Cardio Help

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patsfan2009

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Aug 11, 2009
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Hi I started working out in June, I worked out for two months before taking a month off. I started working out again a few days ago and am just starting to get back into the routine. I work out 5 days a week with free weights, (back and bi, chest and tri, and shoulders) giving myself a 2 day rest. Im 18 5'11 and 237 pounds (was 266 when I started in june). My goal is to lose about 30 or 40 pounds. My diet since I started working out is basicly just foods high in protein and low in carbs. I also have 2 whey protein shakes a day, and take fish oil when I wake up along with weight loss pills. Im having a really hard time with the cardio, and I know that is the most important part of my workout to burn calories. I can barely last for 10 minutes on the treadmill. Does anyone have any tips to increase my cardio workout.
 
Hi there - so whats your fitness like on a scale of 1-10? Burning calories on a treadmill in my opinion is blardy boring - I am a Spin/RPM instructor and a runner two really good activities to reduce weight and get fit. I guess it depends on your fitness level to start out with 10mts on a treadmill is your limit aim to add an extra 5mts each time gradually so that you build up to 30mts then to 40mts ...you want to build your fitness up slowly so that you become to enjoy it and want to do it ..this will happen as your fitness gets better ...
 
FWIW, I have very few credentials on this forum- but I have some other ideas that may help you. Before I get into it, congratulations on losing that initial 30lb or so!!

1- Lose the protein shakes. there's nothing in them that you can't get from real food. Try chicken, turkey, tuna, nice lean meats.

2- Lose the treadmill. Go out and walk/jog/run around outside. Also try other exercises- swimming, spin classes

3- You have to realize that what you're getting into isn't a temporary thing. It's a lifestyle change.

4- Add some leg work into that workout- Deadlifts, Squats, Lunges. Take your time with them, start with light weight, really learn the form. You'll find them very rewarding.

Good luck!!
 
try some circuit style training- it always seems to burn shedloads of cals.
 
First off, cardio is not going to be the most important part of your routine in burning calories.

If someone either had the option of only lifting weights, or only doing cardio coupled with proper diet, the best option would be to lift weights.
Training your muscles not only burns shit tons of calories (in the gym, and for a while even after exercise has ceased) but it builds muscle mass, the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism is. There is a caloric upkeep, so to speak for muscle.

How fast are you running on the treadmill?
If you can't run 10 minutes, you're obviously going too hard on yourself. Work your way up, its just like weightlifitng, you didn't start off bench pressing 300lbs, you had to work your way up.

Also, get off the treadmill. Mix it up.
I'd advise for you to try HIIT, but if you can't last 10 minutes on a treadmill, than I'd wait for now.
But just ramp yourself up in terms of cardio.
Go jog for 20 minutes at a pace you can keep consistent for the whole time.

Good luck
 
Also, and I know you prolly won't stop taking them.. but whatever weight loss pills you're taking.. you don't need them.

Vast majority of those weight loss supplements are crap, and the remaining only provide a small difference.. the difference that only a top level competitor would be able to notice.. say the difference between being 2% body fat on competition day, and 2.5% body fat.
 
I'd start on the rowing machine - do 1000m or so. Move on to the treadmill and do your 10 mins, once you get knackered drop it to walking pace and walk for 5 mins. Then start running again. Once you've properly exahusted yourself you can always move onto the elliptical (cross-trainer) or bike.

Most important thing with cardio is distracting yourself. If you're concentrating on the process then you feel far more fatigued. Listen to music/watch tv and keep your mind off the task in hand!
 
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