Cardio Crazy

[Croix]

Hello again folks,

Here's a question for the fat loss and cardio experts...

Since starting my new training regimine (my main goals being to cut bodyfat from 20% to 10% over 18 weeks while putting on as much "beginner" muscle gains as possible) I've been really getting into the cardio over the last 3 weeks.

I do my cardio at lunch time, (about 2 hours after my mid-morning meal) for 45-50 minutes. I purchased a Polar heart rate monitor to help me out with my 'fat burning zone' - but this is exactly where I am stuck.

At 90kg, age 24, apparently my max HR is supposed to be 196bpm. The 'fat burning zone' then lies somewhere between 138 - 157bpm.

Now that sounds all well and good to someone who has never really done an ounce of exercise in his life, but after measuring my resting heart rate, I found it to be rather high (around 90bpm whille sifting around in the office) with my morning resting heart rate being between 75-80bpm. (Maybe fair play for a heavy caffeine drinker who is very unfit probaly with high colesterol)

So, after doing a few cardio workouts I've found myself really getting into it and enjoying it a lot! so much so that my heart rate when I exercise fluctuates from around 155 - 167bpm after about 10 minutes, and maintains there until the end of the 50 minute session averaging about 162bpm.

So my major concern here is that I maybe going too 'hard out' and starting to burn precious muscle and not doing much for fat burning. Though, I enjoy working out at that level and don't feel like I'm going to pass out or anything, nor do I feel it's THAT hard out (about a 7.5 - 8 out of 10 in activity level).

How can I tell if I'm working out just right or maybe going a bit over the top?

Thanks a lot for any light you can shed on this dilemma

[Marcus]

The basic way I've been taught is do it so you get a sweat up & you can feel yourself working but don't go to the intensity where you're puffing 7 can't hold a conversation with the hot chick on the treadmill next door.

[shane]

How much cardio should you do is it everyday and what time is best I have a hour for lunch then train after work about 1730hrs is it enough rest :?

[Marcus]

I wouldn't do cardio the same day as leg day. But once again everyone is different. As long as it's low intensity I don't see it being a problem. Will depend on your diet too though.

[Pseudonym]

You said the C word!

Shane, you don't have to do cardio at all. Even when cutting, some of us (me) don't do cardio. Having said that, it's good for general fitness. It really depends on your goals.

[Marcus]

It also depends on your genetics. Endo or Ecto?