Cardio vs weights??!! Which do you do & WHY?

13

Replies

  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Yes, "skinny fat" is a myth. Doing cardio with moderate caloric deficit and proper protein will not consume muscle.

    What do you mean it is a myth. I thought "skinny fat " was a term to describe skinny people who are still flabby and possibly have a gut on them. Those people do exist. I have seen them.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    There's absolutely no context with the phrase "Cardio eats muscles".

    What does a general term like cardio mean?

    What happens if you walk a mile?

    Are all your muscles eaten away at the half mile mark? Scary stuff, maybe we should all move around in motorized wheel chairs for fear of cardio eating our muscles. Gimmie a break.
  • KristenE83
    KristenE83 Posts: 187 Member
    READ THIS AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lbrooks2.htm

    Rid****eye, thanks for the article. It makes sense that using heavy weights will give your muscles the ability to actually lift heavy things lol (in pretty simple words) I think I get it now! The funny part is my kickboxing trainer has been secretly sneaking in weight training w/out me noticing. lol I do most of those exercises! I don't know why It never dawned on me that kettlebells are weight training..... newbie brain I guess. This is awesome, because next time I hit the dojo I will move to the 15 lb kettlebells or higher.

    Thanks again!
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Great points.

    When I lift; I do circuit training so that my heart rate is up while lifting. I don't take a break between sets; instead I do more than one exercise and cycle between them without breaks....my only break? Getting a different set of weights for the next exercise. Not real tough when I have my own gym and dial-a-dumbbell

    I do cardio 5x per week and weight train 2x per week and try to get in good stretching every day; however I am training for my first ever half marathon. My normal activity is 3x per week of weight training.and 4x per week of cardio. I do take a "rest" day; however I still walk 2 miles with a neighbor and sometimes walk with my husband on this "rest" day and I stretch as well.

    Food? I like fuel and try to get in lots of good carbs (vegetables of all types at least 50% raw, fruit (raw) and some whole grains) and lean proteins.

    I'm not losing weight very fast now, but then...I don't really have far to go. I'm very close to maintenance and not real concerned about 'losing" at this point. I've got my body fat down to 15% which is the lowest its ever been and for my age, I think that's pretty darn awesome. Trying to trim my hips and thighs a bit more, but it'll come with time and perseverance; I'm patient (okay not really, but I try :bigsmile: ).
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Yes, "skinny fat" is a myth. Doing cardio with moderate caloric deficit and proper protein will not consume muscle.

    What do you mean it is a myth. I thought "skinny fat " was a term to describe skinny people who are still flabby and possibly have a gut on them. Those people do exist. I have seen them.

    Agree; I've seen lots of "skinny" out of shape people with guts and flab. They are "skinny fat". There's not a lot of them, but they're all fat...there's little or no lean muscle tissue. What's the point? I don't want to be thin and flabby; therefore I weight train and do cardio.
  • moniquedeanne
    moniquedeanne Posts: 249 Member
    A mix of cardio plus weights, although I prefer heavy lifting. Add a little bit of kickboxing and jiu-jitsu just to mix it up. Have to have the cardio otherwise my breath sucks.
  • belladonna786
    belladonna786 Posts: 1,165 Member
    I run and bike becuase lifting sucks. To me, it's boring. Pick something up, then put it down. Repeat. Whoopee.




    Really?


    I hate cardio. I lift 4-5 days a week. That is all.
  • Mutant13
    Mutant13 Posts: 2,485 Member
    Weights. Heavy weights

    Cardio just turns me into a fat person who takes up less room. Do it for heart health occasionally, or for leisure. Nothing more.
  • samgray86
    samgray86 Posts: 15 Member
    Proper lifting is a cardio workout, two in one and done...When done the right way.
  • belladonna786
    belladonna786 Posts: 1,165 Member
    Cardio eats muscles???

    C'mon now, this myth been dead and buried for a long time.

    Do both without fear of this eating that.

    Yes, "skinny fat" is a myth. Doing cardio with moderate caloric deficit and proper protein will not consume muscle.


    Nope not a myth.
  • Sweetsugar0424
    Sweetsugar0424 Posts: 451 Member
    3 lifting days and 2-3 aerobics classes each week. I don't waste my time on cardio machines as they bore me, but I get my cardio in as well...both are very important for proper functioning of different things.
  • shlobiwan
    shlobiwan Posts: 110 Member
    I lift because I love it. I do cardio in preparation for the zombie apocalypse.
  • Sweetsugar0424
    Sweetsugar0424 Posts: 451 Member
    I run and bike becuase lifting sucks. To me, it's boring. Pick something up, then put it down. Repeat. Whoopee.




    Really?


    I hate cardio. I lift 4-5 days a week. That is all.

    There is nothing more satisfying than a good lift.
  • Mutant13
    Mutant13 Posts: 2,485 Member
    I lift because I love it. I do cardio in preparation for the zombie apocalypse.

    Crossbow proficiency>cardio ability
    Real zombies can't run anyway ;)
  • Mutant13
    Mutant13 Posts: 2,485 Member
    I run and bike becuase lifting sucks. To me, it's boring. Pick something up, then put it down. Repeat. Whoopee.




