Cardio workouts not working for weight loss? Don’t worry this is a very common problem that happens for a handful of reasons and only seems complicated because you’re currently frustrated. The cardio workout tips below will help you take a step back and consider some changes that will get you losing again.
Cardio Workout Mistakes #1: Too focused on the same style of cardio.
In the 80’s I was hooked on walking and aerobics, in the 90’s and all the way until 2002 I was all about machine cardio and an occasional spinning class. I rarely tried new things and always wondered why it was so hard to maintain my weight. I would get down to my desired weight and a few months later I was back up 5-10 pounds. Sound familiar? Best Cardio Workout Tip: Keep a few of your favorite workouts but start trying new styles of cardio i.e. stadium steps, cardio samba, cycling, track workouts, boxing, or a bodyweight circuit workout that feels like cardio. Don’t limit yourself to one style of cardio.
Cardio Workout Mistakes #2: Too much repetitive movement
Most machines, running workouts, and even some workout dvd’s limit you to two movement patterns: up and down or back and forth. Not only is this repetitive motion monotonous but your body adapts very quickly, even if you add intervals, incline, or speed to your workout. This causes your body to plateau and stay on that plateau forever. It was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made and that many of my more fit clients make too. Best Cardio Workout Tip: Explore cardio workouts that include a variety of movement patterns. One of my favorites is FlowFit.
Cardio Workout Mistakes #3: Too focused on length of workout.
"I'm on the cardio machine 45 minutes a day why can’t I lose weight!" Virtually everybody who’s exercising to lose weight complains about this at some point and the main issue here is that most people equate time with calories burned and that’s the biggest mistake you can make. Time spent on any machine does not equal instant weight loss. Best Cardio Workout Tip: Start challenging yourself with intervals, incline, or speed and vary your workout times too. Try 15 minutes very high intensity one day, 30 minutes moderate paced the next, 20 minutes easy and challenging intervals the next and so on. The more you vary the length as well as the intensity of your workouts the harder you make it for your body to adapt.
Lose weight and get our of your cardio rut with The Cardio Samba Workout
