Cardio myth?

[jaypee]

I have always done cardio after lifting because I was told that my body was already in "fat burning mode". So, 20 minutes of cardio would be 20 minutes of burning fat.

I was also told that just starting cardio cold, it takes the body about 20 minutes to get into "fat burning mode". So, if I just decide to go run one day, I will need to run 40 minutes to get 20 minutes of fat burning.

What do ya'll think (Im from Texas we talk like that)? When is the best time. Does it really freaking matter as long as I get off my lazy ass?


JP

[dreamgirl]

ive heard the same thing... don't know if has any truth to it

[speedracer59]

Mabey Im wrong but I would think a calorie burned is a calorie burned ,wether it is before or after a workout.

[Bdubb]

I have heard the same as well, but I also agree with speedracer. You burn the calorie at some point in the day, it's one less that you have at the end in comparison to any other given day.

I have always gone along with doing cardio in the morning before eating, or in the evening after my workouts. Someone a little more scientific could probably explain some of this to us.

[ECKARDT]

As I understand it it takes your body approximately 20 minutes to burn up its most readily available energy source: carbs and simple sugars. After that it begins to break down other things like fat. Or so I have been told.

[jaypee]

Right, so I figure that while I am lifting I am using all the carbs to put the weight up. When I go for a run after, it's burning the body fat right away.

JP

[shortz]

The time estimates are totally circumstantial. It all depends on how many carbs you consumed, both simple and complex. The body is going to burn simple carbs first. This is why it's so important not to consume sugar when dieting.

You are right though. Using cardio to help burn more cals than you take in is the idea. You wanna take in enough to lift, and do your normal activity, then use cardio to go over that point.

The other thing that contributes is that the effects of cardio are lasting to a certain point. You are still burning cals for so many hours after cardio too. Studies have shown that with HIC, cals are burned for almost 24 hours, where as distance training it lasts for only a couple.