Here's the thing.... My original plan was to get up first thing in the morning and run, but being how I way about 260-270, I don't want to put too much wear and tear on my joints. So, I'm going to go to the gym and hop on the bike for 30-45 minutes. The problem is I can't do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Well, I could, but I don't want to go to the gym 2x times a day. Once for cardio and once for lifting. Is it terrible to do both at the same time? Am I not going to get the maximum benefit by doing both in the same visit?

Here's the thing.... My original plan was to get up first thing in the morning and run, but being how I way about 260-270, I don't want to put too much wear and tear on my joints. So, I'm going to go to the gym and hop on the bike for 30-45 minutes. The problem is I can't do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Well, I could, but I don't want to go to the gym 2x times a day. Once for cardio and once for lifting. Is it terrible to do both at the same time? Am I not going to get the maximum benefit by doing both in the same visit?

Read this:

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=4376

Everyone has a different take on it. I for one dont believe it should be done in the same time frame. Instead of having to go to the gym twice in one day, why not split it up so that you workout 3 times a week and do cardio 3 times a week.

Instead of having to go to the gym twice in one day, why not split it up so that you workout 3 times a week and do cardio 3 times a week.
My thoughts exactly. Why are you doing both every day?

Read this:

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=4376

Everyone has a different take on it. I for one dont believe it should be done in the same time frame. Instead of having to go to the gym twice in one day, why not split it up so that you workout 3 times a week and do cardio 3 times a week.
Well, I was going to follow the Max-OT progra,, but I guess it wouldn't be a problem to adjust the Max-OT program to fit 3 days. I was also planning on doing cardio 3-5 times a week.

My thoughts exactly. Why are you doing both every day?

Wait so its not good to do cardio everyday? I do it 5-6 days a week. I dont run, i just walk on a tradmill. I usually mix it up walking 3.5 mph on an incline or 4.0 mph flat for an hour. I feel bad if i miss a day. Also i do weights monday/tuesday/thursday/friday, and i usually do the walking after weights.

freelancer, don't sweat it. If it works for you, keep doing it. I was doing cardio 6 days a week for a long time, with great progress. It's not working for me anymore. But it's been SO hard for me to stop the cardio on lifting days. Once I was able to switch it to a 20 minute walk to buy veggies instead of a 30-45 minute jog on the treadmill, it's been working much better. I'm able to concentrate more on lifting on lifting days, and get a better cardio workout on cardio days.

My personal recommendation is if you have to do cardio on lifting days, keep it under 25 minutes, and do over 30 minutes on non-lifting days.

Ok another question just arose in my head. Cardio is recommended before eating anything, while lifting is not recommended before eating. Would it be better to go (doing both cardio and lifting) after breakfast, after lunch, or before/after dinner.

*I want carbs before I lift right?*

Well, I will be going to do both in the morning probably after breakfast, is this ok? My breakfast needs to contain more carbs than usual to fuel my body for lifting?, correct?

cardio in the morning on an empty stomach for fatloss, no exception. the goal is to burn fat for fuel, not food. your longest period of fasting is overnight when you sleep, so you hit the body with cardio to finish up that fast and then eat afterwards.

i like to do my lifting in the afternoon, about 5pm, which is more than 8 hours after my morning cardio sessions.

You guys are still debating on this?

Seriously ... do the cardio and training when you have the most energy and will consistently stick with it. Can you do cardio on an empty stomach? Fine ... remember, the myth that this will force your body to burn fat isn't entirely true, because your body will use more protein as a fuel source as well since the carbs it needs to burn fat aren't readily available. Can you weight train on an empty stomach? If you want to. Do you get weak or tired? Then eat.

Honestly, regardless of what the articles and everyone else says, each person is going to relate their own experience. So let me relate the experience of working with different people - I have had clients who do cardio on an empty stomach, or after a meal, who lift one day and do cardio the next, or who do cardio immediately after lifting, and every combination in between. In all cases, the nutrition throughout the day is far more important than whether the cardio is on an empty stomach, etc. And a lot of people feel weaker doing it on an empty stomach, so they do BETTER having a meal before hand because then they burn more calories during their cardio session with the added energy.

Jeremy

Well, I can't go to the gym twice a day 5 times a week. That's not going to happen. If I ran in the AM it would work, but I weigh too much and don't want to put to much weight on my joints so for the first month or so I'm going to ride the bike. As much as I wish I could do cardio first thing in morning, it just won't work out. So I have to combine my lifting and cardio.

smart idea to forego the running while overweight and hit up something with less impact, ie bike, walking, swimming, etc. your knees will thank you!

Well, I can't go to the gym twice a day 5 times a week. That's not going to happen. If I ran in the AM it would work, but I weigh too much and don't want to put to much weight on my joints so for the first month or so I'm going to ride the bike.
Forget running; try walking on an inclined treadmill for 45 minutes keeping your HR between 65-75%.

I second the bike-riding idea. Bikes are the heavy person's cardio dream. I can burn lots and lots of calories without pounding the heck out of my knees, and it's fun.

I second the bike-riding idea. Bikes are the heavy person's cardio dream. I can burn lots and lots of calories without pounding the heck out of my knees, and it's fun.
Yea, I enjoy riding. It's hard for a person like me to walk for 45 minutes. I just can't really get down with that. I'm impatient and get bored quick with walking. I wish I could run, which I enjoy much better, but oh well. I love playing basketball and haven't played for awhile, but it requires a lot of running. I think I will hold off on that as well as I do recall having my knees hurting afterwards.
Oh the many disadvantages of being fat :( , but one day it'll be over :spaz: