How do you stay motivated while on a weight loss diet?

[sonofhud]

Well then, I understand everything so far.

[Ryan]

Call him Socrates

 

It's a fantastic approach for these types of discussions.

 

 

So, we have stated that taxing the muscular system to a high degree NECESSARILY taxes the cardiovascular system to a high degree.

 

 

Let us propose the following about activity:

 

Muscular demand increases directly and proportionally to the range of joint motion.

 

Muscular demand increases directly and proportionally to the load through a given range of motion.

 

Any issue with these two premises?

[sonofhud]

Nope, got it.

[Ryan]

Alright....so our next logical progression is this:

 

High muscular demands are brought about by significantly loading a joint or joints through a full range of motion.

 

 

Which also dictates this:

 

High cardiovascular demands are brought about by significantly loading a joint or joints through a full range of motion.

[sonofhud]

Right, otherwise why would people spend countless hours in gyms across the country working out? Most of them don't do it for fun.

[Ryan]

So is it fair to say that the goal of exercise is to place high demands on our muscular system?

[sonofhud]

To place high demands on our muscular system in which a byproduct is high demand on the cardiovascular system.....so the goal serves one purpose but accomplishes two tasks.

[Ryan]

To place high demands on our muscular system in which a byproduct is high demand on the cardiovascular system.....so the goal serves one purpose but accomplishes two tasks.

 

Hot damn you are beginning to understand!

Bring a tear to my eye.....where was I?

[sonofhud]

Indeed, I have forgotten where we are going with this.

[Ryan]

You've gotten some of the main points of proper strength training.

 

But let's review what we've stated:

 

Elevated heart rate and respiration are not valid criteria for exercise.

The cardiovascular system supports the muscular system during activity.

Increased demand on the muscular system necessarily increases demand on the cardiovascular system.

High demands on the muscular system require a significant load through a full range of motion.

[sonofhud]

Sounds good.....

 

I kinda all ready knew some of this stuff, but I think for some reason it is more clear.

 

Elevated heart rate and respiration are not valid criteria for exercise.

 

This is why those pills such as Stacker and Metbolite don't work.

 

But yeah, I think I have those points down. So what is the next step in Ryan's 4 month plan?

[Ryan]

So what is the next step in Ryan's 4 month plan?

 

Slow down homey.

I'm teaching you to fish.

 

 

We haven't tackled the other purported benefit of "cardio".....fat loss.

 

Let us assume the opposing position is that moderate, steady-state activity is an effective method of removing bodyfat stores.

 

Shall we begin with the following?

 

As muscular effort increases, caloric expenditure increases.

[sonofhud]

As muscular effort increases, caloric expenditure increases.

 

ok.....I can agree with that

[Ryan]

Next step....

 

As muscular effort increases, stress on the body as a whole increases.

[sonofhud]

So just because I might be working my arms, its really affecting my whole body?

[Ryan]

Let's not go that far just yet.

 

The statement is that muscular effort is a stressor (that which invokes the non-specific physical response known as stress) that increases directly and proportionally to the degree of the effort.

[sonofhud]

OK I think I get it.....the stress on the body is directly proportional to the stress on the cardiovascular system which is directly proportional to the muscular effort. Since the whole body relies on the cardiovascular system, when it is stressed more than when resting, the whole body in turn is stressed (cardiovascular is pumping blood faster to keep oxygen flowing to the whole body). Does this sound logical?

[Ryan]

We're talking more general here regarding stress...with stress being the non-specific physical response to outside stimulus. Same thing that happens when you have a huge deadline or mid-term upcoming....stress.

[sonofhud]

OK....so?

[Ryan]

So we've established that increasing amounts of muscular activity create increasing amounts of stress on the body.

 

Is that agreed?

[sonofhud]

Yes indeed

[Ryan]

In times of increasing stress, the body activates mechanisms for immediate survival.

This "fight or flight" response increases functionality of the nervous and muscular systems in order to handle the physical stressors.

 

Sound about right?

[sonofhud]

Yes, I am a former biology major so I'm familiar with this concept. This is what gets your adrenaline pumping in stressful situations.

[Ryan]

Ah, so are you familiar with the hormonal responses in the body at the time of stress?

 

Specifically the responses to create energy for any muscular action required?

[sonofhud]

Yes, I am, but for the sake of anyone who may be reading that is not familiar, please digress.