Like many of you, I’ve kept my cardio to rather small and moderate levels for years now, in the constant attempt we all share to gain lean body mass. Results have been consistent but slow, but the bottom line is my bodyfat levels have probably never gotten below 10%, a source of frustration for me.
This spring, inspired by my learnings from John Berardi in regards both to eating properly and not being afraid to crank up the cardio, I’ve dived heavily into my other love, biking. Both mountain and road.
Since switching from strongman training in late spring, I’ve gotten my intense biking up to four or so hours per week, and moderate mileage biking running about another three hours. I know that’s a lot, but the season is short up here in Wisconsin, and I just love the sun and wind on my back.
But anyways, my weight has dropped all the way to 200#, from about 220# in winter, yet there are people in the gym who think I’m bigger! Know why? Low bodyfat levels. Yup, right now I’m leaner than I’ve ever been at anything approaching this weight, have a half decent four pack, and plan on the full sixpack by the end of August. My strength has remained high, I’m about 90% as strong as I was a few months ago, but am tearing through my workouts due to endurance. I’m eating John’s “Massive” way, using MD6 and T2 (I use five T2 and six MD6 per day, for a month, then take a month off both).
So my only real message here it to tell you not to be afraid to lose some bodyweight if you’re honest with yourself about how much bodyfat you really have, crank up the cardio (about 1/3 of mine is anerobic)and watch the cuts come out.
John: I tell 'ya…it seems like in the Iron Game, we go through these cycles of “paranoia” (is that a good term?) First it’s fear of all fat; then it’s fear of carbs. Then there’s “fear” of not enough protein, then too much. Cardio is good; cardio is not good. The list goes on in on. I have come to this conclusion: restiction and/or complete elimination of ANY of the important building blocks of total nutrition and fitness should probably be viewed with a high level of suspicion. What do I think the current “paranonias” are? 1)You stated it; cardio. 2)“Fear of Food” (or eating enough). 3)Fear of protein. Anybody have any to add? Just some thoughts.
Mufasa, you’re absolutely correct. In the '70s most of us didn’t even know that eating had much to do with muscle building! Then in the '80s it was all this “fear of fat,” as you said. Now fear or burning a precious ounce of muscle, while people are apparently happy to carry pounds of useless bodyfat. I’m just tired of it all, and am unafraid to experiment with myself; what’s the worse case scenario, as none of these changes happen overnight? that’s what amuses me about people unwilling to try things; they don’t happen that quickly anyways, so give it a try.
John Konenig and Mufasa: How much I agree with you!!!
When it comes to cardio, I tend to heed the advice of the great philospher Joseph Cambell-“Follow your Bliss!” I do this thru
rollerblading…They finally repaved my street 7 weeks ago.
And for someone who played hockey most of his early life,
what joy it brings to be able to lace up skates, grab
a stick, gloves and a ball, and go wild for 45 minutes, 5
times a week…( Maybe I’ll even join a men’s roller league.)
Yeah , this is probably hurting my performance in the weight
room a little…But I ask you what’s the sense of having all the
muscle in the world if you can’t have any fun using it???