Why bother with cardio?
Replies
-
Yeah, if your goal is "to lose weight," I think you can.How many of these threads can there be each week? 100? 200?
you mean the "why do I have to work to lose weight?" threads?
My question was not about why do I have to work to lose weight. It was about why do I have to kill myself with cardio. Can't I just eat a calorie deficit and lift weights?
You'll be better off with the weights than without. I think you'd be better off with cardio for your heart if nothing else, AND it burns that many more calories, but if you hate it, you know, that's your decision.
Actually, I think some people say they get their heart rate up with weights, so that could function as cardio. I do weights, but not on that kind of scale. My lifting does not get my heart pumping nearly as well as spinning or running!0 -
I started exercising over a year ago with just strength training,and I was losing weight fine.It was not untill I added cardio that my respitory issues pretty much dissappered,my day to day mood inproved,and my energy levels.So I like my cardio,anyways I want to be ready when the zombie apocolaypse happens0
-
This is not what I have learned from this site. What I have learned is that weight loss is hugely dependent upon diet, my body burns muscle in order to burn fat, and a slow weight loss combined with weight training is better than a quick weight loss due to radical cardio.
like my advice, do not take anything as a hard evidence rather as a guide to how you will understand your body...
for me, a routine with 70% cardio and 30% weight training 3 times a week works...
I'm not saying skip the weights and just kill yourself in cardio...
I personally do 25 mins of treadmill and 35 mins of cross trainer 3 times a week and that is my 70% cardio and it works for me loosing not only weight but also body fat...
Do not cut down cardio as it is the faster fat burner than weights. Although weight training builds muscles and raises your metabolic rate, but that's in a long run...
and like everyone has said, do everything in moderation...
Good luck! 0 -
I don't believe that weight loss is 80% diet. At least it never has been for me. If I stop doing regular cardio exercise I gain weight. When I start back up I lose the weight and stay thin. I wish it was more diet because finding time to eat is not a problem. Finding time for exercise is.
I reckon the 80-20 is a generalisation, but it is one which is widely promulgated.
The '80/20 rule' is based on calories in vs calories out. It takes an average man and gives him a half hour (or maybe it was an hour) walk per day and the calorie contribution of the exercise works out to be 20% of the total expenditure or something along those lines (that's just off the top of my head). Of course, there are differences here because different people exercise different amounts and also have different bodies and different goals for their weight and body composition.
I think the point though (which I definitely agree with), is that you can not out-train an absolutely rubbish diet. You have to have some control of your diet (which for some people does come naturally) to actually achieve weight loss or maintain a healthy weight.0 -
Diet = look good with clothes on. Exercise = look good naked. That's why you should "bother" with cardio.0
-
I started exercising over a year ago with just strength training,and I was losing weight fine.It was not untill I added cardio that my respitory issues pretty much dissappered,my day to day mood inproved,and my energy levels.So I like my cardio,anyways I want to be ready when the zombie apocolaypse happens
Haha, someone has finally come up with the right answer.
I want to be fit when the zombie apocalypse comes.
I want to be skinny so I can hide in the woods.
I want to be strong so I can carry my kids across the wasteland to safety 0 -
why do I have to kill myself with cardio. Can't I just eat a calorie deficit and lift weights?
eating a calorie deficit (less than 1200 cal a day) will not help you lose fats and that's not healthy eating either...
A calorie deficit does not mean less than 1200. It just means less than one burns.0 -
"For Important Health Benefits
Adults need at least:
2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) every week and
muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., jogging or running) every week and
muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
An equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity and
muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms)."
-http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html
As others have stated, sure you can lose weight by simply eating healthy and doing a little bit of weight lifting. You will probably not have too much trouble reaching your weight loss goal...BUT you will not be as healthy as you could be if you also met the suggested requirements for cardio. What's the good of being skinny if it's not going to make you that much healthier? If it's not going to prevent heart disease? If you're still going to have trouble breathing after climbing a flight of stairs?
Again, as others have said, it's your choice..and just changing your diet and doing a little exercise is a wonderful step towards living a healthier lifestyle. It just seems like a wasted opportunity to go only 3/4 of the way in. Why not put the other 1/4 of effort in and be truly healthy?0 -
a week? Dont you mean hourly?How many of these threads can there be each week? 100? 200?0 -
Yes, you can technically lose weight just by watching what you eat. As long as your caloric intake is lower than your caloric output, you will lose weight.
