Do I HAVE to do cardio to lose weight?
jabbajuice
Posts: 17
I'm reading everywhere that either I do or I don't so It's kind of confusing. I just want to know if it's possible for me to depend solely on strength training and calorie deficit, because in all honestly, cardio makes me lose motivation to lose weight! It's just so tedious and takes so long that I lose motivation and I get lazy pretty quickly. However, with strength training I'm only doing about 30 minutes, it's not all this jumping around, and I just prefer it a lot more to doing any cardio. I also feel like I get a better workout because my heart rate is up the entire 30 minutes. I'll be spending a lot of time at home for the next few months since I'm taking classes online, don't have a car right now, and I'm staying in a small town with not much to do and no trails to walk. I definitely won't be getting a lot of walking done so I'm wondering if I should still be adding in cardio because of that or if it's okay to do strength training 3x a week to lose weight. Thank you!!:)
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Replies
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nope, just calorie deficit. Some people tend to do cardio because they either like it or they want to be able to eat more. Well, it's good for your heart, too.0
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You don't have to do anything to lose weight except eat at a calorie deficit.0
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No, but it would help.0
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I'm not an expert, but adding cardio to my regime definitely helped me see results faster. You don't have to strictly do cardio, but adding a little here and there paired with eating right and weight training does wonders!!0
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yes. you could.
BUT- a balanced fitness program will include SOME sort of cardio and weight training.
weight training is to maintain muscle mass- so you maximize fat loss.
cardio is for your heart (that whole cardio vascular thing)
both can help with your calorie deficit
but weight loss comes solely from calorie deficits. so HOW you make that happen is up to you.. but as long as you are making it happen in safe and efficient manner- you're fine.
Also if you don't like traditional running/elliptical- try zumba- or jump rope- or a kick boxing class. Or go rock climbing or hiking- tons of ways to get your cardio on without doing "traditional" cardio.
(I chase my bf's dog around the yard and we play with a tennis ball- I don't log it but I few it as "cardio" )0 -
Are you sure your heart rate stays up the whole 30 mins compared to it not during cardio?! Doing steady state cardio should maintain a high heart rate, compared to strength training where you start and stop to get new weights, change position etc.0
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Wolfsbayne is correct. As long as you are in a calorie deficit you'll lose weight. But cardio comes into play once you are eating in a deficit for some time and rather than eating even less, you can add cardio to use up additional calories and thus putting you into a further deficit (other way is to eat even less but at some point it becomes miserable so adding cardio can be easier). Also, cardio is good for general health etc.
That's how I approach it anyway.0 -
Nope. However, it can speed of the weight loss process if you do cardio while eating at a deficit.0
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Not necessarily, but who wants to be skinny and flabby? I work out to look better, be stronger and get healthier all around!! Good luck!0
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No.0
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No exercise is necessary to lose weigh, but why not make a change that improves your overall health? Strength training is great, but cardio improves your stamina and strength too. Maybe you just need to find something you enjoy.....0
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Nope.0
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Just for perspective, I've been lifting heavy for about 7 months now and have lost 20 lbs. I do cardio MAYBE twice a month for about 20 minutes. I eat at a moderate caloric deficit. So, the weight loss is slow, but my body looks better than it ever has.0
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No you don't have to. Lots of people have had great success loosing weight by simply eating at a deficit.
I'm not one of them. I like to eat. Exercising is not only good for me in and of itself, but it also means I can eat more and still loose weight! I like this because, my wife is a wonderful cook and I like to eat her cooking!
I still track my calories though. Getting to "eat more" because of exercise is a not an unlimited free for all. But a one hour run in the morning moves my calories allowed from 1800-2800. 1000 calories is a LOT of Oreos!! (as someone said in another thread)
Bottom line: find what's right for you. Enjoyable and sustainable.0 -
Weight loss = Calorie Deficit
Heart health = Cario exercises (walking, running, cycling, etc.)
Body comp and toning = Strength exercise
A healthy way to lose weight is a combination of everything.
Want to lose weight, eat less!
Want to lose weight and become fitter, stronger, healthier, eat less and exercise!0 -
agree with all of the above mostly.
you don't need exercise to lose weight
you do need exercise for overall health0 -
Good if it works for you.
