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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Is weight training ruining my weight loss?

29 replies

skidoer · 26/01/2023 09:24

So I have two stone to lose approx which I've put on after having two babies close together. I successfully lost a stone quite easily with slimming world in between babies but now I am struggling to make any head way. I am doing weight based training with a PT twice a week and calorie counting but I feel I was more successful when doing slimming world and not training. Could the weight training be having a negative impact on my weight loss? My trainer would obviously say no but looking for some advice. Thank you

OP posts:
shash1982 · 26/01/2023 09:30

I think with weight training you're building up muscle mass which weigh more than body fat so I've always been advised to ditch the scales and use a tape measure instead.
So measure you're hips, abdomen and waist.

Well done you though and goodluck!

Bellalalala · 26/01/2023 09:37

Are you looking for weight loss or fat loss?

Weight training won’t impact your ability to lose fat in itself. It depends on a lot of things. Mainly your food

FrozenGhost · 26/01/2023 09:38

I'd say no. It's probably a mixture of things, the first bit of weight is usually the easiest to lose because you are the biggest at the time and need more calories to maintain that weight.

Lots of people will come on and say that you are putting on muscle and gaining because of that, but that's impossible for a women training twice a week. You'd need to be training twice a day and taking steroids for that.

RudsyFarmer · 26/01/2023 09:45

No I think you’re doing it right. Forget the scales. How do your clothes fit

Kitcaterpillar · 26/01/2023 09:46

I don't think that's accurate @FrozenGhost. I lift 3 or 4 times a week, and don't take steroids, and am 5kg heavier and a lot leaner than I was.

But I would agree that it's hard work and has taken a long time.

In the main, I would say it's unlikely from twice per week. What kind of weight training? It's more likely that you're hungry from PT so aren't actually in a deficit. How many steps do you do?

SingaporeSlinky · 26/01/2023 10:56

It won’t be ruining weight loss, but should be in conjunction with cardio and eating healthily. On these boards a lot of people do keep coming out with “don’t forget muscle weighs more than fat!” which is nonsense, like a pp above said. You’d have to be lifting some serious weights every day to build the kind of muscle that’s going to be adding kgs. Plus, fat doesn’t just convert into muscle, the fat has to be burned away.
Since you have a PT, they should be going through your personal goals with you, so if your goal is purely to lose weight, then they might suggest more cardio, but then you don’t really need a PT for that. Strength training is great, but combine it with running, or long walks too.

Has your PT gone through your diet with you?

Original poster
skidoer · 26/01/2023 12:09

Yes she has gone through nutrition and set me calorie targets and macros but I feel they're way too high. I'm used to eating 1200 calories a day for weight loss and I'm on around 1900- I do weigh just under 14 stone now. I just feel fed up being so heavy and want to get that two stone off and stop giving it the headspace. It's holding me back tbh and getting me down. I feel like I'm trying but not getting anywhere so I just feel stuck

OP posts:
GoAgainstNicki · 26/01/2023 12:14

I have 2 under 2, a 9 month old and a 20 month old. I weight train 3x a week and it really just depends on what your goal is. If you’re solely focused on losing two stone, having weigh ins and going by what the scales say, then weight training isn’t for you.

With weight training it’s an increase in muscle so sometimes you can weight heavier than your usual weight but your clothes fit better and your body is more defined. If you want to drop two stone and eat less calories then maybe go back to slimming world? Weight training is great but if you’re not happy with what the scales say then there isn’t really any point

Kitcaterpillar · 26/01/2023 12:16

1200 is too low. Too many women are stuck in a cycle of eating ridiculously low calories.

For context here, I eat ~2900.

The poster above is right though, Google body recomposition. A lot of people change their body shape without changing their weight, which I imagine is your PTs plan. But if you just want to lose weight, this is going to be the approach for you.

FlowerArranger · 26/01/2023 12:20

I weight train with Caroline Girvan at least 4 times es a week. I definitely weigh more than I used to - about 4 kg I think - but my old clothes still fit. I do have defined muscles even though I lift only up to c.12 kg.

