Exercise Question- I love your opinions!!!

Vicki,

So, what's the question?

It sounds like you're doing great with the exercise and are ready to go on to the next level...higher intensity, longer duration.

Jean

Haha!! Jean, you always put things in persective! I'm going to try it out tomorrow and see how it goes! Wish me luck, I'm nervous!

Vicki

I noticed the same thing.  I started out walking and it just seemed to be getting too easy.  Now I do interval training.  I start with a 5 minute easy walk then bump up the speed to a fast walk for a period of time (mostly 1-3 minutes) then crank it up and run for the same amount of time, then go back to the brisk walk.   You can start with 20 minutes but if you don't feel it does much bump up the time.  I'm really enjoying it and I can check my heart rate to make sure I'm getting it high enough to burn calories.

Vicki,
What kind of routine are you doing on the elliptical? If you would like a challenge, consider trying 2 - 3 minutes at 130 strides per minute, then try maybe 160 strides per minute for like a minute... You should notice a difference.  Of course you will have to come up with your own variation in strides to really work you out and then drop back down to catch your breathe and then go at it again... Aslo, have you tried the weightloss program. I the weightloss program today, and found it gave me a great workout... I hope this helps....

Blessings,
Michelle

a personal trainer (one that trains professional athletes) told me it is better to use an incline and less speed to burn fat....especially belly fat....just a thought!

Isn't it amazing how quiclky our bodies react?!?!  I started my workout program with you on the first, and train by heart rate.  I'm after cardio conditioning so I'm trying to train at about 80% of my max (60%-ish for fat burn intead) .  That first week it was not hard to get there.  5.3 MPH on the Elliptical did it just fine.  The following week I had to bump it up to get to my target heart rate (and added in hills).  This week I'm on level 3 hills and hauling butt at almost 9 MPH to get there!!  I missed my workout today but tomorrow I'll likely bump to level 4 and drop my speed back down to adjust again!  I also started the couch to 5K program to break in to running and it is just perfect!  I'm easily graduating levels weekly like it suggests and can't BELIEVE that I can RUN for an entire mile without a break to breathe already!  I'd definetly suggest upping either the resistance OR the speed of your workout and watching your heart rate for your ideal range.  I also recomend the couch to 5K  if you want to try breaking in to running.  Like many others have suggested, it is an interval program that gradually gets harder.  Enjoy your new found fitness, I know I am!!

To find your optimum heart rate range use this formula:
220- (your age)= Maximum Pulse Rate
optimum training ranges are 60-85% of you max!!

Kari

Swimming. I am a big believer in water aerobics. Great exercise for the entire body. enjoyable and healthy. Sun, surf, beach. Very healthy.

                                                      

I agree with mamy and Jenn up the incline and you will sweat sweat sweat.

Kim

I have an elliptical at home too. Your body will get use to doing the same thing over and over. Try using one of the programs. Mine has Weight loss, Intervals, Gluts and Extreme. Or do manual and change the incline and resistance..this will help. Also adding in some weights is always a good thing. You won't bulk up...don't worry about that.

On the ellipitical maybe go for a certain distance... like 2.5 miles in 30 min. This will speed you up!
As far as the running, the best running for your joints is on the treadmill (outside is much harder on your joints). The rest running program for weight loss is to run for 5 min or so, then slow down to a walk for a couple min., back to running for 5 min, then walk again.. you get my drift!

YOU ARE DOING AWESOME!!