When to bring in strength training?

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openexpression
openexpression Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi MFP Community!

I am fairly new to MFP and have some questions about fitness. I have about 180 pound to lose. I have started to do cardio: Zumba, treadmill, and elliptical, but I was wondering how soon should I start strength training? Should I focus on cardio and dropping weight now? OR Should I also incorporate strength training? And, if so, what exercises (machines) at the gym should I be focusing on? All comments are appreciated and please add illustrations if possible!
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Replies

  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
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    Day 1.

    forget cardio and lift weights 3 times a week.

    Enjoy your fat loss!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,708 Member
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    Yesterday.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • 87missc87
    87missc87 Posts: 41
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    Yesterday.

    Agreed! :-)
  • FlyeredUp
    FlyeredUp Posts: 663 Member
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    Yesterday.

    Agreed! :-)
    Agreed! X 2! : )
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    start now. right now. in fact stop reading this thread and get to it!

    strength training will help you hold on to as much possible while you eat at a deficit.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
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    Yesterday.

    Agreed! :-)
    Agreed! X 2! : )

    I disagree.

    Last Tuesday.
  • ericgAU
    ericgAU Posts: 271
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    I wish I'd started my current serious weight lifting program when I was still somewhat overweight. Ended up losing too much weight and now have to bulk up. I would start immediately!
  • blytheandbonnie
    blytheandbonnie Posts: 3,275 Member
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    If all you want to do is lose weight, lifting might be all you need. But there are many other benefits to cardio besides just weight loss.
    Here's an article: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/kick-up-cardio-exercise
  • openexpression
    openexpression Posts: 8 Member
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    Lol at the responses so far! So, can anyone point me to a beginner's guide to strength training or what a sample strength training workout should look like? I'm new to this fitness game and have been overweight since the age of six, so a little guidance is needed. :wink:
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
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    Lol at the responses so far! So, can anyone point me to a beginner's guide to strength training or what a sample strength training workout should look like? I'm new to this fitness game and have been overweight since the age of six, so a little guidance is needed. :wink:

    I do StrongLifts 5 x 5, it's very easy with no complicated moves. There is a group of women here who do it.

    I started out with New Rules of Lifting for Women, but it has a few different lifts, and I had a knee injury, so I switched it out to StrongLifts for ease of use.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    try new rules of lifting for women. it's a book from amazon and a pretty good primer for women new to lifting. there's also stronglifts (free on the interwebs)

    happy lifting!
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
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    try new rules of lifting for women. it's a book from amazon and a pretty good primer for women new to lifting. there's also stronglifts (free on the interwebs)

    happy lifting!

    LOL -- Snap!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    try new rules of lifting for women. it's a book from amazon and a pretty good primer for women new to lifting. there's also stronglifts (free on the interwebs)

    happy lifting!

    LOL -- Snap!

    jinx. buy me some lifting strap!
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    Options
    try new rules of lifting for women. it's a book from amazon and a pretty good primer for women new to lifting. there's also stronglifts (free on the interwebs)

    happy lifting!

    LOL -- Snap!

    jinx. buy me some lifting strap!

    If you are good.
  • mariagabriella
    mariagabriella Posts: 267 Member
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    as soon as you know what you're doing. it's important to have a plan/program before you start, and ensure you know how to do those exercises with good form. start after that.
  • summergirl73
    summergirl73 Posts: 70 Member
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    try new rules of lifting for women. it's a book from amazon and a pretty good primer for women new to lifting. there's also stronglifts (free on the interwebs)

    happy lifting!
    this
  • anawhatsme
    anawhatsme Posts: 261 Member
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    sorry to butt in, but i have the same question as the original poster.
    i checked out strong lifts and it seems geared toward men.
    am i missing something?
    5x5 says you will add 100 pounds to your lifting weight each month?
    huh??
    i don't want to lift crazy amounts, i just want to get in shape.
    help!?
  • rlv2680
    rlv2680 Posts: 289 Member
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    bump
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
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    sorry to butt in, but i have the same question as the original poster.
    i checked out strong lifts and it seems geared toward men.
    am i missing something?
    5x5 says you will add 100 pounds to your lifting weight each month?
    huh??
    i don't want to lift crazy amounts, i just want to get in shape.
    help!?
    Any weight lifting program designed for a man can also be done by a woman. It doesn't matter what sex you are to lift heavy things.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
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    sorry to butt in, but i have the same question as the original poster.
    i checked out strong lifts and it seems geared toward men.
    am i missing something?
    5x5 says you will add 100 pounds to your lifting weight each month?
    huh??
    i don't want to lift crazy amounts, i just want to get in shape.
    help!?
    Any weight lifting program designed for a man can also be done by a woman. It doesn't matter what sex you are to lift heavy things.

    This.

    AND lifting crazy amounts will help you achieve your goals.

    I'm in the starting phases of StrongLifts. I started with an empty bar, which weighs 20kg/44lbs and now (after 3wks) I'm already lifting twice that much on all of the lifts.

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