HOWEVER, the point of cardio is to increase the strength of your heart. Your heart, like your biceps or quads, is a muscle. The more you use that muscle (increasing your heart rate for 30-60 minutes via cardio), the stronger it becomes. By strengthening your heart, you decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other nasty business as well as increase your overall health--the better your heart works, the more efficiently blood (with fresh oxygen) can circulate, which in turn means your muscles and cells are better oxygenated, which makes your entire body feel better, more energized, and overall healthier.
You are too smart, shannon
0 -
This is not what I have learned from this site. What I have learned is that weight loss is hugely dependent upon diet, my body burns muscle in order to burn fat, and a slow weight loss combined with weight training is better than a quick weight loss due to radical cardio.
like my advice, do not take anything as a hard evidence rather as a guide to how you will understand your body...
for me, a routine with 70% cardio and 30% weight training 3 times a week works...
I'm not saying skip the weights and just kill yourself in cardio...
I personally do 25 mins of treadmill and 35 mins of cross trainer 3 times a week and that is my 70% cardio and it works for me loosing not only weight but also body fat...
Do not cut down cardio as it is the faster fat burner than weights. Although weight training builds muscles and raises your metabolic rate, but that's in a long run...
and like everyone has said, do everything in moderation...
Good luck!
You say that you are loosing weight and also body fat? That sounds awesome.0 -
Exercise is good for the body overall. Cardio is a must because it strengthens the pericardium and that is healthier for the heart. Even if you don't want to do cardio for muscle or fat, do it for your heart's sake.0
-
...anyways I want to be ready when the zombie apocolaypse happens
There's this.
I want to *be* fit, not just look fit. To me, being fit isn't about being thin or having visible muscles, although that's nice and all, it's having the ability to DO physically demanding things. Like run away from zombies.
Since both my parents died of complications from diseases that affect the heart and lungs, having a strong cardiovascular system is pretty important to me. I'm proud that I went from someone who huffed and puffed from bronchial spasms if I ran one block to someone who can easily run a 10k in under an hour. I've been thin before, but I've never been this strong or healthy, and that feels amazing.0 -
Can't we just eat healthy, lift some weights and jog a couple of times a week?
Yup. That'd work just fine.0 -
...anyways I want to be ready when the zombie apocolaypse happens
There's this.
I want to *be* fit, not just look fit. To me, being fit isn't about being thin or having visible muscles, although that's nice and all, it's having the ability to DO physically demanding things. Like run away from zombies.
Since both my parents died of complications from diseases that affect the heart and lungs, having a strong cardiovascular system is pretty important to me. I'm proud that I went from someone who huffed and puffed from bronchial spasms if I ran one block to someone who can easily run a 10k in under an hour. I've been thin before, but I've never been this strong or healthy, and that feels amazing.
I'm with you on that, wanting to be in shape and not huffing and puffing. I hate cardio. I really really hate it. I do, however, love lifting. Heavy, lots of super and tri sets to get your heart rate up, and although I've been doing that since I was a teenager, I've never been in good cardio shape.
I want to be in better shape all around and everyone on both sides of my family dies from heart disease so now I'm trying to force myself to do it a couple times a week... though I know I should still do it more (though I just checked and I haven't done any this week... oops!)0 -
I don't believe that weight loss is 80% diet. At least it never has been for me. If I stop doing regular cardio exercise I gain weight. When I start back up I lose the weight and stay thin. I wish it was more diet because finding time to eat is not a problem. Finding time for exercise is.
I reckon the 80-20 is a generalisation, but it is one which is widely promulgated.
There is a lot stuff promulgated on these forums that I've never found to be true in my 50 yo of weight control.0 -
I LOVE cardio! Its burns off a lot of calories and shred those pounds at a faster weight.0
-
If you wanna be skinny fat.0
-
I do cardio to keep fit, not to be thin.0
-
If you wanna be skinny fat.
Weight lifting prevents this MORE than cardio.0 -
Try HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) - you can get a good cardio workout in about 20 minutes or so. Do it 2 or 3x a week. You can do pretty much any gym machine (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, stair stepper, rowing, etc) or any cardio activity (running, biking, even swimming) as HIIT.I'm with you on that, wanting to be in shape and not huffing and puffing. I hate cardio. I really really hate it. I do, however, love lifting. Heavy, lots of super and tri sets to get your heart rate up, and although I've been doing that since I was a teenager, I've never been in good cardio shape.
