Someone please direct me to a thread where lifting is more important than cardio!

[Jessica29]

Can someone please direct me to a thread where it specifically says that weight lifting is more beneficial than cardio or can someone just say it on here. My mom has been trying to loose weight for YEARS and promises that she doesn't need to go to the gym...she thinks walking every morning will do the trick. When I try to tell her that she needs more than cardio, she gets angry and frustrated with me when I'm just trying to help her.

[BrandiBurns]

well if it worked she would have seen results by now.

[beaucephus]

muscle burns calories

the more you have, the more you burn.

I personally eat up to 7,000 calories a day and maintain weight.

[Jessica29]

Originally Posted by BrandiBurns

well if it worked she would have seen results by now.

exactly! She is 52 and says that it is much harder which is crap. She also says she has no time for the gym however she is a teacher and therefore has the summers off. She has enough time..its all in her head that she can't do it. She honestly doesn't believe me though when I tell her going to the gym along with diet (which she is decent with) will make improvements come more faster.

[Miranda]

Originally Posted by Jessica29

its all in her head that she can't do it.

if that's the case . . .

the world is full of 'i can't do it' types.
you can't do it for them, they have to do it themselves.

frustrating, yes.

[Jessica29]

Originally Posted by Miranda

if that's the case . . .

the world is full of 'i can't do it' types.
you can't do it for them, they have to do it themselves.

frustrating, yes.

yeah Guess I'm giving up on her.

[motovilova]

I've been trying to get my mom to workout for YEARS! Then suddenly this May she was ready. I created an at-home full body workout for her with 5-15lb dumbbells (she's gone up from 5s to 12 or 15 on most exercises in just 2 months). I am moving her up to a barbell next week, and adding weight. She's been working out w/weights almost daily. She's doing great, feeling great and loving it. She went from barely doing a few on-the-knees push-ups to being able to do 5 (at least) full push-ups on her toes (with perfect form!). She's 52 and has always been a couch potato. I am so proud of her!

Irene

[Sweetpeach79]

Thier are tons of articles on here (supersite) that would be benefitial for her to read. She really needs to incoraporate cardio and lifting along with a clean diet. I wouldnt say that one is more important than the other but if she would incorporate some lifting she would build muscle which burns more calories than fat. Maybe you could try to ask her to go to teh gym with you and tell her you could show her a few simple exercises. She probabaly is feeling very intimidated or scared of doing this is she never has. Maybe try approaching her when she is in a good mood and maybe that would work. I'll try to find some articles that talk about lifting and cardio. She definately won't see results with just walking unfortunately. She is only be a skinnier version of her self with no muscle tone which is what we all want. Hope this helps some.

[iflyjets]

Originally Posted by Jessica29

exactly! She is 52 and says that it is much harder which is crap. She also says she has no time for the gym however she is a teacher and therefore has the summers off. She has enough time..its all in her head that she can't do it. She honestly doesn't believe me though when I tell her going to the gym along with diet (which she is decent with) will make improvements come more faster.

I'm with you ... my mom says the same stuff except she also adds "a thyroid problem" to her list of "woe is me's". I posted this a while back and the consensus seemed to be the lack of willingness to change or lack or confidence. It sucks, I wish I knew how to properly motivate my mom as well... anyway just wanted to let you know I'm in the same boat.

But yes lifting does wonders.

[Jessica29]

Originally Posted by motovilova

I've been trying to get my mom to workout for YEARS! Then suddenly this May she was ready. I created an at-home full body workout for her with 5-15lb dumbbells (she's gone up from 5s to 12 or 15 on most exercises in just 2 months). I am moving her up to a barbell next week, and adding weight. She's been working out w/weights almost daily. She's doing great, feeling great and loving it. She went from barely doing a few on-the-knees push-ups to being able to do 5 (at least) full push-ups on her toes (with perfect form!). She's 52 and has always been a couch potato. I am so proud of her!

