Such a thing as too much cardio?

Ibeachlover

As others have mentioned, you should add some type of strength training to your program. I wouldn't worry about the guys at the gym, you'll get settled in soon enough. However, you don't need a gym to get toned. Buy some bands, a hand bar set, and also do exercises using your body weight. There are so many references on the net for at home workouts..use them. You might find you don't need a gym. As far as the cardio...I personally don't think it is too long a period; but maybe only do it 4-5 times a week and work in a 1/2 - hour of toning / strength exercises 3 days per week. Anyway, just remember, guys love chicks to show up at the gym...it motivates us :-)

singingflutelady

Maybe increase your intensity on the elliptical where doing more than an hour is impossible

scolaris

I do a lot of walking, pretty much every day. It is only partially for more calories; the other benefits are emotional & intellectual. I just think better when I walk. Hiking, Zumba, etc have to be spaced more than 24 hours apart or I start to feel injured.

vivmom2014

whmscll wrote: »

Congratulations on finding a form of exercise you love! This is critical to staying active, which has so many benefits other than weight loss. I would limit yourself, though, so you don't burn out on your love of the elliptical too soon. Maybe 90 minutes each elliptical session. And alternate the cardio with strength training days. Strength training is important to losing fat and retaining lean muscle mass.

I agree so much with this, especially the bolded.

Everyone is different. Do what feels right for YOU. If you can't sustain the high levels of exercise you're currently doing, then you can easily relax it a bit.

Francl27

I'd suggest increasing the intensity of your workouts. I do quite a bit of cardio (probably 10 hours a week) but I'm usually completely beat afterwards and need a rest day every 5 days or so because my legs just don't like it so much... and I alternate between spinning, incline treadmill, and rowing, so I work different muscles... and I keep increasing the intensity of my workouts (I spin faster, increase my treadmill incline etc). I used to walk a lot, sometimes 2 hours a day, then finally figured out that increasing intensity is the way to go as you work your muscles more and you burn more in less time...

I also suggest doing some strength training (I feel a bit of a hypocrite though because I don't do much as I hate it, but I'm pretty happy with my body as is and don't want more muscular arms, but I was doing it when I was losing).

I've also noticed that it's harder to stick to my calories when I workout too much, which is a problem.