If You Do Lots of Cardio, These Before-and-Afters Will Make You Want to Hit the Weights

#motivation right there @adrienneosuna The comparison is uncanny #cardiovsweights #justdoit #letsgoo #fitchicks #fitness #fitisthenewskinny #fitisthenewsexy #fitfam

A post shared by Jackie and Yela (@twosidestofitness) on Jan 10, 2017 at 2:51am PST

Progress takes time and dedication. At the same time, sometimes it’s the small changes that add up to the biggest difference. Between these pictures I finally figured out that doing cardio each and every day wasn’t getting me the results I wanted, and 30 minutes of resistance training three times a week (#bbg) was way more effective for my body. I definitely see my best progress when I am lifting weights and working my muscles rather than just focusing on cardio; I’m loving the #hsh @sweat.with.jenn program right now and can’t wait to show you guys some progress pics #comingsoon 💁🏼‍♀️😜💃 It’s never too late to try different workouts and switch up what you’re doing, this is how we figure out what works best for our own unique body! 💪🏻

A post shared by Jessica (@got.it.girl) on Mar 7, 2018 at 4:27pm PST

Not where you want to be? That’s okay! There’s a gap above of 2 years between these photos. But what’s not shown is that the main difference is in my NUTRITION. Sure cardio alone has its benefits (cardiovascular health, mental health, burns fat short term, etc.), but when combined with weight training, that is when you can start to see toning happen. Weight training has even greater benefits (increase strength, bone density, promotes longevity, burns fat long term, and more) I was guilty of not knowing what I was doing at one point...but when I educated myself, I discovered what is optimal for my body. Aside from exercising, fueling your body with healthy Whole Foods, vegetables and fruits while avoiding high sugar intake and processed foods will shred the unwanted fat and make room for that lean muscle you’re building from weight training. 🌟 if you’re like how I once was (left) and not sure where to begin, and are interested in learning how - DM ME! I create custom workout programs specifically for your goals! 🌟 Hope you all enjoy this lovely Saturday! 🤗 — #Transformation #CardiovsWeights #Healthy #HealthyLifestyle #workinprogress #fit #fitness #fitfam #personaltrainer #trainwithme #lifestyle #fitforareason #cardio #weights #stronger #igtransformations #tonedbody #feelgood #weekend #hiit #fitnessinspiration

A post shared by Hayley London (@healthyhayl) on Feb 24, 2018 at 8:10am PST

I love timehop ❤️. #throwback to two years ago!! . . Spinning, circuits, running, you name it, I was all about the weight loss 🙄. We've all been there. It's a special moment when you find weight lifting. Working out stops being about punishing your body and starts being about celebrating it's strength 💪. I've been on the weights for about a year and a half now and the changes in me both physically and mentally have been paramount. In the picture on the left I would spend so long scrutinising how I looked, even crying just at my reflection. If you'd have told me that in two years time I'd be prepping to stand on a stage in a bikini, SO proud of how I looked, well, I would have probably cried too!! If you're not seeing the changes you want, think about asking your gym for some advice on incorporating weights into your training. No need to go full bodybuilder (just yet 😉). It takes time to learn but is 1000% worth it 🙌. Also, the right is me training HARD 6x a week. You won't get "big" or "bulky" by accident lifting weights, trust me I've tried 😂! I'm also happy to give advice within my abilities too 😊. . . #throwbackthursday #thankstimehop #timehop #fitness #fitfam #progress #ittakestime #cardiovsweights #liftitworldwide #liftit #lovetolift #happy #proud #healthy #strong #girlswithmuscle #transformation

A post shared by Stephanie Hill (@stephaniee.hill) on Apr 5, 2017 at 11:00pm PDT

Cardio vs Weights. 💪🏼 you be the judge. Photo on the left is cardio only training and the photo on the right is less cardio more weights. 💪🏼 @healthandfitnesswithkrystal #weightlosstransformation #fitnessmotivation #fitnessinspiration #fitness #healthylifestyle #healthyliving #cardiotraining #weightlossjourney #weighttraining #musclegain #cardiovsweights

A post shared by HealthandFitnesswithKrystal (@healthandfitnesswithkrystal) on Jan 2, 2018 at 3:14pm PST

Oh what a difference switching from just cardio to weights has made for me. I used to be so lost at the gym and I would show up and run on the treadmill for a while and try to do some abs and call it good because I didn’t know what else to do. Based off of what a lot of you have told me, some of you are feeling the exact same way that I did. I always wanted to learn how to use weights but I was so intimidated that I never asked for help or learned how. Thanks to @sydnieanne23 (😉) and a lot of looking things up online, I finally learned how to incorporate weights into my workouts, and I’m still learning things all of the time! It took a lot of days of messing things up and laughing at myself during workouts before I finally felt comfortable and confident in the gym. I used to dread going to the gym because I knew it meant killing myself on the treadmill and never seeing the results I wanted. Now, I see myself making progress in different areas all of time. I’m confident in my body, I’m excited about working out, and I love challenging myself 💕 let this be the motivation that you need to get yourself out of your comfort zone at the gym, ask for help, and embrace the fact that sometimes you have no idea what you’re doing! I’m right there with you guys 😊 (sorry had to delete the first one it got cropped weird) #transformation #progress #motivation #cardiovsweights #fitnessjourney

