when to up cardio?

[Linzie1303]

Hey all!! I began my contest diet a couple of weeks ago...everything okay there(well...I'll save that for another post...)

Anyways..right now I am 15 weeks out and was wondering about when should I start upping my cardio. Currently I am doing 4x a week 30 mins. Pretty intense...HITT most of the time. I don't have a lot of muscle to begin with and am very cautious as to lose it. 128lbs, 17% 5'5''. My goal is actually around 118-120 about 10-11%. Anything else I should add let me know...I'm a little antsy and just don't want to start burning my cardio wick to soon.

Thanks ALL!!!!!!!

Linzie

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Are you plateauing?

I wouldn't add more cardio at 15 weeks out - you should still be letting your diet do most of the work for you at this point.

 

[shugga]

I have had to up my cardio and I'm 13 weeks out. My diet was going slow due to Mardi Gras festivities and hidden Pop Tarts. I've just cleaned out the pantry-so those few closet raiding moments are behind me. Ya know...I have found that my age has a HUGE amount to do with how much cardio I need. Though I have been eating clean since Mardi Gras (almost), my diet has only allowed about 10 lbs to go. Don't burn yourself out too soon. BUT...you and only you know your body and how well it responds to increased cardio. Good luck to ya! Keep us posted!

 

[Sassy69]

Like Daisy said, focus on the diet first to cut the bodyfat. Assess where you stand at 8-10 weeks out.

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

Hey all!! I began my contest diet a couple of weeks ago...everything okay there(well...I'll save that for another post...)

Anyways..right now I am 15 weeks out and was wondering about when should I start upping my cardio. Currently I am doing 4x a week 30 mins. Pretty intense...HITT most of the time. I don't have a lot of muscle to begin with and am very cautious as to lose it. 128lbs, 17% 5'5''. My goal is actually around 118-120 about 10-11%. Anything else I should add let me know...I'm a little antsy and just don't want to start burning my cardio wick to soon.

Thanks ALL!!!!!!!

Linzie

As others mentioned - diet should be the regulator of your metabolism. 20 mins of HIIT cardio should be sufficient. If you don't have your diet at the correct ratio - your cardio may just be eating up your lean mass. At 15 weeks out you shouldn't be losing lean mass if diet and cardio are in balance. If you are - post up your nutrition and I can take a look at it (along with some lean mass/BF ratio's from past testings.

 

[The Shadow]

As others mentioned - diet should be the regulator of your metabolism. 20 mins of HIIT cardio should be sufficient. If you don't have your diet at the correct ratio - your cardio may just be eating up your lean mass. At 15 weeks out you shouldn't be losing lean mass if diet and cardio are in balance. If you are - post up your nutrition and I can take a look at it (along with some lean mass/BF ratio's from past testings.

What she said