Cardio doesn't help you lose weight...

vingogly

Your success is coming from the volume and mix of the program, not because of the "fat burning zone". This is my biggest complaint with the New Leaf system and the clubs that offer that service.

The fuel substrate used during exercise has no effect on overall fat oxidation (fat loss). In my discussions with the "trainers" at New Leaf, the good ones are starting to realize this and some of their newer printouts emphasize overall caloric expenditure rather than "fat burning", but many clubs have purchased the entire system as a "product" and parrot the boilerplate language without really understanding the science.

I'm not doing the calorie evaluation/program ... just the cardio program. I told them I wasn't interested in any program that involved calorie counting when they sold me the program. I'm not interested in any program that involves calorie monitoring (but that's a different discussion). Regarding the volume and mix, the program gives me a day-by-day five day a week cardio program that seems like a good mix of levels and intensity of exercise. I'm not sure what you mean by "the fuel substrate used during exercise" ... does this mean the intensity of exercise does not relate to fat burning efficiency? That doesn't seem to match what I've read elsewhere (like the About.com pages I linked to).

erickirb

People say it's all diet, and while it does seem to be mostly diet for me, I swear I AM losing more weight on the days I do cardio (even when eating the exercise calories back). There has to be some individual variation if everyone has such strong opinions one way or another.

Keep in mind that exercise also increases your metabolism for 1-2 days after the exercise session. So if you burn 500 calories running, and then eat 500 calories back, you'll still be burning additional calories as your body rebuilds your muscles and strengthens them.

the "after-burn" for cario does not last that long (usually 1-4 hours, longer with HIIT), the "after-burn" for strength training is the 24-48 hours as your body repairs the damaged caused from lifting.

KemaVA

my dad went to an obesity conference last year. apparently the latest theory is that if you eat enough calories, cardio helps you lose weight. If you dont eat enough then weights and strength training helps you lose. Dont ask me why!?

I can see the logic in this. If you dont eat enough calories your metabolism slows so the amount of exercise required to create a deficit raises. This means the cardio that you were doing will not be as effective. However weight lifting builds muscle which raises your metabolic rate. So your deficit is not harmed.

The thing I get from this is its just better to eat enough (staying on plan) and do both cardio AND strength training. This obviously would create the biggest deficit.

vim_n_vigor

Cardio doesn't burn fat. Cardio improves cardiovascular health and conditioning as well as it creates more of a calorie deficit because it burns calories.

Eating a calorie deficit = burns fat.

Period.

Cardio burns fat.

So then a person that is eating above maintenance calories will burn fat if they do cardio? What happens to their body composition then if fat is burned by cardio but they are eating excessive calories?

koosdel

You are all wrong.

Fire burns fat.

erickirb

When I say something, people think I'm arguing, but when other people say something, they think the person is giving knowledge. I don't have time to fight with people. If a person believes I'm wrong, then fine. Use the ignore button.

The problem is people don't want you spreading the wrong information to people that are just learning and may take it as truth when it is myth.

Jeff92se

Can a mod put somone on a forum wide "ignore"? So they could post but no one would actually see it?

Faintgreeneyes

Yes, lifting weights by itself does burn fat. You're completley wrong on that point and I don't know why you keep repeating it as if it's a fact.

It doesn't.

'


Do you just like to argue, for arguments sake?

Faintgreeneye, do you?

No. Especially as I was just asking a question and not arguing. It just seems that no matter what anyone else posts, especially when its fact that refutes what you are saying, that you seem to argue back. So I was simply just wondering where you were coming from... thats all.

Iamfit4life

When I say something, people think I'm arguing, but when other people say something, they think the person is giving knowledge. I don't have time to fight with people. If a person believes I'm wrong, then fine. Use the ignore button.

Which is lovely except for the whole giving people bad information thing.

AZackery

the "after-burn" for cario does not last that long (usually 1-4 hours, longer with HIIT), the "after-burn" for strength training is the 24-48 hours as your body repairs the damaged caused from lifting.

I don't agree with this. I can do a Tae Bo workout on a Monday and not workout for a few days afterwards and still feel the workout.

