No need to cardio? (at the moment)???

gmhaggie06
gmhaggie06 Posts: 207
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello All,

Just to give you enough information, I'm 29, 6'5" 386 pounds, I estimate about 220-230 pounds of lbm (had 230 when I was hydrostatic body fat tested in college) Since then I've gained about 150 pounds, so I'm hoping I at least kept more or less the same amount of lbm since lifting off and on, and maximizing protein intake (through extreme over-maintenance eating)

Right now I've been on MFP for almost 3 weeks, have lost 14 pounds, and am lifting weights 3x a week. Before lifting I am doing 15 minutes of light warm-up cardio on the elliptical, but that's it. At my current level of fitness the strength training by itself is getting my heart rate around 130-140bpm for the duration of the workout.

I'm eating about 2300 calories a day, trying to hit around 230g of protein, 105 of fat, and 120 of carbs, am I good to go without adding in extra cardio (at least as far as fat loss/body transformation is concerned)

I don't like cardio, especially at this weight since I can't do anything but walking, and plodding at 3mph walk for 45 minutes and burning 340 calories is so much less enjoyable than just eating -35% of my TDEE, which gives me a better caloric deficit. So, am I good to go skipping the cardio until I get to a fitness level where I'll be able to do "fun" cardio for my heart and health?

Thanks for the help,

Replies

  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Have you tried swimming and/or biking (i.e., spin or road)? Both are low impact and will help you build an aerobic base. I wouldn't "skip" cardio altogether, but I'm a runner/multisport guy and a biased. I've seen some pretty big dudes do very well in both arenas.
  • Tykk
    Tykk Posts: 153 Member
    A recumbent bike trainer might be good until you drop a few more pounds. It's hard to sit on a tiny saddle if you are tipping the scales on the heavy side.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    when i started 2 years ago, i was a shade under 300 pounds. i walked. when i built up to it, i walked further and faster. when i built up to it, i walked hills. and when i built up to it, i started running........and when i got close to where i wanted to be, i cut all that shish out because i hate cardio with the heat of a thousand flames.

    anyhoo, you don't have to do anything but cut your cals, but with your weight loss goals, i highly recommend that you get in whatever you can fit in, so plod along if you have to
  • Tykk
    Tykk Posts: 153 Member
    So I live in Canada where it's -100 degrees out and about 60 feet of snow. But if I lived in Texas, I would definitely buy one of these:

    http://www.elliptigo.com

    They seem like the coolest thing ever, and a great way to get low-impact exercise outdoors.
  • lyzmorrison
    lyzmorrison Posts: 172 Member
    So I live in Canada where it's -100 degrees out and about 60 feet of snow. But if I lived in Texas, I would definitely buy one of these:

    http://www.elliptigo.com

    They seem like the coolest thing ever, and a great way to get low-impact exercise outdoors.

    WOW!!!!!!!!! I've never seen one of these before! That is totally awesome!!!

    OP, in regard to your question, I say do whatever works. I think cardio is important and you may be able to loose even more if you increase your cardio, but if your current rate of weight loss is fine with you, then stick to it. Give yourself a goal and say at
    lbs, I'll begin walking 1 mile, or whatever. As long as you leave the gym sweaty then you're working hard!
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    when i started 2 years ago, i was a shade under 300 pounds. i walked. when i built up to it, i walked further and faster. when i built up to it, i walked hills. and when i built up to it, i started running........and when i got close to where i wanted to be, i cut all that shish out because i hate cardio with the heat of a thousand flames.

    anyhoo, you don't have to do anything but cut your cals, but with your weight loss goals, i highly recommend that you get in whatever you can fit in, so plod along if you have to

    Yup. I have the same story. Cardio helps but is not necessary - especially if you hate it like we do. I still forced myself to do it for the first two years or so but I've quit it now that I'm very close to goal weight. It helped in the sense that I was able to eat more while still losing weight. That's all it was good for, for me.

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