Is it worth lifting when no where near goal?

robisawesome
robisawesome Posts: 10
in Fitness and Exercise
The title says it all really. I'm nowhere near the top end of my goal weight (maybe 35lbs off it) but have recently started lifting. But people keep telling me that i am wasting my time and/or that it will stop me losing weight.

Is this true am I wasting my time or is it worth doing?

Thanks

Replies

  • sapalee
    sapalee Posts: 409 Member
    You are not wasting your time. Lifting now will improve your body composition, increase your metabolism, and prevent muscle loss while you are dieting. The scale may not move as much but you will feel and look better. Tell them to shove off. :)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Yes, it is. Even if you aren't close to your goal, there is a body in there somewhere that will be more and more visible as your get closer to your goal. Do you want that exposed body to be weak and skinny, or strong and fit?
  • jaysonhijinx
    jaysonhijinx Posts: 663 Member
    You are not wasting your time. Lifting now will improve your body composition, increase your metabolism, and prevent muscle loss while you are dieting. The scale may not move as much but you will feel and look better. Tell them to shove off. :)

    Amen! Wish I had known this earlier though! :(
  • wannadance
    wannadance Posts: 59
    Thank you!! Just stumbled across this - really great to know :)
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    You are not wasting your time.. Nor will you stop losing weight.

    If you are new to lifting, then you stand a pretty good chance of gaining a little muscle while in a deficit(normally only able to be done while eating a surplus of calories) and the weight will come off slower, but it won't stop. Reason why is comes off slower is due to water retention from lifting sessions. Make sure to bust out the tape measure and not get so hung up on the scale when it doesn't go the way you want!
  • docktorfokse
    docktorfokse Posts: 473 Member
    It can stop you from losing weight, but it will only help you lose fat.
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    It can stop you from losing weight, temporarily

    fixed for you :)
  • Giraffe33991
    Giraffe33991 Posts: 430 Member
    YES! Kicks up metabolism and is awfully nice to see a nice firm muscle when you do lose the fat above it. Trust me I've been there...
  • patranus
    patranus Posts: 61 Member
    You shouldn't have a "goal weight" rather a goal body fat percentage.
  • missionmeltdown
    missionmeltdown Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks for this thread. I've recently started a heavy weight training program and the scale has not moved for weeks. Even gained last week. Was completely frustrated, but everything anyone is telling me is what has been told to you. Good for metabolism, more muscle means more calories burned at rest, and once the weight comes off your body comp will be much better than if you hadn't lifted.

    So, stay the course. Despite the numbers on the scale. Best of health to you!
  • sharryne
    sharryne Posts: 1
    Totally worth it. You need to strengthen and tone your body during and after weight loss. Set your reps with the lbs you lift and increase as needed to feel the burn. Combine your cardio with strength training on a day on/day off basis. Keep up the good work!
  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    It won't stop you from losing at all, It should promote fat loss.

    I started lifting 9 months ago, start as soon as possible!
  • kathleennf
    kathleennf Posts: 606 Member


    If you are new to lifting, then you stand a pretty good chance of gaining a little muscle while in a deficit(normally only able to be done while eating a surplus of calories) and the weight will come off slower, but it won't stop. Reason why is comes off slower is due to water retention from lifting sessions. Make sure to bust out the tape measure and not get so hung up on the scale when it doesn't go the way you want!

    THanks- this is JUST what I wanted to know! I am trying to build muscle (I'm at my goal) but not put fat back on so I have been scared to increase my calories. Everything I have read says you need more calories to put on muscle- but I seem to be putting on muscle and maintaining the same weight or even dropping a little. So I'm staying the course. Maybe I would put muscle on faster if I ate more- but I really don't want all the fat back!
  • CynGoddess
    CynGoddess Posts: 188 Member
    so glad someone asked this. I also wanted to know. I will keep on even with my scale not moving.
  • erin_zuk
    erin_zuk Posts: 226 Member
    Build the muscle foundation first, then burn the fat off.
    If you don't build the muscle tone first, you will end up very flabby.
  • jbayldon
    jbayldon Posts: 4
    im down 26 lbs from little cardio and mostly lifting or strength based cardio with weights.... not a waste imo at all
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    Everyone needs muscle--go for it! Besides, muscle makes your metabolism more efficient.
  • Michellerawrrr
    Michellerawrrr Posts: 310 Member
    100% ~ start lifting now and combine it with a good cardio program.
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    YES! Kicks up metabolism and is awfully nice to see a nice firm muscle when you do lose the fat above it. Trust me I've been there...


    THIS!
  • Saruman_w
    Saruman_w Posts: 1,531 Member
    Do it! Not having begun weight lifting on Day 1 when I was big was a huge mistake. Now it's like starting all over again so that I can look more fit and have a higher LBM.
  • Jaxper
    Jaxper Posts: 23 Member
    Everything that everyone has said up to this point, I second.

    Just a little info to keep in the back of your mind, if you start lifting, is that the weight will not fall off as quickly because muscle weights more than fat. That being said, if you're maintaining your caloric intake, but the weight isn't coming off, that's a pretty good indicator that you're gaining muscle as well!
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    It is NEVER a waste of time to start lifting.

    Will you stop losing weight? Trick question. Try this one instead...

    Will you stop losing fat? NO.

    Will you gain muscle? YES.

    Weight lifting develops muscle and muscles have been known to eat fat, so...this is a win/win situation.

    You can't go wrong lifting weights at any phase. Even if you are just starting out!

    Start with just the bars and the lightest dumbbells you can find. This will help your muscles develop a little bit of muscle memory and help you when you move to the next phase and some heavier weights.

    Do a little bit. Just lift for one set of ten reps of the lightest weights on each exercise and put them away on day one.

    Build a little each day and you won't hurt yourself. You will be glad you gave yourself the head start instead of waiting.
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    I am so not the expert... I am just getting started myself... but I can tell you my personal experience... since lifting ( HEAVIER) I have broken the plateau... and dropped a solid pant size! And feel better than I have ever in my life... thats my two cents!
  • FeatherBoBeather
    FeatherBoBeather Posts: 255 Member
    The more muscles you have the more calories you burn while at a 'resting rate'. :-)
    I've also personally found that lifting helps tighten my skin!
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    I've still got 75lbs or so left to lose.

    Let me tell you, it is SO worth it.

    I might not be dropping the same amount on the scales at the moment, but I'm SO much smaller now than I was when I was last this same weight.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    This blog post sums it up perfectly:

    http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/tools-for-weight-loss/why-i-lift-weights/

    Do it now (or yesterday as someone said in another thread)

    You might even find you look you wanted to look at goal weight....before you get there. :)
  • bradphil87
    bradphil87 Posts: 617 Member
    I told my trainer I wanted to lose weight, and he said cardio 6 days/week and lift heavy (with him) 3-4 days a week. It's working well and I'm happy with what I've seen so far:) I know I'm building muscle because I can lift a lot more now than I did a month ago. If nothing else, I will be able to lift hard when i finally reach the "toning" phase!
  • Tdk4685
    Tdk4685 Posts: 293 Member
    you are not wasting your time. Someday you will see a difference and be glad you did it! It does take time but it is worth it.
  • Eandretta96
    Eandretta96 Posts: 119
    Lift man. Lift. Lift, and Lift
  • amandammmq
    amandammmq Posts: 394 Member
    I keep telling myself I'm not going to start lifting until I lose more weight... but it's because I don't feel like lifting weights, lol!

    I am such a silly person. :blushing:

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