Is it true that one must loose weight first before going to a gym?

Question

My older sister was told by her friend that she must try to loose weight first before signing up for a gym class. Her reason was that if one stops exercising or lifting weights, she will easily go back, to the same body type that she used to have, or worse, twice that size!

Answer 1

It depends upon if you want to lose fat or if you are just concerned with losing weight (fat, muscle, water) and whether or not you want to keep it off for life or gain and relose it.

I would also wonder why it would not be worth 3 hours A WEEK at the gym (the time an average, basic fitness program requires) to keep the weight off .

Let's put it this way .. a pound of muscle burns about 40 calories metabolically - a pound of fat burns about 3 so...

If you add muscle WHILE you are stripping fat, not only will you lose fat faster (because your metabolism is higher) but you will look firmer and be much smaller than if you lost just weight.

If a person loses weight through dieting alone, research shows that up to 40% of the weight is muscle (which means that you now have a lower metabolism) so when you gain the weight back (which about 95% of americans do, you are actaully fatter than when you began.

Yes, if you stop working out, you will lose muscle and there fore lower your metabolism but if the only way to "go back" or "double" is to eat an inordinate amount of food.

The research (and bulging waistlines of americans) are clear - The most effective, healthiest way to lose weight (and keep it off)
is to

1. Eat the appropriate amount of food - To help strip your fat (no this does not mean dieting. )The link below is to the "new" food pyramid which will give you a rough idea of what you should eat and how much (Most people either starve themselves on a "diet" or binge when they are "off") This will give you a basic guideline

2. Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise 3x a week for 20 min - to burn fat and keep your heart strong
3. Engage in regular resistance training (to sculpt and shape your body and speed up your metabolism)

Answer 2

not true... weight lifting can be a great way to lose weight if you use lighter weights and more repititions. You definately need to do both, and it isnt true that someone will get bigger if one stops lifting weights, it is that the muscles become flabbier, so you must occasionally work out but it is relatively easy to maintain your shape once you are there. But I would go to the gym, and do whatever she plans on doing, and maybe go running and do some cardio also. It is important you rest when lifting, so if you lift weights on one day relax the next... maybe that would be a good time to go for a long walk or a run once you get into better shape. In the end, the most important thing to lose weight is to eat right, but as long as you're working out everyday, whether lifting or going for a long walk, you can get away with some things occasionaly

Answer 3

It depends on how overweight she is, and what part of her body she carries the weight. The gym is WHERE she can lose the weight! Perhaps the advice was, if you're looking to have washboard abs, lose the belly first. That's true. Otherwise, you'll have a barrel for an abdomen. Have her start on the treadmill, and other cardiovascular exercises first. When when she's trimmed down, then move onto weights, etc. - along with the cardio exercises.

Answer 4

I actually have heard this some where. I am not sure where. If you are considered obese than the best thing to do is first exercise at home and maintain a healthy diet. Once you feel that you are able to handle some weight machines than go to the gym and start out with cardio and work your way up.

Answer 5

I think that the point of this question refers to the type of workout you do when you first go into a gym, It's never a good idea to get right into wieghtlifting, or high impact exercise. Instead you have to "ease in" to a routine starting with the basics such as stretching and medium pace walking. After a week or so, you can then reassess your cardiovascular condition and try to do light free weights to develop technique and then some light impact aerobics. Eventually your want to get into enough shape to do a proper workout. If you try to get into shape to quickly, you'll burn yourself out and you will not be able to get into routine, which will give your body a "yo-yo" effect.

Answer 6

How tall are you? 113 might be normal for your height. I would say reduce your daily calorie intake by 500. Try to do some indoor exercises if it's too cold to go outside. Get your blood pumping, break a sweat. You should be down to 105 in about eight weeks.

Answer 7

no its not true. but it does help to lose a little before hand as you will gain muscle when going to the gym which can make you feel like yr not losing anything as muscle is heavier. read tips on weight loss and exercise programs to help you get started on this site

Answer 8

ummmmmmmmm I never heard that one!
isn't the PURPOSE of going to the gym to get in shape and loose weight???
maybe her friend is one of the vain ones that wouldn't be caught dead in the gym if she doesn't look good.
tell her to join Curves. Its for women only and I'm sure there will be some there bigger than her!

Answer 9

no that is not true you are supposed to go to the gym to loose weight you don't have to loose weight before you get there.

Answer 10

i dont think that you should lose weight BEFORE going to the gym...that makes no sense.....the whole point in going to the gym is to loose weight but dont stop going to the gym this is true.....you'll gain it all back....so keep on working to keep that pesky weight off!!!