Irene

Wow that is great to hear!! Did you just buy her weights? I don't think I can afford anything more than that since I'm in college

Originally Posted by Sweetpeach79

Thier are tons of articles on here (supersite) that would be benefitial for her to read. She really needs to incoraporate cardio and lifting along with a clean diet. I wouldnt say that one is more important than the other but if she would incorporate some lifting she would build muscle which burns more calories than fat. Maybe you could try to ask her to go to teh gym with you and tell her you could show her a few simple exercises. She probabaly is feeling very intimidated or scared of doing this is she never has. Maybe try approaching her when she is in a good mood and maybe that would work. I'll try to find some articles that talk about lifting and cardio. She definately won't see results with just walking unfortunately. She is only be a skinnier version of her self with no muscle tone which is what we all want. Hope this helps some.

Thanks for the input! Please share if you find anything! She isn't even like obest or anything but I would just be so happy if she could get where she wants to be. Shes getting older yanno? Why not start now.

Originally Posted by iflyjets

I'm with you ... my mom says the same stuff except she also adds "a thyroid problem" to her list of "woe is me's". I posted this a while back and the consensus seemed to be the lack of willingness to change or lack or confidence. It sucks, I wish I knew how to properly motivate my mom as well... anyway just wanted to let you know I'm in the same boat.

But yes lifting does wonders.

I am glad you are in the same situation as me! She actually has a thyroid problem as well and now that you brought that up I think she has said the same thing as your mom too lol. Like I said above, she isn't getting any younger.. I just want her to live a long and healthy life!

[Jessica29]

Originally Posted by beaucephus

muscle burns calories

the more you have, the more you burn.

I personally eat up to 7,000 calories a day and maintain weight.

lol can you tell her that!?

[exy]

Originally Posted by beaucephus

muscle burns calories

the more you have, the more you burn.

I personally eat up to 7,000 calories a day and maintain weight.

PIcs pls

[RebeccaG]

Originally Posted by Jessica29

exactly! She is 52 and says that it is much harder which is crap. She also says she has no time for the gym however she is a teacher and therefore has the summers off. She has enough time..its all in her head that she can't do it. She honestly doesn't believe me though when I tell her going to the gym along with diet (which she is decent with) will make improvements come more faster.

My Mom turned 53 this year. Se also has a thyroid problem. She also started lifting weights this year.

I had been humming and hawing for a while now trying to figure out how to talk to her about her weight - I'm pretty sure she topped 300 at one point - but never found the right words. My mom is a pretty sensitive person and I wanted her to know it was coming from a place and love and genuine concern for her health.

One day in January, completely out of the blue, she tells me she got a gym membership. We've been going 2 -3 times a week since March. She loves it! I help her with exercises, give her some pointers etc. We motivate each other and, since we go together, there's no skipping out without consequences. She's seeing results and feeling a lot better. And she's SO proud when she moves up in weight. It's pretty cute.

I don't know what to tell you to motivate your mom, but maybe my mom can inspire your mom.

[hmotb555]

My mom is the same way! She walks and she lost fat but she's not building muscle. I told her until I was blue in the face about weight lifting but you know what? She finally decided to incorporate weights because she sees how my body has changed. All my talking did nothing but showing her my routine and having her view my progress was all the proof she needed to see that weight lifting was better than cardio and so she finally wants to incorporate weights....It can be very frustrating I know but don't give up on your mom

[wide lats]

Funny you ask that just now ....

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=117669891

[Biohazard81]

My mom has been going to the gym for about two years now, (longer than me!) but she only takes step classes. She tells me I should do the same instead of weights. NO WAY! I tell her she needs to do weights, but she thinks she's gonna get big and she doesn't want that. Typical mom thoughts. She's 52 and has lost a lot of weight by eating smaller portions and taking those classes, which btw its only twice a week. But she has no muscle tone, and I can't convince her to lift... but hey, at least she's going!

[Jeanie_N]

It'll be hard to push your mom unless she REALLY wants it for herself.

My mom is 50 and used to be a cardio bunny (5'0", 97 lbs) She started seeing this woman around the gym transform her body from scrawny to muscular and strong - she admired it so much that she made friends with that lady and that lady has been helping her get with the heavy weights - my mom did her first set of barbell squats last week! She cooks healthy for our family and it makes it a lot easier for me to stick with a program.

