Soo confused about exercise

[Dibaby 0]

Okay here is my perdicament. I have finally decided to take up exercising seriously and I have a membership to our local YMCA which I just love. Okay my problem is at first I was thinking that as long as I was doing cardio I was doing good. I was loving the elliptical machine. So along comes a guy into my life that is big into working out and tells me no no..I need to just do the treadmill and walk and burn the fat. Keep my heart rate at a certain rate..about 119 and don't go over. So thats what I've been doing..and switching working out my arms and legs on the machines..(abs every time ). I dunno I just don't get it I guess. I figured if I was actually increasing my heart rate and running I would be doing better? I have to say I feel a bit intimidated with everyone running around me..like I'm doing something wrong. I just want the best results for the time I have. Any pointers? By the way..the guy is gone now..LOL..men..ppffttt

Here is my schedule that I've been doing. Monday..40 minutes treadmill..work out arms/abs...Tuesday off..Wednesday..40 minutes treadmill...work out legs/abs...Thursday off...Friday..40 minutes cardio..work out arms/abs..Saturday .40 minutes tread mill..legs/abs..Sunday 40 minutes treadmill..no machines

sounds good?

[dmtjet 0]

I think it sounds wonderful!!! I would say as long as you are exercising, you are doing your body a favor!!! Sounds like you are exercising faithfully and whatever you do is going to make a difference! Personally, I would say switching it up, like you do is terrific, since all of your body needs to be toned!!! Keep it up, don't see how you could be doing anything wrong!!!! I wish I were that motivated, lol!!!

[Dibaby 0]

Thanks so much!

I found out the key is not going home after work. I pick my kid up and have my work out clothes with me. Then we go right there. The best part is they watch her for free and she loves it. So I get a double bonus of a nice break. Then we walk down to Subway and have a nutritious meal. It's working out really well. Just hope it comes all off by Christmas. I finally want some decent Christmas pictures of myself..LOL

Thanks again for the support. Yeah I'm gonna have to try and mix it up. I'm thinking of joining one of the free classes they have. Maybe a step arobics class.

[dmtjet 0]

Thanks so much!

I found out the key is not going home after work. I pick my kid up and have my work out clothes with me. Then we go right there. The best part is they watch her for free and she loves it. So I get a double bonus of a nice break. Then we walk down to Subway and have a nutritious meal. It's working out really well. Just hope it comes all off by Christmas. I finally want some decent Christmas pictures of myself..LOL

Thanks again for the support. Yeah I'm gonna have to try and mix it up. I'm thinking of joining one of the free classes they have. Maybe a step arobics class.

Impressive, glad it is working for everyone!! Keep up the great work!!!

[cbrock1592 0]

I recently changed the way I was working out. My dietican informed me to go and work in the "Fat Burning Zone" so that when I do exercise - I am mainly burning fat. That is what he was trying to explain to you as well. It was explained to me that the Cardio Zone mostly burns carbohydrates and not a large percentage of fat. It was tough changing my workout - but I now exercise at around 140 beats per minute like he suggested. Its your choice!

[Dibaby 0]

Hiya Cbrock,

Glad I'm not the only one feeling weird being in the "fat zone". I don't even work up a real sweat or anything. It just so feels like I'm not doing much. I also wonder when I'm suppose to switch from "fat burning" to "cardio". Yesterday I noticed that the YMCA has all these plans for different things and one was weight loss. Think I'll see what they say about it too. I just want to do whats the best for my bod.

[cbrock1592 0]

I was skeptical at first as well.

He did say to keep my heart rate under 140 - (I was at around 155-160 prior).

The first week - I lost 4 lbs doing it. I have still seen a decrease in weight loss as well. But I still make sure that I keep my time longer than what I was doing before. So I work out for 45-60 minutes at a time. I also find that I am not as tired and worn out.

But he did say to try and incorporate 1-2 days of interval training which pushes the heart rate way into the cardio zone (like 170). This way I will still be getting some cardio affects and it will break up the monotony.

But in keeping under 140 - I still sweat. If I was doing 119 - I would feel the same as you - no sweat and no effect.

Hope this helps!

[Dibaby 0]

I've had some effect. Not really complaining there. Just wasn't sure I was doing the best for me. But yeah I'm only doing 119 because that is what the treadmill is telling me I should be doing when I select "fat burning" routine. So glad it's working for you. Yeah maybe I'll still throw in an elliptical work out now and then to keep it mixed up...hmmm.

Thanks again!

[wendy645 1]

I don't remember what the numbers were, but when I was working out at Curves (big waste of money), when you stopped to take your heart rate, you weren't supposed to go above certain numbers because instead of burning fat you were starting to burn muscle... or something... heh.

[cazulay 0]

I don't know about the heart rate, but I go to Curves and I love it! I go there 3x/week,and walk and do dumbells 2x week. It is not much but it's what I can do at the present moment. I do plan on starting more strenous exercise once I am lighter. It's so so hard right now, as I get tired very easily.

[Dibaby 0]

Thanks guys for all the imput. I've signed up with the "commit to be fit" program at the YMCA that I belong to and I'll be meeting with a trainer once a week. Just gonna listen to him and pray he knows what he's doing. LOL

[losingjusme 12]

i personally think it's ok to be in the cardio zone. it burns more calories and a calorie burned is a calorie burned.

how about doing intervals?

if you are on treadmill go your normal speed then for 30 - 45 seconds really kick it up a few notches ??

it works for me! (but of course, everyone is different)...

[Jachut 487]

This fat burning heart rate thing is just such a myth. I mean, there's truth to it - you burn the biggest percentage of fat for energy within your fat burning range - about 60 to 70% of your maximum heart rate.

But there's several problems with it. You can walk and keep your heart rate that high, I can run and keep my heart rate that low. Who burns more calories- I do! Becuase I can run 3 times as far as you can walk in that time.

Why can I do that? Because in the early days I spent a lot of my workout time working at a much harder intensity, at a much higher heart rate and I got much much fitter. Now, not only does my heart rate stay lower for much more intense work, but my maximum heart rate has moved higher too - so my fat burning zone is no longer, say 120 to 140 bpm, but is more like 140 - 170bpm. Those standard forumulae of 220 - age are very inaccurate.

Secondly, if you work out for half an hour and your heart rate is well above your fat burning zone, you may indeed burn less of a proportion of fat as fuel in your workout. But you will burn many more calories in total and much more fat in total, AND your metabolism will stay elevated for hours after your workout. Your body will adapt much faster, build more muscle and prepare itself to be strong enough to do that sort of activity.

Eventually you will have the ability to go out and run for an hour and burn 800 or 1000 calories in a session rather than walk for that time and burn 400 and THAT gives you one hell of a time efficient and ferocious fat fighting tool. That's what weight maintenance is all about, you'll not get fat again if you can do that sort of thing. And believe me, I can do that now, and it doesnt tire me ridiculously, make me lethargic and inactive all day, it feels exactly as it used to when I just went out for a half hour's walk. I recover almost immediately.

Now of course, you cant start off running an hour when you're obese, maybe unwell and not fit. But its very very beneficial to add intervals of more intense activity into your workouts, and to plan to get much fitter, not just coast at fat burning level. As you get less and less heavy you will be able to do more and more work and pushing those boundaries pays big rewards.

If all you ever did was walk in your fat burning heart rate you will lose weight and keep yourself out of the cardiac ward and for many people who just dont like to exercise, that's good enough, and it shouldnt be belittled or looked down upon. But a bit of extra effort will turn you into a very fit person who burns calories and a much higher rate.

[Jachut 487]

Oh - and burning muscle, attacking muscle, breaking down muscle, whatever they like to call it, isnt a bad thing. Its repair to the damage caused by exercise to your muscles that causes your muscles to grow bigger and stronger.

If you dont damage your muscles, they wont get stronger, simple.

[Dibaby 0]

Wow thanks so much for the replies jachut! This is exactly what I was looking for. It makes alot of sense. I'm meeting with my trainer tonight for the first time. So I'm gonna see what he says too. Gratz on such a great success :confused: