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Originally Posted by AnnRue
Thanks ! Well I think I have my answer. If I get down the 20 lbs and I am still flabby I can start doing the toning exercises. But I could see a large difference if I drop the 20.
Your post really cliqued with me because I noticed 90% of the difference between 179 and 167 in the stomach area.
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Why wait until the last 20 pounds are gone?
What I think is important to realize, is that cardio exercise, and strength training exercise (or toning exercise, as it is being called in this thread) do different things.
Cardio exercise burns fat, and burns a lot of calories-helping with weight loss because of the calorie burn. It also works the cardiovascular system.
Strength training, however, strengthens and builds muscle.
When you are out of shape, there are two things going on. You probably have too much body fat...AND not enough muscle tone.
Honestly, you are doing yourself a disservice to start strength training after your weight loss. Why not do both now? I split my workouts, and alternate cardio some days, and strength training the other days.
Part of the flabbiness that you are experiencing is still extra weight and body fat, but part of that is most likely also atrophied muscle. (little muscle development, or "no muscle tone" as people sometimes say)
You should do both for the best body-cardio to lose weight and lose fat, and strength (either weights, or exercise that uses the body weight for resistance such as Pilates, and exercises such as crunches/push-ups, etc.)
to give yourself a firm, shapely body.
Most of the avid exercisers, and maintainers here do both.