Try showing your mom transformation pictures and explain to her how their routines are like. There are alot of women here in their 40's and up with amazing bodies that can definitely inspire her to lower the cardio and focus on the weights.

[iflyjets]

Thanks to this post... I'm re-motivated now to make another attempt at inspiring my mom, as she's coming into town this weekend. Does anyone know of any websites of women in their 30s, 40s, 50s who were over weight and physically transformed their bodies using weight lifting/clean diet? There's gotta be some website with success stories with pictures... I feel like that's my only hope. Sometimes I seriously feel like she can't believe me because I'm "just her little girl" and she still knows best. Well, she doesn't because she's into all this hollistic stuff to the extent of buying all these expensive products, going to these intricate treatments for her "thyroid", she even gets IVs of something... can't remember what. And I don't think she eats terribly, but could clean her diet up more with the right calories/macros. But furthermore I KNOW she needs to be weightlifting if for nothing more than to just help herself as she ages. She keeps saying she doesn't have energy because of this freakin thyroid but I've seen a lot of you ladies posting saying you have the same thing and it hasn't stopped you.

Sorry for the rant. I think we need to form a support group for ladies trying to inspire their mothers

[motovilova]

Originally Posted by Jessica29

Wow that is great to hear!! Did you just buy her weights? I don't think I can afford anything more than that since I'm in college

I started out working out at home so I have some dumbbells (5,8,10,12,15,20) and a barbell that loads up to 70lbs. You buying her the weights won't make her use them. I was trying to get my mom to workout for 6+ years and those weights hung around without any use for all that time. She has to want to do it. It only takes a few weeks of working out for it to become part of your routine, my mom couldn't think of NOT doing it now.

Irene

[lherman]

Wow, I have the opposite problem of most of you!!! I am a mom age 59 who has been lifting heavy weights for seven years. I started when I was 52 and I have transformed my body and I love lifting. My daughter (age 38) has put on weight since the birth of her third child. She is now just starting to watch what she eats but no exercise. I know several woman both my age and younger ones who think weight lifting is crazy and that aerobic exercise is the only way to control your weight. I know one lady friend who is in her early 40's who actually thinks weight lifting is bad for you and that aerobics and stretching (like yoga) is the only beneficial exercise. It's amazing how many women think this way and they are all usually overweight!! There are very few woman especially my age who think that heavy weight lifting is good for you. I have attempted to upload my before and after pictures. If it works this may help convince your mom of the need to lift weights. the sept98 one is the before picture. I was 48 and only did aerobics and lifted 5 or 10 lb. DB's. the other is the after and it was taken about a month ago. good luck with convincing your mom.
Laura

[Jessica29]

Originally Posted by hmotb555

My mom is the same way! She walks and she lost fat but she's not building muscle. I told her until I was blue in the face about weight lifting but you know what? She finally decided to incorporate weights because she sees how my body has changed. All my talking did nothing but showing her my routine and having her view my progress was all the proof she needed to see that weight lifting was better than cardio and so she finally wants to incorporate weights....It can be very frustrating I know but don't give up on your mom

Wow thats awesome she started to incorporate it in! My mom sees improvements on me hopfully that will give her a sign that it is a smart thing to do lol. I'm so tired of her complaining that she is fat!! It's like I'm telling her a secret on how to loose weight in a better/faster way and she doesn't care

Originally Posted by wide lats

Funny you ask that just now ....

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=117669891

ah I'm so going to show her this..thanks!

Originally Posted by Biohazard81

My mom has been going to the gym for about two years now, (longer than me!) but she only takes step classes. She tells me I should do the same instead of weights. NO WAY! I tell her she needs to do weights, but she thinks she's gonna get big and she doesn't want that. Typical mom thoughts. She's 52 and has lost a lot of weight by eating smaller portions and taking those classes, which btw its only twice a week. But she has no muscle tone, and I can't convince her to lift... but hey, at least she's going!

