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active lifestyle...need cardio too?

mike666 Posts: 23 Joined: 2003/09/03	2004/06/17, 10:36 PM I'm trying to burn the excess fat off of my body. I'm pretty muscular, but I still look "soft". So I've been cutting down on the calories, upping the protein, intensifying my workouts...but my real question is about the cardio. I know most people agree on cardio first thing in the morning to burn off the fat. But I work in a sign factory 5 days a week. I'm moving heavy boxes and crates all day. Now, I know it's an on/off type of cardio, but I have to imagine that having an elevated heart rate for the majority of the day counts as plenty of cardio, right? I mean, if I'm really serious about burning off the fat, should I add some bike riding cardio before I go to work on my non lifting days? Or will that start eating away at my muscle? Another question I have is about the calories. Everyone says if you want to burn off the fat, you need to take in less calories than you use during the day. If I'm working all day, I'm burning a ton of calories....so, does that mean that I could technically be eating more than I normally do due to the fact that I just started work and my body is still adapting? I mean if I don't eat enough calories, won't my body start using my muscle for fuel...? I know there was a lot there, but any help would be much appreciated.
oscarg Posts: 198 Joined: 2004/04/05	2004/06/18, 12:23 AM what's a sign factory? nevermind. The body doesn't go into "Cardio Mode" till about 20min after doing cardio. I guess if you have an elevated heart rate for long enough to were your really sweating then it could count as cardio. i guess if you feel your not really pushing yourself then go ahead. Cardio can be done daily. if your burning tons of calories and not eating properly, at 4-6times a day, or every 3 hours, you will lose some muscle mass. if your body isn't getting enough food at the right time your body starts scavengin internally and making what it needs by breaking down tissue. This is called catabolism and is bad as opposed to anabolic. You should be taking in high-carb low fat foods. Hope this helps. My $.02. Source: Men's Health -------------- - -¤--^]Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret!Success must be felt within before it can be seen on the outside.[^--¤- - oscarg@freetrainers.com