My Battle With Obesity: Does The Type of Cardio Even Matter?

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  May 11, 2011 5:20 AM GMT

  So I couldn't run on the threadmill today because they were all taken by others who are also battling obesity. I had to end up using those machines that kinda look like ellipticals but not really. The ones where the platform you put your feet on look like really large crocs. The ones that make you feel like your bouncing around.
  
  Anyways, I've been gearing up for beach weather summer so I've been doing lots and lots of cardio to shed my excess fat. I usually jog or bike with my heart rate monitor on so I can tell how many calories I've burnt. I usually stop at 500 calories which takes me about an hour or so. I try to keep my heart rate around 140. I am usually beat and my legs feel shot after my cardio routine.
  
  Today while I was on the bouncy machine. It occurred to me that if I kept my heart rate at 140 that I would burn the same amount of calories. I did! I know this should have been pretty obvious a long long time ago. Although I could be totally wrong. I mean, if I could just use the bouncy machine it would minimize impact on my legs and my shoes would not wear out as quick.
  
  I need someone to clarify.

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  May 11, 2011 5:22 AM GMT

  AvadaKedavra saidSo I couldn't run on the threadmill today...

  
  
  What's a threadmill? Something like this?
  

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  May 11, 2011 5:43 AM GMT

  AvadaKedavra said
  
  I need someone to clarify.

  
  
  Put down the doughnut. A calorie saved is a calorie burned!

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  May 11, 2011 7:09 AM GMT

  Ariodante said

  AvadaKedavra said
  
  I need someone to clarify.

  
  
  Put down the doughnut. A calorie saved is a calorie burned!

  
  
  Said the cookie monster......Of course if you look at the pictures of the cookie monster, you would have to be blind not to realize that THIS cookie monster is the EXCEPTION TO THE RULE that everyone talks about. Anyway, yea, a calorie saved is a calorie burned and a penny added to your swimsuit piggy bank.

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  May 11, 2011 7:19 AM GMT

  ErikTaurean said

  Ariodante said

  AvadaKedavra said
  
  I need someone to clarify.

  
  
  Put down the doughnut. A calorie saved is a calorie burned!

  
  
  Said the cookie monster......Of course if you look at the pictures of the cookie monster, you would have to be blind not to realize that THIS cookie monster is the EXCEPTION TO THE RULE that everyone talks about. Anyway, yea, a calorie saved is a calorie burned and a penny added to your swimsuit piggy bank.

  
  
  I just want him to put down the doughnut so I can eat it myself. Mmmmmm, donuuut..

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• Webster666
  
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  May 11, 2011 7:20 AM GMT

  Working out with weights will do far more for you than anything aerobic.

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  May 11, 2011 8:26 AM GMT

  Webster666 saidWorking out with weights will do far more for you than anything aerobic.

  
  Unless you're planning to slim out instead of bulk up.

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  May 11, 2011 8:44 AM GMT

  I can't believe nobody has said this yet.
  
  You are not obese.
  
  Please make love to me so that I can whisper sweet nothings in your ear and convince you that you are the most beautiful man in the world.

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  May 11, 2011 8:47 AM GMT

  Stress will make you gain fat faster than lack of cardio.
  Don't stress over skipping a day. Chances are, your body could use the rest anyway.

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  May 11, 2011 12:04 PM GMT

  elipticals are awesome. I used to worry about my weight. Now I wake up in the morning and get on the eliptical and burn 1500 calories in 1.5 hours. After that it really doesn't matter what I eat or do for the rest of the day. You should try it.
  It's liberating to know that you have burned so many calories that the rest of the day is yours.
  
  but in winter at school I cant do it so i just don't eat complex carbs....especially wheat. Grains in general are bad for you and make you fat....even whole grains. Milk is bad for you to.
  
  If you keep using the eliptical, you will have a very nice booty. like me.

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  May 11, 2011 12:07 PM GMT

  Your legs must be obese, 'cause the upper body looks ok.

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  May 11, 2011 12:07 PM GMT

  in my opinion... Just read this article. It is really helpful
  
  http://fatamericafitamerica.com/2011/01/15/the-best-damn-cardio-article-period-part-1/

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  May 11, 2011 12:12 PM GMT

  Yes its true... you will still burn the same amount of calories.
  
  At least you have the patience to do it... I get bored on both the machines. If you find it boring, also look into a mixed martial arts class, kick-boxing, or SWIM if your gym has a pool! Not only are you shedding pounds, but you're shaping and toning the muscles at the same time.

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  May 11, 2011 12:14 PM GMT

  rnyc saidYour legs must be obese, 'cause the upper body looks ok.

  
  
  he stores all the fat in his butt.

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• Ironman4U
  
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  May 11, 2011 12:16 PM GMT

  Calories burned is a function of duration of exercise and intensity of exercise. So if you want to burn more calories, you can increase one or both of those variables.
  
  Each aerobic activity (whether it be running, biking, swimming, basketball, eliptical, etc.) also has a different level of difficulty in how it taxes your body, so some aerobic workouts will burn more calories than others. For example, running will burn more calories than the eliptical because your body has to work harder to maintain the same intensity. That being said, mixing up your cardio so you don't get bored or finding something that you WILL do (and doing it) consistently is key.

