Cardio makes you fat: "Women: Running into Trouble"
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Also check out Eddie Izzard he lost some weight when he ran those 41 marathons in 50 days but he was still pretty podgy at the end, in theory he should have been ripped after all that running and training.0
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I have a little bit of a different opinion/take on it! I started exercising in Dec and was weight training, doing bootcamp and running 3-5 miles a few days a week. I lost weight and body fat. Then I got a new (idiot) trainer who decided to put me on a mostly all running schedule (I mentioned that I wanted to run a Half marathon 10 months away). He had me running a hard 7 miles twice a week and then a long run (8-10 miles on the third day). The other days were mostly 40 min of intense stair climber or other cardio. I ended up gaining weight, gaining body fat and did not look as toned. His explanation--"over training". I had several metabolic tests done and my RMR went DOWN (bad), my body was only burning sugar/carbs (bad) whereas before it was burning half fat (good) and half sugar, my heartrate zones were all messed up etc... I parted ways with him and am now doing heavier weights 3 times a week, STILL running 3 times a week but not nearly as hard or as many miles (until I start REtraining for my Half).
I DO think there is something to be said about people over-exercising at their highest heartrate zones for extended periods of time. YES, I was in good cardiovascular shape, but I felt like I totally jacked up my metabolism. I think running (and other cardio) is essential for good health--but maybe not to an extreme (unless you are training for a specific event). I am definitely no expert but that is just my personal experience.
That was my experience too...
My training was pretty eclectic, I used to do shortish pacey runs between 5-10k, do spin classes, Ashtanga yoga, a bit of pad work, and a lot of lifting. I was in cracking shape. I used to be about 17% body fat.
Then I got into distance running and then into long distance triathlons. My coach had me train to heart rate, 85% was steady state... it was all about getting the miles in... plus you HAD to consume a fair amount of carbs... I lost my abs -- they were no longer visible... I did 15+ hours a week of training and had 25% body fat!! Yes I was fit!! I could run for hours, I breezed through century bike rides and could swim 3 miles in a lake... but there was no hiding the fact that despite all those hours I was FATTER than before!
After that I read an article by Rachel Cosgrove "The final nail in the cardio coffin" and her experience of endurance training was exactly the same as mine.
*shrugs shoulders*
I don't care if someone pipes up and thinks it's just an unscientific one person study. I've been there and I know what I know.0 -
Depends on context. I used to play competitive sports. At my peak I played national level Ultimate and trained/played about 20hours a week with craptons of cardio as the sport is just pure running. Did that for 2 years, and a good few before that with a few hours a week playing other cardio based sports like soccer. I never ran for fun or for time, or competed with running. it was always for training so I honestly have no idea how far, or what my times would be then. It was always ok, 20 min jog, go, and just do that before moving onto other training.Jynus, do you run? how far, and how often?
Now my last year of Ulti, I started doing weight training. I found a jump training template that had strength components and hit the gym to improve my performance. After I retired from Ulti to have time for life, I kept going to the gym to remain active. I went much more frequently and exercised a lot more intensely as I had the time and rest for it since I didn't want to bother with sports anymore. End result was after cutting out 20 hours of cardio a week and replacing it with about 6 hours of weight training, I shed a crapton of fat and recomped my body to the point where I just looked drastically different. I always looked athletic before, but had a much more olympic sprinter like look to me afterwards and had a 6pack for first time ever. That was a wakeup call for me about training methodologies and results from them. (assuming diet is in check)
I did spend a couple years actually doing personal training too, and have all my basic certs. And with my sports background and training as a profession, for study I would honestly say I've spent hundreds of hours reading studies and articles on fitness and health, and spent thousands of hours working with people on forums much like this, or in real life training with people. So I do have a bit of a background.
Interesting timing on your question however. I can say this though, I've always wanted to make the point where I do what I say, and made it a point to not do ANY cardio in my training, and have held true to that for the last 2 years. I wanted to show that you can gain and lose, faster and better, all without cardio. However over last weekend, a friend wanted to go for a jog and I said why the hell not. We didn't time it, but it was 3km. And I got through it without any trouble, 1 1min walking break or so though. my freaking legs were itchy as hell though, lol. 2 years not doing cardio prob has a few bugs to work out. I actually plan on taking 1 day a week now just for running. My son is 4, and loves to be outside, and is always wanting to race and do active things. I'll make it a father/son thing to go for a lil jog as much as we can and be active together doing whatever.
k, theres your essay on my background.
edit: the post right above mine is basically a mirror image of my experiences, but in reverse. the link does seem to be excessive/competitive cardio. Might be something to that rather than joe average just doing a few hours a week on the treadmill trying to drop a few pounds.0 -
IMO, I think that some people that only do tons of cardio use that as an excuse to overeat. I know other runners that get extremely hungry when they train long distances. I'm lucky and have the opposite effect when I run. This example is one of the many reasons there are overweight runners or cardio buffs. I believe it comes down to calories in and out and not that cardio makes you fat.