    Really?


    I hate cardio. I lift 4-5 days a week. That is all.

    There is nothing more satisfying than a good lift.


    Hallelujah
  • belladonna786
    belladonna786 Posts: 1,165 Member
    I run and bike becuase lifting sucks. To me, it's boring. Pick something up, then put it down. Repeat. Whoopee.




    Really?


    I hate cardio. I lift 4-5 days a week. That is all.

    There is nothing more satisfying than a good lift.


    Absolutely ;)
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    ...What happens if you walk a mile?

    Are all your muscles eaten away at the half mile mark? Scary stuff, maybe we should all move around in motorized wheel chairs for fear of cardio eating our muscles. Gimmie a break.
    Yep. Just like if you eat 3500 calories for one day, you'll immediately blow up to 350 pounds, have a heart attack and keel over dead, right?

    ...oh, probably not. But maybe if you ate 3500 calories every day for a few months, there would be some kind of visible results - maybe not desirable ones, depending upon your goal.
  • hiker359
    hiker359 Posts: 577 Member
    Cardio eats muscles???

    C'mon now, this myth been dead and buried for a long time.

    Do both without fear of this eating that.

    Yes, "skinny fat" is a myth. Doing cardio with moderate caloric deficit and proper protein will not consume muscle.

    False. Any weight loss will be some combination of fat and muscle, just as any weight gain can be any combination of fat and muscle.
  • cad39too
    cad39too Posts: 874 Member
    Both.

    I love my cardio and my lifting...in fact my lifting is almost a cardio session too - very little rest in between sets and equipment changes. I set it all up before i start and move quickly from one piece to the other.
  • RikanSoulja
    RikanSoulja Posts: 463 Member
    I lift because I love it. I do cardio in preparation for the zombie apocalypse.

    Crossbow proficiency>cardio ability
    Real zombies can't run anyway ;)

    I'm not sure on this one. When you have a horde surrounding you on all sides. I think I would rather have the cardiovascular proficiency to zig zag and get the hell out of there.
  • Mutant13
    Mutant13 Posts: 2,485 Member
    I lift because I love it. I do cardio in preparation for the zombie apocalypse.

    Crossbow proficiency>cardio ability
    Real zombies can't run anyway ;)

    I'm not sure on this one. When you have a horde surrounding you on all sides. I think I would rather have the cardiovascular proficiency to zig zag and get the hell out of there.

    Never get surronded. Unless your melee weapon is a katana. Because then you can just spin around and look like a badass
  • likemeinvisible
    likemeinvisible Posts: 309
    I was into linux for awhile, here's a useful command:
    echo "Joseph C. Donnelly" >> idiots.list
  • shrinkingislander
    shrinkingislander Posts: 315 Member
    I found the overall tone of the initial post to be quite confrontational, like having a finger wagged in my face. I think lifting is important, yet I fully admit to being a cardio bunny and run 5-6 days a week. I find running clears my head and I really enjoy it. I eat a well balanced diet and drink my water. So far, this has worked for me as I have lost 108lbs. Would this work for everyone, no because each one of us is different. I think exercise needs to be something you enjoy so that you will continue to do it, even on those days you would rather stay in bed. Do I love sprints or running stairs, no so I would probably quit after 1 month. I haven't quit running yet, so I think I'm further ahead.

    I do plan on incorporating weights over the next several weeks, not to los weight but to tone up. But having people say that weights have to be 70% of my effort for me to be successful, while my progress contradicts that. People who love weights, I'm happy for you, enjoy. It works for you. But lets not make it a cardio versus weights debate they are both important but I think what is most important is picking a rountine that you stick to and inspires you to push yourself every day.
  • RikanSoulja
    RikanSoulja Posts: 463 Member
    I lift because I love it. I do cardio in preparation for the zombie apocalypse.

    Crossbow proficiency>cardio ability
    Real zombies can't run anyway ;)

    I'm not sure on this one. When you have a horde surrounding you on all sides. I think I would rather have the cardiovascular proficiency to zig zag and get the hell out of there.

    Never get surronded. Unless your melee weapon is a katana. Because then you can just spin around and look like a badass

    Lol you are right on that one and coincidentally that would be my weapon of choice.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member

    6) Your lift can be fat burning as well. I know why so many people fail at lifting programs. They do a set, wait 3-4 minutes then do another. Boring Boring Boring. Yeah I would quit too. Shorten rest periods to a minute or less between sets. If you are not sweating 5 minutes in, you aren't working hard enough!! Increase intensity!!!

    7) You have a cheat day not a cheat meal. I guarantee the person that invented the term "cheat day" was a fat *kitten*. Its "cheat meal" have a cheat meal once every 10-14 days and then get your *kitten* in the gym and make it work for you!!

    There is a lot I would nit pick on the other points, but these I do not agree with.

