Has anybody blown off cardio for a while?

B

Biteset

Cathlete
I just can't bring myself to do cardio lately, and haven't even been working out at ALL lately--and I think it's just that I'm rebelling against cardio but have an all-or-nothing complex. Either I do a healthy mix of cardio & strength or I do...nothing. That just has to stop. So I've decided to shelve the cardio and just do strength for a while. Has anybody else done this?

Gisela
 
Gisela,

As a former aerobics instructor, gosh no, I never blow off cardio. You need the cardiovascular exercise as well as the strength. I hope you reconsider.

Maybe you'd like to join the "I hate cardio" checkin on the checkin/challenge forum. They hate cardio with an unreal passion, but push one another to DO IT.

Take care.
 
I could never blow off cardio - the weight gain I would experience would be frightening!

"You can't win them all - but you can try." - Babe Zaharias http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/musik/music-smiley-004.gif[/img]
 
Gisela,

I have once done it, and gained weight. If you do, please don't do it for long. You'll regret it if you do. Just don't give up, it's so hard to get back into it.

Stay with it for a lifetime routine, can't beat the benefits that go along with cardio. Know to do it, like you have to brush your teeth, take a bath, or whatever else you do in your daily routine, cardio has to be done also.

Hope this helps a bit,

Janie

"If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything at all."
-My mother, Mary Cooper-
 
>I just can't bring myself to do cardio lately, and haven't
>even been working out at ALL lately--and I think it's just
>that I'm rebelling against cardio but have an all-or-nothing
>complex. Either I do a healthy mix of cardio & strength or I
>do...nothing. That just has to stop. So I've decided to
>shelve the cardio and just do strength for a while. Has
>anybody else done this?
>Gisela

Gisela,

I have been blowing cardio off now for a little over a month, I have not really lost weight(My eating has been horrid)..but I have not gained weight either. My idea of no cardio is walking 1 hour in the morning brisk pace and 1 hour at night and 1-2 weight workouts (like Muscle max) in the middle of the week.

If your body is telling you to lay off the cardio for a while then do it. There are tons of people all over the planet that are in great shape and have low body fat, and they don't do one minute of cardio. Think of all the people that you kow that are "Naturally" thin and they don't workout at all, and they don't want to workout either. I used to believe that I could not lose weight unless I did hours of cardio and weight training... really busting my hump until it hurt, I don't believe that anymore. I think your body responds how you think it will respond, if you think you will gain weight if you don't workout..you will, if you think you need hours of cardio to lose weight, you do...thoughts are things, it is really up to whatever you think is true.
I remember reading somewhwhere that exercise is only about 10-20% of fat loss and eating is 80-90%. Think of all the people that you know that lose a ton weight, no cardio no weight training..just a change in diet.

I say do whatever you want to do..it is your body and your life. Maybe you are feeling this way because that is what you are suppose to be doing right now.

:)
 
I am askeered to do that!:eek:

I admit I have wanted to at times but I have also wanted to blow off weight training as well and am much more likely to allow that to go to the way side than cardio.

I DEFINATELY have wanted to and HAVE blown off clean eating for short periods of time! :9
 
What is prompting you to blow off your cardio? Are you burned out on videos at home? Maybe you just need a change. I have had times in my life that I had to stop anything with impact due to an injury. I am afraid to say it but I might have to stop again. Ugh! It was difficult for me to find my way back to the discipline of doing it every day. I think it's important to take breaks from working out, but it's also important to work your heart. It's a muscle in your body that is strengthened only through cardio. But, maybe you would benefit from a different form of cardio. Take 6 months off of cardio videos and ride your bike or something. Then you might love it when you come back.
Heather
 
Well, i haven't done as much lately as I usually do.
I usually do both at night and lately i have been tired after work and do my weights and plan on cardio then I just say that was enough. I have not gained any weight, but i eat pretty healthy. I have 15 lbs more to go and i don't care how long it takes to come off. It has taken 2 years to loose 20 and i figure by next summer i will loose it, but keep it off. I get comments on how much weight i have lost even in the last month and i only dropped 2lbs this month.
You will get back to it. It is a phase. Gonna try doubling up tonite Muscle max and the treadmill, but again depends on how tired after work today.

Does cutting down trees and dragging them to a chipper count for cardio?
Anne

http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
Summer for me is very difficult to have a steady workout. So I gave up again. I wrote a post at the end of MAy I had so much going on I was thinking of taking summer off I did a month I got back into it and I am just too busy to keep it up so I stopped again. I am not eating donuts that my sister kept bringing over every morning of our Garage Sale and no nighttime snacking I am not giving up my DQ though. When my daughters get back to school I will get back to my workouts. I am loosing my tone but it will be great to get it back again.

beth6395
 
I have, but not for more than a week at a time. Due to illness or injury. After a week off, I am a total witch because I need the endorphin release. However, if your diet is perfect and you adjust your eating to make up for the calories you will not be burning during your usual cardio session, you should be ok.