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  May 11, 2011 1:05 PM GMT

  fit2be saidin my opinion... Just read this article. It is really helpful
  
  http://fatamericafitamerica.com/2011/01/15/the-best-damn-cardio-article-period-part-1/

  
  
  As a group fitness trainer, people would expect me to argue with this article. I actually completely agree with it.
  
  When people in the gyms are taking our group fitness classes, they see a buff guy or girl leading a group on in some awesome group fitness class. They think that these instructors look so good and that the class must be the secret. Its really not... a Cardio-Intensive is just that... CARDIO! Yes it burns fat, and some classes that incorporate weights can shape and tone muscles. But they do not create dream bodies. And many of the Group Fitness trainers that I work with are also Personal Trainers themselves and spend a great deal of time using free weights or cable weights as part of their own daily routine.
  
  People are shocked when they find out that even trainers like me actually have trainers themselves. I openly tell people I have a personal trainer. In fact, I made sure I use one of the best in my city. Everyone plateaus and its important to use a trainer to get over them. I sincerely believe that if you want to shed those extra pounds and stay fit, talk to a trainer about your current diet to see if it needs to be modified...change up your current routine...and most importantly, use a trainer to change it up effectively.

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  May 11, 2011 1:11 PM GMT

  I agree with NoCity and a great body is the function of a lot of things. I too am a GF instructor and have been for a while. People constantly think that because I teach that one class a week they go to, that is why I am "in-shape". Problem is I teach 13 classes a week, multiple classes a day and still try to find time to do "my workout".
  
  A good personal trainer is a great asset, a lot of people need one. I adore, finally, having someone telling me what to do.

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  May 11, 2011 1:31 PM GMT

  AvadaKedavra saidI've been gearing up for beach weather summer so I've been doing lots and lots of cardio to shed my excess fat.

  
  
  What excess bodyfat?! Unless you ballooned significantly after you took those profile pictures...if that's the case you let me know so I can take you off my hotlist. jk
  
  

  AvadaKedavra saidToday while I was on the bouncy machine. It occurred to me that if I kept my heart rate at 140 that I would burn the same amount of calories. I did! I know this should have been pretty obvious a long long time ago. Although I could be totally wrong. I mean, if I could just use the bouncy machine it would minimize impact on my legs and my shoes would not wear out as quick.

  
  
  Did this have the ski-stick thingie on the side? Like this?
  
  
  Or just a handrail? Like this?
  
  
  The one with the ski-sticks are harder....er...I mean, more difficult Burns more calories too. Both very good on the knees. I have bad knees so I try to limit my running to 15-20 mins maximum. But these machines I can just go on up to 90 mins. But these are SOOOO boring! You're totally right though; the legs don't feel like noodles after these exercises

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  May 11, 2011 3:24 PM GMT

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  May 11, 2011 3:49 PM GMT

  well yeah.
  keep in mind a Calorie is just a unit of energy. if you are doing something that puts your heart to work at a certain rate then do it over the same period it should use the same amount of energy (ie, Calories) to perform said activity.

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  May 11, 2011 3:50 PM GMT

  Bottom line: it doesn't matter how you reach your 500 cal goal, whether it's on a treadmill, an elliptical, or sitting on a recumbant, using the stairmaster, or swimming. I try to use a little bit of everything, plus riding my bike outside for about an hour to keep myself well rounded. But, at the end of the day, it still burns calories.
  
  Have fun!

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  May 11, 2011 4:08 PM GMT

  Dude! Obese?
  
  Hey fat ass, put down the junk food.
  
  Probably not the attention you were fishing for ;)

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• LJay
  
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  May 11, 2011 4:15 PM GMT

  Up above it said that if you did not get the donut that you would save a penny toward your new swimsuit.
  
  Where do you get donuts for a penny?

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• MuscleComeBac...
  
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  May 11, 2011 4:31 PM GMT

  Cardio aids in fat loss.
  
  But the formula includes how you fuel the furnace once you have it fired, so your timing of food and your including a sufficient amount of water plays a significant role.
  
  Be sure to drink at least a gallon of water a day. It not only aids in flushing fats from your system, but it plays a crucial role in preventing storage of fat.
  
  Each cell of muscle tissue has a protective lubricating ring of fluid, when you are not properly hydrated that fluid is replaced by fat, as otherwise the tissue can't function properly.
  
  Food timing is important so that you don't store fat as well, so six small meals timed at 2.5 to three hours apart, making sure one of them is approximately 90 minutes prior to a workout and immediately afterwards (the latter should be a quality pre-digested liquid protein, consumed within 20 minutes of completion of your workout)
  
  Cardio, itself, is going to have the greatest efficacy (for your purposes) if performed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (empty of food, not empty of water).
  
  And FYI, dude, you are not battling obesity. I've been there, and you are not even REMOTELY close. You have to lower your stress on this one, because Paul is spot on, it's going to cause you more harm in your fight to stay fit. Cortasol levels shoot up under stress, and fat retention follows on its nasty little heels.
  
  Chill.

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• SkyMiles
  
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  May 11, 2011 4:38 PM GMT

  I've had better success eating more, smaller meals. I tend to eat more nutritious offerings (yogurt, fruit, protien bar) and keep the daily calorie total lower (around 1800).
  As for cardio, they say to mix it up and not rely on any one thing because your body acclimates to it. I do think that, of your cardio choices, you should find like three things you could do that you actually like to do and alternate between those.
  
  I'm no expert though, I'll have to admit.

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