Cardio necessary?

nomorepuke

This could be frequently asked question but I'd appreciate your input.
I've been working out at home with free weights for 3 months. I did some cardio in the beginning but I completely stopped doing it. My main goal was to lose weight. I lost 30 lbs in total. I feel like I'm not losing weight any more. My starting weight was 155lbs and now I'm 125lbs and the scale is not moving. When I google it, some articles say cardio is absolutely necessary for weight loss, and some say cardio makes you lose muscle mass. I'm confused.
Can you share your experience please?

usmcmp

You posted this in the gaining weight section, but to answer it anyway cardio is absolutely not necessary for weight loss. Cardio can make it so you can eat more while losing weight and it's good for the heart/lungs. Cardio doesn't make you lose muscle mass, but adding cardio to a very low calorie diet that is also low on protein can cost you muscle mass.

If you aren't losing weight I would look into your logging accuracy first and if you are certain you are accurately weighing everything you eat you should potentially either lower your calories a little or add in a little bit of cardio.

Unknown

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nomorepuke

usmcmp wrote: »

You posted this in the gaining weight section, but to answer it anyway cardio is absolutely not necessary for weight loss. Cardio can make it so you can eat more while losing weight and it's good for the heart/lungs. Cardio doesn't make you lose muscle mass, but adding cardio to a very low calorie diet that is also low on protein can cost you muscle mass.

If you aren't losing weight I would look into your logging accuracy first and if you are certain you are accurately weighing everything you eat you should potentially either lower your calories a little or add in a little bit of cardio.

Thanks for your response. I'd like to gain muscles and lose fat to be specific. I've purchased a digital scale that claims to measure BMI, fat and muscle mass percentages etc but it seems to be garbage. I think I'm gonna do some cardio and see. Thanks again!

sardelsa

Nope not necessary. I did zero cardio when I most recently lost my baby weight. I only lifted 2-3x per week .. the result which was in line with my goals was maintaining muscle and lowering my BF%. However, my TDEE was very high so I really didn't need cardio for the calorie burn.

heybales

nomorepuke wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

You posted this in the gaining weight section, but to answer it anyway cardio is absolutely not necessary for weight loss. Cardio can make it so you can eat more while losing weight and it's good for the heart/lungs. Cardio doesn't make you lose muscle mass, but adding cardio to a very low calorie diet that is also low on protein can cost you muscle mass.

If you aren't losing weight I would look into your logging accuracy first and if you are certain you are accurately weighing everything you eat you should potentially either lower your calories a little or add in a little bit of cardio.

Thanks for your response. I'd like to gain muscles and lose fat to be specific. I've purchased a digital scale that claims to measure BMI, fat and muscle mass percentages etc but it seems to be garbage. I think I'm gonna do some cardio and see. Thanks again!

You won't gain meaningful amounts of muscle from cardio.

If you truly want to gain muscle and lose fat - you'll need to recomp - eat at maintenance, and do a progressive lifting routine.

Cardio won't get you there.

Niples_

Cardio is not necessary but can help. If you are lifting weights. And muscle retention is a priority. Do light to moderate cardio. Keep your heart rate between 60 to 70% max hr. 20-30 minute sessions. Those are ideal numbers for fat burn minimizing muscle loss.

TavistockToad

Necessary for weight loss, or weight gain, no.

Necessary for good health, yes!

TimothyFish

Necessary? No. Crucial? Yes.

cbelc2

Wait...you are 125 lbs? Unless you are under 5 feet tall, you probably don't need to lose weight. Toning is great. Try a cardio and strength routine, dance, sculpt, zumba, or even some yoga.

AFGP11

cbelc2 wrote: »

Wait...you are 125 lbs? Unless you are under 5 feet tall, you probably don't need to lose weight. Toning is great. Try a cardio and strength routine, dance, sculpt, zumba, or even some yoga.

This is not true at all. According to the BMI chart you must be 5'8" before 125lbs is automatically considered underweight. Unless OP is extremely tall 125 is perfectly fine. In a 5'0"tall woman 125 is close to being overweight actually.

cwolfman13

Cardio is going to increase your energy expenditure.

I couldn't lose weight without it...but I like to eat.

I also think it's pretty important from a general health and wellness standpoint.

rsclause

I think cardio is one of the fastest ways to burn Calories. Because it is the fastest it allows me more time to drink beer, which is why I do cardio.

kshama2001

Cardio isn't necessary for weight loss but it is essential for the health of your cardiovascular system.

Cardio can help with weight loss by helping you create a calorie deficit. Also, if you're out walking, gardening, swimming, biking, shoveling snow or whatever, you're not eating

(I don't want to hear from you distance runners/bikers who do eat while engaging in your sport )

azulvioleta6

Forget weight loss, cardio is NECESSARY for brain health and cardiovascular health. You should be moving every day, no matter what. Cardio is not optional.

JstTheWayIam

TimothyFish wrote: »

Necessary? No. Crucial? Yes.

That!

NorthCascades

TimothyFish wrote: »

Necessary? No. Crucial? Yes.

Great answer.