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Q:

Should I focus more on cardio or strength training to lose weight?

Hi everyone! I have recently started my weight loss journey and as a beginner, I am confused about whether I should focus more on cardio or strength training to lose weight. I am a 28-year-old male with a height of 5’10’’ and weight of 200lbs. My goal is to lose around 20-25lbs within the next 3-4 months. Currently, I am leading a sedentary lifestyle and my job involves sitting in front of the computer for 8-10 hours a day. I have also made some changes to my diet and started consuming more vegetables, fruits, and lean protein while avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks. However, I am not sure about which type of exercise will help me achieve my weight loss goal more efficiently. I have read conflicting opinions on the internet, some suggesting that cardio is the best way to lose weight while others recommend strength training.

I would appreciate if anyone could share their personal experience and suggest which type of exercise will work better for me. Also, any tips or suggestions that can help me stay motivated and stick to my fitness routine will be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

All Replies

jast.ellsworth

Hi there! As someone who has struggled with weight loss in the past, incorporating a healthy balance of both cardio and strength training was the key to my success. In my experience, focusing on one type of exercise alone did not provide the results I was hoping for.

Cardio exercises such as running, cycling or dancing help increase your heart rate and promote weight loss. On the other hand, strength training can help build lean muscle mass and increase your metabolism, which can lead to burning more calories throughout the day.

During my weight loss journey, I would dedicate 2-3 days per week to strength training and 2-3 days per week to cardio. I would also focus on a variety of exercises and switch up my routines to challenge my body and avoid boredom.

To stay motivated, I set small and achievable goals for myself and focused on the progress I was making, rather than perfection. I also made sure to track my food intake and maintain a healthy diet, as losing weight is mostly diet-focused. Having an accountability partner or joining a fitness community can also be hugely beneficial for staying motivated and on track.

Remember, the best approach to weight loss is finding a routine that works for you and is sustainable in the long run. Don't be afraid to try new forms of exercise and find enjoyment in the process. Good luck on your journey!

hans47

Hey there! As someone who has lost weight myself, I would suggest making strength training your priority over cardio. While cardio is great for burning calories and boosting your heart rate, it may not be the most effective way to lose weight. In fact, studies have shown that incorporating weightlifting into your fitness routine can help increase your metabolism and burn fat long after your workout is over.

I used to focus solely on cardio and found myself hitting a plateau in my weight loss journey. Once I switched to a more strength-based training routine, I saw a significant improvement in my physique and overall health. I made sure to incorporate both compound movements and isolation exercises to ensure I was targeting all muscle groups.

Staying motivated can be tough, but I found that setting clear, achievable goals for myself helped keep me on track. I also made sure to track my progress and hold myself accountable for my actions. Having a workout buddy or joining a fitness community can provide a great support system and keep you motivated as well.

Remember, the key to successful weight loss is finding a routine that works for your body and your lifestyle, so don't be afraid to try different approaches until you find what works best for you. Good luck on your journey!

lvonrueden

Hello everyone! As someone who has struggled with weight loss in the past, I would recommend focusing on strength training over cardio to achieve your weight loss goals. While cardio exercises do help burn calories, adding strength training to my routine produced more noticeable and sustainable results for me personally.

Incorporating strength training into your routine will help build lean muscle mass, which helps your body continue to burn calories even after your workout. I found that this helped me lose weight more efficiently and maintain my weight loss goals in the long term.

To begin my strength training journey, I started with lighter weights and worked my way up over time. I also focused on a full-body strength training routine that targeted all muscle groups. This helped me achieve a more balanced physique and overall fitness.

To stay motivated, I set achievable goals for myself and tracked my progress regularly. Celebrating small achievements along the way helped me stay motivated and continue working towards my ultimate goal. I also found that exercising with a friend or joining a fitness community helped me stay accountable and motivated.

Ultimately, the best approach to achieving weight loss goals will depend on the individual. Experiment with different forms of exercise and find what works best for you. Remember to keep challenging yourself and staying consistent with your routine to see the best results.

katrine74

Hello everyone! As someone who has gone through successful weight loss, I would recommend focusing on strength training over cardio. While cardio workouts are excellent for weight loss and overall well-being, strength training helped me lose weight more efficiently and achieve the body shape I desired.

Strength training is ideal for losing weight because it helps build lean muscle mass. This muscle not only burns calories during any physical activity but while you are at rest as well. This increase in metabolism helps you continue to burn calories even after your workout is over.

In my experience, a balanced combination of strength training and cardio is crucial for successful weight loss. I devoted three days of my workout routine to strength training, focusing on compound exercises to target all muscle groups, and mixed the rest of the days with cardio and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This balanced routine helped me lose weight and get leaner without burning out.

Staying motivated throughout the journey is key to success. I would motivate myself by setting attainable goals, tracking progress, and being accountable throughout the process. I also reminded myself that it is a journey, and small accomplishments along the way are worth celebrating.

In conclusion, remember that efficient weight loss is possible with a healthy combination of cardio and strength training. Modify your routine to best fit you, and continuous effort is crucial to accomplishing long-term goals. Good luck, and always prioritize your health first!

xbrown

Hello there! I'm someone who has successfully lost weight and the answer to the question whether cardio or strength training is better for weight loss is quite simple – it depends on your individual goals and preferences. That being said, I found that a combination of both strength and cardio training helped me achieve my ideal weight and body composition.

Indulging in long and moderate-intensity cardio workouts such as running, swimming or cycling is a great way to burn fat, calories and improve heart health. Strength training, on the other hand, can help you gain lean muscle mass which in turn will help increase your metabolism and burn more calories even while at rest.

What worked for me was to incorporate 3-4 days of strength training, focusing on compound exercises such as squats, deadlift, and bench press. I'd recommend starting with moderate weights and increasing the intensity gradually with time. Additionally, I'd recommend HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts which are a great combination of strength and cardio exercises.

Determining the exercise routine that will work for you will depend on your individual goals and preferences, so take some time to experiment with different workouts to see what you’re comfortable with. Additionally, staying motivated is key to consistency and success, I'd recommend finding a workout buddy or a support group, following a set routine or signing up for fitness challenges that will keep you going.

Remember that weight loss is a journey and slow progress is better than no progress at all. Best of luck to you!

quinn.corkery

Hi there! As someone who has successfully lost weight, I would suggest focusing on both cardio and strength training to see the best results. Cardio exercises such as running, biking, or swimming are great for burning calories and increasing your heart rate, which can lead to weight loss. However, strength training is also crucial because it helps build lean muscle mass, which burns more calories even when you're at rest.

Personally, I found that incorporating both types of exercises into my routine helped me see results faster. I would dedicate three days a week to strength training and three days a week to cardio, with one day off for rest. I also made sure to switch up my workouts to avoid boredom and keep my body guessing.

In terms of staying motivated, setting realistic goals and tracking your progress can be helpful. Celebrate small victories along the way, such as being able to lift heavier weights or running an extra mile. Additionally, finding a workout buddy or joining a fitness class can help keep you accountable and motivated.

Remember that weight loss is not solely dependent on exercise, so continue to focus on maintaining a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine to see the best results. Good luck on your journey!

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