Weight lifting for fat loss?

[LadySpartan]

Hi, I am new to all of this. I just started working out again at the beginning of June. I have 60 lbs to lose. I am 5'3" 193 lbs. I was a little unsure about how to kick the weight loss process off so I started doing cardio. My rationale being...if I do cardio first I can lose most of the weight then I would add weight lifting when my body was ready. I have cleaned up my diet a lot. I have oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast, a turkey wrap for lunch, a chicken salad for dinner, and snacks are fruits,cottage cheese, string cheese, strings beans, hummus and carrots (the snacks consist of a few of those items spread out throughout the day). I estimate my calories to be about 1500 calories a day. I know thats kinda low but I am scared to add more calories until I can get my cardiovascular activity up to at least 4x a week and until I start lifting. I want to start lifting weights but I heard that its hard to lose FAT while lifting because you need more calories when you lift. Can someone clarify that issue for me. I just want to go about this the right way. Cardio then weights? or Weight lifting and cardio?

[Aeris]

You should definitely start lifting now.

You'd need to eat above maintenance while lifting if your main goal was building muscle - not fat loss.

While eating at or below maintenance, you can lift weights and lose fat. That way, once you lose fat, you'll have some muscle that you can start building off of. So, go for it

You can keep doing cardio if you want.

[vanillabn]

Definitely agree -- start weightlifting!! You will be so happy with the results. I did cardio, cardio, cardio but never saw the changes in my body that I did with lifting. Go for it!!

[Mindi911]

Agreed with the girls start weight lifting - I was the same as VanillaBN, cardio, cardio, cardio and didn't get anywhere and that's very discouraging.

I gave up thinking I could lose weight altogether.

Then I started weight lifting and the lbs started dropping off.

My advice - There's no time like the present!

[terracotta]

Yes, start lifting, you will look better once you get lean, and you will be burning more calories at rest! As well, your metabolism won't slow as it would if you only did cardio.

I suggest if you need a guide to check out the fat loss section of my website, www.hotnfit.com

[kimm4]

Originally Posted by LadySpartan

Hi, I am new to all of this. I just started working out again at the beginning of June. I have 60 lbs to lose. I am 5'3" 193 lbs. I was a little unsure about how to kick the weight loss process off so I started doing cardio. My rationale being...if I do cardio first I can lose most of the weight then I would add weight lifting when my body was ready. I have cleaned up my diet a lot. I have oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast, a turkey wrap for lunch, a chicken salad for dinner, and snacks are fruits,cottage cheese, string cheese, strings beans, hummus and carrots (the snacks consist of a few of those items spread out throughout the day). I estimate my calories to be about 1500 calories a day. I know thats kinda low but I am scared to add more calories until I can get my cardiovascular activity up to at least 4x a week and until I start lifting. I want to start lifting weights but I heard that its hard to lose FAT while lifting because you need more calories when you lift. Can someone clarify that issue for me. I just want to go about this the right way. Cardio then weights? or Weight lifting and cardio?

Those calories are low and it will stall your progress (even if your weight lifting and doing cardio) Get the calories in check and throw in the weights and cardio...you're on the right track for sure!!