I want to lose weight, and tighten my body as well.

Today I did 55 minutes on the treadmill.. the stupid machine didnt show how many miles I walked.. I honestly didnt know how to show that up, but I was walking at the velocity of 5.2 (OMG, when I was lean I used to jog at 9 )

Anyway, since it was my 1st day, I just walked fast. I stretched before and after workout. That's it. For me its good for the first day, just to get back on track.

Now, since I want to use the body building machines as I know bringing in muscles help burn fat.. what should I do? I want to walk/jog or elliptical before bodybuilding, how much is enough?? should I do 1 hour cardio and move? or it is fine to do less? My goal is to lose weight as fast as I can.

Help plz?

Read the stickies. They'll help clear up many of your obvious misconceptions. From there, ask specific questions and you'll receive adequate answers.

As Steve said, read the sticky posts in the various forums. Pay particular attention to the weight lifting ones in the exercise area.

Also keep in mind that losing weight and becoming fit is 80% or more about what you eat - so making sure you're eating healthy foods, getting enough protein, and proper nutrition is key to making sure that your exercise is effective.

Thanks guys. Will do so.!

Personally, I would suggest that you do cardio one day and train with weights the next. Do this for 6 days and then take a rest day (you deserve it).

I used to do cardio in the morning and lift at night. Since I switched to the above method my weight loss has been spectacular. I eat a lot of protein and I am full all day long.

Good luck!

Hi Suzan,
I tend to agree with DanOhio, especially if you plan to continue at that rate on the treadmill.
Different people have different views on cardio before weights or vice-versa.
Some believe that if they do cardio first, then the body will be tired for weight training, which is a valid point. Some others, myself included, like to get motivated by getting our blood pumping first then doing some strength training.
When I do this, I will do a short stint on the treadmill or elliptical, do my strength training, then do 20-30 minutes of cardio again.
That's if you want to accomplish this in one session. If you have the time to do cardio one day, strength training the next, then I might take that approach.

When I was working they had a fitness center there at work so I would try to get my whole workout in at once. (10 minute cardio, strength training, 20-30 minute cardio) This worked really well for me and I only did it 3 days a week.
Every body is different though. Maybe try a routine for a week and then change it up a bit to see where you are getting the best results.
Best of Luck!!
~Vanessa

Nope.

Cardio is just another word for aerobic exercise - that's exercise that works your heart and lungs in a specific way in order to improve your cardio vascular system and improve your body's oxygen consumption. Just because you're out of breath, doesn't mean you're developing your cv system.

Some weight lifting *can* provide cardio benefits, but weight lifting is NOT cardio. Not by a long stretch.