The Magic Bus Trip

Dean · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:10 am Post subject: To Cardio Or Not To Cardio

I was wondering what other's thoughts are on the whole cardio deal. I've heard from many sources that say everything from limit cardio to only twice per week if you wanna build muscle, to only walk, since running is going to raise cortisol levels too high, etc.

When I was in junior high and high school, I ran on the track team and cross country team. I trained year round for these running events. I loved and still do love walking... and hiking in the Fall is the BEST! One of my prized possessions is my treadmill. It is one of the best ones made. Needless to say, I Heart

cardio type workouts.

BUT... do they Heart

me? Are they going to prevent me from ever building really nice musculature, because they will set up the wrong hormonal environment for building muscle, and instead set one up for tearing it down. Most marathon runners have sorta skinny arms and legs for a reason, I suppose. Perhaps there is something to just doing high intensity cardio. But, what if one wants to do longer cardio? Should they keep it under a certain heart rate? In other words, if one does steady state aerobics, should it be low intensity? Or is that even worse?

Does anyone have any answers to these questions? Cry

_________________
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
- Jimi Hendrix

Every day you'll see the dust
Never get off the Bus!

Diane · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:16 pm Post subject:

I have no clue but I do know from past Diet disasters that too much exercise
can have a reverse effect.

Was on weight watchers for 2.5 yrs start weight 220 lbs Ate my points and did cardio 5 to 7 days a week for 45 min to an hour. No weight lifting.

End of weight watchers 243 lbs 23 lbs gained and none of it was muscle.

This time around, not sure about time frame. It took a bit to find what works so I guess about a year and a half of eating as below. Started weight lifting Jan 11 2007, size has really changed since then.
Meat and eggs minimal vegetables(not even oils) lots of fat in the form of butter, cream, lard and beef tallow.
Weight lifting 3 times a week for 45 min and 10 to 15 min of walking before on treadmill to warm up. That's it no more cardio.
Down 43 Lbs and 7 sizes I don't worry too much about the lbs it the sizes I like.

So my take on cardio is you want to get fat do cardio.

Diane
_________________
Diane
Where's the beef, chicken, deer, etc. LOL

Dean · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for this feedback, Diane.

I wish I didn't love cardio so much. Sad

Perhaps I should just stick to a couple days a week of HIIT on my treadmill... or coyote running in the park. Confused

_________________
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
- Jimi Hendrix

Every day you'll see the dust
Never get off the Bus!

Diane · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:19 am Post subject:

Hey Dean you also got to consider I'm female with resultant hormone issues as well as IR.

You Have to tweak your program to fit You.

I'm on my second Personal trainer, the first on was pushing Cardio, cardio and muscle endurance. Jan to middle of April I did her way I did not put on any muscle and my body fat reading went up. Fired her!!! My new PT Doesn't do cardio (just warm up)she Is hypothyroid like me and she was pudgy before she started bodybuilding. I have seen such a change in my legs I can't believe it. In 2 months I dropped 14 lbs and 2.5 % body fat. Awesome
We are rehabing my right shoulder so we are just KILLING the legs. I love it she keeps telling me don't over do it. I don't need to be hurt but She keeps telling me I got to have carbs. No way!! why change what works for something that doesn't work.
Diane
_________________
Diane
Where's the beef, chicken, deer, etc. LOL

Dave · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 616 Gender: Male

Diane, I had the same Weight Watchers exprience, except when I threw it in I spiralled up to 473 plus pounds.

That's what depression will do.