Let me start by directing you to an article that directly addresses your cardio question (realize this is just one 'opinion' of many, but it's a popular one):
http://www.strong-research.com/emagazine/ctc2.php
And I'll continue with my personal experience in changing my body comp (from a 200 pound pudge ball (25%bf) to a more lean, fit guy (170, 10%bf)). For me the key was really nutrition - tracking my calories and learning the discipline of not eating for entertainment allowed me to change my body comp much more quickly than exercise alone (which I tried in the past). This provided THE ultimately motivation for continued exercise and continued healthy eating (typically it'd falter after a month or two). And I don't mean watching what you eat or avoiding fried foods, I mean tracking EVERY. SINGLE. CALORIE. that you put in your mouth. Yes, that means the one potato chip you took from a coworker or the half cookie you ate from the dessert platter or whatever. If you have to - estimate - and always estimate upwards (in accounting, that's what we'd call the conservatism).
Basically, what worked for me was being completely hardcore for about 6 months - clean eating with NO excuses, hitting the gym practically every day with NO excuses. Hungover? I went. Tired? Depressed? Busy? I went. On vacation? Visiting family? Traveling for work? I went.
I'm at a point now where I am far less hardcore, but am well educated about exercise and nutrition and have struck, I think, a good and healthy balance for my life as a whole (mind, body, and spirit).
I should add that there was no book or magazine that helped me along at first - I had a free training session at my gym and a free nutrition counseling session. Both were immensely helpful, and along with the fact that my gym had a real nice, helpful atmosphere was great as well.
Good luck!! And make sure to keep us posted.
) I have always been in the mindset to gain/maintain my body weight because I would lose it if I didn't with all of the practices. I am now wanting to lose weight. I would love to get down to 210 - 220lbs. I realize it is not going to happen overnight. This is the first time I have really worked out since I played. I figured I needed to quit talking about doing it and get off my butt. I have joined a gym and for the last couple of months I have eating the same and worked out approx 4 time a week with weights and 4-5 times a week cardio. Well, I wish I have been this consistant but I haven't. Sometimes I will go twice a week. This is the first time I have really worked out since I played. I figured I needed to quit talking about doing it and get off my butt. I do not have a real weight routine and I have been doing approx 35-45 mins on the treadmill. I am now looking into a consistant weight program that will assist me in loosing weight. Can anyone help me with this? I did have back surgery a couple of years ago to fix a herniated disk L4L5. (microdiscectomy) I have no problems with my back and I have made a full recovery. As for the cardio, I have seen people talk about the HIIT program. Should I focus on doing this versus going the same old 45 min routine? How much weight would be ideal to lose a month? Would 5lbs/mo. be a good realistic goal?
Linear Mode
