i know its almost "phsyically impossible" to lose fat and build muscle at the same time but i realy wanna lose some fat. so i figure since i dont have to eat all that great to build muscle can i eat about 2500 calories a day lift and then run about a mile or two. will this work?

I have an every other day schedule so ill take a day off inbetween. if it helps im 15 205lbs and 5'10. I packed on close to 35 lbs in all the time i lifted

-James

TOTAL OPPOSITE.........One of the main reasons for lifing weights IS to lose fat.

The best thing to do is lift weight AND do cardio but not necessarily on the same day. You can alternate the days to keep it interesting. Even after you finish lifting weights, you are still burning fat so it is wise to keep lifting weights. Your body fat is what should be monitored, not necessarily how "much" you weight. Muscle weighs more than fat.

And not to burst your bubble, but 50% of losing weight IS how you eat so I would stick to just getting 1500 - 2000 calories a day.

Good luck.

[This message has been edited by diami03 (edited 02-05-2003).]

thanx for the help but you said your body fat should be monitored. How do i do that?
-James

Again, I am totally against diets, but am completely for making sure that all of the calories I need are taken from high quality foods that are high in protein, low in fat, and rarely involve sweets and sugar. So, do you need 2500 calories/day just for maintenance? Or is that how much you are taking in when you lift and gain weight? If your 2500 calories are just for maintenance, then I say don't decrease your diet, instead increase your activity. And that doesn't necessarily mean running or cardio. It can be walking or biking or any number of things that burn energy. The lower the intensity, the lower the risk of burning muscle. So, keep lifting heavy and increase your overall activity level. You should not see a decrease in strength and you likely will not gain strength like you are used to, but you will see the fat disappear.

I have a somewhat related question: How much is too much exercise?

I'm pretty new to working out, I started in June going 5 days a week. I'm 24, Male, 5'10" and 215 lbs. I have a desk job and don't move from my desk during the workday. Because of this I have been trying to do about a 1/2 hour of cardio a day either on the bicycle or the cross trainer (usually alternating days between the two). I get this done during my lunch break and then in the evening have been getting back to the gym to do weights.

Is going to they gym this often hurting more than helping given that I am sedentary for the rest of the day? Should I do less leg days because of all the cardio? Thanks in advance.

(1st post btw)
Clarence

[This message has been edited by clarence (edited 02-07-2003).]