[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.