Mary James

Unmasking Cardio: Discovering The Truth Behind Its Benefits And Limitations

KAELIN TUELL POULIN - LADYBOSS

So, no matter where you’re at… whether you’re just starting and have 100 lbs to lose… or your trying to get rid of that last bit of belly fat… or anywhere in between… The LadyBoss Lifestyle is the new system you need to go from where you are now to where you want to be!

Kaelin Tuell Poulin

Read and learn how your daily gut-busting cardio routine may actually be preventing weight loss and pushing you closer to death.

In western cultures like ours, countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and other European nations, what's the first thing you think of or are told when the idea of losing weight comes up? You've got to get on the treadmill, the exercise bike or the streets and burn those calories!

On the surface of it, this makes sense, right? After all, you’re doing a lot of work and you’re sweating and breathing heavy. Surely running a few miles every day must dissolve those unsightly pounds like crazy, right?

Why Cardio Is The Wrong Way

Would you be surprised to hear that this is actually wrong? No, I'm not crazy - let me set the record straight... Yes, cardio burns calories, it's true. And yes, some cardio is good for you. Moderate cardio promotes a healthy heart and increases your stamina. On the other hand... heavy cardio has the opposite effect. Before I get into why, let me give you a simple but common sense example.

Imagine prehistoric men. These men and women are running around the Paleolithic world chasing down antelope, red deer, bison, and the occasional woolly mammoth. Most of their diet comes from animal protein and what edible plants they can scrounge.

Well, if cardio was so great for losing weight, these people would starve to death while running down their food. All that cardio would burn through their energy reserves faster than they could replace them. Yet they didn’t starve to death... Why?

The Hidden Truth About Cardio On Health And Weight Loss

TIP: Your daily gut-busting cardio routine may actually be preventing weight loss and pushing you closer to death.

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Save Your Knees And Feet

For one thing, a lot of heavy cardio is hard on your knees, feet and joints overall. Second, it’s also hard on the heart. Too much cardio actually begins to add scar tissue to your heart and increases your rate of heart attack. We didn’t realise that for a while until they did many scientific studies on the subject.

As for losing weight, excessive cardio is counterproductive, and here's why. Our bodies are genetically designed to survive. Our bodies are designed to store energy as fuel for immediate use and as fat for times when food is scarce. In modern times, of course, food isn't really scarce, so this built-in safety feature is rarely needed.

However, when you deprive your body of the nutrients it requires, either by starving yourself on some crazy diet or by overtaxing your body with lots of cardio, it switches into survival mode. Unfortunately, with heavy cardio, your body also becomes anabolic.

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Stop Burning Your Muscles

This means that it burns the most effective source of energy first – and that’s not fat... it’s your muscle! Take a good look at some of these chronic long-distance runners who compete. Many of them are kind of stringy looking and have to pack in the carbs just to maintain their muscle mass.

You want your body to burn fat, not muscle, obviously. It’s not really about calories, as many diets and so-called fitness gurus try to make you believe.

Calories are only a means of measuring food energy. Yes, if you want to lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you consume, yet there’s so much more to it than that.

The Hidden Truth About Cardio Revealed
The Hidden Truth About Cardio Revealed

FACT: When you deprive your body of the nutrients it requires, either by starving yourself on some crazy diet or by overtaxing your body with lots of cardio, it begins to switch into survival mode.

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The Biggest Secret Of Them All

Believe it or not, the biggest secret to losing weight isn't running 10 miles a day, starving yourself or even cutting out some of your favourite carbs. In fact, if you really want to lose weight, it's important to eat some of your favourite foods!

I know this also sounds crazy - but it's absolutely true, and I can prove it to you! If you know how to use your body's natural processes to your advantage, it's entirely possible to lose 10, 20 or even 30+ pounds in a single month without starvation diets, gut-wrenching cardio, ridiculous workouts or eating anything disgusting! It's true, and I can show you the science to prove it!

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FAQ

IS CARDIO REALLY THE BEST WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT?

While cardio exercise is effective at burning calories and can help you lose weight, it's not the only method. A combination of aerobic exercise, strength training and a balanced diet is often more effective for long-term weight loss and changes in body composition. For example, strength training helps build muscle, which can increase your resting metabolic rate.

CAN TOO MUCH CARDIO ACTUALLY BE DETRIMENTAL?

Yes, doing too much aerobic exercise can have negative effects. Overtraining with aerobic exercise can lead to muscle loss, increased risk of injury and, over time, can even lead to heart disease. It's important to balance cardio with strength training and adequate rest.

DOES CARDIO BENEFIT MENTAL HEALTH?

Exercise can have significant benefits for mental health. Activities such as running, cycling or swimming release endorphins, often referred to as 'feel-good hormones', which can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and increase overall well-being.

HOW DOES CARDIO AFFECT HEART HEALTH?

Cardiovascular exercise is great for heart health. Regular cardiovascular activity strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation and helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It can also help control high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF CARDIO WORKOUTS FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH?

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, or a combination of both, spread throughout the week. For weight loss or specific fitness goals, you may need to increase the duration or intensity.

ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL CARDIO WORKOUTS THAT ARE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE?

Yes, there are alternatives to traditional cardio training. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient way to get cardiovascular benefits. Activities such as dancing, walking or playing sports also provide cardio benefits and can be more enjoyable for some people, leading to greater consistency and long-term adherence.

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About the Author Mary James


I am passionate about fitness, a healthy lifestyle, cooking, and well-being. This blog is about some of my thoughts that are occupying my mind and spirit daily over the last 10 years and my grand passion – weight loss and fitness, healthy lifestyle and healthy food, mindfulness and self-improvement.

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