Cardio your main form of exercise? read.

HealthyThinFit2012
HealthyThinFit2012 Posts: 32
in Fitness and Exercise
is cardio your MAIN form of exercise? what cardio do you do that has helped you lose weight/body fat?
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Replies

  • Microfiber_wechange
    Microfiber_wechange Posts: 640
    If Turbofire and Insanity is classified as cardio, then those two ;)
  • cyclerjenn
    cyclerjenn Posts: 833 Member
    Cycling, running and swimming for me. I just change up the workout like run up hills, long bike rides, sprints. I do weights also but only 2 days a week currently.
  • Seanb_us
    Seanb_us Posts: 322 Member
    I use the elliptical machines all the time. I jog once in a while, but I get shin splints if I jog too much. I also use some weights, as well, but mostly the elliptical.

    Sean
  • bearxfoo
    bearxfoo Posts: 81 Member
    So far I've been doing A LOT of biking. Yesterday I biked for two hours! It's awesome and I love it. On days that my thighs and booty need a rest, I do just jogging on the treadmill, or walking. I also use the elliptical but that doesn't really give my thighs a rest... lol

    I do weight train though, but really only two days a week. I do some form of cardio every day.
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    Spin 3 times a week and the ride profiles always change.
    Zumba once a week.
    HIIT one day a week.

    I do lift weights but not gonna start with the heavy stuff (I don't want to hear it everybody!) after I lose another 4 lbs. (not psychologically ready to see the number go up so back off!)
  • mmstgr
    mmstgr Posts: 578 Member
    I mostly do cardio workout games on the kinect (Your Shape) and use my stationary bike :)
  • vypeters
    vypeters Posts: 475 Member
    I try for non-workout exercise - I have a mental block about "working out". Going for a multi-hour bike ride? No problem. Hiking? No problem? Cardio machines? Bleah.
  • TKHappy
    TKHappy Posts: 659 Member
    Cardio is not my main form of ecercise, I like to make it equal between strength and cardio. For Cardio though I run and use the eliptical. I just invested in Insanity so I will be able to add that!!
  • Cathy7794
    Cathy7794 Posts: 223 Member
    I was walking about 2 miles on the treadmill and doing another 2 on the elliptical, about 4 times a week. Now I don't do either one. The gym I belong to is actually our community rec center, and they have a roller skating rink (ice skating in winter). So, now I do 3 days of strength training and at least 3 days of roller skating. The elliptical and treadmill get soooooo boring, but the roller skating is a blast! I go during the day when the kids are all in school so I always have the whole place to myself. I turn on my mp3 player, stick in my earbuds and skate for hours! :-) And of course there are a couple days of the week when my husband and our 9 year old daughter join me for some skating. So much fun!
  • SKP1986
    SKP1986 Posts: 392 Member
    Started out just walking because it was all I could really DO. I've picked up elliptical and have lots of active games for Wii and XBox that are fantastic, and the pounds seem to be coming off.
  • breakbad
    breakbad Posts: 13
    Running, walking, and weight lifting!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Yes, it is my main, but not only, form of exercise. Running burns the most fat for me. I also really love doing Zumba and love what it does for my core. It burns a lot of calories too, but not as much as running.
  • margaretmillen
    margaretmillen Posts: 35
    I do cardio at least 5 times week wither zumba, walking, kickboxing, etc. but I also do strength training at least 3 times weak. The more muscle you have the more caloires you burn doing normal things in the day with is great. To burn fat cardio is a must
  • artaddict
    artaddict Posts: 2
    Cardio is my main form of exercise because it's all I have time for. However, anyone that can manage some weight workouts in addition to their cardio really should do so. It raises your metabolism and helps you burn fat faster. It does all the things that those diet pills say they do but in a natural way that also tones you up.
  • Majikk27
    Majikk27 Posts: 13
    I just recently joined this site.

    Currently I do Zumba three times a week with my daughter, Body flow (which is pilates, thai'chi, and yoga combined) once a week, and the a new dance class called Sh'Bam once a week.

    I am currently contemplating adding strength training 3 times a week as well.

    I also work a full time job as a receptionist and walk my burmese mountain dog twice a week.
  • rsmugala
    rsmugala Posts: 35
    Ellyptical, jogging and walking, biking and Just Dance 3!
  • HisPathDaily
    HisPathDaily Posts: 672 Member
    Yes, I am one of those crazy stupid people that does too much cardio ;) ... I get comments made a lot about how much I need to crosstrain ... yada yada yada ... I found the one thing I like doing ... running ... and if that's what I like to do, then it's better than being on the couch! :)
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Cardio does not help you lose body fat. Cardio increases your caloric burn, but depending on diet and overall caloric deficit may not burn any fat at all.

