question about heart rate

megsta91

I started the running program c25k two weeks ago. I tried progressing to week 2, but I could not keep up and it took a toll on my body. I decided to repeat week 1, as well as any future weeks, as many times as I need to so I don't overexert myself. Hurts my pride but it's better that way!

During the running portions, my heart rate will stay around 168-178, depending on where I am during the workout.
During the walking portions, my heart rate will stay about 145ish.
I am 22 years old and I weigh about 255. Resting heart rate about 80.

My main goal is weight loss. My endurance has improved drastically and I no longer feel like I'm going to die after every workout, LOL, but I still sweat like a pig and burn about 300 calories during each half hour session (according to treadmill stats of weight and heart rate)

So my question is, do I need to "up" my cardio since the sessions aren't killing me anymore and just push myself to keep progressing in this program? Or am I getting everything I need based on my heart rates?

Thank you for looking!

wilsoje74

Is there a reason you have to track your heart rate? Go by how you feel and push yourself as you are able.

megsta91

I just read that going by 85% of your heart rate, which would be 168 for me, is best for weight loss. not sure if that is true so that's why I was torn.

MinnieInMaine

I think it's a good idea to do what you're doing. Listen to your body and respond with progression levels that work best for you, even if it means not following the program exactly. Better to go slow and steady than push yourself too hard and risk injury.

kdb247

There's a lot of info on exercise and heart rate. I would just go on how I feel during the run. If I'm tired during two consecutive runs, I fall back by either skipping a run or two. Or running at a much slower pace, which I don't like to do because I feel like I'm wasting precious time. (I know that's crazy thinking, I'm twisted).

Maybe the link below can give you some info

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/Target-Heart-Rates_UCM_434341_Article.jsp

dbmata

During the running portions, my heart rate will stay around 168-178, depending on where I am during the workout.
During the walking portions, my heart rate will stay about 145ish.
I am 22 years old and I weigh about 255. Resting heart rate about 80.

What this means is that you are phenomenally unfit. It will get better, but to make it better you just need to get out there and run more. You'll see that resting rate drop a lot too.

I think your idea of repeating weeks is sound, if for no other reason it keeps you from giving up and quitting due to frustration. You'll be quite surprised as to what your body can adjust to, and what you can achieve if you want to.

If you have the time, it might help to increase your aerobic base by adding in a bit of swimming or cycling/spinning.

MinnieInMaine

P.S. Here's a good article about heart rate zones and calorie burn:

http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/a/The-Truth-About-The-Fat-Burning-Zone.htm

megsta91

Thank you all! I am going to try my hand at week 2 tonight, since I've repeated week 1 twice, and see how I feel. gives me motivation that i'm the fattest person on the treadmills

PrairieRunner2015

I'm neither qualified nor experienced in regards to your question on your HR, but your thoughts/actions/attitude on repeating weeks and taking it slowly with the program are sound. I pushed myself to go too far and too fast in a short amount of time and it resulted in injuries which have essentially knocked me back to where I started.

Confuzzled4ever

i wonder this too.. and how accurate are the treadmills.. and how accurate is taking it yourself??

I was running at 6.2mph yesterday for 15mintues.. slowed it down and took the heart rate on the machine.. 148. Seems low to me.. i was working.. hard..but not overly tired..

I take it myself during Zumba and rarely break 120 and i'm sweating and i'm jumping and i'm pushing.
I do have a resting hr in the upper 40s though so maybe that has something to do with it?

ETA; I checked out that link above and it has me int he normal range, but closer to the low end. I wonder how much your resting heart rate alters those numbers

rassha01

During the running portions, my heart rate will stay around 168-178, depending on where I am during the workout.
During the walking portions, my heart rate will stay about 145ish.
I am 22 years old and I weigh about 255. Resting heart rate about 80.

What this means is that you are phenomenally unfit. It will get better, but to make it better you just need to get out there and run more. You'll see that resting rate drop a lot too.

I think your idea of repeating weeks is sound, if for no other reason it keeps you from giving up and quitting due to frustration. You'll be quite surprised as to what your body can adjust to, and what you can achieve if you want to.

If you have the time, it might help to increase your aerobic base by adding in a bit of swimming or cycling/spinning.

megsta91

i wonder this too.. and how accurate are the treadmills.. and how accurate is taking it yourself??

I have wondered this too! Was thinking of purchasing a heart rate monitor of my own, but its not a necessity so it's hard for me to put out the money. i'm a cheap-o

Confuzzled4ever

I won't wear a chest strap... so i'm just going to go with my body bugg and assume a 10-15% margin of error for calories burned.

I just spot check myself and will have to assume that taking it myself is pretty accurate. I mean doctors and nurses do it and i know how to count. So it should be pretty accurate right?