What should I do?

[ToriB]

Should I do cardio BEFORE or AFTER I eat breakfast?
I was told to do the 40 minutes of cardio in the AM,
but I dont know whats better for ur body...before or after eating?

I prefer doing cardio before breakfast.

Welcome to Discuss Fitness.

[.V.]

Cardio on an empty stomach or with a small amount of protein only in the system is supposed to be better for fat burning. However, if you do intense cardio this way, you stand a good risk of catabolizing muscle away. If you have a lot of fat to lose, then low to moderate intensity cardio i.e. 20-40 minutes of walking at a moderate to fast pace is a good idea.

Personally, I chose to lift in the morning and do cardio in the evening. I feed my cardio workouts just like I feed my weight workouts and use the highest intensity level I'm able to use. However, in my first two years I only managed to burn 160lbs of fat and add 40lbs or so of muscle. End result was a small, weak, 180 pound -ish guy at 6-8% body fat - depending on the way it's calculated. Now I'm back to around 190 with 10-12% BF.

My personal belief on cardio is that it is for improvement of general conditioning, endurance, cardiovascular function, pulmonary function and athletic ability. By improving these things - weight training gets better. Think about it, how will you perform better - out of breath after 2 or 3 squats or still getting good oxygenation to all your tissues and able to keep going? Fat loss or gain is controlled in the kitchen.

[Pelon]

The answer is both. You should eat something before you workout to allow you to workout at a greater intensity (which burns more calories). After your workout, you should eat again to restore your muscle glycogen and to provide fuel until your next meal.

[fitricise]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

However, in my first two years I only managed to burn 160lbs of fat and add 40lbs or so of muscle.

Id say thats pretty damn good! Most people not cutting will have trouble gaining that much. Great example of what a good diet will do for you

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

However, in my first two years I only managed to burn 160lbs of fat and add 40lbs or so of muscle. End result was a small, weak, 180 pound -ish guy at 6-8% body fat - depending on the way it's calculated. Now I'm back to around 190 with 10-12% BF.

Ah is that all you managed you are a disgrace.

Not too put you down but 180 pounds @ 6-8% bf is approx the same muscle as a 190lb man with 10-12% bf.

[.V.]

Originally Posted by fitricise

Id say thats pretty damn good! Most people not cutting will have trouble gaining that much. Great example of what a good diet will do for you

You gotta take into account - beginners gains, using 9 calories/gram of bodyfat for fuel to workout, starting with nothing as far as LBM is concerned - I was over 60% bodyfat. Under those conditions - the initial gains come more easily. Now - improvements come very slowly and are very hard earned.

[.V.]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

Not too put you down but 180 pounds @ 6-8% bf is approx the same muscle as a 190lb man with 10-12% bf.

Exactly - that's why I'm disappointed with my 6 month high carb bulk. All I managed to do was gain some fat. I did get most of my lost strength back but that's about it. Gotta be honest about the successes and failures, be it a successful cut that leaves one improved, a good bulk that gains one some muscle, or a 6 month failure that gets one fat.