Reducing Cardio? (to lose fat??)

[FirmNurse]

Hi. I just read a post from "Firm Goddess" regarding her bottom heavy friend and I have a major question. Being relatively "new again" to these boards I could use some help.

I started to workout again in January and lost about 15 of the 30 pounds I want to lose. Then, my inner ear problem happened about a month ago and I went to Slow and Heavy workouts, since I had no balance to do cardio.

Now that I am feeling better, I thought to add more cardio to lose some of this weight. I have NOT lost a single pound in a month, even with VERY CLEAN eating, but with the S&H rotation, I have noticed the MOST immense changes in my shape! I went down a size in my jeans, and I am NOT a slave to the scale.

But what is this about reducing the cardio? I always thought to increase the cardio to burn the fat, along with the weight lifting. Will I be better off with 3 days of cardio per week instead of trying to get in 6????????

I thought that I would be at my "goal" weight by the end of April, but there is no way that could happen. I have not even lost ONE pound per week and I would be SO EXCITED to start seeing the scale move just a little!

Just wondered if someone could "link" me to the info? I love what the S&H series did to my body, but I have finished a FULL 3 weeks of it and need to change????

Thanks!

 

[brenda21]

Jackie-
I have just become a convert who used to work out with the full 65+ minutes of cardio plus full body workouts w/weights. I'm now doing HIIT (high-intensity-interval-training) 3xs per week - think the very hardest cardio blast that Cathe does and do it 8-10 times with a slight rest in between. I'm learning to train each muscle group individually and letting it thoroughly rest in between sessions (at least 48 hrs).

I got on the scale today- I usually refuse to get on but I looked at myself in the mirror when I was getting dressed and thought I looked
pretty good. I found I gained 2 lbs and was shocked. Right now, with the heavier training, I'm 8 lbs over what I would call my "resting" weight- where my body usually likes to be. HOWEVER, I can tell I'm getting more defined, upper and lower body.

I believe the mantra of this site is "Don't get on the scale"-
it doesn't tell you how much muscle you've developed, how much fat you lost, how you fit in your jeans. This is more important so think about more how you feel as opposed to what the scale is saying... muscle weighs more than fat and S&H is a great way to build muscle.

If you feel you hit a plateau, move things around to shake things up by adding new workouts. Otherwise, congradulations on getting as far as you have already!

 

[FirmNurse]

I don't feel like I have hita plateau at all! In fact, this is the best I have done, ever! Cathe advised about doing the S&H for only about 3 weeks at a time, so I have to find another rotation and I hate to give up the S&H just when the results are starting to show!

I just wonder if I should NOT rely so much on cardio for my next rotation. I might try the 3X per week and use the weights more often than that.

 

[clareMc]

jackie:

I just posted to you on your other thread. I would keep three cardios per week inimum for your heart and health, nothing to do with what you look like in your jeans, or only indirectly so. Then keep up with your current S&H regime. You are seeing results you want: why stop? You've gone down a size in jeans? That's great. Ignore scales. Your body is compacting, denser muscle tissue weighs more but takes up less space.

Congrats on successes!

Clare

 

[trevor]

Brenda...

keep it up girl! I am glad you are seeing results with that plan!!
Quality over quantity for sure!!!
Trevor

 

[candi]

Everyone is different.

My experience was that when I reduced my cardio to only three days per week, I gained weight. The weight gain was experienced on the scale as well as in inches.

I find I do best with very high cardio, at least 5 days a week. I attribute this to the fact I am 49 years old and my metabolism isn't as high as it used to be. Also, my job is very sedentary. Even though I am very active on the weekends, my body just responds better to cardio more often than less often.

I don't think this has inhibited muscle growth because my upper body is very defined. My lower body looks okay except for that fat layer than won't go away. But I'm working on it!