Want to lose weight - Cardio and Weights or just Cardio?

I'mThatGirl · 03-12-2009, 01:31 PM

I need you muscle men and women please.

I've been going to the gym a little. Had a little break this past week but been trying to go 3 / 4 times a week.

The few weeks I went regularly, I did cardio and weight machines.

Here's my question: I really want to lose weight - at least 16 pounds - thighs and booty mostly. In the past when trying to lose weight, I only did cardio and that worked well.

I have about 1.75 hours when I go to the gym. What should I be working on? I'm thinking I should be running my butt off (literally) the whole time because doing the weights and only a half hour cardio doesn't seem to be working.

And then maybe after I've lost weight, mix up the two?

Help please and thanks!

pianoguy · 03-12-2009, 01:38 PM

It's never bad to do a few weights along with cardio. Weights don't take very long, so I would say something like 1 hour of cardio and 45 min of weights. 1 hour is quite a bit of cardio.

The most important thing about cardio is that you do it regularly, preferably 3 times a week at a minimum. Weights don't need to be done as often to be effective, once or twice a week is good.

SuzyQ2513 · 03-12-2009, 01:44 PM

First off, if you are going to the gym have you tried spinning? It is one of the best ways to get an intense cardio and the classes are usually pretty fun with music and lots of energy.

If you are really focused on buring fat (and are willing to do 4 times a week)I would mix it up a bit and do an intense cardio workout for an hour 2 times a week (spinning, swimming, running for example).

Then the other two days, warm up with a mile run (10 minutes max at a slow pace), 15 minutes of weight training, then another 5 minutes cardio to pick up your heart rate. Continue until you have been working out for 1.5 hours. Cool down with 10 minutes of light cardio and stretching.

Also, in the morning and evening it would be a good idea to do 50 sit up before and after you go to sleep.

EQD · 03-12-2009, 01:46 PM

weights will technically make you gain 'weight.' since it weighs more than fat.
you could go about it two ways:
lose fat first doing cardio, tone up afterwards
or tone and lose fat at the same time.

it depends on what you want to see and when you want to see it.

Robert013 · 03-12-2009, 01:47 PM

Personally I think you do need both cardio and strength training that is what I do. I also am in the gym for an hour and 45 minutes. I do 45 minutes of strength training 15 minutes of core and balance exercises and then 45-60 minutes of cardio.

I don't think you need as much strength training so I would recomend a half hour three times a week. Building some muscle makes your body burn more calories throughout the day. And get of the machines and start using free weights. Just google exercises and you will find a hundred sites that show you how to do them. Use some of your time doing core and balance exercises for 10-15 minutes. Also google them to find out how to do them. Then whatever is left devote to cardio. And run your butt off! If your not sweating you are not working hard enouph..

But remember if you really want to see results you need a balanced diet. Goodluck

SuzyQ2513 · 03-12-2009, 01:48 PM

Weights will lift and firm and also possibly accelerate your weight loss. If you only do cardio, it is possible you could get a saggy drawn sort of appearance. I'd go for the weight/cardio combination so you look good while you lose weight.

20 One · 03-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Good questions!

When you do cardio, you're losing fat AND lean muscle mass. If you want to keep a sporty figure and lose weight, you will most definitely want to keep with the weights in your routines. Every other day I would do some form of weights.

Day 1 - Cardio + Upper Body Weights
Day 2 - Cardio + Lower Body Weights
Day 3 - Cardio
Day 4 - Cardio + Upper Body Weights
Day 5 - Cardio + Lower Body Weights
Day 6 - Rest
--> Repeat

That will be more than enough to have you lose 16 pounds within 2 months depending on your current weight. Good luck and keep us posted! Do remember that eating is also very important! After your weight training days, add some additional protein into your diet.

Cheers!

Robert013 · 03-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EQUESTRIANDYNAMO

weights will technically make you gain 'weight.' since it weighs more than fat.
you could go about it two ways:
lose fat first doing cardio, tone up afterwards
or tone and lose fat at the same time.

it depends on what you want to see and when you want to see it.

I disagree that weight training makes you gain weight..As long as it is low weight high reatitions you will not gain weight. High weight and low reps is a different story..

anbreeuh · 03-12-2009, 01:54 PM

Try HIIT. High Intensity Interval Training. There are many, many resources online, and I'm sure people at your gym. This is a surefire way to lose at least a few lbs when followed correctly. It's very intense, though, so if you're not ready for it, don't begin it.

EQD · 03-12-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert013

I disagree that weight training makes you gain weight..As long as it is low weight high reatitions you will not gain weight. High weight and low reps is a different story..

lol. when you gain muscle mass you gain 'weight'
i went from 113 to 125 in two months doing crossfit.
Yes i lost fat, but the muscle gain counteracted that and then some. the result was that i was a beast.

