Do you enjoy long, slow, boring cardio or feel as if you have to do it to maintain your physique?
No judgment on my part if you do. I used to do it often and think that I had to! When you know better, you do better!
I slapped on my shoes and started a running regimen in the winter time, of all times, lol. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was still living in Michigan.
I remember thinking to myself “this is boring”, but I kept doing it. I lost a little weight because it was my first go at a physical type activity, and the first time I took a stab at cutting calories…. well, I actually became of vegetarian.
Running and being a vegetarian didn't last very long. It wasn't sustainable for me - I didn't enjoy it, and I love meat.
I just thought that running was the weigh (pun intended) to the Promised land, lol!
It wasn't. Strength Training is - cardio is the side dish, not the main entree.
Fact is, running doesn’t burn as many calories as we’ve been led to believe. If you combine that with the hunger you feel later in the day, often times we eat all the calories that we burned back. Ever notice how hungry you are after running lots of miles?!
, I want you to know you don't have to pound the pavement, if your goal is body change. I'm not saying not to do cardio. What I'm saying is to prioritize Strength Training first if Fat Loss is the goal. Prioritizing strength training will build and maintain muscle, and change the shape of your body.
Again, cardio is the side dish, the minimal effective dose.
Additionally, you need to get yourself in a consistent caloric deficit to take care of the fat loss - a modest one!
If you love running, then do it, but only cause you love it!
Do conditioning the smarter way! There are many other effective ways to do cardio, while spending less time doing it.
For example:
- Bodyweight Circuit
- Kettlebell Swings alone or supersetted with another exercise such as push-ups or other Kettlebell Exercises
- Battle Rope drills
- Conditioning Finishers
- Interval work: 30 sec on/30 sec off or 40 sec on/20 sec off
- Sprints
Try this:
Kettlebell Swings 30 sec and 30 sec off for 6 rounds and report back! Short, sweet, and oh so effective therefore you don't have to do it forever.
Anywhoodle, I just wanted touch on the running subject, it's a common inquiry I get.
Let's hop into this week's STRONG and Fit Round-up!
I hopped on the 10-year Challenge Bandwagon, check that out here! I think you'll enjoy reading about the transformation of sorts.
Blogs to take a moment to read:
1. How to Like Your Body More
2. Metabolic Training: 3 Full Body Circuits for Fat Loss
3. 1 Exercise, 7 Ways to Build Legs and Glutes
4. Eating at Night Does Not make you fat
Fitness Tings
1. Juicy Booty Workout
2. New Mobility Drill: Knee Hug to a Lateral Lunge and then top it off with an Overhead Reach
3. Crunchless Core Ab Circuit
4. Inverted Rows: A great rowing variation to work on your back and pull-up strength!
Well, there you have it! Thank you for being here and allowing me to take up space in your inbox!
Have a wonderful weekend!
In Strength
Xo
Candace
P.S.
Are you struggling with your Nutrition and Fitness - don't know what to do or does your diet got your energy down in the dumps? Want a coach who can help you with this stuff? I got you, head to this link and book a free no obligation Discovery Call!
