Are we dripping sweat for no reason???

G

golfer4

Active Member
Ok, first let me start by saying that I am about 20 pounds from my goal weight. After having my 2 kids, I cannot seem to get rid of this little pot belly. So, there is a 40 year old woman who lives down the street from me who also has 2 kids, and her husband owns a gym. They both consider themselves trainers, but I don't believe they ever took formal training. She is always asking me if she can train me. I say no, because I don't want to have that sort of relationship with a neighbor.

That said, she has the perfect body!!! She is about 5'2, and must be a size 0... washboard stomach, the works! So I'm talking with her yesterday and ask how she does it? I asked if she is just naturally thin... she laughed and said no... you should see the rest of my brothers and sisters! So she says she eats right and lifts weights 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. So I say, and what about cardio? She says she never does cardio and never sweats!

WHAT! Ok, I work out to the point of dripping sweat, do all these Cathe cardio step workouts... and don't get even half the results of this woman!!! So ok, I know that I could eat better (although I'm not a terrible eater either)... but my question is... why all this cardio if it is possible to only lift weights and look like that??? Is this for real???

That said, I'm not willing to give up my cardio, because believe it or not, I actually like sweating and it makes me feel good... but it's got me thinking now... am I trying to lose inches all wrong? I do some weight traing, but much more cardio.
 
I am at a plateau right now, as well. After reading a lot of posts on weight training on this forum, I am doing a strength rotation next month (Fitness Freaks' Muscle definition one, to be exact). I am hoping that this will help me lose some extra weight. We will see
 
While it is true that building muscle increases the metabolism and totally reshapes the body, cardiovascular training is not only important for heart and lung health, it does burn calories. So the right combo of both will yield the best results-along with diet.

I personally cannot go without my energy boosting cardio! It makes me feel good. But most women who do not understand that lifting weights will not make them look like a man, and disregard weight training in favor of doing countless hours of just cardio. It sounds like your friend is genetically gifted-no matter what she says about her family- I have a friend with a 6 pack, and the rest of his family is obese, he gets his lean body from his grandpa! So, her diet is probably really strict, and remember just because it works for her, doesn't mean it will work for everyone else.

I think alot of us do too much cardio and not enough weights, so why not try upping your weight training program and cutting back a day or two on the cardio. And of course diet plays that huge role as well.

:D
 
Hi Swayzepetsitting,
I'm interested in Fitness Freaks Muscle Definition rotation also but she has quite a few out there and I can't seem to find that particular one. Would you know the exact title or date she posted it? I'm not very good at searching so I didn't have much luck!

Thank you!
 
Thanks for the input! I think your right, I do concentrate a lot on cardio, as I like how I feel after sweating. I preodered Cathe's 4 day split, so i'm hoping this next rotation will be get me lifting heavier. But I'm still afraid to lift heavy as, I am narturally very muscular, well, not so much anymore... but as a child I was often made fun of because naturally my legs were so ripped in comparison to the other kids in class. So I'm afraid the heavy weights might have that result on my body. But your right, it doesn't on her body. She is petite, blond, and a knock out! So I think I'm going to give it a shot!

:)
 
Perhaps your neighbor really DID get into shape soley from weight lifting but I would not rush to drop cardio based on her experiences. Cardio is still a very beneficial and healthy part of an exercise regimen and it should not be overlooked! You can reduce your cardio to a minimal amount if that is what works for you as far as getting the results you are after but to cut it out completely...I never would.
 
Hi,

Personally, for me there has to be a balance between weights and cardio. I used to only do cardio, and over the years I have slowly incorporated more weight training. I pick up weights at least 4x per week; sometimes more. The weight training definitely shapes my body and makes me look curvy and fit. But I think that there is a physical benefit to incorporating cardio into the workout several times a week. It depends on how fit you want your cardiovascular system. I workout because I want overall fitness, not just to look good. Plus I still enjoy a good run or bike ride and I want to be able to do it.

Tracy

PS: After doing the X and lifting heavy, I can get the same endorphins flowing with heavy lifting that I can with a good cardio workout. That helps!
 
Hi,

Personally, for me there has to be a balance between weights and cardio. I used to only do cardio, and over the years I have slowly incorporated more weight training. I pick up weights at least 4x per week; sometimes more. The weight training definitely shapes my body and makes me look curvy and fit. But I think that there is a physical benefit to incorporating cardio into the workout several times a week. It depends on how fit you want your cardiovascular system. I workout because I want overall fitness, not just to look good. Plus I still enjoy a good run or bike ride and I want to be able to do it.

Tracy

PS: After doing the X and lifting heavy, I can get the same endorphins flowing with heavy lifting that I can with a good cardio workout. That helps!
 
Take a look at Women's Health for September. It has a clear article on the benefits of cardio versus weights. Both pretty much tie neck and neck in terms of the health benefits they bring. So, your neighbour may "look" good but she is missing out on the essential health benefits of cardiovascular exercise. That is the choice she has made because she values looking good above having excellent health.

Which do you value?

Increase your weight lifting by all means, but keep your 3 cardios per week minimum to look after your heart and prolong your life.

Clare
 
Linda, you need cardio to keep your heart and lungs strong. You also need strength training to keep your bones and muscles strong. Cardio can also be helpful in relieving stress and keeping your mood elevated. As for weight loss, in my experience that is mostly a function of what and how you eat.

In regard to metabolism, I think the jury is still out. The last I heard was that 1 lb. of muscle burns an additional 6 calories per day over 1 lb. of fat. That doesn't amount to a hill of beans, but there are new studies coming out all the time.
 
I'll never stop doing cardio, if for no other reason than it's mood enhancing effects. I really used to despise strength training, and I'll never be it's #1 fan, but I do know that it plays an important role in strenghtening the body, so I do it.

Don't get me wrong, I know how important it is to keep our weight at a manageable level, but I have no problems with carrying a few extra pounds because I ate some vanilla pudding with whipped creme for dessert a few nights a week.

I don't smoke, very rarely drink..special occasions, vacations may call for the occasional absolut and tonic..I need to have some vices!!!

To me, cardio is my #1 anti-depressant in my arsenal...I'll never stop!

Jerry
 
Dripping sweat for no reason??? What???? Oh, I've got plenty of reason, the main one being because I LOVE it. Weight lifting is lots of fun, but cardio is a delight. And oh my did I have a sweatfest this afternoon! I'll spare you the details, but believe me when I say I pushed it to the max. And it was wonderful.
 
Thanks for reminding me of all the great benefits of cardio! After talking to my neighbor she got me doubting that I would see results with cardio. But like you all... I love it! LOL And I seem to remember before I had my kids, all I did was cardio and I did lose weight so...??

I'll up my weights and keep doing Cathe step, and jogging:) Now if I could just stay away from those sweets!!! LOL
 
Just so you know, out of 5 kids in my family, I have one sister who could eat anything she wanted, and was always thin. The rest of us battle weight. So she MAY be naturally like this, even if the rest of her family is overweight.

Think of fitness and health as a package, cardiovascular, strength, flexibility and diet are all part of the package.

If you are 20 pounds from your goal, it is probably mostly diet preventing you from getting there. Exercise of any form helps, and is tremendous in maintenance, but getting the weight off is all about how you exercise your jaw.
 
>
>Increase your weight lifting by all means, but keep your 3
>cardios per week minimum to look after your heart and prolong
>your life.
>
>Clare


I totally agree!!

Also, my experience, when I only did cardio - I was totally ripped. People would ask me what I did all the time. But, I didn't always feel so great because I was over training...I finally found Cathe...and balance came into my physical life. I am not as "ripped" on the outside, but I feel so much better all over thanks to mixed training. So, every person is different. Find what works best for YOU and everything else will take care of itself :)
 
I agree with those above who have touted the "other" benefits of cardio exercise. It's not all about the calorie burn - it's about heart HEALTH.

That said, I tend to be a cardio junkie still - my instinct hasn't caught up w/ my head yet!

More weights!
 
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