Cardio or Strength for weight loss

lulu386
lulu386 Posts: 20
edited December 20 in Fitness and Exercise
Since I just started my weight loss journey, I struggle with making a work out plan. Is it best to stick with cardio first in order to lose the fat then start strength training to tone up and build muscles? Or should I do a combination for instance cardio 3 times a week and strength 2 times a week? Also I'm naturally muscular so it doesn't take a long time for me to build muscles so I'm wondering if I should focus mainly on doing cardio exercises...

Replies

  • Perfectdiamonds1
    Perfectdiamonds1 Posts: 347 Member
    Hummmm? Confused about that also. I tried to do both in the same day, but for me it was a little too much. Soooo..... what I do is Curves three times per week and walking on the opposite days. So far that is working for me so I will not feel sick.

    Good topic and thank you for posting

    Plus you read so much on here you really dont know what to do, so I just do what is right for me and what I feel comfortable with.
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    Both for sure. 3 days cardio - 2 (or3) days strength. One solid day of rest.
  • GinaBinaFaye
    GinaBinaFaye Posts: 35 Member
    I would do both. Cardio will burn more calories during your work outs. The more muscle you have the more calories your body will burn just being. I do both with shorter cardio on lifting days. Good luck to you on your great choice to live a healthier life style.
  • Embera
    Embera Posts: 289 Member
    i do all strength right now i work out in my bedroom with makeshift weights i do them in scuccession so its like a cardio work out im prety out of breath after im done most of the time just curious if this is ok im trying to do this everyday to every other day

    i do alot of leg stuff most of the time and arms, abs rarely
  • lulu386
    lulu386 Posts: 20
    Doing both cardio and strength in one day is very hard to do. I go to planet fitness and do zumba on Saturdays so I do a lot of cardio but haven't been doing much strength training yet...I definitely need to start incorporating strength training and probably do video workouts such as turbo jam at home...
  • Venturin
    Venturin Posts: 244 Member
    Both yes...

    I am not regimented though, I just do it as I go through the week.

    Some days I do my weights here at the house, curling bar, bench press, dumbbells.

    Some days I go for long hikes and trail runs.

    Often I combine the two. I do bench presses in the morning, then I go to the park with 2 dumbbells and I work out with them at the head of the trail, go for a long hike, maybe do a bunch of push ups in a secluded spot, and run, take a break, more dumbbells and more hiking.

    I try to allow rest days too, but often I go all day and just am having too much fun to stop. So I end up having hiked 8 miles and doing a wide variety of dumbbell exercises.

    I like the variety and just doing what I want when I want
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I think both are important.
  • fruitloop2
    fruitloop2 Posts: 437 Member
    I do 3 and 3..I do cardio on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday...and do strength training (my own circuit of leg lifts, squats, planks, crunches, push-ups, and dumbbell rows) on Mon., Wed., and Fridays. I take sunday as my rest day.
  • uneak26
    uneak26 Posts: 4 Member
    Both are important...i just joined MFP about 3weeks ago but i have been working out for 2 years and u wanna do at least 3 days of strength training a week..it will help to burn more calories as u build muscle...i go to riviera fitness and i do body pump on tues..thurs ans sat...and it definitely helps with my calorie burn and the toning and definition of my body...Hope this helps..
  • jetscreaminagain
    jetscreaminagain Posts: 1,130 Member
    Do what you enjoy doing. Do what you will do.

    Fat loss comes from a calorie deficit. You can create that deficit from diet OR exercise, strength or cardio for the exercise. Its all good. Especially at the beginning.

    As time goes on, I'd suggest that strength will get you the rocking body rather than the skinny body, but that's just me. And a million other MFP women or women in the "ladies who lift" threads.

    Me, I love lifting weights. I get a new accomplishment every session. I walk out of the gym hot, sweaty, spent, and knowing that I can attack the world. I love feeling strong. I love it so much. For me, most of the cardio is boring or hard or doesn't improve at the rewarding steady pace that lifting does. I'll run or hike or bike or swim for fun, but not for the extended calorie burn that you're supposed to do for training and whatever. But that's me.

    There are people here who get up grumpy go run for an "easy" five miles and come back energetic and pumped for the day. They are meeting their goals, they're happy to run further and faster over time to keep up the same calorie burn, they're good.

    Who knows what group you'll be in. Which ever it is, the best workout plan is the one you'll do. You'll do the one that you enjoy and that is rewarding to you.

    In the meantime, try not to stress out about it. Those stress hormones make weight loss harder. Now go get it.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories