Lose the last 10lbs with Cardio or Weights?

hell yeah!

the last ten pounds are going to look better as muscle anyway, might as well start a lifting routine and let the fat work for you

Throw the scale away! What most people mean when they say they "want to lose weight" is "I want to lose fat."

This was me at 5'4" and 130 lbs at ~23% body fat:



And this is me at 5'4" and ~129 lbs at ~16-17% body fat:



THE SCALE LIES! Lift heavy, eat clean, and dont starve your body!

Damn. You look amazing. Screw the scales. I am joining a gym this week.

wowza! you look amazing!

Lifting, in the long run lifting burns more calories than cardio anyways!

I've sat between 130-140 most of my life, and my goal weight is somewhere between 115-120. I couldn't get below 130 without adding weights to my routine. I even stopped lifting for a month, and even though I lost about 3lbs, my measurements stayed the same. Now I'm at about 125, and slowly losing the last few pounds. I'm less concerned about the number on the scale though, and I take my measurements monthly and track my progress that way. I have upped my calories, but that's more because my days have gotten busier and 1300 was just not maintainable for me. I eat around 1400 most days now, and make sure to get plenty of protein.

I had the same problem. Started lifting weights, wasn't even trying to drop anymore weight and more pounds started melting off. The thing is, the weight training if done regularly, will really up your metabolism. I've read your body burns more calories for up to 36 hours after a good weight training session. I would never completely stop cardio, but I regularly hit the weights, and it's making a real difference in how I look as well.

WOW - you ladies look FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Screw cardio!

So if I lift 3x/week should I still do cario maybe 2x/week? Or do I need cardio at all? I'm not planning any marathons.

And pictures really do help - I'm going to try to ween myself off the scale and go by photos. That can be my new motivation.

thanks!!!

Balance is best.

I had the same problem. Started lifting weights, wasn't even trying to drop anymore weight and more pounds started melting off. The thing is, the weight training if done regularly, will really up your metabolism. I've read your body burns more calories for up to 36 hours after a good weight training session. I would never completely stop cardio, but I regularly hit the weights, and it's making a real difference in how I look as well.

Funny enough I just posted this about that..

Interesting experiment is finally over. Just curious how effective the afterburn effect between lifting and cardio. Equipment used was a Polar FT80, it was only taken off for showers which as I'm a guy never run more than 5 minutes. I did everything the same and didn't do any extra activities on any of the rest days. I work at a desk in an office so that wouldn't change the outcome either. Not saying this is scientific evidence but more of just a test. I can definitely see how I'll not ever give up lifting. Work out times were the same and within 5 minutes of each other in length.

So I did this. I did a turn back to back rest day and this is what I got for calories burnt.
Rest 1: 3182 from HRM per day.
Rest 2: 3091 from HRM per day.

Lifting days (Lift day cals + rest day of next day for a 48 hour period.)
Lift 1: 1208 exercise burnt, 2 day burn: 8306 or 4153 per day.
Lift 2: 965 exercise burnt, 2 day burn: 8072 or 4036 per day.

Cardio days (Cardio day cals + rest day of next day for a 48 hour period.)
Cardio 1: 1593 exercise burnt, 2 day burn: 7493 or 3746.5 a day
Cardio 2: 1686 exercise burnt, 2 day burn: 7681 or 3801 a day

Again not an offical scientific experiment, but I took the same supplements and did the same time working out. I work a desk job and didn't move around anymore than usual. Just said I would for a group of people on MFP that was curious as was I.
From this test it appears for me anyways I get a 300-400 extra calories burnt from lifting. Now just to go back to mixing the two and destroying the fat on muh bellah!!!!

@ cyncetastic.....what stomach exercises do you do to make your stomach toned like that. I dont wanna lose any more weight, just wanna tone up, especially my stomach, thighs and arms. Any advice??

Throw the scale away! What most people mean when they say they "want to lose weight" is "I want to lose fat."

This was me at 5'4" and 130 lbs at ~23% body fat:



And this is me at 5'4" and ~129 lbs at ~16-17% body fat:



THE SCALE LIES! Lift heavy, eat clean, and dont starve your body!

You look amazing! I am in a similar position to your "before" picture and would love to know how you toned up your abs so well?

Throw the scale away! What most people mean when they say they "want to lose weight" is "I want to lose fat."

This was me at 5'4" and 130 lbs at ~23% body fat:



And this is me at 5'4" and ~129 lbs at ~16-17% body fat:


holy crap, i'm 5'2 and 128-130, super inspirational! I need to lift weights!! You look awesome!
THE SCALE LIES! Lift heavy, eat clean, and dont starve your body!

I need some guidance. I am currently doing the Couch Potatoe to 5K running program. I am watching what I eat. I need to do weights for the 2 days in between. Can someone provide me a weight schedule for the 2 days a week. I am clueless when it comes to that....

I am currently 5'5 170lb. I have been on this program for 5 weeks. I feel better but have not stepped on the scale....

So what do you all consider "lifting heavy"? (Sorry - I'm not trying to hijack your post :laugh: )

Generally lifting heavy weights like dumbbells, bench press, dead lift, squats, with low reps like 10-12.

So what do you all consider "lifting heavy"? (Sorry - I'm not trying to hijack your post :laugh: )

I get asked this a lot – “what is heavy?” Heavy will vary from person to person. My heavy might not be heavy to someone else. Or my heavy might be TOO heavy for another. Here’s how I gauge heavy…

Think about your rep range. If your program/routine calls for 8-10 reps, then you want the weight to be light enough that you can get to 8 reps, but you don’t want it to be TOO light that you can do more than 10. If you get to rep 10 and you think to yourself “Man, I could probably do a few more!” then you’re not lifting heavy enough. In contrast, if you get to rep 6 or 7 and think to yourself “I can’t possibly make it to 8!” then chances are you’re lifting too heavy. You want to challenge yourself. You want to really work for those last couple reps because those are the most important ones! Don’t be afraid to grunt or groan or exhale loudly to get them in!

The first time you do a movement, you’ll just have to guesstimate what weight you should be using. Picking something up and give it a try. If you don’t make it to your minimum rep, then go a little lighter on the next set. If you got to the maximum rep easily, increase your weight on the next set. Once you do this a couple times, you’ll have a good idea of what is “heavy” for you.

Hope this helps!

Wow, you look amazing. Sorry, not part of the original post, but I just had to ask... how long did it take for you to get to that lower body fat?

Roughly 6 months. I started in September 2011.