Cutting Time- Huge Difference or not

Nysportsred

I exercise 4X a week. Two times a week is Zumba and the other two I am on the elliptical. I have lost 50 pounds the last 5 years so it's working lol.

I am definitely a little ocd when it comes to the elliptical. No matter how I feel I always do the 75/80. I am sore afterwards, but it lasts so it's not the "good" kind of sore I suppose. After about 60 minutes it starts to get this way. My exercise ocd kicks in and no matter how I feel my mind says I have to get to a certain mileage before I allow myself to stop,

My question is if I shave about 10-15 minutes off my elliptical workout does this have a huge negative impact on me or not? Could it actually help me feel better or am I sabotaging my weight loss efforts?

Sarah_Shapes_Up

How long are you on the elliptical for? 60 min is a long time. I say if your body is hurting, it's telling you it needs a break. Also, being ocd about hitting a certain mileage every time is not a good relationship with exercise. When you do get to your goal, what ever you're doing now to lose weight, you'll have to continue when you want to maintain the weight loss. Is this something you can do for the rest of your life?

tulips_and_tea

I fell into that mindset several years ago and was doing 90 min. cardio sessions 6 days per week alternating between the treadmill and the elliptical. Finally I realized that I did NOT want to be reliant on that amount of exercise to maintain my weight so I turned to lifting instead.

Yes, it was hard at first because I felt like I was really wimping out by shortening my workout sessions, but I immediately felt better, had more energy and honestly felt like I got my life back. I was spending way too much time in the gym. Now I do cardio maybe one day per week and lift 4 - 5 days.

I'm not saying what I did is what you are doing, but start exploring other forms of exercise. The variety will help both your body and your mind.

Nysportsred

Sarah_Shapes_Up wrote: »

How long are you on the elliptical for? 60 min is a long time. I say if your body is hurting, it's telling you it needs a break. Also, being ocd about hitting a certain mileage every time is not a good relationship with exercise. When you do get to your goal, what ever you're doing now to lose weight, you'll have to continue when you want to maintain the weight loss. Is this something you can do for the rest of your life?

thats part of the fear is that if I cut it down to 60-65 then I will see an increase in weight despite sticking to my calories.

BZAH10 wrote: »

I fell into that mindset several years ago and was doing 90 min. cardio sessions 6 days per week alternating between the treadmill and the elliptical. Finally I realized that I did NOT want to be reliant on that amount of exercise to maintain my weight so I turned to lifting instead.

Yes, it was hard at first because I felt like I was really wimping out by shortening my workout sessions, but I immediately felt better, had more energy and honestly felt like I got my life back. I was spending way too much time in the gym. Now I do cardio maybe one day per week and lift 4 - 5 days.

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this is exactly what I am hoping. I am ALWAYS exhausted.

MeanderingMammal

Nysportsred wrote: »

I am definitely a little ocd when it comes to the elliptical. No matter how I feel I always do the 75/80. I am sore afterwards, but it lasts so it's not the "good" kind of sore I suppose. After about 60 minutes it starts to get this way.

Most of the benefit of something like an Eliptical is around your aerobic capacity and endurance. Bluntly, you'll get most of the benefit sticking to 30 to 40 minutes and you're well into diminishing returns territory much beyond that.

You're not so much wasting time beyond 40 minutes, as not really using the time available all that effectively.

tulips_and_tea

I would suggest shortening your time on the machine but increasing your intensity or adding in intense intervals. If you stick to your calorie goal as you have been you won't suddenly gain weight. Just give it a try! You don't want to burn out or get an overuse injury that will sideline you.

canadianlbs

if you're sore all the time it would probably make you less sore. depends if you think that's a win or not, i suppose . . . i've never had to deal with ocd so i don't know how it shakes out.

Nysportsred

I saw the doctor yesterday for a routine visit and I spoke to him about it. He said to cut it off at 60-65 minutes because after that he said "you're not really getting much out of it. It is basically wasted energy after an hour or so and an increased risk of injury."