confused!

[krazykaren0]

Hi, I need some clarification on something.
I work out with weights at least 2wice a week doing my whole body. I try and do cardio about 3-4 times a week depending on my hetic schedule. I m trying to lose about 30 pounds and eating well. Someone had told me that i should lose the some of the weight i want to lose first then start up with weights. I feel like i will be adding muscle on top of fat or something. But then again i also know that lifting weights burns fat and speeds up your metabolism..iM LOST!
can someone please clarify this for me please!
im frustrated
thanks :-(

 

[clareMc]

Hi Karen:

help to the rescue!

never wait to weight train! Weight training from the word go will speed your fat loss. Building more lean muscle tissue will burn more calories becuase muscle tisssue eats up more calories just to maintain itself.

Muscle is more compact than fat, you won't get bulkier, you will get leaner. You may notice more loosening in the clothes and a better fir or looser fit before you see the scales budging much. Muscle tissue weighs more than fat does, but it will make your body more compact, denser and more shapely.

The good thing aabout weight training is that the results are immediate. You see visible results with it, and it motivates you to keep on your fitness journey. Cardiovascular fitness is harder to see, yet more easily felt as the routines get easier and you have energy to go longer.

Your routine of 2 weights to 3-4 cardio sounds spot on to me. And if you want oboost the muscle building, try the slow and heavy lifting technique Cathe uses on her DVD and videos of the same name. These produce great results.

Take care,

Clare

 

[Aquajock]

In addition to Clare's information, understand a couple more things about weight training and its benefits to a healthier and leaner body:

The stronger your muscles, especially the muscles of the limbs, the more power you will be able to put into your cardio workouts, and thus maximize your energy output. That may mean that you will have to be constantly "trading up", intensity-wise, your cardio routines because what was challenging even a couple of weeks previously will get too easy for you, but that's an acceptable trade-off.

Weight training is an unbelievable energizer. I do love the energy rush I get from my cardio routines; however, the energy rush I get from my weight lifting program is far more long-lasting. It's not just a fat-burning thing; it's a physical / emotional thing.

My suggestion, revolutionary (or not) though it is, is this: don't get too hung up on the scale stuff. If you lose a pound of unnecessary storage fat but gain a pound of muscle, you've done yourself a double, triple or fourple good, but the scale is just gonna tell you you haven't "lost weight".

Develop a good cardio+strength+flexibility program now, and just keep increasing intensity in each as you get more fit. Eat healthy foods in proper amounts at the same time. The body composition benefits will naturally follow.

A-Jock

 

[krazykaren0]

thanks so much for the clarification and advice
i will keep u updated.