Cardio...?

[big man]

Does anyone here just do cardio instead of dieting? The reason I'm asking is because I feel like I maybe overdoing the diet thing. I just looked at some recent pics from about 8 months ago and it seems like I have more muscle 8 months ago, and by comparison, not too much of a difference with bodyfat at a higher bodyweight.
I'm starting to wonder if I should just drop dieting all together and just do cardio longer. That way I can keep up my cals for muscle and still have a decent metabolism.
My current diet is close to 2000 cals a day and I cheat on weekends.
All together I don't feel it's been a total loss, but I haven't been gaining strength in the gym and my attitude sucks ass. One plus is my stomach is flatter and I'm starting to see abs. (never had them) The negatives are; plateauing on strength and I'm starting to feel ''normal'' among people when I used to here,''damn dude what you bench?''
I'm stuck between going for the abs or the muscle. Either way, I'm trying not to lose out. Suggestions?

[leonp1981]

I'm not a huge fan of too much dieting either, I've always been a hardgainer, and I feel like I'm losing too much muscle when I diet.  I'm trying to lose some fat now for the summer, and the only changes I've made to my diet are removing soda and snacks.  I still have the occasional junk food meal, still keep above 2000 calories, but I do more cardio. I'm mainly doing HIIT cardio and trying to do more sports, and so far I'm losing about 1lb a week, which is nice and steady for me.

I think if you can maintain your strength in the gym, whilst still losing weight, then it doesn't matter too much whether you've done it through diet or cardio.

[big man]

I'm not a huge fan of too much dieting either, I've always been a hardgainer, and I feel like I'm losing too much muscle when I diet.  I'm trying to lose some fat now for the summer, and the only changes I've made to my diet are removing soda and snacks.  I still have the occasional junk food meal, still keep above 2000 calories, but I do more cardio. I'm mainly doing HIIT cardio and trying to do more sports, and so far I'm losing about 1lb a week, which is nice and steady for me.

I think if you can maintain your strength in the gym, whilst still losing weight, then it doesn't matter too much whether you've done it through diet or cardio.

Good answer, thanks.
It's the sharpness that disappoints me a lot. I'm looking for that back of the arm good delt and tri tie in that a good diet brings. The good seperation; I guess that what I'm saying. I'm just starting to wonder what bodyfat or weight I have to get down to to start seeing that?

[jpm101]

Leonp1 1981 gives good logical advise, which seems to be in short supply around here.

Only thing I might do is up the calorie range to at least 2500 and see what happens. Also may want to add a couple scoops of high quality protein during the day. Trying for one of those scoops about an  hour after a workout. Keep the carbs pure also. Good Luck.

[leonp1981]

Leonp1 1981 gives good logical advise, which seems to be in short supply around here.

Only thing I might do is up the calorie range to at least 2500 and see what happens. Also may want to add a couple scoops of high quality protein during the day. Trying for one of those scoops about an  hour after a workout. Keep the carbs pure also. Good Luck.

A scoop of protein is a good addition, I have a shake after every workout.

Good answer, thanks.
It's the sharpness that disappoints me a lot. I'm looking for that back of the arm good delt and tri tie in that a good diet brings. The good seperation; I guess that what I'm saying. I'm just starting to wonder what bodyfat or weight I have to get down to to start seeing that?

The amount of weight you need to lose is always tough to guess.  I'm hoping that once I've done it the first time, I'll know for the next!  It depends on what level of conditioning you're looking for, but if you've started to see abs now, another 10lbs or so should give you a nice 'beach' look.

I wish I had some visible abs, I think I'm still about 10-15lbs away from that!  I'm gonna have to step it up slightly, or summer will be gone by the time I see them!

[calfzilla]

IMO if you HAD TO choose only one to lose weight I would say diet.  You will lose a lot more weight dieting only than eating like crap and doing tons of cardio.  Easier too.  Now it's best to do both, but I think cardio only without any caloric restriction is a bad idea. 

[leonp1981]

IMO if you HAD TO choose only one to lose weight I would say diet.  You will lose a lot more weight dieting only than eating like crap and doing tons of cardio.  Easier too.  Now it's best to do both, but I think cardio only without any caloric restriction is a bad idea. 

Without any caloric restriction I would agree with you, but I think for the average person, it can get pretty depressing on a low carb/low fat/high protein diet.  As long as you cut out the unnecessary calories, from snacks and soda, combine it with high intensity cardio, then you can lose weight just as well.  Obviously, if your goals are to be shredded, then dieting is far more important, but for the average joe not so much.

[big man]

Good opinions on here. I may try to just do cardio for a week and see how I do. This dieting sucks! If it doesn't work I will pitch the diet back in.