For me, running is the only thing that has slimmed down my thick legs and calves which is genetic. Weight lifting is beneficial when added to any exercise regimine. I do weight lifting to prevent injury and to stay strong, not as a weight loss tool. I think people should do what works for them.0 -
I have a little bit of a different opinion/take on it! I started exercising in Dec and was weight training, doing bootcamp and running 3-5 miles a few days a week. I lost weight and body fat. Then I got a new (idiot) trainer who decided to put me on a mostly all running schedule (I mentioned that I wanted to run a Half marathon 10 months away). He had me running a hard 7 miles twice a week and then a long run (8-10 miles on the third day). The other days were mostly 40 min of intense stair climber or other cardio. I ended up gaining weight, gaining body fat and did not look as toned. His explanation--"over training". I had several metabolic tests done and my RMR went DOWN (bad), my body was only burning sugar/carbs (bad) whereas before it was burning half fat (good) and half sugar, my heartrate zones were all messed up etc... I parted ways with him and am now doing heavier weights 3 times a week, STILL running 3 times a week but not nearly as hard or as many miles (until I start REtraining for my Half).
I DO think there is something to be said about people over-exercising at their highest heartrate zones for extended periods of time. YES, I was in good cardiovascular shape, but I felt like I totally jacked up my metabolism. I think running (and other cardio) is essential for good health--but maybe not to an extreme (unless you are training for a specific event). I am definitely no expert but that is just my personal experience.
That was my experience too...
My training was pretty eclectic, I used to do shortish pacey runs between 5-10k, do spin classes, Ashtanga yoga, a bit of pad work, and a lot of lifting. I was in cracking shape. I used to be about 17% body fat.
Then I got into distance running and then into long distance triathlons. My coach had me train to heart rate, 85% was steady state... it was all about getting the miles in... plus you HAD to consume a fair amount of carbs... I lost my abs -- they were no longer visible... I did 15+ hours a week of training and had 25% body fat!! Yes I was fit!! I could run for hours, I breezed through century bike rides and could swim 3 miles in a lake... but there was no hiding the fact that despite all those hours I was FATTER than before!
After that I read an article by Rachel Cosgrove "The final nail in the cardio coffin" and her experience of endurance training was exactly the same as mine.
*shrugs shoulders*
I don't care if someone pipes up and thinks it's just an unscientific one person study. I've been there and I know what I know.
And that's why it's so great that there are so many options for different folks.
When I was running 15-20 miles a week and eating lower carb, higher fat, higher protein, I was in great shape.
When I was eating a "clean" diet and doing heavy (quite heavy) weights and HIIT, I packed on a layer of fat that wouldn't budge. Sure, I built muscle, but that fat came on with a vengeance.
What jumped out at me in your post is that you said you "had" to eat lots of carbs to run as you were. Some people don't have to eat as many carbs as you think to fuel those runs. Some do, some don't.
There are fat runners, fat lifters, fat yogis and fat couch potatoes.
There are endomorphs, ectomorphs and mesomorphs and they all respond differently to nutrition and exercise. There are people with insulin resistance, there are people with autoimmune disorders that can't eat carbs like others, and there are people with a host of other differences.
So what works for one won't necessarily work for another.
Good thing some of you can lift and some of us can run and some people can do both or none at all and somehow everyone can find what works for them and see results.
:flowerforyou:0 -
Used to weigh 325.
Started running.
Lost over 100 lbs.
Not running right now because of injury.
Gain 10 lbs.
Hmm... Sure doesn't sound like running is making me fat.
Funny I've coached close to 200 new runners... Most of them lose weight too?
I smell bovine fecal matter.0 -
Thats the 'flexibility' part I addressed... Still doesn't change that stride length is far longer for pro runners than average runners. So to get better times, the FACT remains they need to train on improving their stride length.Jynus, do you run? how far, and how often?
I can answer that.
None.
Stride length? You do realize that most new runners "overstride" right?
Over striding leads to injury. Well done.0 -
Then y bother to do it if its not going to help me lose weight0
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I don't believe him. I have enough muscles as it is. I don't need weight training!
I need cardio.0 -
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Have you ever seen a fat marathon runner? (Man or woman that has been doing this for years) I call BS.
