Hmmm.....interesting discussion going on here. While I am new to this board, and you guys don't know me, I have a few things to say on the weight and strength issue, and I'll try to examine the pro's and con's. Here we go...
Currently I am 6'3, 230 lbs., about 9% BF. About a month ago, I was about 15 pounds heavier, and about 5% BF higher (maybe less, i'm not sure, but i wasn't cut by any means). Since I graduated from college and have been training back at home to prepare for OCC-184, I know for a fact that you can train your body to run faster even at a heavier weight...but to a certain extent. I have been running for the past 6 months pretty consistently, and at a weight of 245 lbs., I was getting faster, but it was murder on my joints, connective tissues, and my mind. Everyday I dredded running because of how I felt afterwards. While I sucked it up and just kept running, (and got faster consequently), I didn't feel good about it, and there came a point that I knew I NEEDED to lose weight: muscle and fat.
Since I've been home, I've been eating a little less-still just as often, just not filling up like I used to-and have dropped a lot of weight. Since I've dropped weight, my pull-ups are constantly getting better, push-ups increasing and my run time is dropping by the day. But with all things in life there is a point of diminishing returns. I could drop weight continuously and I'm sure my run will get ridiculously low, but when the humps come, my loss of strength will hurt me as well. So what does this all mean? Look at Special Ops guys if you really want to know. Being enlisted I've had the privelage of knowing a few personally. While they are all in amazing shape, they are not huge, but they are also not sticks either. They are a perfect balance of strength, power, muscle endurance, and cardio endurance. These guys can go all day long, for days at a time, on little to no sleep, and little to no food. And they aren't able to do that with just lifting weights and massing out, nor are they able to do that with just 100% cardio or just a few basic exercises like pull-ups and sit-ups. There comes a point in the balance that functional strength (practical strength, in the field, on the O course)is sacrificed as a result of increased cardiovascular endurance, and vice-versa.
Listen to your body, pay attention to why something is hurting, or may be harder than it should, and vary your workouts to include strength and power building exercises(lifting weights), muscle endurance exercises(pull-ups, push-ups, etc.), and cardio. With a good variety and balance in your workouts, your body will figure out the necessary amount of muscle it needs in order to become more efficient. That's just the way it works. In my workouts I blend pull-ups, push-ups, crunches, dips, and other endurance building exercises into my lifting routine, and you know what? They've both been improving as a result. My whole body feels lighter, stronger, and sturdier. So, balance is the key. Put, equal effort into all aspects of your body's physical condition and you'll be golden. That's just my 2 cents from my experiences. I've been a pretty big guy for a few years, and there are quite a few things bad about it. But there are also some things that I will try to maintain that I know for a fact help me a bunch too. Take my thoughts for what they are worth. They are merely meant to help.
usmcnole
