[blodwarttufla]

First of, exercise is exercise. Congratulations for making an effort to do something, get moving!

The thing with the heart rates is just that as you work at a higher intensity your body will burn more calories overall, but it will try to pull the energy from glycogen stores more than fat.

At lower intensity, you'll be burning less calories but more of those calories will come from fat stores.

Look at it as a win-win situation.

If you can walk at a moderate intensity for 45 minutes to an hour it's good and itf you want to do higher intensity or interval cardio for half an hour it's all good.

As long as you are burning the calories that's what matters. Don't get hung up on anything else.

[opelonafqe]

There's always someone trying to get away with doing it the easy way...

[Moupponge]

That picture is terrific. Too true!

Thanks for the link. That makes more sense than the notion that I should be exercising less to lose more.

[HexcewlyRette]

I've seen that pic before - it's too funny

[nebrarlepleme]

That photo is great.

[alskdjreyfd]

Just get on that thing and go! Never mind the little details. If you walk on it daily for half an hour or more you will be doing fine.

Good Luck!

[dyestymum]

I don't put much stock in Fitday's "calories burned" chart - it seems awfully low. From what I understand, you burn the same amount of calories in a mile whether you're walking or running. You just need to walk at a brisk enough pace to get your heart rate up. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry.

[Ephejvll]

We just bought a treadmill and I'm trying to get back into more regular exercise. My exercise knowledge is pretty limited though - usually I just go out the door and walk, or find a hiking trail and hike, which doesn't require much thinking or understanding of the mechanics of exercise. Trouble is, I only do that in daylight, which pretty much limits me for six months out the of year -- hence the machine.

Anyhow, I read in the manual that the most efficient level of exertion for fat burning is fairly low intensity. However, at my current level of fitness, it really doesn't take much for me to be breathing hard. So, I do aerobic exercise, whether I intend to or not. I must still be burning fat for fuel, if I continue walking, even though I am also aerobic, no? Does it make a difference if I push the speed a bit, so that I do more miles in the amount of time I have or is it better to do fewer miles but slower so as not to be aerobic and thus burn more calories? On the other hand, I need to develop my aerobic capacity, since I'm obviously out of shape. Any thoughts? Is it better to go for a slow fat burn or a fast heart challenge?

Also, the monitor shows "calories burned" and "fat calories burned" - which bear absolutely no relation to the calories that are listed in Fitday for the same exercise. i.e. 3 miles in about 45 minutes this evening - comes out as about 375 calories/ 150 fat calories while Fitday said I only burned 118. Say what?

As you can tell, I've never belonged to a health club (too expensive) and so exercise machines are new to me. I do have an exercise bike which I rarely use because the seat keeps falling off (it's good for 3 miles, max, and then I'm sitting on the floor!) Hopefully this one will be a better value.

[xyznicks]

"I read in the manual that the most efficient level of exertion for fat burning is fairly low intensity"

I guess it depends on what 'they' term as low/mid/high intensity. Generally your pulse rate is the best guide. Where working out on your treadmill at 60-70% of your max* is highly effective and safe for beginners and intermediates. At an advanced stage 80-85% is the norm.

*220 minus X [your age] = Approx. Max pulse rate. [but best to check with your physician first]

At this level you should be able to still hold a conversation .. but with shorter sentences.

If you haven't run for a while I'd recommend walking on your treadmill [low-impact], but hold weights in your hands. If the machine allows, incline the tread as you progress. More weight + incline + increased tempo really burns the calories. 'Experts' seem to disagree with duration .. but general concensus seems to average out at about 45 mins.

Happy training.