Is cardio bad for you?
dtodd62
Posts: 6 Member
Hi all, been logging in for almost 4 weeks straight, let myself go a bit (about +15 lbs). Eating much better lately and doing intense 45-60 minute cardio sessions 4-5x/week to start getting some pounds off (-7 lbs so far). So today I read that cardio will make me fat, which is not good if true. I plan on working weights into my routine starting this weekend, but what's the deal with the cardio making you fat business?
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Replies
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Umm....where did you happen to read that cardio makes you fat?
Also, you said yourself that you've lost 7 pounds so far so obviously it's not true lol0 -
Link the article.0
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Hi all, been logging in for almost 4 weeks straight, let myself go a bit (about +15 lbs). Eating much better lately and doing intense 45-60 minute cardio sessions 4-5x/week to start getting some pounds off (-7 lbs so far). So today I read that cardio will make me fat, which is not good if true. I plan on working weights into my routine starting this weekend, but what's the deal with the cardio making you fat business?
It's true. Ever watch a marathon or a competitive cycling event? Nothing but obese people out there.
/s
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Cardio burns a lot of fat, it can not be blamed for making one fat.
Some people will say that doing only cardio will make you "skinny fat". I think that's just a way of saying "lean but not ripped".0 -
This is an excellent question! Our bodies were designed to do certain things, our genetics drive what we’re best at, and volume can be a problem for even the best of us.
Elite endurance athletes often struggle with very bad health issues. Why? Because they pushed themselves so far for so long. Exercise is stress, and the more intense, more often, longer we’re under stress, the more acute the response. In short, or light bouts, that can lead to adaptive improvement. And then there’s the line where it becomes chronic.
From personal experience, I’ve found my appetite goes crazy when I’m pushing out a lot of cardio. So, when I’m training for a longer run (like a marathon), I’m likely to put on weight. If I train doing long, slow distance and mix in some HIIT, I’m able to avoid the appetite pop.
Fat loss comes from what and how much you eat. Exercise should be geared toward other health and fitness goals. If you want good cardiovascular endurance, then by all means, train that way. But don’t think, I’ll burn more calories and lose faster. Patience and persistence are key.0 -
AllanMisner wrote: »This is an excellent question! Our bodies were designed to do certain things, our genetics drive what we’re best at, and volume can be a problem for even the best of us.
Elite endurance athletes often struggle with very bad health issues. Why? Because they pushed themselves so far for so long. Exercise is stress, and the more intense, more often, longer we’re under stress, the more acute the response. In short, or light bouts, that can lead to adaptive improvement. And then there’s the line where it becomes chronic.
From personal experience, I’ve found my appetite goes crazy when I’m pushing out a lot of cardio. So, when I’m training for a longer run (like a marathon), I’m likely to put on weight. If I train doing long, slow distance and mix in some HIIT, I’m able to avoid the appetite pop.
Fat loss comes from what and how much you eat. Exercise should be geared toward other health and fitness goals. If you want good cardiovascular endurance, then by all means, train that way. But don’t think, I’ll burn more calories and lose faster. Patience and persistence are key.
this guy ^^ gives out good, solid advice0 -
Yes, it destroys your will to live. Proceed with extreme caution.0
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most of those "cardio will kill you" are people trying to sell you something
remember as far as weight loss goes... anything you do (even reading or watching tv burns calories) leading to weight loss0 -
I'll attach link later0
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A year and a half old blog based on single study findings that are countered by multiple studies.
Ok.0 -
Dumbest article I've read for a long time.
Apart from cherry picking random facts about some specific conditions to support her hypothesis and then trying to apply that to all "cardio" (as though all cardio is the same...) some of it is so wrong as to be laughable.
Suggest you pick more intelligent and informed sources of information.0 -
Pretty much any media interpretation of a study is just going to be shock value for ratings. And they'll contradict themselves the next week.
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Yes, it destroys your will to live. Proceed with extreme caution.
This was me an hour ago on the rowing machine. I hate life all 5km of the way. Too bad I can't argue with the results that thing has given me. The inches lost since I started...
