I am just wondering what are your thoughts on lifting weights before losing weight.

I have been working out and eating healthy consistently for over 3 weeks. I am doing 5-8 sessions of cardio and very light resistance training for 2 sessions during the week. Sad to say, I have only lost 5 lbs, the same 5 lbs I lost in the first week. I have gained this weight last year over 2 months period and need to lose about 35lbs to join the military.

Prior to gaining this weight, I was in a decent shape and was into bodybuilding. However, I don't know if should lift heavier weights as I am scared that it will be harder to lose the fat or that my bulk would stay on top of the fat. Should I wait to lift heavier weights after I lose at least 20lbs as I initially planned? Also, what about supplements...I want to maximize weight loss (even water loss is fine). I want to lose 35 lbs in 2 months. I know most will say that is not healthy but I am doing it so I can join the military again. I got out in 2000 and never really had this problem.

Any suggestions?

I used to think the same thing on lifting weights before losing weight.

But then I learned a very important fact...

The more muscle you have, the more fat you burn!!! :bb:

Since muscle weighs more than fat, keep off the scale!!! I know how hard that is, believe me :D

Cardio is not the most effective way to lose fat. period. That's not to say that it shouldn't play a part in your overall fitness goal.

A few years ago I needed to lose about 30lbs of fat. I started with correcting my diet and going to a 50p/30f/20c plan. I lost 20 lbs in 4 months, seriously! THEN I started wt training and lost another 5 lbs per the scale and gained a bunch of muscle and definition. I did absolutely NO CARDIO!

So if you want to do cardio then I recommend you do HIIT cardio 2-3 times a week and resistance training 4-5 times per week. and MOST importantly eat correctly!

Also, don't do "wimpy wt lifting" since you want to go into the military then you are going to need the extra strength that wt lifting can provide. If you can do 12 reps of a certain wt with little struggle, then increase the wt by 5lbs. On a 12 rep set, you should be feelin the burn on the last 9-12 reps and if it burns so bad you can't do the last rep(s) then all the better! You build muscle by breaking it down, feeding it lots of great protein and letting it heal, slightly bigger and happier ;)

:gl:

Since muscle weighs more than fat, keep off the scale!!! I know how hard that is, believe me :D


I agree you should lift now and lift heavy...lower reps.

But I hate to be a snot or anything but muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound is a pound. Muscle is more condensed than fat and therefore takes up less room than fat.

I think the reason people think muscle weighs more than fat is because they will start working out while keeping their diet the same as always - so what's going to happen? You will gain muscle, NOT lose any fat, and actually gain weight.

So, I would recommend a good cutting diet and lifting heavy to develop muscle which will help burn the fat (butterfly is absolutely right on about that). I would also advise you to read some of the success stories here on the board. Read their journals and advise. Guava and Woeisemma come to mind right away.

At any rate - best of luck to you :tu:

Any advice on supplements?

I want to start using something about 2-3 weeks from now to aid in my weight loss. I was looking into Sesathin, Nutrex Lipo 6 and Leptigen.

???

But I hate to be a snot or anything but muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound is a pound. Muscle is more condensed than fat and therefore takes up less room than fat.

I think the reason people think muscle weighs more than fat is because they will start working out while keeping their diet the same as always - so what's going to happen? You will gain muscle, NOT lose any fat, and actually gain weight.
You're right! Muscle is more condensed or rather denser than fat. And yes, pound for pound they weigh the same.

BUT, if you volumetrically have the same amount of fat and muscle in two different containers then the muscle will weigh more. And most people think volumetrically.

The way you put it is like saying steel does not weigh more than feathers. Muscle DOES weigh more than fat.

Any advice on supplements?

I want to start using something about 2-3 weeks from now to aid in my weight loss. I was looking into Sesathin, Nutrex Lipo 6 and Leptigen.

???
I've used Leptigen, by Avant Labs, and it rocks!!! Totally curves your appetite!

My absolute favorite wt loss sup is Clenbutrx by VPX Sports, but since the FDA banned ephedrine I have been looking myself for something comparable with no luck.

Not really sure what HIIT is---I am thinking High Intensity Interval Training...would Kickboxing or Tae Bo be considered that? I will try to run but it's been very difficult. I just have to pass the first 5 mins and it seems I could do more after that...but it's been a real struggle.

I will start weights...I am also doing pyramids for push ups and sit ups since I would need to do that for the physical training test. I never had a problem with doing push ups but now, it's a struggle to do just a few.

ARGHHHH

Not really sure what HIIT is---I am thinking High Intensity Interval Training...would Kickboxing or Tae Bo be considered that? I will try to run but it's been very difficult. I just have to pass the first 5 mins and it seems I could do more after that...but it's been a real struggle.

I will start weights...I am also doing pyramids for push ups and sit ups since I would need to do that for the physical training test. I never had a problem with doing push ups but now, it's a struggle to do just a few.

ARGHHHH

you are correct, HITT is High Intensity Interval Training... however, it is not the only way, and in my opinion, not the best way if you want to gain and keep muscle while losing fat... LISS or Low Intensity Steady State is the best way to lose fat while gaining muslce (by lifting) at the same time... I say this because it has worked for me and in a BIG way.. I've competed in the past and have found LISS to work wonderfully... I walk at a 20 minute mile (3.0 on the treadmil) at a 10% incline for at LEAST 45 minutes at a time... you can do this in the mornings in a fasted state.. AND you can do this after a weight training session and you WILL lose fat and will keep a good amount if not all of your lean mass.. just make sure you eat enough protien a 40/40/20 or 50/30/20 break down (P/C/F) is best... make sure you are getting at least one gram of protien per pound.. so if you weigh 140.. make sure you get 140 grams of protien in during the day... break it up between all 5 (or 6) of your meals... where supplements are concerned.. I didn't use anything when I was training for competition before... I do use L-Carnitine now... but that's it... I take a multi-vitamine and make sure I get my coffee in the morning (no cream, just one splenda) and I make sure I get into the gym for cardio every day and lift at least four day's a week.

I also think that if you want to gain enough muscle fast enough to help you lose fat more quickly... you need to lift heavy and aim for 6 - 8 reps per set, three sets per excercise... if you can lift more than 8, up the weight... if you can't lift at least 6 you nead to drop the weight down some.... you will feel the burn, you will build muscle and you will lose fat :tucool:

First of all, I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for taking their time in educating me. It's weird because people use to come to me for fitness advice (when I was in shape) and now, I am so lost. I never really had to lose more than 10 lbs...now it's a different story.

Today was crazy at the kickboxing / step class...the instructor used weights and tubes. I had plan to work out with weights after class but after that crazy thing, I could barely move my arms and legs. I wasn't really as tired but I know I will be soooo sore tomorrow.

I am also going to start doing push ups everyday or at least every other day. I remember when I went to basic training, we got dropped every single day, several times a week. However, I was already in shape when I came in so I was already good with push ups. This time around is different because I could barely 10 and I am struggling. Oh my gosh, I can't believe that...I used to be the push up queen!

Hopefully, I will regain all the strenght as well. I am still somewhat in shock. As far as running, I was never a runner. Towards my first enlistment, I injured my legs quite a few times so I had to take the alternate event, bike or walk for the PT test...but I want to get that reevaluated and I want to run again just like the rest of the troops. So, I guess I will just run and build up from there.

Thanks again.