How Hard Must You Work Out?

run2jeepn

By reading yout Profile... It sounds like you want to put the work in, but just don't know how and need a push...You stated you have been in a standstill for a while.

Whats yoru diet look like?

shorty35565

Hey Everyone,

Wanted some opinions on exercise and how "hard" you have to work out to see results. I have tried personal training and running and had a hard time sticking to both. I prefer less vigorous exercise like yoga, walking, swimming/water aerobics. I hate feeling like I am working out, I prefer to feel a bit more leisurely. Do you think it matters how vigorous you are working out in order to see results?

Also do you guys have any suggestions on ways to change up my work out but keep it fun and not feel so much like a task?

Thanks, your feedback is appreciated!

'

I believe doctors say walking is the best thing for u. Swimming is also very fun & I hear it can burn a lot of cals. Yoga, tho, does not burn a lot. Sadly neither does walking unless u do it for a while. Sprinting/Jogging/running will burn more. For cardio, the higher u can keep ur heart rate, the more u burn. You can see results in whatever you do tho. Any exercise is always better than no exercise!
I do an intense cardio called Turbo Fire. I kno u said u liked leisurely & this program is anything but. BUT it's very fun! It won't feel like a chore. You will enjoy urself & the music. I LOVE it!

rydanip

These are some GREAT ideas...Thanks a lot. I definitely wanna try Pilates and Water Aerobics this summer. Walking I love, I prefer it outdoors as opposed to a treadmill. Thanks. I need to try a bunch of different things. I actually don't mind strength training, but I feel a bit directionless as far as reps, and how often, when to increase, etc. Its all so confusing when to do strength and when to do cardio!

If you like walking.. Find a Good hill outside and walk up and down that sucker. Keep a fast Pace. Then on those super hot days, Or Raining days. Hit the Treadmill at a 2.5 to 4.7mph Pace at at least a 15% incline. You can hang on to the rails..:) Works wonders.

As far as weight training...

Let me know what your Goal is.. What your Problem area's are and if you have any injuries that need to be worked around....

My tummy is the WORST!!! I have the least fat on my legs, they are pretty muscular and strong. But I carry weight more in mu upper body...ie tummy, breasts, etc. I want to lose another 50lbs and really lose fat and increase muscle. I have a right knee injury. Its still messed up from an old sprain so jumping jacks and high jumps are not great. jogging on it isn't horrible though.

rydanip

Sorry, but it's sounding a little Lazy. If you want to see results from workouts.... You have to Work for it... Hell it's even called "WORKING OUT"... You have to put the work in.. No way around it. You need to build a solid base. Once you have that and are closer to your goal. You can back off some. But till then.. DO THE WORK... Sorry it sounds blunt.

But who is working harder, the person who spends half an hour in the gym lifting weights, or the person who straps on a Camelback and spends five or six hours walking? According to the database, the walker burns almost ten times as many calories! Am I working harder if I run for ten minutes than if I ride my bike for twenty? They both burn the same calories. Just because someone isn't doing what *you* consider "working out" doesn't mean they're not working!

Also, keep in mind how much extra weight some of us are carrying as we do all this. I might burn almost twice as many calories walking for an hour as you would. Want to strap on a backpack with eighty pounds of gear in it, and then tell me how easy walking ten miles is? Can you picture lugging that extra 80 pounds twenty miles a day in temperatures in the high nineties? I've done it. Was I being lazy?

Thanks Dr Janet...well spoken

crisanderson27

But who is working harder, the person who spends half an hour in the gym lifting weights, or the person who straps on a Camelback and spends five or six hours walking? According to the database, the walker burns almost ten times as many calories! Am I working harder if I run for ten minutes than if I ride my bike for twenty? They both burn the same calories. Just because someone isn't doing what *you* consider "working out" doesn't mean they're not working!

And when a person strength trains, they not only burn initial calories, but continue to burn calories for another 24hrs, and on top of that...produce large quantities of growth hormone and adrenalin, which limit lean mass breakdown...and directs your body to oxidize adipose tissue for energy.

i.e...protect muscle...burn fat.

It's not just about working hard...it's about working smart.

wlaurel

Everyone is different, but generally you wont burn a lot of fat unless your heartrate is up for atleast 40 consecutive minutes. That's what I was taught in my college health essentials class anyways. If you aren't sweating, you probably aren't going to see progress for a very... very.. long time.

