Cardiovascular endurance and metabolism

[CathydsRNA]

Hi,
I have noticed that I get acclimated to cardio workouts fairly quickly(difficult to get my heart rate up to where it was when I did workout for first couple times)My question: if it takes less energy expenditure on my part to do a workout(s) after I have built up my cardiovascular endurance/conditioning...am I also using less energy to do everything else I do during the day and hence burning less calories. If not, why not? I do strength training workouts also.Thanks for any light you can shed on this topic.

Cathy

 

[naughtoj]

No, you don't burn less. It FEELS easier, but is not metabolically easier for your body. I don't know the exact science of it, but I do know that through exercise, namely weight lifting, you build muscle mass. With additional muscle mass, you burn MORE calories throughout the day, including when you are moving around and working. It is not that your body is using less energy, it is that it is not so taxing on the systems of the body as it was before. Now, you can do laundry faster and jump higher, which also translates into a greater calorie burn. You are probably already doing that as a side benefit of working out....it is just that you don't realize it because your workouts have made your work (cleaning, walking, laundry) feel easier.

Does that make sense? Maybe someone else can help you with the scientific reasons, this is just my best semi-educated guess....