Weight Lifting while Losing Weight - Yes or no?

BIG Yes for me!
Cardio and lift weights helps.

Lifting weights (heavy ones) at least 3x a week while you're in the process of losing weight will help improve your body composition. Weight loss through a combination of diet and cardio, or cardio alone, will result in a certain amount of muscle loss. It's inevitable. By lifting weights while you lose you can help offset this muscle loss.

Also, make sure your protein consumption is increased. It should be 1 g of protein per pound of lean body mass (eg. I weigh 145 lbs with a body fat % of 23% so my lean body mass is approx. 112lbs, which means I'll try to consume at least 112 grams of protein per day).

I agree with the others, do both, from the beginning. I have lost 130 pounds so far, and the ONE thing that I wish I had done differently would be strength training. I didn't start from the beginning, and it is very hard to change that habit, at least for me. I know that my body would be in so much better shape, had I done strength training regularly.

Totally agree!!

My doctor suggested that in the beginning concentrate the most on cardio than slowly add weights but make sure to keep the weights light and do more reps so you do not bulk up

Sorry, but this is nonsense. You do not need to fear bulking up if you're eating at a deficit. Bulking is a deliberate process used by body builders to gain mass. It requires eating a *kitten* ton of food and lifting very heavy weights. I can assure you that this won't happen to any woman who wants to lift heavy. Physiologically speaking it's practically impossible.

+1 Bodybuilders (male & female) spend hours each day at the gym to achieve their physiques.

My doctor suggested that in the beginning concentrate the most on cardio than slowly add weights but make sure to keep the weights light and do more reps so you do not bulk up

Sorry, but this is nonsense. You do not need to fear bulking up if you're eating at a deficit. Bulking is a deliberate process used by body builders to gain mass. It requires eating a *kitten* ton of food and lifting very heavy weights. I can assure you that this won't happen to any woman who wants to lift heavy. Physiologically speaking it's practically impossible.

+1 Bodybuilders (male & female) spend hours each day at the gym to achieve their physiques.

Most of the BBers I know don't spend hours in the gym each day. They do spend lots of money on drugs though.

It's not essential but it can help. More muscle means your body becomes more and more of a calorie furnace.

I personally lost all my weight so far without doing much strength training. Occasional yoga & free weight work, but nothing serious. Now I'm starting to focus more on toning.

Keep in mind that if you're doing weights, you will likely need to manually edit your goals here on MFP because the daily calorie and protein numbers are probably a bit low.

My doctor suggested that in the beginning concentrate the most on cardio than slowly add weights but make sure to keep the weights light and do more reps so you do not bulk up

Sorry, but this is nonsense. You do not need to fear bulking up if you're eating at a deficit. Bulking is a deliberate process used by body builders to gain mass. It requires eating a *kitten* ton of food and lifting very heavy weights. I can assure you that this won't happen to any woman who wants to lift heavy. Physiologically speaking it's practically impossible.

Very true! Even men who are eating in a deficit have trouble bulking up and they have testosterone on thier side. Without excess calories your body will not usually build muscle tissue. As a woman, you would have a hard time getting bulky even if you wanted to. While in calorie deficit is is nearly impossible. Lift once or twice a week working different areas of your body. 3 times if you are recovered enough and you are young enough to bounce back quick. You'll be glad you did!

My doctor suggested that in the beginning concentrate the most on cardio than slowly add weights but make sure to keep the weights light and do more reps so you do not bulk up

Sorry, but this is nonsense. You do not need to fear bulking up if you're eating at a deficit. Bulking is a deliberate process used by body builders to gain mass. It requires eating a *kitten* ton of food and lifting very heavy weights. I can assure you that this won't happen to any woman who wants to lift heavy. Physiologically speaking it's practically impossible.

Very true! Even men who are eating in a deficit have trouble bulking up and they have testosterone on thier side. Without excess calories your body will not usually build muscle tissue. As a woman, you would have a hard time getting bulky even if you wanted to. While in calorie deficit is is nearly impossible. Lift once or twice a week working different areas of your body. 3 times if you are recovered enough and you are young enough to bounce back quick. You'll be glad you did!

So if you don't "bulk up" how does your body become the "calorie furnace" that everyone is promising??

Hmm..... (hint: it doesn't)

But the weights are still essential, even if the "increased metabolism" claims are significantly overstated.