Yet another cardio Q, but with a twist!

[Swami36]

Ok, I am prepping for a show on Oct 1. 13 weeks out this saturday and thinking I may start cardio in the coming weeks. With my current schedule, I get up at 4:45am to eat and make food for the day and leave for work at 6. I get off and get to the gym by 4-4:30. Finish lifting around 6ish. PWO shake and a meal complete my day and I'm in bed at 9.

The way I see it, I've got 2 options for cardio:

1) Wake up at 4am, do cardio on an empty stomach, moderate intensity for about 30 mins. (I know this is strongly discouraged)

2) Cardio after my lift. I would make my shake, down half, and slowly sip the rest throughout the cardio session.

Opinions? I'm leaning towards option 2 but would like other input.

Aw shoot, wrong forum... Could someone please move this to training?

[Kristen]

What about setting your alarm an hour earlier, downing a quick shake, sleep for another hour, and then get up and do cardio? That's what I'm doing right now (granted, I'm not drinking a shake at 3 am...) - but, seems to be working pretty well.

Best of luck preparing for your show!!!!! [img]/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Swami36]

[ QUOTE ]
What about setting your alarm an hour earlier, downing a quick shake, sleep for another hour, and then get up and do cardio?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would rather this be the absolute last resort. I tried doing the waking up thing to eat during my bulk for about 2 weeks. Just didn't like interupting my sleep. On top of that, it always took me a good 20-30+ mins to get back to sleep afterwards...

If I must, I may try this but I'd have to get up about an hour and a half early so I could fall back asleep for a little bit.

[X-Factor]

How about wake up and hour earlier and go to bed at 8, just shift your day. It's not exactly hard, wake up the hour earlier one day without cardio to adjust (whey and oats first thing of course) then go to bed at 8, you're up again at the same time but this time do cardio after you're meal. It's not hard just go to sleep earlier if you wake up later, you'll be so much more awaeke during the day also.

[Swami36]

ugh! I've thought of that X, but never really let it sink in. It sucks already going to bed at 9 every night, not to mention 8...

[X-Factor]

Ain't nothing to it but to do it.

If you can't do that, you're not ready for a comp yet bro.

It takes dedication to the max. It's not like it's detrimental or anything.

[Swami36]

I never said I couldn't do it. Yes, I'd like to avoid it if at all possible, but if not then so be it.

Dedication is not an issue my man.

[X-Factor]

[ QUOTE ]
ugh! I've thought of that X, but never really let it sink in. It sucks already going to bed at 9 every night, not to mention 8...

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like you're lookin for an easy way out bro!

There ain't no quick fixes!

You'll do great good luck!