Sounds exactly like my mom except for the classes! She is trying to start videos but I don't think they do anything..she needs the real thang :P

Originally Posted by Jeanie_N

It'll be hard to push your mom unless she REALLY wants it for herself.

My mom is 50 and used to be a cardio bunny (5'0", 97 lbs) She started seeing this woman around the gym transform her body from scrawny to muscular and strong - she admired it so much that she made friends with that lady and that lady has been helping her get with the heavy weights - my mom did her first set of barbell squats last week! She cooks healthy for our family and it makes it a lot easier for me to stick with a program.

Try showing your mom transformation pictures and explain to her how their routines are like. There are alot of women here in their 40's and up with amazing bodies that can definitely inspire her to lower the cardio and focus on the weights.

Good idea.. she knows exactly what I do.. but she gets so mad when I say to join a gym.

Originally Posted by iflyjets

Thanks to this post... I'm re-motivated now to make another attempt at inspiring my mom, as she's coming into town this weekend. Does anyone know of any websites of women in their 30s, 40s, 50s who were over weight and physically transformed their bodies using weight lifting/clean diet? There's gotta be some website with success stories with pictures... I feel like that's my only hope. Sometimes I seriously feel like she can't believe me because I'm "just her little girl" and she still knows best. Well, she doesn't because she's into all this hollistic stuff to the extent of buying all these expensive products, going to these intricate treatments for her "thyroid", she even gets IVs of something... can't remember what. And I don't think she eats terribly, but could clean her diet up more with the right calories/macros. But furthermore I KNOW she needs to be weightlifting if for nothing more than to just help herself as she ages. She keeps saying she doesn't have energy because of this freakin thyroid but I've seen a lot of you ladies posting saying you have the same thing and it hasn't stopped you.

Sorry for the rant. I think we need to form a support group for ladies trying to inspire their mothers

The support group would be so good hahaha.. thats exactly how I feel as well..I'm her only girl and the youngest out of 2 boys so she like doesn't believe me or something! She thinks she knows everything. Let me know if you find any websites and I'll do the same.

Originally Posted by motovilova

I started out working out at home so I have some dumbbells (5,8,10,12,15,20) and a barbell that loads up to 70lbs. You buying her the weights won't make her use them. I was trying to get my mom to workout for 6+ years and those weights hung around without any use for all that time. She has to want to do it. It only takes a few weeks of working out for it to become part of your routine, my mom couldn't think of NOT doing it now.

Irene

I know the dumbells would sit somewhere and get dusty lol...

Originally Posted by lherman

Wow, I have the opposite problem of most of you!!! I am a mom age 59 who has been lifting heavy weights for seven years. I started when I was 52 and I have transformed my body and I love lifting. My daughter (age 38) has put on weight since the birth of her third child. She is now just starting to watch what she eats but no exercise. I know several woman both my age and younger ones who think weight lifting is crazy and that aerobic exercise is the only way to control your weight. I know one lady friend who is in her early 40's who actually thinks weight lifting is bad for you and that aerobics and stretching (like yoga) is the only beneficial exercise. It's amazing how many women think this way and they are all usually overweight!! There are very few woman especially my age who think that heavy weight lifting is good for you. I have attempted to upload my before and after pictures. If it works this may help convince your mom of the need to lift weights. the sept98 one is the before picture. I was 48 and only did aerobics and lifted 5 or 10 lb. DB's. the other is the after and it was taken about a month ago. good luck with convincing your mom.
Laura

Congrats to you!! You look amazing..what a transformation. I will be showing my mom your picture. Thanks for the advice!

