Weight training + Cardio for weight loss

I am trying to lose about 12 lbs (mostly in the gut area).  I have read online and in a few pubs. that I should have a balance of 3 days of cardio workout and 3 days of weight (resistance training) workout. And of course balance good eating habits.

However, I really want to lose the wieght, more then add strength at this time. Would it be wise or totally wrong to do the cardio workout for the 6 days a week, then once I am at my goal weight, start doing the 3 day cardio, 3 day resistance workouts?

On a totally different area- I have one of those weight watchers scales that read H20 rates, bone mass, body fat, etc. The scale says by body fat is 26.2%. Does anyone know if these scales are actually accurate?

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

 

Weight training will help you maintain muscle while dieting, which in turn helps you maintain your metabolism. Many people see some (small) initial muscle gains ("newbie growth") from weight lifting and also some find that they weigh more the morning after weight lifting, because of water retention, but neither of these is a good enough reason to delay starting - you'll be just as annoyed once you reach your goal and then experience these things as you would be if you start now.

And remember that the fat will come from wherever your body chooses, regardless of how you burn those calories, so there is no reason to rely on cardio for getting rid of stomach fat.  Plus, in the end, diet is going to be the most important - you won't lose weight if you don't have a calorie deficit.

As for your question about the scale, I don't know their accuracy, but I wouldn't put a lot of stock in it.

also, weight training increases muscle mass that in turn raises your metabolism, so you burn even more calories during rest....so even if you gain initially (bc of more muscle), all of a sudden it'll melt off quicker.

since i was balancing cardio and weight training i didn't see loss for a few weeks...then all of a sudden i lost 5 lbs in two weeks w/o changing anything.

A good weight training session can boost your metabolism for an entire day, making it worth as much calorie burning as a long cardio session.  Weight training also maintains (or adds to) your muscle mass, which keeps you burning the same number of calories even as you go down in weight.

Think of it this way - do you want to lose weight, or do you want to lose fat?  If you want to lose fat only, lift weights.

 Actually, unlike what shape magazine, Cosmo, and all the other insults to human intelligence tries to tell you, cardio is fairly useless when it comes to fat loss.

 Diet alone will give you roughly the same results as diet+cardio when it comes to fat loss. The only way to improve your results over and above what diet can do for you is to strength train.

 (See this rant by yours truly for a list of studies and references.)

 If you can only do one, you'd do better to drop the cardio entirely.

If you are looking to lose fat, gain muscle, become healthier, and see results both on the scale and in the mirror I would recommend a cardio and weight training combo with a calorie deficiency.  I am not an expert by any means I myself still have about 10 lbs to lose; however I have lost 6 lbs in 5 weeks and a total of over 30lbs by doing a combo.  I do a lot of FIRM videos and some of the Curves (at home ) workouts.  In 30 - 60 minutes I have done a total body weight and cardio work out.  I have seen the scale go down and I can see muscle formation in my arms, abs, and butt.  Melkor is right in his "rant" you can not just do one thing.  I believe you see results when you find the right combination for your body.  It took me a couple years to figure out what my combination is but now that I have I am seeing true results and I know I can live with the new life style.  For me it was not a quick drop 15 lbs for a special event (and then gain it all back plus a little more), it was: I what a new way to live, eat healthy, exercise regularly and look good and feel good for the rest of my life.  So far so good, for me at least.   

I tried weight training and running, kept running because it's a lot more fun to me. I don't pack muscles all that easily and weight training bores me out of my mind. While running in the nature, using different paths each day, is a lot of fun.

Now I eat about as much as before, but running 30km a week make a big difference in weight, shape and health already. I could barely run 1 minute 3 months ago, but now after following the "couch to 5k" I easily run for one hour.

To improve the upper part of my body, i'd much prefer to do some kayak or assimilated to any form of indoor exercising.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Weight training will help you maintain muscle while dieting, which in turn helps you maintain your metabolism. Many people see some (small) initial muscle gains ("newbie growth") from weight lifting and also some find that they weigh more the morning after weight lifting, because of water retention, but neither of these is a good enough reason to delay starting - you'll be just as annoyed once you reach your goal and then experience these things as you would be if you start now.

And remember that the fat will come from wherever your body chooses, regardless of how you burn those calories, so there is no reason to rely on cardio for getting rid of stomach fat.  Plus, in the end, diet is going to be the most important - you won't lose weight if you don't have a calorie deficit.

As for your question about the scale, I don't know their accuracy, but I wouldn't put a lot of stock in it.

 Thank you Amethystgirl for bringing up the initial weight gain. It is true although the inches lost, way the clothes fit and to see more muscles shining through is so worth it. Another benefit is skin tightening and so shiny! WOW!   I am stuck as far as the scales (screw em..LOL) right now but my body has changed a lot as well as my endurance, strength and overall well being. I do weight lifting 3 days a week along with cardio and just cardio 3 days a week. Then there is Sweet Sunday off. I started out wth resistance bands and 5 pound weights (months ago) and on June 13, I set up the free weight bench and went to work! Lots of music to keep me sweating! It is addicting.

I say...focus on weights and fill in with cardio...just my opinion. FWIW!

 

its a good point you have there but 6 days of cardio is great and one day of rest for maxiumum results. but to lose your gut do 2 days a week of 15 mins ab workout.. this will help rid get of the flab:) because when you build muscle it burns FAT  so thats what you want but cardio is a great choice and by that dont walk the whole time do at least 40 minutes of cadrio walk for 5 minutes jogg for 15 and run for 5 then walk to coool off. make sure you are challenging and pushing your self when you say cardio make sure its moderatly intense to the point you cant go on anymore thats what you want so you burn fat. for weightloss its good to mix up your workouts if you do the same thing every day its not good you neeed to shock your body so its constantly being confused which makes you lose more weight. but theres a chatch if you are not eating healthy there is no way you will lose weight maybe a little but weightloss is 50% of your diet 48%workout  and 2 % abs thats your formula. weight lifting is also good because it will tone you up running doesnt really do toning you need 3 days a week of weight traning 5 days a week of cardio and 2 days of abs. make sure eeverything is balanced and not put together like the abs since you only have to do it for 2 days spread it out trough out your week dont do it two days in a row. same with the weights dont put all the 3 days you are supposed to do for the week in 3 consecetive days liek mon tue wed..

thnx and i garantee you this will give you maximum weightloss .