5 Reasons Why Cardio Is a Waste of Time!

I joined a gym with my boyfriend at the beginning of January. While he has lost a ridiculous amount of weight and looks totally awesome, I have gained 4 pounds. I have been literally killing myself on the treadmill and the group fitness classes almost every day, and he is only coming three times a week. What the #@% am I doing wrong?

Cardio Queen


Dear Queen,

You did not mention what your boyfriend is or isn't doing at the gym, but I will hazard a guess that he heads right to the weight room. You, on the other hand, are clocking countless cardio hours. When it comes to exercise results, it's quality, not quantity, that counts. Here are some reasons why you should stop the "cardio madness":

1. Weight training increases your lean muscle tissue, which in turn increases your metabolism - not only when you are working out, but 24/7. 

2. If you are doing cardio without weights, you can start to burn off muscle quicker than you burn off fat. That will slow down your metabolism and flat-line your weight loss.

3. Calories burned in a cardio dance class: 270. Calories burned during a circuit weight training session: 381.

4. Strength training will create long lean muscles and give you that enviable "toned" look. No amount of cardio cannot give you muscle definition.

5. Lifting weights will help you lose weight and keep it off much more effectively and efficiently than anything else you can do in a gym.