Heart-rate.. Burn Fat or Glucose?

[thejaxter]

I am 25 yr old vegan (female- 5'3,) and I'm trying to lose about fifteen pounds in 24 days or so.

I eat primarily organic produce. I started counting calories about a week ago and get 1200 a day. I take a mulit vitamin, b12, and all my omegas (which I count in my calories.)

I currently walk on the treadmill @ 65 % of my maximum heart rate, but I have heard so many conflicting views on the intensity of your workout I just don't know what the hell to make of it anymore.

Some say I should be pushing it to the limit, and others say you should remain at a slow consistent pace, so as to burn fat instead of glucose.

I tend to put on muscle really quickly, so I often wonder if walking so much will build my thighs???

Any ideas?

[Dave Noisy]

Hiya - losing 15lbs in 24 days is probably a really bad idea, and potentially unsafe.

It looks like you're on the right track with the excercise (i tend to go with the same philosophy of lower HR's burn more fat rather than glycogen), 1200 calories seems a bit low to me.. If you're eating too little, you can actually put on even more fat, since your body goes into 'emergency' mode.

I'd say keep at it, eat a bit more, but don't expect to lose so much weight so quickly...

[littlegirlbunny]

I'm trying to lose about fifteen pounds in 24 days

why the rush? Is there a specific reason for this? I agree with dave, its not a good idea at all, but maybe you have a good reason?

[runner]

It is posible, but not a good idea.. why do you want to do it so fast?
Running fast will not help you unfortunatly. i guess. you can train at 70 75% but be aware your maximum heart rate can change as well, when you get more fit.. I would advice to set your target a litle less high. If you lose the pounds fast they can come back fast as well.. if you take your time they stay away.. an other thing is it can be good also not to do all trainings with heart messure.. Do you enjoy the sport? Also be aware of your technics.. don't get yourself a injury when just focused on your heart..

good luck

[thejaxter]

Thanks for the replies. I have been "patient" losing weight over the past few months and now I just want to get it off! I have an occasion coming up, and just summer in it of it self makes it hard to be patient.

I know it sounds like I'm pushing it with the amount of days, but I tend to lose weight rather quickly when I'm monitoring my calories, like 3 lbs a wk.

I have also heard time and time again that 80% of losing weight is what you eat, and only 20% is exercise, so when you hear that it's like why even do the exercise 5 days a week.

My boyfriend and I have been talking about getting into other activities to make working out fun, so I agree with your idea too.

[runner]

I don't belive the 80% food 20% sports (activities) is based on sientific research. It might be if you train in a gym and just spend time talking to friends and do nothing ( not against you jaxter but for the people who created this numbers). It might be for people who eat only junk food.. every day.. If you are not able to do sports because of your eathing habits.. than it could be something diferent.. but in general sport does the job.. Some people eat extreamly unhealthy but compensate it with sports.. they could do a better job whit a better diet, but that's an other discussion..

I'm afreight sports ore moving (a bike ride/ large walk to our job study,...) is the only way to get sustainable results

[Fruitbat]

losing 3lbs a week? Such fast weight loss is often due to water loss and dehydration rather than fat-burning. If you lose weight too fast you will lose alot of muscle mass instead of fat as your body goe sinto starvation mode and destroys muscle to reduce metabolic status and also to preserve energy stores i.e. fat.