Having said that, if you want to lose weight, 1900 calories is probably too much. I gained a bit over the festive season and I have reduced to 1400 to lose it. Easy with intermittent fasting and cutting out crap food - eating a healthy, Mediterranean diet instead. I focus on lean protein and lots of vegetables and I still have lots of energy for daily workouts.

Original poster
skidoer · 26/01/2023 16:47

I love weight training and I feel good for doing it. I'm physically really strong and feel fit but I do want to lose weight. My old habits were lots of cardio and restricting. I was hoping I could change this but it seems to be the only way that works for me. I struggle to do pt and find time for steps as well tbh so I'm only really doing weight lifting at moment

OP posts:
ScottishBeth · 26/01/2023 17:02

Have you measured your waist, hips etc? I know you want to lose weight but if you're losing inches then surely the number on the scales doesn't matter?

ScottishBeth · 26/01/2023 17:04

And also if you love weight training that is so important. I don't really agree with PP that you need to focus in cardio.

Yeahrightthen · 26/01/2023 17:11

How long have you been doing it for? Have you given it a proper chance?

For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t lose weight on 1900 calories a day - I do 4 miles brisk walking every day and 2-3 exercise classes a week. I’d drop your calories if you don’t start losing after a few weeks.

Kitcaterpillar · 26/01/2023 17:21

I’d drop your calories if you don’t start losing after a few weeks

I'd speak to your PT about what the plan is as they see it. Because this isn't how strength and body recomp works. You eat at or very, very slightly below maintenance and, slowly, your body changes to be leaner and more muscular. It's definitely worth it, but if it's not the solution you want, it's not going to work.
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Dashel · 26/01/2023 17:46

Depending on the time scales, you might find that hormones may play a part and also if you are building muscle and sore you may well have DOMs and some of it might be water retention.

If I am exercising with weights and dieting it can take a couple of weeks to see results On the scale.

Harrysmummy246 · 26/01/2023 20:06

shash1982 · 26/01/2023 09:30

I think with weight training you're building up muscle mass which weigh more than body fat so I've always been advised to ditch the scales and use a tape measure instead.
So measure you're hips, abdomen and waist.

Well done you though and goodluck!

It is extremely unlikely to be significant amounts of muscle gain, especially if eating in a deficit

Harrysmummy246 · 26/01/2023 20:07

Yeahrightthen · 26/01/2023 17:11

How long have you been doing it for? Have you given it a proper chance?

For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t lose weight on 1900 calories a day - I do 4 miles brisk walking every day and 2-3 exercise classes a week. I’d drop your calories if you don’t start losing after a few weeks.

I can lose weight on 1900
Depends on lots of things including your daily activity level etc

Krustykrabpizza · 26/01/2023 20:12

I do quite a bit of exercise including weight training and no way I would lose weight on 1900 calories. If only 1900 calories was a diet! Would be piss easy then!

Original poster
skidoer · 26/01/2023 21:12

@Krustykrabpizza perhaps my calories are high because I weigh a lot? I think it's too much but I'm used to resricting to lose. My trainer has told me that's what she's worked out based on TDEE

OP posts:
CheeseDreamsTonight · 26/01/2023 21:32

You will lose fat but muscle is heavy. Decide what you want. Is it weight loss or getting in shape?

Original poster
skidoer · 26/01/2023 21:35

Sorry to be naive but is it not possible to do both?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 26/01/2023 21:39

Look, ditch the scales and use a tape measure. No good comes of scales when you weight train and progress photos.

gamerchick · 26/01/2023 21:39

*take

S70V12 · 26/01/2023 21:54

Bellalalala · 26/01/2023 09:37

Are you looking for weight loss or fat loss?

Weight training won’t impact your ability to lose fat in itself. It depends on a lot of things. Mainly your food

Weight training by consistently pushing yourself will add lean muscle mass and increase metabolism meaning fat burning ability is slowly increased.

Wouldnt be too obsessed about scales but by body composition BF% measure regularly over a month and compare month to month, take body measurements, progress pics and focus on improving your weight / reps on weights and working hard on cardio or steps and being on point with nutrition / diet.