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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Do I need to do cardio?

5 replies

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 05/10/2020 18:01

I am a healthy weight, do yoga 2 or 3 times a week, walk a fair amount, but don't do any cardio fitness.
Do you think I need to?
I'm thinking mainly about keeping fit and healthy as I hurtle in to middle age more than anything else.
Its not great to get out of breath if I have to run for a bus, or playing sports with the kids.
Also I hear it gets harder to keep weight down as you get older and I already only manage by being careful with what I eat, tracking etc.
Trouble is, I'm lazy. I really don't like getting hot and sweaty and out of breath!
I have in the past got into running and comfortably got to being able to do 5k a couple of times a week. But I got bored of it.
No money or car for gym or classes so thats out.
So what do you think? Should I get back into the running for my own good?

OP posts:
LeGrandBleu · 06/10/2020 02:51

Do HIIT sprints. Put a 30 second timer on your phone, sprint like a madwoman , a tiger is chasing you. Then stop, walk super slowly back to your starting point, after 2 minutes, do the exact same thing.

It will build your stamina, resistance, speed, breathing.

Or download a podcast you like and run listening to podcast.

My tip to stay lean as you age is to use your clothes. Your jeans or trousers feels tighter, you don't buy a size up, but skip the evening meal or breakfast until they feel right again. OR cut the flour/oil/sugar.

For me, increasing exercise doesn't work as I am always heavier and bigger when I train (I enjoy weightlifting, CrossFit and the like) . Whenever I am on holiday, I come back leaner and then pay the price on the first day at the gym, and I fully get the "muscle is hard to gain and easy to lose" saying.

I am in my 50s, BMI around 19.5. It does require more discipline as you get older, but not that much. I don't snack. Never have.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 06/10/2020 07:50

Thanks @LeGrandBleu.
I manage ok keeping my weight in check at the moment.
Do you think cardio beyond walking, is essential to keep healthy though? I guess that's my question really.
Like the idea of the intervals though. Think I would enjoy that more than standard running.

OP posts:
Rainyday26 · 06/10/2020 07:56

Why not join a local running club, they’ll have a varied training programme and because you’re doing it with other people you’ll work harder than alone. Running with others makes it lot less boring and gives you a commitment to stick to.

LeGrandBleu · 06/10/2020 09:33

@Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor Before living in Australia, we lived in Spain and Italy (and France of course and other countries) and I can guarantee you that the super sharp and healthy " nonnas" you see in Italy who ride their bike at age 90 to the daily markets, carry the shopping and look after their grand kids have never run a single jog in their whole life.

They eat very well, a colourful, varied and high in vegetable diet, are active, look after the garden and go everywhere on their bikes, when they are not sitting on their chair outside their home and looking at what is going on.

Doing an exercise you enjoy , love and makes you feel good will be relevant to your health. Not running if you hate every minute of it.

You are out of breath if you have to run after bus or kids. Doing some exercise that challenges you will be good and the science has proven that sharp and short burst off exercise give the same health benefits.

Use your kids for the HIIT sprints, give the phone to one and challenge the other to run against you.
and then look at something you have always wanted to try. Volleyball? Ballet? or even Krav Maga. You don't hav have the money for the gym membership but maybe you can ( and should ) find the budget for one activity that gives you pleasure.

Being active is important for health, alzeihmer's and cancer prevention. It doesn't have to be running. Walks at a pace fast enough to make it hard to have a conversation. And seriously look into podcasts or put a flyer in your neighbours letterbox suggesting to make a walking group at 6 am before school and work.

That way you combine the social to the workout which is as important for health.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 06/10/2020 12:42

Great advice both of you thank you. I think you're both spot on, I need to find something I actually enjoy. I really do want to be healthy as I get older.

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