AZackery

No. Especially as I was just asking a question and not arguing. It just seems that no matter what anyone else posts, especially when its fact that refutes what you are saying, that you seem to argue back. So I was simply just wondering where you were coming from... thats all.

Why can't I refute what people have said, without people thinking I'm the bad guy? We all have a right to speak on the forums.

AZackery

When I say something, people think I'm arguing, but when other people say something, they think the person is giving knowledge. I don't have time to fight with people. If a person believes I'm wrong, then fine. Use the ignore button.

Which is lovely except for the whole giving people bad information thing.

Where is my information wrong and where is the right information?

erickirb

No. Especially as I was just asking a question and not arguing. It just seems that no matter what anyone else posts, especially when its fact that refutes what you are saying, that you seem to argue back. So I was simply just wondering where you were coming from... thats all.

Why can't I refute what people have said, without people thinking I'm the bad guy? We all have a right to speak on the forums.

because you are spreading false truths.

Thomasm198

When I say something, people think I'm arguing, but when other people say something, they think the person is giving knowledge. I don't have time to fight with people. If a person believes I'm wrong, then fine. Use the ignore button.

If all the knowledgeable people started to ignore you, there would be nobody to rebut the misinformation that you post.

willaful

If you exercised a ton, but increased your food consumption to compensate, you wouldn't lose weight.

This. For me, exercise without portion control doesn't help at all. I'm seeing it in my husband, too. He still exercises but stopped paying attention to what he eats, and his weight is steadily going back up.

erickirb

When I say something, people think I'm arguing, but when other people say something, they think the person is giving knowledge. I don't have time to fight with people. If a person believes I'm wrong, then fine. Use the ignore button.

If all the knowledgeable people started to ignore you, there would be nobody to rebut the misinformation that you post.

well put

_SusieQ_

the "after-burn" for cario does not last that long (usually 1-4 hours, longer with HIIT), the "after-burn" for strength training is the 24-48 hours as your body repairs the damaged caused from lifting.

I don't agree with this. I can do a Tae Bo workout on a Monday and not workout for a few days afterwards and still feel the workout.

That is probably because you are not in very good shape.

Or doesnt understand what the term "after burn" means in this context.

maidentl

No. Especially as I was just asking a question and not arguing. It just seems that no matter what anyone else posts, especially when its fact that refutes what you are saying, that you seem to argue back. So I was simply just wondering where you were coming from... thats all.

Why can't I refute what people have said, without people thinking I'm the bad guy? We all have a right to speak on the forums.

You're right, you do have the right to post here. But the question is, should you have the right to consistently post misinformation on other people's threads and then derail the conversation by arguing with everyone who dares to question your almighty authority? It's a pattern with you, it's harmful to the conversation and it's rude.

AZackery

the "after-burn" for cario does not last that long (usually 1-4 hours, longer with HIIT), the "after-burn" for strength training is the 24-48 hours as your body repairs the damaged caused from lifting.

I don't agree with this. I can do a Tae Bo workout on a Monday and not workout for a few days afterwards and still feel the workout.

That is probably because you are not in very good shape.

I disagree. Am I a big girl? Yes, I am. But, I'm no rookie to intense workouts. I have been doing Tae Bo off and on, since 1998. Strength training has it's place, but it will never be better than cardio to me.

ShrinkingChelle

Still can't believe a worker at the gym told me this. I have lost 34 lbs. recently and went looking for a second gym near work (I lose some motivation on the drive home). The person showing me around said the weight loss was due to diet changes and not all of the excercise since I don't do weights. I do cardio 5-6 days a week, crunches nearly every day I work out and pilates for about 20 min. nearly every day, go to the class twice weekly. How discouraging this would be to someone who was planning to walk/run only.

Cardio burns fat. A lot of people want people to believe that lifting weights or should I say, lifting heavy is the answer and it's not. A person can lift weights until they are blue in the face, but that will not make the fat go away. It will develop the muscles under fat.

I don't think this is true.. do you have solid research to back this up? From my understanding, I've read otherwise.

Its not true! As the "muscles develop" the fat will go away.Not to mention improve your bone density. But you still need Cardio to burn fat as well.

Cardio burns fat. Lifting weights by itself will not burn the fat.

I love cardio. I'll pick it over lifting weights any day.

