What’s up, my beautiful peaches? Today, we’re discussing cardio, specifically its role during a reverse diet. We’ll cover when it’s best to do cardio, when you should avoid it, and how it can impact your reverse diet and fat loss.

So, should you do cardio during a reverse diet? Here’s my take.

If you’re like me, you may not be the biggest fan of cardio. The idea of running or walking for hours on a treadmill or sweating on a stair climber isn’t appealing to many. I used to run six miles a day on top of strength training and maintaining a 1200 calorie diet. I also attended spin classes, pretending to enjoy them. But in reality, I didn’t, and it always made me uncomfortable.

However, I love being active. I enjoy walks with my husband and our dog, Triscuit. I also like hiking, though I prefer shorter trails with beautiful views like waterfalls. I often choose to take the stairs and park at the far end of parking lots for added exercise and to avoid the crowded areas.

The way I see it, there are two types of cardio: planned and non-planned. Planned cardio involves deliberate activities like running on a treadmill, going for a run, or attending spin classes. Non-planned cardio, on the other hand, involves being active throughout the day without a set routine, like taking the stairs or parking further away.

Many women believe that we must do lots of cardio to lose weight, a notion propagated by the diet industry. But that’s not always the case. Yes, being in a calorie deficit is crucial for weight loss, but if you’re already in a deficit and not losing weight, it doesn’t mean you should be in a greater deficit or add more cardio. In fact, if you’re in this situation, you may need a reverse diet to heal your metabolism from that restrictive state.

If you’re considering adding cardio to your routine, remember that you’ll have to maintain it for the rest of your life, unless you reverse out of it. When deciding to do cardio, it should be about your long-term health and metabolic health, not just about weight loss or physical changes.

If you enjoy running or cardio exercises because they genuinely make you happy, that’s great! But if you’re doing it because you’re afraid of weight gain if you stop, then it may be time to reassess.

So, coming back to the original question: should you do cardio during a reverse diet? If you’re doing a lot of cardio while in a calorie deficit and not seeing changes, you may need to slowly wean yourself off of cardio during the reverse diet. This way, your body can adapt to the changes slowly, preventing weight gain.

In conclusion, cardio can have a place in your fitness routine, but it’s essential to approach it mindfully, considering your overall health and happiness.