What is the best method to dropping pounds? cardio or strength training? Or does

1. 60

   Shontrice Reanposted 7 years ago

   What is the best method to dropping pounds? cardio or strength training? Or does your shape matter?
   
   I have heard that a 30 minute high impact work out, combining strength and cardio training is best, that 30 minutes is all the workout time we need. Do this method work for everyone or does it really have anything to do with your body type?
   
   

   replyreport
2. 81

   Wesman Todd Shawposted 7 years ago

   The single best way to reduce the weight of anyone is to take in fewer calories. And while all calories are equal in terms of energy to be released, carbohydrates above and beyond fats, proteins, alcohol, lead to weight gain.
   
   One thing which is counter-intuitive, yet completely true is this: ingesting fat does not make a person fat. Ingesting carbohydrates in excess of what one needs makes one fat.
   
   Exercise is important, but diet is MORE important when it comes to weight loss or weight gain. And it is really just this simple. You don't avoid fats, and you should avoid carbohydrates in excess of what is needed for the physical labors of the day. Live long and prosper.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      You are describing a low-carbohydrate diet, which works for diabetics, but tends to be limiting for the average person..

      replyreport
   2. 92

      WiccanSageposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Savvy low (or better yet, controlled carb) works fine for the average person. Grains are not a food group we need; we can get all the carbs we need from fruits/veggies.

      replyreport
   3. 0

      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Fruits are high in carbohydrates, which are not suitable for low-carb diets.

      replyreport
3. 0

   savvydatingposted 7 years ago

   Unless you are an athlete who works out five to eight hours a day, it may not be realistic to assume you will lose weight with cardio or weight training. Exercise generally helps to maintain the weight as well as to tone the body and create a happier disposition.
   
   There are 3 types of diets:
   
   1) Low Carbohydrate
   2) Low Calorie
   3) Low Fat, High fiber  (20 grams of fat per day)
   
   Contrary to popular belief, the low fat diet is the easiest to maintain for the long term. With this diet, you don't have to starve yourself---and you can eat healthy carbohydrates. The low calorie diet is too limiting; same with the low-carb diet. You might want to look at this book.  Good luck to you!
   https://www.amazon.com/FIT-FAT-Covert-B … 0395271622

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Shontrice Reanposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the info, I will look at the book.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      You are welcome. Thank you for picking my answer as "Best." I assure you, low fat is the best diet for long term. It's actually more of a pleasant life style change.

      replyreport
4. 92

   WiccanSageposted 7 years ago

   I don't think it's as simple as calories in --> calories out. It seems like it should be and ultimately sure, almost anyone can reduce their calorie intake enough to lose weight, though that's not always feasible to maintain for everyone.
   
   I agree with fact that diet is really going to be the key because you can't exercise away a bad diet forever. I don't believe either low fat or low carb diets are ideal, since neither fat nor carbs are the villain. Balance is key, and the source you're getting your fat and/or carbs from is more important than how much of it you're actually eating.
   
   Any exercise is going to be a benefit so I think it's best for people to fit the exercise that works best for their lifestyle.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      However, the low calorie diet is very difficult to maintain. An MD I know said that low fat, high fiber allows you to eat more and still lose weight. High fiber foods are satisfying and quite filling & also contain less calories. A win-win.

      replyreport
5. 70

   Kevin McClernonposted 7 years ago

   You asked 3 questions so I have 3+ answers.
   
   You asked about dropping pounds in the first question. Weight may matter, but a better question may be, "What is the best method of changing my body composition?" Why?  You can take three women, all the same height and weight. One may look overweight, one underweight and one looks like an athletic goddess. The difference between the three is body composition, not weight.
   
   Cardio v. Strength Training? Any well developed general fitness plan should address the fitness components of cardiovascular and muscular endurance as well as flexibility and muscular strength. In that way you get all the benefits of exercise while rending off excess body fat.
   
   You asked if shape mattered in the third. If your asking if shape matters, then it does--to you or someone else. I'm not sure if you're asking about appearance shape or "being in shape", as in being physically fit. If appearance shape matters, that's up to the individual. Health-related benefits of being fit including reducing the risk of disease and reducing stress. So if your health matters to you, so should being fit.
   
   Please don't hesitate to check out my profile as I have written several hubs which go into more detail concerning body composition, body transformation, military fitness and sports conditioning.
   
   Hope that helped!

   replyreport
6. 0

   Matt Reynoldsposted 7 years ago

   Plenty of the other comments already addressed diet and its importance for dropping weight. While exercise can certainly help you lose weight, it can only be so helpful without a proper diet in place.
   
   To address your question over the type of exercises though, I personally prefer strength over cardio training. Here's why:
   
   In some instances, depending on the intensity of your workout, a 30-minute cardio workout may burn off more calories than strength training done for an equal amount of time (let's say 180 calories from cardio versus 130 from strength).
   
   However, a stretch of strength training has often been proven to actually increase your metabolic rate (the rate at which your body naturally burns calories) for up to 24-36 hours after you finish your workout. So if you spend the next 2-3 hours watching a movie or reading and your body would normally burn 70 calories per hour, now it is burning 80 calories per hour. Those extra calories can add up over the course of time and actually make a bigger difference than if you solely focused on cardio.
   
   With that being said, I think a healthy mix of cardio/strength exercises and a balanced diet will make the biggest difference.
   
   I hope that helps!

   replyreport
   1. 0

      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent advice! I couldn't agree with you more. If I were forced to choose one over the other, I would go with strength training. But luckily, most people are free to incorporate cardio too.

      replyreport