Just because you prefer Cardio does not mean that weight lifting doesnt burn fat. AZackery Please do research before you give such strong, bold statements. Or say in your opinion.

Faintgreeneyes

No. Especially as I was just asking a question and not arguing. It just seems that no matter what anyone else posts, especially when its fact that refutes what you are saying, that you seem to argue back. So I was simply just wondering where you were coming from... thats all.

Why can't I refute what people have said, without people thinking I'm the bad guy? We all have a right to speak on the forums.

I think the problem lies in the fact that you are refuting scientific facts with your own personal opinons on the matter. Which is fine, if you want to believe that, more power to you. What is not fine, is passing off your own personal thoughts/views as being scientifically based and correct. It doesn;t help those who may be looking at forums for sound exercise advice.

What I do for a work out might not work for you- I may suggest it, but I will not state it as a fact. See what I am getting at?

AZackery

Or doesnt understand what the term "after burn" means in this context.

What does it means?

CaptainGordo

the "after-burn" for cario does not last that long (usually 1-4 hours, longer with HIIT), the "after-burn" for strength training is the 24-48 hours as your body repairs the damaged caused from lifting.

I don't agree with this. I can do a Tae Bo workout on a Monday and not workout for a few days afterwards and still feel the workout.

They were referring to the higher metabolic burn, not muscle soreness. FFS...

AddA2UDE

When I say something, people think I'm arguing.

I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the absurd statements that always seem to be in sharp contrast to logic and the general consensus of those who have realized great success.

adrian_indy

Fat is gained by eating in excess of calories burned throughout the day. Fat is lost by burning more than you eat. Simple. If you change you diet, you will lose weight slowly. If you add in any physical activity, you will lose the fat more quickly. That is the basics. As people get closer to goal weight or are just more genetically challenged, of course more specific routines, diets and research should be applied. Cardio does burn fat. But only while you do it. Lifting weights burns calories, but not as much as cardio during the actual exercises themselves. But lifting weights causes the body to heal itself, which in itself burns calories, and every pound of muscle on you burns 50 calories just by being maintained.

So this is how to lose fat
Eat right =fat loss
Eat right + carido OR eat right + weight train + eat right = more fat loss
Eat right + cardio + weight trainig = most fat loss

AZackery

I think the problem lies in the fact that you are refuting scientific facts with your own personal opinons on the matter. Which is fine, if you want to believe that, more power to you. What is not fine, is passing off your own personal thoughts/views as being scientifically based and correct. It doesn;t help those who may be looking at forums for sound exercise advice.

What I do for a work out might not work for you- I may suggest it, but I will not state it as a fact. See what I am getting at?

I stand on everything that I have said. See what I'm getting at?

vim_n_vigor

I think the problem lies in the fact that you are refuting scientific facts with your own personal opinons on the matter. Which is fine, if you want to believe that, more power to you. What is not fine, is passing off your own personal thoughts/views as being scientifically based and correct. It doesn;t help those who may be looking at forums for sound exercise advice.

What I do for a work out might not work for you- I may suggest it, but I will not state it as a fact. See what I am getting at?

I stand on everything that I have said. See what I'm getting at?

Those poor tutus.......

Lizzy_Sunflower

Yes, lifting weights by itself does burn fat. You're completley wrong on that point and I don't know why you keep repeating it as if it's a fact.

It doesn't.

You forgot to add, "In my opinion".

Faintgreeneyes

I think the problem lies in the fact that you are refuting scientific facts with your own personal opinons on the matter. Which is fine, if you want to believe that, more power to you. What is not fine, is passing off your own personal thoughts/views as being scientifically based and correct. It doesn;t help those who may be looking at forums for sound exercise advice.

What I do for a work out might not work for you- I may suggest it, but I will not state it as a fact. See what I am getting at?

I stand on everything that I have said. See what I'm getting at?

Other than hostile and combative when I was merely trying to be nice and offer a helpful alternative? No, not at all.

TDGee

When I say something, people think I'm arguing, but when other people say something, they think the person is giving knowledge. I don't have time to fight with people. If a person believes I'm wrong, then fine. Use the ignore button.

I could never do this. You complete me.:flowerforyou: