Weight loss myths from Runner’s World 2 of 14

Hello all today I am coming to you from my trainer. Yep I am sitting on top of my bike spinning away like a little hampster. So if I mispell something please understand, I at times may lose a little focus. I plan on going as long as I can and I thought writing a blog or two might help pass the time.

So today’s myth about losing weight has me a bit worried because the title goes against everything I believe in but we will see what the outcome will be. Keep an open mind Jim.

The myth is “Exercise in the fat-burning zone.”Remeber I am a big fan of heart rate monitors and I give that little device a big thanks for my weight loss. Again trying to keep an open mind.

The article starts…

The “fat-burning zone” lies between 50 and 70% of your maximum heart rate. When you exercise at this intensity your body draws energy from fat. As your heart rate goes up, the more energy comes from carbs. So it seems logical that to lose fat you should keep your heart rate low, say Jason Karp, Ph.D., owner of Runcoachjason.com. But that is not the case.

“Running at higher intensities causes ou to burn a lower percentage of fat calories in favor of carbs.” says Karp, “but you use more total calories.” And that’s the key to slimming down. Plus, since you torch more total calories, the absolute amount of fat burned actually increases, too, So it pays to pick up the pace.

Of course, lower intensity exercise still has its place. Long slow runs build aerobic fitness and endurance. But to kick start a pokey metabolism, you need intensity. Karp suggests interval training (condensed runs that mix in intense efforts with recovery) because studies have found these workouts burn more calories during and after exercise. “It also cuts down on boredom,” he says, “which makes it more likely you’ll stick with your program.”

Jim’s thoughts – OK I am glad I kept an open mind. Yes everything stated in the article makes perfect sense. Thinking back to my weight loss it just happens that is what I did. I got so excited to to see the high percentage of fat burn but I noticed the calories were pretty low. Then there were days when I did a butt kicking workout (very high in intensity) those calories shot through the roof. Neither are bad in fact the end result was pretty good I’d say.

Today is a perfect example. During this latest hamster session I am having, my heart rate is going to be pretty low, that means the calories burned will be very high in fat. Currently I am in the 37th minute and burned only 200 calories. That is OK  because today’s goal is endurance, not speed. If I were running at minute 37 I probably up near 650 calories. Just different types of workouts. They all add up.

So if you are not seeing the results you imagined crank it up. If you are sitting walk, if you are walking jog, if you are jogging run. If you are lifting weights do a circuit instead of sitting around to do the next rep. Do anything to get that heart rate up more often.

Until next time, this is your fitness buddy.