The often debated too much cardio/muscle loss

Well, I just got a chance to log on and didn't expect such debate! I love it! This was my first issue of Oxygen (bought it before a road trip) and first of all, found a male editor odd. I got past that, though, but could not get past every other page being some -supplement to lose weight/gain muscle- ad. It made me question what their priorities are. As the poster above mentioned, yeah, they have to make money with advertising, but seriously, it gets annoying. Their was an ad for the BSN Dessert, I think it was, that has been mentioned on the forum before as being yummy. There are also some good recipes in there, and interesting tidbits. Like I said, what I got from this article is really confirmation of what I figured made sense. I will never be an extreme cardio person, but I do enjoy it. I had tried cutting back a little and for me, didn't like what happened or how I felt. Unfortunately, there is no one end all/be all formula for everyone! We will just have to experiment. I'm going to keep on doing what I feel like doing, and what is working for me. The only sentence that really did it for me was if you do mean cardio, but don't increase your calories, your body will eat the muscle in an effort to survive, and hold on to fat. That makes sense. I wanted to share the article to get feedback on that, and the rest. This is so interesting. Now I am going to go back and check out some of these links that have been posted. Thanks for all of the info :)
 
What a great thread!

Shana thanks so much for starting such a thought-provoking thread! I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts and followed several links (thanks Cynthia!) that I'm sure will keep me busy later this afternoon :)

I really am trying to get away from the mentality of being or looking like someone else and focus on what works for ME. This has certainly giving me plenty to ponder.

Thanks again,

Cassie
 
This is why I work with a respected personal trainer. I trust her judgment..there is just to much information, much of it conflicting, out there and different things work for different people.
 
fit44 said:
I'm right with you. I just received my first 3 kbells this week. I haven't used them yet because I'm waiting on my Art of Strength training clinic dvd's. I'm loving Anthony now...
http://www.artofstrength.com/MinuteofStrengthENews/MinuteofStrength2/tabid/215/Default.aspx

Do you have any favorite workouts you could share?
Click to expand...

Cynthia - Check out some of the kettlebell circuits over at www.newjerseycrossfit.com. This was a fun one from over there:

"Lucky Sevens"

  1. Kettlebell swings 7r/7l
  2. Burpees 7
  3. Kettlebell snatches 7r/7l
  4. Mountain climbers 7r/7l
  5. Kettlebell cleans 7r/7l
  6. 1 kettlebell racked thruster 7r/7l
  7. Walkouts 7

  • Go through this circuit style
  • do 7 rounds as fast as possible
  • use one kettlebell for the entire workout
 
This is almost exactly what I'm doing now and it does seem to be getting me the results I'm after:

- I do HIIT 3-4 times per week. I differ, in that I do CardioCoach workouts on the treadmill, they are longer than 30 minutes and I don't do them 5 times because Sean told me I should rest (i.e., not do cardio) on the in-between days.
- I'm eating A LOT but the quality of my food has gone way up. A lot of vegetables and fruits, lots of protein, most carbs early in the day, a lot of water, and I've virtually eliminated diet soda (which made me hungry and upset my stomach).
- I stopped weight training my lower body (Sean's advice) but have amped-up my upper body weight training.

This method is working better than anything else I've tried (i.e., circuit, 3-day split w/hardly any cardio). And I LIKE this method best. I used to dread those lower body weight training sessions. I was told that's because I was already carrying so much weight in my lower body that it was overkill. When the fat is off I'll probably add back the lower body weight work but, right now, this method is working best.
 
fit44 said:
There are not absolutes. It all comes down to the individual and what works for them.
Click to expand...

I agree. Not only that but, what works FOR YOU changes all the time. I got great results with circuit, until I didn't. Then I got great results with a 3-day split, until I didn't. Now, I'm doing 3-4 days of Cardio Coach and doubling up a 2 day upper-body split (S&H now, GS later). It's working great now but if experience has taught me anything it's that what works now doesn't always work so great down the road. When you stop seeing results you have to make changes. Or you could just rely on cardio and STS when it comes out and not hit those stupid plateaus to begin with...
 