I like cardio in moderation. I generally don't do more than 30-35 minutes of any kind of medium to high intensity cardio 5 days a week.0 -
Thanks for all the replies...I'm sure that, like everything else, moderation is the key. After I posted I also read a story that was the complete opposite view. I'll carry on, but I do need to mix in resistance training. I just thought a solid month of intense cardio would get things moving, which it has. Using this app is also a huge help, it's amazing how it changes the way you choose what to eat throughout the day.0
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I've seen all those fat riders in the tour de France and those marathon runners what a bunch of fatties they are-1
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AllanMisner wrote: »From personal experience, I’ve found my appetite goes crazy when I’m pushing out a lot of cardio. So, when I’m training for a longer run (like a marathon), I’m likely to put on weight. If I train doing long, slow distance and mix in some HIIT, I’m able to avoid the appetite pop.
Fat loss comes from what and how much you eat. Exercise should be geared toward other health and fitness goals. If you want good cardiovascular endurance, then by all means, train that way. But don’t think, I’ll burn more calories and lose faster. Patience and persistence are key.
People react differently to cardio, not everyone gets hungry as a result.
You use the phraseFat loss comes from what and how much you eat.
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Thanks for all the replies...I'm sure that, like everything else, moderation is the key. After I posted I also read a story that was the complete opposite view. I'll carry on, but I do need to mix in resistance training. I just thought a solid month of intense cardio would get things moving, which it has. Using this app is also a huge help, it's amazing how it changes the way you choose what to eat throughout the day.
Maybe learn to discrimuntae a bit more and read from more reputable sources.0 -
AllanMisner wrote: »From personal experience, I’ve found my appetite goes crazy when I’m pushing out a lot of cardio. So, when I’m training for a longer run (like a marathon), I’m likely to put on weight. If I train doing long, slow distance and mix in some HIIT, I’m able to avoid the appetite pop.
Fat loss comes from what and how much you eat. Exercise should be geared toward other health and fitness goals. If you want good cardiovascular endurance, then by all means, train that way. But don’t think, I’ll burn more calories and lose faster. Patience and persistence are key.
People react differently to cardio, not everyone gets hungry as a result.
You use the phraseFat loss comes from what and how much you eat.
You’re right, everybody is their own n=1 experiment and no one thing fits everybody. But there are general principles that apply to the majority.
Yes, I strongly believe there is more going on for fat loss than just the quantity of calories in and the quantity of calories out. For example, if you choose to not eat any protein, you’re likely to lose more muscle than fat. And if you allow your hormones to get out of whack or don’t provide the nutrition your thyroid needs, you’ll put on fat even if you’re eating at a deficit (all along sacrificing muscle).
You can look at your exercise calories as a part of the overall burn, but let’s look at a basic day with and without exercise:
Without exercise
Eat 1200 calories, daily need 1700, deficit 500, expected weight loss is 1 lb per week (on average).
With exercise
Eat 1700 calories, daily need 1700 + 500 calories from exercise, deficit, 500 calories, expected weight loss is 1 lb per week (on average).
Could you eat even less with exercise and effectively lose more? Yes, but for many of us, we need the energy to keep up the intensity of the exercise (burning 500 calories through exercise takes effort).0 -
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You dont need to eat back all your calories though.
You also benefit from higher metabolism and other health benefits.
If you apply yourself, then exercise and cardio can make a significant contribution to weight loss either by assisting your deficit management by giving you more to eat or contributing directly.
Btw your exmaple of a person eating no protein? Who is that person? If you eat a normal balanced diet then you are almost certain to meet your protein requirements. Who chooses not to eat any protein at all and why? Do you know them?0 -
You dont need to eat back all your calories though.
You also benefit from higher metabolism and other health benefits.
If you apply yourself, then exercise and cardio can make a significant contribution to weight loss either by assisting your deficit management by giving you more to eat or contributing directly.
Btw your exmaple of a person eating no protein? Who is that person? If you eat a normal balanced diet then you are almost certain to meet your protein requirements. Who chooses not to eat any protein at all and why? Do you know them?
I don’t question the other health benefits, but not necessarily higher metabolism. Exercise does give you a higher base, but you can’t dip into that pool very far without issues. Sustainable fat loss comes at a moderate pace that you have to base on your circumstances (if you have more to lose you can lose faster, but that will have to slow as you get closer “normal” body fat percentage). The general rule of thumb is 1 - 2 lbs per week.
Yes, I’ve met some people who thought being a strict vegan was healthy, so they started eating the crap out of fruit and veggies. Three to four weeks in they are crashing.
Maybe it was an exaggerated situation, but you do see the point of not properly managing your macros and nutrition, don’t you? Many people don’t eat balanced diets, especially when they’re cutting calories.
