Reply to post: Weights and cardio is best along with getting off your ass in the first place

Weights and cardio is best along with getting off your ass in the first place

Each pound of muscle in your body burn about 6 calories per hour VS. a pound of fat which burns about 2 calories per hour.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/256919-how-many-calories-does-muscle-burn-compared-to-fat/

Furthermore, after age 30 we lose about 1% of our muscle mass per year.

http://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2012/03/05/stopping_age_related_muscle_loss/

I started ~4 years ago with a regular routine of 4-6 days in gym and I am 53 now. My routine combines relatively even amounts of 75 minutes mixed cardio combining long intervals (3.5/4.5 minutes up and 1.5 minutes down) alternating with low-level steady heart rate/steady medium intensity aerobic 60-80 minutes. By the time my cardio is finished I am completely soaked. Then I do slow strength-training (8-10 reps) circuits.

Since I started, I have gone from 265 pounds to 215 pounds and have never looked this good in my entire life without a shirt. Quite a few of the younger crowd in the gym are doing the 12-15 reps/multiple set body-building routine. Meanwhile, I have built serious solid power-packed muscle mass AND serious aerobic/cardio fitness to such a level that I can wipe the floor with many half my age.

To me, for us ordinary folks, success in losing/keeping off weight consists of just a few simple guidelines.

Establish a long-term stategy. I plan on still doing a form of my current routine 20-30 years in the future.

Look for incremental gains over time. Forget about impressing others and thereby avoid injury by taking small steps toward your goals.

Promise yourself to follow an ironclad rule of proper form no matter the exercise routine you practice. Back off weight/reps/time whatever you need to do to do the exercise right.

Be your own personal trainer. Do a bit of research each week and create your tailored workout routine and adjust it over time as needed.

I contend that you will be far better off in the long-term if you combine cardio and strength training. Keep in mind that those who weight train tend to pay greater attention to what they eat.

If nothing else, at least get up and walk each day.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-fitness-walking-idUSKCN0HO0PV20140929