Erindipitous

Sorry, but it's sounding a little Lazy. If you want to see results from workouts.... You have to Work for it... Hell it's even called "WORKING OUT"... You have to put the work in.. No way around it. You need to build a solid base. Once you have that and are closer to your goal. You can back off some. But till then.. DO THE WORK... Sorry it sounds blunt.

THIS.

Suck it up buttercup and bust your booty!

:drinker:

rydanip

By reading yout Profile... It sounds like you want to put the work in, but just don't know how and need a push...You stated you have been in a standstill for a while.

Whats yoru diet look like?
[/quote

I just got back on track, I had fallen off for a while so my diet was looking ****ty. I have PCOS/Insulin Resistance...so I try to limit starchy and simple carbs most of the time and balance my carbs with good amounts of protein to avoid a sugar spike. I try to follow a more mediterranean style diet which is more suitable to my condition. Some months I do superb, others like May, I do horribly. Still working on regulating that

run2jeepn

But who is working harder, the person who spends half an hour in the gym lifting weights, or the person who straps on a Camelback and spends five or six hours walking? According to the database, the walker burns almost ten times as many calories! Am I working harder if I run for ten minutes than if I ride my bike for twenty? They both burn the same calories. Just because someone isn't doing what *you* consider "working out" doesn't mean they're not working!

Also, keep in mind how much extra weight some of us are carrying as we do all this. I might burn almost twice as many calories walking for an hour as you would. Want to strap on a backpack with eighty pounds of gear in it, and then tell me how easy walking ten miles is? Can you picture lugging that extra 80 pounds twenty miles a day in temperatures in the high nineties? I've done it. Was I being lazy?

WOW.. Calm down now.. Never said anything remotely like this. Yes you would burn more calories humping it for 20miles. Then I would an hr in the Gym. Different results as well.

With many poeples life styles we don't have them time to spend walking 20miles a day or even a couple of days a week.

" I might burn almost twice as many calories walking for an hour as you would. "

True.. All that means I have to run Harder/faster and longer to see improvements.

Everyone on here is at different spots in there quest to a healthy more Fit version of themselves.

shorty35565

Everyone is different, but generally you wont burn a lot of fat unless your heartrate is up for atleast 40 consecutive minutes. That's what I was taught in my college health essentials class anyways. If you aren't sweating, you probably aren't going to see progress for a very... very.. long time.

Pretty sure this is a diff story when it comes to HIIT, right?

stupidloser

Whatever you decide to to do, whether it's walking leisurely or running vigorously, just create a calorie deficit. If you cannot control the amount of calories you consume than you must work harder to keep the pounds off. More excess calories=more work to stay in shape.

shorty35565

By reading yout Profile... It sounds like you want to put the work in, but just don't know how and need a push...You stated you have been in a standstill for a while.

Whats yoru diet look like?
[/quote

I just got back on track, I had fallen off for a while so my diet was looking ****ty. I have PCOS/Insulin Resistance...so I try to limit starchy and simple carbs most of the time and balance my carbs with good amounts of protein to avoid a sugar spike. I try to follow a more mediterranean style diet which is more suitable to my condition. Some months I do superb, others like May, I do horribly. Still working on regulating that

Have u tried cinnamon? I've read ab it all over the place. Cinnamon helps lower blood sugar & keeps it stable or rather, that's what they say.

Elizabeth_C34

It's not just about working hard...it's about working smart.

THIS THIS THIS x1000!!! You don't have to spend hours at the gym six days a week to get a good burn. It's about finding a balance between your diet and exercise routine that you can maintain.

Nataliaho

I'm not sure if anyone else has said this, but almost no one likes working out when they first start, but it does get better and easier. Your body adapts and you recover quicker, plus you just get used to what it feels like to be smashed. I remember way back when I first started exercising, I was huge and unfit and I thought I would literally die after a session. I gradually built up over time and now I force myself to have a rest day.

