Hey ladies... I have never really been into weight lifting, but I know that there are a lot of wonderful benefits. Right now my biggest goal is to lose POUNDS, but I don't want to end up looking like a lot of flabby skin a bones (I know, that is a long way off, but still). I don't think I would mind slowing down the weight loss if I could become shapelier in the process. I have been checking out some of the recommended sites you all have posted.
Does anyone have any advice or recommendations or words of encouragement?
Thanks ladies!

I haven't been weight lifting for very long (since January) but I really think it has helped me in my weight loss journey.

First, consider that weightlifting can help BURN fat. You not only burn calories while you lift, but as you build muscle, that helps too. Muscle is metabolically more active than fat and burns more calories.

Second, while I may have slowed my weight loss a little when I started lifting, I have lost consistently along the way. I don't think it will necessarily slow you down.

It seems that integrating both weight lifting and cardio is a GREAT combination for weight loss. You may not lose weight initially as you start weight training, but honestly, I think the benefits are there: fitter, stronger, more "active" body.

Finally, I am learning good habits I hope to build on for life!

Is your goal to lose pounds or to shrink your body size? If you want to be smaller, consider this.

As my signature indicates, due to an injury I haven't worked out for four months. So I've gained about 10 pounds and gotten bigger and softer. In reviewing my weight spreadsheet, I noticed that last January my weight was the same as it is now: 177 pounds. But I was much smaller in January. Jeans and other pants that are too tight now were falling off then. Why? Because I had been lifting weights reguarly for three months.

I agree with everything wyllen has written and I am so looking forward to getting back to the weights!

Maybe pop in to the Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle thread. I'm rereading it (as a few of us are). That might be some more reading to help you figure it all out.

I don't think you would be slowing your loss down. You would probably be speeding your loss up. Since you will be burning fat and building muscles that also burn fat.

I personally feel that there are no cons to weight training only pros ... Muscle is sexy and burns calories

I agree Ilene! And in a totally non-sexual way, Ilene you look super sexy!

Hi,

I merely wanted to state that I agree with everyone on this topic so far. Ilene said it best; There are no cons to weightlifting.

Focusing all your attention of weightloss is short changing yourself. The scale is a nice tool, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Measuring inches and body fat% can tell you so much more about your progress.

Numbers can be so deceiving. Remember when you're a kid and you have the choice between 2 dimes or 2 nickels? You might have chosen the 2 nickels because they were bigger than the dimes. Well, this is sort of the same basic principle.

Would you rather be flabby, have more fat, but weight less. Or would you rather be smaller, have a nice physique and weigh more? What is more important? Obtaining the body you want or obtaining a number?

As long as you don't mind having to shift heavy objects and open stubborn jars for your coworkers and loved ones. I am not saying that I mind doing that stuff, but some might.

I don't mind

*L* Doing that stuff makes me feel buff. When my husband needs to get behind our big entertainment center, I am always happy to show off by lifting it up and over.

My main goal is loss of pounds, too, but strength training really does make a difference in how you look and feel even at the same weight. There was a period of about 3 weeks where I didn't lose an ounce but dropped a pants size.
I'm only a few months into this myself, and I've never "been into weights" either. I can tell you it's one of the best decisions I've made for my body.
As far as advice and suggestions, what exactly is it you're interested in? Will you be starting out at a gym or trying something out at home? I'm still on machine weights because of concerns about my form, and I just do the "circuit training" they gym has set up to work just about everything. All the experienced lifters here say that free weights are much more effective, but I just haven't been brave enough to venture into that yet.
If you want to start at home, there are plenty of videos you can do with dumbells/barbell. Or maybe even Pilates-someone on these threads recommended it to me and it's a great way to build muscle-I was surprised by how intense it can be. All it takes is some instruction and some hand weights to get started...
I think anything that starts us down the path of bettering ourselves is a step in the right direction-there can't be any "cons" to that.