Do you have to be 'into it' to burn fat and lose weight?

Fatvaporizer

This question is a bit confusing, but basically, when you exercise, do you have to 'be into it,' meaning (and as stupid as it might sound)... can you exercise while being bored but at the same time being effective and burning fat?

I ask this because sometimes I'll be exercising, listening to music, but I'm just not into the exercise. My body will be moving, I'll be sweating, and the regular processes that come with exercising, but what if you're just mindlessly doing it? Is that still effective?

I hope this makes sense.

Thanks.

allyphoe

Depends on what you're doing, but yes. Just pay enough attention to be mindful of your form. I kind of zone out when I run. I would not zone out if I were using weights.

AliNouveau

If you're heart rate is elevated I would imagine it's working. If I'm out for a run I'm not thinking about running I'm thinking of lots of stuff. If I'm skating often I'm thinking what I'll have for food after. I'm working just have a weird mind

Mr_Knight

Yep. If you're running, you're running. It may take a bit longer to get the same burn, but as long as you make the same distance, you're golden.

gothchiq

If you're doing the work you're burning the fat. Your muscles don't care what your brain is doing.

edlanglais5

Make sure you furl your eyebrows, stick your tongue out, and concentrate.

Cherimoose

You burn fat on days that your calorie intake is less than your calorie output.. regardless of whether you exercise.

AliNouveau

edlanglais5 wrote: »

Make sure you furl your eyebrows, stick your tongue out, and concentrate.

I hear wearing 1970s sweat bands and Richard Simmons short shorts increase the burn too

TimothyFish

If you are bored while driving down the road does your car still burn gas? How much you enjoy what you are doing has nothing to do with calorie burn.

LisaEatSleepRun

Yep, same as mindlessly eating...the calories still count even if you ate a whole tub of ice-cream and don't understand how it is now empty (never me btw)
When I am running, sometimes i realize my effort is only half arsed, so I pick up the pace a bit. Still counts though, just means I burn a bit less than usual.

bbell1985

If you're not "into it" and you're not raising your heart rate, then no-you will not burn as many calories. But some activity is better than none. You should see me on the stationary bike. Slow as *kitten* and I swear I've done it while eating candy.

Alatariel75

If your body is doing the work, it doesn't matter what your brain is doing.

DopeItUp

If you're not grunting as loud as you can, you're not getting any gainz. C'mon, everyone knows this.

jemhh

I can see how the effectiveness would be indirectly affected by boredom. If you're just blindly swinging a weight just for the sake of getting X number of reps done, chances are your form isn't good and you're using more momentum and less muscle than optimal. That's going to make the exercise less effective as a muscle builder.

canadianlbs

Fatvaporizer wrote: »

the regular processes that come with exercising

that's why you're probably still good. the internal part of those regular processes still happen too.

DancingMoosie

You don't have to go full out every time. I walk on my treadmill while watching a show. I'm still moving and burning calories, but totally not focused on the activity. I would not recommend this when lifting... I've done a squat and crumpled under the weight... I'm guessing I wasn't fully engaged at the moment.