2 hours of Cardio-need to know if I'm on track!

jenicejinxedmonds
jenicejinxedmonds Posts: 17 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
OK, so I do approximately two hours of cardio a day now (just started this week) not all together, in 15-20 minute intervals every hour using a Pedal exerciser under my desk. I try to eat back some of my exercise calories, but I'm just not that hungry! lol! I know I need to add some weights to tone my arms, but this is my first week with the added cardio, so I want to get used to that first. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if I'm on the right track. Need to lose 65-70lbs by October.



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Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    A pedal exerciser is for old people in nursing homes.
    '
    If you want to lose 10 lbs per month for the next 7 months, you'd better get moving.
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    2 hours of cardio a day is a little much but I would do something other than a pedal exerciser under your desk. You need something that works your entire body, like walking, running, etc.

    I would add some weight lifting to the mix.

    Edited because I can't spell.
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    A pedal exerciser is for old people in nursing homes.
    '
    If you want to lose 10 lbs per month for the next 7 months, you'd better get moving.

    :laugh:
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    Looks like you're off to a good start. Maybe a little low on the calorie intake, but if you feel OK (not run down, not starving), I'd say go with it for now.

    Don't know much about pedal exercisers, but any exercise is better than no exercise. Might want to try something a bit more full-body down the road, but one step at a time.

    2.5 pounds a week is awfully aggressive. Not saying it can't be done, but don't get bummed out if you lose slower than that.

    Food looks to be a bit biased towards the high-fat, processed stuff. Not saying to cut it out, but I'd try to add some veggies or fruit to the mix. Heck, even a salad with the rest of your lunch would be a good place to start. Or you could try smoothies (green or not, matter of preference).
  • jenicejinxedmonds
    jenicejinxedmonds Posts: 17 Member
    If I had time for something else I would! i try to walk on weekends, I also have 3lbs weights at my desk, I just figured any exercise is better than none! I work at a desk 8 hours a day, full time student, 6 kids, time is pretty hard to come by! lol!
  • sjaplo
    sjaplo Posts: 974 Member
    I have to agree - I can't see a pedal excerciser raising your heart rate enough to be doing you any benefit other than keeping you awake during the day. You need to sweat - sweat during exercise is a signal that your body is doing work and therefore generating heat and needs to be cooled.

    Try walking during your lunch break - get your heart rate up!

    cheers
  • thesimsisters
    thesimsisters Posts: 73 Member
    2 hours of cardio a day is a little much but I would do something other than a pedal exerciser under your desk. You need something that works your entire body, like walking, running, etc.

    I would add some weight lifting to the mix.

    Edited because I can't spell.

    I agree with this. Personally, If I was just starting out and was pushing myself to do 2 hours of cardio a day...I might make it two weeks before I quit. It does not have to be that hard. I'd start with walking and add some bodyweight training exercises for your muscles. Put your weekly weight loss goals in MFP and let it tell you your calories to consume. Be accurate with logging, measuring you food etc. You don't have to kill yourself to do this. :) Good luck to you!
  • jenicejinxedmonds
    jenicejinxedmonds Posts: 17 Member
    Looks like you're off to a good start. Maybe a little low on the calorie intake, but if you feel OK (not run down, not starving), I'd say go with it for now.

    Don't know much about pedal exercisers, but any exercise is better than no exercise. Might want to try something a bit more full-body down the road, but one step at a time.

    2.5 pounds a week is awfully aggressive. Not saying it can't be done, but don't get bummed out if you lose slower than that.

    Food looks to be a bit biased towards the high-fat, processed stuff. Not saying to cut it out, but I'd try to add some veggies or fruit to the mix. Heck, even a salad with the rest of your lunch would be a good place to start. Or you could try smoothies (green or not, matter of preference).

    The food, yeah, I try to find fresh salads, hard where I work! But I do have yogurt, and normally have at least grapes or baby carrots. but yes, I will try to cut it out! I'm ok with losing less, losing anything is good for me! Thanks everyone BTW for the advice! I'm trying! lol!
  • bradXdale
    bradXdale Posts: 399
    If I had time for something else I would! i try to walk on weekends, I also have 3lbs weights at my desk, I just figured any exercise is better than none! I work at a desk 8 hours a day, full time student, 6 kids, time is pretty hard to come by! lol!

    Have you looked into Focus T25?