Like most restricting diets, not suited for everyone.0 -
Not to lose weight. Cardio is for your heart and lungs, not your waistline.0
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Not necessarily, but who wants to be skinny and flabby? I work out to look better, be stronger and get healthier all around!! Good luck!
Whoa whoa whoa, I don't do any cardio besides walking, and I don't think I'm skinny and flabby!0 -
\Not to lose weight. Cardio is for your heart and lungs, not your waistline.
Eh.
Cardio isnt needed but it most def helps burn calories which in turn can help your waistline.
Plus, looove looking at those runners legs!0 -
Negative. Just a calorie deficit. I lost 20 lbs my first year as a mom without setting foot to pavement or gym. All I did was eat a little less.0
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Like others have said, you don't have to exercise as long as you create a good calorie deficit for the week
I find that if I do regular cardio, my weight loss is much faster and I can get away with eating a bit more too.0 -
I'm reading everywhere that either I do or I don't so It's kind of confusing. I just want to know if it's possible for me to depend solely on strength training and calorie deficit, because in all honestly, cardio makes me lose motivation to lose weight! It's just so tedious and takes so long that I lose motivation and I get lazy pretty quickly. However, with strength training I'm only doing about 30 minutes, it's not all this jumping around, and I just prefer it a lot more to doing any cardio. I also feel like I get a better workout because my heart rate is up the entire 30 minutes. I'll be spending a lot of time at home for the next few months since I'm taking classes online, don't have a car right now, and I'm staying in a small town with not much to do and no trails to walk. I definitely won't be getting a lot of walking done so I'm wondering if I should still be adding in cardio because of that or if it's okay to do strength training 3x a week to lose weight. Thank you!!:)
Please clarify what cardio are we talking about here?
Though I agree Calorie Deficit is "the" thing. If you want to create a greater deficit - Cardio is your answer.
It's like reaching your destination faster.0 -
Mmm... in my experience - no you don't HAVE to do it. I've read that all you NEED is a calorie deficit. But I've also read that excercise (cardio) is the only way to lose visceral fat (the fat encasing your organs). A proper diet reduces your "external" fat. I read this stuff on SparkPeople and WeightWatchers so I believe it, but you might want to do more research.
For me, I'm only starting to try to include it now when I'm 8 months into my efforts. Would it help if the cardio had a purpose? For example, can you walk to and from the grocery store instead of driving? You'd get the cardio plus a bit of weight lifting. Having a purpose other than the activity itself helps me. I'm also considering going paddle boating with friends and have joined sports teams. It feels less tedious that way. But to each their own!0 -
Not necessarily, but who wants to be skinny and flabby? I work out to look better, be stronger and get healthier all around!! Good luck!
she's doing weight training.
the presence or absence of cardio neither makes you skinny or flabby or NOT skinny and flabby.
I don't under stand your post.0 -
nope, just calorie deficit. Some people tend to do cardio because they either like it or they want to be able to eat more. Well, it's good for your heart, too.0
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Good if it works for you.
Like most restricting diets, not suited for everyone.
Exactly. For those of us (most of us) who are not sensitive to carbs, this would be horrible and highly counterproductive.
OP: As others have said, cardio is for cardiovascular health, and will give you some extra calories, so you can get more food - and thus nutrients - into you. Resistance training is vital, as well, to retain your lean body mass as you lose weight.
Best of luck!0 -
Nope, don't have to do any, if you don't want. Good that you're incorporating strength training--I think lifting all the heavy things is pure BLISS!
As many have said, cardio is for your heart health, and makes for more food you "get" to eat while maintaining a deficit. For me, no cardio = 1400 cals a day = HANGRY! 3-4 hours a week of mixed cardio (moderate/intense, things I like to do) means 1600-1650 cals a day. Doesn't sound like much difference, but I'm much happier, saner, and stronger for going this route, while maintaining a healthy weight loss.0 -
Not necessarily, but who wants to be skinny and flabby? I work out to look better, be stronger and get healthier all around!! Good luck!
Whoa whoa whoa, I don't do any cardio besides walking, and I don't think I'm skinny and flabby!
I'm not saying everyone is, depending on where your starting weight was.... in my instance.. if i just lost weight.. thats exactly how i'd look :-( I meant nothing malicious with my comment0
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