Hello,
I'm wondering if we are doing proper cardio for burning fat if we jog, then walk fast, then jog etc... and keep repeating it this way throughout the session? Is fast-walking sufficient enough for fat loss? I ask because I am told we need to do cardio for at least 30 minutes per session but because I am somewhat of a beginner I can't even jog for 5 minutes, let alone 30-45 minutes

What other cardiovascular workouts can we do besides walk and jog to get the heart pumping to where we burn fat? I can't afford to go to a gym to use the machines, and all I have is Tony Little's gazelle, so all I can really do for cardio is use that or jog/walk fast outside. What else do you recommend that I could do at home and that wouldn't cost me a fortune to purchase?

Thank you for your time

Hey Bookstar

I've read so many conflicting stories on low intensity vs high intensity its become a bit confusing. So just for my own personal results I would say get your heart rate as high as possible! you should be in that 60 - 75% range for really good fat loss.

The reason high impact is better I think is because although low impact uses a greater percentage of fat calories for fuel, you would use a higher number of calories if you were doing high impact.

A good example would be driving your car to work, the faster you go the more gas you will use up right? You might want to look into buying a heart rate monitor they arent too expensive anymore, then you would know when your in the heart range you want to be. The only thing I could recommend equipment wise is an elliptical trainer, but hey they are pricey but you are investing in your health so I think its a pretty small price to pay for something that can help you that much. Well good luck to ya!! and get your heart rate pumping!

Hi Fitski,
Thank you for replying ;-)
In order to get the heart to 60%- - 75%, is that equivelent to an all out sprint for 30 minutes or is it equivelent to a steady jog or fast walk? I guess that is where I get confused. I'm afraid i am working too hard and there is no way I can for 30 minutes, by doing an all out sprint going as fast as i can versus something where I can still talk at the same time as I am exercising. What do you think?

no, no ... getting your heart up to that can be achieved by short bursts WITH fast walking. Unless you are a supreme athlete, it is relatively easy to get the heart rate into the 60%-75% zone. If you can't maintain a certain level, chances are that your heart rate is very high ... I don't monitor my heart rate anymore, cuz I have a pretty good feeling of how much activity I need, but once in awhile, I will stop and just measure it with my fingers. I actually manage to get my HR up when I'm doing my weight training as I don't take that long of breaks.

thank you for the input! I do have one other question/concern and maybe I should put it in a new discussion but i'll ask it here as well.
I am wondering if I just need to be patient but I am brand new at diet and weight lifting. I have a lot of fat to lose and muscle to gain. I am a week and a half into it and I am very tired throughout the day. I am eating 6 meals a day with everything I should be eating including lots of protien etc.... and I am taking in enough calories. I do cardio and workout. Am I going through a beginners stage where i am tired at first and maybe going through withdrawals? I wish I could figure out a way to get more energy throughout the day. Any suggestions of what I am going through and how i can overcome it will be very helpful. Thank you!

it might be that you are over training. if this new program is over-taxing you, it is possible you jumped into it too fast. Maybe take one of your normal workout days right out .. see if you feel better. What time of the day do you workout? What do you have for breakfast ... a good breakfast will get you pumping first thing in the morning.