Take a short break, then resume a new cardio activity...something fun!!
 
i myself do not hate cardio, but it hates me. my knees are very against it anyway:) i have gone several months without it. if i eat clean and continue lifting, i see no negative results. in fact, i have lost weight doing that. but if i eat whatever and leave cardio off, it's a horrid result. i just started back to doing step two weeks ago and i'm doing it with no risers (which makes me feel like a slack-ass, but it's better than nothing) and my knees have been quiet so far. good luck finding your balance;-)


jes
 
Sounds like you need a change. I have always liked kickbox and the intervals but NEVER liked step.

Just got turbo jam for my DD so until she goes back to school I'm doing it. Maybe you just need a change - definetely the fun factor is important. Sounds like your body wants something new.

Good luck!

Another thing that is good when I get this way is CTX. Its shorter and I always get better fat burning results, with shorter intense cardio. Granted we are all different but that is what works for me.
 
I have never blown if off completely, but I do get burned out. I think you should take a week off and just do weights or yoga or something different. Just focus on good eating and enjoy the break:)


Susan
 
Thanks, everybody, for your supportive words!

It's probably a bit of burnout, or residual burnout, or anticipated burnout...lol.

I've been an exercise start & stopper, or "crash" exerciser. Only in the last week did I finally recognize what I've been doing: I repeatedly start up a pretty intense workout rotation AND go on a diet. This while fooling myself that I'm not on a diet--that I'm just "eating clean". Then I burn out, surprise surprise, and it takes me weeks to get up the courage to do it to myself all over again.

I didn't recognize this until a few days ago when I read the book "Intuitive Eating". That's where I got the phrase "crash exercising", much like "crash dieting".

The irony is that I'm not overweight. I'm actually one of those naturally thin people. The difference in my body weight between "diet mode" and "non-diet mode" is less than five pounds. What I really need in order to look the way I want to is more muscle tone, especially lower body.

Anyway, I intend to turn over a new leaf, starting now. No more dieting, no more crash exercising, no more setting impossibly high standards. I need to do whatever it takes to just CONSISTENTLY EXERCISE. And right now that means avoiding what I currently dread, which is cardio. When I feel emotionally ready for it, I'll do it again.

I know the health benefits and necessity of cardio. I do understand that.

Another factor here is that I have two small children, so workout time is limited. With that in mind, a narrower focus probably is a good idea.

Sorry to write so much! Thanks again for everybody's thoughts.

Gisela
 
Actually I've been off cardio from a while due to an unhappy hip joint. I do however weights and yoga/pilates every day. No weight gain at all. I do eat very healthy and watch the calories. Hope this helps, Mari
 
Gisela,
It sounds like you have a really good perspective on your process. You should listen to what your body tells you. Good luck!
Heather
 
Funny, read your post subject and thought to myself "I'd rather die." Now mind you, I always look forward to weights and sometimes not to cardio. But cut it out completely? Yep, I'd rather die.
 
Oh, Gisela, I am a lot like you. Everything must be completely black or white or else I'm just not comfortable. I've been fighting with this my whole life. I recently realized that although I haven't suffered from anorexia nervosa in over 30 years, I still have "anorexic thinking". If I can't do great at something, than I would rather fail. It's always all or nothing. I am making a much more concerted effort these days to stop the "anorexic" thoughts whenever they get started inside my head. So now, I do some cardio on the weekend when I have the time, and don't worry about whether I'm going to be exercising during the week. Because exercising on the weekend is better than nothing.

Do what you can and don't worry about being perfect!

-Nancy
 
Gisela:

I hardly did any cardio last year at all. It was only when I also stopped lifting weights that I saw any difference in my body composition, i.e. less muscle, more body fat, but same weight.

I agree with those who say take a breather from your normal cardio activities. I think I just got burned out on Cathe cardio DVD's. I then got more interested in power walking and running, using intervals during both exercise types, on the treadmill. I needed a new challenge you see.

You don't need to force yourself to do cardio every day, especially if you dislike it and really have to force yourself. Sooner, rather than later, you will againn resent it and stop exercising again. I know this because, like you, I have an "all or nothing" personality type.

All you need to do is "encourage yourself" to do 3 cardio sessions per week, that's all. Then dedicate the rest of your time to lifting weights which is actually friendlier to mums with kids because you cn work one muscle group, put the dinner on, work another muscle group, fetch the kids some drinks, return and do another muscle group, etc until you are done and all have their dinner. This is what I do.

Cardio work is necessary, regardless of whether you are thin or not. Your cardiovascular system still needs exercising for overall good health. But weights may make more difference in hopw your body looks, which may give you more incentive to stay working out without stopping.

Remember, you don't have to do Cathe cardio. Walking is just fine, as are any sports at all.
 
Nancy, I am an infrequent poster/reader of the forums, but recognize you because you provide alot of input and have seen your photo change now and then. I've always thought you have such a sophisticated quality in your look, very old world Hollywood star. Anyway, this photo of you is lovely.
 
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