If you want to lose weight long term, don't bother with cardio excercise at all

Cardio for Weight Loss-Not for Everyone

I'm of the school that it's different for different body and blood types. But as an avid and regular cardio exerciser (runner) of 21 years, cardio is not a weight loss mechanism for me. It keeps me very strong and so far very healthy, and greatly reduces my stress and anxiety, and just makes me happier.
But whenever I decide to lose weight (and I am usually
about 30 pounds "overweight" according to guidelines, a strong and healthy U.S. size 14), I stick to 1200 calories per day and cut way back on exercise--just 20 min per day of stretches and light weights. That's the only way I lose weight. Cardio makes me hungry & happy & healthy and that includes more than 1200 calories of good, healthy interesting food.
 
The other side to this coin is that there are people (like me) who can only lose weight with exercise. Besides- an active lifestyle is something everyone should have. Thin doesn't equal healthy. I prefer to have a healthy body, thanks, with muscle tone and the ability to walk up a flight of stairs with out getting out of breath and I appreciate how strong I feel when I run a couple miles. Not to mention that exercise has been proven to help with stress relief and disease prevention.
 
Jenny Dean said:
I'm of the school that it's different for different body and blood types. But as an avid and regular cardio exerciser (runner) of 21 years, cardio is not a weight loss mechanism for me. It keeps me very strong and so far very healthy, and greatly reduces my stress and anxiety, and just makes me happier.
But whenever I decide to lose weight (and I am usually
about 30 pounds "overweight" according to guidelines, a strong and healthy U.S. size 14), I stick to 1200 calories per day and cut way back on exercise--just 20 min per day of stretches and light weights. That's the only way I lose weight. Cardio makes me hungry & happy & healthy and that includes more than 1200 calories of good, healthy interesting food.
Click to expand...

Mmmm, I could say a lot of things to this but don't think it's necessary to get into it.

But why 1200 calories?
 
Jenny Dean said:
But whenever I decide to lose weight (and I am usually
about 30 pounds "overweight" according to guidelines, a strong and healthy U.S. size 14), I stick to 1200 calories per day and cut way back on exercise--just 20 min per day of stretches and light weights. That's the only way I lose weight. Cardio makes me hungry & happy & healthy and that includes more than 1200 calories of good, healthy interesting food.
Click to expand...

but if you're doing it over and over again - it's not a very effective method of weight loss -you should be able to have a plan that takes and keeps the weight off...
 
Answer to Steve

To answer your "why 1200 calories?":
I went to a nutritionist and said I want to lose weight. He put me on what looked like a great plan, very regimented and nothing new:
35 min cardio workouts 3 times per week, weights, and
a healthy 1500 calorie diet. I was religious on it but
didn't lose one pound in a month. So we switched to 1200
calories and took out the cardio and I lost 43 pounds in 8 months.
 
I Am Starting To Like Cardio...at First I Really Hated It Because I Would Get Exhausted. But I Know I Will Lose Some Weight, And It Doesnt Hurt To Get In Shape. I Can Now Go Longer Without Getting Out Of Breath.....right Now I Felt Like Eating A Burger, But This Forum Really Helps Me...i Think I Will Go Home And Eat Some Veggies.

Thanks For Everyones Support.
 
Keep up the good work

Lescor, it sounds like you're feeling better and
that's what regular exercise does best of all.
And feeling good is the most important thing!!
Keep up the good work.
 
I don't know about you, but exercising releases endorphins (or so I'm told by my United States Health class last year), and endorophins make you happy. Whenever I work out (basketball, running, weight lifting), I feel on top of the world. :biggrinjester:

Call me insane but if it's fun, releases natural happy-juice, and is good for you, I'll stick to my insane workouts thx. o_O

Oh and the best thing of all: I eat whatever I want whenever I want and still lose weight (mind, I don't actually enjoy junk foods or 'soda' so think along the lines of steaks and homemade pot pies, yum!)

:cheers2:
 
For years I struggled with the idea of running, jogging, or even speed walking and had very little success with fat loss. In Jan 08 I started a new program that involves basic weights and 45 min X 3 / week on a Precor Elliptical trainer. I love
it. I have lost 43 pounds, wearing clothes I have not worn in years, and feel the best I can remember. Maybe running isn't for everyone, but some form of cardio should meet anyones needs. FYI - Just my opinion.:rant:
 
Horrible advice. You can only lose so much body fat through dieting before you lose tons of muscle and lean body mass. Exercising has so many benifits that are great for your health.
 
What the ??

OK the original post is a joke right?

Forget about cardio? No, Cardio is good for the heart, even if you are a skinny stick person, you should still do cadio.

Sheesh, I never heard such crap in my life.
 
Exercise versus no exercise

I think you have to be realistic - what exercise can you fit into your life to help lose weight? I know people that exercise 4x a week for 40 mins but can't lose weight because they stuff on food after the gym. You have to change your eating to healthier to lose weight, then if you increase your exercise you will lose the weight faster. If you currently do nothing, then start walking more each and everyday, build it into your life. If you already work out then vary your type of exercise or increase intensity. What ever, it wont work long term unless it really fits into your own lifestyle.
 
I feel for this poster that started this thread because in a way, I am just like him. Unlike him though, I know what I need to do (lift weights which I hate doing) along with running. I am a running FREAK when I actually do it....I go months where I want to run every day and I in fact do it every other day. I just always have these things in my life where I can't run for 1-2 weeks and I for some reason become so darn lazy all the sudden and I stop running all together and the weight comes on.

I have come to realize that my reasons for stopping are from personal issues and I need to recognize those first and foremost AND work through them.

Lifting weights is something I do need to start getting into even as a light-weight :)
 
Exercise doesn't have to be everyones 'cup of tea'...but you need some form to it to increase your overall health. What one person enjoys may be another mans personal torment. Not everyone likes all types of exercise. And you DO start to enjoy working out after a while. You get better at it, you can do more, you start to see results, and you feel sooooo good at the end of a workout. Euphoric (sp?)

My hubby LOVES to run. I enjoy doing cardio. When we exercise together we do weights and kickboxing style workouts. We dont care for the same things...but it doesnt mean that its the ONLY workout we have to do. If you dont like aerobics, try something else. There are hundreds of ways to get your workout. If running and cardio arent your thing...start looking around till you find something that looks like fun.

IMO,the most important aspect of a workout routine...is that you ENJOY it...reason being--the more you enjoy it, the more apt you are to incorporate it into your everyday life. You won't want to miss out a workout because its just so much fun.

I wish the OP the best of luck in his weight loss journey.
 
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