Allen14's Journal, 27 February 2020

Hi 👋 I’m trying hard to get a bit healthier and in better shape. I’m hoping to cook more and cut down on processed food. I am exercising (walking, crosstrainer, Pilates, light weights for muscle toning) should I be doing exercise everyday or every other day, or just a day off a week? I’ve read so much conflicting information and advice would be appreciated 

Hi thanks for asking this question it’s one that I had asked myself about many times. The simple question is there’s no simple answer to it. It all depends on an individuals goals. It’s good that you are doing various exercises. It keeps you interested and makes it not a bore! The first thing I would say is change your lifestyle. Stop having any processed food. There are lots of simple meals you can have that require very little effort in making. These are especially good for someone with a busy schedule. So we are talking of salads that come ready prepared with no dressing, for the carbs you can get rice that can be cooked in minutes while doing other things before work, and the same with protein sources, if you eat meat a lot of supermarkets have ready cooked plain chicken breast, beef, or tins of beans which come in a wide range. Drink Water at least 2 litres of water a day, this will help hydrate your body and help clean up your body while helping you lose weight. I’m terms of exercise, you can workout everyday! Just don’t train the same muscle group the day after. Weight training will help build your strength and muscle and burn more fat. Do more of weight training and then do cardio type training every day for 20min or more.. 

Thank you so much, that’s really helpful! 

Am I right in thinking that a good kettle bell routine can count as cardio? 

Welcome Elffie_  

Tamuri87 Well with cardio you need to keep the intensity the same throughout the say 20min. So same speed same effort the whole time. With kettle bells that might be challenging. Not to say that you won’t get your heart rate going, it’s keeping it consistent for the whole time. A fixed bike, treadmill or stair mill would be best. But if you are at home then kettlebells are better than not doing anything! 

I would say, yes, you can have a cardio workout with kettlebells. But as Sam and Allen suggest, you have to approach it as a cardio workout not a strength workout. Therefore, light weight, lots of reps, super set with body weight exercises and no stopping. Quite tough to do but could be a great workout 

Thanks for the replies. I read an article with a cardio routine for them but wanted some opinions of whether it is I love my kettlebells so to have a cardio routine I can do with them is a winner