Is doing cardio 2x per day a bad idea?

tahoe5280

Ok, so I'm trying to drop a bunch of weight (45lbs down, another 150 to go) and I've been doing cardio every morning for about 5-6 weeks now. I've started getting used to 45 min at 2.5-3mph but toward the end of the day I still have enough energy for another round on the treadmill, and it's really become my favorite part of my day.

I am trying to avoid lifting weights until I get closer to my target weight because I'm doing keto, and I really don't want to mess around with carb cycling. I'd really just rather do cardio two-a-days

So my question is if I do cardio twice a day, am I going to see increased benefits in weight loss and metabolism? Or should I instead stick to doing it once a day but focusing on increasing my distances and speeds? Or something entirely else all together?

XtyAnn17

go for it!!! it will be good for you

Erinslove

When I ran cross country in college we ran twice a day. Since then I sometimes work out twice a day when I am up for it. You say it's "your favorite time of day?" Then by all means go for it!

erickirb

As long as you are fueling your body properly it shouldn't be an issue.

hawtpep

Ok, so I'm trying to drop a bunch of weight (45lbs down, another 150 to go) and I've been doing cardio every morning for about 5-6 weeks now. I've started getting used to 45 min at 2.5-3mph but toward the end of the day I still have enough energy for another round on the treadmill, and it's really become my favorite part of my day.

I am trying to avoid lifting weights until I get closer to my target weight because I'm doing keto, and I really don't want to mess around with carb cycling. I'd really just rather do cardio two-a-days

So my question is if I do cardio twice a day, am I going to see increased benefits in weight loss and metabolism? Or should I instead stick to doing it once a day but focusing on increasing my distances and speeds? Or something entirely else all together?

Do it if you have the energy BTW I'm a big guy too. I find it a lot easier to increase incline rather then increasing speed. It also burns higher amount of calories at lower speeds. The other day I did 3miles at 2.5 between 10-13incline ended up burning 1170 calories.

Good Luck

muwchck

I don't think I personally would go for twice a day. But your body is getting acclimated to what you are doing, so maybe you should increase your time, your speed, or your incline. Something to make what you're already doing more of a challenge. Or maybe even switch up and do something different from the treadmill every other day or something. I don't see any harm in doing 2 work outs a day either though. As long as you aren't over doing anything. When I was younger and in much better shape, I would get up and run before school in the mornings, and then hit the gym and work out in the evening too.

ukjake3

I'm not an expert by any means, but I believe that it's all about your energy levels. If you have the energy and feel like you can, go for it. Listen to your body though, that's most important. I do spin in the morning before work and play basketball with my co-workers on lunch 2-3 days per week and it has not affected me at all. Make sure you are eating & drinking lots of water!

iCACTUS

You can do cardio every day, as often as you like. It's excellent for you!

Mommareed4

Idk..I am currently doing JM 30 day shred in the afternoon, and then do the elliptical for a hour, except for Tuesday and Thursday i do kick boxing class. I haven't lost any weight in a few months though i am sure it wouldn't be the case for you...my body just doesn't loose weight easily.

Huffdogg

Nevermind. You listed a preference for weightlifting avoidance. I don't get it, frankly, but I'm not going to argue about it lol.

david081

If you feel up to it why not? I do two-miles cross-country each morning and afternoon with my dogs plus an exercise schedule inbetween 6-days a week... I think your body will tell you if you are overdoing it...

jcpmoore

Do it if you have the energy BTW I'm a big guy too. I find it a lot easier to increase incline rather then increasing speed. It also burns higher amount of calories at lower speeds. The other day I did 3miles at 2.5 between 10-13incline ended up burning 1170 calories.

Good Luck

Seriously? You can increase calorie burn that much with just incline? I have GOT to try this! Thanks for the tip!

For OP- There is no reason not to work out twice in one day. No real diff between 1 hour now and 1 hour later or just doing 2 hrs now. It's all good.

SassyCalyGirl

your cardio is not high intensity so twice a day sounds fine. I run every morning 6.2 miles anywhere from 5.0 mph to 6.5 mph then I take a slow paced walk for 2 miles in the afternoon at a lower HR for fat burning. Listen to your body. It will tell you what you can handle.

Becky_Boodle

I would try mixing up your cardio...
if treadmill is your thing then play with the speed and incline throughout your workout
it will keep your muscles guessing on what you're doing
as for twice a day...I say go for if you've got the energy...
but I would definitely recommend eating back your burned calories...
that way you'll definitely have the energy to get through 2 workouts

Fattack

"bad idea?" no. Amazingly inefficient, though. If you have that much time available to exercise, start lifting heavy. The overall benefits are quite likely better for your weight loss efforts anyhow.

Agreed.

Provided you're not on a Keto diet for specific health reasons, I would advise you adopt a more balanced diet so that you can reap the many benefits of strength training in conjunction with your cardio. You don't want to lose too much muscle, which can be a side effect of overdoing the cardio on too little food. Muscle boosts your metabolism, and well-trained muscle means you needn't worry about that "deflated" look as you lose weight :]

fteale

It seems a bit pointless to me. Just go for a walk. The most important thing is keeping moving as much as you can throughout the day. Doing 45 mins on a treadmill is pointless if you spend the rest of your day sitting down.

tabi26

I don't understand....I lift weights and have never carb cycled....what is carb cycling? Lol.

Anyway, cardio twice a day is fine, as long as you don't wear yourself out

memega

Not a bad idea imo. If I could afford that kind of timings, even I might give it a try. Instead I easily do around 75min on average every evening. I increase the intensity by increasing resistance and keeping up the pace and sometimes play around with the default settings for variety. So yeah, go for it!

Fattack

Do it if you have the energy BTW I'm a big guy too. I find it a lot easier to increase incline rather then increasing speed. It also burns higher amount of calories at lower speeds. The other day I did 3miles at 2.5 between 10-13incline ended up burning 1170 calories.

Good Luck

Seriously? You can increase calorie burn that much with just incline? I have GOT to try this! Thanks for the tip!

For OP- There is no reason not to work out twice in one day. No real diff between 1 hour now and 1 hour later or just doing 2 hrs now. It's all good.

Actually, there are theories that splitting cardio (as long as they're not very short workouts) is more beneficial than one long workout in lowering insulin levels and boosting fat metabolism.

HotBodUnderConstruction

It seems a bit pointless to me. Just go for a walk. The most important thing is keeping moving as much as you can throughout the day. Doing 45 mins on a treadmill is pointless if you spend the rest of your day sitting down.

What?

Fattack

It seems a bit pointless to me. Just go for a walk. The most important thing is keeping moving as much as you can throughout the day. Doing 45 mins on a treadmill is pointless if you spend the rest of your day sitting down.

This is ludicrous. For instance, how would you advise those of us who work at desks?