Help with when to perform cardio

[chiarij]

Hello, everyone!

Please forgive my ignorance, but, I keep reading about cardio when to do it and when not too. But opinions differ.

Help!!

I started attempting to eat clean early January of this year, eliminating processed foods, junk food...etc...(a work in progress) I need to lose weight and I would like to build muscle in it place.

FYI.
Female, 40 yrs. young

start weight: 260 lbs
current weight: 248 lbs
goal: 175

For cardio I use Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds 2 mile, I complete the 2 mile DVD twice, total 4 miles--60 mins. When Leslie and her group is walking I am either speed walking, jogging or running. I also lift weights every other night approximately 20 minutes looking to increase to 45 minutes...I do this following my cardio workout is this okay??? I want to burn FAT not MUSCLE...

Any help would be grately appreciated!!!!
Chiarij

[karatetricker]

When cardio and lifting have to be paired together, I prefer to see the cardio after the lifting. However, 60 mins is a lot to do after lifting. I'd recommend doing 30 mins lifting/30 mins cardio on days you lift and the regular 60 mins cardio on the other days.

Of course, the difference will probably be marginal, but I just prefer to see lifting come first.

[upchic]

I would recommend purchasing the 4 mile DVD (you can find it on amazon.com). I had the regular 1mile - 3mile, then I purchased the express series with the stretchie band and the strength tape and 4mile included. I know at least in the express series the 4 mile is much tougher then doing the 2 mile twice (I've done both.) Do you actually follow the tape (ie do what they do or do your own thing)?

I purchased them over 3years ago and have been doing them ever since. I lost 27lbs walking 5miles a day (with the tapes) and following the 8 minutes in the morning eating/strengthening plan. I of course varied it, sometimes I would do the 1mile in the morning then do the 4 mile or 2mile twice, or something 2 miles in the morning and 3 miles at night, or 1 mile in the morning then 3mile + 1mile at night, ect (you get the picture).

I of course don't get much of a workout from them anymore so I would do things like add weights if I could, or I purchased some other bands that were heavier (ie harder to stretch) ect.

Currently every other morning I get out of bed and do the 2 mile tape, the other mornings I get out of bed and go on my stationary bike. Again somethign I got myself accustom to over the last 3 years. I prefer to work out first thing in the morning becuase then nothing else can interfer with me doing it (ie running late, an emergency ect).

However, if I am doing anything more strenuous (spelling? sorry my weak point) or longer then the 2 mile tape (30 minutes). I eat something first. I have read in a few places that you should always eat within an hour of waking up. Even something small as a little fruit or something like that something that will raise your blood sugar up a bit, never anything heavy. This helps give your body something to burn instead of your muscle while exercising.

Last month or so I have been having a protein shake after I do the 2 mile tape or bike. If all you have is the tapes to use, I would definately recommend more of a variety (ie purchase other walk away the pounds videos if you like those). Your body will get accustom to them real quick if you don't.

If you have any other questions about the walk away the pounds stuff though give me a holler

[lordkovacs]

ya know what... in my opinion just do cardio. doesn't matter when. you're not trying to win a bodybuilding competition, so don't be hard on yourself. the fact that you want to make the change is great, but you should first learn to love it (fitness) before you make great demands on yourself. Just eat more healthy every week, and stay active as much as you can, and have fun. Once you develop the love of it, then you start to challenge yourself by adopting routines, etc.

Also, make two sets of goals for yourself. Include perhaps goal weights for the next month, along with things like losing a dress size, or fitting into last year's bathing suit or something. Then make a 3 month goal list. It will be fun as you start achieving these goals, and that is what it's all about!

Again, whatever you are doing is great... you're just starting, so have fun!

Good luck!

MIKE

[Wasted]

You're always going to get differing results on the Cardio question. It's usually best to just research them, pick which one you think would best suit your running style (I'm more a sprinter so HIIT appealed to me), your time restraints, and your cutting goals. There is no one real answer, so just pick a style (or do both if you want) and run with it. Any cardio is good cardio, and you should see results using either one, I know I have.

[chiarij]

Upchick,

The first couple of times I followed the video and then after that I started building from walking, to speed walking, to a jog, and then running. So when Leslie is walking I am jogging and increasing to running. Then it's other days I may follow the video but, mostly I do the jogging/running thing when Leslie walks and then return to doing what Leslie is doing.

I am waiting for her Walk & Jog and the Walk Away the Pounds 4 miles as we speak I ordered them last week.

Thanks everyone else for your help, it is greatly appreciated!!

chiarij1
Female, 40 years young
Start Date: January 5, 2006
Start weight: 260 lb
Current weight: 248 lb
Goal weight: 175 lb