Cardio junkie

fittxn · 23-Apr-04, 12:16 PM

I was just wondering why I should cut back on cardio if I want to compete in figure. I do cardio 6 times a week for 45 minutes. I also lift 4 days a week heavy weights 8-12 reps. Is this too much cardio to get cut? I am 5'9 , 155lbs about 25% bf.

**midgetcop** · 23-Apr-04, 03:53 PM

I think you're doing way too much cardio...anyone else wanna help me out here?

**Lady C** · 23-Apr-04, 06:52 PM

It sounds more like a diet problem if you do cadio 6X per week and still are 25% BF. What you are eating in a typical day?

fittxn · 27-Apr-04, 02:23 PM

1st meal 7am
5 egg whites
1/2 cup oats

10am
6oz some kind of lean meat
1/2 cup rice

1 pm
6oz tuna
1/2 rice

4pm
protein shake

7pm
6oz leanmeat
1/2 cup veggies

10pm
6 egg whites

**Lady C** · 27-Apr-04, 03:36 PM

My .02 cents. Too many calories and/or too many starchy carbs. Replace the rice or oats with veggies.

ajarvis · 30-Apr-04, 02:30 PM

I don't think it's too much cardio, but I love to run

I wish I could 6 days a week. Anyways, like ladyC said it is probably your diet, (I know mines not great, but I'm working on it).

Timbers · 30-Apr-04, 05:39 PM

How about instead of rice, make it a sweet potato or some other veggie.
If you MUST have rice - think about making it brown rice instead of white.

Honestly, with that diet though and cardio as you describe 6 days a week, I dont understand why you are at 25% body fat. :confused:

Also, lift as heavy as you can with doing 6-8 reps. If you are making up to 12 reps with a certain weight, you could and should (if it were me) increase your weight. JMO.

I'm interested in competing in Figure also, but in another year. I want to add more muscle first. Have you decided on a comp yet -date? The reason I'm asking when you plan on competing is, one would not begin to "cut" until about 2 to 3 months before the comp date.

fittxn · 03-May-04, 01:05 PM

Maybe beer is the problem- ha ha. I havent exactly picked a competition yet but it is my dream to do it, I just need to find a nutrionalist who can help with the diet. Do you know anything about that?

**Lady C** · 03-May-04, 02:57 PM

The alcohol will kill your gains! Alcohol contains 7 grams/calorie. Fat is 9 grams/calorie. Alcohol also slows down the metabolism and causes you to make poor food choices (pizza and cheeseburgers).

I actually swore off ALL alcohol (I love a great microbrew) for 12 weeks until I had made some significant gains. It is all about how bad do you want this!

**midgetcop** · 03-May-04, 04:54 PM

Arg...I believe that beer is my one sore point when it comes to my diet. Does anyone know whether these new low-carb beers are truly *that* much lower than the regular ones?

**Lady C** · 03-May-04, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetcop

Does anyone know whether these new low-carb beers are truly *that* much lower than the regular ones?

Don't let them fool ya! It is all marketing!

fittxn · 04-May-04, 10:52 AM

That is true, I am in sales and I do have a beer client but it works. So is there anything you would recommend I drink when out (shmoozing) clients?

**Lady C** · 04-May-04, 11:24 AM

Water! It is just a social event. They don't know you are drinking ice and water unless you tell them.

fittxn · 05-May-04, 11:45 AM

That is true. Can I ask Lady C, and I am sure you get this question alot but how often should I be doing cardio and why not with weights?

**Lady C** · 05-May-04, 12:06 PM

Don't do them together because they have different goals. Weights are to gain lean muscle mass and cardio is to cut bodyfat. If you do them on the same day you will not get the full benefits of either.

If you are trying to replace bodyfat with lean muscle I would only do one day max of cardio. At 25% Bodyfat you can get some great gains in lean mass and not have to worry about the cardio. When you get down to ~18% BF then I would add back in the cardio. Speaking from my own experience.