Have you ever watched a marathon? there are plenty of fat runners out there.0 -
Yes. Now you're catching on.:bigsmile:Ok. Doing exercises to strenghten my heart muscle is bad and useless. Noted. :noway:0 -
I love running and run three to four times per week. I compete in 5k races, will be doing a 10k in October and am moving onto half marathons in the not-too-distant future. Now to do all these things, I need to run and train at running. Spending time in the gym lifting weights (especially heavy weights) is not going to enable me to run that 13.1 miles outside, it may ASSIST but ultimately, it will not be the weights that will get me to do a good time in the HM, it will be the training in the running that does the job.
I do not just wish to complete the HM, I actually wish to run the whole thing without stopping to walk and to cap it off I want to do a good time - all these resolutions mean:
1. I cannot be fat or even overweight
2. I must train in running
3. I must start to ignore ALL stuff that says too much cardio will make one fat - it is not true, it is a lie and it is misinformation.
Out.
Actually strength training will improve your racing. there are 2 ways to improve times. Strength frequency and stride length. And frequency is basically a non starter as when you compare pros to average joes, there frequency is basically identical. There is only a variance of like 10%. What this means is the difference between pro runners and non pros is all in stride length. They are able to do more per step than average runners.
So how do you increase stride length? 2 ways. Improve flexibility, and improve strength. Neither of which come from running more. I think you were trying to say that in your 'assist' comment. But I don't want you to think that weights are in some way not useful for getting better running times, they are if done properly.
And yes, you should ignore all the stuff that says cardio makes you fat. I can't think of seeing an article that says this however basically ever.... I do recommend though that you read things like the article posted in this thread however that gives good information.
I don't need to improve my stride length because it is fine as it is.
To lengthen my stride length will take me back to when I used to run that way and ended up with shin splints that put paid to my roadrunning days. If I were sprinting (which is what I used to train and compete at) then yes, increased stride length along with weights is a superb move, but for running long distances, the only thing that will get me to my destination is stamina gained from running, not sitting in a gym lifting heavy weights.0 -
I'm averaging over 50 mpw this year. I'm going to be so fat.0
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I'm averaging over 50 mpw this year. I'm going to be so fat.
LOL0 -
some people are going to read this and jump on the band wagon and think that they don't have to exercise. (an easy way out again). More is involved in just losing weight... what about heart, lungs, lymph system, endo system, nervous system, ... i'm sure there's more, but i'm not a doctor, lol. These ALL benefit from exercise and getting your heart pumping. That's just dumb! the only people i see running for an hour at the gym look awesome and i always think, ''dang! I wish I had those beautiful runners legs!''.0
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I mean really! Is it worth writting anything? The body is a machine fueled by food. It stores surplus energy in the form of lipids. All activity uses energy... That's indisputable physics!
Can you lose weight without exercise ... Of course yes!
Can you run 26 miles without training ... Only if you are in a Hollywood movie and you are being chased by mercenaries
Do some people enjoy exercise and others not ... Of course!
Where's the discussion?0 -
I mean really! Is it worth writting anything? The body is a machine fueled by food. It stores surplus energy in the form of lipids. All activity uses energy... That's indisputable physics!
Can you lose weight without exercise ... Of course yes!
Can you run 26 miles without training ... Only if you are in a Hollywood movie and you are being chased by mercenaries
Do some people enjoy exercise and others not ... Of course!
Where's the discussion?
Well said!0 -
Yeah. What a cow.0 -
I don't personally believe this article. But, I do think it is not good to just do one type of anything. Cardio + strength training is the way to always! My $0.02. :-)0
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Probably True: Cardio when used exclusively for exercise, and especially zero-resistance cardio, burns calories but is generally poor at retaining muscle in the absence of significant resistance. Feed yourself improperly (especially starve yourself of protein) and the body will burn muscle as well as fat to feed itself, and you'll end up not really lowering your body fat percentage by as much as you could, even if you've lost weight.
Untrue: Cardio will actually cause you to increase body fat weight through some mystical voodoo. It might actually increase body fat PERCENTAGE, if all you do is windmill along with zero-resistance cardio AND you don't eat enough proteins and carbohydrates to support your workouts (the body will get its proteins from where it needs to, and that can mean muscle).
A mixture of cardio and weightlifting and a good protein-rich diet will tend to optimize body mass burning (cardio) along with retention and even strengthening of existing muscle (weights), thereby tending to burn more fat than muscle and reduce body fat percentage, a better indicator of health than mere weight.
Exceptionally true: Cardio alone is FAR, FAR better than sitting on your *kitten* all day because you're afraid that cardio "will make you fat". Especially if you're eating well enough to support your body and take advantage of that hard work. Your stamina and cardiovascular capacity will improve, and if you get any sort of resistance in there at all your muscle tone will improve in the muscles you are using.0 -
Oh dear lord, I think her thighs might touch... Nope.
