Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building muscle?

[jozybaby]

I'm wondering because this was a scientific (sales?) point of the Firm years ago. If you do too much cardio for too long, does this inhibit muscle growth from strength work?

Right now, I'm doing cardio/weights on alternate days. But because I carry my weight primarily around my middle, I wanted to increase my cardio to burn fat. So even on weight days, I will add 20-30 minutes of cardio. Am I hurting my muscle building (and consequently weight loss) results?

 

[macska]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

Hi

As fas as I know 20-30 min cardio won't make you lose musle mass. It only happens when you go for longer than an hour on a regular bases. Then your body may use a bit of your muscle mass for fuel together with your glycogen and fat. Make sure to eat enough protein!

 

[Bobbi]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

You need to be consuming an adequate number of calories to lay down muscle. Too much cardio can be detrimental to that. However, eating a balanced diet and doing the right amount of cardio and strength work can and will make you leaner and more muscular. Your body won't catabolize your muscle as long as you eat and it will utilize your fat and glycogen stores as long as you don't eat too much!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver

 

[jozybaby]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

Thanks Macksa and Bobbi,

What caloric goal do I need to hit to maintain my muscle building power? I try for between 1200 and 1800 per day.

 

[jozybaby]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

Thanks Macksa and Bobbi,

What caloric goal do I need to hit to maintain my muscle building power? I try for between 1200 and 1800 per day.

 

[Bobbi]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

Jozybaby, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Those two pieces of information and your activity level determine what you need. I find I can't drop below 1800 without feeling hungry and whenever I eat too little, I invariably find myself rooting around for comfort carbs. I also eat more cleanly on workout days, vigorous ones in particular and tend to eat less which makes no sense but makes me get my rear in gear most days of the week! LOL!

Here's a link to a website I like:

http://www.dietitian.com/ibw/ibw.html

And if you haven't tried http://www.fitday.com , you should! It's terrific!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver

 

[Bobbi]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

Jozybaby, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Those two pieces of information and your activity level determine what you need. I find I can't drop below 1800 without feeling hungry and whenever I eat too little, I invariably find myself rooting around for comfort carbs. I also eat more cleanly on workout days, vigorous ones in particular and tend to eat less which makes no sense but makes me get my rear in gear most days of the week! LOL!

Here's a link to a website I like:

http://www.dietitian.com/ibw/ibw.html

And if you haven't tried http://www.fitday.com , you should! It's terrific!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver

 

[jozybaby]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

Bobbi!

Thank you for the dietician link. It was great! It helped me figure out how many calories I need and how to distribute them fat/protein/carb wise. It also utilizes BMI and body type (apple) to help me figure out how to best eat and workout for a healthier body.

I printed out the little report that the site prepared for me and will use it to chart my progress. I'll go back in a month and compare.

Thanks again!

 

[JamminX3]

RE: Cathe, can *too* much cardio work against building ...

I know that I've seen Cathe post that too much running will cause her to lose upper body muscle.

I'm an ectomorph, so I'm not sure about how much cardio is too much/too little for me also. I"m sure it all has to do with body type/diet/type and length of cardio, etc...etc...