2-3 minute warm up at a moderate pace. Then 30 seconds dead sprint, followed by 1.5-2 minutes recovery. Repeat the sprint-recover for a total of 6-8 rounds. 2-3 minutes cool down, and you're done before your favorite sitcom is over.0 -
Try HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) - you can get a good cardio workout in about 20 minutes or so. Do it 2 or 3x a week. You can do pretty much any gym machine (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, stair stepper, rowing, etc) or any cardio activity (running, biking, even swimming) as HIIT.I'm with you on that, wanting to be in shape and not huffing and puffing. I hate cardio. I really really hate it. I do, however, love lifting. Heavy, lots of super and tri sets to get your heart rate up, and although I've been doing that since I was a teenager, I've never been in good cardio shape.
2-3 minute warm up at a moderate pace. Then 30 seconds dead sprint, followed by 1.5-2 minutes recovery. Repeat the sprint-recover for a total of 6-8 rounds. 2-3 minutes cool down, and you're done before your favorite sitcom is over.
I usually do HIIT, or just a leisurly jog. Insanity jump started my cardio kick, it got me in pretty damn good shape (just finished at the end of Sept) and I've tried classes at the gym, but I still hate it all
0 -
My question was not about why do I have to work to lose weight. It was about why do I have to kill myself with cardio. Can't I just eat a calorie deficit and lift weights?
Yes, of course. If your goal is body recomp (improving the ratio of fat to muscle you have) then this is all you really have to do.
Having said that even low intensity steady state (LISS) cardio can be a very effective tool in a body recomp programme *shock horror* This is because it adds to your calorie deficit allowing you to eat more (which seems counter intuitive I know.)
There can be a number of problems in trying to achieve your deficit through diet alone especially if you are quite lean to begin with. If you cut your energy / calorie intake too low through food alone it can cause a number of hormonal and metabolic changes in your body that causes your body to try and preserve fat stores which can have more impact than if you had eaten more and burned it off with cardio (burn the fat feed the muscle anyone?) Then there's the psychological advantage of being able to eat more meaning you are less likely to feel in a state of deprivation and binge. Finally there are the numerous health benefits of cardio.
Of course, the villification of LISS in a body recomp programme seems to have come from a tendency of some people (particularly women) to try and achieve this goal through slashing calories and doing a metric tonne of cardio all the while forgetting resistance training. That is a one way ticket to being skinny fat.
Don't believe the hype. LISS is a very useful tool.0 -
If you wanna be skinny fat.
Bwahahahahahaha0 -
Cardio burns fat. I could be wrong, but I don't think that eating burns fat. Yes, eating will help you lose scale weight. But, scale weight loss and fat loss aren't the same thing.
I don't aim for scale weight loss. I aim for fat loss and I know that fat loss takes time.
If you feel that you don't need cardio, then don't do cardio. Do what you feel is right for you.0 -
Cardio burns fat. I could be wrong, but I don't think that eating burns fat. Yes, eating will help you lose scale weight. But, scale weight loss and fat loss aren't the same thing.
I don't aim for scale weight loss. I aim for fat loss and I know that fat loss takes time.
If you feel that you don't need cardio, then don't do cardio. Do what you feel is right for you.
Living and exercise use energy. A calorie is a measurement of energy. You need said energy to live and to exercise. Your body can get the energy from food, from fat stores and from muscle stores. So by eating less energy than you use, you force your body to use stored energy. It tends to use both fat and muscle for this energy. Weight lifting helps convince your body to use more fat and less muscle. So yes, eating less and lifting weights results in more "fat burn".0 -
Living and exercise use energy. A calorie is a measurement of energy. You need said energy to live and to exercise. Your body can get the energy from food, from fat stores and from muscle stores. So by eating less energy than you use, you force your body to use stored energy. It tends to use both fat and muscle for this energy. Weight lifting helps convince your body to use more fat and less muscle. So yes, eating less and lifting weights results in more "fat burn".
Best of luck in your recent endeavors Rachel.0 -
Just a quick search brought up these reasons that cardio is good for you:
•Weight loss
•Stronger heart and lungs
•Increased bone density
•Reduced stress
•Reduced risk of heart disease and some types of cancer
•Temporary relief from depression and anxiety
•More confidence about how you feel and how you look
•Better sleep
•More energy
^^^^ Yes ^^^^
Cardio is amazing for your circulatory system, your heart, lungs, digestion, etc. Do it because it's good for you and it will improve your quality of life! 0 -
If you wanna be skinny fat.
Weight lifting prevents this MORE than cardio.
Agree! Weights are what you would WANT to do to avoid being "skinny fat".0 -
Can't we just eat healthy, lift some weights and jog a couple of times a week?
Yup. That'd work just fine.
Finally! A simple and to-the-point answer. Rachel, this is why I like you.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 424 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions