Should I change up my cardio?

morganpalmer9

've hit somewhat of a plateau on losing weight lately, and I thought it might help if I switched up my cardio. While I usually do the elliptical everyday, I do make sure to do different workout routines on it as often as possible. Still, I thought I might be able to get over this hump if I added in some stair master or biking into the mix, but I discovered I burn quite a bit less calories doing those exercises. Should I stick to the elliptical so I can burn more off or add in some to new cardio to the mix?

LKArgh

My basic question in a scenario like this is, can you really picture yourself on the elliptical or stairmaster or any other similar equipment, several times per week for the next decades? I mean, these are useful tools when you want to get into exercise or as a warm up, or on a rainy day with no other option to get moving, but I have never heard of anyone sticking with them as basic exercise for years. So maybe it is time to focus less on calories burned and more on what happens when you reach goal weight? Look into something that sounds basically interesting and fun, so you can stick to it long term?

999tigger

I think your strategy is ok, notwithstanding you need to check the accuracy of the consumption side. Calories burned are going to be based on intensity and duration. I would add some variety so you dont get bored, theres also the advantage that they use different muscles. The stairmaster is a great pice of cardio and its up to you at what intensity you use it as is the bike. Add in some rower or classes as well.

DavPul

Change up your diet

Cherimoose

Consume less to lose weight. Exercise to be fit. What's your strength training routine?

griffinca2

Agree w/Cherimoose; where's the strength training??? Doing cardio is great for your heart but does nothing for the rest of your body (read no definition, etc.). P.S. Doing too much cardio eats at your muscle mass (which burns calories).

pmm3437

1) Recalculate you goals periodically ( I do it every month or 10 lbs. lost ), to maintain your deficit level.
2) Since you enjoy the elliptical, and you are varying the programs ( muscle confusion ), you should be fine to continue in that vein.
3) There is no harm adding more exercise to your routine, so long as you allow adequate recovery time between sessions ( protect from over-training ).
4) If you do not already, consider adding strength training into your exercise plan, to help retain muscle while at a deficit.

leggup

How long a plateau? Do you log your food accurately? If you're eating at a deficit and stuck at the same weight for 6-8 weeks, you may be logging your food inaccurately.

"Changing up" your output (cardio calorie burn) won't substantially change your weight loss outcome.

MeanderingMammal

morganpalmer9 wrote: »

've hit somewhat of a plateau on losing weight lately...

So that means that you're no longer in calorie deficit, so I'd ask whether you were previously losing on plan, slower than plan or faster than plan?

Assuming that you're rigorous abou measuring your calorie intake, then your answer is that you're probably overestimating your calorie expenditure. Equally if you're not that rigorous about intake then you've got an unidentifiable error appearing somewhere.

In terms of whether to change your training, that really depends on what your training objectives are? Are you doing it for the calorie deficit, improvements to stamina or something else?

That said I'd agree with the points upthread about trying some resistance training, rather than just CV work. As a runner I find resistance work pretty dull but it serves a purpose.

fwiw I'd be surprised if you're not able to burn a similar volume of calories on a spin bike to the elliptihell, although that is a bit more technique affected.