How much cardio?

Hi Everyone,

I was just wondering what a good amount of cardio to be doing is?

I've been going to the gym at least 4 times a week, since september however I still put on about 10 pounds (terrible eating habits). Now, that I'm trying to change my eating habits, I was wondering what exactly a good amount of cardio is??

I know that running/jogging is really effective, but I can't run from much longer than 5 minutes because I get killer shinsplints, what other machines do you guys suggest? and for how long?

i don't know for how long but i love love love the eliptical machine.. it's low impact and it works your whole body!  it's AWESOME!!!  :)  i'd say get on it and go for as long as you can (my first time was 10 minutes at a low speed.. eheh)  but to be a fat burning thing you should do at least 30 minutes.. (the body starts burning fat after 20 minutes)

what obsidyan said ;) 

I LOVE walking my neighborhood w/ my dog (she's 12.5 years old btw and she's in great shape!).  I usually jog the south side of the street, and walk the north side.  I crank up the music (mp3 player) and just enjoy the morning.  I do this for about 40-45 mins, then I come back and box for another 15, and do some ab work.  Sometimes in the afternoon I'll throw in Gilad's Bodies In Motion DVD and do the Cardio Blast which lasts for 37 minutes. it's a kick (_)_) workout and I love it!

Just break a sweat for 20 minutes or so, the effects last around 4 hours afterward.

Keep on Keepin' On

Both of those sounds great :)

Definatly good to mix it up, and getting some fresh air outside sounds like fun!

Thirty minutes to an hour. Going over an hour becomes counterproductive.

Elliptical or swimming. I do about 45 min. of cardio 6 days a week.

dgiger you say over an hour is counterproductive... how come?

I do 45 to 50 minutes of cardio on the nights I lift weights and 60 to 70 the other evenings.  I only lift weights twice a week right now.  I also try and get a little cardio in durring my workday durring my two 15 minute breaks.

I walk on a treadmill always with an incline at 2 to 7 % depending on the speed.  I also like to mix it up every now and then with running for 1 minute and then walking for 5 running for 1 1/2 minutes and walking for 10 varrying it for the entire hour.  Just something to do to keep it interesting.  I do cardio every night of the week.  It just makes me feel better if I do.