Did you know that over 40% of US adults are obese? As a result, many people focus on cardio to help aid with their weight loss. You cannot exercise the pounds off if you do not address nutrition and hormonal issues.  

There are many benefits to cardio and especially with the nicer weather you may be tempted to get outside to run, cycle, row etc. However, many people also make common cardio mistakes when performing their weekly cardio routine. This leaves them frustrated with the lack of weight loss results not to mention the hours wasted.

We’ve put together a brief guide that has everything you need to know. Let’s dive in.

1. Doing Too Much Cardio

As you might guess, doing too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Too much cardio can tire you out, result in muscle loss and can increase your appetite.  it may lead to injury if not done properly.

Many people make the mistake of doing grueling cardio sessions that last for well over an hour, multiple times of week. Unfortunately, you will reach a point of diminishing returns if you do too much. This applies to both the length and frequency of your cardio sessions. Too much of a good thing is not necessarily a good thing, sometimes Less Is More.  

In the DNA testing I do it shows that some people need to do shorter cardio workouts and need more recovery time between those workouts. Once they change their workouts to compliment their DNA then they see great results and feel so much better.

2. Doing the Same Workout Every Time

Your body is incredibly adaptive and it quickly adjusts to new stimuli. This means that if you consistently do the same workout, your body will become accustomed to it and won’t burn as many calories over time.

To combat this, mix up your exercises by alternating between running, biking, swimming, rowing, or any other cardio exercises you can think of. Using a jump rope, for example, is a convenient and effective way to get a cardio workout in.

Keep your body on it’s toes by changing up the workouts and it will make it more fun as well.

3. Not Taking Rest Days

Rest is just as important as exercise when it comes to weight loss, so be sure to not skip out on rest days! Going too hard without giving your body time to recover can lead to fatigue and injury, both of which will derail your weight loss efforts.

For instance, you may develop issues with your joints that prevent you from doing cardio as frequently as you would like.

Make sure to take at least one day off of cardio each week. However, you should make an effort to listen to your body, some people need more days off between cardio workouts based on their DNA. If you are overly sore on a particular day, it’s more than likely a good idea to take that day off and do more restorative exercises such as yoga or pilates.

4. Not Keeping Track of Your Progress

This is such an important step in any weight loss journey! Keeping track of your progress can help you stay on track with your goals and even boost motivation. Make sure to take note of how many calories you burn, the intensity of your workouts, and other vital metrics that can help inform your progress.

This will also help you have a better idea of how far you’ve come over a long period of time. It can sometimes be disheartening if you have recently experienced poor performance. However, not all progress is linear. There will be times when you are injured, sore, or sick.

Tracking your progress will allow you to look past these setbacks and focus on your future goals.

5. Not Properly Fueling Your Body

Proper nutrition is key to any successful weight loss journey.

Make sure to fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods and stay hydrated before, during, and after your workouts for optimal performance. Food is not just providing fuel it is also providing the macro and micro nutrients that help the body recover faster from a workout.  This means less post exercise oxidative stress and less loss of muscle. Giving your body what it needs after exercise means you get faster and stronger and see better results.  Not to mention you will feel fantastic.

6. Not Drinking Enough Water

Interestingly, research shows that even mild dehydration can lead to fatigue and impair physical performance. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially before and after your workouts.  Sometimes replenishing with electrolytes will be necessary as well if you lost a lot through sweating.

Dehydration can also wreak havoc on your digestive system, making it harder for you to lose weight.

7. Not Focusing on Intensity

When it comes to cardio, intensity is key. Low-intensity exercise doesn’t burn as many calories per minute and will not lead to significant changes over time.

Instead, opt for moderate or high-intensity workouts for shorter periods of time which can help you lose weight faster while maintaining your muscle which boosts metabolic rate.  You can also incorporate cardio workouts that have undulating levels of intensity.

For instance, you might start off with medium intensity before moving to a brief period of low intensity. Then, you could ramp up to high intensity before dropping back down to medium.

Avoiding Common Cardio Mistakes Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Initially, navigating around common cardio mistakes may seem daunting. The good news is that the guide above has everything you need to know to make the process simple.