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Hi all, been logging in for almost 4 weeks straight, let myself go a bit (about +15 lbs). Eating much better lately and doing intense 45-60 minute cardio sessions 4-5x/week to start getting some pounds off (-7 lbs so far). So today I read that cardio will make me fat, which is not good if true. I plan on working weights into my routine starting this weekend, but what's the deal with the cardio making you fat business?
Exercise is for fitness and adding to your calorie deficit. Eating at a calorie deficit and managing your macros is what helps you lose fat and manage your weight.
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AllanMisner wrote: »This is an excellent question! Our bodies were designed to do certain things, our genetics drive what we’re best at, and volume can be a problem for even the best of us.
Elite endurance athletes often struggle with very bad health issues. Why? Because they pushed themselves so far for so long. Exercise is stress, and the more intense, more often, longer we’re under stress, the more acute the response. In short, or light bouts, that can lead to adaptive improvement. And then there’s the line where it becomes chronic.
From personal experience, I’ve found my appetite goes crazy when I’m pushing out a lot of cardio. So, when I’m training for a longer run (like a marathon), I’m likely to put on weight. If I train doing long, slow distance and mix in some HIIT, I’m able to avoid the appetite pop.
Fat loss comes from what and how much you eat. Exercise should be geared toward other health and fitness goals. If you want good cardiovascular endurance, then by all means, train that way. But don’t think, I’ll burn more calories and lose faster. Patience and persistence are key.
I actually find that cardio curbs my appetite. When I come home from work I am starving but I usually work out first , afterwards my appetite is way lower, so it probably depends on the individual
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I don't think cardio is bad for you, however if all you're doing is cardio then that's bad for you, the best cardio is HIIT high/low intensity cardio, it burns fat and builds muscles. Too much cardio will eventually break down your muscles,and raise your cortisol levels. spending countless hours on a cardio machine is not the way to go. Lift weight along with your cardio and really see your body change, unless you want to be skinny fat, meaning no muscle tone at all, like squishy, yuk!0
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I don't think cardio is bad for you, however if all you're doing is cardio then that's bad for you, the best cardio is HIIT high/low intensity cardio, it burns fat and builds muscles. Too much cardio will eventually break down your muscles,and raise your cortisol levels. spending countless hours on a cardio machine is not the way to go. Lift weight along with your cardio and really see your body change, unless you want to be skinny fat, meaning no muscle tone at all, like squishy, yuk!
No. 'Skinny fat' happens when you lose weight and don't work out at all, and have no muscle tone. People who do cardio do have muscle tone. Too much cardio doesn't break down your muscle tone, I have no idea where you'd even get such an idea. While it is a good idea to mix cardio with weights for bone strength, body recomp and muscle building, straight cardio is fine.0 -
Yisrael1981 wrote: »AllanMisner wrote: »
From personal experience, I’ve found my appetite goes crazy when I’m pushing out a lot of cardio.
I actually find that cardio curbs my appetite. When I come home from work I am starving but I usually work out first , afterwards my appetite is way lower, so it probably depends on the individual
Same here. Cardio curbs my appetite too. However, I do not do too much of it - half an hour to an hour...0 -
I took up running and gained 600 pounds. I died. Don't let it happen to you.
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Yisrael1981 wrote: »AllanMisner wrote: »This is an excellent question! Our bodies were designed to do certain things, our genetics drive what we’re best at, and volume can be a problem for even the best of us.
Elite endurance athletes often struggle with very bad health issues. Why? Because they pushed themselves so far for so long. Exercise is stress, and the more intense, more often, longer we’re under stress, the more acute the response. In short, or light bouts, that can lead to adaptive improvement. And then there’s the line where it becomes chronic.
From personal experience, I’ve found my appetite goes crazy when I’m pushing out a lot of cardio. So, when I’m training for a longer run (like a marathon), I’m likely to put on weight. If I train doing long, slow distance and mix in some HIIT, I’m able to avoid the appetite pop.
Fat loss comes from what and how much you eat. Exercise should be geared toward other health and fitness goals. If you want good cardiovascular endurance, then by all means, train that way. But don’t think, I’ll burn more calories and lose faster. Patience and persistence are key.
I actually find that cardio curbs my appetite. When I come home from work I am starving but I usually work out first , afterwards my appetite is way lower, so it probably depends on the individual
Same if it's intense. But then I eat those calories the next day so I come out even.0
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