Workout advice needed

just got back from the gym.  Walked 1.25 miles on treadmill for 30 min and 15 min on bike.  I have a vent/problem with working out.  I just discovered (through my persoanl trainer) that I was doing the treadmill all wrong those few months I was there. I was holding onto the rails.   So I had to decrease my treadmill speed.  I can hardly walk on it any faster than 2.5 mph because my balance sucks.  It is very awkward and I feel like a drunk on there stumbling around.  Therefore after 30 minutes I barely burn 60 calories.  I tend to burn more on the bike.  Meanwhile after 45 min there today I only burnt off 100 calories in combo with bike and treadmill.  I am in a local challenge that starts Monday.  They told us to burn off 300 calories for weight loss.  I will be at the gym 2 hours at this rate.  Speaking of rate.  I am not breaking a sweat or feeling like I am even benefiting from my workouts.  My personal trainer says it's fine but I am not so sure.  Any advice?

Jimi

Hey have you tried the elliptical? I love these once you get the hang of it after a few times it's actually I feel the best peice of equipment in the gym because it's low impact on knees and lower back and you can get the most work out from them. I hate the treadmill and bike but I have more energy and burn way more calories on the elliptical. I actually bought one for my house.  Also I feel it takes less coordination for it. I have a fear of missing a step or something no the treatmill or getting off rythem and falling. Other cardio ideas laps in the pool that is a really really good workout and less awkward and you'd burn more than 60 calories.

When I work out now I do not sweat either.  I will turn 3 shades of read but not one bead of sweat.  I do not know how many calories I burn but I know I leave tired.

If you work out on and get your heart rate up you continue to burn calories for 1 hr. after your work out. You can track your work out on sparkpeople.com and get a better idea of what your doing.

and you don't have to go slower just because your holding on to the heart rate monitor bars.

My exercise therapist told us as long as you get 60 minutes of planned exercise per day your are good. It don't have to be consecutive either. You can do 15 and 15 and 30 or you can do the full hour at once it won't make a difference as long as it is planned exercise.


Your trainer is full of stuff. If you can change the incline on the TM you can increase your resistance and calorie burn.

did they show you how to program it for your weight and age and the type of work out you want like cardio or weight loss? Tell her to show you how to set the TM for your need. not hers/

I LOVE the elliptical! I feel like I am doing less joint work, but I know it was working, because I feel it the next morning! I am up to running on the TM, but if I hold on to the rails, I would smack right off, so I am not sure where this trainer is comming from.

Jimi,

It's very common in the beginning of using a treadmill to get woozy when you get off, your body will adjust once it gets used to it.  It took me a few weeks to loose that woozy feeling.

Once your comfort level on the machines increases, naturally your pace will increas and your calories burned will increase.

You may want to add some balance exercises, you don't want to fall and hurt yourself.  If you have access to Wii, they have allot of balance games.  Your balance improves and you have a good time while your at it :). 

Just be patient you'll get there, your on the right track!!!

Edie

When I workout, I ONLY use the elliptical. I hate walking on the treadmill, its frustrating to me. I burn way more calories in 30-40 minutes on the elliptical than I would on the treadmill. Along with that three times per week I lift weights which has really helped because I am looking more toned now which is fine with me. Two days a week I train in Krav Maga at the Fighting Fit in Wyandotte.