feel this way about cardio, but you don't. I don't feel this way about lifting but do about cardio. For me lifting is all about improving and testing your body's boundaries, it can be technically, physically, and mentally challenging, and progress can be just as measurable and quantifiable to cardio. So, No you don't have to lift if you don't want to; to lose weight all you have to do is eat in a caloric deficit. However, depending on your ultimate physique goals lifting may be the path you need to follow if you truly want to end up looking how you like... or not. I got some great advice from another user a few years ago; manage your calories to manage your weight/fat, do exercise for health, fitness, enjoyment, and improving your physique.
Edit was for formatting2 -
weight lifting wouldn't be so bad if they weren't so darn heavy!2
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