Step Aerobics and/or Strength?

**foreverdark** · 03-17-2011 07:34 AM

My has been doing the exercise thing with me for her own health and support for me. We have been doing Step Aerobics and on alternating days full body strength. Small dumb bells weight bars and such, not actual weight benches/machines and all that.

I am 2 months, almost 3, post-surgery and was wondering if this is kind of counter productive. I know, fat bad muscle good, but shouldn't I be focusing on losing fat now and adding muscle a little later? Or does this sound like a good regimen?

**Biggie68** · 03-20-2011 10:07 PM

Cardio is the best way to keep the scale moving down from what I have been told. Incorporate the weight training after you have met goal

**msdw59** · 03-21-2011 01:07 PM

muscles burn more calories hence more fat.

Now what might freak you out for a little while is that you may begin to pick up a slight amount of weight as you add more muscles. Muscle weights more than fat. But the more muscle you have the more calories you burn.

Aerobic exercise great for the heart and if you lived a sedentary life. Moving more with aerobics will burn some of the fat.

I say create a workout program that incorporates both

**MoreFitDiane** · 03-21-2011 07:15 PM

I concur with Lady Di (in fact, I've been called that myself on numerous occasions by numerous persons). Do cardio workouts every other day, and muscle strengthening exercises on the days in-between. That way, your muscles have a chance to heal before you "injure" them again. That's how they grow strong.

**mom2dms** · 04-11-2011 08:46 AM

Muscle weighs more than fat has become my new mantra since starting to run daily and do P90X, I've built muscle and my scale has stayed still. It is frustrating even though I can see that I'm losing inches, and having to buy new clothes. I bought a heart rate monitor to better track how many calories I am burning since I am struggling getting enough calories daily. My fat burning heart rate zone is much lower than my cardio zone and so far, I've struggled to be able to stay in there and still feel like I'm working out. Now that I've read this post, I realize it isn't much help...sorry! Let us know what you discover! I will post what the trainer tells me tonight after I meet with him. Good luck!