I have a question about exercise???

OK, you'd think I know, but, sadly I do not.Once your body gets "used" to whatever exercise you are doing and you know longer get out of breath, do you still do it? Do you increase the time or the intensity? Or what?????
Thanks in advance!!!

I was told that when your body is used to an exercise, it burns less calories doing it than it used to do when you were beginning.

The answer is to change to a different exercise, or increase intensity if you are able. I know that I can't walk any faster than I do due to pain.

Cat.

Mari,

Yes, you can continue to do the same exercise and you can either increase the time, intensity or both at the same time.........as you get stronger your body will continue to get used to the level you are at.....awesome NSV if you ask me!!!!!

Be creative and do or try something new that you like........

You can add some weights also if you are not doing so........

I switch it up every few weeks so my body doesn't get used to it (it is smart)............ you can try cardio only one week, then weights only for another or weights and cardio on alternate days....

What I am doing now is a 5 min. warm up then weights (upper body one day, lower next) then walking on the treadmill for 20 min. - 30 min. I heard that you burn more fat doing cardio after weights because your body uses all of the Glycogen stores for the weight lifting first and then uses the fat stores for the cardio............ I figure it can't hurt for me to try it........

Right now I will try just about anything to get this last 15-20 pounds off LOL!!!

Good luck,

Michele

Yes, your body gets used to an exercise routine. My fitness instructor and personal trainer says that everyone (whether they're trying to lose weight or not) needs to vary the duration, intensity, and type of exercise in order to keep challenging the body. And that's OK with me, because I'm easily bored.

Jean

My solution is to continue to do my morning classes (body pump & rpm m/w/f & step & yoga t/th) then every other week or so I throw in some afternoon classes.

I'm not "employed outside the home" so I can do this.. others might need a different approach.

Another way to do it is to raise the step in the step class (but I'm already up as high as my knees are comfy with) or to increase the resistance in RPM (again, I don't want to do that because of knees & I'm trying to thin my thighs.. not build muscle).  

I think I'm going to do bootcamp again soon.  Need the extra kick.

Hello

I increase my intensity as needed.  The way I gage if my body needs more of a challenge is my heart rate monitor.  If it's way too easy to get to my target heart rate I do two things- first I recalculate my target heart rate zone.  That changes too as you become more fit.  Second- I increase my intensity.  I am trying to get myself to the point where I can run a 5K so I can't change it up too much because I need to run.  I include the elliptical with my workouts and I weight lift (more lean muscle the faster your metabolism).  I don't increase time anymore because I am already doing 90 minutes, 6 days a week.  I am at my limit time wise.  In the beginning when I could only do 30 minutes at a time, I would increase time as it became too easy for me.  If I didn't have to work boy I tell you I could easily spend all day in the gym.  There are so many things I want to include in my workouts. 

One more thing.  You shouldn't be out of breath.  When on the treadmill for instance you should be able to talk without getting too winded, but you shouldn't be able to sing (then you aren't working hard enough). 

I have read the same thing about being able to talk but not sing.  It keeps you in that fat burning zone.  Also, my trainer told me not to do cardio for more than 45 minutes.  According to her, you start to burn muscle.  I also believe you should be working up somewhat of a sweat, if your not your not working hard enough.

The best advice I can give to you, as the other posters said... is for you to constantly change it up.

I change my routine WEEKLY to keep my body guessing.

I dont necessarily agree with "you shouldnt be out of breath".  To each their own, but for me to get my HR up there, where I want it to be Im usually out of breath..  Not to where I'm panting and cant breathe.. but I cant carry on a conversation.

In addition to changing it up, just try new things as well.  Different machines, or try some classes, etc.

Good luck!! 

Great thread.  Thanks for posting and reply.

The "mix it up" rule is mainly for weight lifting. There really isn't any harm in doing the same type of aerobic/cardio type of workouts routinely. I believe the suggestion would only be to mix it up to avoid getting burned out or bored.

I'm a runner and I run about 3-4 days a week. I do change where I run and how long I run, but it is still running. I do enjoy other cardio workouts, but I have found running is my thing.
I think you just have to find what you enjoy and make it as fun as possible. I would mix things up to keep it fun, but if you aren't worried about getting bored, do what you enjoy.

If you are still trying to lose weight, I would suggest talking to a trainer and setting up a workout plan that would help meet your goals. You will need to increase the intensity, if you are not seeing results. Best wishes!!