Which type to see a difference?

[GlassOfFizzPlease]

What type of exercise did you really begin to see had a positive effect on how you look?

Running for the cardio/fat loss? Or weight training? A mix of both?

Just sheer curiosity on my part as I ponder what I should be doing to see some (hopefully quick) good results

Its weight training that's making the biggest difference to me. I've always run and done circuit training alongside but never achieved the body I wanted. Now I'm much more focused on weight training, but still running as well. Finally my thighs are starting to look better. Never thought I'd be happy with my legs.

Calorie counting!!
Seriously, any type of exercise that you enjoy and will keep up is the best type for you, but if you want to see a change in your body then you have to be in a calorie deficit at the same time.

There are some exercises that are more efficient than others though. Pure steady state cardio will burn calories but HIIT is more efficient. Isolated weights will help strengthen but compound exercises will be more effective quickly.

You want a mix- weight training followed by a healthy approach to eating is the key.
What you eat makes all the difference.
But yes weight training will define your body in a much more obvious way than just running and cardio.
I love both.

Pilates has made the most difference to my body far more than running/swimming ever has.

Ideally a mix of cardio and weights that you enjoy and can stick with
So it doesn't matter if it's running, hit, dancing like a loon, what matters is doing it
Weights is probl

Cardio for your ‘brightness’ - eyes, skin etc look better after you give them better blood flow

Weights for body toning

So it’s still both 🤷‍♀️

Weights. Plus some cardio like body combat. That made a massive difference to my figure.

...ably the one women should do more of, it helps give definition and shape if you are not carrying excess weight , burns calories faster and helps protect the body from the worst effects of aging ( breaks and falls)

Body weight is great to start , but I think we are going to buy some kettlebells or such soon

And now hit "post"

Running changed my body in a way weights alone never did. I used to do a lot of HIIT and weights but saw little difference. But running proper miles made me lose weight and keep it off.
The preference, though, would be both. If I could find the time for weights I would, as I'd then look more strong and sculpted rather than just thin.

Another one saying both here (sorry!) at the moment I’m running, doing weights a couple of times a week, and also going pilates. This seems to be the right mix for me to see a difference in my body, increase cardio fitness, and avoid injury

The best thing I have taken up in the last couple of years is a weekly ballet class. I’m in my 60s with knackered knees and back (competitive sport when younger), so running is out. I do 15 min of stretches and light weights every morning and when the gym is open I’ll do 2 or 3 x 45 min sessions on the machines weekly. But the ballet has improved my legs immensely and had a positive effect on posture and flexibility that nothing else has achieved. I can’t wait to go back.

Swimming. I used to go 5 days a week, love what it did to my upper body.

Running had a big effect at the start and slimmed legs down. But mileage needed to be increased to get the same effect and I couldn't sustain that for continued weight loss. I think it's easy to plateau quickly as if you spend the same amount of time running you might not get much benefit regarding weight loss (and I certainly over estimate how many calories I burned)

Weight training is brilliant for fat loss. If you can afford it, do a session with a PT and ask them to develop a routine for you and it should really help. It's also easier to not plateau as you can just up the reps or weight.

A mix of both is probably best for over all health.

I and I did ballet as well - it was brilliant but it takes a while to notice a difference.

Weight training, as heavy as possible.
Years of running and cardio classes never had anywhere near the same effect on me

I do both with the focus on weights. Increasing the frequency over lockdown made a big difference to how I look. My improved muscle definition was noticed when I returned to the gym.

I do best with a mix of running (calorie burn, important in a short person who likes food ) yoga for core strength and flexibility/ mobility and strength work

Food does matter though. Unfortunately