Heart rate and weight loss

morgaine108
morgaine108 Posts: 53
edited January 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Forgive me, I'm a bit of a noob to this exercise stuff (not that I haven't done it before but that I haven't analyzed it or what not). I got a Polar HRM. I've been noticing that it tells me that I only spend a few minutes in "fat burn" mode and the most of the rest of my workout pretty consistently in the "fitness" zone. If I am trying to lose weight, shouldn't I want to be in the fat burn zone more? And that exactly does that mean, or how do I find out what it is for me? I am 36, F, 216 lbs. My HR usually avgs in the 150s, when I am really pushing myself running or pushing hard on the elliptical my HR does occasionally go into the 170s, even up to 180. I think this is technically too high, but I feel ok usually up to the 170 point, then I feel like maybe it's a bit much cause it's damn hard, but isn't it supposed to be hard??

Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • withchaco
    withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
    Don't pay attention to the modes. According to stuff I've read, it seems maximum fat burn is actually achieved through high-intensity interval training, and you spend little to no time in the "fat burn" zone when you do HIIT.

    180 does sound rather high for a 36-year-old (especially if you're doing sustained cardio as opposed to HIIT), but it really depends. Like, are you wheezing and gasping for breath? Does it feel like your heart is about to explode out of your ribcage? Feeling any chest pain or other weirdness? If not, you're probably okay.
  • morgaine108
    morgaine108 Posts: 53
    Usually the 180 only happens when I am running....doing a little c25k app on my phone. I used to run about 10 years ago, never had these gadgets then. The 180 does feel a bit gaspy, but I'm only running for like 90 sec intervals right now and the high rates only usually come toward the end of the 90 seconds.....then the walking times are usually more like the 150s. The 170s feels hard...def breathing hard and struggling a little, but not horrible. That is usually about where I am at when I am on highest resistance I do on the elliptical.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    I'm only 27 (soon to be 28) and mine stays in the 185-192 region when running, even breaking 200 on more than one occasion. If I don't feel burning pain and mild dizziness, I don't feel like I am pushing myself hard enough. I am also 5'10" and 225 lbs.

    Basically, it's an individual thing. It's up to your perception. Push as hard as you feel comfortable with, without keeling over. It's really that simple.
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