DrJanet98

And when a person strength trains, they not only burn initial calories, but continue to burn calories for another 24hrs

But that's true for anything that gets your metabolism up. Doesn't have to be strength training. Believe me, when you do one of the Breast Cancer Walks, you definitely continue burning extra calories for longer than just the walk itself. Now, muscle tissue does burn more calories at rest than adipose tissue does, so that's a real reason to do strength training in addition to your choice of cardiovascular. (I don't think MFP takes muscle mass versus fat into account when it calculates BMR, though.) But it's really getting the heart rate up that increases calories burned in the short term.

run2jeepn

You said you have Strong Legs. Take advantage of that.

Try this.

Upper Body Day-- Chest and Back
Lower Body Day-- Legs of course (Lighter weight.. Rep Ranges in the 15-20)
OFF
Upper Body Day--- Arms and Shoulders
Lower Body Day--- Legs again.. but different exercies. (Heavier Reps in the 10-12)
OFF
OFF
REPEAT

Does your Knee hurt doing Lunges or Squats?

shorty35565

I'm not sure if anyone else has said this, but almost no one likes working out when they first start, but it does get better and easier. Your body adapts and you recover quicker, plus you just get used to what it feels like to be smashed. I remember way back when I first started exercising, I was huge and unfit and I thought I would literally die after a session. I gradually built up over time and now I force myself to have a rest day.

Same. I hated it at 1st, seen it as a chore. Now I'm addicted to it & on my rest days, I just wait for the next to so I can workout. That high u get from workin out makes it really addictive imo.

_Ivian

I agree with the previous posts that you should do strength training to achieve a more tone, fit look but that doesn't mean you can't add other types of exercises to your routine and have to stick to weight lifting only. Have you tried Boot Camps? Or CrossFit? Pilates? HIIT? Or that new thing TRX training? Maybe you just need another trainer?

I like all sorts of exercises and enjoy the more "leisure" kind as you say every now and then like skating, playing sports, swimming, etc. But I know that to get the results I want, I need to work extremely hard and do all sorts of exercises that will help me get the look I'm going for; not just the types I like, unfortunately. :laugh:

Whats Crossfit? or TRX training? I def had a bad experience with a trainer, he wasn't very motivational, and he trained me from behind his desk at times...so that experience left a pretty bitter taste in my mouth. I def want a leaner stronger body I need to lose fat, gain muscle, my worst area is my tummy...soyou guys are right. I'll probably have to bite the bullet and do something I don;t enjoy

Behind a desk?! :noway: Hope you got your money back! I like CrossFit and Boot Camps because they're high intensity workouts, they're typically short, target all sorts of muscles, and I got a bunch of people doing it with me so it keeps me motivated. The TRX thing is like this resistance/suspension training that some of the trainers at my gym are promoting. Here's the link; http://www.trxtraining.com/. I did one 45 minute class and I was feeling the burn for days :laugh:. It worked for me but it's all about trying new things and finding what works for YOU! A lot of gyms have 7 day passes, and they'll allow you to take classes to feel it out. Take advantage of it and see what you like. Someone else mentioned Zumba. I've heard a lot of people love it. Good luck! Hope you find something that can fit the bill!

fionarama

I understand the question.
have you thought of doing something structured, like a GillianMichaels DVD for instance. These are great for results and give you a good idea of the level you have to work out at.
A good personal trainer if you can afford it. Even just a couple of sessions might answer your question.
All that slow type exercise might seem easier but it won't get you quick results, and will therefore get boring pretty quickly. Results are a great motivator.

fionarama

Also www.bodybuilding.com has some great programmes, find one on there to get started with weigh ttrainng.

Eandretta96

Exactly

run2jeepn

Here I'll start ironing out a workout with ya here. I can get your squared a way... I maybe behind a desk now, but I can get you pointed in the right way..

Go here and pick out 2-3 Exercies for each of the following muscle groups. They are ranked also. Try to pick ones that are ranked high. Normally these give the best results.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

Chest
Back
Shoulders
Biceps
triceps
Quads
Hamstrings
Calf

Post them up here so I can see... I'll look them over and adjust if need be.

Shoulders are greatly overlooked by women in there workouts. Nice muscler Shoulders make the waist appear slimmer with out really being slimmer.

Work AB's out every other day. Use Weights on one and Body weight only on the other.

DrJanet98

WOW.. Calm down now..

Wow, how patronizing.

Never said anything remotely like this.

She said she was interested in less intense workouts, and you said she sounded lazy. I was simply pointing out that a less intense workout is not necessarily a *lesser* workout.

