Cardio or fat burn?

Graciecny

So what should I be aiming for? Yes, I need to lose 50 pounds or so, but I also need to get fit - I don't want to be out of breath climbing a flight of stairs! So should I be trying to do some of each and just switching off here and there? I am asking because the two settings on the elliptical I've been using feel different, but maybe they have the same result? Anyone able to tell offer any input?

I am also trying to work some resistance stuff in, but I am so worried about falling off the wagon and getting so sore I skip the gym altogether. Advice for a newbie? Pretty please?!

bcattoes

Cardio will burn fat.

mollymarie83

Its good to get your heart rate up then bring it down. For instance if you were on the treadmill start with walking (about 3.5 mph) for three minutes then run (6.7-7.5 mph) for one minute, then alternate one minute of each back and fourth it melts calories away when you do that (so what my trainer says) and do it before your workout routine for 25 minutes every time you go to the gym, that way your burning more calories when you do your other exercises afterwards.

Graciecny

Thank you for the replies! As of today I started doing the hill setting on the treadmill where it does an incline, since I can't really manage a run yet. Sad, I know...anyways, I did the hill setting at 3mph and an incline varying between 1.5% up to 7.5% at 1-minute intervals throughout the 30 minutes. Would that have a similar effect to running/walking intermitently? It seems like it would, as you are working harder and then going easier, maybe not as profound a change, but I'm going to have to work my way up to running.

FWIW, I can't yet seem to manage 3.5mph on the treadmill. For these short legs it isn't really a walk, it is this awkward intermediate speed that isn't quite a jog but isn't a comfortable walk either. Feels like I am slamming my feet down, just not comfortable. I can do 3.2, but no more (and I've tried), at least not so far. I've tried reading speed-walking sites about posture and position...so far no go.

mollymarie83

Im not 100% sure, I just started doing this whole diet and exercise thing myself so i'm not sure what burns the most. Ive just been told it's good to bring your heart rate up and down while you're doing the cardio part of your exercise, if I find out anything else I'll let you know.

RMuske

Cardio is better because even though technically fat burn helps more during your exercise Cardio will keep your metabolism higher for longer and so you will lose more weight in the long run. Hope that helps.

Azdak

So what should I be aiming for? Yes, I need to lose 50 pounds or so, but I also need to get fit - I don't want to be out of breath climbing a flight of stairs! So should I be trying to do some of each and just switching off here and there? I am asking because the two settings on the elliptical I've been using feel different, but maybe they have the same result? Anyone able to tell offer any input?

I am also trying to work some resistance stuff in, but I am so worried about falling off the wagon and getting so sore I skip the gym altogether. Advice for a newbie? Pretty please?!

I would not recommend using either one of those programs. Interactive heart rate programs cannot distinguish between increased heart rate due to increased exertion and increased heart rate due to cardiovascular drift. So if you are on a heart rate interactive program, as you get farther into the workout and heart rate naturally starts to drift upward, the machine will reduce your workload. The net result is fewer calories burned and an inferior training stimulus.

Plus, the machines push everyone into the same generic heart rate ranges (and the targets they choose are very inaccurate). So if you don't know enough to override the target heart rate with your own data, you could end up at an intensity that is completely wrong for you. Heart rate interactive programs were a good idea, but poorly executed. I always recommend that my clients avoid them.

As for resistance training, it is an important part of the program. You can avoid excessive soreness by ramping up the workload slowly. Start off with a lighter resistance (sets of 12-15 reps) and don't even worry about working to failure at first. Just do 1-2 sets at a load that allows you to feel the muscles working. You will feel a little stiff the next day, but nothing debilitating. Increase the weights in small increments.

simon_pickard

Cardio will burn fat.

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