Should I lift weights?

[Brook]

Re: Should I lift weights?

Going back and reading through the thread......I'm really confused now.

As a man, *even if* you are 5'5" or less, why on earth would you want to lose muscle mass to get down to 130lbs? I'm a woman 5'5.5" and my body is not capable *or* healthy at anything under 140lbs with my build.

How tall are you and how old? Honestly- I'm baffled here.

[Lyssie]

Re: Should I lift weights?

There are scales which give some sort of body fat percentage daily. I don't know whether they work. You can also use various things at home to check on a regular basis. You could also use measurements and the websites that calculate your body fat based off the measurements. If you really wanted to, any of these things you could do all day long, so you could spend 8 hours sleeping, 2 hours working out and showering and the other 14 hours literally calculating out what your body fat is.

[Brook]

Re: Should I lift weights?

If I lift weights now I may stay the same weight and I wouldn't be sure about how much fat I'm losing. Unless I can find a way get my body fat checked daily I'm relying on the scale. The only cardio i really do is an hr to 2 hrs of running every Saturday with my friend.

Arsenic- scales are the *LEAST* reliable method for measuring your success - especially in body fat measurements. The body fat function on a scale is by and large garbage. Drink more or less water and you'll throw that off by 3-5%. To be blunt, the scale isn't going to tell you squat about what you're doing body fat wise. You're better off ditching the scale and sticking to a tape measure. That said, why do you give a rip what the numbers say if you can SEE that your body is in better shape, you feel stronger and more healthy & your clothing fits better? Being obsessed by a specific number without the logic portion of the equation in check is unhealthy.

Even measurements won't help you properly calculate your body fat percentage. Calipers have an inherent inaccuracy to them- and it's even worse depending on who is using the caliper - though they are considerably more accurate than a body fat scale or measurements plugged into a generic calculator. The only accurate method to determine your body fat level is expensive - and that's a dunk tank.

Honestly- I'm concerned.

[Arsenic]

Re: Should I lift weights?

I'm 22,5' 6 and wouldn't 130 be normal weight for my height?

[Arsenic]

Re: Should I lift weights?

I'm only one week into induction I'm also using the scale to make sure its working.

[Lyssie]

Re: Should I lift weights?

No, it's not normal for your height, and there are about 500 other ways to ensure that it's "working" including feeling better and having more energy, clothes fitting better, etc. If you *really* need some sort of proof, you can try ketostix but they don't work for everyone.

[Brook]

Re: Should I lift weights?

I'm 22,5' 6 and wouldn't 130 be normal weight for my height?

Arsenic- It's not a normal weight for *my* height and I'm a woman!

There's a weight range- and it's all BS and generic.

A man 5'6" - depending on his frame according to most of these charts- should be between 136-164lbs. 136 if he's a little frame, 164 if you have a large frame.

Body builders show up as obese on BMI charts. I'm supposed to weigh 120-155. I'd look like he|| at 120lbs. In the pic in my signature I'm 148lbs (4lbs lighter than I am this morning) and a size 6. The charts are garbage.

Have you talked to your doctor?

[cherribom1]

Re: Should I lift weights?

YES! Of course... plus after lifting weights your body continues to burn fat!

[Arsenic]

Re: Should I lift weights?

I haven't really talked to my doctor but I have a really small frame compared to most people, I'm still guessing I should be aiming for 150 after I'm lifting heavy weights and building muscle.

[CoolBlackChick]

Re: Should I lift weights?

Brook, you are sssoooo right about those charts!!!!! Looking like Nicole Richie and that Olsen twin is NOT cute, it's scary!

[4themasses]

Re: Should I lift weights?

YES, YES and YES.
Through weight training you can increase your metabolic rate - the rate at which your body burns fat. When you gain muscle, your body requires more energy to maintain that new muscle.