    It's a decent program through BeachBody which people have had massive success with

    http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/focus-t25-workout.do

    On the flip side it's expensive but if you're a bit computer savvy you can download it via ThePirateBay...it's how I've gotten a lot of my fitness books, cookbooks and workout videos.

    (NOT TRYING TO SELL OR BS ANYONE INTO ANY PROGRAMS FYI)
  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
    2 hours of cardio a day is a little overkill, try incorporating lifting.....it works!
  • jenicejinxedmonds
    jenicejinxedmonds Posts: 17 Member
    I'm going to have to try that! maybe if I can get up earlier, I'll be able to work out then.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Need to lose 65-70lbs by October.

    Instead of worrying about losing X amount by X date you should focus on things you can control. Like eating more fruits and vegetables, eating more lean protein, sticking to your calorie goal and getting active. If you set goals by things you have control over you'll be more successful.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1219272-goal-setting
  • jenicejinxedmonds
    jenicejinxedmonds Posts: 17 Member
    Good advice! Thanks!
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    If I had time for something else I would! i try to walk on weekends, I also have 3lbs weights at my desk, I just figured any exercise is better than none! I work at a desk 8 hours a day, full time student, 6 kids, time is pretty hard to come by! lol!

    Take your hand weights and start doing squats in the bathroom, then add some bicep and tricep stuff as you're walking in the hallway to and from the bathroom.

    Also 30 Day Shred is free online and it only takes 27 minutes. Get some 5 lb hand weights. Get your kids involved too, make it a family adventure. Or have them cheer you on when you want to stop. You can find some Zumba workouts and they would be fun to do with your kids too. Teach them good habits now.

    I have no answer for the processed food. I eat a lot of frozen veggies that I can steam and I'm lazy so I buy fruit that is already cut up. I eat more processed stuff than I should though.
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    Need to lose 65-70lbs by October.

    Instead of worrying about losing X amount by X date you should focus on things you can control. Like eating more fruits and vegetables, eating more lean protein, sticking to your calorie goal and getting active. If you set goals by things you have control over you'll be more successful.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1219272-goal-setting

    QFT
  • thesimsisters
    thesimsisters Posts: 73 Member
    Looks like you're off to a good start. Maybe a little low on the calorie intake, but if you feel OK (not run down, not starving), I'd say go with it for now.

    Don't know much about pedal exercisers, but any exercise is better than no exercise. Might want to try something a bit more full-body down the road, but one step at a time.

    2.5 pounds a week is awfully aggressive. Not saying it can't be done, but don't get bummed out if you lose slower than that.

    Food looks to be a bit biased towards the high-fat, processed stuff. Not saying to cut it out, but I'd try to add some veggies or fruit to the mix. Heck, even a salad with the rest of your lunch would be a good place to start. Or you could try smoothies (green or not, matter of preference).

    The food, yeah, I try to find fresh salads, hard where I work! But I do have yogurt, and normally have at least grapes or baby carrots. but yes, I will try to cut it out! I'm ok with losing less, losing anything is good for me! Thanks everyone BTW for the advice! I'm trying! lol!

    I wouldn't worry to much about eating clean. I'm one of the "dirty" eaters around here and it's never affected my weightloss results. I throw in the better for you stuff here and there and do some healthier substitutions etc, but do not worry too much about it if weightloss is your goal.

    I just want to say that I also work at a desk all day. I find breaks, and lunch to be great times to get in my steps for the day. I have a fitbit zip and it's been wonderful to see how active I am through the day. I supplement with some more active walking in the evening, but even laps inside the house would count. And I'm sure with 6 kids your doing a lot of chasing lol!
  • kikicooks
    kikicooks Posts: 1,079 Member
    A pedal exerciser is for old people in nursing homes.
    '
    If you want to lose 10 lbs per month for the next 7 months, you'd better get moving.

    This is pretty rude. You don't anything about her health or fitness level. What if that is ALL she really could physically do? Moving is moving, most people sitting at their desks aren't trying to burn calories, at least it's a start, it's something.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    If I had time for something else I would! i try to walk on weekends, I also have 3lbs weights at my desk, I just figured any exercise is better than none! I work at a desk 8 hours a day, full time student, 6 kids, time is pretty hard to come by! lol!

    The easiest way to come by calorie deficit is through portion control. You don't have to do any exercise to lose weight.

