Is 2 hours too much cardio?

P

Philmac

Guest
I'm trying to lose my excess fat (about 18% body fat at present) so I've been doing cardio daily for almost a month. I've finally improved my cardiovascular fitness to the point where I can maintain high intensity (80% MHR) for almost an hour without having to stop. Right now I do two 1 hour sessions of high intensity cardio per day. I've lost a few pounds since I began exercising but my waist size hasn't changed AT ALL. All the fat is still there! Lifting weights is simply not an option for me right now; I don't have access to any. I'm worried that my weight loss so far has been muscle. Should I cut back on my cardio?

I've also started doing calisthenics for strength training (I know weights are MUCH better, but like I already said, they simply aren't an option right now). Will this prevent my body from metabolizing my muscles, even if it doesn't actually cause any muscle growth?
 
Keep doing what your doing, it sounds like its working. You cant choose where the body will burn fat when. The fat will eventually go but its going to take some time. Its takes months-years of exercise to condition the body into a new shape.

Keep it up and do it for the lifestyle benefits.
 
Thanks for the response Clinton!

I understand that spot reduction is a myth, but all my excess fat is located in my gut. As long as I keep my shirt on, people think I'm crazy when I tell them I'm overweight. Another issue is that I'm male, 5'9" and, as of this morning, weigh 147 pounds. I really don't want to lose weight, just fat. I know the only way to lose fat without losing weight is to simultaneously build muscle, but I'm not going to bulk up by doing calisthenics. However, is it possible that calisthenics will at least prevent muscle loss?
 
Calisthenics will help, it really depends on what you're doing. I would still recommend lifting to a certain extent. As you say it's not an option, maybe pushups, pushups with your feet on something, pullups, crunches are? You may have to be a little more creative to work other muscle groups, but it can be done. The more lifting, or workout-style calisthenics you do, the more it will boost your metabolism and thus burn calories OUTSIDE of your workouts. 2 hours may be ok. Some bodybuilders precontest do 90 minutes in the morning 90 in the evening, which I think might be a little overboard, but whatever works to shed fat.

I say keep it up, and you'll eventually see results, but it will help with either lifting or lots of bodyweight exercises. You might even think about getting a set of resistance bands to make up the other exercises.
 
I've been training for 11 weeks and started off at 104kg .... I now weigh 89 kg (have lost 15kg ... approx 35 pounds)

my target is to weigh between 75-80 kg

I start off with light weights on the weight machines, then 20 min rowing, 20 min cycling, 20 min on the elliptical trainer and 20 min on the treadmill

I train 5 times per week (mon-friday)

I have lost weight mainly on my upper body/neck/face and arse .... waist still has lots to loose but will come off in time (I hope)

from what I have read, you loose weight first where you gained it last
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top