| Author | Post |
|---|
1seekspie
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 24 January 2008 12:22 am |
|
I started exercising on the indoor bike a few months ago to lose a little body fat and tone up. I'm up to 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week (with a 1 day break in between 2-3 days) at moderate-high intensity.
Would a slight increase or decrease in intensity really make a difference in the results of a work-out? How would this effect my personal goal? To stay at my current size (5,3 104 lbs) and keep tone? To acheive this would I be able to leave my work out feeling tired but fine or would I have to feel like I'd be ready to collapse afterwards?
I think we all know the answer I'm hoping for but I'm prepared for anything.
Thanks!
~1seekspie.
P.S, I don't know if you need to know my heart-rate to answer this question or not. I'm in the process of getting a heart-monitor so I'll know pretty soon.
|
Nir
Senior Administrator
|
Posted: 24 January 2008 02:16 am |
|
| Whilst 'killing yourself' on your cardio workout is sure to squeeze a few more calories, if you are not impatient you can burn the same calories by doing it a bit less intensely for a few more minutes - or just accept your weight loss will be ever so slightly delayed. That's my appraoch, for what it is worth!
|
trimB
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 24 January 2008 08:04 pm |
|
| I agree with Nir, but I will add one thing. If you are doing the same workout 5 times per week, week after week... I think your body will get more efficient at it and you will burn less calories. Almost like your body gets in a rut. Is there any way you can vary your routine? Even if you just sometimes do intervals (fast & high resistance alternating with slow & easy) or something like that, it's better than no variety at all.
|
1seekspie
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 24 January 2008 11:43 pm |
|
I thought that having your body be more efficient was a good thing . I thought that would help you burn more calories. I don't have any information to back that up though and your point seems legitamite so, I'll take your word  .
I suppose I kind of vary my work-out. In October I started out light on the bike and increased my intensity and time little by little week by week. Maybe I could try weight lifting for 1/2 hour (if I can figure out how to set up the friggin soloflex) but I'm kinda skeptical. Doesn't cardio give you a better work-out? And wouldn't my arms hurt badly afterwards? Ug . And my work out variety is pretty limited due to the chilly climate and the financial situation.
So let's say I didn't do much varying? How many fewer calories would you estimate I burn? I'm kind of scared now!
I mean, should I be? I'm not really trying to lose weight, after all. I have a pretty decent weight and I'd just like to maintain that. So would my lack of variation hurt that?
|
trimB
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 25 January 2008 06:39 pm |
|
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! Let me first say that this is just my little theory based on my own experiences. I don't think the effect is so large that you need to be overly concerned about it - especially if you are just trying to maintain.
Variety is good in general, but if your options are limited then just do what you can. There is plenty you could do even sticking with your basic bike workout... a shorter but higher intensity workout versus a longer slower burn versus an workout of intervals of the two.
Most of all, if you are maintaining with what you are doing now - and you are happy with it, then stick with it! 
|
1seekspie
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 25 January 2008 11:25 pm |
|
Oh, thanks! Sorry I got a little carried away in that last post (it was a stressful day) but thanks for reassuring me . I always love a little bit of reassurance....believe it or not this made my birthday even better  !!!
Now I just have to resist eating the entire birthday cake my mom made me. You know she didn't even make that for me? She just wanted an excuse to eat her "famous chocolate cake." Moms.....
|
Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
| Joined: | 24 May 2005 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 4179 |
|
Posted: 27 January 2008 05:24 pm |
|
The most important factor in choosing intensity and duration and type of exercise is to ensure that you enjoy it. If you don't, you won't keep it up so nothing else matters.
Baby steps!
Peter
|
Current time is 10:11 pm | |
|