03-12-2009, 01:31 PM	#1
I'mThatGirl Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Somewhere Out There Gender: Female Age: 31 Posts: 4,874	Want to lose weight - Cardio and Weights or just Cardio? I need you muscle men and women please. I've been going to the gym a little. Had a little break this past week but been trying to go 3 / 4 times a week. The few weeks I went regularly, I did cardio and weight machines. Here's my question: I really want to lose weight - at least 16 pounds - thighs and booty mostly. In the past when trying to lose weight, I only did cardio and that worked well. I have about 1.75 hours when I go to the gym. What should I be working on? I'm thinking I should be running my butt off (literally) the whole time because doing the weights and only a half hour cardio doesn't seem to be working. And then maybe after I've lost weight, mix up the two? Help please and thanks! __________________ Never make someone your priority when they only make you their option. Never waste time on someone not willing to waste or share time with you. Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein Wonder of these days.... how do they sleep at night? How? Is there something I'm missing? In search of. . . . understanding I guess.

03-12-2009, 01:38 PM	#2
pianoguy Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Boston Gender: Male Age: 25 Posts: 1,343	It's never bad to do a few weights along with cardio. Weights don't take very long, so I would say something like 1 hour of cardio and 45 min of weights. 1 hour is quite a bit of cardio. The most important thing about cardio is that you do it regularly, preferably 3 times a week at a minimum. Weights don't need to be done as often to be effective, once or twice a week is good. __________________ "A productive and happy life is not something you find. It is something you make." Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Be kind. Everyone you meet is engaged in a great struggle." -Plato "I have sad misgivings that I shall never find any consolation in life save in music" - Bela Bartok

03-12-2009, 01:46 PM	#4
EQD Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 5,972	weights will technically make you gain 'weight.' since it weighs more than fat. you could go about it two ways: lose fat first doing cardio, tone up afterwards or tone and lose fat at the same time. it depends on what you want to see and when you want to see it. __________________ http://sumitsays.com/2009/05/29/in-your-headlights/

03-12-2009, 01:44 PM	#3
SuzyQ2513 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CC MD Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 1,423	First off, if you are going to the gym have you tried spinning? It is one of the best ways to get an intense cardio and the classes are usually pretty fun with music and lots of energy. If you are really focused on buring fat (and are willing to do 4 times a week)I would mix it up a bit and do an intense cardio workout for an hour 2 times a week (spinning, swimming, running for example). Then the other two days, warm up with a mile run (10 minutes max at a slow pace), 15 minutes of weight training, then another 5 minutes cardio to pick up your heart rate. Continue until you have been working out for 1.5 hours. Cool down with 10 minutes of light cardio and stretching. Also, in the morning and evening it would be a good idea to do 50 sit up before and after you go to sleep.

03-12-2009, 01:47 PM	#5
Robert013 Offline Silver Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Upstate New york Gender: Male Posts: 640	Personally I think you do need both cardio and strength training that is what I do. I also am in the gym for an hour and 45 minutes. I do 45 minutes of strength training 15 minutes of core and balance exercises and then 45-60 minutes of cardio. I don't think you need as much strength training so I would recomend a half hour three times a week. Building some muscle makes your body burn more calories throughout the day. And get of the machines and start using free weights. Just google exercises and you will find a hundred sites that show you how to do them. Use some of your time doing core and balance exercises for 10-15 minutes. Also google them to find out how to do them. Then whatever is left devote to cardio. And run your butt off! If your not sweating you are not working hard enouph.. But remember if you really want to see results you need a balanced diet. Goodluck

03-12-2009, 01:48 PM	#6
SuzyQ2513 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CC MD Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 1,423	Weights will lift and firm and also possibly accelerate your weight loss. If you only do cardio, it is possible you could get a saggy drawn sort of appearance. I'd go for the weight/cardio combination so you look good while you lose weight.

03-12-2009, 01:50 PM	#7
20 One Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario Gender: Male Posts: 32	Good questions! When you do cardio, you're losing fat AND lean muscle mass. If you want to keep a sporty figure and lose weight, you will most definitely want to keep with the weights in your routines. Every other day I would do some form of weights. Day 1 - Cardio + Upper Body Weights Day 2 - Cardio + Lower Body Weights Day 3 - Cardio Day 4 - Cardio + Upper Body Weights Day 5 - Cardio + Lower Body Weights Day 6 - Rest --> Repeat That will be more than enough to have you lose 16 pounds within 2 months depending on your current weight. Good luck and keep us posted! Do remember that eating is also very important! After your weight training days, add some additional protein into your diet. Cheers!

03-12-2009, 01:54 PM	#9
anbreeuh Offline Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 93	Try HIIT. High Intensity Interval Training. There are many, many resources online, and I'm sure people at your gym. This is a surefire way to lose at least a few lbs when followed correctly. It's very intense, though, so if you're not ready for it, don't begin it.