90 Minute Cardio Sessions

[Paul2200]

Hello!

Before going to work each morning, I do moderate intensity cardio (stairmaster, 65-75% max HR) on an empty stomach and then have breakfast before heading out. (Once in a while HIIT, but for the most part I almost never do HIIT during the weekdays)

I always cut off my moderate intensity cardio sessions at 60 minutes because of a fear I can't get out of the back of my mind that it may be catabolic after that point (cortisol release, etc?).

So here's my question: sometimes I feel like I could just keep going on and on after the 60 minute mark (WAY more often than not actually...). The ONLY reason I DON'T, is because the aforementioned fear of burning away my muscle. What would happen if I were to increase the length of my cardio sessions (time permitting) to say 90 minutes or so?

And how should I structure my breakfast so as to blunt catabolism in any way? (Although I'd rather stay away from spiking my insulin after a moderate intensity cardio session)

[BTW I feel like I have to make this little note here: I ENJOY doing this type of cardio in the morning, yes *ENJOY*, as it gives me time to think about my day and also watch the morning news. I should also note that my diet/training is pretty darn good already.. Just wondering about this issue hypothetically speaking]

Any help on the issue would be much appreciated, thanks everyone!
-Paul

[taffer]

ok if your really worried about catabolism, you should EAT BEFORE YOU WORKOUT!!!

i mean 60mins on the tredmill, your going to be burning a TON of muscle already if you do it on an empty stomach, check out....

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hreadid=272067 - pre/during/post workout bible
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hreadid=287373 - Why to eat Pre-cardio (read alan aragon's posts)

[Skoorbmax]

Yeah, eat something before it - something that can be absorbed quickly.

[johnnyironboard]

I'm of the camp that you can work out hard or you can work out long but you can't do both. I prefer hard.

[Paul2200]

How about a whey shake consisting of protein only pre-cardio? Will this be enough to blunt any catabolism for a longer session of cardio?

[taffer]

Originally posted by Paul2200
How about a whey shake consisting of protein only pre-cardio? Will this be enough to blunt any catabolism for a longer session of cardio?

nup

[Matthew Shepard]

How much fat do you have to lose? What are your stats?

[Jonblaze639]

bro you are doing entirely way too much cardio!

60 minutes everyday? thats insane! 3-4 times a week tops, at 45 minutes.

Not to be a dick, but after skimming over some of your old posts, it looks like your diet completely sucks.

Of your last two proposed diet plans one consisted of 1100 calories and the other of 1200 calories. Starving yourself and doing massive amounts of cardio is NOT the answer. Get your diet in order and the fat will melt off.

If you need help putting together a diet plan, you know where to find me.