Can i get away with just strength training + diet

[Anonymous]

Have an injury and can't run (hate other options for cardio). Am strength training 3-4 times a week for an hour intensely (with some quick interval work) and watching my diet
Has anyone else lost/maintained weight with a no-cardio fitness plan (which i have stumbled into accidentally!)

[Anonymous]

Is this only about the number on the scale and the shape of your tush? If so, you can definitely 'get away' with just weights and careful diet.

[Anonymous]

Weight loss happens in the kitchen, fitness happens in the gym. I did not make this up but it is consistent with my experience. I lost 35 pounds with a moderate calories deficit over time. I am very active but do not do intentional activity.

[Anonymous]

That should have been "do not do intentional exercise" not "intentional activity" I do lots of intentional activities but they do not happen in a gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weight loss happens in the kitchen, fitness happens in the gym. I did not make this up but it is consistent with my experience. I lost 35 pounds with a moderate calories deficit over time. I am very active but do not do intentional activity.

ITA. Be very careful with diet, especially carbs, since you'll be burning fewer calories. But, the bigger issue is that cardio is better for heart health. Is this injury permanent? Can you really find nothing that challenges your heart that you like to do? Rigorous weight lifting will help, but it's not the same thing.

[Anonymous]

I know a trainer who actually thinks most cardio is too damaging to joints, etc. and prefers strength training and diet. Actually he says it's really 80% diet in terms of weight loss.

Sorry - don't know the details/explanation.

[Anonymous]

The injury isn't permanent, no. Phew! I could walk or do elliptical but love running!! Should be back on track in a month or so. Being cardio-free just had me curious.
My guess is our bodies are built to move and lift and eat: all 3. Prob is most people just do #3 to excess! So, diet is the main culprit in excess pounds for sure.

[Anonymous]

I use kettlebells for strength training, and I wear a HR monitor and these workouts get my heart rate just as high as it does when I run. So I wouldn't necessarily think of strength training as being a non-cardio workout.

[Anonymous]

I haven't done a hard cardio workout in over a year and look my best ever. Due to weight lifting and diet, meaning eating an equal amount of protein and carbs in each meal. But I was already at goal weight when I started this, I just needed to tone up and get rid of the last layer of fat. My day to day is pretty active so I don't need cardio at the gym in terms of health (I would if I had the time though).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done a hard cardio workout in over a year and look my best ever. Due to weight lifting and diet, meaning eating an equal amount of protein and carbs in each meal. But I was already at goal weight when I started this, I just needed to tone up and get rid of the last layer of fat. My day to day is pretty active so I don't need cardio at the gym in terms of health (I would if I had the time though).

This.

You might want to invest in an hour with a personal trainer to get you on a good routine. Cardio bores me to tears, but my weight training is fun, and high energy, and gets my heart rate up. And yes yes yes most of weight loss happens in the kitchen! I too was at goal weight, but needed to tone up and lose some fat. A state of the art weight routine that incorporates bursts of cardio (like 50 jumping jacks) is much more effective for me than slogging away on the treadmill.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done a hard cardio workout in over a year and look my best ever. Due to weight lifting and diet, meaning eating an equal amount of protein and carbs in each meal. But I was already at goal weight when I started this, I just needed to tone up and get rid of the last layer of fat. My day to day is pretty active so I don't need cardio at the gym in terms of health (I would if I had the time though).

This.

You might want to invest in an hour with a personal trainer to get you on a good routine. Cardio bores me to tears, but my weight training is fun, and high energy, and gets my heart rate up. And yes yes yes most of weight loss happens in the kitchen! I too was at goal weight, but needed to tone up and lose some fat. A state of the art weight routine that incorporates bursts of cardio (like 50 jumping jacks) is much more effective for me than slogging away on the treadmill.

Good luck!

What do you mean by "This." ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done a hard cardio workout in over a year and look my best ever. Due to weight lifting and diet, meaning eating an equal amount of protein and carbs in each meal. But I was already at goal weight when I started this, I just needed to tone up and get rid of the last layer of fat. My day to day is pretty active so I don't need cardio at the gym in terms of health (I would if I had the time though).

This.

You might want to invest in an hour with a personal trainer to get you on a good routine. Cardio bores me to tears, but my weight training is fun, and high energy, and gets my heart rate up. And yes yes yes most of weight loss happens in the kitchen! I too was at goal weight, but needed to tone up and lose some fat. A state of the art weight routine that incorporates bursts of cardio (like 50 jumping jacks) is much more effective for me than slogging away on the treadmill.

Good luck!

What do you mean by "This." ?

i think she means that she is in the same boat as that poster

[Anonymous]

Yes, so many exercises besides running! Strength training will build muscle. You can get your heart rate up without cardio.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by "This." ?

"This" is internet forum speak for "I agree with what was said in the post quoted here".

[Anonymous]

I also love running and had a temporary injury too. I took up spinning. The spinning classes at my gym really allow you to close your eyes and get into your head-- sort of like running (as I assume why you like it so much). I agree that strength training and diet are probably extremely important, but in case you wanted a sweaty cardio burst every now and again, I recommend spinning. Of course, I suppose this depends on your injury. My injury was in my lower leg and so spinning was no impact and I healed great.