A post shared by Anna Clarizio (@aclarizio.fit) on Dec 28, 2017 at 10:09am PST

First picture... back when cardio was my best friend but I could still never get rid of the love handles 🙈. . Second picture... pretty much 0 cardio & I have completely changed the shape of my body💃🏼. . #fitnessjourney #strength #training #muscles #curves #progress #cardiovsweights #girlswholift #mondaymotivation #bodybuilding #consistency #selflove #instafitness #instadaily

A post shared by Natalie 👸🏼 (@natsfitnesspage) on Dec 4, 2017 at 8:45am PST

The beautiful and inspirational @madalingiorgetta 💪#cardiovsweights #fitnesstraining #fitnesstransformation #bodygoals #bodytransformation #fitnessgoals #womenwholift #musclegain #strongnotskinny #legday #abs #tonedbody #fitnessofinstagram #girlswhotrain #liftweights #beforeandafter #squats #bodyworkout #fitnessmodel #fitnesstrainer #fitnessmotivation

A post shared by Inspiring Fitness Goals (@inspiringfitnessgoalss) on Nov 9, 2017 at 9:24pm PST

So I was going through my IG photos and saw the pic on the left when I was doing crazy cardio and very little lifting and not enough protein. Right is current with heavy lifting and very little cardio and intaking about 143g of protein and proper nutrition💪🏾 Food is key! Eating foods that don't properly fuel your body and working out is like trying to brush your teeth while eating Oreos.....insane! There's soooooo much to learn when it comes to food and fitness but read on it I promise it'll make your journey a little easier #transformationtuesday #cardiovsweights #girlswholift #musclemom #momswholift #foodisfuel #gains #fitness #gymlife #fitlife #instafit #girlswithmuscle #inspire

A post shared by shena_bfitfyne (@shena_bfitfyne) on Aug 29, 2017 at 11:35am PDT

Age 40 ---Any questions?? Let's not disagree to agree! #facts and #pictures #cardiovsweights #fitness #progression #musclegrowth #liftingpain #muscles #dmvfitness #protein #extrememotivation #beastmode #trainhard #eatclean #fit #fitness #thickfit #keto #ilift #pickitupputitdown

A post shared by Kenya (@ken_train_gladiators) on Jun 17, 2017 at 9:48am PDT

I wouldn't normally share a photo exposing so much 🙈 but I just want to prove a point! Your weight is nothing but a number. Believe it or not I weigh 165lbs in BOTH of these pictures! 📷 👈🏻The one on the left is when I first dropped my weight (100lbs) mainly with cardiovascular exercise. 👉🏻The one on the right is me now since I began weight lifting about 1 year ago. 😱It's crazy how much your body can change while your body weights constantly fluctuating around the same numbers 🔃 🛑 Stop believing everything your scale says! Don't lose motivation because you "gained" weight... little do you know it could just be muscle! It's seriously just a number! 💁🏼 . #cardio #weightlifting #cardiovsweights #comparison #weightloss #weightlosstransformation #fitnessmotivation #fitnessinspiration #inspireothers #gymaholic #gymaddict #lifestylechange #healthy #diet #exercise #fitnotskinny #goaldigger #fitnessjourney #healthylifestyle #transformationtuesday #workoutmotivation #workforit #workforchange #sweatforchange #results #personaltrainer #gofityourself

A post shared by H O L L Y R O S E 🌹 (@hollyrose_ak) on May 30, 2017 at 10:39am PDT

🔹Cardio VS Weights 🔹 Last before & after picture I promise! 😳 ~ There is 9 months between these photos and half a stone (3.5kg) The left picture is 4 months into my weight loss journey and I had lost just over a stone. I was doing lots of HIIT classes, walking, cardio machines and the occasional weights class. I thought I would always have to do mainly cardio to keep weight off and lose more. ✖️WRONG ✖️ I starting cutting down on cardio and doing more weights after some research (also cardio was getting DULL) and I'm soooo pleased I did 🙌🏼 I learnt all of my weight training from YouTube, magazines, IG fitness girls and I'm not saying it's all correct, I've definitely made mistakes but over time I've learnt what works for me and I'm still learning every day! I still do 1-2 cardio sessions a week but I focus mainly on weights. This tends to be my week: HIIT session x 1 Basic slow state cardio (LISS) x 1 Leg/Booty day x 2, Back and biceps x 1 Chest and triceps x 1 Core 3-4 times a week thrown in at the end of my workouts. I'm not body building but I want to have nice toned arms & a fat free back, ya feel me?✌🏼 If you're doing lots of cardio and your results have come to a bit of a stand still, give weights a go! What have you got to lose?! 🤷🏻‍♀️ If you have any nosy questions or general wonderings just DM me or add my Snapchat as your more than welcome to copy my workouts. 👻:daniellapfit 💕😘 #beforeandafter #throwbackthursday #cardiovsweights #transformation #progressnotperfection #weightlossjourney #progresspic #beforeandafterweightloss

A post shared by @ daniellapetersfit on Sep 28, 2017 at 7:31am PDT

Weights versus cardio.. The choice is yours 😉💪 #protein #eatclean #getfit #fitness #strong #strongnotskinny #girlswholift #definition #sweat #lift #nightshiftnurse #fit #nurse #cardiovsweights #weights #gains #fitspo #womensfitness #nike #popeyessupplements #novascotialifts

A post shared by Samantha - ⬇20lbs (@nightshiftnurse.fitness) on Mar 6, 2016 at 1:40pm PST