Get Off That Treadmill! Cardio is Counterproductive!

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Replies

  • Julie7741
    Julie7741 Posts: 93 Member
    I figure the most important thing for weight loss is that people get off the couch and get moving! How we train will depend on our goals. I am going to run a mini marathon in May. Therefore, my workouts consist of running and gradually increasing my mileage each week. Is that counter-productive? Or a waste of my time? I don't think so.

    Since I've been running, my legs have become very chiseled looking, and my body fat percentage has declined. I am much healthier than I was 6 months ago.

    I have managed to shed over 50 pounds, stop two blood pressure medications and a blood sugar med. My sugar is normal, and my bp is 110/60 with no medications. Resting heart rate is 65. I'd say cardio has done it's job.

    The bottom line is this- People need to do what works for them and what will help them achieve their goals. There is no right or wrong way. Cardio and weight training can both be effective tools in boosting our efforts. We are all here for a reason. Any exercise is better than what we were doing to become overweight in the first place!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I think for some who is already at a healthy weight and working on recomposition, that cardio can be limited to 20 minutes a day 2-3 days a week, just for healthy heart and lungs. But for someone who is obese, it's more efficient to have a mix of strength training and cardio in order to maximize fat burning. Personally, I burn twice as much fat when I do both when compared to times when I just did one or the other.
  • kiraleilani
    kiraleilani Posts: 124 Member
    *smashing head into wall*

    Know exactly what you mean!! lol

    Basically how I understand it from my gym manager is for the 1st 20mins of a cardio workout you burn things like toxins ie alcohol out of your system while you warm up... then the next 20mins you burn anything you have stored from the last 24hrs like carbs protein etc.... only after 40mins graft do you then start to burn your fat stores!

    So Ladies and Gents your fat burning work out starts after your first 40 minutes of excersise!!! (**Shrugs shoulders and sighs**)

    This has to be one of the weirdest (and inaccurate) things I've ever heard. Ridiculous! Like your body during a workout is saying, "Okay, where are those calories from yesterday's food? LINE UP! Your turn to burn! Okay, NOW, where are the stored fat cells? You can line up to burn now!" THAT IS SO HILARIOUS!!! From the minute you start to move, you're burning calories.

    Oh my freaking word. I am STILL laughing about this!!!
  • _stephanie0
    _stephanie0 Posts: 708 Member
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  • bradwwood
    bradwwood Posts: 371 Member
    as someone that smoked for 30 years, I think I'll continue to do things that help my respiratory and cardiovascular system be as healthy as they can be.

    thanks
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  • ECW202
    ECW202 Posts: 13 Member
    I do cardio and strength training, but I love running. I feel running is what makes me sane and I feel "off" on days that I don't run. Running clears my head and is great therapy! :)
  • 304059_534342873261837_641447562_n.jpg

    THIS!!
  • I really hate any article that singles out certain exercises as useless or a waste of time.

    Do what you're motivated to do, and stop listening to the people who say that this or that is a waste of time. NO EXERCISE IS A WASTE OF TIME IF YOU'RE DOING IT.

    End of f***ing story.

    My words exactly!!
  • I've been hearing that cardio is great for weight loss, but i guess whatever floats your boat. I've lost 10 lbs so far doing nothing but cardio and i think thats pretty good for only 3 1/2 weeks. I think people should do whatever works for them, but don"t discourage others in the meantime. It took me a long time to be as consistent as i have, so no negativity.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    I've been hearing that cardio is great for weight loss, but i guess whatever floats your boat. I've lost 10 lbs so far doing nothing but cardio and i think thats pretty good for only 3 1/2 weeks. I think people should do whatever works for them, but don"t discourage others in the meantime. It took me a long time to be as consistent as i have, so no negativity.

    You keep going kid!