Originally Posted by
Philbert
N=1 experience: First, cardio makes me hungry, and the amount I eat because I am more hungry is equivalent to the estimated amount burned. I could just stay hungry, but if I want to be hungry I can just eat less, I don't have to go make myself tired in addition to being hungry. Second, cardio depresses my metabolic rate for hours afterward, as evidenced by needing to wear more clothes for identical conditions on days when I run vs. days when I do not. In contrast, a good squat and press session enables me to wear less clothing comfortably for 24-48 hours. Third, as you mention, excess cardio causes protein catabolism. This can be avoided by doing the right amount at the right intensity, if you know what that is. You don't, and neither does anyone else who has not been studying your individual response to exercise for a few years. Fourth, time spent on cardio is time which could be spent training to maintain muscle mass and strength, or recovering from training. Endurance training is useful if you wish to engage in activities which require endurance, (as I do) and in small to moderate amounts probably has cardiac benefits. I think the idea of endurance exercise as a means to lose weight is popular because talking about it allows people to ignore the thrice daily horror show that is their diet.