[jake321]

you can only lose so much from walking i recomend speed walking if you cant get her to the gym but in my opinion if you want to get serios about losing weight or getting in shape the gym is a must

[Jessica29]

she does speedwalk which is somewhat good I guess! But still....ahaha

[iflyjets]

Originally Posted by lherman

Wow, I have the opposite problem of most of you!!! I am a mom age 59 who has been lifting heavy weights for seven years. I started when I was 52 and I have transformed my body and I love lifting. My daughter (age 38) has put on weight since the birth of her third child. She is now just starting to watch what she eats but no exercise. I know several woman both my age and younger ones who think weight lifting is crazy and that aerobic exercise is the only way to control your weight. I know one lady friend who is in her early 40's who actually thinks weight lifting is bad for you and that aerobics and stretching (like yoga) is the only beneficial exercise. It's amazing how many women think this way and they are all usually overweight!! There are very few woman especially my age who think that heavy weight lifting is good for you. I have attempted to upload my before and after pictures. If it works this may help convince your mom of the need to lift weights. the sept98 one is the before picture. I was 48 and only did aerobics and lifted 5 or 10 lb. DB's. the other is the after and it was taken about a month ago. good luck with convincing your mom.
Laura

Wow you look great... thanks for the pics. My mom is the same age as you so this is good stuff

[MichaelRS]

Originally Posted by Jessica29

Can someone please direct me to a thread where it specifically says that weight lifting is more beneficial than cardio or can someone just say it on here. My mom has been trying to loose weight for YEARS and promises that she doesn't need to go to the gym...she thinks walking every morning will do the trick. When I try to tell her that she needs more than cardio, she gets angry and frustrated with me when I'm just trying to help her.

Actually, cardio is fine BUT. BUT BUT BUT...

Intensity is the key. Walking is better than nothing, but only just barely. For the same reason you don't grown big biceps by hoisting your morning cup of coffee day in and day out. You body/muscles are use to such routine low level activity. Same with walking.

So, mom needs to run/jog to increase the intensity for it to be benificial. Weight lifting also helps burn calories and tone up some of the flab.

So yes, mom needs to be in the gym to do several compound lifts and hit the treadmill

[cgp85]

All depends on your goal. But both can out perform the other. Depends on volume, intensity, length, etc. You can lift really light at a low total volume and run really hard for a lengthy period. Running wins in this scenario when it comes to calories burned and visa versa with weights. In the long run... more muscle = more calories burned. I vote lifting 1st and cardio 2nd. But take time and analyze goals.

[hoverfly]

Strength training is more important in post-menopausal women than just cardio for many reasons including improving stability and fighting bone loss, lessening the impact of menopause, etc.

The author of Body for Life has this to say about the ratio of cardio to strength training factored by a woman's age:

"If you were doing 80 percent cardio and 20 percent strength training in your 30s, by your 40s you need to shift to 70 percent cardio and 30 percent strength, flexibility, and balance workouts," says Pamela Peeke, MD, author of Body for Life for Women. "And in your 60s, it needs to be 60 percent cardio and 40 percent strength and the other stuff." The changing ratio doesn't mean you can cut back on cardio -- it simply means you can't skimp on other areas"

Perhaps she's intimidated with the weight room at the gym? I think that some women of that generation have much different views on exercise (specifically, they may place a greater difference on what they consider appropriate for men vs. women).



Here are some additional references:

quakeroats.com/oats-do-more/for-your-health/womens-health/the-benefits-of-strength-training-for-women.aspx

buzzle.com/editorials/3-24-2006-91813.asp

osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=you_exerfs

naturalnews.com/010528.html

more.com/2027/3416-your-future-fitness-plan--pre-

[lherman]

Originally Posted by hoverfly

Strength training is more important in post-menopausal women than just cardio for many reasons including improving stability and fighting bone loss, lessening the impact of menopause, etc.

This is one of the reasons I started lifting heavgy weights in the gym at age 52. I was diagnosed with Osteopenia which is the beginning stages of osteoporosus (sp?)
I have successfully managed to reverse the osteopenia and my OB/GYN tells me to "keep it up", so I am. Besides, I love lifting.

[kimm4]

If a person wants to get serious about losing weight it all falls back on your diet. Sure weight training and cardio is important...but that's just part of it.

Look at the people in your gym who have been training and doing cardio for years. They might look exactly the same way they did 5-10 yrs ago and why...because of diet.

The results you get or don't get all go back to diet...not how much much you train or how much cardio you do.