I'm a 46 year old, 5'7", small framed male. I'm just finishing the
fourth month of my calorie restricted weight loss program. I'm down to
140 pounds after starting at 170. I went from wearing size 34 trousers
(uncomfortably tight) to a comfortable size 30. I still have a bit of
gut flab to get rid of, but I'm not complaining. I did a comparison to
the first time I went on a weight loss program, back in my mid
twenties. At that time, I got down to 135 pounds after starting at
160. At 135, I could just squeeze into a pair of size 31 jeans.
The difference between these two weight loss periods, aside from the
fact that I'm eating better food this time, is the weight training
I've been doing in addition to the cardio. Back when I was 25, I did
nothing but aerobic exercise, swimming, biking and walking. The weight
training added to the cardio has yielded a smaller waist measurement
even though I'm five pounds heavier than my first weight loss program.
Also, people were telling me back then that I looked emaciated, and my
upper body looked somewhat scrawny. Now people say I look healthy,
which is a huge encouragement to keep going and finish the job.
I have heard people in this group say how much they hate lifting, and
I don't always want to do it, but after 4 months the results are so
tangible that I know its worth it. And remember those few extra pounds
of muscle tissue are going to make maintaining a stable, post CR
weight that much easier. I look forward to a more aggressive strength
training program once my calorie restriction is over. I think I've had
a pretty good head start already.
Thats my two cents regarding weight training, although I'm sure most
of you know this already.

Rob