popo

I just hit the 30 year marker and now I'm trying to lose up to 30 lbs. For 3 weeks, I was running 1.5 miles at 6.5 mph and biking 6 hard miles (15 min) just about every day. Then I was too busy for a couple days and got out of it. I didn't go back for 10 days, thinking that when I do I'll barely be able to run half a mile. I waited 10 days because I didn't want to see myself like that.

Anyways, I dragged myself to the gym yesterday and I did the normal routine while barely breaking a sweat. I couldn't believe it. My legs normally burned a bit during the biking portion but I felt none of that yesterday. I went back today and pushed myself a little harder with the same results.

So, what gives? Should I not be going every day anyways?

TIA.

Sparhawk

Cardio isn't recommended for everyday. you should at least take 1 to 2 days off a week, to give not necessarily your muscles, but all those other important parts of the system some recovery time, because in your case, your muscles seem pretty quick to adapt.

Usually when you've had a long break it's recommended that you slowly ease back into your old program, but if you go another couple of days with the same results, kick your running up a notch: Do 2 miles at 6.5 and see how you do on the bike.

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kingal

There is a chance you were going too hard and overtraining in the first place. Every day does not need to be super intense in order to get fit. 1-2 hard days a week is all you need. The rest of the time, moderate is great becuase you're active and recovering.

Quo8

I would suggest trying to hook up with one of the local trainers at your gym. They usually give advice free of charge and they usually know what they are talking about. Not that these guys here don't, but this way you have someone who knows most of your cercumstances. I would like to add that what these guys said about balancing hard days with easy days, is the way it should be. Don't hit it hard every day. You'll hurt yourself that way - eventually.

Quo

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popo

Thanks for the advice guys. I am going to need to rely on you, though, since the gym I go to is the one in my apartment complex. No gurus there...

rogue49

* alternate every other day, at the most.
* work on different parts of your body
* mix routines & techniques up
* do some cardio, some weights
* make sure you stretch
* stay safe, don't overdo it
* lots of air, some water & eat in moderation

tracer-bullet

Weight loss, just like weight gain, begins in the kitchen. cardio is a good start, but this is a battle fought nutritionally. Realistically, most people find that eating around 1800-2000 healthy calories a day works best for safe, gradual weight loss. Log your normal diet for a week and use a site like www.fitdays.com to find the nutritional value of your meals. Then experiment by eating say, 300 calories less then your normal maintenence level and see how that works.

But thats just the bare basics here. I would recommend talking to a Personal Trainer or reading articles from sites like www.bodybuilding.com to help you create a realistic diet plan that you can encorporate your exercise into.