**Confusing Question**

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Nicole_Cutright

New member
I weigh about 170lbs. Ive already lost 10lbs in the last 2 weeks by eating better, doing lots of cardio, and throwing out Cokes and Sodas.

My question is...should I start my weight training now..or wait until ive burned a lot of my fat off. Someone told me that its harder to burn fat when you have more muscle underneath...is this true or can I just do both.

Also how much cardio should i do a day. I started at 20min a day for 7 days a week. Ive now worked my way up to doing two 30 min sessions a day. plus 2 sessions of 8 minute ABs. Is this good, or should i change anything.
 
I would say weight training is never a bad thing. Muscles burn more calories than fat, and the weight training burns calories as well. Muscles aren't going to hold onto the fat and refuse to let it go :D

Plus it's just more fun than cardio anyway, hehe :p
 
Start weight training right away.

The sooner you start, the less muscle mass you will lose while you lose fat.

Don't worry - you wont get bulky or anything. It is unlikely that you will actually put on muscle while weight training. What you are doing it for is to build strength and fitness, while retaining the muscle you already have.

If you don't, you will lose muscle along with the fat, and you will become what is called "skinny fat" around these parts, low in weight but still with a lot of body fat, and with reduced muscle mass from the dieting.

Edit: - resistance (weight) training also burns a lot of calories.
As for your cardio - do what you can, and want to. The amount of time is pretty irrelevant (consider 20 min casual strolling vs 20 min full-bore on a rowing machine), but you should probably do no less than 30 min in a single session.

I usually do about an hour (of swimming, walking, or walking/jogging) on alternating days (doing resistance training on the other days). It seems to work well for me.

Always remember that the key to weight loss is diet. Exercise is just gravy - and for fitness. Keep your diet under control and you will lose the weight. Exercise as well and you will lose the weight faster, and become fitter at the same time.
 
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Someone told me that its harder to burn fat when you have more muscle underneath..
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Whoever told you this is an idiot. :)

It is EASIER to burn fat when you have muscle. Muscle is metabolically active - that means it burns calories even while at rest. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism will be and the more calories you'll burn - both while resting and while working out.

In fact lifting weights when you diet is the best thing you can do ... because when you cut your calories, your body burns both muscle and fat. By lifting weights, you strengthen your muscle and therefore force your body to burn MORE fat and less muscle.

Now, that said, the same person who told you the thing above, will probably tell you that because you're a girl you shouldn't lift heavy weights - you should lift light weights for lots of reps. That's also completely wrong.

There are a couple of sticky posts in the exercise forum, including one that is specifically for women wanting to get started lifting weights. Those stickies will provide you with good and REAL information on how to lift weights.
 
Heh. Well sorry to dis your husband - no offense meant. ;)

OTOH, my housemate tells me the same type of stuff and I just have to look at him and roll my eyes. :)
 
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