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gunnsgirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

I never liked doing cardio until I started using the elliptical. I am finally getting to a point where I actually enjoy it. Can anyone give me some advice as to how long I should be doing it to burn fat and lose inches? I currently use it 4 times per week for 1 hour each time. I have been doing Level 7 for 3 minutes; then Level 3 for 2 minutes and so on until I reach an hour. I feel amazing afterwards. I am new to cardio and just was curious what I may expect as far as body changes and weight goes. I am currently 158lbs and 5'10". I would like to lose about 8-10 more lbs and then begin to tone things up. Anyone got any good tips for me? Question

gunnsgirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

anyone???

swanso5 · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:42 am Post subject:

patience my dear....

what your doing (hard / slow etc) is called interval training where you alternate high intensity and low intensity intervals...the idea of this is to go as hard as you can then recover at a slower intensity...the harder you go, the more calories you'll burn which is your goal...what you should do is decrease the total time you do it for to 20mins maximum...as your not going for an hour, your hard intervals will be faster and therefore at a higher intensity

i would have you start with 30secs hard and 90secs slow

remeber as hard as you can then as slow as you can...this works best on exercise bikes...if weather is fine than go outside and do it on a track with sprints...one of the best fat loss things you can do

also 2/week for starters

what wts are you doing?

gunnsgirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

Well....I am trying to lose about 7 more lbs and then I was going to focus on toning. So, let me make sure I understand you....only do 20 mins instead of an hour? I like doing it....it makes me sad to only do an hour Sad

LOL

I have lost 6lbs and 10 inches since Dec 31st. Do you think I should be doing wts right now as well?

swanso5 · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:28 am Post subject:

definately...wts are far better than cardio for fat loss...far, far, far better

gunnsgirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

So what do you suggest I do? I was working with a trainer end of 2006/early 2007; getting ready for my wedding. I remember some things, but not much. Is there a website or something that I can go to to get some sort of workout plan for myself? I am a fulltime Nursing student and can not really afford to pay a trainer right now. No funds for that yet Smile

Anyway...I appreciate all the advice I can get and thanks for what you have given so far.

swanso5 · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:55 am Post subject:

search the waterbury method by chad waterbury

gunnsgirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

Thank ypu for all of your advice. I think I am going to set a one time session with the trainer at my gym to show me how to some of those exercises in the waterbury method. Thanks again for all of your advice!!!

SarahPT · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 603 Location: Western Maine

Do have patience. The last few pounds are hard to get off, and diet is most important.
For cardio it is best to do a variety to get the overall benefit. Some days the longer, slower sessions and some days intervals, though if you are going to do all out intervals it is very important to talk to your doc first. And yes weight training is excellent. If you are eating a reduced calorie diet and doing cardio you won't build much muscle mass, but you will get stronger and hold on to the muscle mass you have. And burns loads of calories.

Petersworkinout · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 20

I really like ellipticals I can go forever on one and feels great

keep at it