Is lifting necessary?

[Loranko]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in getting healthier and getting rid of my belly fat. After doing some calculations and looking at examples, I've gotten some estimated numbers.

Age: 19
Weight: 200 lbs
BF%: 25
Waist: 35"

Anyway, I've been reading many of the threads here, and they ALL emphasize lifting in all scenarios. I was just wondering if I can get away with just doing cardio 5-6 times a week and leaving out lifting completely. Still on a diet plan with the right amount of macros, but I kinda only wanna do cardio.

I'm not at all interested in getting ripped/muscle, I just want to lose my fat and be healthy.

Thanks for any tips

[csb5731]

You do realize this is a bodybuilding forum, right?

You'll end up having to lose a lot less weight if you lift. And you'll end up looking a whole lot better by anyone's standards, not just bodybuilders.

[BeingPaid]

To lose weight, you have to be on a caloric deficit. Being on a caloric deficit will cause you to lose fat, but also muscle. To minimize muscle loss, you need to lift heavy - this is why most people recommend lifting when losing weight.

If you don't care about retaining muscle mass, then go for it! But you probably won't look very good as a twig.

[matman1813]

The problem is that if you don't lift, you will struggle to preserve muscle mass. If you are losing muscle as well as fat, you will just look like a smaller version of your current self. Resistance training is essential and calisthenics is an absolute minimum (preferably you would be lifting though) if you actually want to change your body composition.

[Horizon92]

Basically what the others said. If you don't lift, you will be losing more muscle mass, which in turn will make you look worse when you reach your goal. If you do lift, you will look much better when you reach your goal, and your goal may be reached quicker because you look better at a higher BF% than if you didn't lift.

[0Maximus0]

Would you rather lift and look good lean or would you rather diet lose muscle mass and be a twig?

[scohen158]

Required no but without you will just become a smaller version of the same body you have so if you like how you look in the mirror but then go for it but you can't spot reduce fat it will gradually come off everywhere so why not lift to try to make as much of the weight loss be fat maybe even gain a little muscle. Again the only thing needed to lose weight is be in a calorie deficit. It all depends what you want to look like.

[Darren-Lad]

Am not lifting atm don't even have a gym membership (used to) and have lost a stone and 2 pounds by just eating the right foods and swimming once a week best bet it's to get a calorie counter on your phone with a barcode scanner or if not theirs loads on the Internet but when a get down to good size will defo be hitting the weights and eating a clean

[Loranko]

Thanks for all the replies. I just assumed the average user on here was lifting because they wanted to get big after losing weight, but preserving muscle mass makes a lot of sense. I learned something

[cyco85]

Nope

[BunkMoreland]

omg, they need to erase this forum section from existence

[matman1813]

omg, they need to erase this forum section from existence

Because of the thread or the responses?

[Beasto1337]

no point in going from fat to skin and bones.

[Serpentarius]

Not sure why you'd join a bodybuilding forum if you werent interested in lifting. But anyways if you just want to lose weight and do cardio you dont need to lift, but are you not interested in pushing yourself and going through hard work to get a better body?

[Darren-Lad]

Nope

No ones ever going to get them self go like that

[Serpentarius]

No ones ever going to get them self go like that

there are numerous eating disorder forums who ENCOURAGE that kind of physique, not kidding, mostly for women.

[Darren-Lad]

there are numerous eating disorder forums who ENCOURAGE that kind of physique, not kidding, mostly for women.

Wow really ? What a sick world am on a dieting without lifting but soon as a get down to 12 stone am signing back up to a gym

[matman1813]

Wow really ? What a sick world am on a dieting without lifting but soon as a get down to 12 stone am signing back up to a gym

You want to be below 170lbs at 6'2"?

[Serpentarius]

Wow really ? What a sick world am on a dieting without lifting but soon as a get down to 12 stone am signing back up to a gym

A lot of people arent right in the head. Anyways, lift now because you will look better if you do. I dont know how big a stone is but you wont have to build the muscle back up that was lost otherwise.

[matman1813]

I dont know how big a stone is

Yes you do.

[Darren-Lad]

You want to be below 170lbs at 6'2"?

A want rid of my belly tyre lol have got a holiday in 14 weeks then if a can get down to around 12-13 stone with a normal shape start lifting with a really slow bulk then try to get cut down for next summer have not really planned times etc not rushing it just trying to get a normal bmi instead of a overweight bmi

[Darren-Lad]

A lot of people arent right in the head. Anyways, lift now because you will look better if you do. I dont know how big a stone is but you wont have to build the muscle back up that was lost otherwise.

Moneys really tight ATM and am moving soon trust me if a had the spare money a would

[TheMac11]

Lift...

[Electricheadd]

Bodybuilding.com not anorexia.com.....

[StacksItRich]

I hate when people say they can't afford the gym. I call BS. Grow up and get a job to pay 20$ a month. Planet fitness is like 10 bucks. A young kid can come up with that.

[Electricheadd]

I hate when people say they can't afford the gym. I call BS. Grow up and get a job to pay 20$ a month. Planet fitness is like 10 bucks. A young kid can come up with that.

Funny fact, my gym membership cost $14.99/month. If I workout 16 times/month my health insurance reimburses me 20$. I make $5.01 to go workout lol !!

[StacksItRich]

Funny fact, my gym membership cost $14.99/month. If I workout 16 times/month my health insurance reimburses me 20$. I make $5.01 to go workout lol !!

Lifting weights=profit haha

[Electricheadd]

Lifting weights=profit haha

If you factor in future health problems I can't imagine how much working out probably $aves!

[TCO76]

I am sorry but I have no information for anyone who wants to just lose weight, but clearly states that they don't wanna lift. Seeing more and more people signing up for an account here and think this is like ********. SMH

[JVRICHARDS]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in getting healthier and getting rid of my belly fat. After doing some calculations and looking at examples, I've gotten some estimated numbers.

Age: 19
Weight: 200 lbs
BF%: 25
Waist: 35"

Anyway, I've been reading many of the threads here, and they ALL emphasize lifting in all scenarios. I was just wondering if I can get away with just doing cardio 5-6 times a week and leaving out lifting completely. Still on a diet plan with the right amount of macros, but I kinda only wanna do cardio.

I'm not at all interested in getting ripped/muscle, I just want to lose my fat and be healthy.

Thanks for any tips

You aren't going to get any love here. Try the forums at Myfitnesspal. Lots of cardio bunnies.