I began my cutting and weight training in late January with no cardio. I I resisted cardio up until these past two or so weeks and I still have my stomach, I'm still at 19% bf. I had bought a stationary bike but it made my legs burn. So, I began going outside in the mornings and walking and jogging b/f my wife went to work. (I'm a stay at home dad for those of you who do not know) and that worked for a couple of weeks. Well, my wife works 8-5 two weeks a month and the other two weeks she works 7-3:30. When she began working the earlier hours lastweek, I found that I was having to get up at 5:15 to go outside...So, I stopped going outside. I looked in the mirror more and more anhd I began getting discouraged.

It seemed like a prayer or a cry of despiration deep inside of me. As cheesy as that sounds it true. So, for whatever reason, last Friday, I climed on the bike and b/f I knew it, I had gone about 10miles and kept my heart rate up. I had stayed on the bike for 45minutes. I haven't let up since. When I told my wife she said "I couldn't have done it" and I just said, that I was'nt trying to motivate her, but the cold fact is, if I can do it she can too. And I guess that's my point. Once it came from the heart, and a higher power heard my desperation, everything changed. Now, you may not be religious at all . I consider myself a "spiritual" man. Either way, when you see the fat really is just not going anywhere, and you're standing in front of that mirror, you can make a choice: you can burn the fat off or keep it. The motivation is there, just like the energy. It's there for the taking as my teacher says.
:gl:
Mick

Heck yea...everyone should totally agree with this. Biking is very productive with a little jogging here and there.

People choose to be overweight by what they put in themselves. Only 1% have no chance to be their ideal weight due to genetics or physical disposition but everyone must step up to the plate eventually (not the dinner plate!) and make a choice. All it takes is a week or two of sucess and results, BAM, your hooked

bring it on!

Exactly. But, I think most see this as out of their grasp. It tragic. I've see a few posts other than mine where ppl. lack the motvation to do cardio. I hope this helps others...

Yes, a lot of it is mental. After those two weeks, you not only form a habit, but you know that you can do 45 minutes of cardio no problem.

Another tip: ease up on yourself! The goal is to do slow and steady cardio, not mad sprints on the bike whenever you feel like you could put in a little more effort. Relax during the first 5-10 minutes; they are always uncomfortable. I think this might be due to the fact that you're burning glycogen at first but then you switch to fat burning and get "second wind."

Good luck, Mick. If you keep it up, you'll be ripped in a few months.

By the way, that advice wasn't directed at anyone specific.

Mick,

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I agree that sometimes it just seems like a higher power is at work in our lives and shows us what we need to do. Congrats on sticking with it and working towards your goals!

I'll also echo your comments on the value of cardio in one's overall fitness program. I started doing lots of cardio when I learned I had really high cholesterol levels and was going to be stuck on medication for the rest of my life. I decided that wasn't going to happen and I hit the treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike hard. The extra pounds came off, my energy is through the roof, and my cholesterol levels have dropped off to the point where I have stopped taking medication completely. Now that's results!

Now I find that I've needed to add weight training to my exercize routine to help me preserve lean mass. As I've starting reaching my late 30's I find that my metabolism has dropped significantly and the weight training is the only thing that will stop its decline.

I hear ya also on trying to encourage your spouse to share your same desire for physical fitness. My wife is not obese and very attractive, but has put on some extra pounds since having two children. She complains about not being able to fit into her clothes, having aches and pains, feeling tired/low energy, and mainly suffering from poor self-image. I've tried to talk her into working out and she has tried, but quickly stops after about a week. She claims that her best way of managing her weight is to diet, but that our family eating habits are sabotaging any effort she makes. I think that diet is important but have suggested that exercize will boost her flagging metabolism and make it easier. She agrees in principle, but just can't seem to make the commitment.

I believe that no one can be talked or badgered into making the effort to stick to an exercize program, but that they need to find the desire within themselves. She views my suggestions as criticism and is very defensive when I even start talking about her working out. I know that if she just made the effort for 1 month straight she'd find her weight coming off, increased energy levels and would develop the habit. Anyone else dealing with this situation and what advice do you have?

My cardio is of a steady pace. The bike has programs and I use "max fat burn". The bike switches from low resistance to higher resistance throught the session.

I would like to hear from those who are resisting cardio. I've been on this board and a member of this community for several months. I just get tired of sponging off, and never giving back. I do not know a lot, but I am learning. I'll contribute more as my knowledge of these matters grow.

Mick

im trying to get myself fit again for the new football season in england, i have a contract at a 3rd division club if i can get through a trial so its so important for me.

What i find works for me is the combination of eating correctly and also when i go out for cardio i take the bike but jog also, end up jogging about 3/4 miles each time and im only out for about 40-45 minutes, i find it excellent because the bike comes as a rest for me but also im still exercising, when i feel ready again i get off the bik and jog!

I would like to hear from those who are resisting cardio.
Sigh... that would be me. I've been working out hard and eating really good since Early January, and the bf % hasn't gone down much at all. I'm really not too concerned about the weight, I'm about 15% bf, but when I'm cutting I would really like to see it come down a lot more. I've gotten a lot more muscular, but defintely not more lean (maybe a little).

I really liked your post. I've been thinking more and more about how I have to do some sort of cardio, but time is so short (2 kids, both my wife and I work, it's tough). Fortunately, my office is moving to a new building where they have some slick ellipticals and showers, so I can do my cardio at lunchtime. I'm REALLY excited to make it a new part of my routine and can't wait to see some of the results from it.

slush -

Thats good news about your work getting some equipment.

If i were you just start off with 3 days with using the elliptical and try putting the resistance on the upper body part so you're getting the best of both worlds.

As far as making time for workout, someone on here said last week they get up at 4:30 to do cardio.

Mick,

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I agree that sometimes it just seems like a higher power is at work in our lives and shows us what we need to do. Congrats on sticking with it and working towards your goals!

I'll also echo your comments on the value of cardio in one's overall fitness program. I started doing lots of cardio when I learned I had really high cholesterol levels and was going to be stuck on medication for the rest of my life. I decided that wasn't going to happen and I hit the treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike hard. The extra pounds came off, my energy is through the roof, and my cholesterol levels have dropped off to the point where I have stopped taking medication completely. Now that's results!

Now I find that I've needed to add weight training to my exercize routine to help me preserve lean mass. As I've starting reaching my late 30's I find that my metabolism has dropped significantly and the weight training is the only thing that will stop its decline.

I hear ya also on trying to encourage your spouse to share your same desire for physical fitness. My wife is not obese and very attractive, but has put on some extra pounds since having two children. She complains about not being able to fit into her clothes, having aches and pains, feeling tired/low energy, and mainly suffering from poor self-image. I've tried to talk her into working out and she has tried, but quickly stops after about a week. She claims that her best way of managing her weight is to diet, but that our family eating habits are sabotaging any effort she makes. I think that diet is important but have suggested that exercize will boost her flagging metabolism and make it easier. She agrees in principle, but just can't seem to make the commitment.

I believe that no one can be talked or badgered into making the effort to stick to an exercize program, but that they need to find the desire within themselves. She views my suggestions as criticism and is very defensive when I even start talking about her working out. I know that if she just made the effort for 1 month straight she'd find her weight coming off, increased energy levels and would develop the habit. Anyone else dealing with this situation and what advice do you have?
thanks. It does help raise your self confidence. I hope you stay focused as well.
Mick