Running VS “pavement pounding”

Dear Reader,

My previous posts on fat burning (quickly!) and the much overdue release of “Eat More – Weigh Less” seem to have generated a fair bit of feedback, and I’ll share an excellent question I received in the mail yesterday.

Before that though – remember that though it might sound like “hype” – you CAN literally “eat more and weigh less (or drink more and weigh less if that’s your cup of “poison”) – – I’ve done it, and so can you – if you know HOW!

That isn’t to underestimate the importance of diet, of course. Jack La Lanne once famously said “Exercise is king, and nutrition is queen – together they form a kingdom”.

There is great, great wisdom in these words my friend.

Anyway, Sean from the U.K. emailed me yesterday. Let’s take a look.

I’m quoting his email below –

Rahul,

Thanks for your daily motivational emails, I enjoy them immensely. I do have a question though. In your newsletters you constantly put down “long distance cardio” as you call it, or alternatively, “pounding the pavement” in favor of short, intense workouts.

I don’t doubt for a minute that short and intense gets the job done much better than, as you say, “LSD” workouts. However, if running was indeed so ineffective, why would the army be doing it? Why would boxers do it? Why would athletes in all sports do it?

Please advise. Am I missing something here?

My response beneath – –

Hi  Sean –

Thanks for writing in! That is an excellent question indeed, and I’ll address it now.

First off,  and most importantly, my apologies if I caused any confusion. I do indeed stick to what I’ve said before though – and I’ll explain now.

When I say “pavement pounding”, this is different from “running” as far as I’m concerned.

Running to me isn’t the sort of “slow burn” that you experience with “pavement pounding”, which is usually a SLOOOOW, rythmic jog done for time – hence the term “pounding” as you literally pound your joints and tendons with the slow repetitive nature of the movement – not good.

Take a look at most sprinters – and most people that you’d classify as “pavement pounders”.

The folks in the latter category may not be fat, but do they have strength? Can they outrun the sprinter in a race? Most importantly perhaps, do they LOOK – and feel – healthy?

It’s a sickly sort “fat thin” effect that overindulging in “LSD” (as you say!) workouts causes, and this is evident if you look at the scores of people who go by the target heart rate advice the “schmexperts” advocate – and are unable to shed weight effectively.

That sort of workout causes you to age from the inside out – as opposed to grow younger when you do workouts that are SHORT and INTENSE – such as those in Eat More – Weigh Less, for example – or 0 Excuses Fitness.

Age like a prune I should say, and if you’ve studies how regular marathon runners look and feel – you know what I’m saying.

Now back to running – am I against it?

Heck no. I’ve written extensively about doing ROADWORK after my hill climbs in China – and a lot of that roadwork involved running – so I’m certainly not against it – but it’s certainly not the type of  run you’d envision in terms of pounding the pavement.

When I run, I either sprint – or run FAST. I have NOTHING AT ALL against a brisk mile or two, and I in fact highly encourage you to do so as well to get the ole engine room going BRISKLY – before or after jumping into your workout.

I prefer after – but choose whichever works better for you!

Hope that cleared it up – let me know if you have further questions!

Best,

Rahul

Well, my friend, so if you’ve been wondering the same thing, that should clear it up.

I’ll encapsulate it thus – – Brisk is good. Fast is better. And super fast CANNOT be beat!

This goes for anything you’re doing – whether it be pushups – or running – or pullups – or even a 0 Excuses Workout.

Quick and brisk is the name of the game basically.

Last, but not least, if you read this and pooh pooh it and choose to continue on with your long slow distance cardio, well, have at , partner.

It ain’t my biz how you train. ‘Tis my job though to point out the best way to you – – and thats about all I can do in that regard!

Well, my friend, that’s it for now. I’ll be back again later!

Best,

Rahul Mookerjee

P.S – I just got back from a great, great “Eat More – Weigh Less” workout in pitch dark or close to it in a local hilly park here, and am feeling nigh GREAT! And if you want to know the real secrets to burning fat and keeping it off, click on over right here – – https://0excusesfitness.com/eatmore-weighless/

 

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