Everyone on here is at different spots in the[ir] quest to a healthy more Fit version of themselves.

Yes, and not everyone has to take the high-intensity route to get there. Better a low-intensity workout that a person can stick to, than a high-intensity one they hate and give up on. That was what the original post was about.

run2jeepn

Results are a great motivator.

Yep

run2jeepn

WOW.. Calm down now..

Wow, how patronizing.

She said she was interested in less intense workouts, and you said she sounded lazy. I was simply pointing out that a less intense workout is not necessarily a *lesser* workout.

Here is her profile...

Why I Want To Get In Shape
I've lost roughly 40lb on my own but I've been at a huge standstill for months. I need to keep pushing and go the extra mile! I have also been lacking MAJOR motivation so I need you guys to inspire and push me! I want to be at my optimal health, and I want to feel good about what I see.

My Inspirations
•BEYONCE, Raven-Symone, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson
•How much more fit I am now than when I was in High School
•Seeing my naturally high cheekbones come out and play
•Never having had a flat tummy, I really would like one in this lifetime

.
.
.
.
.By reading this.... it's just sounds like she wants to work harder, but just doesn't now how to do it and get results.

Her Inspirations

Jordin Sparks
http://cdn.rickey.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/David-Archuleta-First-Day-on-the-SetJordin-Sparks-pulling-a-tire.jpg

If you google the other ones. They all have workout plans that happen in and out of the Gym.

152dbs

I typically get tunnel vision and feel like I am going to pass out at the end of every set. I enjoy it though... there is probably something wrong with me :P

been there and have regurgitated a little too. fyi nothing spicy before a hard circuit.....no es bueno.

meshashesha2012

for cardio i have to work out at an intensity where my heart rate is at least 135 but my personal preference is to keep it around 150-160 to really get a good burn. higher than that is also good but i can't keep a 190 heart rate for longer than a 21 minute HIIT session.
for weights, i lift enough weight that the last few reps in a set of 10-12 reps i have to dig down deep in my soul and call upon the power of grey skull to help me complete. then i rest and do 2 more sets :laugh:

but anyway, to get results and get fit you need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. it's only 45- 60 minutes out of your day, so it wont kill you. you might even learn to love it

crisanderson27

And when a person strength trains, they not only burn initial calories, but continue to burn calories for another 24hrs

But that's true for anything that gets your metabolism up. Doesn't have to be strength training. Believe me, when you do one of the Breast Cancer Walks, you definitely continue burning extra calories for longer than just the walk itself. Now, muscle tissue does burn more calories at rest than adipose tissue does, so that's a real reason to do strength training in addition to your choice of cardiovascular. (I don't think MFP takes muscle mass versus fat into account when it calculates BMR, though.) But it's really getting the heart rate up that increases calories burned in the short term.

I hate to keep contradicting you...but again, that's not the real benefit to strength training. The benefit is the hormonal response...that you DON'T get from walking...running,.trail riding...or any other form of endurance, or cardio exercise. Only strength training with a weight (even bodyweight can give you this benefit if its difficult enough for you) heavy enough to cause you to fail in 5-8 reps provides this benefit.

Those hormones are like gasoline on Styrofoam when it comes to body fat.

Finally22

I typically get tunnel vision and feel like I am going to pass out at the end of every set. I enjoy it though... there is probably something wrong with me :P

This just cracked me up! There must be something wrong with me too then!

DrJanet98

WOW.. Calm down now..

Wow, how patronizing.

She said she was interested in less intense workouts, and you said she sounded lazy. I was simply pointing out that a less intense workout is not necessarily a *lesser* workout.

Here is her profile...

Sorry, I was addressing the question that was asked, as it was asked. I don't look up the profile of everyone posting here, especially since many profiles are private.

By reading this.... it just sounds like she wants to work harder, but just doesn't [k]now how to do it and get results.

You might be right. Kudos for going the extra mile looking at her profile and offering workout suggestions. But your earlier post was still making insulting assumptions about people who choose lower intensity workouts, and you deserved to be called on it. I'm glad you've broadened your judgement in later posts. I do realize that it can be difficult to see how you're coming across to others when posting online, but if no one ever speaks out, no one will ever learn how they were coming across and either learn more about the other person's point of view, or learn how to present a more accurate representation of their own views.