LaughingWater said:
I am experiencing some joint pain in the ankles and knees, which is brand new. I'm not sure if my body just doesn't like the extra impact more cardio brings, or if I need better shoes (that's been an experiment too).
Click to expand...

I have plantar faciitis and had been experiencing the most unbearable foot pain for about three weeks. I wrote New Balance and asked for recommendations based on all my foot issues. The clerks in the NB stores are really knowledgeable and when I went in the guy told me all the recommendations were excellent... for someone else. He said, because I have pf and my feet are virtually completely flat, I needed a very specific shoe and insole (I could just HEAR the ring of the cash register in my head). I swallowed hard and ended up buying the very first shoe he brought me (it was sooooo comfortable). In a matter of hours, the excruciating pain in my feet vanished. I am thrilled to not be suffering anymore. This isn't a recommendation for NB over other brands but I think everyone would benefit from hooking up with a very experienced athletic shoe person who really knows their product and will take the time to get you exactly what your feet need. Do you know I'd been wearing a size 9-1/2 wide when I really needed a 10-1/2 medium? Now that I know what works I don't have to experiment anymore.
 
SirenSongWoman said:
NO YOU ARE NOT! I won't tell you what it was but it was higher than 20"! Ha. Too funny. D*mn, 4 posts in-a-row.... Okay, I'll shut up now!
Click to expand...


Hey SirenSong -

If it makes you feel better, mine was over 20", too! I love the idea of allowing cardio to be my lower body workout. I've just started doing this, too. Are you only using CC for your lower body now? I've been using some of Cathe's floor work, no added weights and would like to get a good Pilates DVD to throw in as well.
 
ms71069 said:
Hey SirenSong -

If it makes you feel better, mine was over 20", too! I love the idea of allowing cardio to be my lower body workout. I've just started doing this, too. Are you only using CC for your lower body now? I've been using some of Cathe's floor work, no added weights and would like to get a good Pilates DVD to throw in as well.
Click to expand...

Yep. Just Cardio Coach for lower body work. I am loving it.
 
Am I the only one thinking that Val, the figure competitor in the article, has popped a few steriods? I'm not taking away how hard she works out, and how strict she is with her diet, but come on, look at her! Especially how wide and ripped her back is. Yikes.
 
Govtgirl said:
Am I the only one thinking that Val, the figure competitor in the article, has popped a few steriods? I'm not taking away how hard she works out, and how strict she is with her diet, but come on, look at her! Especially how wide and ripped her back is. Yikes.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I don't see it. Women who use steroids carry the tell tale signs in the facial features. Masculine features in their hands.
I'm far from a figure competitor, but I can make my lats spread like bat wings. I got that from doing pull ups. Val is a small woman, her lats are going to look large when they are spread.

Figure competitors look so ripped because they diet down to single digits % of bodyfat. They don't walk around like that everyday. They begin to gain back some of it the week after competition.
 
This isn't a recommendation for NB over other brands but I think everyone would benefit from hooking up with a very experienced athletic shoe person who really knows their product and will take the time to get you exactly what your feet need.
Click to expand...

I just might do that.

I've done really well with my Asics Cumulus, but a couple of weeks ago, I switched shoes (looking for a cheaper alternative) and can't help but wonder if that's the problem. I was fine and dandy before the switch.
 
Asics are the only shoes I can step in anymore. I love my Nike Shox, I have (ah forget it, I'm not telling you how many) many pairs of them, but I only wear them to lift b/c they look so cute. They don't work for my mean old feet.

I have the flat feet syndrome also, & I'm starting to think I might have pf b/c my feet are in agony after about 15 minutes of any high impact cardio. There's a store near me that does shoe fittings, I might just take SSW's cue & do the same. Sorry for the idea steal & the thread crap. :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top