Ignorant Q: Cardio vs. Kcal Deficit

[Jandy]

Why is cardio advocated for weight loss when dieting? Doesn't running burn calories? How is that different from simply increasing a deficit and not doing cardio?

 

[MrMakaveli]

Improved glucose usage/muscle rentention (cardio CAN be anti-catabolic if done correctly)
People dont like eating less

 

[onerepmaximum]

Why is cardio advocated for weight loss when dieting? Doesn't running burn calories? How is that different from simply increasing a deficit and not doing cardio?

You're on to something there. I have gone from 198lbs on Jan 2nd to 175lbs this morning with no cardio. I just eat the number of calories that my BMR allows and I keep my protein as close to 200g as possible perday. No nearly as catabolic for me as when I was doing cardio and dieting, and the results are the same. Everyone is different though, and once you hit a certain point in your diet, you may need to do some cardio go get you through a plateau. I'm pretty mental about losing muscle, so I definitely am trying to be smart about losing fat. This works for me.

 

[Jandy]

Yeah see, I believe that doing cardio isn't necessary, unless you A) Have a lot of food cravings and would rather take in extra and then burn it

B) Are trying to break through a weight plateau

I think too many people are going on diets with a nice sized kcal deficit and then throwing in cardio 3-5 times a week and are actually losing hard-earned muscle.

And question for Mak, how can cardio be anti-catabolic?

 

[Jandy]

bump for more info

 

[MrMakaveli]

There was a great article on here a few weeks ago showing the importance of cardio on GH relase, IGF-1 release and greatly improved insulin sensitivity, I'm trying to find it. If anyone has it saved, please post it up.

 

[Jandy]

Yeah I'd love a link, thanks