Is 4hrs of cardio a day too much?

[pappy2012]

Hey - first post, wasn't sure if I should put it in 'cardio' forum or 'weight loss' - hopefully someone can give me some real world advice.

I'm 39, fairly average/good shape - but way too much fat, (210 pounds - should be 185). Had a full medical checkup, stress test, echo and everything else a few months ago - only problem was high cholesterol - but I have low resting HR and good BP 110 / 65. However I had a BAD tooth infection at the time - and i've read that your body will produce more cholesterol to protect against oral bacteria - i'll get C checked again next month.

I recently decided to LOSE THE WEIGHT - so i moved into a hotel for 3 weeks and have been focused solely on exercise and dropping the pounds (boot camp if you will)..

In the mornings I do:
- 60 min on elliptical (HR around 125)
- 20 min on upright bike (HR 118)
- 20 min treadmill (HR 118)
- 20 min (new machine that bounces) (HR 135)

In the afternoons I come back and do strength training with weights, and a light swim in the pool.

At nights (12 hrs later) I do:

- 30 min elliptical
- 30 min upright bike
- 10 min (new machine)
- 20 min reclining bike
- 30 min treadmill

This gives me 4hrs total cardio.

For breakfast I eat pretty much whatever I want - there's a delicious buffet here - I try to make good choices - but also allow some fats in there, and protein.. no red meats.

For a snack I have two apples, and for dinner I have a ceaser salad or goats cheese salad.
I rarely feel hungry.

I'm on 7th day (of 21 days here) and I feel GREAT.. Yes I'm fatigued at night - and yes I'm VERY tired after workouts - but I keep mixing up the machines so I don't get an injury (not too long on any one machine) - and i listen to body.. I stay WELL hydrated. sleep has also been great.

I feel comfortable at the 3.5 - 4hr range (i can't do a min more) - but was recently reading horrible stuff on the net about losing weight too fast:

- gallstones from cholesterol being dumped
- heart problems or blockages from cholesterol dump
- diabetes from sudden weight loss
- loss of hair
- malnutrition
- arrhythmia
- you name it - it's out there - and honestly it's scaring me a bit.

as of yet - i haven't seen dramatic weight loss (not weighing - just looking in mirror) but i do see some toning up, and slimming down.

is it negative, bad, dangerous to stick to what i'm doing now? certainly don't want to wreck health... should i tone it down some - or if body feels okay should i go for it?

one day i woke up and body was just tired - so i listened and didn't work out in the morning.. for the evening workout i was HYPED and ready to roll. another day i tried to do more than 4hrs and almost had a panic attack - so i backed off.

thanks for advice!!!

[Athene]

Whoa! Your post took me on a rollercoaster of emotions

I love that you went to a hotel for 3 weeks to focus on this! I really appreciate that. I'm sorry that I don't know anything about rapid weightloss - but I think that going from 210-185 when you're healthy like you are is pretty safe. I don't think 3 weeks is exactly long enough, but in 6 weeks it likely is, so you'll be well on your way in the 4th week. That being said, here are concerns:

1. What you're doing is not necessarily best for weight loss (doing the same thing every day, doing primarily cardio)
2. What you're doing is not necessarily sustainable longterm (safely, without injury, taking away from other areas of your life, etc.)

I would suggest cutting the time in half, and upping the intensity. I would do 1 hour of varied cardio in the morning (do a long, slow distance one day in the pool, do sprints on the treadmill the next day, etc.), and 1 hour of weight training at night (again, vary it - do a push ups workout one night, then do a deadlift the next day, etc). For great hotel room workouts you can try bodyrock.tv, or if you have access to minimal equipment, check out crossfit.com

For nutrition, it's good that you're eating the most in the morning, and lightening up throughout the evening, but you should try to have protein with your apples, and protein with your salad at night too, if you can. Avoiding sugar at all costs, and eating primarily meat and vegetables will have you lean and mean in no time.

That's just advice. Keep us updated - I don't think I'm going to be able to stop thinking about you for the next 2 weeks!

[musculArgirl2]

So how is it going Pappy?

[Athene]

Yeah, what's up?