Should I leave out cardio altogether?

No, you should do some type of conditioning. I dunno why you're lifting 5+days a week on a deficit.

I have to agree with this. It sounds a little excessive.

lifting five days week is excessive??? Care to clarify why that is?

I lift five days a week with minimal cardio …

My initial reaction is that having only two rest days per week from heavy lifting seems a bit minimal for muscle recovery, let alone adding cardio on top of that.

However, I am open to hearing other perspectives on the subject that differ from mine. I am still new to lifting so perhaps I am wrong. I don't have an issue with being corrected with respect and learning from others.

Compound lifts 5x per week is excessive. Isolated lifting can be done 5-6 days if you're working different muscles, different days.

We have the same question basically! I strength train about 6 days a week, alternating arms and lower body (legs, glutes, I also do abs on those days). Lately I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio a day while also eating at a deficit but lately I haven't had the energy. So I'm trying to eat more, especially more protein and now I only am doing about 50-minute Zumba sessions twice a week. They're intense, too. But I have the same goals, to burn fat and gain muscle. Though I'd be satisfied with a bf% a little bit higher than 16 or 18%. I'm around 24% now I think. I'll try to remember the advice from this thread.

Definitely eat more and you will have the energy to keep it up :-)

Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?

As it should... low carb craze is garbage.

Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?

Right, but that only got brought up when someone stated as a fact that the OP needed to cut carbs to get to her goal. That is completely false so of course people are going to make that clear so the OP knows.

Disagree on the 5x lifting per week... it works for some people, for most it doesn't. Do what works for YOU. Only YOU will know what works for YOU. I used to lift 6x per week, no problem for several months until work picked up.

I think what you're trying to say is a 5X total body routine wouldn't work for most people because it doesn't give enough time for repair.

I do a 5X split where I don't work the same group 2 days in a row, but I work every group 2X a week, and glutes 3X a week. The gains are far better than when I was doing a 3X total body (strong lifts) or a 4X split (5/3/1). I've read NROL4W, Starting Strength, Strong Lifts, and even Wendler's 5/3/1. Everyone has a different program they're marketing and is going to say something different than the next guy. Take the good, leave the bad.

And to OP: I do 30-40 minutes cardio daily. It hasn't hurt my results. I don't run right now, though. My cardio is generally cycling or beating the hell out of a heavy bag.

well u don't have to do much cardio...just drop carbs, get on a strict diet, and hit the weight room hard

Why?

ask scott heman,josef rakich,joe donnelly or any other certified trainers.

I don't want to, I am asking you.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Lots of low carb phobia on this board but, to each their own.

what does low carb phobia have to do with OP's original post about cardio?

Because others have mentioned the possibility of OP cutting carbs in addition to the original cardio question and have been met with tons of opposition?

As it should... low carb craze is garbage.

^^obv didnt read the first "quotes" whole post, to say such a blanket phrase like that.

What's obv? I OBVIOUSLY did read what that person said. I just don't care. I stick with my opinion, telling someone to cut carbs when you don't know their daily intake is ridiculous and counter-intuitive.