Yeah. What a cow.0 -
Yay!!! I love C to 5k. That app and MFP are the most used on my Android! I feel better, my legs are stronger, my waist is smaller and my resting heart rate lower. I alternate running with yoga, strength training...whatever I feel like.Whatever. I'm still doing Couch to 5K because it makes me feel good.0 -
dafuq did I just read? lol total crap. This article has misinterpreted information and been completely discredited.0
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The article is totally true and has science to back it up. Cardio is a waste of time except for short bursts of activity. The human body was not designed for long runs or treadmill runs like a herd of zebras. It was designed for quick bursts of emergency activity and lifting. I've noticed that runners have no muscle and look so weak as do bicyclists. They're not healthy looking. It's resistance training that builds the body and garners it free of unhealthy fat. But there's no way to get people to believe that. They have been brainwashed by doctors and others. Even the king of cardio, Cooper, admits he was wrong.
I've got a news flash for you.
Humans evolved to run long distances chasing down prey.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/science/23conversation.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2154828/Humans-evolved-runners-high-moving-explains-lazy-modern-lifestyles-bad-us.html
we also evolved to do hard physical work hence the positive adaptive responses to both strength training and cardio.
It's always interesting that it's only the meatheads that take the "strength is the one true path" way of thinking. I guess it's true that running makes you smarter...
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/20/more-evidence-running-makes-you-smarter/
http://www.runnersworldonline.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3169
http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/running-brainpower
I'd sure hate to be puny & weak like Dave Scott (how many times did he win Kona swimming & biking & running????)0 -
The article is totally true and has science to back it up. Cardio is a waste of time except for short bursts of activity. The human body was not designed for long runs or treadmill runs like a herd of zebras. It was designed for quick bursts of emergency activity and lifting. I've noticed that runners have no muscle and look so weak as do bicyclists. They're not healthy looking. It's resistance training that builds the body and garners it free of unhealthy fat. But there's no way to get people to believe that. They have been brainwashed by doctors and others. Even the king of cardio, Cooper, admits he was wrong.
I've got a news flash for you.
Humans evolved to run long distances chasing down prey.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/science/23conversation.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2154828/Humans-evolved-runners-high-moving-explains-lazy-modern-lifestyles-bad-us.html
we also evolved to do hard physical work hence the positive adaptive responses to both strength training and cardio.
It's always interesting that it's only the meatheads that take the "strength is the one true path" way of thinking. I guess it's true that running makes you smarter...
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/20/more-evidence-running-makes-you-smarter/
http://www.runnersworldonline.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3169
http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/running-brainpower
I'd sure hate to be puny & weak like Dave Scott (how many times did he win Kona swimming & biking & running????)
Maybe I should start running then, I'd rule the world.
Seriously dude, talking about insulting, asinine comments...well, you win hands down.
Also, as has been proven time and again...cardio IS irrelevant for fat loss...but I've yet to see the 'meathead' in this thread say it was bad for your health in moderation. The fact that you've pretty much claimed that outright...proves the falsehood of your last three links.
Oh, and for the record? There is nothing impressive about that guys physique. Competetive athletes tend to be lean (sometimes disgustingly it seems), regardless of their chosen sport. It has to do with progressively training to improve...which IS NOT what this thread was about.
Reading comprehension my friend. Get some.0 -
Um, I don't think hypothyroidism is cured in 2 weeks.0
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This is just like all that crap about eating more to lose! Soon you will see people only do lifting no cardio and can barely run to catch a bus with ease! Actually when you think about it cardio was meant to be performed DAILY like walking we may get more efficient at the activity but it doesn't mean its not doing its job either. Its not cardio that makes us fatter its what we feed our bodies that makes it fatter and MFP is to some degree the culprit it ENCOURAGES people to eat their exercise calories. I thought exercise was for fitness, health and wellbeing not to eat more.0
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:S Mmmm... Well who knows.
Personally I think anything in excess is bad. And yes I also agree with weights being the best way to go for fat loss.
Poor jessica :S0 -
This is just like all that crap about eating more to lose! Soon you will see people only do lifting no cardio and can barely run to catch a bus with ease! Actually when you think about it cardio was meant to be performed DAILY like walking we may get more efficient at the activity but it doesn't mean its not doing its job either. Its not cardio that makes us fatter its what we feed our bodies that makes it fatter and MFP is to some degree the culprit it ENCOURAGES people to eat their exercise calories. I thought exercise was for fitness, health and wellbeing not to eat more.
Which part of the way MFP sets up your deficit is so difficult for people to comprehend? I wish they'd change it...just so the ignorance will finally END.Personally I think anything in excess is bad. And yes I also agree with weights being the best way to go for fat loss.
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