Cardio

cinfaro
cinfaro Posts: 131 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have lost almost 70 lbs and really struggling with the last 15 pds I want to loose. I have heard from some that I should concentrate more on Cardio instead of strength training ( I usually do Jillian Michaels videos and most of them include weights etc... ) Did this help anyone else loose that last 15 lbs? what type of cardio do you do? I have been trying running...

Replies

  • alychil820
    alychil820 Posts: 219 Member
    I've heard that spiking your calories to about 2000 for a week, and then dropping them again helps the stubborn weight come off, because it revs up your metabolism. I don't know how true that is, but it's worth a shot?

    I run, take spin classes, and kickboxing for my cardio. And jump rope! Jumping rope is the best.
  • syntaxxor
    syntaxxor Posts: 86
    Cardio is simply a tool to increase your caloric deficit. It won't "ignite" or "kickstart" anything. If you're eating at a caloric deficit and then start doing cardio, the calories you lose will increase your deficit, without you actually having to eat less. (The entire point of cardio).

    If you're aiming strictly for less numbers on the scale, then you should try doing HIIT cardio. (Interval training).


    If you're more interested in lowering your body fat percentage, then you should be hitting the weight room and lifting, and again simply use cardio as a supplementary tool.

    In the end, you can lose the last 15lbs without working out and just diet. Readjust your calories and your diet and make sure you're eating at the right level to continue losing.
  • cinfaro
    cinfaro Posts: 131 Member
    Cardio is simply a tool to increase your caloric deficit. It won't "ignite" or "kickstart" anything. If you're eating at a caloric deficit and then start doing cardio, the calories you lose will increase your deficit, without you actually having to eat less. (The entire point of cardio).

    If you're aiming strictly for less numbers on the scale, then you should try doing HIIT cardio. (Interval training).


    If you're more interested in lowering your body fat percentage, then you should be hitting the weight room and lifting, and again simply use cardio as a supplementary tool.

    In the end, you can lose the last 15lbs without working out and just diet. Readjust your calories and your diet and make sure you're eating at the right level to continue losing.

    Thank you for the tips! I want to at least get to my goal weight and then tone. My body has decreased by 12% since i started and I am now in normal range :) Yahooo!!!
  • cinfaro
    cinfaro Posts: 131 Member
    I've heard that spiking your calories to about 2000 for a week, and then dropping them again helps the stubborn weight come off, because it revs up your metabolism. I don't know how true that is, but it's worth a shot?

    I run, take spin classes, and kickboxing for my cardio. And jump rope! Jumping rope is the best.

    OMG my daughter would love a jump roping partner. I tried the calorie increase and it didnt work for me :grumble:
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Cardio causes me to plateau. Get on a basic strength based program. I always recommend 5/3/1 because I had awesome gains on it.
  • DryFlyGirl77
    DryFlyGirl77 Posts: 33 Member
    What is 5/3/1? Thank you!
  • cinfaro
    cinfaro Posts: 131 Member
    Cardio causes me to plateau. Get on a basic strength based program. I always recommend 5/3/1 because I had awesome gains on it.

    What is 5/3/1?
  • tricksee
    tricksee Posts: 835 Member
    Cardio is simply a tool to increase your caloric deficit.

    And it strengthens your heart...

    and lungs...

    Can reduce stress, depression, help sleep, improve energy levels, mood

    this list goes on...
  • syntaxxor
    syntaxxor Posts: 86
    Cardio is simply a tool to increase your caloric deficit.

    And it strengthens your heart...

    and lungs...

    Can reduce stress, depression, help sleep, improve energy levels, mood

    this list goes on...

    You could just say "improves your cardiovascular health".

    That however wasn't relevant to what the OP was asking. So I provided the information they requested.
  • kayaksara
    kayaksara Posts: 157 Member
    strength train :)
  • Cook_27
    Cook_27 Posts: 51 Member
    I agree with the HIT interval training stuff. It is supposed to double the amount of calories you lose. Worth a try if you can push yourself
  • weloveourboys
    weloveourboys Posts: 133 Member
    Running. Agree with tricksee. Cardio is good for your heart, gets your endorphins going, all that good stuff.
  • curlyloca
    curlyloca Posts: 81 Member
    What is 5/3/1 ?
  • aarikadanielle
    aarikadanielle Posts: 179
    Definitely do not stop weight training. What I personally did was increase cardio by 15 mins when I plateaued which helped bring the weight down on the scale again, but I also started doing HIIT 3-4 times a week, which really helped and it keeps the cardio workout shorter and you burn a lot of calories in the short amount of time. HIIT is a great workout to incorporate into your daily routine, and when used with strength training can be very beneficial. Your body will increase its calories burned for the day for up to 36 hours after your workout. Just be prepared to sweat your booty off.
  • lindalu74
    lindalu74 Posts: 11
    I agree to definitely continue to weight train. Its caloric burn has a longer effect as opposed to cardio which burns the calories only while you're exercising. Keep the cardio going for at least 45 minutes per day for all of the other beneficial reasons.

    I still highly recommend taking an inventory of what your food diary includes and adding some/changing some items. You know I swear by those steel cut oats with cinnamon and apple! lol

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