Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 382, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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weight training and cardio

mrs_drg
mrs_drg
Posts: 1
Joined: 2006/03/15
United States
2007/12/03, 02:18 PM
Hello, I am just beginning a new workout schedule. I have hit a plateau after losing 20 pounds. I still want to lose 15 - 20 more. I am confused after having read so much info. I want to know is it better to do majority cardio and little weights or majority weight training and little cardio. I have read differing opinions.

I used to jog 3 miles 3-4 times per week. I would do weights maybe once per week. I have read that it is important to build muscle which increases metabolism and help burn fat and do moderate cardio. I am so confused because I am used to cardio, cardio, and more cardio.

Any suggestions.
flyonthewall
flyonthewall
Posts: 1,823
Joined: 2005/01/18
Canada
2007/12/03, 04:34 PM
Welcome to FT mrs_drg. When you hit a plateau, what you need to do is shake things up a bit. Your body has probably gotten pretty used to your 3 mile jog, so it's time for a change. I'd suggest introducing some high intensity interval training into the mix, at least 1X per week and also introduce some resistance training. The weights will not only build muscle to help boost your metabolism, but it will firm you up and make you look much better! My advice would to keep doing your cardio 3-4X per week but change it up. HIIT (sprints or on a different piece of equipment) Do the weights on non cardio days and start at 2 days per week. Grab a workout from here, they're great.

Weight lifting totally changes how your body looks, you'll look thinner, even if the scale doesn't say you've lost. It is also very empowering, dunno why, but I love going to the gym and pushing/pulling the heavy wts:big_smile:....AND don't worry about getting to big...it takes a lot of hard work to get big and women just don't have the testosterone needed to bulk up easily.

So go for it and good luck!! You'll be amazed at how it makes you look and feel:)

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Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
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The harder you fall, the higher you bounce