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Original poster

Why are the scales not shifting despite loads of cardio exercise???

279 replies

PussinJimmyChoos · 02/06/2008 19:59

Been doing a 30 min Tae Bo DVD 4/5 times a week, plus press ups and weights....although I've lost inches, clothes feel better etc. The scales are not budging!!

When can I expect to see something? I am not dieting but I have drastically reduced my junk intake and don't smoke or drink

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 07/06/2008 12:32

hat - I know lots of people who agree with that about the treadmill but I just don't get it. Personally I find treadmill running really hard but love it outside.

hatcam · 07/06/2008 13:25

re treadmill vs outside - think that physically is definitely harder (apparent wind resistance, static surface resistance, uneven surface etc) but sometimes the treadmill is soooooooooo boring it seems way easier to be having a run outside! How come you can't run outside, did I miss the reason (sorry)?

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 07/06/2008 16:13

Dodgy fecking knee. Physio says overuse - I think she was trying to say I'm getting old. I'm not running at all at the moment, just walking on the treadmill on a gradient and doing bike and cross trainer. It doesn't react at all doing those. It's fine when I run actually - just reacts a couple of days later.

hatcam · 07/06/2008 19:54

bummer. does the physio think she can help you get the muscles strong enough to get back to running?

Jumpty · 08/06/2008 21:59

Hatcam, I'm not doing cardio because I don't have time to do any of that stuff which I actually enjoy right now but have still lost weight. I think that's an important point.

dinny · 09/06/2008 14:19

OrmIrian, how often/long do you run for and is it inside or outside?

OrmIrian · 09/06/2008 14:28

Outside, dinny.

3 (sometimes 4) times a week. And it's usually an hour or just over.

I forgot to take a watch with me yesterday so couldn't check my heart rate.

dinny · 09/06/2008 14:33

and how far do you run in that time?

mmmm, may go tonight, just charging up my iPpod!

OrmIrian · 09/06/2008 14:34

It depends. Between 5 and 8 miles. I don't go fast. I just can't seem to increase my speed but as it does appear to be burning the fat perhaps I shouldn't worry about it

OrmIrian · 09/06/2008 14:35

Go for it! You know you want to really....

I usually go on a Tuesday but yesterday was my first for 2 weeks as I hurt my foot. A bit sore again today and I promised DH I wouldn't try again till next Friday but..... I might anyway.

dinny · 09/06/2008 14:38

god, between 5-8 miles in that time is fast in my book!

my problem is that I have to go quite late - around 8.30pm, so hard to keep the motivation up until then.

will try and report back later x

OrmIrian · 09/06/2008 14:46

Have fun.

Might just add that the 8 milers are more like 1hr 15. It's the 5-6 that are 1hr. So not quite so impressive

dinny · 09/06/2008 16:12

still, that's a great speed

just realised I can't run tonight as I have got yoga, so it'll be tomorrow am I go.

is it as effective on the treadmill?

OrmIrian · 09/06/2008 17:03

I didn't find it was. But in my gym we were restricted as the the length of time we could use the treadmill during peak hours so I wouldn't be comparing like wih like. And for some reason it's harder outside - don't really know why.

OrmIrian · 09/06/2008 17:03

I didn't find it was. But in my gym we were restricted as the the length of time we could use the treadmill during peak hours so I wouldn't be comparing like wih like. And for some reason it's harder outside - don't really know why.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 09/06/2008 18:52

hat - the muscles are pretty strong really. I think it's cartlidge related TBH - I've had it 'cleaned out' once before. The thing is that it's not bad enough to do anything major about at the moment.

OrmIrian · 10/06/2008 07:55

Oooh bad saggar!

But it is so tempting isn't it. All they ever want you to do is bloody swimming

I'm glad the knee survived.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 10/06/2008 10:04

Orm - I'm just itching to get out, it's driving me barmy. Funny how when you can't go you want to all the more isn't it?

How's the foot?

OrmIrian · 10/06/2008 10:41

Sorish but a bit better. It's beginning to wind me up though. If I don't run I just get miserable and start eating too much Might just try a leetle run this evening.

dinny · 10/06/2008 13:02

mmm, had lovely run this morning (v hot though!) - went to gym as thought it'd be less hot. did 10k quite slowly - 70 mins, and kept HR under 140bpm

you can literally tell to the second when fat-burning switches on, around 27 mins for me, I think

OrmIrian · 10/06/2008 13:06

Good for you dinny! I'm a bit confused about the fat-burning thing - is it when your heart-rate reaches a certain level but not too high? I'm hot and I've done nowt except walk to school and back and some cleaning.

dinny · 10/06/2008 13:14

yes, as far as I understand it as a layperson

  • it is a percentage of your maximum HR. basically, for me it means gently sweating but not red and panting - and the feeling you can go on and on and on
OrmIrian · 10/06/2008 13:48

Ah. That makes sense. The first 1.5 miles or so kill me and I feel like I want to curl up on the verge and gently weep. And then I get past that and feel as if I could run forever. I know that isn't really the case since the time I tried to run a 9.5 miler and my legs just stopped and I nearly fell over .

dinny · 10/06/2008 13:53

yeah, I really notice that after about 5 miles, you start to notice aches and pains more, like my sock seam was hurting today (forgot proper socks so had rubbish ones on)

mmm, just love the feeling after a run.

going to go again tomorrow and again Friday, hopefully

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 10/06/2008 16:39

Stop it you two! I want to run!

I've never really takem much notice of this HR stuff but since I've started at the gym you can't really avoid it can you? I know what you mean about knowing when your HR is just right - I struggle over the first mile and a half too and then start to feel better. At the gym I've noticed that I seem to struggle to maintain my HR in the right zone - it goes up to max quite quickly and then if I slow down it drops back too low.