    That said, exercise is great for health & fitness goals. Strength training while eating at a deficit helps you lose mostly fat (instead of muscle & fat) .....but you need to eat enough too....or your body will use muscle for fuel if it's desparate enough. This is why really aggressive weight loss goals are typically not healthy....you end up with a high body fat %.

    At work.............do you have a lunch hour (or half hour)......a real walk (carry some light weights with you).....swing your arms, find some hills, challenge yourself by walking briskly. I live in the midwest (snow!) ....I use an indoor walking DVD at my desk (Leslie Sansone)....great if you can close the door.

    Re: strength....body weight exercises are great....push ups, squats, lunges. Do some squats or lunges every bathroom break. Wall or desk push ups.
  • jenicejinxedmonds
    jenicejinxedmonds Posts: 17 Member
    My nerd is coming out! LOl! I"m writing all of this down! Going to work on a REAL schedule at home, when the weather breaks (Stupid Weather!) I'll walk on my breaks and lunch. I'm doing pretty good on keeping to calories right now, I guess I should throw in the healthy stuff! I'm pretty committed this time to losing the weight!
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    If I had time for something else I would! i try to walk on weekends, I also have 3lbs weights at my desk, I just figured any exercise is better than none! I work at a desk 8 hours a day, full time student, 6 kids, time is pretty hard to come by! lol!

    Have you looked into Focus T25?

    Another vote for T25 -- two months ago I would've sneered at a 25 minute workout as being a complete waste of time. After two months (just started the Gamma (3rd) round last week), I have to say I'm really impressed with the results. You can usually find some good deals on Craigslist.

    I've heard some good buzz about P90x3 (another shortie workout), but I think it requires a bit more equipment than T25.
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    Looks like you're off to a good start. Maybe a little low on the calorie intake, but if you feel OK (not run down, not starving), I'd say go with it for now.

    Don't know much about pedal exercisers, but any exercise is better than no exercise. Might want to try something a bit more full-body down the road, but one step at a time.

    2.5 pounds a week is awfully aggressive. Not saying it can't be done, but don't get bummed out if you lose slower than that.

    Food looks to be a bit biased towards the high-fat, processed stuff. Not saying to cut it out, but I'd try to add some veggies or fruit to the mix. Heck, even a salad with the rest of your lunch would be a good place to start. Or you could try smoothies (green or not, matter of preference).

    The food, yeah, I try to find fresh salads, hard where I work! But I do have yogurt, and normally have at least grapes or baby carrots. but yes, I will try to cut it out! I'm ok with losing less, losing anything is good for me! Thanks everyone BTW for the advice! I'm trying! lol!

    Pack your lunch the night before. It's the easiest way to make sure you make good choices.
  • starznholes
    starznholes Posts: 170 Member
    Since you are just beginning, I recommend the 30 day shred. It totally jump started my weight loss along with eating smaller portions of course. Definitely add in an apple, banana and/or salad into your daily food intake as well. Start off by making small adjustments and It will get easier.
  • bmiyakawa
    bmiyakawa Posts: 2
    Hello!

    Keep in mind if you do this on a daily basis (as I assume you are) your body will begin to "memorize" movement and time - meaning your body will store fat and energy and you will plateau.

    I go to the gym six days a week; I am a full time student at night, I work full time in the day as a substitute teacher, my husband works out of town ALL week and I have entire household to hold down & two dogs that are constantly by my side! Gym time starts at 4 a.m. sharp every morning!

    If you want it bad enough you will make it happen.

    Also, cardio should only be 15% of your workout routine & 85% should be dedicated to weight training. Why? When your on your exercise bike, treadmill, elliptical, etc. you are only burning calories for the duration you are on equipment. Once you get off the equipment calorie burning stops. Weight training/resistance works all muscle groups creating the "48 Hour After Burn". Your muscle groups keep burning calories far after you leave the gym, your desk, etc.

    My routine at the gym is NEVER the same because I do not give my body a chance to understand what I am doing. I do three days of intense cardio - Incline can be anywhere from a 5-10, running for 6-8 minutes, pace from a 2.5 - 6, etc. My body is constantly guessing. Nutrition is important - everyone understand nutrition! I wish you luck in your journey!
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    Oh, and as to all the suggestions -- don't stress about it. What you're doing so far is great, so keep it up. It's always possible to improve, but don't go into overload trying to do it all at once.

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