Cardio vs. strength training

Is one particularly better than the other? Esp in the beginning after the 6 week mark? What did you have success with?

thanks,

S.

The best exercise is exercise that you'll do.  So it's best to figure out what you'll enjoy and do that.  They both have benefits and the best exercise plan will involve both for completely different reasons.  

Helpful answer, eh? ;)  It might be good to schedule with a personal trainer and get a training plan set up for your specific needs.  

My exercise plan involves walking/running, yoga, and lots of fitness classes (zumba, water aerobics, more yoga, tai chi, and pilates).   I figure I'll start weight lifting once I'm closer to my goal... so maybe once I'm somewhere closer to 150.  

Great advice and I totally agree! Gotta find what works for you and keeps you consistent ! 

If you want to build muscle mass and  bone density, you should do weight training. I do both because I have osteoporosis. It got worse after my surgery.

I work with an exercise physiologist.  I have done some form of aerobic activity - brisk walking/jogging, dancing (e.g. Zumba), biking six days a week once I was cleared to exercise.  I was told (and I'm not an expert) that the best way to lose the fat was the brisk walking.  I also do strength training/core body work 3 days per week.  My suggestion is to find someone who can help you to develop a fitness program around activities you enjoy doing.  I hit goal in 11 months, and feel great.  Lots of good luck!

Both are good, but at 6 weeks I'd probably not do strength exercise, are you cleared to do strength exercises?, if so definitely go with a trainer & tell him that you are still healing from surgery. He can make a program for you that takes that into account. It might be best to start with cardio & if you do any weights make sure it's light & build up from there.

I mostly did cardio at that point, really just walking & bike riding. Weights were really light, except for my legs, no free weights, just the machines. I think it was easier to use proper form with those. Later I included the shoulder press, then triceps & biceps, the last was abdominal twists, but I was more than a couple of months out b4 I did abdominals.

Do cardio for the cardiovascular benefits (heart/lung health) and do strength training to build muscle.  You need both so a good plan is cardio at least 3x/week and strength training 2x/week.  

My success has been with a combination of the two. 

I would say if you're only going to do one, strength training is more beneficial. Most people spend too much time on cardio and not enough on strength. I prioritize strength training when time is tight. But you should probably do both for best fitness results.  I recommend The New Rules of Lifting for Women.  

It's a personal preference. I agree that the best workout is the one you will do. I started with cardio thinking it would be more fun. Turns out I prefer weight lifting.

As you can see from the answers above, both will take you places and there's really not going to be a straight answer to "which is best".

That's because it all depends on what you want to accomphlish.  For example, marathon runners and weight lifters don't train the same.

A little of both wouldn't hurt, but in the end, do something you'll like and keep doing.  That'll be a start.