Unsure if what I’m doing is pointless

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Replies

  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    edited April 2020
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    If you really don’t want to lose weight, why are you eating at a deficit at all. If you want to be more fit, less fatty, stronger, walking and running are both very good exercises. They build muscles in your legs. They are weight bearing so they make your bones stronger, as well as muscles. But if you want to look toned and muscular all over, you need to address your upper half as well. Core exercises like planks could help. Google arm exercises. Yoga is a good overall exercise. I think Pilates is too, but I don’t know from experience.

    Running, yoga and Pilates doesn't build muscle.

    Good for cardiovascular heath, though.

    So you're saying that regular recreational runners, yoga practitioners (including those handstand people?), and Pilates devotees don't have more muscle than people who just sit on the couch. And yes, I mean mass, not just strength.

    Clearly, if muscle mass is the main point, or even strength, then weight training is the efficient and by far most effective route. But I think you're being a little black and white, here.

    That's exactly what I'm saying. People who regularity do those things are more lean and shredded looking because their body fat is generally lower than couch potatos. If running built muscle, wouldn't marathon runners be built?
  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    edited April 2020

    That's exactly what I'm saying. People who regularity do those things are more lean and shredded looking because their body fat is generally lower than couch potatos. If running built muscle, wouldn't marathon runners be built?

    Dude have you seen the calves of long-time runners??

    Yes I have and I'd hardly say that they are big, just shredded. If you're talking about SPRINTERS we might be having a different conversation here, but OP is doing 5ks. Calve size is extremely dependent on genetics and is one of the hardest muscles to build in the entire body.

    If you always do the same thing you will not get stronger -- does not matter if it is running, doing 10 push ups every day, doing 25 ten pound curls everyday or doing 25 squats with 75 pounds weight every day progressive exercise builds strength and size
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,576 Member
    edited April 2020
    Hi everyone. My goal is to shred fat. I’ve taken up joggingrecently, in particular I’m doing C25K. I’m really really enjoying it and I even bring my dog with me while doing it sometimes. She’s a husky so loves running.
    Alongside this I’m on a calorie deficit - MFP reccomend 1200 but I have been eating back some calories I’ve burned working out because honestly I’m finding I’m pretty starving if not.

    Anyway I understand the only way to really get rid of fat is through weight training, and honestly I’ve always hated weight training, like absolutely hate it. I don’t know what I’m doing I find it tedious and I give up every time I try. So I only really enjoy a cardio workout.

    Am I just going to have poor or no results from doing what I am right now? I.e lose muscle and just be left with fat still.

    If you enjoy running, come and join us in the monthly running challenge thread. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges. We can give you lots of support for both running and weight loss.

    In my opinion, running is excellent for those of us who like to eat - you should be eating back at least half of the calories burned that MFP allocates you.

    Running will make it easier to lose weight (in that you can eat more), is great for mental health (runner’s high is a real thing), and will give you lovely shapely legs if you stick with it long enough, as well as improving your health, stamina and life expectancy.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,937 Member
    edited April 2020
    Hi everyone. My goal is to shred fat. I’ve taken up joggingrecently, in particular I’m doing C25K. I’m really really enjoying it and I even bring my dog with me while doing it sometimes. She’s a husky so loves running.
    Alongside this I’m on a calorie deficit - MFP reccomend 1200 but I have been eating back some calories I’ve burned working out because honestly I’m finding I’m pretty starving if not.

    Anyway I understand the only way to really get rid of fat is through weight training, and honestly I’ve always hated weight training, like absolutely hate it. I don’t know what I’m doing I find it tedious and I give up every time I try. So I only really enjoy a cardio workout.

    Am I just going to have poor or no results from doing what I am right now? I.e lose muscle and just be left with fat still.

    To get back on topic and answer your questions:
    The only reason what you are doing would be pointless would be your reason for doing it. If you are exercising to lose weight, that would be pointless without addressing your diet. You don't get rid of fat from exercise, you get rid of fat from diet (as others have said).

    Exercise burns some calories but is primarily for fitness and body composition. If you hate weight training, don't do it. Find something you like. But if you don't do anything besides running, the only muscles you will develop are your legs (Yes, running builds some muscle, depending on your state of training but you will limit out at some point. This is only important if you want more muscular legs. I've seen some pretty shapely legs on women who run. ) For body composition and muscle tone, it would be prudent to do some upper body training a couple of days per week. There are alternatives to weight training.

    The bigger concern, and the one that could affect losing muscle is the 1200 calories per day. That is only an appropriate choice for very short, very small women. My guess is you set your weight loss goal too high. Like 2 lbs per week? What are you stats? You say you want to lose body fat and it sounds like you want to retain muscle. An overly aggressive calorie deficit will cause you to lose both. A lower deficit appropriate for your stats will retain muscle and cause you to lose primarily fat.

    So, height and weight would help people to advise you more appropriately.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,602 Member
    Why not try something like this: https://youtu.be/iTD_AYc0-Hk
    I like this workout because it gets everything done in 30 min. Running is not pointless. But if you want to build strength and muscle, you need strength training.
  • djaxon1
    djaxon1 Posts: 82 Member
    edited April 2020
    Try some bodyweight exercises.
    I like kettlebells (see youtube) - more a full body workover than trad weights.
    It takes time to lose lbs . . or get shredded !