    The best method of losing body fat without losing lean muscle, is to have a modest caloric deficit (10-20% of TDEE depending on BF%). This deficit can be created by diet alone or a combination of diet and exercise. The kicker when it comes to losing fat and not muscle is strength training. If you don't do heavy strength training your body will shed lean muscle as it loses fat, and on top of strength training you need to eat enough protein as that will also help retain lean muscle while in a caloric deficit.

    I only do cardio once or twice a week and have been consistently lowering my BF%.
  • WhittRak
    WhittRak Posts: 567 Member
    Elliptical is where it's at.
  • Gilbrod
    Gilbrod Posts: 1,216 Member
    Any kind of exercise, but in circuit training mode.
  • blondejillie
    blondejillie Posts: 305 Member
    I just started walking 3-5 miles a day in Feb, and that's really helping my mood and energy levels. If I'm pushed, I break it down into several 20 minute walks to get it done. I vary my pace and try to take the stairs a few times a day too. I hope to begin running soon...

    Starting with this past Monday, incorporated a full body strength training session (and I'm still sore today).

    Too early to post results...looking forward to discovering what's ahead.
  • KelliA0628
    KelliA0628 Posts: 44 Member
    I Zumba 2 hours on Mondays, 1 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. I've lost 15 pounds since October and started MFP on 3/15. It works for me. I'm ignorant about strength training (and intimidated) but would like to work it in my week also.
  • maryduggins
    maryduggins Posts: 219 Member
    The only exercise I do is cardio(: I just run and walk and bike... no gym membership or anything(;

    I've only been running for a few months, but my legs are mega toned and - actually wasn't expecting this - but I'm getting muscles on my arms (just little ones, but hey! a little's better than none(: ) I guess it's because you hold your arms up while your run(:

    I'm young so I'm not too worried about trying to get mega toned, and I'm not really worried about being 'skinny fat' right now. If I lose the weight and I need to work on toning, I will, but right now cardio's all I need(:
  • shannonmann
    shannonmann Posts: 5
    I try to run/jog at least 20 miles per week consistently. Doesn't matter what days or how (treadmill vs. outside) I do it as long as I get in the 20 miles. In the past, this has helped me lose inches the fastest. I try to add in two days of strength training too but it's hard because I don't like doing it.
  • squishycow7
    squishycow7 Posts: 820 Member
    I do try to keep my strength and cardio generally equal, but my cardio includes:

    Zumba!!!! Lovelovelove
    Just started c25k
    Swimming is awesome, when I have the opportunity
    & just plain old walking, if I've got a friend or my iPod with me
  • maryduggins
    maryduggins Posts: 219 Member
    Yes, I am one of those crazy stupid people that does too much cardio ;) ... I get comments made a lot about how much I need to crosstrain ... yada yada yada ... I found the one thing I like doing ... running ... and if that's what I like to do, then it's better than being on the couch! :)

    Amen! I am *right* there with you!(:
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    Running is my main form of cardio. It helped me get back on track with losing weight and has definitely helped to keep the weight off. But I also do the spin bike, walk, and use DVD's and the Wii for strength training. I try to have as much variety as possible so I don't get bored and so my body doesn't get use to doing the same exercise over and over.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    The only exercise I do is cardio(: I just run and walk and bike... no gym membership or anything(;

    I've only been running for a few months, but my legs are mega toned and - actually wasn't expecting this - but I'm getting muscles on my arms (just little ones, but hey! a little's better than none(: ) I guess it's because you hold your arms up while your run(:

    I'm young so I'm not too worried about trying to get mega toned, and I'm not really worried about being 'skinny fat' right now. If I lose the weight and I need to work on toning, I will, but right now cardio's all I need(:

    No, those muscles would have always been there, you are digging them out from under fat. To build muscle you need to overload it (heavy resistance training) eat a lot of protein and be in a caloric surplus (gaining weight).
  • Moriarty_697
    Moriarty_697 Posts: 226 Member
    Running, walking and cycling. Last summer, I started commuting to work by bike, which greatly increased the total amount of exercise I was doing. Even on long days where I wouldn't have the energy to work out afterwards, I still got a workout just by riding to and from work.

    As mentioned by blondejillie, walking also does wonders for your mood. My days just go better if I've spent some time putting one foot in front of the other.
  • Grlnxtdr0721
    Grlnxtdr0721 Posts: 597 Member
    Running/walking. I have completed the c25k program and have been doing fun treadmill workouts. But, I also play outside with my 150mph nearly 3 year old--jumping on the trampoline, going for walks, and anything else. Thats one advantage to living out in bumble...

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