    First of all, when you are lifting multiples of your body weight, a 3 - 5 minutes rest is necessary much of the time. Lifting is for body composition and should not be turned into a cardio session (unless you are throwing in some conditioning sessions)

    A cheat day is fine as long as you are still at a deficit for the week. It depends on what is defined as a 'cheat'
  • Byrdsong1920
    Byrdsong1920 Posts: 336 Member
    Greetings from Atlanta....

    I agree with several aspects of this and some I don't....at the end of the day. You have to find what works for you. MFP is great because you get to log your progress and track your weight programs, calories and cardio. I joined a new gym several mts ago. I love it because after meeting w/my nutritionist I knew I had to vary my worksout and stop doing the same cardio and weights routine. Even swapping things out and doin weights 1st and then cardio can help. It shocks your body and it doesn't know what to expect and in turn you are forcing your body to work at its max...vs. it is expecting that 'same' treadmill incline and pace you do each day.

    I take a bootcamp on Mondays thats a NO LIMIT CARDIO AND WEIGHTS and sometimes a NO LIMIT CARDIO(ONLY) on another day. Then weight lift about 2-3 times a week and cardio atleat 4/week; sometimes 5 if I'm feelin myself! I bought a great 'Polar' Heart rate monitor to help track calories and heart rate zones. Comes in handy, especially when you are doin non-traditional activities such as mountain climbing, job outdoors, salsa classes, etc. Also, I have a great workout partner /accountability partner I met at the gym. We text thru the day and share our meals and workout together when we can! I found that lifting weights has helped me build muscle which in turn cuts down on my fat and helps you burn after you leave the gym! My inches have shrunk and I look smaller than I am! All due to fat burning....toning and sculpting my body.

    I eat pretty clean and I do fall off sometimes, but thats reality. I try to pack all my meals and snacks in my portable fold up cooler. Saves money and you make better choices. I am a Realtor, so always on the move, having my food w/me is great and I dont turn into a grizzly bear or great headaches because I am starving! Feeding your body is critical, you want your metabolism to wake up and work FOR YOU... ITS LIKE A FURNACE, the more you feed it, it releases heat and burns! If your body knows its going to eat again in a few hrs it will feel free to release fats and burn calories for u. I even found that timing is everything with food before and after workouts!

    At the end of the day, its a life style change...its a marathon and not a sprint/race....Pace yourself and take your time! Slow and steady wins the race!

    You want to be as beautiful and healthy on the inside as you are on the outside. So take care of your body and be conscious about what you put in it. I do have more fat I want to lose because I know these muscles are a bit covered up, but my 50 lbs total I've lost over the last 2 years has been great and I look and feel wonderful! Our body is our temple and God wants us to take care of it so we can glorify Him and share his goodness w/the world. We cant do that in the hospital or on our death beds. Do it for yourself first, then you children, family, husband, that party,yearly cruise, etc.

    LOVE URSELF ENOUGH TO WANT TO BE HEALTHY and condition and love your heart. You only have one heart and one life. SO LIVE IT!!

    ~THAT'S MY 2 CENTS.... GOD BLESS

    *droppin my mic like Jay-Z(exit stage left)*

    xoxo.-Shan
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member


    6) Your lift can be fat burning as well. I know why so many people fail at lifting programs. They do a set, wait 3-4 minutes then do another. Boring Boring Boring. Yeah I would quit too. Shorten rest periods to a minute or less between sets. If you are not sweating 5 minutes in, you aren't working hard enough!! Increase intensity!!!

    7) You have a cheat day not a cheat meal. I guarantee the person that invented the term "cheat day" was a fat *kitten*. Its "cheat meal" have a cheat meal once every 10-14 days and then get your *kitten* in the gym and make it work for you!!


    Turning your strength training into cardio no longer makes it strength training. :huh: There is a difference people. Circuit training is great, nothing wrong with it at all but it is not "strength" training anymore.

    Cheat meals or days can have a beneficial effect on your health. Especially in you are in a prolonged calorie deficit. Refeeds is a more controlled way to do it but basically has the same effect as long as your total calorie deficit is negative.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsSzl4ecluk
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    7) You have a cheat day not a cheat meal. I guarantee the person that invented the term "cheat day" was a fat *kitten*. Its "cheat meal" have a cheat meal once every 10-14 days and then get your *kitten* in the gym and make it work for you!!

    I have cheat weekends every weekend, and have for the past year and a half. Except I don't call it cheating, because I'm not doing a damn thing wrong. I just eat whatever the hell I want and don't log it.
  • RobfromLakewood
    RobfromLakewood Posts: 684
    I do both.
    Cardio is like weight lifting for your heart and lungs.
    Weight lifting is like weight lifting for your muscles.
    The more muscle you pack on your body, the more calories your body burns every day.

    100% agree. Plus it makes me feel good to tax my body in different ways.
  • mystikfairy61
    mystikfairy61 Posts: 80 Member
    I don't go to a gym and lift weights but I have been doing Zumba for cardio and toning. I use light weights but the videos are higher reps which I feel work for me, for now. I have lost 24 pounds to 201 from my starting 225 and want to get to 145. When I get to a point where I feel I need more weight I will add it but until then Zumba does the trick for me!!

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